Back in February 2020 I bought a Gepida Reptila urban ebike, just before lockdown, and I love it.

Gepida Reptila 800 ebike product image.

Nearly 6 years on though and I'm learning that while the Reptila is excellent on smooth roads and paved paths, it's not really the right bike for the shingle, rougher surfaced and potholed roads and trails I'm encountering more frequently.

Now I'm engaged in seemingly endless research about gravel ebikes and other off-road ebikes.

What's heartening is that Gepida have two models, at a somewhat affordable price, that could perhaps be better for me if we're going to attempt more bike trails: the Gepida Berig ATB Step Through and the Gepida Ruga Pro Tour (Step Thru), which I may have a small preference for.

I want to try a test ride on them both, but the "problem" is that the closest stockist is in Auckland, a 90 minute drive from here. It'll be a few weeks before we can arrange that.