Chiswick commuter Andrew had the honour of being the first e28.X customer we filmed with for our #MyEstarliStory series!

In the video, Andrew rides us along the Thames while talking about the features of his Midnight Blue e28.X with front suspension.

One of the first subjects he gets into is the automatic 2-speed motor which, he says, “shifts at the perfect point for me.” You see, on the e28.X there is no manual gear changing required. Instead, when your speed/cadence changes significantly, the motor reacts. It automatically shifts between first gear (low speed and inclines) and second gear (higher speeds) which means that you are always in the best possible gear for the terrain/incline you’re experiencing.

Andrew moves on to talk about the benefits of riding a bike with a belt drive instead of a chain. It’s a first for him and he says, “It doesn’t come off - like my old chain - which is a pain in the rear when it does!” For commuters, the other benefits of belts are the lack of maintenance and the lack of grease.

Andrew is a bit of a cyclist. He got into e-bikes to improve his health and has commuted by bike for more than five years. Andrew likes the health benefits and therefore he uses the power modes in such a way as to give him the extra push he needs without taking away all the effort; “I don't think I've ever really gone beyond 1 (referring to the power modes)...you honestly feel like, when you're on the tarmac, you can go along at 15/16mph all day.” Andrew also takes the power off when riding, finding it, “very, very easy to ride still” when in power mode zero.

Andrew went for the front suspension add-on to give him more flexibility and comfort when it comes to terrain like toe paths. His wife got him the Estarli rucksack pannier for Christmas but despite supporting his active travel, the two of them clash somewhat over the exercise value of e-bikes; “my wife might say I'm not really getting any exercise but I think I am!”

For more #MyEstarliStory videos visit our homepage or YouTube channel.

Andrew's films is here - https://youtu.be/SqNzVDYuCpY