I've given up looking for a bike!

[vectra]

Hi.

I've spent countless hours/days reading, learning and asking questions of various suppliers. I've learn't much from this site and for that I'm grateful to all who answered my questions and PM'd me.

One discovery I have made is that there appears to be more vapourware out there than actual e-bikes.

My wife and I finally decided that the Claud Butler Glide 2 was, for her, possibly the ideal bike presently being marketed. This decision was based upn a number of factors such as weight, riding position, suspension forks and seat, gearing, battery capacity and Watt/hours. Another factor was the pace of technological change and thus we didn't want to spend too much and regret it in 12 months time as more and more products enter the market. Thus, we were ready to buy.

The experience? I've telephoned, emailed and cajoled 8 different high street dealers who state that they sell the Claud Butler Glide 2. NONE can give me a lead time for delivery nor can anyone allow my wife and I to test ride! Does the bike exist? If so, why can't I buy one let alone test ride one? 5 of the dealers promised, by 'phone, a response next day however were never heard from again.

It's been a long fruitless search however I'm now a lot more educated on bikes and kits. Obviously many of the models advertised do exist as do some kits. Many do not!

I'm taking a break, however I will monitor progress and purcahse should the right bike appear in reality. Meanwhile we are stepping down, disappointed and disallusioned with parts of this business. I'll get on with my bass playing.
Regards
vectra

 

[morphix]

Sorry to hear about your frustrating experience Vectra.. I went through a similar experience looking for the perfect ebike.. that's why I decided in the end the best option was to build my own. Finding the ideal unpowered bike is a lot easier than finding the ideal electric bike that comes within your budget.. choosing a conversion kit is another story.. some of them cost as much as finished bikes, but a lot of this cost is in the battery. It is possible to get a good reasonably priced kit without battery and then source cheaper batteries, (which is what I did) if you have a bit of DIY inclination.

 

[tillson]

Sorry that your efforts have come to nothing.

I'm surprised that you believe that technology is leaping forwards at a pace. My perception is quite the opposite, I can't see a great deal that gas changed since I bought my bike nearly 3 years ago. There has been a bit if movement with battery capacity, but not vast ground breaking developments.

Which bikes have you tried out and what didn't you like about them which made you settle on the Claude Buttler? Just curious about your choice.

 

[vectra]

Sorry that your efforts have come to nothing.

I'm surprised that you believe that technology is leaping forwards at a pace. My perception is quite the opposite, I can't see a great deal that gas changed since I bought my bike nearly 3 years ago. There has been a bit if movement with battery capacity, but not vast ground breaking developments.

Which bikes have you tried out and what didn't you like about them which made you settle on the Claude Buttler? Just curious about your choice.

Hi. Tested three Panasonic crank drive including E-motion City 700+. Tested 4 of the Wisper range. Researched the BionX Kit and the DaaHub.

BionX is a crazy price and the DaaHub just doesn't exist and seems to disappear into the mist each time a launch date is alluded to.

E-motion bike was ideal weight as the bike is to be carried, without battery, on our roof carriers. Max' weight requirement of the carrier is 20kg and the Claud Butler and E-Motion City+700 both fitted this requirement. Both also are stepthrough which is important for my wife. The City 700+ has a 26V battery and I was a little concerned about Watthours. Tried a Kalkhoff Trek conversion however manufacturer refused to provide a weight for the ex' factory version. What's that all about?

So, using our spec, weight 23.5 kg including battery, riding position, suspension forks and seat, gearing, battery capacity and Watt/hours, step-through; we arrived at the Claud Butler. My wife also already owns a Claud Butler Odyssey and it has been faultless over 4 years.

A kit may well be the answer however not the BionX nor the costly DaaHub. Battery prices on the BionX are also a barrier to purchase. Most other bikes have been assessed on paper and then disregarded for failing to meet the criteria. I set up a decision matrix using Excel which hugely assisted.

So, that's it! As I said I'll carry on with a watching brief, meanwhile we will get on with enjoying waht we have. One final comment. This business contains many helpful people. Alas it also contains many people who should not be let loose on a customer.

Regards
vectra

 

[indalo]

Like tillson, I'm curious as to why only the Claud Butler Glide 2 (2011 model) will suit.

I know that, with golf clubs for example, I'm much happier with one particular make than all the other leading brands I've tried. There's no real logic to my choice; it's simply that feeling one gets when something just seems right. It certainly doesn't make me a better golfer!

If you've been unable to test-ride the Glide, I'm not sure how you can be confident that it really is the bike you want. What I find disturbing, however, is the fact that Claud Butler is part of the Falcon cycle group which, in turn, is a sub-division of another group. Their contact details are easily accessible online and I'm presuming that you have endeavoured to source a bike by speaking to their HQ in Lincs?

If you're saying that you can't get any information from Falcon HQ, then clearly there must be problems within the company. I'd steer clear of any company in this 21st century which fails to provide first-class customer service, particularly before a potential purchase.

Regards,
Indalo

ps you replied to tillson before I posted.

 

[tillson]

You certainly seem to have tried a few bikes.

All I would say is to not be put off by the seemingly low W/h of the Panasonic model batteries. For reasons that have been discussed at length, the W/h used per mile on a Panasonic bike are much lower than for a hub motored bike. In fact this is so pronounced that the Panasonic bike can travel much further than a hub motored bike with a seemingly much higher capacity battery.

A quick search of the forum will tell you why this is so. Apologies if you already know this and have considered it in your decision.

 

[allen-uk]

Alas it also contains many people who should not be let loose on a customer.

Regards
vectra

Funnily enough, the very opposite of that pushed me towards my final choice of bikes!

I was SO impressed by both David (Wisper Bikes) and Bob Wales (Juicy Bikes) that my choice had to be between one of their products. They both answered queries on this forum promptly and honestly, and neither would ever fit your description above.

Only geography (I am in London) finally turned me south to Wisper, but I don't think I would have been disappointed had I just flipped a coin. Both smashing people with good products. If I were you I'd modify your pretty tough spec. and find an ebike which meets MOST of your criteria! Otherwise you'll be denying yourself (and your missus) much biking pleasure.


Allen.

 

[jerrysimon]

Sorry to hear of your frustration.

So none of these have any in stock ?

I appreciate that maybe finding a high street dealer close to you may be important.

Regards

Jerry

 

[flecc]

The Falcon owned Claud Butler brand consists of bought in bikes from various sources, the electric models typically Schwinn bikes which haven't impressed and which have often been fundamentally flawed. For these reasons spares and battery availability can also become problematic.

My advice is look elsewhere as you've been doing.
.

 

[Mussels]

This probably happens to most brands at some time, when I bought my first ebike I was lucky that a shipment was due, looking on here I found out some people had been waiting a while for them. Same again with my second bike as I had to wait a few weeks longer than expected, that was a brand new model though.
The retailers can't tell you when they are due if the manufacturer (or importer) doesn't tell them, be thankful the retailers haven't strung you along with slipping delivery dates after taking a deposit. If the manufacturer makes two shipments a year and the bike sells out quickly then it won't be available, that's not nice but there's not enough margin on ebikes to over produce and risk masses of unsold stock.

 

[flecc]

This probably happens to most brands at some time,

And many things other than e-bikes. I'm just approaching the end of a four month wait* for a new car ordered, and this when there's supposed to be a depressed economy and retail sales.

* Assuming the ship doesn't sink.
.

 

[eddieo]

I really dont get why you have become fixated with one decidedly average model/make in particular......The Panasonic E Motion would be a much better choice of e bike in my opinion

 

[stevebills]

A glide is on ebay only less than 4 months old ... looks all chinise to me
Whats the old saying you can't polish a turd comes to mind

ELECTRIC ASSISTED BIKE on eBay (end time 11-Apr-11 16:20:31 BST)

 

[eTim]

I visited no-hills, paid my cash and rode away on the bike the same day, no problem with supply there

 

[stevebills]

I visited no-hills, paid my cash and rode away on the bike the same day, no problem with supply there

I like the Cytronex Powered Cannondale Super Six Ultegra Electric Bicycle.. a bit pricey but nice

 

[vectra]

Sorry to hear of your frustration.

So none of these have any in stock ?

I appreciate that maybe finding a high street dealer close to you may be important.

Regards

Jerry

Hi
Finding a high street dealer fairly close to me is important. My subjective view of "fairly" has been within 120 miles!

I have been in touch with Falcon Cycles on a three occasions over the past 8 weeks. It seems that the fog descends when they are asked for dates etc. Last time I spoke to them, 2 weeks ago, the bikes were due in the U.K last Wednesday. I'm now told this afternoon by a very helpful dealer that they haven't even been shipped yet; presumably from China?

I've tried numerous e-traders. Last week I found one who "had the 2011 bike in stock" at an advertised price of £999.00 and stated it was definately the 2011 model. Then told me a. mistake in his advert. Price actually £1250. and b. he hasn't one in stock.

As a thought I have decided to advertise them at £500.00 each. I have no access to any stock and my price beats everyone else. In fact, I can beat anyones price because I really have no intention of supplying one!

I do agree with other contributors that Wisper and other participants here have been extremely helpful and if any had a step-through 23kg bike 36V 10Ah then I'd be really interested.

I can accept that the E-motion Panasonic crank may well be extremely efficient and I would add that after riding on it did provide a as near normal riding experience with the assistance switched off.

I've had to accept that the Claud Butler is another piece of vapourware.

Thank you.
Regards
vectra

 

[vectra]

I visited no-hills, paid my cash and rode away on the bike the same day, no problem with supply there

Hi.
Thanks.

Superb and appeals to me however not quite my wife's cup of tea!
Regards
vectra

 

[vectra]

A glide is on ebay only less than 4 months old ... looks all chinise to me
Whats the old saying you can't polish a turd comes to mind

ELECTRIC ASSISTED BIKE on eBay (end time 11-Apr-11 16:20:31 BST)

Hi.
I'd already seen this bike. It's still available "new" or 2010 model for £799.00. Its also the 26V model and £495.00 as a starting bid is expensive for a used bike.
Regards
vectra

 

[stevebills]

I have to agree with eddieo and dont fall in love with a pile of s*it there are lots of super bikes out there with better customer support people and most are on this website

 

[kitchenman]

Don't! - John Entwistle came to me in a dream last night and told me to tell Vectra to keep looking ..... Bass players never give up .. they go on ...and on ..and on ...

btw - Bert Entwistle, John's dad, lived next door but one to me in the village where I was born (Rhiwderin).