Electric bicycles - who buys them?

[stargazer30]

Barchettaman said:

mike74 said:

What's the situation with regards to chains for ebikes?

Can you buy extra strong ones to reduce the chance of it snapping due to the extra torque and possibly the occasional clumsy gear shift?

Or are all chains the same?

I run normal chains on the e bikes in our family (9 speed, Bosch mid drive.)

As long as the derailleur system is nicely dialed in and aligned, you’ll have no problems. I snapped one a while back but my drivetrain was a bit noisy and out of whack; I kept putting off actually sorting it out, eventually the chain had enough and let go.

At that point I sorted it out!

My mid drive ebike and manual gravel bike both use an 11 speed chain and SRAM apex groupset. Both bikes needed at new chain at about 1000miles, both at .75 stretch, but I only run the ebike on 100w most the time. I’ve seen a few snapped chains on the Bosch motored ebikes though due to hammering down in a stiff gear.

[The Mad Monk]

stargazer30 said:

mike74 said:

The Mad Monk said:

Or.

Make sure your bike has hub drive. No strain on the chain.

Isn't that just about the only single advantage of hub drive over mid-drive?

Nope. Hubs are more reliable, require less maintenance, are sealed against the weather, are cheaper and are better suited to older cyclists who have bad knees and need to ghost pedal.

I believe that's right. I have had a Oxygen CB e-bike for over six years. It is used 2 or 3 times a week, and fingers crossed....As long as I am turning the pedals - even without any pressure - then power is delivered through the rear hub.

[benny.c]

I mostly use the SRAM PC-1130 chain on my Levo and I’ve never had any issues. I don’t see much sense in spending more than £20 on a consumable component that’s going to get replaced every six months or so.

Not sure I get the argument that hub motors are easier on the knees or require less maintenance. On full power a 250W mid drive motor requires virtually no effort whatsoever to pedal. I’d be very surprised if the pressure on the knees was much more than ghost pedalling. Most mid drive motors are sealed units so there isn’t any maintenance required. Ideally it would be great if they could be disassembled to replace parts easily but that isn’t the case with most.

We’ve got both types in the household. The mid drive feels way more natural to ride and it’s the only choice I’d consider for any kind of proper off road but the hub is perfectly fine for commuting and general riding.

Edited by benny.c on Thursday 28th July 09:12

[Cupramax]

Well after 5 years of abuse my trusty old home build Specialized Crosstrail has earned a well earned rest, it’s done over 11k miles since I put a Bafang kit on it. The wheels are shagged, the forks are rusting, the motor still works but needs a strip down and Major service with new bearings and nylon cogs.

So onwards, new bike was purchased and another Bafang BBS02b 750 kit arrived, so here we go, home build number 2, just been out for a 20 mile shakedown wazz on it and very pleased so far it’s a Trek Dual Sport 4.

[LeadFarmer]

stargazer30 said:

My mid drive ebike and manual gravel bike both use an 11 speed chain and SRAM apex groupset. Both bikes needed at new chain at about 1000miles, both at .75 stretch, but I only run the ebike on 100w most the time. I’ve seen a few snapped chains on the Bosch motored ebikes though due to hammering down in a stiff gear.

I used to go through about three chains a year (11 speed) when I commuted daily on my Bosch motor ebike, and that was just 10 miles per day commute, though the ride home was all up very steep hills, too steep for me to cycle up using a normal bike. To make things worse 11 speed chains seem more expensive than say 9 speed.

Edited by LeadFarmer on Thursday 28th July 20:32

[emicen]

Cupramax said:

Well after 5 years of abuse my trusty old home build Specialized Crosstrail has earned a well earned rest, it’s done over 11k miles since I put a Bafang kit on it. The wheels are shagged, the forks are rusting, the motor still works but needs a strip down and Major service with new bearings and nylon cogs.

So onwards, new bike was purchased and another Bafang BBS02b 750 kit arrived, so here we go, home build number 2, just been out for a 20 mile shakedown wazz on it and very pleased so far it’s a Trek Dual Sport 4.

So do you not need to run their brake levers for the brake sensor function?

I’m giving thought to a cheapish kit but wouldn’t really want to lose my hydraulic discs or have to bugger about with them.

[Cupramax]

emicen said:

So do you not need to run their brake levers for the brake sensor function?

I’m giving thought to a cheapish kit but wouldn’t really want to lose my hydraulic discs or have to bugger about with them.

No, they only provide cable handles with sensors with the kit and the bikes got hydraulics so ive got some of these on order. You need to use some strong adhesive to attach them. it works fibne without to be honest, ive ridden the old one so much its second nature now anyway.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bafang-Hydraulic-Brake-Se...

[richardxjr]

Is this where the shameless cheats hang out

So a mate got one of these new lower weight reduced power things - ORBEA Rise M20 - and I borrowed it.
Similar to Levo SL the idea is that lighter weight needs smaller battery hence slimmer downtube and lower power (detuned Shimano EP8 RS) to offer a more non-eeb ride. No display, just a pair of discreet LEDs and a very tunable phone app. Quiet. Very thoughtful design and it 100% succeeds imho.

What sold it to us was how bloomin' good these are DOWNhill compared to our existing trail bikes (and these are short travel 29ers only 2-3 years old so very similar geometry). Perfect, that's what I wanted plus assistance up the (previously) boring bits please.

Straight after that borrow, I found the last discounted Large in the country and bought it on C2W
Mate's brother also had a go, and also ordered (full price from local shop) on C2W
And then his other brother (has to be a different colour so now it's a custom paint M10 with Kashima tartiness)
So we all have them now.

They do a slightly cheaper 21kg ali version with larger battery that original mate wanted, but no stock, so he had a discounted carbon instead (19kg). It was so spot on perfect that none of us wanted to risk the heavier Ali being not quite so good, so we all followed suit.
I transferred over my preferred fork, wheels, bars, stem and longer dropper from my now redundant trail bike and it's now 18kg.

I took mine on holiday to the Lake District and had a marvellous time

Borrowdale Bash circuit



Up ... and then back down Skiddaw

[snotrag]

Nicely done. The Rise or the Levo SL have so far been the only Ebikes I would have ever considered. Need more people following suit.

[richardxjr]

I rode up Skiddaw with a lad from the same campsite who has an SL. He didn't have *quite* enough power up the really steep bits, otherwise v similar of course. We both defo put effort in. Fantastic.

I rode the B.Bash mostly with a chap with a full power Kenevo 180 double crown MONSTER. That was funny. I kept up on the ups and ... nearly on the downs. Pushing/walking bits were sure easier for me. That Kenovo would be a little overkill in my usual Sussex riding.

ETA Trek have one coming out. This is the future of mountain biking, I'm looking forward to this development of lighter motors and better batteries and stealthier frames in time.

Edited by richardxjr on Tuesday 2nd August 14:45

[gangzoom]

Cupramax said:

Well after 5 years of abuse my trusty old home build Specialized Crosstrail has earned a well earned rest, it’s done over 11k miles since I put a Bafang kit on it.

I've owned my eBike for half as long and half the number of miles, but as a tool for urban transportation I cannot think of anything better, certainly makes my car look utter ridiculous for getting from A to B in the city.

Today there was a major road closure ar 4pm, traffic everywhere, forced me to take a detour and ended up finding a lovely empty gravel path. Beats sitting in traffic any time, with the panniers makes even popping into the shops easy.

I do need to fit a new chain/front pads soon, still for 3000-4000km it's being pretty maintenance free except for a knackered rear Halfords wheel that I replaced 12 months ago.

By far my favourite way for getting from A to B during the working week.

[James6112]

I have a Brompton.
Today I saw Brompton electric for the first time. Middle aged bloke flying up a hill, wearing a wide grin!
Will check out my cyclescheme tomorrow, hopefully pick one up a little over half price..

[Barchettaman]

James6112 said:

I have a Brompton.
Today I saw Brompton electric for the first time. Middle aged bloke flying up a hill, wearing a wide grin!
Will check out my cyclescheme tomorrow, hopefully pick one up a little over half price..

You have options to convert your current brompton.

https://vekkit.com/products/folding-ebike-kit

Swytch

[defblade]

Me, now!

[J4CKO]

J4CKO said:

I have put one together, its a 1500 Watt kit and 52 volt battery, but now I have built it am not sure what to do with it, I did the normal choice thing blokes do, look at them all and buy the biggest, I know no restraint !

Going for a ride tonight but will go on my normal bike, as its mainly about the exercise, half the point for me is I did it, not me and a bit of a motor.

It ides ok considering, was going to use a later Trek Hardtail but didnt wan to wreck it, so bought the old (1989) Raleigh "Minge" (Actually Mirgage but does look like that) for £22 off eBay, had to stretch the rear stays by 6 mm to get the wheel in. Brakes work better than expected with new cables and careful set up.

I think the legal ones make more sense as this is now really too fast for a bike, got it up to 30 plus then bottled it and no worries about legality, just a helping hand up hills. Will give it a decent run soon rather than round the block. The other problem is weight, it a right lump, not weighed it but must be 35 kilos.

Might use it locally for errands, stick some panniers on it. Might stick it in the shed and it gather dust, dont know.

Cost wise, £300 ish for the battery, £280 ish for the motor, £22 for the bike and a few bits and pieces, so prob £620.

Motor sold, lost £100.

Bike converted back to fat lump power, rack and my old panniers installed, lights added (flashers plus an owl burner) need to fit a mirror I think as struggle without one being so used to having one.

Had to install new headset bearings as the steering was most unusual, so had to wait for those but put it all back together last weekend and plonked it in the garage ready for its first run.

Front mech not present so the new chain I fitted just sits on the middle ring, got a mech but the shifter seems dead, and to be honest for what it will be doing, middle ring is fine.

Today I realised there was no milk, its a mile or so round trip, the options are walk but couldnt be bothered, car but its a pain to park, not very eco or fuel friendly so I remembered that the Purple machine was all ready to go.

Grabbed my phone, put some trainers on, keys and off I set, notclippy shoes, didnt bother with my helmet even, no lycra or any messing, stuff in the panniers, locked it to a the bike rack when I got there, got some milk, stuck it in the pannier and rode back.

Think it was about six minutes all told.

I am weirdly pleased with it, its cost £50 to get it usable, but it adds such a useful possibility, which isnt possible with my road bike, dont like using it if have to leave it, no carrying capacity without a rucksack, need to wear SPD shoes etc, dont bother locking this up in the garage, so easier again.

[wpa1975]

Barchettaman said:

James6112 said:

I have a Brompton.
Today I saw Brompton electric for the first time. Middle aged bloke flying up a hill, wearing a wide grin!
Will check out my cyclescheme tomorrow, hopefully pick one up a little over half price..

You have options to convert your current brompton.

https://vekkit.com/products/folding-ebike-kit

Swytch

Just for info, Brompton do not recommend fitting any aftermarket kits, the forks are not strong enough hence why they fitted a completely different set of forks to the electric Brompton, they are much beefier.

I have seen fork failure on converted Brompton's also it will void the frame warranty, better to seel the bike and buy an electric.

Standard:



Electric:

[Barchettaman]

https://www.kinetics-online.co.uk/folding-bikes/br...

He’ll sell you an uprated fork.

[wpa1975]

Barchettaman said:

https://www.kinetics-online.co.uk/folding-bikes/br...

He’ll sell you an uprated fork.

Buy the time you have replaced the fork and purchased the kit, you might as well buy an electric Brompton.

And if you check his forks are also not rated for electric conversions, it is why he sells the Pendix mid drive set-up

[StressedEric]

Woosh Bikes in Southend are experienced and knowledgeable on ebikes and ebike kits. I'm sure they wouldn't sell anything dodgy.

You could always call them and discuss any concerns you may have about the forks.

They sell a Brompton kit for £579.

As you already have a Brompton, a big saving over a new Brompton Electric which start a £2800

[The Mad Monk]

I had a test ride on a Brompton electric a while back and I was not impressed.

Very skittish and quite crude.

These people https://www.e-bikesdirect.co.uk/electric-bikes/fol...

do lots of bikes. Their own in-house brand is Basis.