Electrically-assisted bikes - anyone have any experience?

[Gatsods]

My parents recently went to Derbyshire for a weekend and returned having been on the Monsul trail bike ride, which has electric bikes available for rental there.

The details I know are that bikes were made by Giant, and the electric motor was mounted on the front wheel and only kicked in when they were pedaling.

It's my father's birthday soon so my mother was looking to perhaps buy him one/a similar one for it, and I was wondering if anyone on here had one or if there is much knowledge about them here such as ones to go for/avoid

Cheers guys,
Matt

[Janluke]

I had a Wisper and Cytronex for a couple years after losing my leg and needing a little help on the hills while I got back to fitness(I'm now back to 2 wheels unaided). They where both great, worked well and enabled me to put as little or as much effort in as I wanted. Range was from 20-30 miles depending how much I worked as well. The are limited to approx 15 mph and I think a 250w motor which only works when the pedals are moving. Older models have a throttle as well but I think that was phased out a couple years ago (European law). Loads of companies out there, most are made in China nowadays(what isnt) but try and go for a respected make as there will be plenty of back up if something should go wrong.

Loads of info here http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/

[HereBeMonsters]

InB4 "man up and get a real bike" idiot replies.

[Fishtigua]

I had a Powerbyke for 8 years for my 10 mile commute. Sodding heavy by today's standards. Last month I got a deal on a Salisbury, ex-demo for 500 quid.

It's very light with it's Li-Ion battery, but doesn't have the wellie of the old one. That was like a Land Rover compared to this'un, a Fiat.

I ride every day, come rain or snow, but live only a few yards from the sea. I sprayed the new one in a whole can of Corrosion Guard, used on outboard marine engines, in the hope of staving off rust on cheap Chinese parts.