I have had my 350W li-ion BionX for coming up for two years and done over 3000 miles on it. Most of that was in the first year as an op kept me off the bike for a while but I'm now back to commuting on it, albeit not daily as before, which is a 13 mile round trip.
My wife has decided to get an electric bike and was hoping to do so through the Cycle To Work Scheme but her employer (Essex Council) does not participate - there's a thread in that alone.... Anyway, I have been taken by the Agattu reviews and thought it looked like a serious rival to my BionX, so we arranged a test ride. Owing to my knee not bending enough to ride without a modified crank, I couldn't ride the Agattu for more than a few yards which was a shame but it looked like a nice setup. My wife returned from her test ride a bit luke warm, not sure that the bike would ease her commute as much as she is hoping. She then rode my BionX again (on a Trek 7300 from about 2000) which she had not ridden in ages and after another hour's test ride said it was "infinitely better" - battery capacity/range seemed about the same although the routes were different.
My purpose in posting this is certainly not to rubbish the Agattu which seems very capable, and I hope this thread does not descent into bashing this, that or the other! The test is far from scientific but, on the other hand, was done by someone who is perhaps a typical newcomer and simply rides a couple of bikes and gives a subjective opinion of how they meet their needs. Anyway, I confess to being pleased that my choice of the BionX two years ago still seems to stand up well today!
It is a shame that there still is not a UK BionX dealer but we will buy from NYceWheels again as they have been excellent to deal with. One thing that does beat me though is why every other bike is not electric, regardless of make or type. All my friends know how great my bike is - for the pocket, health, environment, etc etc, yet so few people buy them. A friend of mine, for whom money really is no object, has just bought four new bikes for his family. After a couple of rides this summer, I dare say the bikes will sit unused in the garage, whereas perhaps four electric bikes would all but replace their cars for local journeys. Anyway, that's another subject!
Cheers
Nick
My wife has decided to get an electric bike and was hoping to do so through the Cycle To Work Scheme but her employer (Essex Council) does not participate - there's a thread in that alone.... Anyway, I have been taken by the Agattu reviews and thought it looked like a serious rival to my BionX, so we arranged a test ride. Owing to my knee not bending enough to ride without a modified crank, I couldn't ride the Agattu for more than a few yards which was a shame but it looked like a nice setup. My wife returned from her test ride a bit luke warm, not sure that the bike would ease her commute as much as she is hoping. She then rode my BionX again (on a Trek 7300 from about 2000) which she had not ridden in ages and after another hour's test ride said it was "infinitely better" - battery capacity/range seemed about the same although the routes were different.
My purpose in posting this is certainly not to rubbish the Agattu which seems very capable, and I hope this thread does not descent into bashing this, that or the other! The test is far from scientific but, on the other hand, was done by someone who is perhaps a typical newcomer and simply rides a couple of bikes and gives a subjective opinion of how they meet their needs. Anyway, I confess to being pleased that my choice of the BionX two years ago still seems to stand up well today!
It is a shame that there still is not a UK BionX dealer but we will buy from NYceWheels again as they have been excellent to deal with. One thing that does beat me though is why every other bike is not electric, regardless of make or type. All my friends know how great my bike is - for the pocket, health, environment, etc etc, yet so few people buy them. A friend of mine, for whom money really is no object, has just bought four new bikes for his family. After a couple of rides this summer, I dare say the bikes will sit unused in the garage, whereas perhaps four electric bikes would all but replace their cars for local journeys. Anyway, that's another subject!
Cheers
Nick
