Hello

daggers_jones

Finding my (electric) wheels
Sep 30, 2024
6
0
Hi and thanks for allowing us to join.
I've bene curious about electric bikes for a couple of years but not yet taken the plunge to buy one.
I'm here to gather more information and hopefully learn a bit.
thanks
 

thelarkbox

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 23, 2023
1,068
333
oxon
Welcome.. and congratulations on arriving here before you have bought a bike ;)

What sort of routes will you ride? length/distance needed to travel without a recharge? any monster hills? etc..

Cany you change a tyre/fix a puncture if needed?

If you own a comfortable to ride bike and it has good brakes (disk?) it could be a very good candidate for a conversion ?

Any style preferences? budget?.. let us know what you want etc and im pretty sure you will get pointed to many great options to suit you.
 

daggers_jones

Finding my (electric) wheels
Sep 30, 2024
6
0
Welcome.. and congratulations on arriving here before you have bought a bike ;)

What sort of routes will you ride? length/distance needed to travel without a recharge? any monster hills? etc..

Cany you change a tyre/fix a puncture if needed?

If you own a comfortable to ride bike and it has good brakes (disk?) it could be a very good candidate for a conversion ?

Any style preferences? budget?.. let us know what you want etc and im pretty sure you will get pointed to many great options to suit you.
routes and option wise its so I can keep up with my son who has got into riding his bike over teh summer. Mainly cycle routes or rough ground so looking at something more robust than by commuter regular bike but not necessarily a full mountain bike .
It's been a few years since changing tyres etc but yes. Currently trying to fix my sister in-laws electric bike thats stopped working without much success :-( (she is recovering from medical treatment and would enable her to get out more)
 

thelarkbox

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 23, 2023
1,068
333
oxon
Ha, just realised im answering you in 2 threads..

Ebikes are very modular, there is the bike, the motor, the battery and the control system thats it.

there are 2 options when it comes to motors, Hub/wheel drives, or mid drives, hub motors are literally fitted into replacement wheels, mid drive motors drive the crank you pedal and use the gears.

Hub drives are fit n forget, Mid drives can involve more maintenance/repair and will wear chains and gears etc rapidly compared to pedal power. But if demanding more from a bike to climb steep hills, pull cargo, or go really fast, the mechanical advantage of using the bikes gears are a huge benefit.

Hub motors are cheap and at and under the speed limit have plenty of oomph on the flat and in my case (fat ol bloke) will pull me up the steepest local city hills with some help from me comfortably sat in the saddle at circa 8mph at the crown of the longest and 12mph at the crown of the not so long.. ;) neither at very long btw,... but one i would attempt in 1st gear puffin n panting out of the seat , the other forget it i would walk/push and still feel it pre conversion.

Bikewise, something comfortable to ride with good brakes Some suspension is good as you could spend more time in the saddle with less need to stand on pedals to move them with a motor.. And if doing a diy conversion, with a suitable spot for the battery, mounting high is 'bad' or less good as it raises the bikes centre of gravity. a full suspension mtb may not have room in the frame for a battery for example.

Seatpost suspension is a thing, trust me its worth considering..

Battery - depends on range requirements, obviously bigger is better but this is the most expensive component... And never buy uber-cheap!

Control systems, the more generic the better, the more flashy and anything with battery communication is to be avoided imho. Some manufacturers use the control system to their advantage such as prohibiting use of a generic cheap battery (thats where battery communication comes in) ....

I bought and fitted a yose-power rear wheel kit all inclusive with battery charger and tools for circa £400 last summer and 1 year on i still get a lil grin when on it..

For an off the shelf option afaik both wisper and woosh (uk suppliers) provide bikes with expected longevity.

Argos sales are worth checking some cracking bargains have been there recently like a bike that would suit you for £360.. ( 600 on ebay now iirc)
 

Peter.Bridge

Esteemed Pedelecer
Apr 19, 2023
1,122
504
Argos sales are worth checking some cracking bargains have been there recently like a bike that would suit you for £360.. ( 600 on ebay now iirc)

Yep - £599 or best offer - would be tempted to offer £500 !
 

saneagle

Esteemed Pedelecer
Oct 10, 2010
6,246
2,938
Telford

Yep - £599 or best offer - would be tempted to offer £500 !
It's one of the £360 Argos bikes. They're very good for what they are - still good value at £500.
 
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