eBikes

[Tony]

Anyone got an electric bike?

What do you think? I've been looking into them quite a bit and can imagine getting one at some time but I was wondering about people's first hand experience with them...

I figure that they're quite good at the moment but another couple of years and battery technology will have come on a fair bit making them better...

 

[Van-Wild]

I've had an electric scooter in the past. (Think adult size urban type, not yr granny shopping type! ) it was very good. Very very practical in EU where a lot of cities are bike or scooter freindly. Charging wise wasn't a problem either. I'd recommend it, especially if u suffer from an injury which hinders exercise.

Sent from my SM-G903F using Tapatalk

 

[Woody girl]

I've had a couple. First was cheap second hand heavy and slow compared to the one I have now. I'm heavy on the battery as I use it like a scooter but I'd recommend getting one. Halford have a couple of versions. Do your research though. Cheaper bikes can have niggles. I have a whisper. Lovely bike and great with a trailer. Expensive to buy but has been a lifesaver for me many times. Batteries are expensive about £100 but mine is charged every week for several years. Still fine.

 

[Billy-o]

Personally no, but I have a friend who has one and who swears by it. I have had a couple of longish goes on it and I can quite see his point. I kind of hinted at him that he was cheating not getting a properly leg-powered bicycle, and he said 'in what way?' and I have to say I didn't have an adequate answer at all. Also, about a year after he got it he was a good two stones lighter. He was suddenly out and about in the elements every day and that much less sedentary.

 

[Paul_B]

I know you have to keep pedalling to keep the motor on (unless that's changed), but of it's not cheating then why can 80 year old grannies on a sit up and beg eshopper bike beat me up some of the dune hills that run from IJmuiden to den Helder. Only to struggle walking faster that a snail when off it?

Personally I have no issue with people getting out on any type of bike they like. It's really just great that they're out on a bike at all.

So, at some point in my life I will own an e-bike without a doubt. When that point comes along I don't know. I doubt I'll get an e-mtb to help me up a hill to ride down it again. To me that's cheating. I'll probably get one when commuting by bike becomes too hard. Whether that's distance reasons, loads of hills or my age and health I don't really know. If I'm fit and healthy I won't get one for leisure riding that I'm certain of. Utility only.

BTW I know people taste theirs. If I was you I'd go to a bike shop that has quite a few and that allows you to try them for a decent ride. It'll help you decide.

 

[GuestD]

Anyone got an electric bike?

What do you think? I've been looking into them quite a bit and can imagine getting one at some time but I was wondering about people's first hand experience with them...

I figure that they're quite good at the moment but another couple of years and battery technology will have come on a fair bit making them better...

I bought one to replace owning a car. I cycle a lot, usually single/fixed. An ebike is not cheating, it's a different form of transport that if it suits you, get one. I use mine for collecting the weekly shop and.other such mundane tasks where the car would have been used previously. It's quicker for getting through town than a car, and I wish I'd got one earlier. I spent a bit of time deciding, and went for a Giant Quick e.

Might get one of these,

 

[Janne]

Interesting!
Once the battery is flat, do they ’cycle’ like a standard bike or are they heavier?

I remember how heavy it was to cycle with a dynamo powered light.

 

[C_Claycomb]

I know very little, but happened to be in a bike shop yesterday, for the first time in years, and was shown some of the Orbea range. There were many things I couldn't believe, lots has changed since I rode my Raleigh to deliver news papers!

This, is an E-Bike! They have a bunch that really don't look like the bulky contraptions of just a few years ago.
https://www.orbea.com/gb-en/ebikes/road/gain-all-road/cat/gain-m21-19

Of course, the prices are quite high! Like, you can buy second hand cars for less. If I sold my Seat Toledo, I would need to put in another £500+ to afford one of these bikes. The battery/motor system adds about £1000 to the price tag over the same company's non-electric bikes.

 

[GuestD]

I know very little, but happened to be in a bike shop yesterday, for the first time in years, and was shown some of the Orbea range. There were many things I couldn't believe, lots has changed since I rode my Raleigh to deliver news papers!

This, is an E-Bike! They have a bunch that really don't look like the bulky contraptions of just a few years ago.
https://www.orbea.com/gb-en/ebikes/road/gain-all-road/cat/gain-m21-19

Of course, the prices are quite high! Like, you can buy second hand cars for less. If I sold my Seat Toledo, I would need to put in another £500+ to afford one of these bikes. The battery/motor system adds about £1000 to the price tag over the same company's non-electric bikes.

These are good.

Also, there are various kits available. As with everything you get what you pay for, and it's best buying from someone offers decent backup. I've had a go on a Brompton fitted with one of these, and it was good, if not expensive.
http://www.kinetics-online.co.uk/electric-bikes/pendix-electric-assist-kits/

The Giant which I have is easily pedalled with the power off, as it automatically cuts off at 15.5 mph, and I average around 18mph on it, so the assistance helps when going uphill with a heavy load of shopping when it slows down. Mid mounted power units seem to get the best press. Front wheel drives can be a nuisance in the wet when climbing steep hills as they can suffer from wheel slip. The bigger the battery, the further you'll go. If I use my bike on full power assist all the time, it gets 30-40 miles. If I manage the power use, it is possible to get between 80-100 miles. Charge time is about 5 1/2 hours. Depending on the quality of the bike, replacement batteries are expensive. A replacement for my Giant is around £500. However, by the time the battery needs replaced, the rest of the bike will be worn out (and me).

 

[Janne]

Those look cool!

 

[Tony]

Thanks for the comments guys, it's good to get feedback from people that have experienced them. The cost is definitely an issue so it will be interesting to see how prices come down over time. I've been looking at the speed pedelacs, some of them are very nice, although the one I like is £8,500 which is just nuts!!
https://urbanebikes.com/collections/speed-pedelec/products/stromer-st5-1

 

[GuestD]

Thanks for the comments guys, it's good to get feedback from people that have experienced them. The cost is definitely an issue so it will be interesting to see how prices come down over time. I've been looking at the speed pedelacs, some of them are very nice, although the one I like is £8,500 which is just nuts!!
https://urbanebikes.com/collections/speed-pedelec/products/stromer-st5-1

Cosmetically it's not too different from my Giant @1/4 of the price.

The 28mph applies only if its road registered, hence the picture on the link with a rear number plate attached. The reason I opted for Giant is because there is a dealer second to none on my doorstep, and they know what they're doing. I've had mine for a couple of years and it's been flawless. Go out and get a trial of one, you'll be pleasantly surprised.

https://www.westbrookcycles.co.uk/g...MIpqyC5Mib4wIVl5AYCh1aQgmTEAQYASABEgJU4_D_BwE

 

[Tony]

Can you change out the rack at the back? doesn't look very top bag friendly...

 

[GuestD]

Can you change out the rack at the back? doesn't look very top bag friendly...

The two rails that run horizontal, on my bike, have "blind" threaded holes in the inward side allowing a top rack to be fitted, the down side is the rack has to be ordered from the states. I have two large Ortlieb panniers for long distance, and a quick detatch Carradice "Bike Bureau" for day to day, which doubles as a messenger bag when it's not on the bike.

https://www.carradice.co.uk/bags/commuting-folding/originals-bike-bureau

 

[Tony]

nice looking bag...

Just talking to my son who does some fair sized rides on his tourer, i'd be able to keep up with him if I had a little help

 

[Janne]

Once those bikes run out of electricity, are they difficult to pedal ? Heavy or laborious?

 

[GuestD]

Most of the time I'm peddling past the cut out (18-20mph) so the assist only helps on hills, or into strong headwinds. I suppose it depend on your level of fitness. For a long time I used a Swedish Kronan "military" bike, pedalling an E-bike with a flat battery is a breeze compared to one of these.

 

[Tony]

From what I've read it depends on what one you've got you can get some with a good range of gears etc, ultimately they're just heavier but the mechanisms are really smooth so there's no drawback from components.

 

[GuestD]

From what I've read it depends on what one you've got you can get some with a good range of gears etc, ultimately they're just heavier but the mechanisms are really smooth so there's no drawback from components.

the thing to do if you can get a demo, is switch off the power and see how you get on. My bike has a well spaced 10 speed, which is perfectly adequate for both with or without power assistance. I was in a local Halfords today, and they were offering E-bike demos. No obligation so worth a call just to satisfy your curiosity.

 

[baggins]

Most of my family have them. My folks, who are both in their 70's recently bought a couple, and they love them. they love doing the old rail lines in Derbyshire and, once they got the hang of them, wouldn't go back to regular bikes. Also, my sis, husband and kids all have them (although my brother in law is a professional superbike racer and has an ebike worth about £10K .) But, that aside, they really do enjoy using them and it shows the advances in the technology in recent years.
Both my folks ones came from a guy who refurbs chinese ones that have minor scrapes and therefore got very good prices on them.
BTW, don't test ride one in Decathalon, the floors are like glass, and the aisles aren't as long as you think once the motor kicks in, lol!