Electric bicycles - who buys them?

[PushedDover]

bobbo89 said:

Well obviously if you stick a set of 60psi slicks on your bike it's going to roll like a beast but I'm not commuting on my 170mm travel e-bike, I'm tramming down loose, rocky and muddy trails and I need grip.

You seem to be suggesting a compromise as a solution to a compromise which is just bizarre....

N+1

(whether that be bikes, or wheel sets)

[trails]

PushedDover said:

as in my Strava? Its not linked to my motor so wouldnt help.

I just feel that many whinge that above the limiter the bike is hard work or terrible - hence need to raise the limiter.

Observation suggests it is nothing to do with a disengaged / unclutched motor, but the bikes weigh the same as a small moon on the whole and the tyres shod on the eMTBS (i.e. the bulk of e bikes) are the cause of the bike lethargy above limiter.
Decent tyres and the bikes hoon along happily above and below the limiter.

If you don't need the knobbles on the tyres for your day to day riding, I recommend you get alternatives. Or as above a set of wheels for the mud, and a set of wheels / tyres for the road and gravel and use to suit.
Transformative.

I was replying to PM, who was replying to Giantt...not you

I don't use an ebike for day-to-day riding, I use an unpowered hybrid, or a single speed...I only use a full-suspension eMTB for riding trails, so knobblies are required...it's my only powered bike.

[trails]

bobbo89 said:

Well obviously if you stick a set of 60psi slicks on your bike it's going to roll like a beast but I'm not commuting on my 170mm travel e-bike, I'm tramming down loose, rocky and muddy trails and I need grip.

You seem to be suggesting a compromise as a solution to a compromise which is just bizarre....

[272BHP]

I find myself in need of a new bike this summer and have pretty much decided I will go for a road focused e-bike commuter for the versatility.

From my first few days of googling I have narrowed it down to 3 possibilities:

https://www.evanscycles.com/brand/specialized/turb...

https://www.canyon.com/en-gb/electric-bikes/electr...

https://www.westbrookcycles.co.uk/cube_editor_hybr...

So 3 similar bikes but with 3 comparable but different electric motors. The Canyon is perhaps a bit too aggressive geometry wise for a commuter on first thoughts. I have an initial preference for the Cube but I would worry about servicing and support.

Anyone got one of the above or who has previously considered these? are there any other competitors in this space?

[Richtea1970]

272BHP said:

I find myself in need of a new bike this summer and have pretty much decided I will go for a road focused e-bike commuter for the versatility.

From my first few days of googling I have narrowed it down to 3 possibilities:

https://www.evanscycles.com/brand/specialized/turb...

https://www.canyon.com/en-gb/electric-bikes/electr...

https://www.westbrookcycles.co.uk/cube_editor_hybr...

So 3 similar bikes but with 3 comparable but different electric motors. The Canyon is perhaps a bit too aggressive geometry wise for a commuter on first thoughts. I have an initial preference for the Cube but I would worry about servicing and support.

Anyone got one of the above or who has previously considered these? are there any other competitors in this space?

I had a Cube Hybrid pro, it was a pretty decent commuter bike. Probably not quite as road focused as the other two but really made my commute a pleasure, having the time it took me to do it in the car. No experience of the other two and no issues with it so no comment on the support network.

[defblade]

272BHP said:

So 3 similar bikes but with 3 comparable but different electric motors. The Canyon is perhaps a bit too aggressive geometry wise for a commuter on first thoughts.

Aggressive shouldn't matter too much, as you'll have your stuff in paniers on a rack... hmm, do any of those take a rack? Commuting with a backpack gets old, fast.

[PushedDover]

272BHP said:

I find myself in need of a new bike this summer and have pretty much decided I will go for a road focused e-bike commuter for the versatility.

From my first few days of googling I have narrowed it down to 3 possibilities:

https://www.evanscycles.com/brand/specialized/turb...

https://www.canyon.com/en-gb/electric-bikes/electr...

https://www.westbrookcycles.co.uk/cube_editor_hybr...

So 3 similar bikes but with 3 comparable but different electric motors. The Canyon is perhaps a bit too aggressive geometry wise for a commuter on first thoughts. I have an initial preference for the Cube but I would worry about servicing and support.

Anyone got one of the above or who has previously considered these? are there any other competitors in this space?

Westbrooks are my LBS for what it’s worth, and do have some decent deals at times
My last purchase was via them on a 35% reduction

They also helped on the previous maladies I had with my Cube Bosch.

Are you local too ??

[gangzoom]

Have a Fazua powers Boardman (previously gen of the motor in the Caynon), and Specialized Creo Turbo.

For commuting/actual usage the Boardman is the better tool, a pannier, mudguards, Marathon tires (nearly 1kg each), makes the Boardman usable as a car replacement pretty much all year round. Had mine since 2019, used 2-3 times per week, no issues at all.

The Specialized is a much much better bike than the Boardman, it's actually fun to ride, where as the Boardman is the bike that actually gets the job done for taking me from A to B instead of driving.

I have zero experience of Bosche powered bikes but suspect they are like all eBikes.

As every the answer is n+1

[272BHP]

defblade said:

Aggressive shouldn't matter too much, as you'll have your stuff in paniers on a rack... hmm, do any of those take a rack? Commuting with a backpack gets old, fast.

I find that as I have gotten older a head down hunched over position gets pretty uncomfortable. I much prefer a slightly more upright riding position these days.

Canyon was top of my list till I saw the geometry.

[272BHP]

gangzoom said:

Have a Fazua powers Boardman (previously gen of the motor in the Caynon), and Specialized Creo Turbo.

For commuting/actual usage the Boardman is the better tool, a pannier, mudguards, Marathon tires (nearly 1kg each), makes the Boardman usable as a car replacement pretty much all year round. Had mine since 2019, used 2-3 times per week, no issues at all.

The Specialized is a much much better bike than the Boardman, it's actually fun to ride, where as the Boardman is the bike that actually gets the job done for taking me from A to B instead of driving.

I have zero experience of Bosche powered bikes but suspect they are like all eBikes.

As every the answer is n+1

I want something that is light and usable and fun for sure. Part of my regular commute is a short cut along the tow path and then carry the bike up some steps to the top of a bridge and then back on to the road again. I can imagine that getting old pretty quickly with a heavy bike

[gangzoom]

272BHP said:

I want something that is light and usable and fun for sure.

My Specialized Creo is really fun and light, but use it once in a blue moon because I don't want to get it wet, ruin the wheels on city pot holes etc. It rides as close my analogue Trek Madonne as any eBike can, expect when you hit a double digit hill you can still carry on at 15mph versus slowing down to a single digit crawl .



However the Boardman gets used far far more because its got cheap 'bomb proof' wheels, survived many a hit with tarmac, and I've just used it to pick up some takeaway with not too much worries about adding to bike theft stats. No way would the Creo still be under my ownership if I had left it outside some of the more 'vibrant' parts of town!! That's before you work our how to carry £20 worth of curry in a rucksack.



The Canyon Roadlite:On CF looks really tempting though, the Fazua motor has no drag when unassisted, the 400wh+ battery will last you 100 miles+ with the Fazua motor, at under 15kg its nearly as light as the Creo!!!

How long it would last in a work bike park or outside a takeaway rack is a different question.

Edited by gangzoom on Sunday 19th May 13:20

[frisbee]

I've commuted by bike for a number of years, a rucksack with a laptop, lunch and clothes just doesn't bother me.

Sure, if my bike had proper rack fitments I would probably look at getting one but for me personally they wouldn't be a requirement for a new bike.

[272BHP]

frisbee said:

I've commuted by bike for a number of years, a rucksack with a laptop, lunch and clothes just doesn't bother me.

Sure, if my bike had proper rack fitments I would probably look at getting one but for me personally they wouldn't be a requirement for a new bike.

My thoughts as well. If I have to carry something then the versatility of a rucksack cannot be beaten. I have no interest in luggage racks. If I am just going for a fitness ride then a rack is just unnecessary weight.

[HoHoHo]

I’ve got two e-bikes:

Levo Comp which I’ve had for 5 years. It has many thousands of miles on it and it’s great on the South Downs, I totally abuse it yet aside from routine maintenance it keeps going on and on and I’ve just bought a Creo SL 5E Comp - and that’s another game changer for me.

I have a knackered (but hopefully recovering) Miniscus in one knee yet I can manage 50 miles+ (as I did today) so as far as I’m concerned it’s a great investment. It rides really well compared to my Cube road bike and although I’m in Eco 99% of the time I have additional help if I have a steep hill to climb.

It’s fast, comfortable and allows me to keep fit and enjoy my cycling around the South Coast.

As a matter of interest I have the battery extender and today’s ride was 51.32 miles, 2029ft gain, 3:25 hours moving time, 14.9 Avg mi/h and I started with 150% and finished with 70% left. So in theory I have a range of just short of 100 miles or so.

[OutInTheShed]

272BHP said:

I find myself in need of a new bike this summer and have pretty much decided I will go for a road focused e-bike commuter for the versatility.

From my first few days of googling I have narrowed it down to 3 possibilities:

https://www.evanscycles.com/brand/specialized/turb...

https://www.canyon.com/en-gb/electric-bikes/electr...

https://www.westbrookcycles.co.uk/cube_editor_hybr...

So 3 similar bikes but with 3 comparable but different electric motors. The Canyon is perhaps a bit too aggressive geometry wise for a commuter on first thoughts. I have an initial preference for the Cube but I would worry about servicing and support.

Anyone got one of the above or who has previously considered these? are there any other competitors in this space?

It's interesting to note that the Canyon blurb says:
A powerful, compact motor
Get all the power you need for fast riding, with no E-Bike bulk. FAZUA RIDE 60 has 3 support levels with a peak power of 450 watts

The UK EAPC limit is 250W 'mean'.
As far as I recall, there's nothing in the rules to define how that 'mean' is measured. Over a few minutes? A ride?

So, is this peak power legal?
Does it actually deliver more power in real life riding?
Has anyone raced a few of these things up some decent hills for our amusement?

Do UK EAPC bikes come with an approval plate and does this bike have one?
This is not the only bike I've seen claiming more than 250W.

If you lived where I do, and 450W uphill is available while most e-bikes were 250W, the process of choosing would be kinda simple?

[gangzoom]

OutInTheShed said:

Does it actually deliver more power in real life riding?
Has anyone raced a few of these things up some decent hills for our amusement?

Power reading from Fazua app is all over the place, but I have ridden the same hill near me at my max effort with two of the three motor systems quoted. For me, either motor system essentially doubles me power up a hill.

[Konan]

OutInTheShed said:

It's interesting to note that the Canyon blurb says:
A powerful, compact motor
Get all the power you need for fast riding, with no E-Bike bulk. FAZUA RIDE 60 has 3 support levels with a peak power of 450 watts
simple?

Possibly forgot to adjust the blurb for the UK site.

[272BHP]

Just found out that the Canyon UK HQ and Showroom in Chessington is very close to my house so I will go visit.

Could influence my choice if I have a service centre so close.

Let's hope the RoadLite fits. If it doesn't then they have a more upright Commuter:ON 7 that is slightly heavier and better specced but a fair chunk more money.

https://www.canyon.com/en-gb/electric-bikes/electr...

[Richtea1970]

Konan said:

OutInTheShed said:

It's interesting to note that the Canyon blurb says:
A powerful, compact motor
Get all the power you need for fast riding, with no E-Bike bulk. FAZUA RIDE 60 has 3 support levels with a peak power of 450 watts
simple?

Possibly forgot to adjust the blurb for the UK site.

I think quite a few ‘legal’ bikes sold in the UK give out considerably more peak power than 250w, it’s fairly common.

[President Merkin]

They all exceed 250w at peak output. The Bosch CX4 & Shimano EP8 hit 600w in boost/turbo etc. None of them will exceed 15.5mph unless they're chipped.