Electric bicycles - who buys them?
Discussion
RizzoTheRat said:
But in the UK presumably you need a number plate, licence, insurance, mot, etc as it's classed as a moped rather than an electric assisted bicycle?
I think you are allowed 350W, and they have to be pedal assist. But if you have a more powerful one or fit a switch then who on earth is going to be any the wiser?I went out to see a chap a couple of years ago to quote for his insurance. Mrs PB sat in the car round the corner as we were going on somewhere. She was a little shocked to see me whizz past on one of the e-bikes he had in stock!
They are indeed great fun. I suppose you wouldn't feel you need to get all geared-up if you had one rather than a scooter - e.g. you don't have to wear a helmet by law.
Saves getting sweaty.
I live just over a mile from the office and it would be ideal for that commute . . . though I guess a normal bike ought to be ideal for that relatively flat commute. So the Disco Sport we use is slightly overdoing it! :-p
I had a DT50 when I was 16, to save me having to cycle or catch the bus to see mates. I lived 6 miles from school and most of my mates lived near school. I guess these days, if you considered the cost of bike + CBT + insurance + extra gear you might well come to the conclusion that an e-bike made more sense. Even more so when you consider I spent much of the 6th form smelling of burnt 2T!
They are indeed great fun. I suppose you wouldn't feel you need to get all geared-up if you had one rather than a scooter - e.g. you don't have to wear a helmet by law.
Saves getting sweaty.
I live just over a mile from the office and it would be ideal for that commute . . . though I guess a normal bike ought to be ideal for that relatively flat commute. So the Disco Sport we use is slightly overdoing it! :-p
I had a DT50 when I was 16, to save me having to cycle or catch the bus to see mates. I lived 6 miles from school and most of my mates lived near school. I guess these days, if you considered the cost of bike + CBT + insurance + extra gear you might well come to the conclusion that an e-bike made more sense. Even more so when you consider I spent much of the 6th form smelling of burnt 2T!
Dog Star said:
RizzoTheRat said:
But in the UK presumably you need a number plate, licence, insurance, mot, etc as it's classed as a moped rather than an electric assisted bicycle?
I think you are allowed 350W, and they have to be pedal assist. But if you have a more powerful one or fit a switch then who on earth is going to be any the wiser?Electric bicycles - who buys them?
Usually those who need to get some exercise.
The benefits of exercise and cycling in particular are well known.
I understand why people don't like to get sweaty going to work, but you can take it easy on a bike and it's great exercise (and often cooler than walking)!
Usually those who need to get some exercise.
The benefits of exercise and cycling in particular are well known.
I understand why people don't like to get sweaty going to work, but you can take it easy on a bike and it's great exercise (and often cooler than walking)!
Hoofy said:
Looking on Halfords, you can get ebikes from £600. What's wrong with them?
if the quality of their ebikes is as poor at their normal bikes, stay well clear. Bought a cheap bike for my wife and despite light use and being kept in the garage it disintegrated within two years. I would never buy a bike from Halfords again. Esceptico said:
Recently rode an electric bicycle. It was actually alright. Managed to keep up a decent pace with less effort than cycling - felt a bit smug/guilty cruising past normal cyclists going up a hill.
Then I checked out the prices on the internet. WTF! Seemed like most were £2k or much more (even those that just looked like a normal bike with a battery attached).
I can certainly understand the appeal of an electric bike but when you can buy a rev-and-go scooter for the same money, which can offer 120 mpg, space under the seat for a helmet, no effort and much greater road presence, then why would you?
They don't have to be 2 grand. I paid 1200 for my Oxygen e bike from these peopleThen I checked out the prices on the internet. WTF! Seemed like most were £2k or much more (even those that just looked like a normal bike with a battery attached).
I can certainly understand the appeal of an electric bike but when you can buy a rev-and-go scooter for the same money, which can offer 120 mpg, space under the seat for a helmet, no effort and much greater road presence, then why would you?
www.e-bikesdirect.co.uk
whom I would recommend. No connection other than a satisfied customer
Cupramax said:
Hoofy said:
Looking on Halfords, you can get ebikes from £600. What's wrong with them?
Small capacity batteries and cheapo hub motors on a mega cheapo frame with no name Chinese components normally.Esceptico said:
Hoofy said:
Looking on Halfords, you can get ebikes from £600. What's wrong with them?
if the quality of their ebikes is as poor at their normal bikes, stay well clear. Bought a cheap bike for my wife and despite light use and being kept in the garage it disintegrated within two years. I would never buy a bike from Halfords again. We've heard a few good reasons for them (commute, painful joints), but I'd expect if you look into bikes in general, most are bought for one of (if not both of) two reasons: 1) To improve health/fitness. 2) for a cheap way to get around town/cover small distances.
As such, mass uptake is probably rules them out on both grounds.
Personally I was in the market for one, and price didn't put me off... what did was the fact I wouldn't get much fitter... so I bought a motorbike instead.
As such, mass uptake is probably rules them out on both grounds.
Personally I was in the market for one, and price didn't put me off... what did was the fact I wouldn't get much fitter... so I bought a motorbike instead.
Cupramax said:
skilly1 said:
Can you link to the one you bought on ali express?
The exact battery I bought isn’t on there now as its over a year ago, but I bought a Hailong “shark” type similar to the ones Bosch make, only way higher capacity. The company is Unit Pack Power, they make batteries for several of the Ebike companies.https://m.aliexpress.com/store/storeHome.htm?selle...
Battery similar to this one.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32741299208/327412...
Spec for spec they’re way cheaper for high capacity batteries, haven’t looked at the cheaper end. I paid on my credit card and transaction was no different from say Amazon. Good contact from the supplier and shipping / tracking detail when it shipped. My Battery came from Hong Kong via Holland which is a well known import duty avoidance method. I didn’t get caught for any duty whatsoever. I may have been lucky, maybe not. The tax would have been £45 possibly?
Cupramax said:
Spec for spec they’re way cheaper for high capacity batteries, haven’t looked at the cheaper end. I paid on my credit card and transaction was no different from say Amazon. Good contact from the supplier and shipping / tracking detail when it shipped. My Battery came via from Hing King via Holland which is a well known import duty avoidance method. I didn’t get caught for any duty whatsoever. I may have been lucky, maybe not. The tax would have been £45 possibly?
This is cool stuff, thanks.I am aiming to get a full eBike at the end of summer, but was toying with converting my existing hardtail, a Diamondback Sync 4.0 to electric (I have a full suspension as well, but I think the electric gubbins would ruin that).
Esceptico said:
daddy cool said:
Presumably a scooter requires road tax, driving licence and insurance, non?
Can you still ride a scooter on a full bike licence (if you have done a CBT)? Not sure. I think road tax and insurance are pretty low as long as you are not that young. Esceptico said:
Hoofy said:
Looking on Halfords, you can get ebikes from £600. What's wrong with them?
if the quality of their ebikes is as poor at their normal bikes, stay well clear. Bought a cheap bike for my wife and despite light use and being kept in the garage it disintegrated within two years. I would never buy a bike from Halfords again. 
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