What to buy ?

[tcg]

Hi Folks,
I'm new to the forum and to electric bikes. I am looking to buy a bike to do a regular 25 mile route, five miles of which is 12 percent gradient continuous climb. I'd like the electric bike to do the work on the climb. For the long flatter stretches I'm happy to pedal and I'd like a decent range of gears. I would want proper mudguards, lights and a rear carrier. I'd appreciate help in choosing a machine.

Regards,

Tom

 

[flecc]

Hello Tom, welcome to the forum. That's one heck of a climb, there are very few of that continuous gradient anywhere near that long

It's a very tall order for an e-bike. Even the best of the hill climbers amongst them would barely be able to handle a short 12% unaided, and one of five miles long continuously at that gradient could only be done with rider help.

The other problem is that a climb of that steepness and length heavily drains the battery, making a 25 mile range unreachable for most models.

Models that could cope would be the Panasonic motored ones like the Kalkhoff Agattu, but that system demands that the rider does about half the work, the motor taking up the other half, not meeting your wish for the bike to do the work on the climb.

The Wisper 905se City model might just reach that range with that stiff climb included, but it's not the most outstanding hill climber so you'd still need to put in much of the work.

Other models with more power like the eZee Forza which would help more on the that long hill would fall well short on the range with that climb included.

So really your needs are beyond the abilities of legal e-bikes on the market in the UK and EU.
.