Electric bicycles - who buys them?

[Barchettaman]

the_engineer said:

Has anyone tried using one of the DIY kits and converting an old bike? I'm tempted to give it a go..

I’ve put a Swytch kit on my 26” folder.

Pros:

Reliable so far
Doesn’t affect the fold
Compact battery pack
Goes like the clappers on the flat (20mph limit)

Cons:

Range seems poor
Installation wasn’t that easy
Handlebar battery makes the steering a bit funky but you get used to it
Significant (well, noticeable and a bit annoying) resistance from the front (powered) wheel off-assist

Neither pros nor cons, but worth mentioning:

It wasn’t cheap but I could afford it
Possibly cheaper options out there
Advertised price is minus VAT
If you have an upturned stem you’re likely to have an up-tilted front battery
The assistance takes a couple of crank turns to kick in.
Doesn’t have the same torque up hill as my Bosch e bike

The cons seem to outnumber the pros, but I am delighted with it.

HTH

Edited by Barchettaman on Sunday 9th May 18:44

Edited by Barchettaman on Sunday 9th May 18:45

Edited by Barchettaman on Sunday 9th May 18:46

[PushedDover]

Jobbo said:

I had a more traditional problem today; a thorn in my front tyre punctured it and my CO2 cartridge thing pierced the first cartridge too soon then broke when I tried the second. The walk of shame with an eMTB is no more fun than an unpowered bike Fortunately I was only about 2 miles from home by then so it didn’t ruin the ride. Still got my wife to pick me up.

Yeah I had one of thse "oh for fk sake" days last weekend.

Mental note to self : always remember the last time the valve on the CO2 filler was handled, it was likely 'open' and still therefore 'open' when screwing in a new cartridge.


My CO2 footprint was instantly 16g worse.

[cavey76]

PushedDover said:

Jobbo said:

I had a more traditional problem today; a thorn in my front tyre punctured it and my CO2 cartridge thing pierced the first cartridge too soon then broke when I tried the second. The walk of shame with an eMTB is no more fun than an unpowered bike Fortunately I was only about 2 miles from home by then so it didn’t ruin the ride. Still got my wife to pick me up.

Yeah I had one of thse "oh for fk sake" days last weekend.

Mental note to self : always remember the last time the valve on the CO2 filler was handled, it was likely 'open' and still therefore 'open' when screwing in a new cartridge.


My CO2 footprint was instantly 16g worse.

Also remember that a discharging CO2 cannister is F@*king Cold. So cold in fact it can stick to your hand and you look a proper c*ck when you squeal like a 6 year old girl whose touched a slug and panickedly attempting to shake it off.

Ask me how I know?

[Jobbo]

I was glad it wasn’t pointing directly at my hand.
Last used? Never used, so I don’t know if ever worked properly. Been good insurance for ~10 years if I’ve not needed it

[Jobbo]

Jobbo said:

I was glad it wasn’t pointing directly at my hand.
Last used? Never used, so I don’t know if it ever worked properly. Been good insurance for ~10 years if I’ve not needed it

[rider73]

if your running tubeless - just put some of those crush inserts into your tyres (vittoria , but there are others) - you never need carry c02 or pumps again to take you home

they now do a 700c version, which i'd be all over if i was commuting - leave a set of sealant or even inner tube at work + pump, much better to do it there than on the road side

[Adenauer]

Hi everyone.

After some advice / recommendations here and I wasn't sure whether to open up a new thread, so here goes.

I need to get Mrs A an electric mountain bike.

I do not want to go mad, cost wise, probably around three grand although less would be better.

She wants it for riding around the woods next to the Nürburgring to the various photo spots (she's a motorsport photographer), so it really doesn't have to be all singing and all dancing.

Can you recommend what I should be looking at please, or confirm that this is the correct sort of thing I should be going for?

https://www.haibike.com/de/en/ebikes/emountainbike...

Ta

[nickfrog]

Adenauer said:

Hi everyone.

After some advice / recommendations here and I wasn't sure whether to open up a new thread, so here goes.

I need to get Mrs A an electric mountain bike.

I do not want to go mad, cost wise, probably around three grand although less would be better.

She wants it for riding around the woods next to the Nürburgring to the various photo spots (she's a motorsport photographer), so it really doesn't have to be all singing and all dancing.

Can you recommend what I should be looking at please, or confirm that this is the correct sort of thing I should be going for?

https://www.haibike.com/de/en/ebikes/emountainbike...

Ta

Have a look on https://www.bike-discount.de/

Either a Radon or a Cube - hardtail should be fine but perhaps full suspension if within budget.

[bigtomski]

I love my Swytch kit, bought one for myself and my wife at the same time.
We use our bikes a lot and they're great but unfortunately yesterday my battery started switching off after 10 seconds of switching it on.
Tested it again today and it won't turn on at all and I know its fully charged.
Hopefully Swytch will remedy this for me quickly, let's see.

[tapandunwrap]

I'm after a commuter ebike - a hybrid? - something to make commuting a breeze around the city.

After something small, with a bit of luggage space. Any good suggestions?

Am I mad to consider a vanmoof x3? it looks very close to what I *think* i'm looking for - hassle free commuting.

[Adenauer]

nickfrog said:

Adenauer said:

Hi everyone.

After some advice / recommendations here and I wasn't sure whether to open up a new thread, so here goes.

I need to get Mrs A an electric mountain bike.

I do not want to go mad, cost wise, probably around three grand although less would be better.

She wants it for riding around the woods next to the Nürburgring to the various photo spots (she's a motorsport photographer), so it really doesn't have to be all singing and all dancing.

Can you recommend what I should be looking at please, or confirm that this is the correct sort of thing I should be going for?

https://www.haibike.com/de/en/ebikes/emountainbike...

Ta

Have a look on https://www.bike-discount.de/

Either a Radon or a Cube - hardtail should be fine but perhaps full suspension if within budget.

Thanks, it's actually very difficult to find anything that is available at the moment, everyone's gone e-bike nuts.

I've just ordered this, hopefully it'll do the job.

https://www.fahrrad-xxl.de/haibike-sduro-hardseven...

[Newton472]

Adenauer said:

nickfrog said:

Adenauer said:

Hi everyone.

After some advice / recommendations here and I wasn't sure whether to open up a new thread, so here goes.

I need to get Mrs A an electric mountain bike.

I do not want to go mad, cost wise, probably around three grand although less would be better.

She wants it for riding around the woods next to the Nürburgring to the various photo spots (she's a motorsport photographer), so it really doesn't have to be all singing and all dancing.

Can you recommend what I should be looking at please, or confirm that this is the correct sort of thing I should be going for?

https://www.haibike.com/de/en/ebikes/emountainbike...

Ta

Have a look on https://www.bike-discount.de/

Either a Radon or a Cube - hardtail should be fine but perhaps full suspension if within budget.

Thanks, it's actually very difficult to find anything that is available at the moment, everyone's gone e-bike nuts.

I've just ordered this, hopefully it'll do the job.

https://www.fahrrad-xxl.de/haibike-sduro-hardseven...

Great choice. I bought a Haibike back in Jan, also with the Yamaha motor. I've put about 2,000 km on it now with no issues. I think the Bosch motor has had some problems reading on here but the Yamaha seems more reliable.

[mikeiow]

tapandunwrap said:

I'm after a commuter ebike - a hybrid? - something to make commuting a breeze around the city.

After something small, with a bit of luggage space. Any good suggestions?

Am I mad to consider a vanmoof x3? it looks very close to what I *think* i'm looking for - hassle free commuting.

Always thought the Van Moof's look decent. Got a pal who was very happy with his one (older version - the newer ones look a decent price!)
Are you able to test-ride it?

[tapandunwrap]

mikeiow said:

Always thought the Van Moof's look decent. Got a pal who was very happy with his one (older version - the newer ones look a decent price!)
Are you able to test-ride it?

I should be able to in the city, think they've just opened a store - however the support stories online are horrific from what I can tell and there are reports of defective bikes. If there's a reputable alternative I'd definitely consider.

it's hub not mid-drive which most of the bikes I've seen mentioned here before are.

[funinhounslow]

tapandunwrap said:

I'm after a commuter ebike - a hybrid? - something to make commuting a breeze around the city.

After something small, with a bit of luggage space. Any good suggestions?

Am I mad to consider a vanmoof x3? it looks very close to what I *think* i'm looking for - hassle free commuting.

GoCycle? I’ve been very happy with my GS and the new G4 seems to have moved the game on significantly.

It folds so you don’t need to lock it up outdoors all day.

20” wheels and narrow handlebars make it easy to zip through city streets. Step through frame and upright position help too.

Enclosed drive chain so it’s clean and reduces maintenance

The wheels are mounted on one side only so punctures are easy to sort

You can buy a pannier bag to clip to the front or a rear rack

If you’re confident you will use it in towns and the odd towpath it is worth considering

[Tron Kirk]

tapandunwrap said:

I'm after a commuter ebike - a hybrid? - something to make commuting a breeze around the city.

After something small, with a bit of luggage space. Any good suggestions?

Am I mad to consider a vanmoof x3? it looks very close to what I *think* i'm looking for - hassle free commuting.

I've had my VanMoof X3 since last August and I use it regularly to get in and out of town instead of the car - it's quicker, easier and more fun. I have a rear rack and either one or two small Ortlieb panniers on the back. It's been a bit of a revelation for me and I love it to bits, the built in lock, alarm, lights and stand complete the ease of use package.

Caveat - yes, there's folks on the forums airing their bad experiences but that's how things go now right? See the car forums for details. However, I've had two issues: 1. I lost the brake fluid in the rear brake, which needed attention and 2. a gear issue which was sorted with swap of the auto shifter. I had the option of DIY, a local bike shop with the cost covered by VanMoof or a trip to their store in London - I took the latter as it was relatively easy for me. The people in the shop were great.

So my advice: it's a great bike that has suffered some QA issues that should now be behind them (mine was one of the first off the line), the support people are super helpful if required but it will help you if you are near a VanMoof store for peace of mind. It's my new favourite toy.

[Barchettaman]

As far as luggage goes, rear rack and panniers should be adequate.

[anonymous-user]

They may help your legs go further, but they do nothing for your backside.

[Bathroom_Security]

Supposedly announcing the new Kenevo SL tomorrow although theres speculation it maybe more of an Enduro SL

Been holding off a Stumpy Evo frame purchase to see what comes of it

No doubt it'll be prohibitively expensive

[m_cozzy]

Bathroom_Security said:

Supposedly announcing the new Kenevo SL tomorrow although theres speculation it maybe more of an Enduro SL

Been holding off a Stumpy Evo frame purchase to see what comes of it

No doubt it'll be prohibitively expensive

Yeah screw lightweight & weak motors. I prefer them heavy(25kg) & powerful(90nm). You are right though, it will be pricey whatever it is.