Seeking advice for a UK eBike for a disabled person

YorkshireGuy

Just Joined
Jul 7, 2019
2
0
Hi
I'm helping a friend to seek out an eBike which will allow him to get out and about without his disability getting in the way (walking more than 100 metres causes severe angina). Bit overwhelmed with the choice and varied advice out there. Apologies if I'm asking questions already asked.

Budget is preferably around £700.
Needs to be able to go up hills - we live on the Pennines in Yorkshire. His road has a 7% gradient for example.
He's very light.
He's not able to contribute much, if any, effort into pedalling.
Range is not an issue - the journeys will be short.
We're happy to work around the legality of adding mods or tweaks if required to achieve what he needs.
Would prefer to buy something pre-built if possible.

Looking at Amazon we've seen this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/ANCHEER-Electric-Mountain-Citybike-Removable/dp/B079P3H2BG/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=ebike&qid=1562522090&s=cycling&sr=1-3

And Halfords have this: https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/electric-bikes/ebco-m-45-electric-bike-red-48cm-52cm-frames

I have read advice that it's better to find a specialist, but the prices tend to start at £1500 from what I've seen. I know Halfords are over-priced, but they do offer a free trial which is obviosuly tempting as we have no experience of eBikes! That said, is the bike even going to do what he needs?

Any and all advice really appreciated.
 

Nealh

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 7, 2014
19,995
8,174
60
West Sx RH
From what you say you need a bike with a full active throttle, most bikes are configured to pedal first to activate the throttle and some might be possible to configured to run a full throttle.
So that mean's a hub bike or adding a kit to a bike using Kuenteng electronics,, £700 isn't going to get you a very good bike for hills.
For your needs you need a low wound rpm motor like a Xiongda motor or a Bafang BPM/ SWX02 to handle the power of no rider input.
A mid motor won't be any good as they are torque sensing and don't have a throttle except for mid motor kits.

You will need to raise your budget up to about 1K and best to speak to the good peeps at Wooshbikes who may have something to suit.
 
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vfr400

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jun 12, 2011
9,822
3,985
Basildon
For £700, you'd be much better off getting a cheap used catalogue bike from Facebook ads or wherever and add your own electic parts. You should be able to get abike with a steel frame and disc brakes for £60 to £100, which leaves you £600 for the electrics. A good battery is about £300.
You need a 48v system for the power and torque. DIY means that you get the option of fitting a full-range throttle, which is probably important.