Struggling up hills

[davie150]

Hi, new member here from Aberdeen, Scotland.
I am trying to get fitter this year, going to gym more often, more golf and have started to cycle to work.
Took my over 10 year old Raleigh Metro hybrid out of garage and am using that, the journey in to work is mostly downhill, 19 minutes, but home wards is 32 mins, with 1 big hill in particular that I have to stop twice on.
I am now looking at e bikes, either a new one or a conversion kit for my old bike.

 

[Woosh]

Raleigh bikes are easy to convert.
is this your bike?

 

[davie150]

yes, very similar, I have twist gear selectors on mine and a rack, but looks the same

 

[Woosh]

You should look into hub kits, you can't fit a mid motor crank drive without losing that propstand.
Examples:
http://wooshbikes.co.uk/?hubkits#xf07kit front hub kit
http://wooshbikes.co.uk/?hubkits#swx02-48v-kit high torque rear hub kit

 

[anotherkiwi]

You should look into hub kits, you can't fit a mid motor crank drive without losing that propstand.

He could mount another stand without breaking the bank though.

 

[davie150]

This is my bike, over 10 year old at least
Is it worth paying £500 to convert this, or pay just £350 more for the woosh Karoo?

 

[GLJoe]

I am trying to get fitter this year,
......
the journey in to work is mostly downhill, 19 minutes, but home wards is 32 mins, with 1 big hill in particular that I have to stop twice on.

Lucky guy. Sounds like a great commute to have. 20 min downhill in, so nice and fresh, then a slightly tougher journey home, where you can really push, get up a nice sweat, then have a lovely shower when home.
That'll be a fantastic way to get fit!
Only trouble is .... after a few months, you'll get fitter, faster, and should really need to be looking at a longer time on the saddle - so you'll need to plan a longer route to still ensure you push yourself. No pain, no gain and all that.
Sounds like you don't really need an e-bike

 

[Woosh]

This is my bike, over 10 year old at least
Is it worth paying £500 to convert this, or pay just £350 more for the woosh Karoo?

it's still in very good nick.
I'd convert it.

 

[Fat Rat]

Hi welcome
Convert if your happy with the bike

 

[davie150]

I see what you are saying, I made home in 26 minutes this morning, so I am getting fitter, but I was shattered when I did.
I will go on longer cycles on my days off when I get an e bike as I will know that I have some power back up behind me.

 

[GLJoe]

I see what you are saying, I made home in 26 minutes this morning, so I am getting fitter, but I was shattered when I did.
I will go on longer cycles on my days off when I get an evoke as I will know that I have some power back up behind me.

Don't get me wrong, I love e-bikes, but you're going to get fitter if you commute home on a normal bike and HAVE to push yourself. Its human nature to usually go for the easy option.
Personally, I'd keep the bike you have as it is, use it as a 'winter' type machine for commuting, then maybe buy a ready made ebike for those other, longer pleasure journeys on a nice day.

And I'm speaking from experience

 

[davie150]

I have the easier option already, a Suzuki 1250 lol. So even though it is human nature to go for the easier option, I do not think I am in this case.
I was thinking of getting a new bike as opposed to converting, using the e bike till my legs got stronger, as I am sure they will and then maybe using the old bike for commuting again, exactly as you have said. Keeping my new one for longer runs on days off

 

[Robbieg]

I have the easier option already, a Suzuki 1250 lol. So even though it is human nature to go for the easier option, I do not think I am in this case.
I was thinking of getting a new bike as opposed to converting, using the e bike till my legs got stronger, as I am sure they will and then maybe using the old bike for commuting again, exactly as you have said. Keeping my new one for longer runs on days off

The ebike will be better for the work commute though because you won't need to shower when you get there.

 

[davie150]

Ok, I am away to post on which bike should I buy, to get an idea of what to get and if I go down the buy new route I will do so with some info behind me