Wingreen

I can certainly vouch for the Suntour NCX suspension seat post.

To be honest, I'm not sure. It IS heavy but a lot of that is probably down to the battery, which is very powerful. I would guess around 25Kg in total but, if its crucial, I'm sure Woosh would advise you. (By the way, if you do go for the Big Bear and you want to transport it by car on occasions, get in touch and I can point you in the direction of a reasonably priced bike carrier from Halfords that I have used successfully on many occasions to move my Big Bear to the start of various bike rides. Only downside is that it does need a tow ball on your car)

My thoughts entirely. Downhill and level roads are there to be traversed without assistance. I've heard distances for ebikes quoted before (usually the distance that can be travelled along flat ground with little or no pedal assistance). I think the "up to 80 miles" is hugely misleading. 40 miles (or slightly less) would, in my opinion, be more realistic

Halfords: Carrera - "up to 80 miles" on a 36v 9aH battery? Is that really feasible?!

I started off on a (cheap) Hopper Shopper Folding ebike sold through Tesco Direct and I used that almost exclusively on country lanes and, indeed, also used it along quite a few forest tracks. Never had any problems. I cant speak for the Woosh foldables but I suspect that, based on my experience with their Big Bear (which I've now upgraded to), anything by Woosh is likely to match or exceed my own experiences.

If the problem with changing an inner tube on the wheel where the hub motor is located is the main issue, have a look at the new Gaadi linear inner tubes. I'm aware of some users of this site being very happy with these linear inner tubes. More info here: http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/product-news/rubena-introduces-bicycle-inner-tube-can-fitted-without-removing-wheel-133637

PS: If its just a matter of being able to further (rather than more power uphills) one option would be to get another battery of the same specs. It worked for me because we were so impressed with the Hopper Shopper (at the price) that my wife bought one too. So......if cycling on my own I just put the spare battery in a rack bag and changed batteries halfway. If the potential problems with controllers etc etc (see linked posts in my previous reply) seem a bit daunting, a second battery (and second bike?) might be an option.

I started my e-biking life with a Hopper Shopper. Great little bike for the money. I also wanted to go further and with more power for hills so looked into the option of getting a more powerful battery. I got some very useful advice on here which may (or may not) be relevant/useful to you. Anyway, my IT skills permitting(!), the following are links to the two discussions/posts that I am aware of. http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/threads/hopper-se-bargain.21763/#post-272761 http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/threads/upgrading-battery.21653/#post-271457

Try the padded underpants (with gel padding) - available on eBay. Doesnt cure it, but it helps: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/261554441802?adgroupid=13585920426&hlpht=true&hlpv=2&rlsatarget=kwd-119183056626&adtype=pla&ff3=1&lpid=122&poi=&ul_noapp=true&limghlpsr=true&ff19=0&device=c&chn=ps&campaignid=207297426&crdt=0&ff12=67&ff11=ICEP3.0.0-L&ff14=122&viphx=1&ops=true&ff13=80

I'm fairly new to all this but how effective are those spray things that are supposed to seal a punctured tyre and get you home. I have one in my bag (and a CO2 "thingy" to inflate it) but have never, thankfully, yet had to actually try it out.

OK. Many thanks - I will try to remember next time I find a bargain (!)

(Possible) correction. The link refers, by the look of it, to a single mount "pack". However, when I went to pick mine up it was a "2 bike Mount Pack", with two sets in it. Even if its only a single mount you end up with, I still think its a good price

I have found that mounts for Mio products are ridiculously expensive for what they are but, currently, I see that Halfords are selling a double pack of the Cyclo mount for a very reasonable £13.49. (No delivery charge if picked up at store) Link here: http://www.halfords.com/cycling/cycling-technology/cycle-computers/mio-double-bike-mount ...and, no, I'm not on 10%! However, it does make me think that there is potentially a new forum that could be created on Pedelecs, where bike "bargains" (accessories or otherwise) could be posted/shared.

I've heard it said that Lithium batteries will last longer if, every so often, they are used to such an extent that nearly all the charge is used up (then, of course, recharged). This is the exact opposite of Lead Acid batteries (which I use for my golf trolley). I'd be interested to know whether one of the experts has a view on whether or not a full discharge is beneficial for Lithium batteries

Sorry, cant answer that. I've only ever used the throttle just to check that it works. I always pedal as well. I think relying on the throttle alone is far more demanding on the battery than even just a bit of pedalling. However, I've no doubt it could cope quite well just on the throttle, but I'm not in a position to give any definitive information.

Feels like a "proper" bike! I use my bike in all sorts of places (forests, tracks etc etc - never for shopping) and the Hopper Shopper does get some strange looks - especially from the "lycra brigade" (who, I have to say, are quite an unfriendly lot - or maybe its just me). The big difference is power and distance. It gets me up steep hills with much less effort. On one long (very steep!) hill on a leisure route that I sometimes use, I had to get off and push the Hopper but, on the Big Bear I just coast up it. Big Bear gives me much greater distance. I found the 20 miles on the Hopper a bit limiting - I like to be on my bike when I get the chance, for hours and hours. It was always a bit disconcerting to see the red indicator showing on the Hopper after about 18 miles with 2 miles to go (though it always got me there). No such problem with the Big Bear - it has managed 30 to 40 miles with still plenty of power left at the end (although I do pedal without the power assist whenever I can). But the BB wont fit in my hatchback like the Hopper - although the Exodus Towbar Cycle Carrier I got from Halfords (under £60) does a great job instead. I'm not sure there is a huge difference in terms of the quality of the components used. Too early to say.

Having upgraded to a Big Bear about 2 months ago, I can certainly recommend it. No problems so far and it is SO powerful. I do agree about the wheel spin. Spin can also happen when pedalling and starting off on speed setting No 3, especially if going up a small incline - presumably because all the weight (me and that very heavy battery!) is at the back.

The Tesco Hopper Shoppers are a great introduction to ebiking. I bought one about 18 months ago and was so pleased with it that I immediately bought a second one. They can both be folded up and loaded up into the back of my Skoda Octavia Hatchback - great for when myself and my wife want to explore rides further afield. Having two also had the advantage of, when only using one of them, loading the other bike's battery into a rack bag, allowing me to swap batteries on a long cycle. In this way I managed to do the Anglesey Copper Trail (about 40 miles) on my Hopper Shopper. They have both been used regularly about once a week on 15 to 20 mile rides around Anglesey and, perhaps surprisingly, have never given any trouble whatsoever. Although I have now upgraded to a Woosh Big Bear (different league!), the Hopper Shoppers still get used.

Well, having had a look around, but being impatient, I opted for what looks like a bargain. Latest edition (admittedly 2nd hand) of Bike Repair Manual by Chris Sidwell for £5.96 (free p&p). Will feedback (if I remember) on the extent to which it suited me as a total novice.

Not sure they protect quite the same "bits" but I rarely go on a long cycle ride without ensuring I put on my gel underpants beneath my trousers! http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Women-Men-Bike-Bicycle-Cycling-Underwear-Briefs-3D-Gel-Padded-Underpants-Shorts-/261554441802?var=&hash=item3ce5dc0e4a

I can certainly recommend the Woosh Big Bear. £849. http://www.wooshbikes.co.uk/?bigbear I'm sure others with more knowledge and experience will also have suggestions. For what its worth, here's my "review": http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/threads/woosh-big-bear-first-impressions.21917/ (And, no, I'm not on commission!)

Well, I took the plunge (on a strict "if it doesn't fit, can I have a full refund" basis) and bought the Exodus 2 bike tow-bar mounted cycle carrier from Halfords (under £60). As I'll only ever use it to carry one electric bike it can certainly take the weight (although I'll be carrying the battery in the car itself - which makes sense anyway. I tried my Woosh Big Bear on it and it fits! I was worried it wouldn't, given the slightly unusual crossbar design on the Big Bear. I've yet to actually drive anywhere with it but it all seems OK. Even comes with an integral lock.

I took delivery of my Big Bear from Woosh a couple of weeks ago. However, as I've been away for a week, I've only had a chance to complete 3 rides (5 miles, 24 miles and 40 miles). Anyway, I thought I'd feedback some first impressions. Before I do so, I should make it clear that this bike is AWESOME. Granted, I have made the big leap from a Tesco Hopper Shopper with a 24V 8.5aH battery but I couldnt be more pleased with my purchase. Ordering and Delivery: Very good. Delivered one day earlier than anticipated and instructions for finding my (rather obscure) address passed on accurately and comprehensively to the delivery company. Hatti was very helpful (and honest) with my queries before ordering. Frame/size: Now I know why its called Big Bear! Looks sturdily built and the gunmetal colour is very attractive. It IS heavy – but much of that weight is down to the size and weight of the battery. The advice given by Woosh is that you need to be a certain height (5' 8” or above) to handle getting on and off the crossbar version (otherwise Woosh recommend the Low Step version). I'm about 5' 10” but its still quite a stretch – especially if you tend to mount the bike by swinging your leg over the saddle and if you have a bag on your rear rack. I find it easier to tip the bike a bit and then just lift my leg over the crossbar – which is probably the correct way to do it. However, for anyone who hasn't got my arthritic limbs, its really not a problem either way. Its also quite a stretch from the seating position to the handlebars - something I'm sure I can adjust, once I get time (and the knowledge) to do so. Battery: Although large (it IS after all 36v, 15aH), it takes its place unobtrusively - slotting into the rear bike rack. This where I have a confession to make. With my previous e-bike, the key had to be left in the “ignition” when traveling. I mistakenly did the same with this battery. However, the movement/vibration when traveling had the effect of turning the key a little – to such an extent that it moved to the unlock position, at which point the battery disengaged, power shut down, and the battery began to slide out of its mounting. Fortunately, it stayed in place and no harm was done and I have now learnt that, after engaging and locking the battery, TAKE OUT THE KEY while you use the bike. Probably obvious to everyone else but...you never know. Bike stand: This works fine but, having been used to a stand that was attached to the back wheel mounting, rather than near the pedals, I sometimes find it frustrating that it gets in the way if I want to move the pedals a whole revolution while its on its stand. Having said that, given the bike's size/weight, a bike stand centrally positioned is probably the only/best option. Speeds: I did find the No 1 and No 2 speed settings too slow for me in practice. However, setting No 3 suits me perfectly. Settings Nos 4 and 5 certainly push the pace up but I've only used them to experiment and I use the No 3 setting 90% of the time. There is definitely plenty of torque with setting No 3 – I have even had wheel spin a couple of times when setting off on that setting! I'm not a person who uses the available throttle (I do try and do SOME work) but, when tested, it worked fine. Horn: Its LOUD! Too loud for me so I've taken it off and replaced it with a traditional cycle bell. No doubt the supplied horn would be useful in noisy, built up areas with lots of cars around but, along country lanes, I found it to be a bit of an overkill. Lights: I don't generally cycle in the dark but the lights are fine. I particularly like the option with the front light mounting that allows the angle to be moved gradually to the point where it lights the road directly in front. Lights that can't be similarly adjusted can be annoying, given that very few handlebars, if any, are constructed/designed to be just a straight bar. Gears and brakes: Fine. They do the job, what more can I say? Well, I could say that both the brakes and the gears needed no adjustment from me before being fit for use. I doubt this was down to luck, so it suggests care and attention by Woosh in preparing the bike for delivery. Chain guard: This was a bit niggly. I've never had a chainguard before, so its a nice touch. However, try as I might to slide it in (or out) within the the three adjustment slots where its fixed to the bike, I couldnt get it to a position where it didn't either get rubbed by the pedal or it touched the chain wheel. “Touched” sounds more serious than it really was. It was just a very gentle intermittent “stroking” - but it WAS annoying. Anyway, I eventually found the solution – I moved the rear end of the chain guard so it sat behind (instead of in front) its fixing bracket. Simple, and it sorted it perfectly. Seating: I went for the NCX seat post upgrade. The extra cost seemed well worth it, given it is just a small fraction of the total cost of the bike. The price of this upgrade seems very reasonable too (I did look around a bit before making a decision and I couldnt find a better price for the NCX seat post online). The Big Bear, by all accounts, is perfect for the “heavier” cyclist. I'm not that heavy (about 12 stone) but it suits me fine. I did however adjust the “resistance” in the NCX seat post so as to be more responsive to my weight. Very easy – just use an Alan key. Pedals: These are fine. However, the left pedal very quickly developed an annoying “click”, especially when applying pressure. It was a click that I could hear but, more importantly, I could feel through my shoe. It then developed into a double click, and sometimes a triple click. It felt to me as if perhaps the bearings inside the pedal were starting to break up. I tried a different pedal and that one didn't suffer from the same problem so Woosh have agreed to send me a replacement pedal as soon as they come into stock.

Thanks. Will put this one on the short list.

Thanks - and apologies if I'm reinventing an existing thread(s). Yes, I had seen that one and it looks quite good and reasonably up to date (2012). Might go for it but I'm going to hang on a bit and see if there are other suggestions to consider also.