I need your advice!

[bartekorcz]

I found this electric assisted bike on ebay. I will be using it to travel to work every day, which is about 8 miles each way. 70% of this distance is basically flat surface and rest 30% hills. My weight is about 80 kg. Can I get any advice is this bike is powerful enough for me? What do you think about it?

26" New Lightweight Electric Mountain Bicycle Bike 26BL on eBay, also, Bikes, Cycling, Sporting Goods (end time 21-Jan-08 21:06:41 GMT)

 

[flecc]

It's virtually impossible to tell with certainty, other than with some experience of this bike.

However, could you clear up the 30%? Do you mean 30% of the distance is hills, or that the hill gradients are 30%? If it's the latter, no production hub motor e-bike is suitable. If not, could you give some idea of the hill steepness?

Thanks.

 

[bartekorcz]

I’d mean 30% of the distance is hills, and the hill gradients are about 15-20%.

 

[flecc]

Thanks bartekorcz. Those hills are still a bit much for hub motor bikes, only a few of the most powerful ones able to climb 20% at all, and even 15% difficult unless with a strong rider. Most e-bikes cope ok with 10 to 12%, or 14% with good cycling input.

So for your route, the only way you should buy that bike without some prior knowledge of it is if you are a powerful cyclist able to make up any possible shortfall.

We always say there's no substitute for trying bikes, and it would be best to try to find some places where you could ride one or two to get a feel for what you might need before buying.
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