gogoro eeyo - an evolving relationship

Ever since I was a young lad growing up in a small town in the heart of the UK I have loved the freedom of travelling on two wheels, like many people this started with a bicycle. I remember every bicycle I have ever owned, I remember the feeling of getting my first ever brand new bicycle for my birthday (a black and gold Raleigh Super Grifter). That bicycle gave me the freedom to travel to the surrounding villages to see my friends, the freedom to get out and to spend days exploring and having childhood adventures. As I got older motorcycles became a part of my life, much like the pedal powered predecessor I found and continue to find freedom and adventure around every bend, curve and crest on my motorcycles. It was my motorcycle that took me to London where I would eventually use it and my ability to ride to earn a living.

I always kept a bicycle and eventually, kind of accidentally ended up buying a used frame and built up my own. A single speed road bike based on the original carbon composite Look KG251 frame made the perfect city commuter stripped to the bones, clean lines and lightweight we would whizz through the narrow congested city streets and carve through the traffic, often faster than the motorcycles on the same journey. This bicycle became part of me and my journey, of course it came to Taiwan with me as I began another chapter in my life.

As a single speed in Taiwan’s steeply undulating topography it is no longer the perfect ride, when presented with a long climb it can be a struggle, and in the heat of Taiwan with few offices or workplaces providing a shower facility it is for sure a sweaty option as a commuter, much like any bicycle would be. That is unless that bicycle is a power assisted electric bicycle designed to almost effortlessly get you from A to B. Enter the gogoro eeyo which I have had the pleasure of having for several weeks to check out and create content.

I am fortunate that my basic commute is to my studio which is on the top floor of our house, hardly a commute at all you could argue. However I live in the countryside and there is not even a convenience store within walking distance (trust me in Taiwan this is hard to believe for some), the nearest town is 4km away so although not too bad, cycling over the hill in 30+ degree heat and 90%+ humidity is not always the most appealing of options especially when there are cars on the drive with A/C, and a motorcycle.?

Hopping on the eeyo makes this a different prospect and offers a solution for the environmentally minded wanting the best of both personal and motorised power. Simply pop your phone into the holder, fire up the app and connect to the bike, choose your power setting and put a little input in through the pedals for big gains and easy riding.?

As I mentioned earlier about the bicycle I built, I like things to be clean, striped down and have a minimal feeling. Keeping any vehicle as light and clean lined as you can will decrease effort to drive it forward, and also increase its ability to stop quickly. In the busy city where there are so many variables stopping quickly and safely is paramount, pedestrians on their phones so often step out in front of vehicles and especially quiet bicycles that it really is an issue. Being an enthusiastic road user, I am also a huge advocate for road safety (check out my motovlog D’Cutz Pie Shop) and feel this should start from a young age. Whatever vehicle we are using to travel, including our own feet we need to be aware that this is a space for everyone and employ a little patience, sense and our senses. Let’s avoid going off on a tangent so let’s get back to the eeyo bike though shall we. Equipped with a front disk and neatly fitted rear caliper the eeyo sheds speed as quickly and easily as it picks it up.?

Constructed on a carbon chassis the gogoro eeyo does away with the traditional seat tube creating a visually pleasing open frame. I was concerned this would lead to a strange feeling in the handling and rigidity of the bike, this is not the case at all. Not having the seat tube and using carbon fibre to keep the correct strength and flex in the frame makes for a lighter unit. The eeyo is stable and comfortable, there is no “whippy” feeling in the handling you can experience on titanium and aluminium frames, through the corners it feels planted and sure footed with good feedback from the road surface with a feeling of connection with the environment.

Utilising a rubber and kevlar primary drive continues to keep the weight down and also reduces the need for maintenance and the risk of grease-stained trouser legs. Not everyone enjoys getting tools out and fettling with things, most people I believe want an easy care free travel experience which is what is delivered here. I really like the rear brake assembly being hung neatly between the crank arms, and of course all the cables are routed through the frame, very tidy.

The rear hub is the business end of the eeyo containing all the electronics, battery and motor. Again providing a solution to avoid untidy wires all over the place and continuing the sleek look of the bike. The drive from the motor is not bad, if you put more effort in it feels like it lets you but reduce the effort and the motor kicks in more to help you breeze along comfortably. It is not a racer but a cruiser, a clean way to easily get through the miles sweat free and it likes to be ridden this way. A way to enjoy your ride and not bust a gut pushing your limits, let’s be honest if you want to do that then why would you be reading this article and thinking about a smart power assisted bicycle?

The eeyo is easy to live with, get home, plug the charger in (super easy), let it charge (couple of hours), disconnect and you are ready for another 80km give or take. The charger is very portable so simply shove it in a bag and plug in again wherever you are to keep it topped up if you need that. On a daily commute for the average person this would not be needed and you would have enough charge to nip out that bit further for your lunch, in fact I enjoy riding this bike so much I would be looking for excuses to get on it.

Everywhere I have been on this bicycle it has turned heads, it looks great, it rides great, it is not heavy for a smart electric bicycle, but do I have any negatives? If I said no you would for sure be suspicious as would I, so I will mention these things which bug me a bit but may not you: when riding there motor makes a high pitched sound, I have a particular thing about bicycles being as quiet as possible (part of the reason I have no gears on the bicycle I built), and if you get caught in the rain the lack of seat tube means any water will not only splash up your back (fit a mudguard like all bicycles!), but through the frame too. It is a small annoyance and I am sure there will be accessories to prevent this in time. Are these real problems, of course they are not, they are minor and what is really the difference between water on the seat tube or on the frame, nothing at all. The bike is sexy looking and it makes you feel good to ride it, it is a great piece of design and a continuation of the evolution of cycling. Would I like to own one, yes without a doubt even more so if I lived in a city and wanted a clean and green ride free of the crowds on public transport and without a worry of parking, the eeyo is the perfect choice for sure.

(All images by Duncan Longden)

Useful links:

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https://eeyo.bike/

www.duncanlongden.com