Under Gazelle, A to B describe Electric Cycles from the Electric Cycle Company in Edinburgh, Scotland as "Always helpful and friendly. Lovely people".
I went to try an Easy Glider, a magnificent machine with all the bells and whistles that one could desire.
A gradient that often leaves me exhausted is 400 yards of 1 in 45 and in addition I was concerned about having to lift the bike up four steps from the pavement at home. "This one is lighter, there's a hill near here, we can take them both and swap when you want" and we did, a number of times.
The Gitane E-Bike 8 is a 'nippy' little bike, and at max assistance the acceleration through the automatic gears is surprising and quite exhilarating. I had been sceptical about the Shimano Nexus Auto-D 3 speed hub gears, well I would be wouldn't I? I still 'double declutch' and 'heel and toe' in the car (Google).
Impressed as I was, I explained that as an 'insurance' against an impulse buy I had left my mobility scooter in the Zaffira to be told that with the front wheel off it would go in, it was the weekend with no bookings and being disabled I would need to test it around my home where I would be using it. A very happy weekend, going where I hadn't been for years enjoying gentle exercise, meeting people but the bike was needed for others and new imports a fortnight away. "But but but someone must have one I wail" stamping my foot and near greetin; so they found one for me and had it delivered. "Always helpful and friendly. Lovely people"
Previously I had believed that a throttle would be necessary to get me home if I were to run out of personal pedal power but a Currie powered bike with a throttle showed that I was not getting the exercise I need. As the Gitane can go into the car I can phone for a taxi home and come and collect it.
Two totally separate systems operate here, the much praised new Panasonic crank motor governed by pedal pressure and the Nexus automatic gearchange governed by pedal speed.
For unassisted use, climb aboard and pedal, the Auto-D computer takes it's power from the front wheel dynamo which also measures the roadspeed for timing the automatic gearchanges which are recognised by changes in pedal resistance. I am told there is also a 'beep' ? At 22kg the Gitane is somewhat heavy for me to pedal but even the lowest level of assistance from the Panasonic gives an edge over a normal bike. I am comfortable at medium assist on level a road and on the highest level I can tackle short hills of 1 in 6.
Changing down on hills was a bit strange to begin with, holding a steady pedalling pressure the cadence drops and when one would normally change down easing up on the pressure and the change is made. If one keeps the pressure on for longer than wanted there is a restrained chucking sound that reminds one to ease up, all quite civilised. There is an eight position selector for the cadence at which changes are made and all are a little higher than I would wish but are still viable and the gradual improvement that is hoped for with this pleasant exercise could change this.
Dave
I went to try an Easy Glider, a magnificent machine with all the bells and whistles that one could desire.
A gradient that often leaves me exhausted is 400 yards of 1 in 45 and in addition I was concerned about having to lift the bike up four steps from the pavement at home. "This one is lighter, there's a hill near here, we can take them both and swap when you want" and we did, a number of times.
The Gitane E-Bike 8 is a 'nippy' little bike, and at max assistance the acceleration through the automatic gears is surprising and quite exhilarating. I had been sceptical about the Shimano Nexus Auto-D 3 speed hub gears, well I would be wouldn't I? I still 'double declutch' and 'heel and toe' in the car (Google).
Impressed as I was, I explained that as an 'insurance' against an impulse buy I had left my mobility scooter in the Zaffira to be told that with the front wheel off it would go in, it was the weekend with no bookings and being disabled I would need to test it around my home where I would be using it. A very happy weekend, going where I hadn't been for years enjoying gentle exercise, meeting people but the bike was needed for others and new imports a fortnight away. "But but but someone must have one I wail" stamping my foot and near greetin; so they found one for me and had it delivered. "Always helpful and friendly. Lovely people"
Previously I had believed that a throttle would be necessary to get me home if I were to run out of personal pedal power but a Currie powered bike with a throttle showed that I was not getting the exercise I need. As the Gitane can go into the car I can phone for a taxi home and come and collect it.
Two totally separate systems operate here, the much praised new Panasonic crank motor governed by pedal pressure and the Nexus automatic gearchange governed by pedal speed.
For unassisted use, climb aboard and pedal, the Auto-D computer takes it's power from the front wheel dynamo which also measures the roadspeed for timing the automatic gearchanges which are recognised by changes in pedal resistance. I am told there is also a 'beep' ? At 22kg the Gitane is somewhat heavy for me to pedal but even the lowest level of assistance from the Panasonic gives an edge over a normal bike. I am comfortable at medium assist on level a road and on the highest level I can tackle short hills of 1 in 6.
Changing down on hills was a bit strange to begin with, holding a steady pedalling pressure the cadence drops and when one would normally change down easing up on the pressure and the change is made. If one keeps the pressure on for longer than wanted there is a restrained chucking sound that reminds one to ease up, all quite civilised. There is an eight position selector for the cadence at which changes are made and all are a little higher than I would wish but are still viable and the gradual improvement that is hoped for with this pleasant exercise could change this.
Dave
Even my Lafree Twist with the old unit was capable of small wheelies off the mark
