Spoilt for choice (with pressure of time)

[deesee]

I speak as one of the 42%, in the pedelecs poll, who intend to acquire an electric bike in the next month. We are in a cleft stick it seems.

I've read the A to B review of the Ezee Liv, and it seems to be something very close to what the doctor ordered. However, up have come the two Ezee F series bikes (although at twice the price). To complicate matters, 50cycles are offering a discount on the Fs which closes before we're likely to see a review of them.

Meanwhile, there are other bikes out there too (like Ben Oubridge's second-hand Torq - but he's pushed off to Bude; even further than Presteigne). Help, I'm in a nightmare of indecision.

I suppose we have to accept that this is the way life works!

David

 

[flecc]

First tell us the range you need David, then more advice can be given, including on the F series which have been in use in the USA for quite a while.

You're a bit far from me to try out my Torq, but if you get near the Croydon Surrey border at any time you're welcome to try it. Hopefully someone nearer to you might respond with a Torq or even a Liv, or perhaps 50cycles may have a volunteer near you to try one.

 

[DBCohen]

I speak as one of the 42%, in the pedelecs poll, who intend to acquire an electric bike in the next month. We are in a cleft stick it seems.

I've read the A to B review of the Ezee Liv, and it seems to be something very close to what the doctor ordered. However, up have come the two Ezee F series bikes (although at twice the price). To complicate matters, 50cycles are offering a discount on the Fs which closes before we're likely to see a review of them.

David

Where is the discount on the F-bikes? I do not see it on the 50cycles website (unless the £1345/£1395 prices are discounted and likely to go up, though that is not stated either).

 

[flecc]

Hi David, it as announced in the forum somewhere (I can't remember) that pedelec members could have a 50% discount, I think to the end of May, by entering pedelecs in the discount code box at time of online purchase.
.

 

[FatMog]

£50 not 50%, befor we all get carried away and order another bike! As flecc says, enter 'pedelecs' in promo box. It's shown in the header bar on some pages on the forum (this one, 'create a reply', for example).

 

[DBCohen]

OK, got it now.

Actually, there is a mistake on the 50Cycles website as well - Electric Bikes Catalogue - the UK's best electric bicycles with free delivery from 50cycles shows the Forte at £1195 rather than £1345.

£50 is not enough to tempt me - as I have said, while I am sure these bikes are great that is very rich for my blood.

I have placed my order for one of the final stock discontinued bikes now at a more realistic price for me, though I am having to do the bureaucratic Cyclescheme dance that 50Cycles hates so much!

 

[coops]

If it was 50% off I'd be sorely tempted to join the "multiple electric bike owner" club £50/50% is a minor error, major difference!

The £50 discount offer was posted in the offers,discounts & promotions forum here & is valid till 31st May.

 

[nigel]

Nigel

BY COOPS
If it was 50% off I'd be sorely tempted to join the "multiple electric bike owner" club £50/50% is a minor error, major difference!Your right there coops if only it was 50% i would order one this week but in the real world i guess i have to keep on saving NIGEL

 

[DBCohen]

OK, got it now.

Actually, there is a mistake on the 50Cycles website as well - Electric Bikes Catalogue - the UK's best electric bicycles with free delivery from 50cycles shows the Forte at £1195 rather than £1345.

I emailed them about this - looks like they have fixed it now.

 

[deesee]

First tell us the range you need David, then more advice can be given, including on the F series which have been in use in the USA for quite a while.

You're a bit far from me to try out my Torq, but if you get near the Croydon Surrey border at any time you're welcome to try it. Hopefully someone nearer to you might respond with a Torq or even a Liv, or perhaps 50cycles may have a volunteer near you to try one.

Many thanks for your response and offer flecc. Croydon isn't that far away, so if I can get there I'll drop you a message. (Sorry about the double entry of 'Spoilt for Choice'. A spot of finger trouble on the keyboard!). I didn't realise the F series had been around for a while in America. I know we have some pedelecs members over there - parhaps they could give us some info.

Meanwhile, flecc, I take your point that intended use should narrow the field of choice. My use of the bike would be mainly for poodling around - using the bike instead of the car - doing rather longer trips than I would on a push bike (perhaps 15 to 20 miles rather than 6 or 7). But I'd also like a turn of speed and that bit of help up the hills. Not that we have many real hills in East Kent. And I should add that, being interested in things electrical and mechanical, I quite like the idea of an electric bike. I suppose my main concern is that I don't want to splash out and then find that I'm disappointed.

David

 

[Tim]

I emailed them about this - looks like they have fixed it now.

That'll teach me to update the website during waking hours!

 

[flecc]

Hello David, thanks for the response.

Once in a while I come across a situation that suits the Torq well, and your's looks like one of those. With few hills of note and plenty of opportunity to benefit from speed, you'd enjoy the Torq and it's derestricted 22 mph speed when in circumstances where you could use it.

Without much hill climbing, as long as you made a sensible contribution to the cycling through pedalling you should get 20 miles range without problems, many fit riders get much more in flattish country.

For a higher price the F series would unconditionally do what you want where performance is concerned, but based on US experience, if derestricted could fall short of the range you want with indiscriminate throttle use. Again, much would depend on your input.

In your fairly easy countryside, any other e-bike will work, but they tend to fall into two classes, those that assist to 15 to 18 mph according to the state of battery charge, and those that are more staid, just about getting to 15 mph assisted, the latter probably not suiting you.

How do you feel about those options?
.

 

[Mike Robinson]

Many thanks for your response and offer flecc. Croydon isn't that far away, so if I can get there I'll drop you a message.

David

If you're still interested in the Liv then you're welcome to try my one out. I don't live too far from flecc at Streatham common.

Mike