Recent content by mdepps

  1. mdepps

    Hi from Mark in Belgium

    I've looked at the idea of a kit, but the bike in my garage is a 350€ Decathlon trekking job so it'd be sewing silk onto a pig's ear. To be honest 25km/h is slowww. I'd shake now on US standard 32km/h but since this is not forthcoming in legislation I might get a dongle when I buy my own bike...
  2. mdepps

    Hi from Mark in Belgium

    s It's 75€ a month. This includes repairs and insurance, so if you were to value these components (which I would have to pay separately if I bought a bike) and deduct you might be talking about 50€ a month for the net rental. It would take over three years to get past 2000€, so there are good...
  3. mdepps

    Hi from Mark in Belgium

    Is that legal? Cutoff speed? Not judging, just curious. What, on the flats? Past cutoff speed won't those guys have a big weight and rolling resistance advantage over you? Yes, good one, a trailer. I'm currently doing grocery shops with a rucksack and it's a struggle packing it all in...
  4. mdepps

    Hi from Mark in Belgium

    I'm finally mobile. I have taken a monthly rental on this old crate: Swapfiets ebike No idea what it actually is. The company won't tell me. Would be grateful if anyone could identify. They hinted it was the group that made Gazelles. It weighs 30kg with the battery and you feel the instant...
  5. mdepps

    Next! Going from Giant Dirt-E to what? Struggling!

    Maybe we're better off investing this tidy sum into a non-electric roadbike for those group runs and keeping the Giant for the gravel trails. I'm curious as to what a 5 grand racer feels like to ride, but not curious enough to spend that sort of cash to find out!
  6. mdepps

    Next! Going from Giant Dirt-E to what? Struggling!

    But none of these suggestions are going to help our colleague keep up, beyond the 15.5mph cutoff. He is with fitter people on lighter bikes. Unless he uses the hills to get ahead of the pack, but then he's no longer 'with' them. We're talking speed pedelecs now aren't we. How about the Cube...
  7. mdepps

    Pedelec Law - The Details

    Well you schooled me there. Thanks!
  8. mdepps

    Pedelec Law - The Details

    Interesting point about scooters here. They are illegal, but tolerated and as yet unregulated. A kid at the garage where I had my car repaired has a scooter with a 2600W motor, and he wants to upgrade! And obviously he can ride with a throttle, which we, supposedly aren't allowed to do. With...
  9. mdepps

    Hi from Mark in Belgium

    Hey I like the look of that Cube. I always thought they were out of my budget, but at £2000 they're making an aggressive push with a new model. Thanks, will see how I can test ride it.
  10. mdepps

    Where Do You Live V2.0

    Tervuren in Belgium. Halfway between Brussels and Leuven.
  11. mdepps

    Hi from Mark in Belgium

    Right, did the test ride, got back to the van and said "Right, sign me up". "Oh no", he goes. "There's a waiting list". Arrgghhh. Thought I'd be mobile by today. The wait goes on.
  12. mdepps

    How to get higher top speed

    You could be making a valid point but I don't understand a word of it.:)
  13. mdepps

    How to get higher top speed

    Yes, see your point. Need to find one 1000€ cheaper than that and I'll do it.
  14. mdepps

    How to get higher top speed

    Agreed, that 5mph is a massive difference. I test rode a Qonqer today (Dutch brand not present in UK), which was set to US standard. OMG it was beautiful. Here in Belgium S-pedelecs ARE allowed to use the cycle paths. So my idea now is to get a US standard bike and put a plate on it. It...
  15. mdepps

    Hi from Mark in Belgium

    Just did the Qonqer test ride and I want one. They gave me one that had a 20mph limit and it was glorious. But if I want one it'll be restricted to 15.5. What a shame. I'm going to go for it anyway.