Electric bikes

fundy

fundy

Ryder Cup Winner
Joined
Aug 6, 2010
Messages
27,053
Location
Herts/Beds border
Visit site
Anyone got one, used one or got any recommendations?

Having moved to a far more scenic location my wife would like a bike with a bit of power support so that we can go out on longer rides (either up the coast or into the new forest)

Seems a broad spectrum that you can pay either hundreds or thousands depending on what you buy. Anyone give us a steer of any sort on where to start (ideally one with a walkthrough style of frame that is capable of 30+ miles on one charge)
 
Do you ever come to Brighton?

My Sister-In-Law bought one in the bike shop at Brighton Marina.

Cost around a £1000 and she's very pleased with it, but sorry, I don't know any more detail than that.
 
Golfmmad said:
Do you ever come to Brighton?

My Sister-In-Law bought one in the bike shop at Brighton Marina.

Cost around a £1000 and she's very pleased with it, but sorry, I don't know any more detail than that.
Click to expand...

£1000 for a bike? You can buy a car for that money, and it would keep you dry when it rains.
 
fundy said:
Anyone got one, used one or got any recommendations?

Having moved to a far more scenic location my wife would like a bike with a bit of power support so that we can go out on longer rides (either up the coast or into the new forest)

Seems a broad spectrum that you can pay either hundreds or thousands depending on what you buy. Anyone give us a steer of any sort on where to start (ideally one with a walkthrough style of frame that is capable of 30+ miles on one charge)
Click to expand...
The fella we’re playing with tomorrow imports electric bikes. He’s got one, he’ll let you have a go. His are on the pricey side though from memory, around 3-5k but he’s got relationships with the dealer network, so will be able to give you a steer.
 
Last edited:
I’m getting me one of these 👍

[video=youtube_share;B9VuKK5sbQo]http://youtu.be/B9VuKK5sbQo[/video]
 
fundy said:
Anyone got one, used one or got any recommendations?

Having moved to a far more scenic location my wife would like a bike with a bit of power support so that we can go out on longer rides (either up the coast or into the new forest)

Seems a broad spectrum that you can pay either hundreds or thousands depending on what you buy. Anyone give us a steer of any sort on where to start (ideally one with a walkthrough style of frame that is capable of 30+ miles on one charge)
Click to expand...

I know people who have bought from both of the companies below. Not handy for you but it shows the brands of bikes. They are both really pleased with them. Both used by people who are not the fittest and want a little extra help that electric bikes offer. Northumberland is not the flattest so extra assistance is understandable.

https://www.facebook.com/themorpethelectricbicyclecompany/?ref=bookmarks

http://www.breezebikes.co.uk/c/341/Hybrid
 
Electric bike 101....

You can either have the motor directly powering a wheel, with your geared contribution being via the pedals (I've written it this way round for a reason!) - which are generally the cheaper models...

Or you can have the motor on the crank so that both the motor contribution and your pedal power are then delivered through the gears. These are usually more expensive!

Finally you can have either speed triggered motor contribution or cadence - the latter are much smoother to ride. Generally associated with the more expensive motors and set ups.

General - most are heavy; even EU road legal pedelec category 250W cheap bikes have a lot of get up and go (until the battery goes flat) so the cheaper the models tend to have heavy steel tubing to provide some stiffness. Expensive models use expensive alloys and construction to keep the weight down.

Small wheels, cheap frames, speed triggered motors in the hands of the unwary...even the restriction to 15 mph isn't guaranteed to save you! Try any model for stability before you buy.

It's a massively blooming business, so you have every type of distributor and his dog out there - online marketing, websites etc are incredibly cheap, as are branding stickers! The Chinese factories deliver the same product to many distributors. Doesn't make them bad products per se.

If you are definitely going to use it, get a better product - stick to larger wheeled (you can still get step through) crank motor, cadence and, probably in the EU market, Bosch motor/battery but there are other, just as good, products. On relatively flat ground with a little pedalling you should get as much distance capability as you will want to sit on the saddle for a day!

Here's a quick example

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/...rid-one-400-trapeze-e-bike-2018/rp-prod164829

I forgot to mention the importance of good brakes earlier....

The above example also highlights the need for good sizing - the smallest, 18" frame on this model would suit around 5'6" with 29" inside leg. Smaller women will be difficult to fit - my wife is 5' 1" and we had to make to many compromises (imo) but as she has no intention of goi g off road that's (apparently) OK...
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

D
Quinta Do Lago Bars
Replies
7
Views
1K
kp17
kp17
Tashyboy
Electric mountain bike
2 3 4
Replies
73
Views
9K
clubchamp98
clubchamp98
C
Hotel and Parking at Stansted
Replies
6
Views
949
larmen
L
C
The difficulties in arranging golf holidays for groups. Spain or Portugal or somewhere else. Everyone has different opinions on the golf courses...
2 3
Replies
40
Views
8K
gopher99
G
Ando
Course suggestions - Scotland, winter, near mountains
Replies
15
Views
2K
patricks148
patricks148
Top