Birthday Pressie!!! Need help choosing!

Treacle

Finding my (electric) wheels
Mar 4, 2012
7
0
Hello!

I'm a very lucky girl who has been told I can choose a bike for my birthday on Wednesday!

I've decided on an e-bike as I've never really got on with a regular bike, as I have no stamina and I'm not keen on the small hills around where I live.

All weekend I've been researching, hence I found this wonderful site.

I am very short (5 foot) so would need a small frame. I'm not too keen on mountain bike looking bikes, much prefer Dutch bike style. I'll only use it for recreation, popping to local shops etc. I know it sounds daft, but I don't want a silver bike (long story...).

It would have to come into a budget range (as it's a present) at £800 at the very max.

The one I've seen that I like the look of it the Urban Mover 44 U-Sprite from Halfords. It's £649 and gets good reviews on it's site.

Does anyone have any opinions on this bike? Or have any recommendations for alternatives?

Thank you for taking the time to read.

Treacle
 

JuicyBike

Trade Member
Jan 26, 2009
1,671
527
Derbyshire
Hi Treacle
I think you may like one of our Classics.
Please let me know what you think...
 
D

Deleted member 4366

Guest
Hello!

I'm a very lucky girl who has been told I can choose a bike for my birthday on Wednesday!

I've decided on an e-bike as I've never really got on with a regular bike, as I have no stamina and I'm not keen on the small hills around where I live.

All weekend I've been researching, hence I found this wonderful site.

I am very short (5 foot) so would need a small frame. I'm not too keen on mountain bike looking bikes, much prefer Dutch bike style. I'll only use it for recreation, popping to local shops etc. I know it sounds daft, but I don't want a silver bike (long story...).

It would have to come into a budget range (as it's a present) at £800 at the very max.

The one I've seen that I like the look of it the Urban Mover 44 U-Sprite from Halfords. It's £649 and gets good reviews on it's site.

Does anyone have any opinions on this bike? Or have any recommendations for alternatives?

Thank you for taking the time to read.

Treacle
I'm guessing that at that price it's the Uban mover Sprite, not the Urban mover UM44S Sprite, which is a lot more expensive. The £649 Sprite only has a 24v battery and will probably be a bit gutless, so avoid if you have hills where you ride. Where do you live? We can then point you at other nearby dealers.
 

Treacle

Finding my (electric) wheels
Mar 4, 2012
7
0
Thanks everyone!

I certainly do like the look of juicy bike classic but I'm not sure if the frame would be small enough for me. I'd like to be able to put both feet on the ground still seating on the seat (if only my toes!). I'd like to know the frame size, as its not listed on the website (which, with a lot of other websites, is a big annoyance when size matters)

I live in Essex and cannot find any stockists locally, hence halfords seamed the only answer.

Thanks
 
D

Deleted member 4366

Guest
Thanks everyone!

I live in Essex and cannot find any stockists locally, hence halfords seamed the only answer.

Thanks
Where about in Essex. Woosh bikes are in Southend. Very good value! Looks like the seat of this one goes very low.
The new Aspen X | Electric Bikes from Woosh | Tel 01702 435566 | electric bike sales and hire

Edit: Sorry, that's a big bike, but there's stll this one for 4ft 10"+ riders for £379 with 36v lifepo4 batttery - what!!!!
Woosh Mono | Electric Bikes from Woosh | Tel 01702 435566 | electric bike sales and hire
 
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Treacle

Finding my (electric) wheels
Mar 4, 2012
7
0
Well, I decided to go with first impressions and I've bought the urban mover from Halfords. My main consideration was size, because at 5 foot, not many of them were small enough. If I can share one thing from my research with e-bike dealers it would be that not many put the frame size, so they are automatically discounted in my short list GRRR!

I was also concerned about getting it from Halfords, but the staff I have encountered have been very helpful and knowledgable. They are putting it together at the moment, it will be ready at 4pm - cant wait!

If i really get into electric cycling then I can always upgrade in the future (pedego step thru cruiser looks pretty - but double the price I'm paying today)

Right, I'd better go and sort the shed out so there is room for her to sleep in. I've got electric in my shed, is it ok to charge her up in there or is it better to bring the battery indoors to charge?

Thanks everyone for your help!
 

flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
53,559
30,848
Congratulations on your new bike Treacle, I hope you get years of enjoyment from it.

Charging in the shed is fine for most of the year, but when it's very cold and the temperature in there gets well below 10 degrees C, best bring the battery indoors to warm up a bit and then charge, since charging a very cold battery isn't too effective.
 

Treacle

Finding my (electric) wheels
Mar 4, 2012
7
0
Boo Hoo!

Didn't get it after all, as when I went back to collect it, they couldn't find the key to take off the battery. They can't get another one as they are discontinuing the range and that was the last one they had.

When I asked if they could contact Urban Mover they said they had tried but were not able to get in contact with them as they were moving from their premises, possibly because they had gone into administration. Not sure if that's right on not.

So I got a refund and my search starts again. When I was there I did sit on an 18 inch frame and I could get both sets of toes on the ground (just!), so I may be able to look at slightly larger frame bikes - so long as it doesn't have a suspension seat post, which adds a couple of inches.

I'm still looking - so keep the recommendations coming in please!

Treacle
 

JuicyBike

Trade Member
Jan 26, 2009
1,671
527
Derbyshire
Oh dear Treacle... However, we had a busy day demoing bikes in Nottingham today, and a couple of 5 footers were quite happy on our Classics, 18" frame, by the way...
Sorry your day was spoilt, but maybe your next few years will turn out better still...
 

Treacle

Finding my (electric) wheels
Mar 4, 2012
7
0
Thanks guys,

Knowing the frame size is really helpful for us short 'uns! Both on my short list.

Bob, is there anywhere in the South East that stocks your classic bike - Essex to Buxton is a bit too far for an afternoon drive!

Treacle
 

JuicyBike

Trade Member
Jan 26, 2009
1,671
527
Derbyshire
Treacle, nearest with stock is E-Motion at Swindon.
 

Treacle

Finding my (electric) wheels
Mar 4, 2012
7
0
Today I bought my new bike. It's a woosh Elios and I love it!

At 17 inches the frame was small enough, after Tony the bike technician fiddled a bit with the suspension seat post. It has 36w 10ah power, and a throttle as well as pedal assist, which is loads better than the urban mover I was considering. And at £565 it's a lot less money too!

I bought direct from the woosh bikes shop in Southend, and they are a great company to deal with. Their reviews online also reflect this for their delivery service.

So thanks for whoever it was on this forum who tipped me off about them, I would have never had known about them without you.

I haven't been far yet, but hope to give it a proper run on Monday.
 

jazper53

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jan 20, 2012
890
18
Brighton
Congratulations on your new purchase, and thanks for posting your experiences of Woosh Bikes at Southend on my intro thread.
I would be interested in your feedback on the Elios, as I am very interested in the Sirocco X, and they seem to have a lot in common including identical electrics.

good luck for monday


John