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Skoda Launches Carbon Frame and Electric Bicycles for 2014

Which is better, 4 wheels or 2? We want to think it's the former, even though there's nothing wrong with a nice, relaxing bike ride. But Skoda thinks you should have both, and after their official partnership with the Tour de France, they've just launched a range of no less than 14 bicycles, available though dealerships.
2014 Skoda Bicycle Range 5 photos
Photo: Skoda
We're willing to be to bet that of the million or so people who buy a Skoda this year, at least 10% like to pedal. So it's not surprising that the range is so wide. Additions to this year's bike collection include two new mountain bikes and the "Lady" mountain bike, especially designed for women.

But the coolest bike Skoda offers is the "Road Elite", which is made from carbon , incorporates Shimano Ultegra components and weighs only 7.9 kg (15.4 lbs). There's also a less expensive "Road" model with aluminum frame and only carbon forks that is also extremely light at 8.5 kg (18.7 lbs).

Of the 14 bicycles Skoda offers in total, 7 of them are now mountain bikes. The top model is the "MTB 29 Elite" with 29-inch wheels, carbon frame and Shimano XT & SLX components, weighing 11.7 kg (25.7 lbs). New to the range is a MTB 27 Elite model with smaller 27-inch wheels and a two aluminum frame version called the MTB 29+ ad MTB 27+.

Finally, there's the piece de resistance, the Skoda Green E Line electric bike. It weighs 21.7 kg 47.7 lbs) and works as a ‘Pedelec’ (pedal electric cycle). When you press on the pedal, the electric motor offers 35, 75, 150 or 300% extra power, depending on the setting. The BionX electric motor is fitted into the rear wheel hub and the battery, which weighs 2.6 kg, is fixed to the frame, providing up to 105 km of range.

The range also includes the “Skoda Cross” trekking bike, the also fills the needs of children with the 20-inch “Skoda Junior” cycle for the needs of the young, "Skoda Kid” aimed at smaller children, and "Skoda Mini” training bike is for the very small.

Skoda has been involved with bicycles from the very beginning. In December 1895, Vaclav Laurin, a cycle mechanic, and Vaclav Klement, a bookseller, founded a bicycle factory under the name Laurin & Klement. In 1899, the company released its first motorbike and in 1905 the first automobile.
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About the author: Mihnea Radu
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Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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