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Short answer: the Halfords B98 is a comfort-first electric cruiser with hybrid-bike gearing, not a lightweight hybrid. Its defining features are 20 × 4in tyres, an upright riding position, a broad motorcycle-style saddle, a removable 500Wh battery and an approximately 36kg weight.
That makes it potentially appealing for relaxed urban and leisure riding over imperfect surfaces, but awkward to lift, store, transport or ride without assistance. At the £1,799 list price found during research, it is best bought for its distinctive stability and battery capacity rather than as an all-purpose, sporty commuter.
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Verdict at a glance
The Halfords B98 is not a lightweight hybrid in the usual fitness-bike sense. It is a comfort-first electric cruiser with hybrid-style gearing, huge 20 × 4in tyres, an upright riding position, a broad saddle, a removable 500Wh battery and a listed weight of approximately 36kg.
That combination gives the B98 a distinctive purpose. It should appeal to riders who want a steady, confidence-inspiring bike for urban roads, leisure routes, towpaths and moderately rough surfaces, and who value battery capacity more than portability. It is a much weaker choice for anyone who has to carry a bike upstairs, load it onto public transport, lift it regularly onto a car rack or ride frequently without motor assistance.
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At the £1,799 list price found during research, before any separate promotion or Cycle2Work saving, the B98 is not an obvious budget buy. Its case rests on its unusual design, large battery, relaxed riding position and Halfords’ retail and service network rather than on speed, low weight or sporty handling.
Halfords B98 specification
| Specification | Halfords B98 |
|---|---|
| Type | Electric hybrid bike with a cruiser-style riding position |
| Frame | Alloy |
| Forks | Detailed specification says rigid steel; another part of the Halfords listing describes front suspension |
| Wheels and tyres | 20in wheels with 20 × 4in CST tan-wall fat-bike tyres |
| Motor | Rear-wheel Bafang motor, listed at 40Nm |
| Battery | Removable Bafang 500Wh battery; two-year battery warranty stated |
| Assistance | Five assistance modes, Bafang LCD display and crank sensor |
| Assistance cut-off | 15.5mph |
| Gearing | Eight-speed Shimano SLM315 shifter, RD310 rear derailleur and 11–34T cassette or freewheel |
| Brakes | Tektro MD-M280 mechanical discs; 180mm front and 160mm rear rotors |
| Claimed maximum range | Up to 40 miles |
| Charging time | Up to eight hours |
| Weight | Approximately 36kg in the configuration Halfords describes for collection |
| Maximum rider weight | 120kg |
| Mounting points | Mudguard mounts; no pannier mounts listed |
There is one specification point that prospective buyers should resolve before ordering. Halfords’ detailed specification describes rigid steel forks, while another section of the same product page labels the bike as having front suspension. That is an internal inconsistency, not a detail that can safely be interpreted from photographs. Ask Halfords to confirm the exact fork fitted to the version being sold, particularly if suspension is central to your buying decision.
What kind of electric bike is the B98?
The word hybrid can create the wrong expectation. A conventional hybrid bike normally aims to combine the efficient rolling of a road bike with the comfort and practicality of a flat-bar machine. The B98 takes a different route. Its eight-speed drivetrain gives it useful bicycle-style gearing, but the 20 × 4in tyres, wide saddle, upright posture and 36kg mass make it much closer in character to an electric cruiser.
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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Halfords positions it as a fun, leisure-oriented bike for relaxed urban riding, inclines and bumpy terrain. That description fits the specification better than the idea of a quick fitness hybrid. The B98 is designed to make moderate-speed riding feel stable and undemanding, not to encourage fast cornering, rapid acceleration or long periods of unassisted pedalling.
The large tyres are the defining choice. Their high volume should take some of the sting out of small imperfections such as patched tarmac, shallow pothole edges and compacted gravel. They also create a broad contact patch and a planted appearance. The trade-offs are equally important: more rolling resistance, more steering inertia and more weight than a conventional hybrid with narrower tyres. Those are design consequences, not independently measured B98 ride results.
Ride position, comfort and handling
The upright riding position suits people who prefer to sit tall, look well ahead in traffic and ride at a relaxed pace. The broad, motorcycle-style saddle reinforces that character. Riders returning to cycling, using a bike for short leisure trips or simply avoiding an aggressive forward-leaning position may find the layout more approachable than a conventional hybrid.
There is a compromise. A high, upright bike with very wide tyres is unlikely to feel as quick to change direction as a lighter, narrow-tyred hybrid. The wheels and tyres add rotational and steering mass, while the overall bike is substantial even before luggage is added. The B98 should therefore feel most natural as a steady point-to-point machine rather than a lively bike for weaving through tight spaces.
Because no independently documented test data is available for this assessment, claims about ride comfort, grip, steering response or braking feel should be treated as design-based expectations rather than measured results. Tyre pressure will make a meaningful difference: too much pressure can undermine the cushioning benefit of a fat tyre, while too little can increase drag and risk rim or tyre damage. Follow the tyre manufacturer’s guidance and inspect the sidewall markings before changing pressures.
Motor and 500Wh battery
The B98 uses a Bafang rear-hub motor listed at 40Nm. It is paired with a crank sensor, five assistance levels and a Bafang LCD display. A crank-sensing system detects that the rider is pedalling and applies assistance according to the selected mode. It is different from a torque-sensing system, which continually responds to how hard the rider is pressing the pedals. That does not by itself establish whether the B98 feels smooth or abrupt; only a properly documented ride test could answer that.
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The removable 500Wh battery is one of the B98’s strongest objective features. It gives the bike useful energy capacity for regular commuting and leisure trips, and removal makes indoor charging more practical than a design that can only be charged on the frame. It also adds to the bike’s already considerable mass, so the removable battery is helpful for charging but does not make the whole bicycle portable.
Halfords states a maximum range of 40 miles. That figure should be read as a stated upper limit under favourable conditions, not as a guaranteed distance for every commute. Range depends on rider and luggage weight, assistance level, terrain, temperature, tyre pressure and wind. A heavy rider on soft tyres, using high assistance on hills in cold or windy weather, can expect a materially different result from a light rider on flat roads using economical assistance.
The most sensible way to judge the battery is against the trip you actually intend to make. If your regular route is comfortably below the available real-world range, the B98’s capacity provides useful reserve. If you are planning long rides close to the claimed 40-mile maximum, allow for weather, hills, payload and battery ageing rather than treating the headline number as a planning guarantee.
Charging can take up to eight hours. That is manageable if the bike can be charged overnight in a secure location, but it is relatively long if you need rapid turnaround between rides. Confirm where the charger will be used before buying: carrying a 36kg bike indoors may be difficult, while leaving an expensive e-bike outside creates additional security and weather concerns.
Gearing and hills
The eight-speed Shimano drivetrain is important because it gives the B98 a useful mechanical range beyond a single-speed cruiser. The 11–34T cassette or freewheel includes a lower gear for moderate inclines, and the motor reduces the effort needed to start or maintain progress.
It should not be confused with a high-torque mid-drive e-bike intended for sustained steep climbing. The listed 40Nm rear motor, large tyres and 36kg weight all point towards steady assisted progress rather than mountain-bike performance. The B98 may be well suited to ordinary urban slopes and rolling leisure routes, but the specification alone cannot support claims about a particular hill gradient or climbing speed.
Gear choice will matter. Shift down before a steep section, rather than waiting until the bike is struggling, and select an easier gear before pulling away at a junction on an incline. That is general riding advice, not a claim about a tested B98 response, but it is especially relevant to a heavy hub-motor bike with a crank sensor.
Brakes and control equipment
Stopping is handled by Tektro MD-M280 mechanical disc brakes, with a 180mm rotor at the front and a 160mm rotor at the rear. The larger front rotor reflects the greater braking load normally carried by the front wheel. Mechanical discs are straightforward for a competent cycle mechanic to inspect and service, but cable-operated systems generally need cable, pad and adjustment attention as they wear.
Stopping performance will depend on much more than rotor diameter. Tyre pressure, wet or loose surfaces, brake adjustment, pad condition, rider and luggage weight and the way the brakes are applied all matter. The B98’s wide tyres may give a reassuringly stable platform, but they do not remove the need for sensible speed and earlier braking on poor surfaces.
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Everyday practicality: the 36kg problem
The B98’s weight is not a minor specification footnote. At approximately 36kg, it is much heavier than a typical non-electric hybrid and heavier than many ordinary electric bikes. The motor makes that mass less noticeable once the bike is moving, but it remains present whenever the bike has to be lifted, turned around in a confined space, pushed without assistance or carried over steps.
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Ground-floor storage, a garage, a secure workplace room or a robust outdoor shelter are much more suitable than a flat reached by stairs. Measure doorways, storage spaces and any access ramps before purchase. A wide handlebar and 20 × 4in tyres may also make the bike more awkward to manoeuvre through narrow halls or crowded sheds than its wheel diameter suggests.
Car transport needs similar care. Do not assume a standard rear-mounted bicycle carrier can support the B98. Check the carrier’s permitted e-bike weight, maximum load per rail, tyre clearance and frame-attachment instructions. Removing the battery may reduce the load for transport, but it does not turn the bike into a lightweight bicycle, and the remaining weight still has to be within the rack’s rating.
The frame has mudguard mounts, which is useful for keeping spray off the rider on wet roads. However, no pannier mounts are listed. That weakens the B98’s case as a fully equipped commuter for anyone carrying a laptop, change of clothes or groceries. A backpack remains the straightforward option, while any alternative carrying system should be confirmed as compatible with the frame and its load limits rather than assumed to fit.
Tyres, punctures and security
Twenty-inch by four-inch tyres are not an accessory size that every cycle shop keeps in stock. Owners who want roadside preparedness may wish to carry a spare 20 x 4 fat bike inner tube, but must verify the exact tyre marking and valve style before ordering. The B98 product information available for this review does not confirm the tube valve specification, so size alone is not enough to guarantee compatibility.
The B98’s visual bulk and £1,799 price also make security a serious ownership consideration. Use secure parking and a substantial lock rather than relying on the bike’s appearance or a lightweight cable. A heavy-duty e-bike U-lock or a large-frame electric-bike chain lock is a sensible category to investigate, but check its dimensions and the available locking point on the bike. No particular lock can be declared a guaranteed fit without checking those measurements.
At this value, owners should also consider whether their home, workplace and travel arrangements justify separate e-bike theft insurance. That is a buying decision rather than an included B98 feature, and policy conditions can vary widely, especially around approved locks, overnight storage and unattended parking.
Aftercare and replacement parts
Halfords lists a model-specific B98 replacement rear wheel with motor and says it is compatible only with the B98. That is useful reassurance in principle because the rear wheel is a major electrical component, not an interchangeable generic wheel. Confirm current stock, price, fitting terms and warranty conditions before relying on it as a long-term ownership advantage.
Halfords strongly recommends professional fitting for the replacement motor wheel. Self-fitting may affect the manufacturer warranty, so this is not an ideal repair for an owner who is unsure about electrical connectors, wheel installation or cable routing. The part’s availability should be viewed as a potential aftercare route, not a promise that a replacement will always be immediately available.
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- Multi-scenario Adaptation: ALOTIKI 20x4.0 fat tire tube is a reliable bicycle tire tube, perfectly fits mountain bike, gravel bike, city bike, ebike and power-assisted bike, covers daily travel and outdoor off-road riding scenarios.
- Premium Quality Material: Made of high-quality butyl rubber, this 20x4.0 inner tube boasts great puncture resistance and anti-aging performance. More durable than ordinary styles, ideal for long-term use on ebike and mountain bike across various road surfaces.
- Complete Practical Accessories:This fat tire tube is fitted with standard Schrader valve and paired with tire levers. Easy to carry and operate, helping all cyclists finish tire repair and maintenance effortlessly.
- Smooth & Stable Riding: With outstanding elasticity and shock absorption, this inner tube effectively buffers road vibrations, keeps tires balanced and stable, greatly upgrading riding comfort for your mountain bike and ebike.
- Professional Installation Tips: Kindly inflate this bicycle tire tube slightly before installation, then align the air valve with wheel hole accurately. Never install directly without pre-inflation to prevent valve displacement and ensure long-term stable use.
Halfords also promotes Halfords CycleCare, an optional service and maintenance proposition. It should not be treated as included with the B98. Check the current plan price, covered work, exclusions, booking arrangements and availability at the store you would use. A maintenance plan may be convenient for a rider who does not service bikes personally, but it should be included in the ownership-cost calculation rather than used to justify the purchase by default.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.UK legality
This is a UK-specific assessment. The B98 listing states that assistance is limited to 15.5mph, which matches the UK electrically assisted pedal cycle speed cut-off. For a UK EAPC, the pedals must be capable of propelling the cycle and the motor’s maximum continuous rated power must be no more than 250W, alongside other applicable requirements.
The detailed B98 specification available for this review does not expose the motor’s wattage. Therefore, the 15.5mph figure alone is not enough to independently declare full legal compliance. Before purchase, check the bike’s markings, supplied documentation and the current Halfords specification for the rated motor power and other EAPC requirements. Do not generalise this UK guidance to the United States or another country, where e-bike classifications can differ.
Who should buy the B98?
| The B98 makes sense if you prioritise | Look elsewhere if you need |
|---|---|
| Upright, relaxed riding | A lightweight bike for stairs or public transport |
| High-volume tyres for imperfect urban surfaces and hard-packed paths | Quick, narrow-tyred hybrid handling |
| A large removable battery | Rapid charging or frequent same-day turnaround |
| Motor assistance for moderate inclines | High-performance climbing on steep terrain |
| A broad cruiser-style saddle and steady pace | Frequent unassisted riding or fitness-focused efficiency |
| Secure ground-floor storage | A bicycle that can be lifted onto a normal car rack without checking its rating |
The strongest match is a leisure rider, returning cyclist or short-to-moderate commuter who has secure storage and regularly encounters broken tarmac, rough paths or rolling terrain. The weakest match is someone who sees the word hybrid and expects a nimble, easily carried bicycle, or someone who needs built-in luggage capacity from panniers.
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At the £1,799 list price found during research, the B98 needs to be judged as a specialist purchase rather than a cheap route into e-biking. The large 500Wh removable battery, eight-speed gearing, fat tyres and upright layout are tangible reasons to choose it. Halfords’ retail presence and potential access to model-specific aftercare may also matter to buyers who prefer a familiar service network.
Those benefits do not cancel out the compromises. The 36kg mass affects storage, transport and manoeuvrability every day. The wide tyres bring comfort-oriented volume but also drag and steering weight. The lack of pannier mounts limits load-carrying practicality, and the charging time of up to eight hours demands a realistic charging routine. The B98 is good value only if those characteristics are exactly what you want.
The B98’s value case starts with the Halfords B98 Electric Hybrid Bike itself: a distinctive, battery-heavy cruiser for buyers who value stability and relaxed riding more than portability. Check the current B98 price immediately before ordering because list prices, promotions and Cycle2Work savings can change independently.
Final verdict
The Halfords B98 is a big, distinctive comfort cruiser with hybrid-bike gearing and a genuinely useful 500Wh removable battery. Its 20 × 4in tyres, upright position and broad saddle should suit steady leisure riding and poor urban surfaces better than a conventional lightweight hybrid, while the rear motor and eight-speed drivetrain provide practical assistance for everyday inclines.
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But the same choices make it a demanding bicycle to own. Approximately 36kg is a serious penalty for stairs, storage, car transport and unassisted manoeuvring, and the £1,799 list price means buyers should be confident that they want this particular character. It is not an all-purpose lightweight hybrid and should not be bought as one.
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Bottom line: buy the B98 for its planted, upright, comfort-first approach and large battery, provided you have secure, accessible storage. If portability, lively handling, pannier capacity or high-performance hill climbing matters more, its size and weight will quickly become more important than its strengths.
Review scope: This assessment uses the published specification and documented product information. It does not claim independently measured acceleration, braking distances, range, hill performance, battery degradation, reliability or long-term durability. Those figures require a controlled test with a documented rider, route, load, tyre pressure and weather conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Halfords B98 a lightweight electric bike?
No. Halfords lists the B98 at approximately 36kg in the configuration described for collection. The motor makes it easier to ride once moving, but not easy to lift, carry upstairs or load onto a car rack. Check any rack’s e-bike weight rating before use.
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Halfords states a maximum range of 40 miles, but that is not a guaranteed real-world distance. Rider and luggage weight, assistance level, hills, temperature, wind and tyre pressure all affect range.
Does the Halfords B98 have front suspension?
The published information is inconsistent: the detailed specification says rigid steel forks, while another part of the same Halfords listing describes front suspension. Confirm the exact fork fitted to the version you intend to buy.
Can you fit panniers to the B98?
No pannier mounts are listed. It has mudguard mounts, but commuters carrying a laptop, clothing or groceries may need a backpack or a separately verified carrying solution.
What motor and assistance system does the B98 use?
The bike is listed with five assistance modes, a Bafang LCD display and a crank sensor. Its rear-wheel motor is listed at 40Nm, and assistance cuts off at 15.5mph. The detailed listing captured for this review does not state the motor’s wattage, so check the supplied documentation when confirming UK EAPC requirements.
The Bottom Line
The B98 is best treated as a heavy, comfort-oriented electric cruiser rather than a lightweight hybrid. Its 500Wh removable battery and fat tyres are compelling for relaxed urban and leisure riding, but the approximately 36kg weight, lack of pannier mounts and £1,799 list price make it a niche choice.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
