First electric bike, few to compare up to £2000

[Justin Fleming]

I know nothing about these bikes but am very keen to get one and get back to cycling.
I'm 5ft 9.5 and 10 stone. I have a 33" inside leg.

I want to commute 5 days a week, up to 20miles round trip with a couple of killer hills and a couple long stamina inclines.
I'm used to cycling a little but recent medical conditions have left me with little stamina.

I started by landing on the http://justebikes.co.uk/products/sparta-rxs-crossbar-electric-bike/
These seem expensive but seem very good and I assumed that this is the standard for e-bikes.

Having found this forum I was pleased to note some highly recommend bikes at half those prices, around £1000 such as http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/electric-bikes/ebco-ucr30-electric-bike

I've also looked at http://www.wooshbikes.co.uk/?bigbear
and http://www.50cycles.com/electric-bikes/comfort.html Kalkhoff range which are priced similar to the Sparta.

I want a comfortable ride and enjoy it but don't necessarily need to 'sit up and beg' since I've always had mountain bikes. I was considering a motorbike so I do have high expectations on a electric bike.
I want something reliable and have little time for fiddling and adjusting things when I've already spent money on it.

I consider any of these purchases as a car/motorbike replacement and want it for life. I will be putting pannier bags etc on it to carry all my stuff.

All help appreciated. I definitely don't want a conversion kit.

I'll also add that I'm used to having 18-21 gears and love to get through them all and soar along.

Edited requirements:

- I'm used to mountain-style bikes. Had a hybrid road bike last and HATED it.
- I live outside Northampton
- Fast than 15mph would be good but don't want any legal threats or worry.
- Torque sensor sounds good over the throttle possibly
- No preference on gear type. Always had derailiers - don't know any different.
- I have mechanical ability, just rather not use it! Punctures and basic maintenance I'll do myself.

 

[Cyclezee]

Hi Justin,

Welcome to the forum.

We have number of bikes that would meet your requirements so please take a little time to check out what we have to offer by visting our website http://www.cyclezee.com/

 

[D8ve]

Justin .
Any bike would do with your light weight but.
Do you want a mountain bike or road bike?
Are you always going to want to pedal?
Is 15mph good enough for you?
Do you prefer the bionic legs of a torque sensor or a throttle control?
Would you value a geared hub or prefer derailiers?
Any mechanical ability or shop for puncture repair?

Roughly where are you ie 30 miles south of xxxxx.

 

[Justin Fleming]

Justin .
Any bike would do with your light weight but.
Do you want a mountain bike or road bike?
Are you always going to want to pedal?
Is 15mph good enough for you?
Do you prefer the bionic legs of a torque sensor or a throttle control?
Would you value a geared hub or prefer derailiers?
Any mechanical ability or shop for puncture repair?

Roughly where are you ie 30 miles south of xxxxx.

Thanks, updated first post

 

[trex]

personally, I don't like direct drive motors for hills because of poor torque and high consumption, so I would rule the RXS out. The Ebco is well finished for a Chinese bike but again, hillclimbing performance is not great. Kalkhoff bikes are solid value but seem expensive against other German made bikes.
For your budget, I reckon this £1599 one is a good all-rounder and excellent value on paper but no stock yet:
http://www.shop.flidistribution.co.uk/p/2015-ktm-ventura-cross-9/ktm_bicycles_ebikes_shimano-steps?pp=12

 

[Kudoscycles]

Justin,with your budget you probably have a choice of 100 plus bikes. So it's difficult to recommend one over another,the choice will probably come down to what feels good.
I strongly suggest that you go for a BPM motored bike or the Panasonic KTM hub drive to tackle the steep hills. The London Electric Bike Company,located in Hampton Wick,very close to 50 cycles, have an open day on Sunday March 29..,,you may wish to try the Kudos Tornado or Arriba against the KTM Force against the KTM Panasonic hub drives.
All will do your task,it's pretty much personal preference.
KudosDave

 

[Wander]

Go for the Haibike sDuro HardSeven SL 2015 Yamaha

 

[D8ve]

Time to visit a dealer and do some riding.
Just remember to test ride without power as well.
You have too many options and will get multiple recomendations. All of them good bikes for your budget.

 

[Cyclezee]

Hi Justin,

After reading your requirements how about a Heinzmann Atlas eMB, you can try one out just down the road in Milton Keynes.
http://www.cyclezee.com/atlas-emb-mountain-bike.html

 

[Justin Fleming]

Thanks all.
I think I'll drop my budget to £1000. All those over that price seem a bit too special and I wouldn't ever want to leave it anywhere.

I quite like the http://www.wooshbikes.co.uk/?krieger
And Big Bear.

They both seem decent and fast and look nice but not too nice, if you get what I mean. They also have mudguards, lights and the rear rack already which are all essentials.

 

[rippedupno1]

Onbike in Worcester is not too far from you. they have a good selection of bike from several manufacturers and are happy to let you test them back to back with loads of free advice and no pressure .nice people.

 

[flecc]

I quite like the http://www.wooshbikes.co.uk/?krieger
And Big Bear.

I like the new Krieger model too, but it uses less power through lower gears to tackle those killer hills you mention. That means it will climb a bit slower than the Big Bear with it's more powerful BPM motor.

Ideally try both if you get the chance.
.

 

[Cyclezee]

OK, now you have decided on a budget what about an eZee bike?
http://www.cyclezee.com/ezee-e-bikes--pedelecs.html

 

[Justin Fleming]

OK, now you have decided on a budget what about an eZee bike?
http://www.cyclezee.com/ezee-e-bikes--pedelecs.html

You're very keen I'll have a look...

 

[Justin Fleming]

I guess ultimately I want feel like a kid pretending to ride a motorbike when I'm on my bike!

 

[Justin Fleming]

I like the new Krieger model too, but it uses less power through lower gears to tackle those killer hills you mention. That means it will climb a bit slower than the Big Bear with it's more powerful BPM motor.

Ideally try both if you get the chance.
.

Actually I just read that the http://www.wooshbikes.co.uk/?zephyr-b might be a little better than the Bear despite it's ugliness!
I wonder how fast these are on the straights without any *ahem* "limitations"

 

[flecc]

Actually I just read that the http://www.wooshbikes.co.uk/?zephyr-b might be a little better than the Bear despite it's ugliness!
I wonder how fast these are on the straights without any *ahem* "limitations"

Not really, they use the same motor so having the same performance. The choice between those has three factors, style, equipment and battery size.

The Zephyr B only has a 10 Ah battery, the Big Bear a 15 Ah battery. A larger capacity battery gives slightly better performance, longer range and lasts longer since it is less stressed in use.

As you prefer the Big Bear styling and as it has the better battery, is more fully equipped (full mudguards, carrier etc), that seems the best of the two for your all-weather commuting.
.

 

[Justin Fleming]

Well I've ordered the Bear for next week

Just one more question regarding security, which wheel is more expensive?

 

[flecc]

The front wheel, since it has the BPM motor in it, but the difference isn't as large as might be thought since the rear has the derailleur cassette.

However, the rear is easier to steal, having no wiring, and has wider use as a normal bicycle wheel.
.

 

[Cyclezee]

Well I've ordered the Bear for next week

Just one more question regarding security, which wheel is more expensive?

Wow, that was decisive or should I say impulsive, from knowing nothing about electric bikes and not even having ridden one to buying one all in the same day