Powabyke X-Byke

[D. Meredith]

Has any one tried the new X-Byke from Powabyke yet?

 

[eddieo]

Has any one tried the new X-Byke from Powabyke yet?

Its on my short list...waiting for reviews. but concerned about capacity of another small bottle battery like the cytronex.

 

[alsmith]

ordered one. Insurance advice?????

I've ordered one today. I don't like the range because of the small battery, but I've ordered a second battery as well. I've been looking, thinking for months but I think this is at last ticking the right boxes apart from the low capacity battery- but it is light and small so the only downside is the price- I've been given a guide price of 'under £200' so I guess it will mean £199, if I'm really lucky £195.
Because of my medical issues I have ordered the step through frame.
Apparently the ship has docked with the bikes but they haven't been unloaded yet, then there's customs clearance so with delivery it will be at least another 2-3 weeks before it's seen.

So- anyone recommend (or point to tests of) cycle locks? Preferably an insurance approved one. I've not decided on insurance yet but any recommendations?
I've seen recent reports of endsleigh refusing to pay out because the wheel and saddle weren't removed from a students stolen bike when locked. Although it has changed endsleigh will be low on my list- insisting on something as impractical for most people is just downright ridiculous as is hiding such things in the small print. What else is hidden away so they can avoid paying? It's hard to trust such a company if they have acted that way once, they can easily do it again. So any helpful and personally recommended non rip-off merchants among the insurance companies? Any things to watch out for on the cover offered? Your experiences (good and bad) and other advice gratefully received! (even endsleigh at a push I suppose).

 

[Mussels]

So any helpful and personally recommended non rip-off merchants among the insurance companies? Any things to watch out for on the cover offered? Your experiences (good and bad) and other advice gratefully received! (even endsleigh at a push I suppose).

More Than exclude motor assisted bikes but don't tell you that when you phone up to pay the extra £80 on the policy.

 

[alsmith]

More Than exclude motor assisted bikes but don't tell you that when you phone up to pay the extra £80 on the policy.

A lot seem very prescriptive telling you to keep it in the house. Very much impractical but there is an unattached outdoor shed in a very much enclosed area- currently I have 2 padlocks fitted- and it isn't mentioned as an option in some I've seen. One did mention a 5 lever lock, but seemed to be more pointing at keeping in the flat itself.

I've not looked at many of the policies yet but maybe the prescriptive and restrictive nature of the policies mean insurance will be pointless. 'Sorry we can't pay out sir, you carried groceries that were worth over £9.99 that day' kind of thing.

 

[MR E]

Bike Insurance

When I purchased my Ezee Torq at the beginning of the year , Norwich Union Direct charged me an extra £31 for the year to be added to my home insurance. I did tell them it was an electric bike , and I think the only restriction was that the total sum insured could not exceed £1250.

 

[alsmith]

When I purchased my Ezee Torq at the beginning of the year , Norwich Union Direct charged me an extra £31 for the year to be added to my home insurance. I did tell them it was an electric bike , and I think the only restriction was that the total sum insured could not exceed £1250.

I hadn't thought of that, and haven't sorted home insurance out yet. I'll have to change direction a little. I wonder if what and how it is covered is different.

 

[Phil the drill]

Hi
I bought my Wisper 905se back in April this year. I also had it added to my house insurance on an 'all risks' basis and they charged me under £30 (I can't remember off the top of my head if it was £27 or £29). I am insured with NFU Mutual. They do know its and electric bike, its true value and had no problem with it.
I can't believe the premium some of the 'specialist' insurers are asking - £100 or more!!!! Criminal. My BMW R1100S Sport motorcycle is insured (comprehensively, with a low excess) for under £130, and that includes personal accident and legal expenses cover!
We all pay enough for our house and contents cover, so I think that the insurers are more sympathetic to what is after all only small addition to an already significant sum of insured risk.
Cheers, Phil

 

[keithhazel]

Hi
I bought my Wisper 905se back in April this year. I also had it added to my house insurance on an 'all risks' basis and they charged me under £30 (I can't remember off the top of my head if it was £27 or £29). I am insured with NFU Mutual. They do know its and electric bike, its true value and had no problem with it.
I can't believe the premium some of the 'specialist' insurers are asking - £100 or more!!!! Criminal. My BMW R1100S Sport motorcycle is insured (comprehensively, with a low excess) for under £130, and that includes personal accident and legal expenses cover!
We all pay enough for our house and contents cover, so I think that the insurers are more sympathetic to what is after all only small addition to an already significant sum of insured risk.
Cheers, Phil

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while my house insurance was more then happy to add it to my contents as a named article they would have nothing to do with third party liability, when you think of the millions of people out there on bikes what tiny percentage have their bike insured but even less will be covered for third party liability, for this i had to go to Evans, it wasnt cheap but im covered for ny sort of disaster i may cause,plus accident coverage for me is included... ive never thought about it befor but when a person on a bike causes an accident ive never heard of them being sued for damages or liability if a big crash has happened...but better safe then not and out of the two i would rather have the liability, after all if someone can get through my three chains then better they have the bike then take their frustration out on me or the house..

 

[alsmith]

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while my house insurance was more then happy to add it to my contents as a named article they would have nothing to do with third party liability, when you think of the millions of people out there on bikes what tiny percentage have their bike insured but even less will be covered for third party liability, for this i had to go to Evans, it wasnt cheap but im covered for ny sort of disaster i may cause,plus accident coverage for me is included... ive never thought about it befor but when a person on a bike causes an accident ive never heard of them being sued for damages or liability if a big crash has happened...but better safe then not and out of the two i would rather have the liability, after all if someone can get through my three chains then better they have the bike then take their frustration out on me or the house..

Asking other bike riders- and 3 ebike riders I've seen since this topic came up not one has the insurance, and not one would take it at the £100+ of bike only policies. For all the bike riders in the UK I wonder how many are covered. And if the price dropped significantly how many more would buy. Is it a realistic representation of the risk to the insurer, or a cash cow? I have to say I think it's high, not too much cheaper than my car insurance which is probably more risk in money/payout terms.

The add-on to home insurance seems a more likely route.

Any recommendations for lock(s)/security? (bike dealer showed £10 -15 chains/locks, the silver rated on the policies seem to be more like £40+. Is this partly because they have been put through the test program, or are they really 3X better? I've heard it is a good idea to remove the quick release levers on seats etc., but any other advice? No way can I be carrying wheels around when I park.....

 

[eddieo]

I Just bought the Abus Granite X-Plus 54 D-Lock (Gold) Plus the Krytonite wire to go with it....this can be treaded through the seat and wheels. abus was £50 and wire £10. I will also use one of the cheap locks I already have and intend to get an alarm as well.

 

[halflife]

Asking other bike riders- and 3 ebike riders I've seen since this topic came up not one has the insurance, and not one would take it at the £100+ of bike only policies. For all the bike riders in the UK I wonder how many are covered. And if the price dropped significantly how many more would buy. Is it a realistic representation of the risk to the insurer, or a cash cow? I have to say I think it's high, not too much cheaper than my car insurance which is probably more risk in money/payout terms.

The add-on to home insurance seems a more likely route.

Any recommendations for lock(s)/security? (bike dealer showed £10 -15 chains/locks, the silver rated on the policies seem to be more like £40+. Is this partly because they have been put through the test program, or are they really 3X better? I've heard it is a good idea to remove the quick release levers on seats etc., but any other advice? No way can I be carrying wheels around when I park.....

I have a few different types of locks. I tend to carry the lighter, cheaper stuff in my ruck sack in case i need to pop into a shop quickly and would only use them where i felt it was relativly safe becasue a decent set of bolt cutters would get through them. I also have a £40 gold sold (think it is made by Bull Dog) secure D lock and matching metal strap to go through the front wheel. If i am going to leave the bike for any length of time i alway bolt it up with this and use the ligher locks to secure seat post. th D lock is quite heavy which is a bit of a pain but I would prefere that to gettin back and finding my £1700 electric bike no longer there. I too am looking for insurance but not got very far in my search so far so everyones comments are much appreciated