I've been researching e-bikes for a couple of months now and need a bit of help arriving at a final decision having eliminated a lot of models/companies due to issues with build quality, aesthetics, reliability, range, weight, modes of operation, customer service, etc.
I live in Hampshire and have an 18 mile rural round trip commute (all hedge-lined, largely empty back roads, some long inclines/hills, but not get-off-and-walk ones on a good day). I cycle it today only occasionally (for all the usual reasons/excuses), but it would become routine if I had an e-bike. I want one that works in throttle-only mode (as well as pedal-assist) and that can comfortably cope with the commute range/type every day. I'm fairly tall (6'1" / 33" inside leg), in my 40s and don't own any lycra. I'm also not a great one for "adjusting" - I want a bike that will make me happy out of the box without having to swap out components.
On the bike I'll be carrying a laptop, some waterproof gear, a few papers and wallet, keys, etc, so will need panniers. My budget is flexible -- I was planning for £800 to £1,300-ish. Without getting into a legal/moral debate, I imagine that my normal route is unlikely to attract much official attention if I stray over 15mph occasionally and it would be nice to have something in reserve for the hills.
I'm tempted by the Oxygen e-mate, but I've recently come across Alien Bikes on the web and the (cheaper, faster) Aurora sounds interesting (the Apollo does too, but is a more scary proposition). I am concerned that I won't be able to try an Alien before purchase and haven't seen enough reviews to give me the right degree of confidence to just order one. My fall-back choice is probably a Wisper 905, though this is even more expensive than the similar-looking Oxygen.
I'd really appreciate any advice, particularly from owners of the above bikes who have insight into their suitability/reliability/actual performance, etc.
Thanks in advance.
I live in Hampshire and have an 18 mile rural round trip commute (all hedge-lined, largely empty back roads, some long inclines/hills, but not get-off-and-walk ones on a good day). I cycle it today only occasionally (for all the usual reasons/excuses), but it would become routine if I had an e-bike. I want one that works in throttle-only mode (as well as pedal-assist) and that can comfortably cope with the commute range/type every day. I'm fairly tall (6'1" / 33" inside leg), in my 40s and don't own any lycra. I'm also not a great one for "adjusting" - I want a bike that will make me happy out of the box without having to swap out components.
On the bike I'll be carrying a laptop, some waterproof gear, a few papers and wallet, keys, etc, so will need panniers. My budget is flexible -- I was planning for £800 to £1,300-ish. Without getting into a legal/moral debate, I imagine that my normal route is unlikely to attract much official attention if I stray over 15mph occasionally and it would be nice to have something in reserve for the hills.
I'm tempted by the Oxygen e-mate, but I've recently come across Alien Bikes on the web and the (cheaper, faster) Aurora sounds interesting (the Apollo does too, but is a more scary proposition). I am concerned that I won't be able to try an Alien before purchase and haven't seen enough reviews to give me the right degree of confidence to just order one. My fall-back choice is probably a Wisper 905, though this is even more expensive than the similar-looking Oxygen.
I'd really appreciate any advice, particularly from owners of the above bikes who have insight into their suitability/reliability/actual performance, etc.
Thanks in advance.
