McCol

Mainly cycle track(concrete/tarmac) and some road use.

It's these one's here - http://nextdaytyres.co.uk/details.aspx/maxxis-re-fuse-gravel-275/1956/4057?gclid=cjwkeajwgds-brda7ft68f6s8zmsjadzwhmvnkrts0qsjcrppzltjpv09ayuwdzi7hzm2eea62ng8hoc2orw_wcb Don't know much about them, hoping the little bit of tread on them will be suffice in the wet.

Hi Yes it's Saracen's 2017 model, they released it in May but it is the model for 2017. It was a cracking discount as I don't think I would have paid the full £2600 but at £2000 with £1000 on cyclescheme. I should save £300 on the cyclescheme part so a total of £900 saved.

I came on here a few weeks ago and asked for some advice on different ebikes. Was looking at a choice of 3 or 4 different bikes including a couple of Cube's, Trek and a Whyte. In the end I bought the Saracen Juiced, got a good deal with £600 off the price which brought down to max budget. Picked it up today and rode the 11 miles home via the North Devon Tarka Trail. It was awesome, bike felt great etc, willost more thoughts in a review after more useage. Just wanted to post to say thanks for all replies I received that helped me decide and educated me at the same time.

Got to wait for my employer to issue the certificate for Cyclesheme, hopefully have by the end of the week.

I have nowhere near the experience of you guys hence me joining to ask questions but I noticed a difference on the local cycle trail when I tried the 2 different bikes. The Cube with the rigid fork/suspension felt more uncomfortable to ride than both the Cube and Saracen which had suspension. Like I say I'm no expert but based on very brief rides I preffered the suspension option. Saying that the cycle trail round here is quite uneven and bumpy places compared to some pathways I've expereinced in the past.

Had thought about the distance aspect but figured that as I get fitter I'll rely less on the high and normal modes and use the eco mode or no assitance. Also thought that if 2/3 years down the line I decide to change bike then battery life will have improved.

Thats the thing I like about it. The MTB look but minus the knobbly tyres. The ride was smoother with the Saracen tyres than the knobbly offerings on the Cube I tried. Stumps, rocks etc wont be happening...no worries there, apart from some of the big holes in the tarka trail and on North Devon roads that is.

I tried the Trek and 2 Cubes and looked at the Whyte. One of the Cube's had rigid forks and thinner tyres. When I took it on the local trail I found it a bit bumpy for my liking so didn't bother trying the Whyte. The Trek I just didn't click with for some reason, I'm a big built(fat) chap and felt I dwarfed the bike if that makes sense. The Cube Hybrid 400 and the Saracen were my choices and the Saracen for me was just a joy to ride, chunky but not overly so and comfy when riding. Felt like it was a better build quality than the others, thars not to say the others were bad though far from it.

A bit of everything really. Fitness and 11 mile commute to work which is around 9 miles on cycle/walking trail and 2 miles on the road. Reasonably steep hill at end of journey.

Took out the bike with the Shimano Steps system(Saracen Juiced) and was really pleased with it, preferred it to the Bosch based bike I tried a few days ago although that is more to do with the overall bike. Found that although the Shimano might not give as much pull(can't think of any to describe it!) it was more than suffice to cycle up a steep hill and actually still required me to put a bit of effort in to get up the hill but not too much to make it off-putting.

Went for the Saracen Juiced in the end. Took for a test ride this morning and loved it. Lovely looking bike and a joy to ride, tried a steep hill and was more than happy with the performance of the Shimano Steps system. Got for a really good price, split the price between card and cyclescheme - with the retailer not adding 10% for his own pocket!!!

Issue with the local cyclescheme retailer, its in my thread elsewhere. Want to buy locally as oppose to online. 2 other retailers bit their stock comprises of shimano motored bikes.

Thats what I hoping to hear, was impressed with the CX Bosch motor and although I know there will be a difference I'm hoping it won't be too big a difference.

Tried the Bosch one last week buts a non starter now. Going to try the Steps based one today hopefully.

I'm about to buy a bike with the Shimano Steps system, which from what I've read has a torque rating of 50. The other bike I was looking at but have since ruled out has a bosch motor with 70 torque. Not knowing the finer details of these ratings will there be a massive difference in assitance between the bikes?

Hi David I was going to around 850 and put 850 on the cyclescheme, baffled by his attitude to be honest. The two other retailers local to me do not charge this extra fee. The retailer should advertise this when claiming to be part of the cyclescheme. Just phoned the retailer to confirm the 10% charge and point out nobody else locally is doing this, he got a bit narked and said it was common practice. So it is down to one of the three listed.

Think i'll buy now and wait until further down the line. Thanks for the link though. Just trying to decide on those models listed, leaning towards the Saracen at the minute.

Are there any ebike's out there with this new motor, looking to buy soon.

My NHS trust only uses the Cyclescheme. To be honest though if he wants to pass on the extra cost but only on certain bikes then don't run the scheme! No other retailer around me is doing the same. In the space of a day he has lost 3 possible bike sales and the repeat buisness that may bring with it.

Ok back to my original question on this thread! Tried both the Cube touring hybrid 400 and the Hyprid Pro HPA 29. Thought they were both excellent and was amazed at what the ebike is capable of. The difference between the 60 and 70 torque was minimal to me. Today I tried the Trek Dual Sport+ with Shimano motor. This too was also very good but difficult to compare as I only had for 10 minutes compared to over an hour on the both the cubes. Now here's the rub - I was about to pull the trigger on the Cube, £900 card and the rest on Cyclescheme, but the shop owner informs me he wants 10% extra for the Cube if doing on Cyclescheme as "it's more hassle than it's really worth for me" was flabbergasted to be honest as after checking with other retailers nobody else is doing this for Cube or any other brand. I want to buy local and that leaves me with the following choices Whyte Clifton - http://www.ukbikefactory.com/whyte-clifton-e-bike-2017.html Trek Dual sport+ - http://www.allterraincycles.co.uk/Trek-DUAL-SPORT-Hybrid-Electric-Bike-2017 Saracen Juiced - http://www.velobikes.co.uk/2916439/products/saracen-2017-juiced-e-bike--hybrid-electric-bike--black.aspx - Can get this for the same price as the other 2. I'm not adverse to buying the Cube online but would rather have a local shop to deal with. Can anybody offer advise on the different specs around the forks, gears etc and whether or not the Shimano is a step down from the Bosch in the Cube?

Went with a mate in the end. I took the Cube 400 touring pro priced at £2000 and he took a Cube MTB 29, not sure of exact model. Went for a little round trip from Barnstaple to Yelland and back on a bike trail. We had a wee swap around of bikes at the half way point. First off we were both amazed at the ease of which we were able to cycle, the pull in turbo mode was putting smiles on both our faces. I'm not usually into MTB's however the extra torque on the MTB was impressive - 75 vs the 60 of tourer. Going back on Tuesday to try another 2 before deciding but in a bit of a world of hurt now regarding choices. The Carrerra is now a non starter, but now I'm thinking I'd rather have the higher torque available on the MTB's although I'm sure 60 is probably enough. Happy to look at other models other than the Cube but don't want to go much above £1500, maybe £1700 tops. The Cube I'm now looking at is the Hybrid HPA 500 Pro at £1800 from Chainreaction but would like it a bit cheaper or a bike with very similar torque specs etc.

What is the torque on that Cube?

Booked in to try the Cube 400 tomorrow afternoon for a 2 hour ride.

Went to look at both today but didn't get a chance to try either as was on way to work. The Cube does ooze more quality than the Carrerra and I intend to go back later this week and try the Cube but I'm struggling to justify the extra cost - twice the price. I'll give a wee example of the way I'm thinking. I've spent alot of money on audiophile earphones that range from £150 to £1200. Now my £700 earphones don't sound 50-100% better than my £300 earphones better yes but not by large margins, maybe 10-20% better. My question is does this similar theory/rule apply to ebikes - ie the law of diminishing returns?