developments for 2009?

[Tim]

J Walter Thompson have identified electric bikes as one of their '90 things to watch in 2009' list, alongside phenomena like 'cloud computing', 'the decline of email', 'holographic projection' and the 'green collar class'. It's an interesting list and very encouraging to see our speciality on there.

JWT Ad Agency Offers 90 Things to Watch in 2009 | Bob McCarty Writes

As for the Agattu F, that's not a regenerative system, it is Panasonic's hub motor and it gives the Agattu very tasty acceleration. We're road testing it now. We've also fitted a thumb throttle to a regular Agattu, which gives a magical look-no-hub-motor e-bike sensation.

 

[flecc]

As for the Agattu F, that's not a regenerative system, it is Panasonic's hub motor and it gives the Agattu very tasty acceleration. We're road testing it now.

Thanks Tim. They had me fooled with that since I can't read German and their Jubilee model appeared to be the hub motor model. I see now that they are both the hub motor, the Jubilee just having a carrier battery instead of the usual in frame placement.
.

 

[Alex728]

here is a paradox - I expect I am one of the younger people on here and have grown up with high technology all my life, yet I tend to be taking a rather more conservative (with a small c) view of things!

I'd far rather see more bikes in the £600-£800 range pitched as everyday transport for younger commuters - with reliable but basic features - I think a lot of the electronic technology for hub bikes has matured fairly quickly so the emphasis now should be on developing the market, with better reliablity of the bike components, customer service and more local service outlets...

 

[wotwozere]

Hi

I do not think price is a problem anymore.

thx

Bob

 

[keithhazel]

Hi

I do not think price is a problem anymore.

thx

Bob

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price has never been a problem unless you cant afford it

 

[Mussels]

here is a paradox - I expect I am one of the younger people on here and have grown up with high technology all my life, yet I tend to be taking a rather more conservative (with a small c) view of things!

I'd far rather see more bikes in the £600-£800 range pitched as everyday transport for younger commuters - with reliable but basic features - I think a lot of the electronic technology for hub bikes has matured fairly quickly so the emphasis now should be on developing the market, with better reliablity of the bike components, customer service and more local service outlets...

The problem with it being everyday transport is that mile for mile bikes are not as reliable as cars and need far more maintenance. Anyone wanting to do high mileage on a pushbike has to accept that it is not a simple option unless you are prepared to spend a lot of money, sub £1000 ebikes just won't be up to it and neither are some more expensive ones.

 

[styx]

Agattu throttle

Hi everybody
Does anyone know if it is possible to purchase a throttle for an Agattu . A walk alongside type would be ideal. As I live in a rural area there are plenty of shortcuts linking various roads but although they were ok on my mountain bike they are too rough to ride my Agattu along.I am therefore left with a detour or having to push my Agattu unaided.Anyone who has tried pushing one of these bikes uphill for any distance particularly on rough ground will know they are pretty hefty machines so a bit of electrical assistance would come in very handy.
Regards
Bob

 

[Tim]

Hi everybody
Does anyone know if it is possible to purchase a throttle for an Agattu . A walk alongside type would be ideal. As I live in a rural area there are plenty of shortcuts linking various roads but although they were ok on my mountain bike they are too rough to ride my Agattu along.I am therefore left with a detour or having to push my Agattu unaided.Anyone who has tried pushing one of these bikes uphill for any distance particularly on rough ground will know they are pretty hefty machines so a bit of electrical assistance would come in very handy.
Regards
Bob

Hi Styx, yes such a throttle is available for the Agattu. We'll be pricing it up and adding to our accessories shortly.

 

[Alex728]

The problem with it being everyday transport is that mile for mile bikes are not as reliable as cars and need far more maintenance. Anyone wanting to do high mileage on a pushbike has to accept that it is not a simple option unless you are prepared to spend a lot of money, sub £1000 ebikes just won't be up to it and neither are some more expensive ones.

hmm - all the normal pushbikes I have owned (I usually get a medium price range one, about £300-£400) have required fairly minimal servicing (about once every 6 months to a year) and have got me to and from work and friends houses for many thousands of miles without mishaps.

and some of my mates drive ropey old bangers which are always needing some form or repair or breaking down...

what you say is probably true for long distances (maybe beyond which someone would comfortably cycle in a day on either a normal or electric bike) but for many peoples everyday needs the bulk of travelling is fairly short distances...

And most younger people (<40 years old) many can only afford a fairly modest motor car or a less pricier bike (conventional or electric), in the same way we have cheaper but perfectly useable cars I don't see why eventually the same couldn't happen with e-bikes.

that said having read your posts about your experiences with the Wisper I can fully see why you have formed your views about reliability, as you seem to be experiencing the teething problems of early adopters of any technology. I have to say that despite the good customer service of the Wisper chaps I would certainly be a bit cross about the whole thing had I paid £1000 + for an e-bike which developed so many mechanical problems early in its life.

If we compared e-bikes to the development of computers I would say we've moved out of the late 70s/early 80s to the mid 1980s, so theres plenty more scope for improvement..

 

[MonVal Electra]

Good post reply and very well observed !!!

The problem with it being everyday transport is that mile for mile bikes are not as reliable as cars and need far more maintenance. Anyone wanting to do high mileage on a pushbike has to accept that it is not a simple option unless you are prepared to spend a lot of money, sub £1000 ebikes just won't be up to it and neither are some more expensive ones.

Mussels, I must congratulate you on a very very astute observation. You've obviously being doing the same research as me

Are you planning to launch your own 'Heavy Utility' and 'Commercial Use' E-bike as well?!!!

It is for the very reasons you mention, that the MonVal Electra uses the materials, components and brand names that it does. These items, are well known in the various sectors of the cycling industry for their longevity and quality... So to some, unfamiliar with the cost of these components, yes it will seem expensive. But, to others who will be using it as highlighted above, it is very reasonably priced given the costs of those items individually.

To give an example of Mussels quote, that is, a basic bicycle designed for high mileages:- The Pashley 'Mailstar' bicycle as used by the Royal Mail, is an open frame design (looks like a ladies bike) with either a 3 of 5 speed hubgear, it has a strengthened frame and wheel rims, heavy gauge spokes, heavy duty pedals, puncture resistant tyres, etc etc and is expected to have a useful commercial life of at least 7 years.
Now, you can't buy the 'Mailstar' direct, so if you wanted one, you would have to purchase the 'civilian' version called the Pronto and this machine would cost you about £430.00!!... and remember that's for a BASIC pedal bicycle DESIGNED to do high mileages and heavy utility work!!

 

[flecc]

There's a number of good unpowered European utility bikes available here, using the best components, prices generally at least £400 and often much more.

The problem is persuading a public used to discounted bikes "with everything" from £99 upwards that the realistic price of a good bike is that much higher.
.

 

[Alex728]

There's a number of good unpowered European utility bikes available here, using the best components, prices generally at least £400 and often much more. The problem is persuading a public used to discounted bikes "with everything" from £99 upwards that the realistic price of a good bike is that much higher.
.

True although - reasonable 700c wheeled hybrids and (albeit basic) tourers are around £300-£400 - even some of my mates are shocked and say "dude, you spent that much on a bike?"

OTOH other friends of mine are perfectly happy to spend £400 + on a MTB which they then find heavy going due to the wide knobbly tyres, complain that they are showered with rain/mud due to lack of mudguards, and that carrying stuff is difficult due to lack or rack/panniers. Even then they concede my choice of hybrids or fully equipped bikes is more practical if not as overtly "cool"

there's the issue of getting people on two wheels in the first place as well

I'm in my mid 30s - friends of my age group (most of whom can remember the 70s/80s when cycling seemed to be more commonplace) are supportive but they think they are themselves too unfit to follow suit - my younger friends (aged 18-25) think I am some sort of athlete and find it hard to believe I will happily ride 8-10 miles even on a unpowered bike..

 

[flecc]

there's the issue of getting people on two wheels in the first place as well

I'm in my mid 30s - friends of my age group (most of whom can remember the 70s/80s when cycling seemed to be more commonplace) are supportive but they think they are themselves too unfit to follow suit - my younger friends (aged 18-25) think I am some sort of athlete and find it hard to believe I will happily ride 8-10 miles even on a unpowered bike..

Yes, I think it's a lost cause in the UK, the young being very averse. There's been isolated incidences of success as in the London congestion zone region where cycling has nearly doubled in this decade, but that's still nothing much compared to other means of getting around. I think we are firmly in the American mould of car usage and will never be like the low countries in the acceptance of cycling, no matter what we do to encourage it.
.

 

[keithhazel]

Yes, I think it's a lost cause in the UK, the young being very averse.
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is it perhaps that the young have too much money compared to how much the young ones had back when we was young ?...

 

[flecc]

Yes, I think it's a lost cause in the UK, the young being very averse.
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is it perhaps that the young have too much money compared to how much the young ones had back when we was young ?...

That may play a part Keith, but I think it's mostly the attractions of the car culture that's won them over:

The image, attracting the opposite sex, speed, excitement, status, role models like top footballers driving their expensive cars for example.

"My bike's got 21 gears" just doesn't cut it in comparison.
.

 

[keithhazel]

That may play a part Keith, but I think it's mostly the attractions of the car culture that's won them over:

The image, attracting the opposite sex, speed, excitement, status, role models like top footballers driving their expensive cars for example.

"My bike's got 21 gears" just doesn't cut it in comparison.
.

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yer and balancing the mattress on the seat and over the handlebars is tricky in wind

 

[Mussels]

That may play a part Keith, but I think it's mostly the attractions of the car culture that's won them over:

The image, attracting the opposite sex, speed, excitement, status, role models like top footballers driving their expensive cars for example.

"My bike's got 21 gears" just doesn't cut it in comparison.
.

I'm envious of anyone who has 21 gears.

 

[torrent99]

I'm envious of anyone who has 21 gears.

I'm envious of anyone who can ride a bike (Having a serious knee flare up due to e-biking earlier in the week just the movement of spinning the pedals has set it off ) Anyone had any experience of crank shorteners/super short cranks (around 100mm)?

 

[keithhazel]

I'm envious of anyone who has 21 gears.

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i thought i was till i got a bike once with 18 gears..you dont use but half a dozen...you dont go thorugh them one at a time (as 3 gear cogs or whatever they called on one lever makes it sort of impossible) as you build up speed either so why have them..is anymore then 6-8 needed as long as the top 2 and bottom two are high and low enough...i know on the 6 speed bikes i have had that 6th is definatly not high enough...

 

[keithhazel]

Hi Styx, yes such a throttle is available for the Agattu. We'll be pricing it up and adding to our accessories shortly.

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i thought the beauty of the agattu system was that it made you do half the work and not be lazy and just use the throttle ?...