I've just bought the Urban Mover "Cruiser" (traditional "ladies bike" styling) and rode it to work today for the first time. I'll do a more detailed report when I've had it a bit longer, but here are a couple of brief notes for anyone interested.
The good bit: It's powerful enough to pull me (12 stone) up my main obstacle, Headington Hill in Oxford. I haven't measured the slope, but I've counted cyclists on it and about 50% opt to walk up, with me definitely in the "walkers" group if unpowered. Takes nearly 10 minutes, and it's a drag. Today I pedalled briskly, but not strenuously, and glided up easily, passing another bike on the way.
The questionable bit: the "variable pedal assist" seems too sensitive to me. The motor cuts in whenever the pedals are turning, regardless of how much effort I'm putting in. One down side is that I'm getting motor assist on level roads, when I don't need it, and that's going to shorted the range. Then consider this scenario: I'm coasting to a junction where I need to stop. I'm currently in high gear, but want a lower gear for pulling away. So as I approach I click the gears down, then turn the pedals to move the chain to the next sprocket... and the motor cuts in. I agree with Jonathan who reviewed a different UM model, that an on/off switch on the handlebar is needed.
Mary
The good bit: It's powerful enough to pull me (12 stone) up my main obstacle, Headington Hill in Oxford. I haven't measured the slope, but I've counted cyclists on it and about 50% opt to walk up, with me definitely in the "walkers" group if unpowered. Takes nearly 10 minutes, and it's a drag. Today I pedalled briskly, but not strenuously, and glided up easily, passing another bike on the way.
The questionable bit: the "variable pedal assist" seems too sensitive to me. The motor cuts in whenever the pedals are turning, regardless of how much effort I'm putting in. One down side is that I'm getting motor assist on level roads, when I don't need it, and that's going to shorted the range. Then consider this scenario: I'm coasting to a junction where I need to stop. I'm currently in high gear, but want a lower gear for pulling away. So as I approach I click the gears down, then turn the pedals to move the chain to the next sprocket... and the motor cuts in. I agree with Jonathan who reviewed a different UM model, that an on/off switch on the handlebar is needed.
Mary