Which would you go for

[eddieo]

short-list down to 2 or maybe 3 bikes. I had settled on the wisper Alpino after a test ride at Regents Park show, but it does not fold as well as I expected (still quite wide) so it don't fit where I wanted it to under campers rear bed...there may well be a work around for this so not entirely out the picture..

here are 2 bikes both under 20kg, a requirement for lifting & carrying on camper van rear rack, plus lighter e bikes perform so much better I think. I had given up trying to find a stepthrough frame bike under 20kg hence the search for a folder. stepthrough's are normally at least 3-5 kg heavier then a mens frame equivalent. But this bike weighs 17.8 kg. nice spec, XT gearing, 36 v version of Go swiss drive etc...

CUBE*EPO Lady

Or the other semi folder I was considering already the AVE MH7. Bosch powered which I like..nicest bike I tried at regents park show. its a semi folder...

MHYBRID

So any thoughts or opinions would be welcome

 

[mike killay]

What about the battery location on the cube?
Is it easily replaceable by something else, or are you hoping they will continue to manufacture spares?

 

[eddieo]

What about the battery location on the cube?
Is it easily replaceable by something else, or are you hoping they will continue to manufacture spares?

I appreciate it is a bit of a high risk purchase but the weight and style really appeals. Cube are a pretty big company....if they went to the wall I guess I would be stuffed!

 

[GaRRy]

I appreciate it is a bit of a high risk purchase but the weight and style really appeals. Cube are a pretty big company....if they went to the wall I guess I would be stuffed!

Same risk I took with NEO. As you say it is from a well known established company. I would not consider such a battery from a never heard of them company but can't imagine a major manufacturer would just dump the idea and risk upsetting a large number of customers.

That is one definite advantage of a Bosch powered bike, in that with exception of the frame pretty much every bit should be easy to replace as they are either fairly generic parts (wheels,handlebars,seats) or from major suppliers that are used by many bike manufacturers (Bosch,Shimano,Suntour etc).

 

[Cakey]

On looks the ave .
Sweet looking bike

 

[eddieo]

On looks the ave .
Sweet looking bike

and it rides so well.......

 

[Hugh]

Sounds like the AVE to me - you've tried it and liked it, it's Bosch which you like, and it looks like a well thought-out bit of kit - even got a carrier.

The Cube looks good, but a bit spartan unless your missus is really a closet racer.

BTW, whereabouts are you going in Croatia - we're off down that way sometime in August.

 

[tillson]

Of the two, the MHYBRID purely because it is based on the Bosch system which seems to be establishing itself well and is likely to be around and supported for some time to come. If the Bosch system continues to gain popularity, alternative, larger capacity, or cheaper batteries may start to become available.

The CUBE looks ok, but they will punish you come battery replacement time. You will be at the mercy of CUBE for your battery and the temptation to shaft you on battery price will be too overwhelming for them to resist. If you don't mind that and the money won't hurt you, go for the CUBE.

 

[eddieo]

you can get Bosch batterys now for £350 with the pound so strong. Yes AVE is making more sense I guess..but bike not available yet

Hugh, we are crossing from Italy on ferry after visiting Tuscany/Umbria (Ancona - Zadar) then Island hopping our way back up via Pitvick lakes, then Krk Island and back home.

You?

 

[GaRRy]

I would still consider one of these if i could get a test ride

Folding Electric Bike | Sparta Folding e-bike | Just-ebikes

17 kilos plus it folds for throwing in the van when moving around during the day

only real negative would be the 6ah battery but could always get a spare and pretty certain its a lot cheaper.

 

[flecc]

My vote is for the Ave for all the reasons given by others above, and it's a better engineering design as well. The Cube designers have let style lead over function in at least one respect.

 

[eddieo]

My vote is for the Ave for all the reasons given by others above, and it's a better engineering design as well. The Cube designers have let style lead over function in at least one respect.

I knew you would not like the EPO !lol

But you have to give it this, it is the only step through bike at anything like this weight.

 

[flecc]

Maybe, but visually it's quite pleasing. However, when a designer knowingly does something wrong for the sake of style, especially on a bike that's weighs so little so is probably strength compromised already, he's lost me as a customer.

 

[eddieo]

Maybe, but visually it's quite pleasing. However, when a designer knowingly does something wrong for the sake of style, especially on a bike that's weighs so little so is probably strength compromised already, he's lost me as a customer.

The AVE has a 120kg weight limit

 

[flecc]

Meaningless manufacturer statement Eddie, it is strength compromised in favour of style. With a single very simple change it's weight limit, whatever it truly is, could be greatly increased.

 

[vectra]

The challenge I have with this bike is the size and fit of the battery which finishes hard up under the seat position. Hence the fit has to absolutely spot on. Not a bike to be purchased unseen and untried.

Weight and appearance are very impressive.

 

[Hugh]

you can get Bosch batterys now for £350 with the pound so strong. Yes AVE is making more sense I guess..but bike not available yet

Hugh, we are crossing from Italy on ferry after visiting Tuscany/Umbria (Ancona - Zadar) then Island hopping our way back up via Pitvick lakes, then Krk Island and back home.

You?

Eddie,

a bit vague yet, but probably down from Slovakia in mid-August to Brac and/or Krk, then up coast to Istria, then Italy, France, Blighty by very early Sept. Keep us posted and maybe we'll spot you somewhere.

I'm taking the Kalkhoff, plus a Cyclamatic for the lady wife which I got off eBay a week or so ago, plus a very old and battered Cannondale, unassisted.

 

[eddieo]

Eddie,

a bit vague yet, but probably down from Slovakia in mid-August to Brac and/or Krk, then up coast to Istria, then Italy, France, Blighty by very early Sept. Keep us posted and maybe we'll spot you somewhere.

I'm taking the Kalkhoff, plus a Cyclamatic for the lady wife which I got off eBay a week or so ago, plus a very old and battered Cannondale, unassisted.

we did that last year..this year we have more time so doing a bigger trip. Istria is a little dissapoiming compared to further south, especially in August when the italians invade. The water is very dirty and gets worse as you head up towards Italy, camp sites are busy, large and expensive....The Venetian towns are beautiful though.

Have not been down as far as Brac, is it worth the drive? Baska in south of Krk is lovely. I will drop you a PM with our details....

 

[Hugh]

OK Eddie - I'll reply to the PM rather than babbling on here on the general forum about our personal fun and games

 

[NRG]

The CUBE because the pictures are so sexy the spec is great and the AVE would make you look like this:

Bikes need to move away from the 'left over designed by a committee' look and adopt something that is not only practical and stylish but also pushing the boundaries in terms of weight and spec that does not conform to some old Chinese Junk build specification....