Wingreen

I know what you mean - it does look (and handle?) a bit strange but, according to their website "...when you reach your destination, you simply take our cleverly designed battery bag with you, so there's no temptation for anyone to 'borrow' your prized possession..", which I suppose might be useful.

Thanks John_S - again, very useful information (which I have already passed on to the person who is trying to decide on his best option). Small world! Yes, we may yet still bump into each other (hopefully not literally!) on our Big Bears. If you do come to this part of the world again, you might be interested in some of the (circular) routes I've planned around here. If so, here is the link (I hope!): https://www.routeyou.com/en/group/view/7464/anglesey-and-nw-wales By the way - not sure how you move your Big Bear around to different places but, if you have a tow bar, I can certainly recommend one of these: http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bike-racks/towbar-mounted-bike-racks/exodus-2-bike-towbar-mounted-cycle-carrier You do need to have a tow bar and it does look counter-intuitive - but it works (and less than £60)

Thanks d8veh - as ever, very useful. I think the hill he has to negotiate hardly fits into "commuting or touring", but neither is it "off-road and mountains" (Its Allt Goch Bach just outside Beaumaris, in case anyone knows it). Now...excuse my ignorance but you refer to "mid drives" being easier to fit. Is a "mid-drive" a crank motor? Or a term that covers some other aspect? (I know, I should know by now!)

No, no struggling - other than some minor slippage (wheel spin) in one small section of my drive when returning home.

Certainly, that was my original thinking - that it must be easier than fitting crank drive plus, as you say, a new wheel too.

A friend has been impressed with my Big Bear and now wants to convert his bike into an electric bike, as he struggles to get up a very steep hill on his way to work. I suggested he avoided a front hub drive conversion as there would be traction problems, especially when wet. Presumably, he would need to fit a crank conversion or a rear hub/wheel? I thought a rear wheel drive would be best, as I had heard that crank drives can be more difficult to fit (plus, unless used properly, can be problematical) but, having looked through the forums (fora?!) quickly, I'm getting the impression that fitting rear hub drive is actually more difficult than converting a crank drive. Now I'm confused. Any experts out there have a view?

Thanks Flecc. I hadn't realised there was that option but, having tried it, I can see its very useful. Looks like I'm still learning how this site works!

Fair point but, probably because I don't have the time (or I'm lazy!), I dont drill down into every forum but just run a quick eye over the "headline" (i.e. latest post/reply) for each

Isnt it time one of the moderators (or whoever) knocked the Brexit thread on the head? Its completely taken over The Charging Post and, in all probability, stopping anything else within The Charging Post section ever being seen by others. If there really IS a demand for Brexit discussions to continue, can't Pedelecs set up its own Forum section and give The Charging Post back to the masses?!

Couldn't agree more - I love my Big Bear too!

In the past I have just pulled the punctured tyre up and out of the way (tying it up in such a way that it doesn't interfere with wheel rotation). The Gaadi can then be inserted (and, ideally, pumped up easily and quickly using one of those CO2 cartridges). The punctured inner can later be repaired "at leisure" when you get home.

Ah. OK - thanks. Presumably this sort of "pinch puncture" could happen, even though I had done a good 500 miles (not in one day though!) on that tube and tyre?

Dealing with punctures is considerably easier if you carry a Gaadi Double Ended Inner tube. No need to take the wheel off. Saved me a lot of trouble and got me home a couple of times. In fact, happened to me yesterday but I cant quite fathom out why I got the puncture in the first place. No sign of anything sharp in the tyre. I was wondering (as I was at the bottom of a VERY steep, long, hill) whether a puncture can ever be the result of excessive braking, generating a huge amount of heat?

now....where were we........?

Apart from other ebikers, my experience of meeting other cyclists is that I am generally ignored. As I'm usually over friendly (and not in any lycra etc) then they probably just thing I'm a bit mad/eccentric! Having said that, I generally find that women cyclists are much more inclined to share a "Hi" as you meet/pass.

Nothing to do with puncture proof - but a very useful way of dealing with them: http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/product-news/rubena-introduces-bicycle-inner-tube-can-fitted-without-removing-wheel-133637 I've used one myself (and now carry a spare), together with CO2, and it definitely saved the day.

Punctures can be a problem - especially taking into account all the wiring/connections on an e-bike. I found the Gaadi inner tube (a straight section of tubular rubber sealed at each end) to be really useful. Only had to use it once but now I always carry one when out on a long cycle ride. Not cheap but, coupled with a CO2 inflator, takes most of the worry out of getting a puncture. http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/product-news/rubena-introduces-bicycle-inner-tube-can-fitted-without-removing-wheel-133637 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gaadi-Double-Ended-Bicycle-Inner-Tube-size-26-x-1-90-2-25-schrader-40mm-valve-/321584080750?hash=item4adfe7a76e:g:jaEAAOSwAF5UZHcO

Dont forget the padded underpants! http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bike-Gel-3D-Bicycle-Cycling-Riding-Shorts-Padded-Pants-Underpants-MenSize-M-XXXL-/201604986040?var=&hash=item2ef097f4b8:m:mRGpM8VwDula73_npwPRZBw

If you need to transport the Big Bear I can certainly recommend the Exodus towbar carrier. At £60 its a no-brainer - though you would need a towbar. I can also vouch for the Big Bear. It has taken me along some fairly rough routes and come out the other side unscathed. http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bike-racks/towbar-mounted-bike-racks/exodus-2-bike-towbar-mounted-cycle-carrier

Just to add to the debate/discussion - I use an Exodus two bike carrier that fits onto the towbar (£60 from Halfords). I do, however, restrict its use to just carrying the one electric bike. Yes, the length of the bike is longer than the width of the car - but its not longer than the width of the car when the wing mirrors are taken into account. Works for me - very convenient and at a very reasonable cost. http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bike-racks/towbar-mounted-bike-racks/exodus-2-bike-towbar-mounted-cycle-carrier#

I enjoyed the write up and being reminded of the joy (yes...joy!) of rediscovering cycling all over again, courtesy of an electric bike. I'm sure you will have come across these things already (and I'm sure others will have their own views on the best additions to your cycling experience) but I would heartily recommend www.routeyou.com for route planning (and using other people's routes) and a Mio Cyclo cycling SatNav for getting around (although I know others will swear that a smartphone can do the same job, more cheaply) - and, no, I'm not on commission!. http://www.routeyou.com/ http://www.wheelies.co.uk/p84413/Mio-Cyclo-200-GPS-Navigation-Device.aspx

Just out of interest - this is the one I use. It needs a towbar but its only £60. It takes a Woosh Big Bear quite comfortably, although I'm not sure it could handle two bikes. Its branded "Exodus" but Thule also make one (£65) but I have no experience of using the Thule one. http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bike-racks/towbar-mounted-bike-racks/exodus-2-bike-towbar-mounted-cycle-carrier https://www.thule.com/en-gb/gb/bike-rack/towbar-bike-racks/thule-xpress-970-_-970000

I recently changed the straight handlebars on my Big Bear for Humpert Cruiser Handlebars (25.4mm Clamp) in Black from SJS Cycles (Product code: 34024BLK). Although the postage was £5, they were only £8.99 and, so far, have worked a treat. Much more comfortable sitting positions are now options. Was very easy to swap all controls (including throttle) over. The only slight issue is that the cables can, initially, seem a bit short for re-positioning controls to the new positions but a little bit of gentle tweaking soon got over that.

May be one of the best things you ever bought - certainly was for me. Enjoy!