Hi,
First question and I will start with an apology for starting yet another "what bike" type of thread! (and for the long rambling post)
I have commuted to work by bike since 1991 and have always worked in and around Edinburgh city which, although generally hilly in places, can often be fairly level, but a head wind often features in my commutes. I usually use an old rigid mountain bike with slick tyres (studded ones just now for the winter months), having given up on a road bike recently as I just can't deal with the impacts on the wrists every time I hit a bump nor the crouched position in traffic.
I have been popping into the forum for some years now as I've often felt like an electric bike would make life generally easier and now especially as my current workplace isn't easily accessible by bus and so I bike pretty much every day no matter what the weather. I feel the biggest gain would be for the occasional days when I just don't feel enthused by cycling against the wind or for the occasions when I would like to get to the far end without needing a shower. I also would like to be able to pop out to the nearest shop at lunchtime (1.5 miles away) or even nip to city centre once in a while (8 miles away), again without needing to shower when I get back.
My commute distance is a modest 3.5-4 miles each way and is mostly flat, even heading to the city centre would be generally levelish. I cycle on a mix of road, tarmac path and canal path that can be a bit muddy but not that bad.
So needless to say I have some specific wants in a bike and I have a fixed budget (this is the kicker) of £1000 from the cycle to work scheme although I could probably sneak £100 above this if I really have to. My list is as follows:
1) Must be light enough to cycle without power, I'm not a weight weeny and I doubt my existing rig is particularly light. Lack of motor friction also comes into this, probably as much.
2) Preferably hub geared as the winter road/canal path muck destroys 'normal' gears and chains no matter how well oiled the are (I don't have the time to clean them each night)
3) 26" wheel size - I have quite new Marathon Winters and they cost enough, I wouldn't want to replace them for a year or two!
4) Disc/hub brakes - V brakes are fine but again due to the winter muck, V brakes wear out rims
5) Must be capable of taking rear rack and full mudguards.
So all that for under a grand, I said it was impossible! I saw a Giant Twist that has a Nexus hub gear and doesn't seem too bad (bit above budget) but have no idea how good these are.
I also wondered about getting an Alien or Sunlova kit and buying a suitable 'normal' bike to create the ideal mix, slightly worried about ending up with a frankenbike that is terrible at all things.
Has anyone any good suggestions for complete bikes that at least get as close to my list as possible for the money that are worth further investigation or experience with the kit build approach?
Thanks for bearing with me!
Craig.
First question and I will start with an apology for starting yet another "what bike" type of thread! (and for the long rambling post)
I have commuted to work by bike since 1991 and have always worked in and around Edinburgh city which, although generally hilly in places, can often be fairly level, but a head wind often features in my commutes. I usually use an old rigid mountain bike with slick tyres (studded ones just now for the winter months), having given up on a road bike recently as I just can't deal with the impacts on the wrists every time I hit a bump nor the crouched position in traffic.
I have been popping into the forum for some years now as I've often felt like an electric bike would make life generally easier and now especially as my current workplace isn't easily accessible by bus and so I bike pretty much every day no matter what the weather. I feel the biggest gain would be for the occasional days when I just don't feel enthused by cycling against the wind or for the occasions when I would like to get to the far end without needing a shower. I also would like to be able to pop out to the nearest shop at lunchtime (1.5 miles away) or even nip to city centre once in a while (8 miles away), again without needing to shower when I get back.
My commute distance is a modest 3.5-4 miles each way and is mostly flat, even heading to the city centre would be generally levelish. I cycle on a mix of road, tarmac path and canal path that can be a bit muddy but not that bad.
So needless to say I have some specific wants in a bike and I have a fixed budget (this is the kicker) of £1000 from the cycle to work scheme although I could probably sneak £100 above this if I really have to. My list is as follows:
1) Must be light enough to cycle without power, I'm not a weight weeny and I doubt my existing rig is particularly light. Lack of motor friction also comes into this, probably as much.
2) Preferably hub geared as the winter road/canal path muck destroys 'normal' gears and chains no matter how well oiled the are (I don't have the time to clean them each night)
3) 26" wheel size - I have quite new Marathon Winters and they cost enough, I wouldn't want to replace them for a year or two!
4) Disc/hub brakes - V brakes are fine but again due to the winter muck, V brakes wear out rims
5) Must be capable of taking rear rack and full mudguards.
So all that for under a grand, I said it was impossible! I saw a Giant Twist that has a Nexus hub gear and doesn't seem too bad (bit above budget) but have no idea how good these are.
I also wondered about getting an Alien or Sunlova kit and buying a suitable 'normal' bike to create the ideal mix, slightly worried about ending up with a frankenbike that is terrible at all things.
Has anyone any good suggestions for complete bikes that at least get as close to my list as possible for the money that are worth further investigation or experience with the kit build approach?
Thanks for bearing with me!
Craig.