Bike to suit me? - short, heavy and unconfident rider

[birdon]

Hi all, I hope you will have some advice for me.

I'm a 60 year old woman, 5'3" and nearly 14 stone, wanting to get fitter and go out cycling with my daughter (who will be on an ordinary road bike, but I won't mind if she gets ahead of me). I'm not a confident cyclist - my first time on a bike was when I was age 40 and I can count on one hand the number of times I have cycled since. But I am motivated to cycle now. I live in Manchester and getting out to more rural parts appeals, so I envisage that we might want to put bikes in the back of the car (I have a rav4 which, with rear seats folded down, takes one bike, and I'm hopeful of getting two in if not too big).

So I'd like an ebike that is:
Relatively light/compact to make putting into car easier (folding a possibility, but not essential)
Suitable for more robust and shorter person
Good for hills
throttle control may be.

I have looked at different options so much that my head starts to spin. I was thinking of the woosh big bear - but then noticed that it is recommended for 5'4" and above, and perhaps there is something better suited for shorter person?

 

[trex]

Hatti is 5ft2 and she rides the Big Bear LS with a low profile seat post.

http://wooshbikes.co.uk/?bigbear-ls

Fitted with low profile seat post:

 

[birdon]

Thanks for that and the link. For some reason when I was looking at the Big Bear info I didn't see about low profile seat post.

 

[allen-uk]

You don't mention budget!

Ebikes are heavy. If you can run to the (approx) 1 thousand pounds, then look at folding Bromptons. Lighter than non folders, but still not featherweight.

There's several videos knocking about of Bromptons in action.

But you're dead right to see your height as an issue. I'm 5'10" and can only just get on my Wisper.

A

 

[birdon]

Yes I should have said that budget is less important. If I need to pay more to get a bike that will be right for me, and that I will use regularly, then I'm fine to do that.

I don't know much about Bromptons, other than they are a popular folding commuter bike. I hadn't thought they made ebikes though, and at my age and fitness I think I'll need an electric bike to manage hills and keeping up with my daughter.

 

[RobF]

I have a Brompton with a Nano conversion, total cost about £2K.

It's a neat set-up, but not especially powerful, and Bromptons are not that comfortable for long distances.

On t'other hand, nothing folds better, and having the battery in the detachable front bag means you could lug the bike into the back of your car in two easy parts.

Which brings me to my next point, lifting an ebike into the back of your car will not be easy.

They are all heavy, whatever the price.

A compromise could be one of the many 20" wheel folders.

They don't fold nearly as well as a Brompton, but they do fold well enough to go into the back of a car.

The 20'" wheels give a reasonable compromise between compactness and ride quality.

 

[Kudoscycles]

Our Kudos Secret,weighs only 18kg,easy revoshift gears,battery hidden in frame,can be folded to put into a car,has a throttle,dual height seat post to accommodate 5ft to 6ft riders.
I ride this bike up steep hills with very little rider input(if I choose),I am 17 stone. The 20" wheels are big enough to cope with the odd pothole.
We have sold over 300 Kudos Secret bikes.
Available in black or white colour,direct from Kudos or from any Kudos dealer.please look on our website....kudoscycles.com
The other alternative is the Kudos Tempo,it was specifically designed to be a confident ride for a smaller rider,it weighs about 21kg,full spec on our web,it is a very small bike but may still be a struggle to get into the back of a car.
Hope that helps
KudosDave

 

[Artstu]

Folding bikes give a very lively ride (wobbly, less stable) compared to larger wheeled bikes. Far from ideal for an unconfident rider.

 

[birdon]

I think it's a good point that if a folding bike is more wobbly and less stable then that could be an issue for me regarding confidence. I've never tried riding a folding bike.

I will have help with lifting into the car, as daughter will be with me if we're going further afield, but the points made are making me wonder if I'm underestimating how difficult it will be to lift a non-folder.

 

[Kudoscycles]

Hi,I think it is exaggerated about these small wheel bikes being wobbly,I have many customers,some older than you (I am older than you) who like the Secret because it's a small light bike that they feel very confident to ride.
I notice that you have a Rav4 ,that car is probably roomy enough to accommodate a shortish bike,like the Secret,without folding. I prefer to fold the handlebars down,put the seat down but leave the bike unfolded,the bike is better balanced and easier to handle without folding. Folding is more about long term storage in the winter.
All my own opinions but I do have a lot of experience with this particular bike.
I have ridden my friends Brompton,I think the Bromptons are wonderful bikes for riding short distances on good surfaces,brilliant fold,but they lose something when electrified and you do have to be very careful to miss potholes with those small wheels.
You need to have a trial ride and try lifting the bike into your car,suggest you find a local dealer with a Kudos Secret.
KudosDave

 

[OldBob1]

Hello Birdon and welcome.
I really think you need to go to a local E-bike shop and try a few different types if possible.
I think a folder also gives you an extension when used with the car.
Happy hunting and the confidence will soon improve on the bike along with the smile.

Bob

 

[Geebee]

I find 20" wheeled folder are not that much different to a full size bike assuming well designed, 16" and down yes the steering is faster just my experience.
I suspect a shorter person would find them less arkward to handle.

 

[birdon]

Thank you all for the comments and suggestions. I am coming round to the fact that a trial/e-bike shop visit would be best. I had put this off on account of confidence - lots of negative thoughts about having to try an electric bike first time in public. But perhaps I just need to brave it out. I've looked on the ebike directory on this site, but there doesn't seem to be a specialist e-bike shop in manchester. Are places like halfords & evans worth a try?

 

[Cyclezee]

Hi all, I hope you will have some advice for me.

I'm a 60 year old woman, 5'3" and nearly 14 stone, wanting to get fitter and go out cycling with my daughter (who will be on an ordinary road bike, but I won't mind if she gets ahead of me). I'm not a confident cyclist - my first time on a bike was when I was age 40 and I can count on one hand the number of times I have cycled since. But I am motivated to cycle now. I live in Manchester and getting out to more rural parts appeals, so I envisage that we might want to put bikes in the back of the car (I have a rav4 which, with rear seats folded down, takes one bike, and I'm hopeful of getting two in if not too big).

So I'd like an ebike that is:
Relatively light/compact to make putting into car easier (folding a possibility, but not essential)
Suitable for more robust and shorter person
Good for hills
throttle control may be.

I have looked at different options so much that my head starts to spin. I was thinking of the woosh big bear - but then noticed that it is recommended for 5'4" and above, and perhaps there is something better suited for shorter person?

Hi Birdon,

The eZee Street would meet all of your criteria, you can check it out here http://cyclezee.com/ezee-street-mk2.html

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Thank you all for the comments and suggestions. I am coming round to the fact that a trial/e-bike shop visit would be best. I had put this off on account of confidence - lots of negative thoughts about having to try an electric bike first time in public. But perhaps I just need to brave it out. I've looked on the ebike directory on this site, but there doesn't seem to be a specialist e-bike shop in manchester. Are places like halfords & evans worth a try?

You can try halfords. Last time I was in mine, there was a woman riding up and down inside the shop on an electric folder. This one I think, which is not the most powerful, but could well be OK for you.

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/electric-bikes/coyote-connect-folding-electric-bike?cm_mmc=Google+PLA-_-Bikes-_-Electric+Bikes-_-345022&_$ja=tsid:60494|cgn:GoogleShopping|kw:345022&istCompanyId=b8708c57-7a02-4cf6-b2c0-dc36b54a327e&istItemId=xwxqqarlx&istBid=tzra&_$$ja=cgid:8475776884|tsid:35522|cid:166296844|lid:47425329728|nw:g|crid:44739949084|rnd:6950508547689768161|dvc:c|adp:1o1|bku:1&gclid=Cj0KEQjwlv6dBRDC7rGfrvidmJgBEiQAjd3hMA2_sCoXByryAKtlAMOelZTlQlwLLyir2SlU6580InAaApr58P8HAQ#tab2

 

[Cyclezee]

You can try halfords. Last time I was in mine, there was a woman riding up and down inside the shop on an electric folder. This one I think, which is not the most powerful, but could well be OK for you.

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/electric-bikes/coyote-connect-folding-electric-bike?cm_mmc=Google PLA-_-Bikes-_-Electric Bikes-_-345022&_$ja=tsid:60494|cgn:GoogleShopping|kw:345022&istCompanyId=b8708c57-7a02-4cf6-b2c0-dc36b54a327e&istItemId=xwxqqarlx&istBid=tzra&_$$ja=cgid:8475776884|tsid:35522|cid:166296844|lid:47425329728|nw:g|crid:44739949084|rnd:6950508547689768161|dvc:c|adp:1o1|bku:1&gclid=Cj0KEQjwlv6dBRDC7rGfrvidmJgBEiQAjd3hMA2_sCoXByryAKtlAMOelZTlQlwLLyir2SlU6580InAaApr58P8HAQ#tab2

We have an identical bike to the ones from Halfords, the Viking Harrier, £30 more expensive from us, but the difference is we are e-bike specialists.
http://cyclezee.com/viking-e-bikes--pedelecs.html

 

[allen-uk]

Unless they've moved it, Milton Keynes isn't anywhere near Manchester, even if it starts with an M.

 

[RobF]

Hi,I think it is exaggerated about these small wheel bikes being wobbly,I have many customers,some older than you (I am older than you) who like the Secret because it's a small light bike that they feel very confident to ride.
I notice that you have a Rav4 ,that car is probably roomy enough to accommodate a shortish bike,like the Secret,without folding. I prefer to fold the handlebars down,put the seat down but leave the bike unfolded,the bike is better balanced and easier to handle without folding. Folding is more about long term storage in the winter.
All my own opinions but I do have a lot of experience with this particular bike.
I have ridden my friends Brompton,I think the Bromptons are wonderful bikes for riding short distances on good surfaces,brilliant fold,but they lose something when electrified and you do have to be very careful to miss potholes with those small wheels.
You need to have a trial ride and try lifting the bike into your car,suggest you find a local dealer with a Kudos Secret.
KudosDave

Dave has it about right - a Brompton can be a bit wobbly and does need more care and experience to ride.

But my 20" AVE is nice and stable.

In fact, the smaller wheels - bags of toe clearance - and more direct steering make it, if anything, easier to ride than a big wheel bike.

Perfect choice for a beginner - I expect most other 20" wheel ebikes are much the same.

 

[trex]

trust me, 26" Dutch style low steps are most comfortable on any roads, you can ride all day and your back and wrists are going to thank you for making the right choice.

 

[Cyclezee]

Unless they've moved it, Milton Keynes isn't anywhere near Manchester, even if it starts with an M.

Hi Allen,

Thanks for the lesson in geography