Rach

*****No longer for sale. Can't believe the price of a new battery - unfortunately it's just not worth it ****** I've had a successful back op and am now looking to revert permanently to a pedal cycle. The Mistral has been a godsend, but is now surplus to requirements and has been sitting idly for several months. It's almost 2 years old, and whilst it still has it's original battery, it was starting to noticeably weaken before I stopped using it. Freezing weather and months of neglect have no doubt now finished it off (although I haven't yet checked). Located in Lincoln - open to offers Thanks Rach

I'd love to know if this does get up Winnatts Pass! I used to travel from Buxton to Castleton to work on a trusty 50cc Honda many moons ago. I was amazed the scooter could manage it never mind a leccy bike

I can't say I'm very clued up on the technical aspect of e-bikes, but I got myself a Synergie Mistral back in March and I reckon it's the best purchase I ever made!!! I've used it for work ever since (even in the recent snow), and actually prefer it to the car, it's such a pleasure to ride. I can put as much or as little effort in as I like (dodgy back, so the throttle comes in very handy now and again). It's cheap as far as ebikes go, but if you're thinking of upgrading in a year or two I reckon you really can't go wrong with it. £550 odd quid now I believe. Rach

I've been using a Synergie Mistral for commuting to work since March this year. Admittedly I haven't tried another bike, but I can honestly say it's the best £500 odd quid I've ever spent. It's more than adequate for slight to moderate hills. Can't praise it highly enough. Rach

LN2 2NF Synergie Mistral Regards Rach

This will no doubt sound ridiculous, but I'm still a raw novice! I have recently purchased a Mistral and am generally very pleased with it. However, one issue I have with it is that I can't go fast enough and I'm not really sure what the different modes do. I assumed that Economy would be easier on the battery than sport, but which mode allows the rider to travel fastest? With only 6 gears I'm travelling relatively slowly on flat terrain and want to be able to speed things up a bit. I've tried all the modes and can't really see any significant differences. Using none doesn't alter much either - presumably because of low number of gears?

An update on the hill for you all I eventually plumped for a Synergie Mistral as I started to suffer from information overload combined with the collywobbles about the prospect of spending a fortune on a big mistake!! Used it for work for the first time today and really enjoyed it - the test came on the hill at the start of the run home. I can see that the Mistral is probably not the best choice based on the hill alone. However, with some mighty huffing and puffing, I made it to the top in two sections. My dicky back is suffering mightily for it, but I enjoyed it and I would never have contemplated even attempting a hill like that on a normal bike. I don't find 15mph fast enough on the straight, so I'm getting the benefit of giving it some welly myself - inevitably improving my fitness over the long term - I hope! For me, it has encouraged me to get back on a bike when I would not otherwise have been able to manage it. With assistance available as and when I need it, I may even get back to a normal cycle. For now though, for the price, the Mistral I think has been a good buy. Thanks to you all for your input, and I'll no doubt be permanently hovering on the site as I get sucked further into the ebike world

Sorry if this sounds a bit thick, but what is the position re getting the bike wet? Have taken delivery of a new Synergie Mistral (looks great) but the battery has a warning not to get it wet! A little difficult in the rain I would have thought? Are the batteries supposed to be covered or are we only supposed to be fair weather riders? Thanks Rach

Definitely not after no effort, but wanted to know if there was a bike that was good up hills but maybe fell short in other areas that wouldn't matter so much given the short distance. Thanks flecc for your advice - the Powabyke sounds as tho it could be an option. As far as getting off and walking up the hill goes - if it comes to that I might just as well get an ordinary cycle for such a short commute. The electric bike looked a good option due to the hill assistance combined with the fun aspect but maybe I'm barking up the wrong tree.

Having just been out, we reckon it's a 1 in 7 hill and it's 2/10ths of a mile - my moped did it at a painful 18mph groan. I didn't anticipate any potential bike getting up under it's own steam, but I was hoping to manage it without turning purple and sliding off sideways by the time I hit the top. I like the idea of getting some exercise out of it without having to rely entirely on my own efforts, but want to be able to fall back on a bit of assistance if my back's troubling me on any given day. A new moped's starting to look appealing again......save me! Rach

Hi Nick, I can't actually find any signs on the hill displaying it's gradient but it is steep enough for any fit young person to have to work at it (walking), It's even got a hand rail on a stretch of it for pedestrian assistance! I would say it's about 3/10ths mile distance wise. Rach

Hi all, I'm hoping I may get some opinions to assist me in my choice. I have a single morning (tomorrow) to travel to a couple of dealers. I have been reading up endlessly over the last few days, but as with so many things like this - as soon as you've made your mind up you find another article which changes it again! I have a mere 6 mile round trip to work, and the purchase of this bike is intended solely for that purpose (at least at this stage). I have a bad back hence the need for some assistance on bad days, and there is a VERY steep hill on the return leg. I don't know the gradient but it is a challenge even to walk up. I'm happy to spend more money if the feeling is that it would be warranted. I've even considered the Khalkoff Agattu but wonder if that's going overboard? The Powabyke X6 and the Salisbury and the Windsor have also all caught my eye. I have been using a moped until now, but it is deceased and I have to find my alternative transport asap Any opinions/advice suited to my needs would be very gratefully received. Rach