First Electric bike?

[Newman]

Hi All,

First time electric bike purchase looming and I wondered what your views were on these:

http://www.electric-bike-conversions.co.uk/acatalog/roodog_striker_electric_bike.html?gclid=CODr_tbOxL8CFSvjwgodVUQAtQ

http://www.electric-bike-conversions.co.uk/acatalog/cyclotricity_stealth_electric_bike.html?gclid=CNKesO7OxL8CFQPnwgodMU4Aqg

http://www.ebikeshed.co.uk/products/raleigh-velo-xc-crossbar.php?gclid=CJupzPvOxL8CFYrJtAodchgAWw#.U8Oz4FaFb1o

Im 55 would like to commute around 12 miles a day plus some leisure, weigh about 120kg's, and 5.11ft, budget Ive set myself aside is about £900 but would increase if the bike was 'right' for me. I'm in the Newbury area and are looking to visit a few shops that sell bikes this coming weekend, any advice would be useful, thanks,

Gary

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Your weight is too high for the torque of the motors in those bikes. You need a motor with more torque. For your budget, you're pretty well limited to the Woosh Big Bear

 

[Newman]

Thanks for the reply d8veh, may look at that too, not sure if I'll like a front hub motor over a rear one, need to get to a dealer and try a few.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

What don't you like about a front motor?

The big bear gives substantially more torque than every other bike in your price range that I can think of. You only have to look at the size of the motor to see the difference. The motor in the Big Bear is 180mm diameter compared with 100 to 120mm in the others. The internal gears are also correspondingly larger, so less chance of stripping. If you try any bikes, make sure you try them on a hill.

 

[Alan Quay]

I wouldn't get hung up about front motors, they do have some advantages. If you have never tried one though, I admit they sound intuitively wrong.

In the real world on the road you'll rarely feel he difference.

If you are off roading, things may be different.

 

[Kudoscycles]

Gary,your size and weight would be ok on the Kudos Typhoon 29er or the Kudos Escape 29er,they have the high torque-low speed BPM motor for hill climbing and take off.
The Typhoon is a speed sensor,essentialy a switch to get power once you turn the pedals,the amount of power is controlled by the PAS selector. The Escape uses the German Thun torque sensor that determines the effort you are exerting on the pedals and replicates that effort,prices £1195.00 for the Typhoon and £1395.00 for the Escape.
You are close to the London Electric Bike Company at Hampton Wick,they also have stocks of the KTM e-bike range,you can test ride round Bushy Park,part of Hampton Court Palace.
KudosDave

 

[Tubamanandy]

Gary, I`m very similar size and height to you - I`ve got a Kudos Typhoon on order and cant wait. My old 250W e-bike conversion uses a Bafang SWX motor and whilst it has little torque, it does work but you have to pedal a fair bit - probably not so good up hills - I`m planning to upgrade it over Winter with a beefy motor so I can use either bike

 

[RobF]

For a commute you will want mudguards and to carry stuff.

The Big Bear has 'guards and a carrier, you could put both on another bike, but factory fit is best.

The Big Bear also has a basic light set, you will probably want to add to that, but it's enough to get you started.

I can't think of anything other than a Bear for your requirements and budget.

 

[Newman]

Thanks everyone, just realised Ive got my stones and kilograms conversion wrong, I'm actually 98 kg's!

I havent tried a front hub but it does seem wrong somehow, as if it would pull you along which I think would make the ride feel unnatural?

Like the look of the Kudos Typhoon, will keep looking. I need to try some though clearly and will make a visit this weekend to a few specialists.

Cheers

Gary

 

[trex]

Gary, rear hubs give a sporty ride but are prone to breaking spokes. The more power to put into the motor, the bigger the risk. Front hubs don't have this problem.

 

[Blackgold]

Thanks everyone, just realised Ive got my stones and kilograms conversion wrong, I'm actually 98 kg's!

I havent tried a front hub but it does seem wrong somehow, as if it would pull you along which I think would make the ride feel unnatural?

Like the look of the Kudos Typhoon, will keep looking. I need to try some though clearly and will make a visit this weekend to a few specialists.

Cheers

Gary

Gary,am also interested in the Kudos Typhoon or Tornado bike,I am 5'9" tall and about 80 KGs,when you test ride the bike could you please report back as my size and weight would seem to be about mid between the two bikes.
I am generally used to riding bigger bikes so am leaning towards the Typhoon,there do seem to be good reviews on both bikes and the style is more like my current bike,which I love but sadly bad knees make it a painful ride up hills.
Thanks
Steve