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.