Appologies if theres a thread else where about these bikes,Ive looked and cant see one.I was given free tickets to go to The Gadget Show live last Weekend.Not really my cup of tea so didnt give my self alot of time there.Urban Mover were there with their new bike,Gocycle too but there was abike Id never seen before and cant find a mention of it on here which is strange.Ultramotor had two bikes on display,looked funky but I didnt have time to talk to the staff as I was late and they were busy.Does any one know any thing about these bikes and are they any good?I think one bike was £1700 and the other £2000,must be good I guess!
Ultramotor A2B?
- Thread starter Bigbee
- Start date
Never heard of them but the site Ultra Motor (UK) returns a 404 message which is not a very good sign!
Ultra Motor (UK)http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/electric-bicycles/3970-ultramotor-a2b.html
It works for me. It's definately for the fashion conscious in London, the website is long on pictures and short on any useful information. A bit like the gocycle but with extra gears and not quite so pretty.
It works for me. It's definately for the fashion conscious in London, the website is long on pictures and short on any useful information. A bit like the gocycle but with extra gears and not quite so pretty.
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They're pretty, aren't they? There's no contact other than through a web-based email form though, so unless they have any sort of franchise here your chances of backup and spares will be, how can I put it, less than optimal.
They're both a bit on the heavy side too, especially the Metro. I wouldn't like to be faced with the prospect of lugging that up the stairs at Clapham Junction.
I wouldn't like to say for sure that they're selling direct from the Far East but I wouldn't be surprised - I'd be very wary of any seller who doesn't disclose a trading address in the UK and a phone number.
I suppose the only way to find out more information would be to ask, so that web form has to be the next step. You're not at risk until you place an order and pay your cash. If you do that (I mean use the web form), please let the rest of us know.
Rog.
They're both a bit on the heavy side too, especially the Metro. I wouldn't like to be faced with the prospect of lugging that up the stairs at Clapham Junction.
I wouldn't like to say for sure that they're selling direct from the Far East but I wouldn't be surprised - I'd be very wary of any seller who doesn't disclose a trading address in the UK and a phone number.
I suppose the only way to find out more information would be to ask, so that web form has to be the next step. You're not at risk until you place an order and pay your cash. If you do that (I mean use the web form), please let the rest of us know.
Rog.
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I'm sure these have had mentions in Velovision magazine, but apart from the monocoque frame, it's just a normal small wheel rear hub motor e-bike, again like the GoCycle without the benefit of folding.
To me that means these have little point, the small wheel bike disadvantages without the benefits, but ok for the style conscious.
They do have a big wheel hybrid version though, but losing the rear suspension and sporting a daft rear frame design.
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To me that means these have little point, the small wheel bike disadvantages without the benefits, but ok for the style conscious.
They do have a big wheel hybrid version though, but losing the rear suspension and sporting a daft rear frame design.
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It's run from London by a guy called Joe Bowman according to the press release but I see he's a non executive director, the designer is russian and it was financed by Russian companies.
Looks like it's a Russian company trying to get credibility by trading out of London, not too bad on it's own but the lack of any physical addresses is worrying.
Tech specs are a bit thin and here.
It weighs 37Kg with it's 6Kg battery mounted, heavy but if that's not SLA then it may have a good range.
Edit: Looks like a joint venture between the Russians and a UK company called Proventec.
Looks like it's a Russian company trying to get credibility by trading out of London, not too bad on it's own but the lack of any physical addresses is worrying.
Tech specs are a bit thin and here.
It weighs 37Kg with it's 6Kg battery mounted, heavy but if that's not SLA then it may have a good range.
Edit: Looks like a joint venture between the Russians and a UK company called Proventec.
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I suppose the chunky tyres may at least in part overcome the disadvantages of a small-wheel bike - it looks sort of more like a moped or possibly a BMX bike than a normal bicycle.
Style often triumphs over function, Flecc!
If they were distributed here and well supported, and if I were in the market for an e-bike, I'd certainly be interested in the Metro. I'd probably still pick the Wisper though on the basis of proven functionality and appearance (apart from the aforementioned all-important high-profile backup).
Rog.
Never!
If there's two bikes that illustrate this well, it's this Metro and the GoCycle.
On pure style the GoCycle is the clear winner of two, but that's bought with functional compromises, small noisy low powered motor, small integrated battery and suspect unsupported rim sections. Awkwardly angled brake levers that are largely uncorrectable.
The Metro has the more functional features of a quieter, more powerful motor, a large long range battery and strong 36 spoke wheels, but it's attempt at style messes it up in these ways. The heavy battery hung out so far that it spoils the weight distribution, with the powerful rear motor ensuring unwanted wheelies on steep climbs, plus no accommodation for panniers. An additional idler adding to chaindrag. No reach/rake adjustment on the handlebars/stem to accommodate different rider sizes to the small reach frame. High drag tyres.
They'll both sell of course, everything does , even these
.Although I say style can't triumph over function, they can go equally together and be jointly successful in the best designs, but these bikes aren't examples of that in my opinion.
Does anyone know prices of the Metro and Hybrid?
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Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately depending on whether you're selling or buying, style very often does triumph over function in the eyes of many. It's only my opinion, of course. I have no argument with your observations on the shortcomings of the Metro, but some will fall in love with it on sight and that will be that. I'd noticed the lack of adjustment on the bars, but the only real problem I'd have with it would be the weight - I like to take the Wisper on the train, and that's difficult enough to get up and down the stairs at stations with no lifts (or non-functional lifts) quite apart from having to fight off people who think they should 'help' me with it....
Also, a purely personal thing, I like a bicycle not to be TOO distinctive. At my age it's too easy to make oneself look ridiculous by adopting styles which one might have got away with 30 years ago. You're probably right in that the Metro will be bought by those who wish to make a statement. The Wisper doesn't shout 'I'm different' and generally unless I'm stationary no-one gives it a second glance (unless I've just 'buzzed' them). I like it that way. If I were younger though, I'd probably feel differently. Perhaps you would too!
I heard prices of £1700 and £2000 mentioned for those two, so not cheap. I don't know which way round that is, but I'd guess at the Metro being the more expensive. And, yes, I'd love a nice long ride on one. I still think it's very pretty.
Rog.
I fully agree on style often triumphing in sales terms Rog, I was only considering efficiency, which I think on bikes is paramount.
It's true for me as well that I prefer not to make too obvious a statement, a style bike really needs a rider to match in apparent sophistication or chic, and those sure as heck aren't me!
Those prices are steep, above what the bikes justify, only the rather iffy monocoques being individual, the rest being fairly ordinary and probably Chinese sourced. I can't see them selling well at those prices and they make the better styled GoCycle look a bargain.
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It's true for me as well that I prefer not to make too obvious a statement, a style bike really needs a rider to match in apparent sophistication or chic, and those sure as heck aren't me!
Those prices are steep, above what the bikes justify, only the rather iffy monocoques being individual, the rest being fairly ordinary and probably Chinese sourced. I can't see them selling well at those prices and they make the better styled GoCycle look a bargain.
.
I agree with you unreservedly on the practicalities, Flecc. Selling has little to do with that though. I just reminded myself of what the GoCycle looks like, and it doesn't appeal to me at all, which means absolutely nothing in real terms. Most manufacturers are aiming for a slice of the market, some of whom will be dedicated cyclists who perhaps feel they're getting a bit beyond their sell by date, others will be interested purely in the image, still others will want practical utilitarian transport - etc. All look for something different.
The most practical bike is probably a step-through with a built in hitching post for a trailer and the facility to attach a basket the size of a bath chair to the front. Some of those will sell, but a large number of potential customers would not be seen dead on one. I'd be the first to admit that the Metro sacrifices some practicality for a distinctive style, but that doesn't matter one jot to a potential purchaser who just HAS to have one. It's still a viable working bike, and may well mean one more e-biker who would not otherwise join the club, so although I'm not about to buy one, I'm definitely a fan. There is certainly room for these 'oddities'.
AFAIK the prices mentioned have not been finalized.
Rog.
Metro
I had a sneaky go on one in Las Vegas at the bike show last year.
The looked nice and the company had a big stand, I only rode it without power but it was like riding a push bike through thick mud.
It will sell however as did the C5.
Oh if only we had thier PR budget!
All the best David, Unbiased of Sevenoaks, Miall
I had a sneaky go on one in Las Vegas at the bike show last year.
The looked nice and the company had a big stand, I only rode it without power but it was like riding a push bike through thick mud.
It will sell however as did the C5.
Oh if only we had thier PR budget!
All the best David, Unbiased of Sevenoaks, Miall
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