Happy to be back.. and on the hunt for a new e-bike

[musicbooks]

HI everyone,
It's been a while .. to say the least, and I have to say the pedelecs site is looking dandy! I hope everyone is well.. keeping out of mischief and have stayed safe on our treacherous roads.

It's now 6 years and 4 months since I bought my Kalkhoff Agattu and I am pleased to report it is still going strong (though perhaps not quite as nippy as it was!! ) This is how I announced it's arrival on the forum in 2008

" I would just like to say that I am now, finally, the proud owner of the first Diamond Frame Agattu in the country, as of one hour ago....
Thread by: musicbooks, Mar 28, 2008, 7 replies, in forum: Electric Bicycles"

The bike has been an absolute gem.. It has ploughed its way up and down the hills of Bath come rain, shine , hail, sleet, snow and even a couple of sandstorms! with very few problems along the way. It's also stored outside, so it is pretty indestructible. I've had to replace the rear sprocket once. a new rear wheel (rim wear) and two chains. I have also replaced tyres and a few other bits and bobs. The rear light packed up a year ago, but I replaced it with a better one. The panasonic battery has survived .. amazingly!! BUT when a full charge used to last me the whole week ( approx 40 miles per week per 45 weeks per year with steep hills), I now have to charge every night. All cells are intact but the bike is considerably slower and feels very heavy. I kind of started a revolution at Bath Uni and there are now quite a few e-bikes of all shapes, sizes and spec..and most pass me with ease on hills.
So I am now thinking about trading in for a next generation e-bike that will stand me in good stead for the next 6 years! I've had a brief look at what's on the market.. and quite shocked at price hikes.. My bike cost me £1300, but I'd be lucky to get a battery for that these days! I would welcome any recommendations for my daily commute -based on all the usual criteria - reliability, price, efficiency etc - all best musicbooks

 

[JohnCade]

50 Cycles were selling a couple of new 2012 Impulse ones for around what you paid then. Been some inflation since then of course.

 

[flecc]

Welcome back Musicbooks, it's good to hear from you again after such a long absence from the forum. I'm glad your Agattu has lived up to it's early promise, they have proved to be one of the most reliable e-bikes ever.
.

 

[musicbooks]

Welcome back Musicbooks, it's good to hear from you again after such a long absence from the forum. I'm glad your Agattu has lived up to it's early promise, they have proved to be one of the most reliable e-bikes ever.
.

Hi Flecc, Good to hear from you..It's funny how life just rolls on..I hope you are keeping well The Agattu is/was fab.. and your sound advice and recommendation proved extremely accurate .. Things have clearly moved on, so I would welcome some more of your prophetic advice (or links) re: upgrade ..

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Why not just get a new battery for your bike. They're not that expensive for the new copy ones, which IIRC even 50Cycles sell.

This one's 18aH for £284 including shipping.

http://www.ebay.de/itm/NEU-18Ah-E-Bike-LiIon-Akku-fur-Panasonic-Antriebssystem-26V-18Ah-NEU-/161369288508?pt=Sport_Radsport_Fahrrad_Kindersitze&hash=item25925bef3c

 

[musicbooks]

Why not just get a new battery for your bike. They're not that expensive for the new copy ones, which IIRC even 50Cycles sell.

This one's 18aH for £284 including shipping.

http://www.ebay.de/itm/NEU-18Ah-E-Bike-LiIon-Akku-fur-Panasonic-Antriebssystem-26V-18Ah-NEU-/161369288508?pt=Sport_Radsport_Fahrrad_Kindersitze&hash=item25925bef3c

Hi d8veh.. May be an option, though the bike is very heavy .. and thinking about other bits wearing out ..costs increasing etc I can't believe how much I've slowed down.. but the charge is probably half or even less of what it once was..

 

[musicbooks]

I could also buy the battery and then sell the bike ..I might get significantly more for it..

 

[flecc]

You'll find the latest generations of these crank drive bikes to be appreciably more powerful than your Agattu, and they don't phase down the power so early either. Full power is available all the way to the assist limit.

And hub motor e-bikes have come a long way since 2008 too. Some of them are very powerful climbers now, and available at remarkably low prices in some cases. As ever, the best bet is to try out a few since personal taste comes into it just as much, the variability is as great as in the past.

You've now got more e-bikes suppliers in your part of the world, some of then with a good range of choices to try.
.

 

[musicbooks]

Thanks Flecc, .. There's a couple of shops in Bath and I see 50 cycles have opened a store in Bristol.. I might just pop along.. So would you say that overall reliability and quality has improved across the industry? I remember back in the day you would only recommend one or two bikes.

 

[flecc]

And at Bristol there's Atmosphere Electric Bikes with a range of 13 brand names, so well worth a trip there.

Quality and reliability has leapt ahead for most makes, and for most brands the service given by suppliers is now quite good and often excellent. Where over six years ago poor service was quite common, now it's rare enough to attract special attention in here.

 

[musicbooks]

Thanks again.. and very reassuring to hear that standards have improved

 

[JohnCade]

Thanks Flecc, .. There's a couple of shops in Bath and I see 50 cycles have opened a store in Bristol.. I might just pop along.. So would you say that overall reliability and quality has improved across the industry? I remember back in the day you would only recommend one or two bikes.

They sent out some emails saying that the last of the cheap bike offers was to be tomorrow. They're doing some sort of Bristol Bath ride too. Going through Horace Batchelor country I expect.

 

[denwyn]

I have been looking at the Agattu's, they do seem to have a very good name. How do you find them for home maintenance, I would have to do my own as local e bike shops only really service what they sell.New Kalkhoff shop open in Bristol, about 50 miles from me, but no way can I afford £2000 plus for a new bike, plus they only seem to do a ladies Agutta now.

 

[JohnCade]

They were as of yesterday at the Bristol opening, and are continuing tomorrow, selling some old models off for a lot less than £2000. See the 50 Cycles post here. They may have some left but tomorrow is the last sale day.

A couple of days ago I was quoted £1200 from the head office for a new 2012 Agattu crossbar with free delivery. I bought the same bike less than a year old and lightly used elsewhere though.

 

[denwyn]

I did ask them what ex demo / old stock they would be selling, but they wouldn't say, not realy worth the trip tomorrow, not knowing what they have available, plus Bristol is not one of my favourite places to drive around, especcially on a Saturday.

 

[musicbooks]

I did ask them what ex demo / old stock they would be selling, but they wouldn't say, not realy worth the trip tomorrow, not knowing what they have available, plus Bristol is not one of my favourite places to drive around, especcially on a Saturday

I have been looking at the Agattu's, they do seem to have a very good name. How do you find them for home maintenance, I would have to do my own as local e bike shops only really service what they sell.New Kalkhoff shop open in Bristol, about 50 miles from me, but no way can I afford £2000 plus for a new bike, plus they only seem to do a ladies Agutta now.

Hi Denwyn,
The Agattu has been a solid (if a little heavy) and reliable work horse. Home maintenance has been fine .. just a clean and re -oil, + brake pad changes no bother. I also had brake cables replaced ... and I have the bike serviced annually (approx £70 -£100) . The electrics have needed no maintenance. All in all a great bike..if you are after a cheap starter e-bike .. Make me an offer ..lol