bike commuter looking to switch to a hybrid ebike

Sotz

Just Joined
Mar 9, 2020
3
1
Hi, I'm currently cycling 10 miles round trip to work and have been looking at ebikes so I can mix up my route a bit. Some of the routes have some steep sections which bring me to a grinding halt.

Most bike reviews online recommend bikes in the £2k+ range which is too rich for my blood. Ideally I'd like to find a bike around £1200, preferably cheaper.

I found ebikes direct, but don't recognise any of the brands to know what's trustworthy

I'm looking for something similar to my current bike. A trek fx2, hybrid, disc brakes, gears. Or is my budget just too low?

Any recommendations would be welcomed, or a point towards any useful websites

Edit: I'm also fairly average height and weight, 5'9, 11 stone, so no extra sturdy frames needed
 
Last edited:

sjpt

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jun 8, 2018
3,670
2,674
Winchester
Look at woosh. https://wooshbikes.co.uk/ Highly recommended by many on this site (including me).
You could convert your existing bike for maybe £600.

Or a variety of complete bikes: for example the Kreiger https://wooshbikes.co.uk/?krieger eill come with a very good sized battery just under £1200, but check the site for others.
 
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Kwozzymodo

Pedelecer
Sep 9, 2017
177
40
62
Lincolnshire
The fx2 is a great base for conversion. The disc version weighs less than 12kg to start with. A rear hub motor, pas, controller, display and battery will set you back around £300-350.

My Specialized hybrid with a rear hub motor weighs 13kg with battery - it does have carbon forks and I removed the front derailleur and chainrings to run with a single ring up front (40t), as I find the lower gears for the steep hills unnecessary now I have motor assistance.
 

Woosh

Trade Member
May 19, 2012
19,517
16,456
Southend on Sea
wooshbikes.co.uk
I'm looking for something similar to my current bike. A trek fx2, hybrid, disc brakes, gears. Or is my budget just too low?
an e-bike similar to your FX2?
I would recommend the Woosh Faro: hydraulic brakes, 5 assist levels, 36V * 8AH hidden battery (288WH) or 17AH downtube battery.

https;//wooshbikes.co.uk/?faro

 

Sotz

Just Joined
Mar 9, 2020
3
1
The fx2 is a great base for conversion. The disc version weighs less than 12kg to start with. A rear hub motor, pas, controller, display and battery will set you back around £300-350.

My Specialized hybrid with a rear hub motor weighs 13kg with battery - it does have carbon forks and I removed the front derailleur and chainrings to run with a single ring up front (40t), as I find the lower gears for the steep hills unnecessary now I have motor assistance.
What would be my options if I wanted to convert my existing trek fx2? I've had a look at the kits on woosh but I don't really understand the difference
 

Woosh

Trade Member
May 19, 2012
19,517
16,456
Southend on Sea
wooshbikes.co.uk
What would be my options if I wanted to convert my existing trek fx2? I've had a look at the kits on woosh but I don't really understand the difference
You need enough motor torque to suit your weight and how hilly is the area where you live.
If you weigh around 13st, I suggest 42NM should be plenty, 15st 45NM, 17st+ 50NM+.
Higher torque usually means also heavier and larger motor.
The FX2 is a lightweight bike, so the additional weight of the motor and battery is important. I would suggest you look at the Aikema 85SX kit or the XF07 kit.

https://wooshbikes.co.uk/cart/#/product/uid-121-85sx-13ah/akm13085sx-rear-hub-kit-with-13ah-battery

for more information, please visit:

https://wooshbikes.co.uk/?hubkits

We have 9 motors for you to choose from.
All our motors are rated and labelled 250W and road legal, except the rear 350W BPM.
We recommend the lightweight Aikema 85SXC for road bikes, Bafang SWX02 48V or Bafang BPM for tandems and heavy duty cargo bikes.
The XF07 for front wheel conversions, SWX02 for bikes with freewheel and XF08C for bikes with cassette.

Motor nameWeight/Dia/Fitting/TorqueProperties
XF072.8kgs 120mm 42NMfront motor wheels, available in 20", 26" and 700C(28") rims
85SX2.0kgs 100mm cassette 40NMAIKEMA lightweight rear motor wheels, available in 26" and 700C(28") rims
XF08C2.9kgs 120mm cassette 45NMMXUS rear motor wheels, available in 26" and 700C(28") rims
SWX023.9kgs 140mm freewheel 50NMBAFANG rear motor wheels, available in 26" and 700C(28") rims
SWX02-48V3.9kgs 140mm freewheel 60NMBAFANG 48V rear motor wheels, available in 26" and 700C(28") rims
DWG22C-48V3.9kgs 160mm cassette 60NMDirect replacement for BAFANG 48V CST, huge torque, cassette fitting available in 26" and 700C(28") rims
BPM FRONT4.5kgs 160mm freewheel 50NMBAFANG front motor wheels, available in 26" rims
BPM REAR4.5kgs 160mm freewheel 50NMBAFANG 350W rear motor wheels, available in 26" rims
FAT G065.1kgs 160mm freewheel 65NMBAFANG 48V G06 rear motor wheel for fat bikes, available with or without 26" rim
 

Kwozzymodo

Pedelecer
Sep 9, 2017
177
40
62
Lincolnshire
Average weight, not too hilly; go for a 201rpm rear hub motor kit - with a 36v 10ah battery, you should be good for 30miles + on a charge. With some pedalling, you should hit 20mph. The whole kit will weigh around 4kg or so.