Electric bicycles - who buys them?

[Dog Star]

Hol said:

How many miles are people getting out of their 625 WH batteries?

I only use the assistance on hills and slopes and managed 70miles on the last charge.

Most of my rides on proper hilly trails and off road are about 30 miles and I might use 30-50%.

I did a 73km trail ride from Whitby to Scarborough to Whitby and used 45%.

I think they’re genuinely good for all day riding now.

[Jobbo]

Hol said:

How many miles are people getting out of their 625 WH batteries?

I only use the assistance on hills and slopes and managed 70miles on the last charge.

Depends very much on how much climbing I do. I live just below the Cotswold escarpment; on rides close to the river Severn, 70 miles would be achievable. If I go up and down the escarpment for the whole ride I reckon I'd get more like 40-45 miles from a full charge. I've got closer to draining it completely on a flatter ride though; I don't tend just to go up and down gnarly trails all day. I do use Tour mode as a minimum even on the flat though

Greatest range I've seen during a ride was 84 miles on the display, around 5-6 miles from setting off. That was after riding gently uphill from home on tarmac.

[cavey76]

Dog Star said:

Johnnybee said:

I've been without an ebike for a couple of months since the rear carbon triangle cracked on my Haibike. Spares were unavailable as was a replacement bike so a refund was paid. I've been searching for a replacement since but obviously bikes are hard to find although 2022 models are starting to be released now. The Cube Stereo Hybrid looks pretty decent and one shop has delivery dates from 1st September, not sure how accurate that is though.

Can’t beat Cubes for bang-for-your-buck.

Check out the Canyon site too - you might find a build of a bike you like in your size coming through.

Mrs DS was after a new bike and just by coincidence the bike she wanted in the right size was available which was great timing.

ETA that Orbea Gain ^^ looks fantastic.

Agreed on Cube - I got a Stereo Hybrid 160 last Sept (2021 model). Its used weekly around Rostrevor, Castlewellan and other NI MTB parks. Being in NI the weather is atrocious most days. I had a motor error at six months. A quick google showed it was fatal and I took it back to the shop. Very dour typical mid-Ulsterman shop, "och it could be ages till i get it fixed...Brexit and these Germans..."setting low expectations nicely.

I put it into him on a Thursday. He called me the following Monday that Bosch/Cube had just delivered the replacement motor and it was installed 2 days later. Overall for a sh*tty scenario i was pleased enough with less than a week for a motor replacement.

Re Cube - at least the 2021 MY got some abuse for being not as agile as others. A friend and I both got them. We both have comparatively high stress jobs and like to bugger off once a week with noone else and blast round one of the aforementioned bike parks for 2-3 hours. The Cube does a great job and puts a huge smile on my face....but for the love of baby jesus BUY MUDGUARDS!!!!

[A500leroy]

Advise please people.

I currently have a cheap fold away e bike from halfords, but it only has six gears , the motor cuts out at random times and its on small wheels.

What does its replacement need to put less effort into cycling up hill through a head wind?

[newton474]

Was on here earlier, had to reset my account.

I had a problem with my Haibike chain skipping in the top 3 gears - I'd only done 1,000 miles. Amazingly enough I had worn out the cassette ! Just replaced with a new one and it runs like new.

People were telling me cassettes only need changing at much higher mileage ! I can state that is not true, these ebikes really seem to wear through parts.

How many miles are people getting out of chains and brake pads out of interest....?

Thankfully no errors to report still, and I;m approaching 2,000 miles, was sorry to read about that poor chap and his SR-71 error codes. Thankfully most of these bikes seem OK as far as people I know.

[newton474]

A500leroy said:

Advise please people.

I currently have a cheap fold away e bike from halfords, but it only has six gears , the motor cuts out at random times and its on small wheels.

What does its replacement need to put less effort into cycling up hill through a head wind?

I'd advise increasing the budget, the cheaper ones seem to have technical problems (as do some more expensive ones as well so keep that warranty!)

For me the nine speeds on my haibike work just fine.

[ChocolateFrog]

Hol said:

How many miles are people getting out of their 625 WH batteries?

I only use the assistance on hills and slopes and managed 70miles on the last charge.

Did 30km on 50% today in the peaks with 110kg of rider and 600m of ascent.

Fair bit of tarmac in there too though and with no pretence to saving battery power.

[macp]

newton474 said:

A500leroy said:

Advise please people.

I currently have a cheap fold away e bike from halfords, but it only has six gears , the motor cuts out at random times and its on small wheels.

What does its replacement need to put less effort into cycling up hill through a head wind?

I'd advise increasing the budget, the cheaper ones seem to have technical problems (as do some more expensive ones as well so keep that warranty!)

For me the nine speeds on my haibike work just fine.

I ride a Tern on an 8 speed hub gear system with a Bosch 250w motor. And im on 20 inch wheels. So far its been reliable with enough power to beat head winds and climb anything. But it was not cheap because I wanted the best I could afford.

Edited by macp on Wednesday 8th September 20:54

[Barchettaman]

newton474 said:

I had a problem with my Haibike chain skipping in the top 3 gears - I'd only done 1,000 miles. Amazingly enough I had worn out the cassette ! Just replaced with a new one and it runs like new.

People were telling me cassettes only need changing at much higher mileage ! I can state that is not true, these ebikes really seem to wear through parts.

How many miles are people getting out of chains and brake pads out of interest....?

Thankfully no errors to report still, and I;m approaching 2,000 miles, was sorry to read about that poor chap and his SR-71 error codes. Thankfully most of these bikes seem OK as far as people I know.

Brake pads depends on usage. On road they last for ages but start downhill and (surprise surprise) I chew through them quickly.

Drivetrains last me ages though (shimano Deore 9-speed) with a bit of care (cleaning and relubricating regularly. A Wippermann reusable quick link helps massively.

[nosuchuser]

newton474 said:

Was on here earlier, had to reset my account.

I had a problem with my Haibike chain skipping in the top 3 gears - I'd only done 1,000 miles. Amazingly enough I had worn out the cassette ! Just replaced with a new one and it runs like new.

People were telling me cassettes only need changing at much higher mileage ! I can state that is not true, these ebikes really seem to wear through parts.

How many miles are people getting out of chains and brake pads out of interest....?

Thankfully no errors to report still, and I;m approaching 2,000 miles, was sorry to read about that poor chap and his SR-71 error codes. Thankfully most of these bikes seem OK as far as people I know.

Whyte E150RS, ridden hard. I killed a PG1230 cassette in 500 miles but... The chain had stretched just over the .5% measurement on a park cc-3.2 and the replacement KMC chain was skipping in most gears. Lesson learnt.

Might try an X01 or XX1 chain to see if the durability claims hold up https://cyclingtips.com/2019/12/the-best-bicycle-c...

Pads, I run Trickstuff Power 840 pads in Code R's. Great performance but first set only lasted 400 miles over winter.

Gratuitous pic

[Trophy Husband]

newton474 said:

Was on here earlier, had to reset my account.

I had a problem with my Haibike chain skipping in the top 3 gears - I'd only done 1,000 miles. Amazingly enough I had worn out the cassette ! Just replaced with a new one and it runs like new.

People were telling me cassettes only need changing at much higher mileage ! I can state that is not true, these ebikes really seem to wear through parts.

How many miles are people getting out of chains and brake pads out of interest....?

Thankfully no errors to report still, and I;m approaching 2,000 miles, was sorry to read about that poor chap and his SR-71 error codes. Thankfully most of these bikes seem OK as far as people I know.

Take off in top gear is easily done but the torque does no good to the cassette. I'd suggest that may well have been the problem?

[tomble22]

Hi all,

Ive just picked up this Voodoo Bizango E second hand to compliment my Orbea Gain E road bike. Mate of mine has a Cube Reaction with the Bosch motor and was hooked after trying his out, so looking forward to getting out on some trails on this now.

Seems like a well made and well specced bike overall though. Chap bought it new from Halfords and has only done a couple of hundred miles on it.

[nickfrog]

nosuchuser said:

Gratuitous pic

Nice.

Is that at the top of Holmbury ? (Peaslake)

[Dog Star]

newton474 said:

Thankfully no errors to report still, and I;m approaching 2,000 miles, was sorry to read about that poor chap and his SR-71 error codes. Thankfully most of these bikes seem OK as far as people I know.

That was me; thankfully the retailer has come back to life, and the bike is now who-knows-where and is on it's way back to them in Germany. I'm hoping they replace it to be honest - I've had it back twice now and the error has come back literally within yards.

[nosuchuser]

nickfrog said:

Nice.

Is that at the top of Holmbury ? (Peaslake)

Ta, yeah Holmbury, personal uplift heaven

[Hugo Stiglitz]

Holmbury and all of the Surrey Hills is hardtail riding!

Unless you can only run one bike for all your riding

[stevep944]

cavey76 said:

Agreed on Cube - I got a Stereo Hybrid 160 last Sept (2021 model). Its used weekly around Rostrevor, Castlewellan and other NI MTB parks. Being in NI the weather is atrocious most days. I had a motor error at six months. A quick google showed it was fatal and I took it back to the shop. Very dour typical mid-Ulsterman shop, "och it could be ages till i get it fixed...Brexit and these Germans..."setting low expectations nicely.

I put it into him on a Thursday. He called me the following Monday that Bosch/Cube had just delivered the replacement motor and it was installed 2 days later. Overall for a sh*tty scenario i was pleased enough with less than a week for a motor replacement.

Re Cube - at least the 2021 MY got some abuse for being not as agile as others. A friend and I both got them. We both have comparatively high stress jobs and like to bugger off once a week with noone else and blast round one of the aforementioned bike parks for 2-3 hours. The Cube does a great job and puts a huge smile on my face....but for the love of baby jesus BUY MUDGUARDS!!!!

Which shop did you get your Cube from can I ask?
Looking for one but they are like gold dust over here in NI it seems.
Thanks

[cavey76]

stevep944 said:

Which shop did you get your Cube from can I ask?
Looking for one but they are like gold dust over here in NI it seems.
Thanks

Bought in Sept last year. My mate got his (XL) a month later from Paul at Cookstown Cycles

https://www.cookstowncycles.co.uk/


Also hearing good things about Philip McCallen in Lisburn

https://www.phillipmccallenebikes.com/

[nickfrog]

Hugo Stiglitz said:

Holmbury and all of the Surrey Hills is hardtail riding!

That sounds more like your personal preference than a fact.

[Cupramax]

Quick update on this… after 4 years and the best part of 9000 miles my Bafang home build Specialized Crosstrail has just packed up, I’m guessing the nylon reduction gear inside the motor has disintegrated as it’s got no drive. So a new motor is on order and parts to rebuild the old one which will no doubt go onto a new project at some point. It’s taken an absolute battering over the two lockdowns so really not surprised it’s given up the goat. Still the best thing I’ve ever done, by far, I absolutely wouldn’t be without an ebike now.