Electric bikes?

[audi321]

So I was looking at these electric assisted bikes yesterday like this one.

Now they've started to look 'normal' I thought they might be a viable option.

I know the majority of you lot will frown on this sort of thing, but they have a purpose for some people.

Does anyone have any reviews of these things (or a different make). In particular the battery life as you only get a years warranty and they're £310 to get a new one!

Thanks in advance all.

[Gaspode]

audi321 said:

So I was looking at these electric assisted bikes yesterday like this one.

Now they've started to look 'normal' I thought they might be a viable option.

I know the majority of you lot will frown on this sort of thing, but they have a purpose for some people.

Does anyone have any reviews of these things (or a different make). In particular the battery life as you only get a years warranty and they're £310 to get a new one!

Thanks in advance all.

I've got a Kalkhoff Pro Connect like this http://www.50cycles.com/electric-bikes/proconnect-... I think it's brilliant. The batteries have a 3 year guarantee and have a range of around 40 miles in high-power mode. I use mine for running errands and general toodling about, today I used it to go and feed the sheep. Carried around a 8 kg load on the rear rack and panniers, did the 5 miles in just under 20 minutes, came back the pretty way and took about half an hour to do 8 miles. Not particularly fast for a young fit rider, but I'm 55 years old, a couple of stone overweight, and for me it means I happily take the bike rather than copping out and going in the car.

[Mr Gear]

I would be a little bit way about buying on eBay. There are lots of odd Chinese brands that may or may not be any good. Go to a proper shop and look at the European brands. E bikes are very popular in Germany and Holland and there are lots of quality machines available if you can afford them. I like the KTM ones.

[Gaspode]

Mr Gear said:

I would be a little bit way about buying on eBay. There are lots of odd Chinese brands that may or may not be any good. Go to a proper shop and look at the European brands. E bikes are very popular in Germany and Holland and there are lots of quality machines available if you can afford them. I like the KTM ones.

The German, Dutch and Japanese are the technology leaders in this area. E Bikes are selling like hot cakes in Europe, this year in Germany they have already sold 450 thousand.

[Fishtigua]

I got a Salisbury LPX (ex-demo) for £500. Got it about 6 months ago, and being Chinese, sprayed the the crap out of it with Corrosion Guard, every square inch of it. Before that it was a Powa-Cycle, very old tech and heavy.

They handle daily commutes of 10/15 miles with ease, makes a mockery of headwinds and hills and good for the pub run without fear.

Wouldn't be without one now.

http://www.e-bikesdirect.co.uk/Item/Electric_Bikes...

[Rocksteadyeddie]

Am I correct in thinking that they are limited to 15mph.

[TwistingMyMelon]

my LBS are always cursing over Electric bikes, they say there are some great bikes out there, but the EBAY specials are a PITA, people come in with them and they are impossible to get parts for. I would stick to a established brand and a local shop if you want an EBike

[Gaspode]

Rocksteadyeddie said:

Am I correct in thinking that they are limited to 15mph.

Sort of. The motor is not supposed to provide assistance past 15mph. On mine, the assistance cuts at about 17. There's nothing to stop you going faster, of course, it's just down to you to do all the pedalling. In practice, it's not the top speed that's a problem, I find bowling along at 16-17mph to be absolutely fine, especially in town where it means you are going faster than the traffic most of the time. The real benefit comes when you get to hills, the assistance means you can maintain decent speeds even when going up quite steep gradients.

[stu67]

The reason I cycle is to loose a few pounds so I peddle myself, however I remember seeing one on the BBC show "click" where the batteries were hid in the frame and it was really rather cool and quite fast apparantly. I cant remember the make so might be worth seeing if it is on u-tube? It was the first one I thought "yep i'd have a go on that"
Anything that gets someone on a bike has got to be a good thing

[Rocksteadyeddie]

stu67 said:

The reason I cycle is to loose a few pounds so I peddle myself, however I remember seeing one on the BBC show "click" where the batteries were hid in the frame and it was really rather cool and quite fast apparantly. I cant remember the make so might be worth seeing if it is on u-tube? It was the first one I thought "yep i'd have a go on that"
Anything that gets someone on a bike has got to be a good thing

Cancellara's Paris-Roubaix bike?

[stu67]

Rocksteadyeddie said:

stu67 said:

The reason I cycle is to loose a few pounds so I peddle myself, however I remember seeing one on the BBC show "click" where the batteries were hid in the frame and it was really rather cool and quite fast apparantly. I cant remember the make so might be worth seeing if it is on u-tube? It was the first one I thought "yep i'd have a go on that"
Anything that gets someone on a bike has got to be a good thing

Cancellara's Paris-Roubaix bike?

No not that, think the cross tube was one large battery, however it did look like a normal hybrid without all the battery pack you normally see bolted on.

[Fourmotion]

stu67 said:

Rocksteadyeddie said:

stu67 said:

The reason I cycle is to loose a few pounds so I peddle myself, however I remember seeing one on the BBC show "click" where the batteries were hid in the frame and it was really rather cool and quite fast apparantly. I cant remember the make so might be worth seeing if it is on u-tube? It was the first one I thought "yep i'd have a go on that"
Anything that gets someone on a bike has got to be a good thing

Cancellara's Paris-Roubaix bike?

No not that, think the cross tube was one large battery, however it did look like a normal hybrid without all the battery pack you normally see bolted on.

Is that the Gruber thing? I'm sure Cancellara is one of their ambassadors...