Planing on getting an electric bike soon

[yellowcat]

Hi everyone, I am thinking about getting an electric bike in the next couple of months.
I am not sure what would suit my needs so I am hoping people here will be able to advise me as to the best type of bike to get.
I am happy to get a second hand electric bike or get a ordinary bike and a conversion kit.
I have only been thinking about this for a couple of weeks so am very new to this and I expect I will need lots of advice.
My reason for wanting an electric bike is that I spend a lot of time out of the UK - maybe two or three months at a time and then return for one or two months.
With the rules about a taxed vehicle needing to be insured even if not being used it does not seem sensible or practical to keep a car now, to say nothing of the cost of fuel.

 

[eTim]

Welcome to the forum, you need to state your intended use, distances involved, requirement for commuting, utility, sport or enjoyment, budget and how you will store and transport the bike (carrying up stairs, garage, van, car etc). Then we will have a better idea of your requirements and could advise appropriately.

 

[yellowcat]

Thanks for quick reply.
My intended use would be - round trips of no more than ten miles, including some hills, about three or four times a week. The bike would be garaged when at home. Budget no more than £500.
As I said in the OP I am out of the country a lot so there would be up to three month periods when the bike would not be used.

 

[flecc]

An aside on the expensive lithium batteries most bikes use, they do need to be charged at least once every three months. Left any longer between charges and they can die.

 

[yellowcat]

So I may be better going with a lead acid battery pack? That was something I had wondered about.

For the motor what combination of wattage and voltage do you think would most suit my needs?
How does motor wattage and voltage relate to the range of the bike?
I presume that a higher wattage motor would make hills easier but have a shorter range.
Is that correct?

 

[flecc]

Yes, that's correct, though your range need will be met by any e-bike. Lithium will be ok as long as you are sure it will not be left for over three months, otherwise SLA (lead acid) would be a bit safer though even they need regular charging.

If the hills are not too steep any e-bike will be ok, and with your budget there isn't too much choice anyway. The most powerful hub motor bikes and crank drive bikes are far more expensive. The Cyclamatic Power Plus was in your budget brand new at £499 but has just increased to £599, however it's occasionally on offer from SportsHQ at very much lower prices.

Otherwise it means second hand or ebay such as one of the Currie Motored SLA bikes like this Izip, or this Izip alternative. I prefer the first one, almost certainly lighter.
.

 

[Cyclezee]

Hi yellowcat,

Firstly, welcome to the forum, you have come to right place for advice.

Rule No.1, whenever possible, try before you buy and don't just kick the tyres, have a test ride.

As Flecc has already said, your budget limits your choice to a very limited number of new bikes, so as a first electric bike, used is probably your best option.

We could sell you a really nice new bike for £750, the eZee Sprint Primo, but I don't want to encourage you to overstretch your stated budget.

Happy hunting

 

[yellowcat]

Thanks, I had decided that second hand was probably going to be my best option, either that or buy a conversion kit from Ebay. Though looking at the kits they all seem to come from China - any idea how good those are or if there are particular sellers to avoid?

Looks like a lithium battery is not for me as I could be out of the country for more than three months at a time.

With the conversion kits it looks like the front wheel versions are easier to fit, is there any advantage to the rear wheel motors and what about this eBay - The UK's Online Marketplace it is a brushed motor, is that really a disadvantage?
My UK address is near Reading so I will be looking to buy around that area but Oxford is still a possibility.

My budget of £500 is strict, last year I started a business in Turkey and until that really gets going most of my available money is tied up.
Incidentally I have seen quite a few electric bikes in Turkey, I have not investigated the market there, but I know that cars and road tax are far more expensive than in the UK.

 

[sapper44]

Have you considered a petrol scooter or moped type bike up to 150cc cheap to tax don't really now about insurance costs but must be a lot cheaper than car insurance.There might be an insurance that might suit your needs.

 

[neptune]

Do yourself a favour. Buy a Powabyke Euro second hand off Ebay for £200 or less , and fit new SLA batteries at about £70. It will do all you want or need.

 

[yellowcat]

I was looking at electric bikes on Ebay there quite a few that would be suitable. I will be back in the UK early next month and will make my final decision then. I want to get one reasonably local to Reading so that I can try the bike first.
Insurance companies don't like insuring any vehicle if you are going to be spending a lot of time out of the country.