Rs 27,000 Hero Lectro EZephyr electric cycle review

The Lectro EZephyr has a sleek and slim frame. Hero has intelligently hidden the battery inside the frame of the cycle, further adding to the shaved look of the cycle. By doing so the battery can be saved from any damage, unlike the case where the battery is placed outside on the frame. The downside, however, is that you need to have a charging point at a place where you can carry the cycle. There is a small outlet in the hub of the pedals where you can plug in the charger that comes along with the cycle. Thankfully the cycle just weighs 16kgs which is quite light for an electric cycle. You really appreciate the cycle's light weight when you have to carry and it also means that you have to drag less weight if you ride the cycle without any aid from the electric motor.

When it comes to riding the cycle, you are in a relaxed position that is not too taxing even after an hour of riding. The handlebars are not too far out but the seat height means that riders below 5'8" will have their feet in the air. There is a small console on the left side of the handlebar that has a few buttons and indicators. There is a Mode button that when pressed, switches between the 3 levels of assist you can get from the 36V/250W BLDC motor and you can use it to completely shut any kind of assistance. The three modes - Low, Medium and High, are self-explanatory and kick in without much delay. Additionally you can ride the cycle without peddling at all using an accelerator provided on the right side. You can achieve a top speed of 25kmph if you use this. Since the purpose of riding a cycle is to put your body to some work, I would only recommend using the motor only when you are completely exhausted. The battery will last for about 30kms if you use the accelerator and then require about 4 hours to fully charge. There is a nice little indicator on the handlebar console that shows you the battery level. There is also a button that you can press and hold and the cycle will cruise at 6kmph. While it is a nice feature, we hardly found ourselves using it. The same button also doubles up as a toggle for the LED light upfront. The light does not throw enough light to illuminate dark roads but it can act as an indicator for others. Beyond the electronics you have a 7-speed transmission from Shimao that works just like how you expect the gears in a cycle to work. You can go up and down the gears using the shifter on the right side of the handlebar.

The 18 inch tyres are quite thin and they are meant for the city roads. Taking it off road is not the best idea, especially considering the lack of any kind of suspension set up. Your back might not like it if you take this cycle on broken roads. You get disc brake at the front and a conventional V-brake at the rear, both of which have enough power to bring the cycle to a halt without much effort. You get a good response from the moment you apply the brakes. Despite the Lectro EZephyr being a well packed product it does miss out on a few basic things like a bell, mudguards, chain guard and a carriage. All these are offered as accessories.

Hero has just not kept the weight of the cycle under control. Even the price is relatively competitive. At Rs 26,999 the cycle is priced decent. In case you feel like punching that paunch back inside or are tired of running on the treadmill in the confines of your home then the Lectro EZephyr can be a great way of not only losing weight but also getting some fresh air and sun. You can even take it a step further and use this for commutes to nearby places and help curb pollution.