So, I think I`d like to cycle to work – I`m reasonably fit (can run 10k comfortably in under an hour) and reasonably happy being out in all weathers (I also whitewater kayak all through the winter!)
But, the office is 20 miles away, and the routes which avoid main roads and dual carriageways include some fairly long steep hills.
I have tried the route on my current old heavy steel mountain bike – it took over 1 ½ hours, the hills slowed me to a snails pace, and the round trip left me quite tired (poor old me!). I have therefore concluded that I don’t think it’s a viable proposition on a daily basis on my current bike, so need to buy something else.
An e-bike seems an attractive proposition to help power me uphill and offer that bit of assistance at the end of a long day. My desk based research leads me to think I could be quite happy on a Wisper 905 se City S – it has the looks, features and range I`d be looking for.
Added to that I`d be looking at Ortleib panniers, a decent helmet, good dayglow waterproof jacket, dayglow jersey, waterproof trousers, gloves, insurance and possibly additional lights, mirrors and some things I don’t even realise exist right now – I would not be surprised if the total cost for this little change in lifestyle came out at over £2000 – but then again I`d be saving around £150 per month by not using the car if I cycled every day, so the payback period would be less than 18 months.
So here is the dilemma ….
Spending £2000 is a significant chunk of money, but fine if I do indeed cycle every day and save the car costs.
I have never ridden a battery assisted bike and appreciate I need a test ride.
I also appreciate that a test ride at a suppliers is no more likely to give me a real feel for what cycling to and from work on an e-bike will be like than paddling a new whitewater kayak on a lake will give me an understanding of how that kayak will perform on a steep creek.
So how do I make a decision without real data on what the daily commute would be like, other than how hard it is on a conventional bike?
Ideally I`d want to loan an e-bike with similar characteristics for a couple of days trial to and from work to gain the experience before committing the money.
Is there any way this is possible?
Is it, for example possible to hire such a bike, and then deduct the hire charges from the purchase price should I then commit to buy?
Anyone with advice on how they made their decisions to commit?
Cheers
Bob_about
But, the office is 20 miles away, and the routes which avoid main roads and dual carriageways include some fairly long steep hills.
I have tried the route on my current old heavy steel mountain bike – it took over 1 ½ hours, the hills slowed me to a snails pace, and the round trip left me quite tired (poor old me!). I have therefore concluded that I don’t think it’s a viable proposition on a daily basis on my current bike, so need to buy something else.
An e-bike seems an attractive proposition to help power me uphill and offer that bit of assistance at the end of a long day. My desk based research leads me to think I could be quite happy on a Wisper 905 se City S – it has the looks, features and range I`d be looking for.
Added to that I`d be looking at Ortleib panniers, a decent helmet, good dayglow waterproof jacket, dayglow jersey, waterproof trousers, gloves, insurance and possibly additional lights, mirrors and some things I don’t even realise exist right now – I would not be surprised if the total cost for this little change in lifestyle came out at over £2000 – but then again I`d be saving around £150 per month by not using the car if I cycled every day, so the payback period would be less than 18 months.
So here is the dilemma ….
Spending £2000 is a significant chunk of money, but fine if I do indeed cycle every day and save the car costs.
I have never ridden a battery assisted bike and appreciate I need a test ride.
I also appreciate that a test ride at a suppliers is no more likely to give me a real feel for what cycling to and from work on an e-bike will be like than paddling a new whitewater kayak on a lake will give me an understanding of how that kayak will perform on a steep creek.
So how do I make a decision without real data on what the daily commute would be like, other than how hard it is on a conventional bike?
Ideally I`d want to loan an e-bike with similar characteristics for a couple of days trial to and from work to gain the experience before committing the money.
Is there any way this is possible?
Is it, for example possible to hire such a bike, and then deduct the hire charges from the purchase price should I then commit to buy?
Anyone with advice on how they made their decisions to commit?
Cheers
Bob_about