E bike for retired parents
Discussion
Not the most glamorous of topics bit my dad has asked for my help in buying a pair of E-bikes for him and my mum.
They have a motorhome and want something reasonably durable for travelling around locally on while away. Both are comfortable on a bike but struggle a bit when they go to hillier places. Some mild off road ability is probably a good idea.
Any suggestions welcome? Budget is pretty flexible within reason.
They have a motorhome and want something reasonably durable for travelling around locally on while away. Both are comfortable on a bike but struggle a bit when they go to hillier places. Some mild off road ability is probably a good idea.
Any suggestions welcome? Budget is pretty flexible within reason.
Personally, I'd look at something like the Boardman hybrid range of e-bikes.
https://www.halfords.com/bikes/electric-bikes/elec...
https://www.halfords.com/bikes/electric-bikes/elec...
Does slightly depend on expected use, but we've enjoyed the Tenways for local duties. It's not a bike to do mega miles on in one go, but it's light, easy to use and maintain. And good value. https://uk.tenways.com/products/cgo600
If hills are in the mix, get a mid drive not a hub motor. If your folks can lift a 25kg bike ok then something Bosch powered like a cube touring hybrid will go up anything. If they need lighter, specialised Vado SL or one of the older boardman fazua bikes but the trade off is they need to work a bit harder on the hills.
I’ve had all of the above and settled on the Vado sl but I don’t “need” an e-bike as such.
I’ve had all of the above and settled on the Vado sl but I don’t “need” an e-bike as such.
As mentioned above - mid drive are generally better as they use the regular rear gears of the bike to help climb hills.
Be aware though that to get anything half decent and not Chinese junk then you are £1k+
That's a fair bit of money to be hanging off the back of a motorhome regarding theft / security.
Shimano motors are treated as disposable and are not capable of being 3rd party repaired. Bosch are better for long term repair/3rd party support. Removable battery packs make the bike lighter for lifting onto a rack.
Be aware though that to get anything half decent and not Chinese junk then you are £1k+
That's a fair bit of money to be hanging off the back of a motorhome regarding theft / security.
Shimano motors are treated as disposable and are not capable of being 3rd party repaired. Bosch are better for long term repair/3rd party support. Removable battery packs make the bike lighter for lifting onto a rack.
Thanks everyone for the info so far - will have a Google and read up.
To answer a few questions, they're both pretty active and strong so no particular issues with weight. The motorhome is also an A-Class Hymer with a big enclosed rear garage so it should be easy enough to load with no real security concerns.
Mid motor Bosch powered sounds like the way forward for the hills/repairability - they won't be going out of their way to climb mountains but can see them taking in some decent climbs while out exploring/looking for a pub.
To answer a few questions, they're both pretty active and strong so no particular issues with weight. The motorhome is also an A-Class Hymer with a big enclosed rear garage so it should be easy enough to load with no real security concerns.
Mid motor Bosch powered sounds like the way forward for the hills/repairability - they won't be going out of their way to climb mountains but can see them taking in some decent climbs while out exploring/looking for a pub.
Edited by Snow and Rocks on Wednesday 5th November 19:52
We bought a pair of Decathlon E ST900 Rockriders just before Covid.
Use them a lot, me more up in the Surrey Hills. Take them on our Motorhome all the time. Useful removable battery for putting bike’s on Motorhome rack and can charge batteries separately from electric hookups while away or from another source.
Plenty of range and pretty durable. Bought the Decathlon lightweight rack and soft saddle bag for each.
Electric rack easily lifts 2 bikes to high level.
Use them a lot, me more up in the Surrey Hills. Take them on our Motorhome all the time. Useful removable battery for putting bike’s on Motorhome rack and can charge batteries separately from electric hookups while away or from another source.
Plenty of range and pretty durable. Bought the Decathlon lightweight rack and soft saddle bag for each.
Electric rack easily lifts 2 bikes to high level.
Personally I would always go for a step through bike, so much easier to get on/off.
Always get a Bosch mid-drive motor, we have had them for years without any issues and used daily.
Look for something without chain, drive belt is so much nicer, no oily mess, no derailleurs going out of sync, much easier to pull in/out of the camper garage.
We also like integrated lights and some pannier for the shopping.
Battery should be removable, not only easier for charging but a lot of weight is in the battery so easier to lift the bike in/out.
Something like this would be perfect:-
Cube Supreme Hybrid Comfort
Always get a Bosch mid-drive motor, we have had them for years without any issues and used daily.
Look for something without chain, drive belt is so much nicer, no oily mess, no derailleurs going out of sync, much easier to pull in/out of the camper garage.
We also like integrated lights and some pannier for the shopping.
Battery should be removable, not only easier for charging but a lot of weight is in the battery so easier to lift the bike in/out.
Something like this would be perfect:-
Cube Supreme Hybrid Comfort
I've always had mid drives as I like the responsiveness, but my partner has a hub drive and is very happy with it, it is more of a binary response I'm told. I think perhaps less wear on chains and gears too.
All the delivery bikes have hub drives fwiw
I havn't tried them, but I keep seeing ads for clip on kits that work on any manual bike, which might suit a mobile setup better? not sure how good they are
All the delivery bikes have hub drives fwiw
I havn't tried them, but I keep seeing ads for clip on kits that work on any manual bike, which might suit a mobile setup better? not sure how good they are
I have a Bosch mid drive which just simply works and you don’t really need to think about the e bike but, you just ride it
My folks have cheaper e-bikes with a hub motor, it’s a bundle of bits that have been stuck together so not as slick
However - my folks can be lazy and just spin the their legs which then makes the motor push them along, so nice bit of momentum without any real input - which is good or bad depending on your view point
Whatever you do, get a step through frame - rather than a cross bar
I have a step through frame and when I use an ordinary bike I simply can’t think why a cross bar is ever a good thing
My folks have cheaper e-bikes with a hub motor, it’s a bundle of bits that have been stuck together so not as slick
However - my folks can be lazy and just spin the their legs which then makes the motor push them along, so nice bit of momentum without any real input - which is good or bad depending on your view point
Whatever you do, get a step through frame - rather than a cross bar
I have a step through frame and when I use an ordinary bike I simply can’t think why a cross bar is ever a good thing
Op is their bike rack a tow bar mounted thing or bolted the the rear of the motohome
Just watch the weights
I remove the batteries from a security point of view when transporting the bikes, but also as it has a lot of weight
If you are after a tow bar bike rack recommendation the Thule xt933 is great. Buy one that holds more bikes than you need then it’s easier to use. You can also spec a small ramp so you don’t need to lift the bikes
The bike rack is pricey, but get it wrong and that’s a lot bouncing down the road
Just watch the weights
I remove the batteries from a security point of view when transporting the bikes, but also as it has a lot of weight
If you are after a tow bar bike rack recommendation the Thule xt933 is great. Buy one that holds more bikes than you need then it’s easier to use. You can also spec a small ramp so you don’t need to lift the bikes
The bike rack is pricey, but get it wrong and that’s a lot bouncing down the road
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