Electric bike advice?

[sidaorb]

I know I'm opening myself to a string of abuse but here goes. 20+years ago I used to love cycling, went everywhere on my bike, London to Brighton etc. However many many years of being a desk jockey have now turned me into what the doctors describe as 'clinically obese' (seriously seriously unfit!), coupled with a dodgy knee.

Have still got a 10 year old Claude Butler but after about 20 mins my knee is in agony and I'm really disheartened by it, enter suggestion by friend of friend, electric bikes, found a local dealer and just had about 45 mins test ride on one, after the initial 'this is weird' I found myself using it properly, assist off most of the time, low assist on hills, after 45 mins (had to take it back), had got up a reasonable sweat but no pain in the knee!

So not sure if anyone has experience of them, but after some buying advice if possible, budget £1000+ish

[anonymous-user]

No experience of electric bikes. But lots of injury/operational related recovery physio, not sure how to put this with out seemingly coming across as a bit patronising so forgive me for this.

Are you aiming for therapy so you can get back on a normal bike one day or are you resigned to the fact that you'll need assistance from here on in and just want to get out and about?

If it's the former, I'd get a turbo trainer & a normal bike keep the resistance very low and build up strength that way, then short easy rides on your normal bike. If it's the later I'm sure there would be a dedicated forum somewhere to extol the virtues of various brands.

Try this one

http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/electric-bicycles/

I wish you the best of luck.

Edited by anonymous-user on Friday 3rd September 15:05

[okgo]

Check out this mnoths Stuff Magazine, they did an electric bike test.

[DrMekon]

I've tried a few of the bikes that The Electric Transport Shop sells. The Whisper 905se was fun. The overwhelming impression I had was that, unfortunately, they aren't built to last. The base bikes are cheap (sub Kona Smoke quality), and the control parts of the electric kit feel grim.

I see the Kalkoff bikes get good review, but they are obscenely expensive. However, the bikes look better made than the Whispers.

Still, if it takes £1000 to get you back in shape, maybe you shouldn't worry about the lifespan of the Whispers, et al, and just use it to get in shape, then move on to a non-electric bike when your fitness is back up. If it works out, it'll be the best money you ever spent.

[Mr Will]

It could be worth looking at the cause of the knee pain rather than an electric bike. It could be something as simple as your saddle height, which when adjusted will make the pain disappear.

I have no experience of electric bikes myself, but I'm a little suspicious of them. Lugging loads of batteries around just for a small boost up hills sounds counter-productive to me.

[sidaorb]

Thanks for the advice guys.

[Mr Gear]

sidaorb said:

Thanks for the advice guys.

There are so many different models to choose from, I wouldn't know where to start. I have ridden an Urban Mover which was I think mostly Chinese but reasonably good quality and certainly was perfectly pleasant to ride.

I have also ridden a dutch bike (can't remember the brand annoyingly) that was stunning quality but over £2k!

But the Gadget Show said that the A2B Metro was the best electric bike they have tested (they did a test recently of a whole bunch of bikes). I saw one in Brighton and it really did look the biz, but I didn't get to ride it. They are quite expensive, but not as insane as the dutch bike I rode. Link here: http://www.ultramotor.com/uk/product/a2b_metro

[sidaorb]

Looked at the A2B, great piece of kit, lots of fun, but so seriously heavy it's insane, almost RSJ type construction, great if you are going to use the 'power' all the time, but that isn't really what I want to do.

[Mr Gear]

sidaorb said:

Looked at the A2B, great piece of kit, lots of fun, but so seriously heavy it's insane, almost RSJ type construction, great if you are going to use the 'power' all the time, but that isn't really what I want to do.

Fair enough. It's really an electric moped that has pedals rather than a bike that has an electric assist. Erm, sorry I can't be more help.

[Mr Will]

Interesting Rant: http://pigeonsnest.co.uk/stuff/crapstuff/electricb...

[Parrot of Doom]

If riding a regular bike gives you knee pain, how about looking at recumbents? The different riding position may prove beneficial?

Edited by Parrot of Doom on Monday 6th September 12:44

[Barbotage]

As has been said above, might be worth finding out the cause of your knee issues first. If it's pain predominantly at the front of your knee, make sure the seat is as high as you can tolerate to reduce the flexion and pressure on the pattelofemoral joint, or might be worth trying a recumbent as suggested.

Regarding electric bikes, no personal experience I'm afraid, but these lot are a British company, seem to get pretty good reviews and at least look like a normal bike if you didn't want to 'stand out'
www.cytronex.com

You could even get another Claud Butler if you fancied, or depending on budget go fully carbon!

Think they may offer a retro fit service as well, so you could dust off the old bike!?

[sidaorb]

Just an update if anyone is interested. Got one of these through the cycle to work scheme.


Been using it most days either to work or out and about, I've discovered a whole new world that I never knew existed, really enjoying it and finding I'm only 'switching it on' for those real nightmare climbs, knee's feeling fine (little achy but no pain) and in three weeks I've lost 3/4 stone and feel 100x better

[shalmaneser]

Barbotage said:

That is a travesty.

[okgo]

I recently had one of those kalkoff things, the money would be better spent on a non electric bike thatt weighed not a lot. It was total st.