Hello,
Last year as an octogenerian I inherited (from my daughter!) a delicious, as-new, Giant Lafree Twist Comfort with a defunct battery. I had the battery re-celled by a company in North Wales at a cost of around £160, but this was not successful, having lasted only a little over the 12 months guarantee period.
The cost of a new battery from Giant, I am told, is £320. To this should be added a new charger, (for the present Panasonic device is unreliable) - totalling let's say around £400. The bike, still superb to ride, especially in the way it delivers its power, dates from 2004, with original tyres barely worn at all.
My dilemma is, for a pensioner, £400 is a substantial expenditure on a 7 year old bike, no longer in production. Do I swallow hard, pay up and hope that spares are available for a few years yet. Or do I fork out around £650 for a new Chinese device that will certainly go further and faster, with better electrics and battery?
What is the wisdom of the Forum in this matter please?
It would be a shame to ditch the Lafree Twist, top dog in its day. Anyone like to make a bid for a near mint example?
Many thanks for listening,
Alan Shephard, Warminster Wilts.
Last year as an octogenerian I inherited (from my daughter!) a delicious, as-new, Giant Lafree Twist Comfort with a defunct battery. I had the battery re-celled by a company in North Wales at a cost of around £160, but this was not successful, having lasted only a little over the 12 months guarantee period.
The cost of a new battery from Giant, I am told, is £320. To this should be added a new charger, (for the present Panasonic device is unreliable) - totalling let's say around £400. The bike, still superb to ride, especially in the way it delivers its power, dates from 2004, with original tyres barely worn at all.
My dilemma is, for a pensioner, £400 is a substantial expenditure on a 7 year old bike, no longer in production. Do I swallow hard, pay up and hope that spares are available for a few years yet. Or do I fork out around £650 for a new Chinese device that will certainly go further and faster, with better electrics and battery?
What is the wisdom of the Forum in this matter please?
It would be a shame to ditch the Lafree Twist, top dog in its day. Anyone like to make a bid for a near mint example?
Many thanks for listening,
Alan Shephard, Warminster Wilts.