Wingreen

Probably not that useful (as I have no experience of the Cyclotricity Stealth or the Sprint Primo) but I can certainly recommend the Woosh Big Bear. I have had mine for about 18 months and really cant fault it.

No sooner said, than done! (I hope, if the technology works)

They arrived yesterday (brand name ergotec). Seem fine to me but, intriguingly, they are marked as "Safety Level 2". Never heard of that but the chart that came with it suggests that an "E-bike" should have a "safety level" of 4 or more. Very strange. There are also references to speed and weight (linked to "Safety Levels"). Anyway, I don't see it being a problem (famous last words!) so have fitted them to my Big Bear and will be using them over the weekend.

Ah. OK. They were £8 plus £5 shipping at SJS - so I saved £3 (I know - I'm such a miser!)

Well, I tracked down these in the end. Not, strictly speaking, NorthEnd, but same idea. https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/handlebars/590-humpert-cruiser-handlebars-254mm-clamp-black

Thanks. Some good choice/prices at Rose by all accounts but I'm rather put off by the £7+ shipping charge to the UK (even though the total might come in below the £20). Just surprises me that these are so hard to find at a reasonable price from within the UK.

About 550mm?

Yes. I'd seen those but am looking for a set which is closer to the "standard" width.

Well, I was hoping to get them under £20, including any P&P

Apologies if this is in wrong part of the forum - but couldnt find anywhere where this sort of request would easily sit (is the Forum missing something? - or is it just me?!). Anyway, I'm trying to track down a set of North Road handlebars - but in black. Didn't think it would be a problem but, so far, I've only found them in a "narrow" version or outside the UK (with disproportionately high P&P) or, quite simply, a bit expensive (I know - I'm a miser!). Anyone know of somewhere within UK where they can be sourced?

OK. Many thanks. Yes, I have the Big Bear - the one with the "crossbar", just like yours. I would like to find some that are black though, rather than the chrome/silver

Probably too early to get feedback on whether the ones you ordered from eBay have fitted OK, but could you let me know which ones you ordered - there are so many different ones listed on eBay!. Thanks

What about this one? https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/handlebars/humpert-ewg-handlebar-254mm-clamp-chrome-550mm/

Thi This sort of thing? http://www.jakesbikes.co.uk/content/776.php#.V8RgMzWuqZg or like this? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Humpert-EWG-Upright-Swept-Back-Handlebars-Dutch-Style-RETRO-Ape-Hanger-esque-/201334193620?var=&hash=item2ee073fdd4:m:mxF5jDCzTAgluNqlG2b_C3w I'm thinking of changing to something like these as I find the "straight" ones make me lean forward too much.

OK. Thanks. I would be very interested to know how you get on with fitting the replacement handlebars. Mine came with the straight handlebars - see pic (hopefully):

Where did you order the handlebars from? I have had a Big Bear for about two years. Very happy with it but the handlebars are, more or less, straight. I quite fancy some along the lines in your picture (although I will have to make sure my technical/mechanical abilities would be up to transferring all the controls - especially where there isnt currently much slack in any of the cables/wires)

I'm intrigued about the traction issue. I've used a Big Bear for a couple of years now but not really had any traction issues. I'm not particularly heavy (11 stone) - if that's relevant. The only hint of a traction problem is if I go up to setting 4 when tackling a hill, especially if I kick it in when I havent much speed already. I think its fair to say that, on setting 3 or less, I've never had a traction problem, even though some hills have been pretty steep.

Welcome back d8veh! (OK, OK - I give in....but I've got my Mio Cyclo now!)

Well, each to his own. Personally, I'm quite happy to pay a bit extra to get a device which is dedicated to the ability to navigate/follow a cycle route. I know there are advantages and disadvantages to each system but, for me, I want to avoid the potential problems of using a smartphone which include poor signals in remote areas, less accuracy, smaller/cluttered screen, short battery life and the need to use offline maps (as 3G, 4G etc networks may not be available). I think that a dedicated GPS is also far less likely to crash (if ever). Having said that, I know that Smartphone navigation gets frequent, automatic updates and have the ability to provide real-time traffic information. Finally - I'm prepared to accept that the world has moved on since I bought my Mio Cyclo a couple of years ago and that, because I haven't kept in touch with developments, I'm not appreciating what a modern Smartphone can achieve but, having already got a Mio Cyclo which I am very happy with, I'm going to stick with it!

See later for my agreement re a Mio Cyclo. In my experience, the Cycle Sat Navs don't come with cycling routes already installed - just the maps (but showing not just roads. For example, the Mio Cyclo also shows footpaths and tracks). Its just a matter then of downloading cycling routes onto the Mio Cyclo. Either ones you have planned yourself or others that are freely available. These are usually .gpx files. If you are interested in any around North Wales - or even just want to get an idea of the range available, and how you can plan your own - feel free to look at my section in RouteYou, here: http://www.routeyou.com/user/routes/183700/wingreen/3

I'd certainly recommend a Cyclo Mio. I have the 300. Now been superceded but I'm not sure the new models offer that much more. When I last looked around, one of these can be bought new for about £150. (Also works as a SatNav for your too!)

Depends what you mean by "a good price". I know they can be bought for around £150 (see, for example, on eBay - new, free postage, from Germany).

Many thanks. The whole thing is getting rather complicated - with different advice from different people. Clearly I will have to discuss with Woosh but, at the moment I'm trying to find ways of definitely testing the battery before going through the complications/trouble of getting it sent back

Many thanks. I will explore the Tuffnells option. I have got a label (see attached) which I understood would be the correct one to put on the packaging. The "correct carton" looks like a useful option. Could you send me information re the charge etc for getting one of those to me please? Looks like I would need to send back both the battery and the charger though - to cover all eventualities for where the fault may lie. (Whole thing is further complicated by the fact that its not my battery but a friends - who doesn't have internet! - so am currently trying to sort things out on his behalf)

I need to send the battery from a Woosh Big Bear back to Woosh. They have suggested InterlinkDirect but, looking online, the cost is going to be over £20 (to include enough insurance to cover the value of the battery). I'd like to shop around. Does anyone know of other companies that will post/deliver a lithium battery for an electric bike?