Colban

I always thought equal braking was best too, I remember getting thrown over the handlebars when I was much younger with just using a front brake but I also remember skidding out only using the back brake. Neither seems to happen when I use both. Advice is taken though, I have a hydraulic front brake coming on Monday and will try to use just the front brake. I reiterate my hill problem though, it's steep, has sharp corners and drivers are generally stupid. I may have to change my route in the Summer when all the tourists get here it's a bit longer (6-7 extra miles a day) but the hill climbing isn't as bad (or the descents) and the roads are a bit bigger (although busier because of this). We'll see.... Again thanks for the advice, I'll let you all know how the hydraulic brakes work out.

My rims are quite worn already not a lot of the groove left when compared to the front (which has a disk so no wear on the rims) I was thinking about putting a disk on the back but I would need an adapter as it doesn't have the fixtures for it, I think the adapter suggested would block the holes for the rear rack and mudguard so that doesn't look like an option. I'm on my 2nd pair of front brake pads and 4th rear pads and need new ones again. Only Done 700 miles now. I will get a front hydraulic brake if that is the general consensus but I still need a new rear wheel/rim. I'll upload a picture of it later.

Thanks for the suggestions to my braking issue. It still seems to be a problem and I have a spare wheel on order now as I don't want a rim blowout. The guy in the Cycle shop in Sidmouth kept a rim that had this happen to show people, can't imagine I would look or feel to pretty if it happened going down the hill. I've looked at the adapters before, Woosh said it will void the warranty of the bike but that's fine by me. I'd rather not die than have a warranty that I would doubt I will use. My concern with the adapter is it looks as if it will block the two bolt holes I have on the side the disk brake would fit that are currently used to hold the rack that carries the battery and the mudguard. Is this going to be the case? Any suggestions how to remedy this? (I don't have a thread tapping tool) I need to get a new rear brake anyway as I threaded the hole for tightening one side which sucks.

It's Peak hill in Sidmouth that I have to climb, and descend! 5-6 times a week. I'm in my work gear, carrying my work stuff, charger, lock, lunch and flask so that all adds to the weight. Coming down the hill I don't have to pedal at all, I can freewheel (or free fall!) all the way down but it will accelerate to 40mph just with the weight (bike, me and all my stuff) and gradient. A few sharp and narrow corners + drivers who like to brake in front of me means I am quite heavy on the brakes, both of them, to get me to stop or slow down enough. The front is a disk brake and great but not enough to stop on the hill alone.

I overtake cyclists going up hills sometimes as the motor gives me plenty of help. I can't help but feel guilty sometimes... I've actually stopped before when I saw a guy up ahead really going for it and making good progress as I didn't want to overtake him (I knew I could!) Anybody else get this?

I know there are a few reviews already but I might as well go ahead. I've rode my bike for 10 weeks commuting to work, it's racked up 590 miles according to the computer and Strava. 2000m a week of uphill, again, according to Strava. It's done very well, never ran out of power even when I forgot to charge it and the battery meter went to 0 it still got me home. It's tiring going up the hill but I wouldn't manage it without the motor giving me that helping hand, I've seen folk trying it on a standard bike, lowest gear for most of it and walking up the steepest part. The Pro's can do it but I work a manual job so I am using my muscles all day, not sitting in an office (with the price of some of the bikes I can only imagine they are all bankers or lawyers!?) But I digress... I'm on my 4th set of brake pads now and I am worried about the rims of the rear wheel getting thin, it will need replacing at around 1000 miles I think? A rear disc brake would be much preferred but fixings are not there to add this (future design change?) I've also lost a couple of screws from the rear rack after they've been shaken loose coming down the hill (I check a lot more now so it won't happen again). I presume these are just issues with my route though. The horn got broke when some lady braked hard in front of me for no reason other than she couldn't judge the width of her own car properly, got scared and emergency stopped rather than carrying on.... I ended up in the back of her. My own fault I guess but I like to blame her. Couple of near misses with idiots braking going down the hill and pedestrians nonchalantly crossing in front of me not realising how fast I can go with some electric help. I barely use the throttle and would prefer it if it was just pedal assist so I can have a handle that does not twist, some water bottle mounts would also be nice. The tyres are great, no punctures and grip very well even in wet conditions. No issues with the gears either, you can pedal upto 20-25mph before your legs are moving to fast which is fast enough in my opinion. I can't fault the motor or battery, they are the only reason I still have my job! Fantastic power and range! I would recommend this bike to anybody, the price is excellent for what you get, I couldn't afford any more so I am glad I chose this one. Commuting on flat(er) ground would be a doddle and highly enjoyable.

I don't use the throttle at all, pedal assist mode all the way (I can't sit on a bike and not pedal!) The motor isn't loud but you can hear it especially as it is in front of you, if on assist 3 and lower it is very quiet, on 5 it is noticeable but like I said, only because it's in front of me, I don't know what it sounds like to somebody I'm passing? Uploaded some Strava data: http://www.strava.com/segments/669049 Got into 5th place (I'll update the fact I had an electric bike later otherwise people will think I'm a pro!) I'll add I was wearing walking boots, cargo trousers and had a bag on my back with my lunch, spare clothes and a flask of coffee so I think the bike is excellent, still a struggle up there but I am fit and healthy so that helps. The journey back was good to, after a full days work (strimming - so walking around all day!) http://www.strava.com/athletes/7249726 ignore the times on the way back at the end, I was walking around my house and forgot to turn it off, think it took 21mins total.

I'll download the Stava app for my rides tomorrow so you can see the performance via that (if it works?) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqZy3kLJ9fk Is a video from Ladram to Sidmouth sped up but you can still see the real times in the corner.

Hi, Well I got my ebike, I went with the Woosh Big Bear as it had good reviews and gave me a little more money to buy some other equipment, locks, lights, camera, helmet, tools etc... I took it out today to test peak hill, It will be a daily route so I'll give another update after a week of doing it. It seems very good, I now have no problems going up a hill! Some of the steeper parts required me to lean onto the front wheel to stop it spinning but this was already advised and it did fine. Pedal assist all the way level 4 or 5 but it got up there at 8mph at the slowest which was very good, not to out of puff either, the coastal path is not an option, you're nearly at the top of the hill anyway if you follow that so I'll stick to an even road surface. Coming down was a bit sketchy, up to 32mph (gravity!) heavy brake use before the corners but all in all very good. the flatter bits I was pedal assist 3 but it would be quite easy to be lazy and use 4-5 all the time. Remembering to lower your gears and the assist level before stopping is a useful point so you can actually turn the pedals and so you don't feel like the bike is going to take off from under you. There seems to be a big jump in power between assist level 3 and 4, you can really hear the motor kicking in at 4. Nice loud horn which was needed once (old guy pulled out infront of me and then turned into another drive straight away almost took me out again!) Knocking the button by mistake is a hair-raising experience though. The front light is okay for emergencies but it is very dim and the flash function is not legal. You will need another if you go out after dark. For the money paid I currently have no qualms whatsoever, but I've only clocked up 16 miles so far. Still plenty of juice left in the battery too!

I've done similar routes to work before but never quite that steep of a hill hence I feel the need for a bit of assistance (plus I've added almost 10 years since then...) Just out of curiosity would a 500 watt motor be better at getting up that hill, I know it wouldn't be road legal but would/should it be better (have more torque)?

Have you got an honest opinion yet? How's the bike doing?

Hi all, thanks for your inputs, greatly appreciated. It does have some pretty steep bits. I've never ridden an electric bike but have also avoided hills, preferring to walk up them if I have to go up them and push my bike, so in that case getting up the hill slowly wouldn't bother me. The coastal path is an option as it is shorter and flatter, I've not walked it yet as I'm not down there yet. I don't think it has any stiles but I could be wrong, I was more worried about steps as it is only a path not a bridleway. I'll find out in under 2 weeks.... I'll have to see if I can borrow one or something to test this hill out and see If I/the bike can do it. I'll also have to come down it so think I'll need a light bike? Crank vs hub is always the argument, I preferred the Hub in my case as I could see things getting worn quicker on the crank and being more expensive to replace those worn parts. I'm not a mechanic nor a physicist though... Also the option to do nothing and still move is appealing, it probably wouldn't get used much but it'd be nice to have that option for the money. Could you build a bike with a crank for pedal assist and a hub for lazy throttling, ran from the same battery? Throttling would turn the pedal assist off so you could only use one of them at a time? Would that add to much weight? is it not worth it? Does anybody have any info on the Smartmotion e-urban... being made in New Zealand I thought It would be built with similar topography to Wales in mind It says weatherproofed and has a Dapu motor... Walk along mode a bonus too if it doesn't make it up with me on I can walk and not be pushing it up too.

I always wanted to learn to drive and have an electric car as my first car... Well I learnt to drive and realised how much it all costs and now don't own a car because I can't afford to run it and most definitely can't afford a new electric car! I'm getting back on my bike... after 6 years of being able to walk 5 mins to work I now have a 5 mile commute which involves a couple of big hills. This is the main reason I am looking for an electric bike. I have a quite manual job being a gardener so don't want to be knackered before I start and a long day at work should be finished with a relatively effort free trip home... obviously I want to put some effort in, I enjoy riding, just not hills! https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Sidmouth+EX10+8UT,+UK/Otterton+EX9+7BX,+UK/ Is roughly the route I need to do If I stick to roads, It involves a real big hill (Peak hill, Sidmouth) on the way to work and another in Otterton, a gradual incline pretty much all the way back to Sidmouth too. I have had a good look and read around for reviews etc on electric bikes so this isn't just a shot in the dark. The list of bikes that fit my budget and I believe may do what I'd like them to do (I may be wrong though) Volt Alpine Volt Pulse Smart motion E-urban Woosh Big Bear Kudos Tornado I think there were a couple more but I've closed the tabs now.... My fave was Smart motion e-Urban as it had integrated lock, lights, USB phone charger, speedometer (integrated for me means less things to forget or try and remember). Waterproof is mentioned on this bike and none of the others but there are so few reviews of it... The other bikes had good reviews too that's why they are on my list. I would like to know from somebody experienced if any/all will go up that hill without me peddling should I not want to? I'll never have more than 90kg (me + luggage) on the bike, more likely to be 80kg. Anybody have any insight? Gone up that particular hill? Have any more suggestions for bikes? Would I be better of with a moped (I hope not)? Thanks for reading!