Electric bicycles - who buys them?

[Chicken Chaser]

Im looking a MTBs and keep flipping between motored and non motored. I've been checking out local bike shops to see what they have but the answer is not much. On the doorstep is the Cannondale Moterra 3+, not so local is the Whyte E150s, and Trek Rail 7. I know there are hardtails available but I think if I got one, it wouldn't be long before I was wishing for a FS and the £4500-5000 price point seems to be the bit where spec and value levels out. I dont really want to go down direct sales route (Canyon/YT) just because I dont want to have to deal remotely if anything goes wrong with the motor. YT have a pretty disgraceful CS reputation anyway.

[CAPP0]

MrsC bought me a (self-specified) Suntour SP12 suspension seat post, which was lovely. Except the self-specifier got the seat post size wrong, and 31.6 won't fit into 30.9....

And it had a massive scratch on it (she didn't unwrap it when she received it), which I would have lived with if it was correct, so now we have to try and get that refunded and returned.

On the positive side, I've just ordered the correct one from Amazon for next-day delivery.

[TTmonkey]

CAPP0 said:

MrsC bought me a (self-specified) Suntour SP12 suspension seat post, which was lovely. Except the self-specifier got the seat post size wrong, and 31.6 won't fit into 30.9....

And it had a massive scratch on it (she didn't unwrap it when she received it), which I would have lived with if it was correct, so now we have to try and get that refunded and returned.

On the positive side, I've just ordered the correct one from Amazon for next-day delivery.

They transform a bumpy trail ride.....

[techguyone]

Zoon said:

Janluke said:

vindaloo79 said:

I have Bosch without update and 500w battery, with one thing and another I haven’t had many long rides for ages.

Have users observed diminished range due to the cold weather (Battery performance in cold)? I will bare that in mind when I next get a chance for a 25+ miler.

I notice a difference below 5 degrees maybe 10% reduction

I looked at battery covers but like all things labelled "E bike specific" they seem over priced. Ended up buying a neoprene adjustable calf support off Amazon for under a £10 that works well

I'd be very surprised if it made any difference at all.

You know seeing that, wonder if you got one of those disposable heat packs (like hand warmers or the bigger ones) they're quite flat, and slid one in next to the sock, that might help some?

[nickfrog]

Chicken Chaser said:

I dont really want to go down direct sales route (Canyon/YT) just because I dont want to have to deal remotely if anything goes wrong with the motor. YT have a pretty disgraceful CS reputation anyway.

Things are improving on that front at quite a pace, what with their UK base which will do warranty work ; obviously even easier if you're close to them but still.

Shimano service centres will also deal with any motor issues (but not battery).

The rest is no different from an acoustic bike so all easy DIY.

I took the gamble and it has paid off so far on a £4k Decoy 29 ; abused it since April and zero issues so far. Brilliant bike with excellent spec for the money.

But I accept that it's not for everyone.

[CAPP0]

Hol said:

Interested in peoples current viewpoint on the Cube Hardtail MTBs.

Early opinions seemed positive, I’m wondering if those views after a few months of ownership and miles ridden.


Also, any other recommendations for his and her hard tail MTB bikes in the 1200-1800 price range. Preferably using the same battery pack.

All good from me, my Reaction EXC is nearly a year old now and no problems to report at all (well, except the base coming away from the upper right at the front of the saddle but that's really no biggie! One of the screw threads has pulled out for some reason).

[Easternlight]

Got a Acid hybrid one in the summer, no problems and enjoyed it a lot, it does have a pretty easy life in Suffolk/Norfolk and I can get up to 120 miles to a charge, mainly used on roads trails so quite a lot of the time I'm off power.
Rolls really well on the 29's and original tyres, will move it on to a more road biased tyre when I change them.

[PushedDover]

Chicken Chaser said:

Im looking a MTBs and keep flipping between motored and non motored. I've been checking out local bike shops to see what they have but the answer is not much. On the doorstep is the Cannondale Moterra 3+, not so local is the Whyte E150s, and Trek Rail 7. I know there are hardtails available but I think if I got one, it wouldn't be long before I was wishing for a FS and the £4500-5000 price point seems to be the bit where spec and value levels out. I dont really want to go down direct sales route (Canyon/YT) just because I dont want to have to deal remotely if anything goes wrong with the motor. YT have a pretty disgraceful CS reputation anyway.

All the best Sir,
Another test drive ??

[nosuchuser]

Chicken Chaser said:

On the doorstep is the Cannondale Moterra 3+, not so local is the Whyte E150s, and Trek Rail 7.

I tried the trek before deciding on the whyte, 29r vs 27.5, trek felt like a cart horse and the whyte feels a lot more nimble.

Depends if you like 29r wheels I suppose. I see the argument for them but 27.5 more fun imo.

[gangzoom]

Coming up to the end of 2020 I thought I see how my first year of eBike usage has gone.

My eBike is a commuter, with a small battery (250wh), still was surprised to see the 'average' power output was only 62watts, and on average I appear to be getting 50-60 miles of a charge. I also appear to have done some miles with the battery totally off according to the BB data.

Next year I aim to hit 2000 miles on the eBike, as this year I lost time due to having various parts of the bike been replaced and for the first 8 months of the year my commute was shorter as my daughter was still at nursery.



Hows everyone else getting on with their eBikes?

[TTmonkey]

Using my bike in extreme mud and wet conditions I suffered my first motor cut out. I assume it overheated.
I was a long way from home struggling up wet and muddy trails, having a great time, when the power went off. Omg what a difference. I went from 15 mph to about 5 Mph with five times the effort to keep momentum, I thought the bike was done for.

Power came back on about 10 minutes later. I’ve never been so relieved.....!!!!

[Barchettaman]

Just finished fitting my Swytch kit for my 26” folder, took longer than expected but I had to service the external BB bearings as they were gritty...anyway, first test ride shortly, if it ever stops tipping down!

Top tip for anyone fitting something like this: take your time.

[PushedDover]

Just back from another 20miles with a PH'er dithering on the Analogue / Elec choice :



Bloody wet out and I can't decide if it is the cold, the Bosch Firmware upgrade, or simply the gloop and mud out there effecting the range. Came home with 10miles left in them after 20miles, 2,000ft climbing in the mud and light snow.

We boith agreed, we would not have done the ride on Analogues.

[Phunk]

Barchettaman said:

Just finished fitting my Swytch kit for my 26” folder, took longer than expected but I had to service the external BB bearings as they were gritty...anyway, first test ride shortly, if it ever stops tipping down!

Top tip for anyone fitting something like this: take your time.

Yeah, I made the mistake of plugging in the cable to the motor incorrectly - caused all sorts of issues.

Now it's rusting like mad, you get what you pay for I suppose.

[i4got]

Phunk said:

Barchettaman said:

Just finished fitting my Swytch kit for my 26” folder, took longer than expected but I had to service the external BB bearings as they were gritty...anyway, first test ride shortly, if it ever stops tipping down!

Top tip for anyone fitting something like this: take your time.

Yeah, I made the mistake of plugging in the cable to the motor incorrectly - caused all sorts of issues.

Now it's rusting like mad, you get what you pay for I suppose.

I'm expecting my Swytch kit soon. Hoping it will be straightforward as I'm not particularly mechanically minded.

[Barchettaman]

Any problems just ask. A bike stand helps.

First impressions: it’s very, very quick.

[i4got]

Barchettaman said:

Any problems just ask. A bike stand helps.

First impressions: it’s very, very quick.

Cheers.

[Evanivitch]

Phunk said:

Yeah, I made the mistake of plugging in the cable to the motor incorrectly - caused all sorts of issues.

Now it's rusting like mad, you get what you pay for I suppose.

Those kits aren't cheap. Is there no corrosion protection!?

[CAPP0]

TTmonkey said:

CAPP0 said:

MrsC bought me a (self-specified) Suntour SP12 suspension seat post, which was lovely. Except the self-specifier got the seat post size wrong, and 31.6 won't fit into 30.9....

And it had a massive scratch on it (she didn't unwrap it when she received it), which I would have lived with if it was correct, so now we have to try and get that refunded and returned.

On the positive side, I've just ordered the correct one from Amazon for next-day delivery.

They transform a bumpy trail ride.....

I fitted the replacement last night and have been out today. Very impressed! You're right, they just smooth a bumpy trail out completely, almost without you noticing. Highly recommended!

[Barchettaman]

Swytch bike thoughts:

-decent top end speed on the flat. You can instantly adjust the restriction from 15 to 20mph in the settings menu, and possibly faster still if you enter a smaller front wheel size. I will experiment with this tomorrow on private land.

-less torque than the Bosch mid drive, noticeable on the hills

-front wheel is pretty draggy when riding unassisted, similar to the Bosch

-the assistance takes a couple of turns of the crank arms to register and turn on.

I’m pleased. I hope it doesn’t rust too much though- not sure how best to protect it!