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[flecc]

Originally Posted by moomintroll

Has anyone fitted a bobike junior or bobike maxi plus to a giant bike? OR has anyone tried a trailgator bar on one of these bikes? Just wondering if the bike (and me!) has enough power to pull a trailer bike or not.
Sorry to be so wordy on my first post!

Hi moomintroll, welcome to the forum. I did heavy towing with a Lafree Twist for four years in my hilly North Downs area, so I think a trailer bike would be ok. Heres a photo from one of my websites:

Lafree, trailer and load
.

[flecc]

Originally Posted by minchyp

as yet no electric bike.

Paul

Hi Paul, welcome to the forum. Your way is often a sensible one, join the forum, see what's going on the e-bike field and then make a decision. I'm sure you'll enjoy the looking.

If you were able to find your way up top Presteigne for the electric bike rally and show this weekend, you'd get a chance to try out a few.
.

[flecc]

Originally Posted by BLADERUNNER

Hi all
43 yrs, male, married, 1 child

finally plucked up the courage to post! I have been snooping around this forum for a while and have found it very infomative indeed.

Decided to sell the car i use for work because of the rising cost of motoring,
and tired of the traffic jams.I stummbled upon this forum, and before i knew it i had bought a second hand Ezee Torq off E bay!It was supposed to be just something to get me to work and back, but i have to confess that i just love this bike,and will use any old excuse to go for a ride.

I am hooked!

Cheers
Russell

Hi Russell, welcome to the forum, where you join quite few who have given up cars completely. I know what you mean about motoring costs, having just filled up for £71 today.

At least with my very low mileage it's going to last for a very long time.
.

[flecc]

Originally Posted by Mrs Marple

Hi- I'm a student studying law at college, I have two ebikes that I use, a 5 speed Powabyke Euro that I got secondhand off eBay. I changed the forks on that with the suspension forks so very comfortable to ride now, and changed the seat as well.

My other bike (is my mother's!) - an Ezee Liv, which I get to use on occasion. I like the Powabyke best because I love its retro looks

Hi Mrs Marple, welcome to the forum. You're the first I've known change to the suspension forks, good to know they are ok.

Actually there's a bit of retro about the Liv, since it's very reliable brush motor was originally fitted in the eZee Rider model a few years back. The Rider was like the Sprint but with lead acid batteries, heavy and so bit like the Powabyke.
.

[Biker_Bob]

Hello chaps, a new eBike rider signing in.
I'm in Dronfield (just South of Sheffield), so it's VERY hilly round these parts.
I've just taken delivery of an Alien Titan eBike (seller on Ebay). It's very similar to the Synergie Avanti, but without the rear suspension. I'm a bit suspicious of cheap bikes with rear suspension, I've got a not cheap Dawes FS MTB and I've had a bit of trouble with the back end on that, so the chances of the chinese getting it right at this price point are slim!
The bike itself looks pretty well made, a bit dissapointing that the cycle parts are rock bottom Shimano but it's not unexpected and at least they can be replaced. In fact I've had to replace the rear derailluer already as the original got bent in transit (thanks Citylink). I can see the front forks being replaced before too long, with a set that has lockout, to help hill climbing.

In terms of power output I'm quite impressed, I wasn't expecting to be able to motor along on just the throttle (15st 9lbs), but it will do it, sort of, the power assist on hills is smashing. We've a couple of 1:5's and a 1:4 near where I live and I can get up them no problem with me standing up to pedal. On my Dawes I'm down to 1st gear and struggling.

I plan to use the bike as an alternative to my motorcycles for medium distance trips. As an example I cycle to work evey day (5mls each way), but to go into Sheffield (8mls and a BIG climb on the way home) I'd use a motorcycle. I'm hoping the eBike will make that trip much more pleasant. Also I've got relatives in Barnsley (18mls) and I'd hope to be able to do that trip with relative ease.

I'm a strong and fit cyclist, so I wanted a bike that rides like a bike, one that can be used without power assist and so needed to have a good gear range. I didn't want a "shopper bike". The Alien is 21 speed, so that'll do. I've read the specifications of many bikes and they may say "20 miles range in power assist mode", well fair enough but if you don't use the power the range is unlimited. So my plan is that I'll only use the power on the steep hills and the rest of the time just ride it like a normal bike. Having the electric assist as a back up will take the sting out of doing runs like going to Sheffield, or the endless climb from Dronfield up to the top of the 1st ridge of the hills in the Peak District.

Any thoughts on my plans?

[Mrs Marple]

Originally Posted by flecc

Hi Mrs Marple, welcome to the forum. You're the first I've known change to the suspension forks, good to know they are ok.

Actually there's a bit of retro about the Liv, since it's very reliable brush motor was originally fitted in the eZee Rider model a few years back. The Rider was like the Sprint but with lead acid batteries, heavy and so bit like the Powabyke.
.

Thank you flecc. I just found the forurm yesterday. I'm finding it very useful and friendly.

[Orraman]

flecc,
Thank you again for the link to TGA.
I am attracted to the idea of Driving through gears but 2 off 12V 24Ah SLAs might be too much for me without power.
Many years ago (are they the oldest electric bike manufacturers?) I rode a 12V TGA bicycle kit where the motor was fastened to the offside front fork and drove a 'rear wheel' through a gearbox and chain. It was surprisingly effective and the offset weight of the motor went unnoticed. The 24V Electrobike then as now drove through the hub gears.

[flecc]

I'm fairly sure they are the oldest manufacturer of e-bikes in the world, one up for Britain.

I remember that early version, and the motor was reputedly a truck wiper motor!

It's amazing how they've survived so long, though the mobility products have probably kept them going. I think it a pity they discontinued the kit version of their motor though.
.

[lovemesexy]

Hi, I just registered to see where the technology is at present. A few years ago I had an electric bike from ebay, it was slow (10-12mph max), it had a useless range (20miles max), it was a bit heavy and it was stolen. Recently I've seen that they can make an electric sport cars do 200 miles on a single charge so I'm wondering perhaps if one can now acquire a cycle with a decent range (60 miles) and speed (20mph).

[maryinoxford]

Hi,

The technology has probably moved on a bit, but you may be expecting too much. If you're in the UK, an electric bike can't provide power beyond 15 mph. If it does, then it legally becomes a moped with all the complications of licence, insurance etc. Range will vary hugely, according to how hilly the terrain is, and how much effort the rider puts in, but most current e-bikes are still going to be much nearer 20 miles than 60.

Electric cars are a different ballgame, because they have space and strength to carry huge batteries. A bike can't compete with that. Sorry.

Mary