Durability?

[timidtom]

I seem to be banging on about long-lived products but I do like to know that what I'm going to buy is going to last! I've been looking back over my collection of AtoB/The Folder magazine. Three names seem to dominate over the span of time: Brompton, PowaBike and PowaCycle. All three have modified their product from time to time but still incorporate the basic quality - reliability. I'm not suggesting there isn't room in the market for others but there's food for thought? I have personal very happy ownership of two of the three and probably going to buy the third brand shortly.
May the e-wind be ever at your back!
Tom

 

[flecc]

It's important not to miss out the quality bikes using the Panasonic motor system. A to B are huge fans of these and these reliable units have been running for almost a decade now with just one upgrade in 2006 to deal with some minor issues. Its also worth noting that Panasonic were pioneers in using their lithium batteries on e-bikes and have more experience than anyone in making these.

These units are never fitted to cheap bikes, only found on such quality brands as the Derby Cycles Kalkhoff, Technium and German Raleigh brands, and other makers like BikeTec Flyer, Gazelle, BH and Monark.

Longest lived of the modern design hub motor bikes is eZee, around for about seven years now. Although they had a bad patch with poor batteries between 3 and 4 years ago, the current build standards are very high. One unique and endearing feature is that they have never changed their battery mounting so the latest and most highly developed batteries fit their bikes back to the earliest models.
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[timidtom]

It's important not to miss out the quality bikes using the Panasonic motor system. A to B are huge fans of these and these reliable units have been running for almost a decade now with just one upgrade in 2006 to deal with some minor issues. Its also worth noting that Panasonic were pioneers in using their lithium batteries on e-bikes and have more experience than anyone in making these.

These units are never fitted to cheap bikes, only found on such quality brands as the Derby Cycles Kalkhoff, Technium and German Raleigh brands, and other makers like BikeTec Flyer, Gazelle, BH and Monark.

Longest lived of the modern design hub motor bikes is eZee, around for about seven years now. Although they had a bad patch with poor batteries between 3 and 4 years ago, the current build standards are very high. One unique and endearing feature is that they have never changed their battery mounting so the latest and most highly developed batteries fit their bikes back to the earliest models.
.

Flecc, thanks for the reply. I've just looked at the eZee bike website and I agree they're very attractive bikes with a decent range. They are also twice the price of the bikes I quoted and the replacement battery cost would almost buy you a PowaBike! Considering we're looking to buy two bikes we have to tailor our wishes to our pockets (though I'm sure the Con/Dem government will give all pensioners a tax-free half-price bike of their choice!)
Best wishes,
Tom.

 

[flecc]

Fair comment Tom, I was basing my reply on longevity and quality of course, not price since you hadn't mentioned that.

Reference Powacycle reliability, you might wish to read Dorset Dave's experiences in this thread from the link onwards. His is far from the only experience like this.
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[timidtom]

Fair comment Tom, I was basing my reply on longevity and quality of course, not price since you hadn't mentioned that.

Reference Powacycle reliability, you might wish to read Dorset Dave's experiences in this thread from the link onwards. His is far from the only experience like this.
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Thanks, Flecc. Interesting. Sadly, price is an issue. Two times £X = twice as much! If we were shopping for only one bike it would be a different story!
Best wishes,
Tom.

 

[Dynamic Position]

Considering we're looking to buy two bikes we have to tailor our wishes to our pockets (though I'm sure the Con/Dem government will give all pensioners a tax-free half-price bike of their choice!)
Best wishes,
Tom.

Are you really sure about the tax-free half-price bike deal? I thought Nick Clegg hinted that the offer was only available to members of The House of Lords because Laws told him that savings could be made on expenses claims for taxi fares and this fitted in with the Conservatives House of Lords reform plans

It is a pity that ASDA does not sell e-bikes and give you a two for the price of one deal. Sometimes their twice as much = less than one times £X!