e-Ride City on eBay

[Hermit]

I'm new to the site and new to e-bikes. Can anyone give me an opinion on the following, which has caught my eye. I've been lurking on the site for a couple of weeks and haven't seen any reference to it - apologies if this is not the case.

ELECTRIC BICYCLES 250watt - 36VOLT LITHIUM-ION POWERED on eBay (end time 20-May-10 14:16:59 BST)

It's coming in £100 less than a Salisbury LPX, which is the biggest blip on my radar currently, and seems to be similar in many respects.

Anybody know different?

Thanks in advance

 

[Ultra Motor]

Hi Hermit,

I've never come across that bike, so can't pass comment.

But you maybe interested in the Panasonic battery based Urban Mover in Halfords starting at £699 or the UM55 from Urban Mover at £799

Good luck with your search!

Mark

 

[Mussels]

Unless you are feeling very adventurous I'd spend slightly more and get a bike that you have seen comments on, there's plenty to go wrong on an electric bike and the seller has little feedback to give confidence as a retailer.

 

[flecc]

E-bikes like this use generic electrical components and are usually ok from a performance point of view. The bike components are usually basic but that's common in the lower price brackets.

In terms of value for money it's good, better than the Salisbury and will also be more powerful.

The downside is whether any specific parts will still be available when needed, in particular the battery since these usually last no longer than two years. If necessary that can be overcome by using another battery mounted on the carrier if the proper one is no longer available.

So probably a better buy, but with some risks that might be more acceptable if you have some degree of electro-mechanical ability.
.

 

[Hermit]

Thanks for the prompt and informative replies. I must say, if anything, rather than be discouraged my interest is further piqued - especially if, as you say, flecc, it will be a better buy than the Salisbury, especially considering the price being asked. As far as the risk aspect goes, Mussels, being ex-military I'm used to taking the odd risk with kit.

Food for thought indeed. Thanks, chaps.

Oh, just found a website for the company - they seem serious enough about it, or is that my naivety showing?

Electric Scooters and Cycles

 

[Patrick]

The fella who set up the company is on this forum under the name of FrankieXu, here's a thread he started

http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/electric-bicycles/5825-me-electric-bikes.html

 

[dan]

Thanks for the prompt and informative replies. I must say, if anything, rather than be discouraged my interest is further piqued - especially if, as you say, flecc, it will be a better buy than the Salisbury, especially considering the price being asked. As far as the risk aspect goes, Mussels, being ex-military I'm used to taking the odd risk with kit.

Food for thought indeed. Thanks, chaps.

Oh, just found a website for the company - they seem serious enough about it, or is that my naivety showing?

Electric Scooters and Cycles

I would always recomend buying from a local dealer...if something goes wrong with the bike its much easier to get it fixed, rather than having to send it to the other end of the country. It may be a litle more expensive but in my opinion worth it.

 

[Hermit]

Patrick, thanks for the "heads-up". He sounds like a decent bloke.

dan, I agree with you and would give serious consideration to giving the business to a local supplier... if there was one. I live on the Wirral and there seems to be nothing for the pedelec community here (if anyone knows differently, please chime in).

 

[flecc]

Oh, just found a website for the company - they seem serious enough about it, or is that my naivety showing?

Electric Scooters and Cycles

They do indeed, but that's often the case. The possibility of spares and battery supply problems is more under the control of the sources they buy from in China though, something even well established import companies can suffer from. If something is no longer made in China, there's nothing an importer can do about it.
.

 

[Morag]

I know this isn't on your doorstep but it's not that far away might be a good place to go to have a test ride or what not.


Electric Bikes and Scooters North West

Hope I'm allowed to put this link in.

 

[Hermit]

Thanks, Morag. I've tripped over that site on my surfing travels. It does seem to be the nearest, but still a considerable journey away.

I hear what you're saying, flecc, but the situation you're describing could strike the most established of importers. I guess with such a fledgling industry as this, there's risk everywhere. I'm looking forward to seeing how battery technology advances over the coming few years.

 

[HittheroadJ]

Hi Hermit,

I have just replied to your question in the "Introduce yourself" forum by suggesting you also consider the Meerkat eMotion (Currie Izip rebranded)..

It is a low budget bike (£374 on amazon or £575 on Argos or Tesco) and the components will not be of as high a quality as more expensive bikes.

On the other hand a battery for a UM44 at Halfords will be £270 every two years, I have read about one user of the Meerkat on this forum replacing the lead-acid batteries in his battery-pack for £60, Though these will probably only last about a year.

I have taken mine to the club and back at night without worrying about it getting stolen or whatever, with a nice Whisper (of say £1300) I would not have been as relaxed.

Good luck with your choice.

 

[Hermit]

Thanks, HittheroadJ,

I'll definitely "compare the Meerkat" with the others

 

[Old Timer]

I'm new to the site and new to e-bikes. Can anyone give me an opinion on the following, which has caught my eye. I've been lurking on the site for a couple of weeks and haven't seen any reference to it - apologies if this is not the case.

ELECTRIC BICYCLES 250watt - 36VOLT LITHIUM-ION POWERED on eBay (end time 20-May-10 14:16:59 BST)

It's coming in £100 less than a Salisbury LPX, which is the biggest blip on my radar currently, and seems to be similar in many respects.

Anybody know different?

Thanks in advance

Seems OK to me. When I purchased my unknown E bike people on here hadn`t heard of it and treated it with caution ( I think the word rubbish was actually used Anyway, it has turned out to be a blinding good bike for £699 and nothing(fingers crossed) has gone wrong or played up in 7 months and almost daily use. Go for it, you know you want to

 

[Hermit]

Thanks for the encouragement, Old Timer. I've got my eye on a couple, new and used - time will tell

 

[Alex728]

Frankie Xu who runs the company is a young Chinese lad who I think lives in the North but was educated in London.

He had an honest discussion with many folk on here and came across as very knowledgeable not just about ebikes and batteries but the differences in the market between the UK and his native country, and the need for reliability, support and availability of spares.

If he can deliver this at the price point I think his business is definitely worth supporting - its a shame he doesn't have a dealer down South!