Brownster74

I am unfit and am surrounded by some very steep hills which is why I wanted an ebike. I sailed up the steepest in sports mode with very light pedalling. What I have noticed though, is it is harder in eco on the flat than I expected - Maybe just a lack of fitness!

Thanks for all the info and advice. Now the proud owner of a dirt e +2. Must say that Andy at Giant Sheffield was excellent throughout. First ebike (not cycled for donkeys years) and like a kid in a sweetshop (or will be when I get over the 5hr round trip to Sheffield!!)

At 5ft 10, I will probably just about get on the medium size bike which starts at a minimum of 5ft 7 (according to the size chart!). Just got to get my head around the colour scheme!

Many thanks for the feedback. That is very informative. I am looking to get my first ebike, budget around £1200 to £1400. Found a good deal on a raleigh strada tse at £1150 and went to the bike shop today to look at it. Whilst probably more than adequate for me (not had a for nigh on 30 years) - mainly road/ gravel use in a hilly area, the sales chap didn't think the Strada would be much use off road. Recommended a Cube @ around £2000 as an 'all you will ever need' type bike for road and off road with a bosch motor. Don't want to spend that much despite liking the Cube bike so thinking that the Giant is probably the best thing I can get for my budget - and should be all the bike I will ever need.

Electrickery, how are you finding the Dirt E. Very tempted yo get one?

Well, I plucked up the courage to take a punt on the bike this afternoon as it comes with a 2 year warranty. Only to find it had been sold! Was offered a more expensive one which was over my budget. Dodged a bullet? Maybe. Do feel a little gutted though! Anyway, if anyone knows of any decent clearance bikes around 18" frame for around £1200 (the Jarifa price) please point me in that direction! Thanks for all the advice to date.

Tbh the bike is purely for leisure. It would not be for commuting, just 'playing out' when I have a bit of free time. The cube seems the safe option but I can't imagine that all focus bikes have problems. If it is a 20% failure rate it is worth a punt. How widespread is this issue?

It is definitely the problematic impulse 2 motor. Shame because the bike seems well specced for the price. Toss up between this or paying another £150 for reliable (but not as well specced) Cube or the rather garish giant dirt e bike. Tempted to take a punt if I knew that not every motor has problems! Especially as I am about 100 miles away from the dealer!

Ah. That probably explains why the old model is basically half price!

I was thinking of buying one of the Focas Jarifa bikes as there are some very good deals (not surprising in light of this thread). Has anyone had any positive experiences?

Many thanks for the advice. I will check out the Kudos range. I would love a cube/KTM et al but to be fair we are talking a difference of a £1000. As someone who just wants to 'give biking a try', I can't justify spending that much so realise that the anything I buy will obviously have cut a few corners. On that note, Is ebay the best place to pick up a second hand ebike - that may allow access to the established brands?

Hi Newbie here! Mulling over getting an e bike having tried one on holiday. I've seen this deal https://www.allseasonsbikes.com/products/black-e-xplorer-electric-bike Has anyone any experience of this brand and how does the spec of the bike stack up. Is it worth a punt at £900? I don't want to pay much more than £1k for my first bike.