I've just eBayed my Kalkhoff Tasman and got £425 for it. I bought it in November 2009 so that is a depreciation rate of around 75% based on 3 years ownership, 80% or so based on 2 years and 9 months. Given the cost and my mileage this works out at 42p per mile.
I've decided not to replace the pedelec but to buy a hybrid instead. This is based on two things, one being that the battery will need replacing probably next year and is more than the cost of a decent hybrid, second that I bought the bike for hauling heavy loads of cameras about but have now replaced them with lighter and equally effective (though not cheaper) Micro 4/3 equipment so do not need the electric boost. In fact my needs are now better met by a Brompton for taking on the train and the ordinary bike for day today use.
I've learnt a lot from ebikes and on this forum and have a few thoughts.
First, in the 3 years I've been using them, the concept of ebikes seems to have changed so that they are now more accepted as a sensible means of transport rather than a crutch for the feeble. About time.
Second, that the future of ebikes will be assured not by more speed or even more range but by cheaper batteries.
Third, that given the UK's ability to design and build a world beating specialist bike like the Brompton, it is pathetic that electric bikes consist of a box of bits imported from abroad in boxes and simply assembled here, so that every machine bought is money in the pocket of foreign workers. This in a nation once in the vanguard of bicycle innovation and manufacture.
I've had a great time on my Kalkhoff and I'll miss it, so this is just to wish Flecc and all the ebikers here enjoyable and successful two wheelering. I will next be seen on a Kona hybrid in bottom gear of 27 wheezing my way up Broomfield Hill in Richmond
I've decided not to replace the pedelec but to buy a hybrid instead. This is based on two things, one being that the battery will need replacing probably next year and is more than the cost of a decent hybrid, second that I bought the bike for hauling heavy loads of cameras about but have now replaced them with lighter and equally effective (though not cheaper) Micro 4/3 equipment so do not need the electric boost. In fact my needs are now better met by a Brompton for taking on the train and the ordinary bike for day today use.
I've learnt a lot from ebikes and on this forum and have a few thoughts.
First, in the 3 years I've been using them, the concept of ebikes seems to have changed so that they are now more accepted as a sensible means of transport rather than a crutch for the feeble. About time.
Second, that the future of ebikes will be assured not by more speed or even more range but by cheaper batteries.
Third, that given the UK's ability to design and build a world beating specialist bike like the Brompton, it is pathetic that electric bikes consist of a box of bits imported from abroad in boxes and simply assembled here, so that every machine bought is money in the pocket of foreign workers. This in a nation once in the vanguard of bicycle innovation and manufacture.
I've had a great time on my Kalkhoff and I'll miss it, so this is just to wish Flecc and all the ebikers here enjoyable and successful two wheelering. I will next be seen on a Kona hybrid in bottom gear of 27 wheezing my way up Broomfield Hill in Richmond
