The Alber E-Pilot Power Handbike is compatible with most active wheelchairs, whether folding or rigid, and can attach to more conventional folding wheelchairs as well. You can switch your chair between manual use and powered use in seconds, with easy docking and undocking of the handbike. Simply pull the E-Pilot in and lock in position, push forward to engage the lock, and off you go. The built-in stand ensures there is no awkward grappling with your handbike during this process. The flexible mounting system requires only 600 - 900 grams of bracketry left on your wheelchair with the E-Pilot detached, ensuring you can still use it for efficient manual propulsion.
Take your mobility to the next level, with top speeds of up to 12 mph available, and a lengthy 31 mile range thanks to the seamlessly integrated lithium-ion battery pack. The E-Pilot will master everyday obstacles such as kerbs or cobblestones, or rougher tracks that can be a challenge to propel yourself on. The drive wheels are noiseless and efficient with thick balloon tyres for good suspension, keeping you in comfort. In our experience the E-Pilot is chosen when more conventional powered add-ons such as the Smoov or E-Motion wheels aren't suitable due to their lack of off-road performance. It's the ideal solution if you want to walk your dogs, keep up with a cyclist buddy or just enjoy the great outdoors.
Controls
The controls are simple to master - just twist the throttle (which can be mounted on right or left) to go, turn the handlebars to steer, and twin hydraulic brakes let you stop. A 2.4" colour display clearly indicates key information such as battery capacity, speed and journey data, and comes with built-in Bluetooth connectivity and a USB charging socket.
Mobility App
This allows you to connect your E-Pilot to the Mobility App, available for free in both Google Play and the App Store. The app as standard provides further useful information and instructions, but comes into its own with the paid-for Mobility Plus Package. This upgrades the standard top speed of 4 mph to a zippy 12 mph, and unlocks features such as EasyNavi wheelchair-friendly navigation, cruise control for an effortless drive experience, and the use of the E-Pilot display for phone calls.
Customisation
Sporty and stylish, you can customise your handbike with a choice of 11 accent colours, while further options and accessories are available. This includes a supernova front light with double light output, rear-view mirror, throttle handrest for ergonomic and effortless operation, a front shopping bag, and reinforced manual rear wheels for your wheelchair that are designed to work in conjunction with the E-Pilot.
Alber
The E-Pilot handbike is, of course, made by Alber in Germany. Long-established as the market-leader for portable and efficient powered wheelchair add-ons, it comes with the quality that Alber are renowned for, backed up by stringent TÜV safety testing.
Our Verdict
The market for wheelchair handbikes is growing massively, and it is not hard to see why - they grant a great deal of freedom to get about at speeds, distances and to places which manual wheelchairs can otherwise struggle with.
While Triride are generally seen as the market leaders, for their comprehensive range and quality Italian-made electronics, the E-Pilot is still an impressive machine. Its standout features are its sleek design, something that many conventional models fail to match with their more basic "industrial" looks, and also the E-Pilot's quiet operation.
We would recommend trying the E-Pilot alongside Triride's best-selling Special Compact HT, or if you are looking solely for the ultimate in off-roading, then Triride's MadMax and T-Rocks are the models to consider.