Lydia94

Thanks, that's reassuring as I hadn't heard of Brose. I hope to start commuting as soon as I get it, I can't wait! I'll just have to leave all my wet clothes dripping. This has to be one of the wettest winters in the 15 years I've been cycling

Oops, got a bit trigger happy there. This is the one.... https://www.rutlandcycling.com/bikes/electric-bikes/ex-hire-scott-e-silence-20-2017-electric-hybrid-bike-grey-white_459864

I know, I

I know, it was unexpected. She's got a knee problem, so her justification was she could put off a knee replacement, and hills wouldn't be such a nightmare!

Thanks everyone for all the feedback, I've got an update. And I agree about the R&M, it gives my old Fazer a run for it's money weightwise! I want to Rutland at Grafham Water with my friend who was looking for a carbon road bike. The guy there was really helpful,not pushy, and helped my friend make her choice. Deposit duly paid (Cube, completely forgotten the model!). I saw they had a Scott ebike in the sale (chain, but the offer seemed good and I liked the look. Not Bosch which would have been my preference. But, it was at Pitsford, so off we trot. I tried it, like it, put a deposit down. My friend has a go, comes back with daft grin and says 'Want one'. Suffice to say, half an hour later deposit transferred, they'll be ready to collect next week. All the guys at Rutland were really helpful, no big sales push (which always makes me leg it). We asked and they said yes, they would move the bikes to Grafham to collect, as it's closer to us. Now it's just the tortuous wait, we'll be doing a lap round Grafham first thing next Saturday :-) Lydia

Thanks Rob, luckily much of my route is on roads with no traffic lights, and on a disused railway that's now a cycle path. Thanks, I had the same thought myself and will be looking at bikes with chains too as there are some good offers around.

That's great, thank you. I'm off to Rutland tomorrow!

Hi, I'd be interested to know what you think when you try it - I'm also looking for a first e-bike and am still window shopping! Thanks, Lydia

Thanks everyone. I'm in Hertfordshire, cycling to hatfield so it's a fairly flat route. I often drive 1/2 way and ride the rest, but want to ride all the way and could do it a tad under 1 hr on an ebike which for me is similar to half drive/ride timewise, and much less faffing. I was considering belt drive as an assumption was less wear, but I know how to change a chain so belts are completely new to me (I also thought lifespan of approx 30000 miles would be a plus if that's true). It could just be down to trying a few, I have a local dealer so will take a trip there.

I'm looking for my first ebike. I'm a regular cyclist but am looking for an ebike to commute 15 miles each way, mixture of town, disused railway and country lanes. Would also use it at weekends as well as my road bike. I've been looking online, and thinking of going for belt over chain (thinking easier for winter riding, a bit less maintenance?) So far Riese & Muller seem to be top of the list, except they're not cheap. Are they worth it, or are there other options I've missed? Does anyone have a RM And would you recommend them? I think I've got to the point where I've looked at too many bikes! I would be grateful for advice. Thanks, Lydia