HI folks...been lurking around the forums for some time thought it was about time to introduce myself and place my first post.
Ok..I am a middle aged guy who is not at all fit and does not currently cycle anywhere. I had a hip replacement 2 years ago at a very young age (42) due to arthritis. One of the things I was really looking forward to following my operation was to get back on a bike - something i had not been able to do for many years. So i got myself a cheap conventional cycle went for a spin. It was really hard going for me and by the time I got back home I was tired and sore and fed up. The bike went in the workshop and has been gathering dust for months.
I recently tried a cheap single speed (very small 16" wheels) folding bike from china (sunlova). It was a a real cycle revolution for me. I could not believe what a difference it makes to the cycling experience for me. I have to admit it was almost impossible to pedal this bike on the flat as the speed of the motor meant peddling at a rate I could not sustain for more than a a couple of minutes. Uphill however was great. I was happy with the help I was getting from the motor and did not have to put in too much effort to get me up the short sharp hills around here. covered about 4 miles which was more than enough on a cycle like this !
So now I am pondering - just think how much better a good quality bike would be !
So I have been reading reviews here etc and been thinking about what the next step should be. As with most things in life you I realise you get what you pay for but jumping in at the top end feels a little silly given the £2500 price tag of the pro connect S. At the same time I don`t want to spoil the whole experience by getting a bike that does not do justice to what the electric cycle experience has to offer.
I don`t expect that I will be doing any 50 mile trips any time soon - probably a slow Sunday afternoon ride of about 12-15 miles will be the most I would attempt and possibly on a hot summers day a gentle commute into work (5 miles each way). I need to consider what I am going to do if the battery fails and i am still some way from home. Unlike you super fit regular cyclists this might be a real problem for me if the bike i choose is very difficult to ride unassisted.
I am fortunate in that I don`t really have a budget but I think an investment in the top of the range bikes would be better maybe a year or so down the road once I am more knowledgeable and sure I can justify. I live in Norfolk so not particularly hilly but i will want plenty of help initially - hopefully reducing as my legs get stronger and my fitness improves. I absolutely want to pedal most of the time but at a gentle comfortable rate. I should say that i am 5ft 8 tall so i would not expect the larger frame of the Alien to pose any particular problem.
So the million dollar question is how much do i need to spend to get a bike that delivers an experience close to the top end and what makes and models would you experienced people suggest I look at ?
As a starter here are some of the ones that have caught my eye thus far :
Alien Gents II - Looks good but might be a little heavy to ride for me when not assisted fantastic price and is the pro connect S really 5 times as good ?
Cytronex Powered Ridgeback Cyclone - A little concerned about the small battery and low amps but guess i could always get a second battery to increase range if necessary.
Cytronex Powered Cannondale Capo - I like the style but put off by the fact it does not appear to have any gears and I prefer to pedal slow and hard rather than fast and easier ...
Kalhhoff Pro connect - At £1500 this is a little more that i really want to spend but if it is so much better i than the others then i may be persuaded - Is it really £1000 worse than the pro connect S ????
Wisper 905 city
comments, suggestions and advice all greatly received and if anyone knows of a reliable dealer in the east of England that would also be helpful.
Happy days !
Phil
Ok..I am a middle aged guy who is not at all fit and does not currently cycle anywhere. I had a hip replacement 2 years ago at a very young age (42) due to arthritis. One of the things I was really looking forward to following my operation was to get back on a bike - something i had not been able to do for many years. So i got myself a cheap conventional cycle went for a spin. It was really hard going for me and by the time I got back home I was tired and sore and fed up. The bike went in the workshop and has been gathering dust for months.
I recently tried a cheap single speed (very small 16" wheels) folding bike from china (sunlova). It was a a real cycle revolution for me. I could not believe what a difference it makes to the cycling experience for me. I have to admit it was almost impossible to pedal this bike on the flat as the speed of the motor meant peddling at a rate I could not sustain for more than a a couple of minutes. Uphill however was great. I was happy with the help I was getting from the motor and did not have to put in too much effort to get me up the short sharp hills around here. covered about 4 miles which was more than enough on a cycle like this !
So now I am pondering - just think how much better a good quality bike would be !
So I have been reading reviews here etc and been thinking about what the next step should be. As with most things in life you I realise you get what you pay for but jumping in at the top end feels a little silly given the £2500 price tag of the pro connect S. At the same time I don`t want to spoil the whole experience by getting a bike that does not do justice to what the electric cycle experience has to offer.
I don`t expect that I will be doing any 50 mile trips any time soon - probably a slow Sunday afternoon ride of about 12-15 miles will be the most I would attempt and possibly on a hot summers day a gentle commute into work (5 miles each way). I need to consider what I am going to do if the battery fails and i am still some way from home. Unlike you super fit regular cyclists this might be a real problem for me if the bike i choose is very difficult to ride unassisted.
I am fortunate in that I don`t really have a budget but I think an investment in the top of the range bikes would be better maybe a year or so down the road once I am more knowledgeable and sure I can justify. I live in Norfolk so not particularly hilly but i will want plenty of help initially - hopefully reducing as my legs get stronger and my fitness improves. I absolutely want to pedal most of the time but at a gentle comfortable rate. I should say that i am 5ft 8 tall so i would not expect the larger frame of the Alien to pose any particular problem.
So the million dollar question is how much do i need to spend to get a bike that delivers an experience close to the top end and what makes and models would you experienced people suggest I look at ?
As a starter here are some of the ones that have caught my eye thus far :
Alien Gents II - Looks good but might be a little heavy to ride for me when not assisted fantastic price and is the pro connect S really 5 times as good ?
Cytronex Powered Ridgeback Cyclone - A little concerned about the small battery and low amps but guess i could always get a second battery to increase range if necessary.
Cytronex Powered Cannondale Capo - I like the style but put off by the fact it does not appear to have any gears and I prefer to pedal slow and hard rather than fast and easier ...
Kalhhoff Pro connect - At £1500 this is a little more that i really want to spend but if it is so much better i than the others then i may be persuaded - Is it really £1000 worse than the pro connect S ????
Wisper 905 city
comments, suggestions and advice all greatly received and if anyone knows of a reliable dealer in the east of England that would also be helpful.
Happy days !
Phil