gbeton

Hi All When I was going on the Halfords "Cycle to Work" scheme last year I was interested in getting a UM bike. However, Halfords told me that they weren't going to order any more through them until they had sorted out their "supply problems". This was August '09 - looks like the problems haven't got any better! Graeme

Frank Curran Appreciation Club Can't deny that. As a person thats new to e-bikes and has chosen an X-6 as his first foray into this world, I have found Franks help and advice most useful with the customer service role he provides being second to none! Even the bloke at Halfords who built my X-6 appreciates him and his knowledge! Regards Graeme

Hi My employer used the Halfords cycle to work scheme and it is still a reasonably good deal for the employee (obviously the employer makes money out of it through NI and tax contribution reduction). The only electric bikes they seem to be doing at the moment are Powabyke, Gocycle and (if they haven't barred any new orders) Urban Mover. However, this does change from time to time and I believe that they have just added another couple of suppliers - but unfortunately Wisper is NOT amongst them. They will only let you order up to £1000 so some of the more expensive ebikes will not be available to you. I ended up going for a Powabyke X-6 and have found it really good - but I suppose it depends on what you want out of it at the end of the day! Graeme

All, Well, it's been my first week where I have used my powabyke everyday and I have to say that I am extremely impressed. Considering that my idea of exercise over the last 20 years has been mainly been lifitng a pint glass from the bar to my mouth, I have found 6-7 mile bike rides very easy. Admittedly I have used the pure power mode up the hills (with supplementary peddling) and for quick starts but I have peddled on the flats. This is an extremely easy to use, robust piece of equipment and I am amazed at how well it copes (especially with my weight on it). I even had a group of friends harassing me for a go at work as they had never heard of e-bikes and they are now trying to badger our management to do another "cycle to work" scheme so they can get powabykes aswell. My most impressive achievement (probably only impressive to me though) is a ride at 06:30 today for 5.5 miles during which I averaged 15.1 miles an hour on a mixture inclines and declines. My initial thoughts on some of the downsides to the bike now don't bother me - such as having to leave the key in the ignition - what was I talking about?????? All I can say is thanks to Powabyke and especially Frank Curran for a great bike, excellent customer service and here's hoping that I actually start to peddle more rather than using the extremely powerful battery a lot of the time! Thoroughly recommended!

Hi, I bought the smaller frame size as I am about 5"8 with a 29" inside leg. The bike with the saddle at the minimum height is a superb fit for me. I did go to Halfords and tried a few bikes and found that a 21" frame would be too big. However, Frank at Powabyke did mention to me some time ago that there was the possibility of the X24 being offered in the smaller frame size. I don't know whether that is a possibility at the moment - perhaps Frank could let us all know? I must admit, I am tempted to contact him myself and ask if it is possible to buy the parts to turn the crank into a three ring affair as I think the option of some more gears may suit me more (but I am trying out Patricks suggestion at the moment!) If it helps in trying to make your mind up, I did order mine at the end of the summer. With the battery delivery problems I did not get mine until just after Xmas - I have found it well worth the wait - it is a superb and well built piece of kit. Hope this goes some way to helping you? Graeme

Nothing in mid-essex yet either - but it is damn cold though! Going to the Arsenal v Bolton match tomorrow and am expecting that to be cancelled at the last minute! (Bounds Green born and bred - so not part of the prawn sandwich brigade!) Graeme

Mussels - Thanks for the heads up on this - thats probably the sort of thing that if it happened and I wasn't aware of it, I'd be less inclined to continue! Thanks again Graeme

Once again, excellent service - and thank you for a fantastic bike Graeme

All, Firstly, sorry if this is posted in the wrong place, I am new to electric bikes and to this forum. So, I have finally taken delivery of my powabyke X-6 which is my first electric bike and my first bike for over 20 years. Just to give you all a heads up, I am grossly unfit, a heavy smoker, inherantly lazy, overweight and I am looking to ease myself into some regular exercise (cycling to work 13 miles away). I have been out for the last three hours testing my my new powabyke and I am very pleased to say that I found the experience (even given the cold and saddle soreness) an entirely pleasureable one.I went out over various gradients and found that the powabyke coped with them with ease. I used the pedal assist mode for my testing (pure power made it take off like a rocket!). In all, during my test, I covered just about 7 miles and averaged a very pleasing 14 mph (measured by GPS on my iphone). Take into consideration that the weight the powabyke was coping with was only a couple of kilos under it's max permitted weight (according to the handbook). The good main points I found were: 1) Ease of use of the throttle and the responsiveness of the bike to this 2) The sturdiness and quality of the construction 3) The brakes seem extremely responsive 4) The "Pure Power" mode - the bike just seems to "take off"! 5) The pannier frame and accessories 6) Frank Currans helpfulness and that of the team from Powabyke The initial bad points: 1) Pedalling without power feels like you have the brakes on (but that may be because I found the throttle so easy) 2) There needs to be some higher gears on it (should it be an X-8?) when applying full throttle my legs couldn't keep up! (I didn't get an X-24 because I need the shorter frame and the X-24 is only available with a 21" frame) 3) Having to leave the key in the ignition when cycling However, a word of warning. If you are thinking about buying an X-6 (which I thoroughly recommend) please do so through an authorised Powabyke retailer or direct from Powabyke. I purchased mine through the Halfords cycle to work scheme and found their lack of experience (although a quick call from Keith at Powabyke helped no-end) with Powabykes at my local branch a bit of a problem - although I found the staff at Halfords eager and ready to please (and they now know powabykes at my local branch inside out!). Only other downside is that Halfords have seemed to have lost the manual and all the paperwork for the X-6 (Cheekily directed at Frank - any chance of sending me one through so I can get the book stamped and warranty sorted out please?) So in summary - if you are considering getting into electric bikes for the first time the Powabyke X-6 (or even X-24 for you taller people) should be on your list of serious contenders. I'll give it a week and put another report on the site of my experiences! Regards and happy new year to all Graeme

Frank, I'm looking forward to getting the bike and getting on the road! Hopefully Powabyke will go from strength to strength from here. The anticipation is building! Have a good Christmas yourself and to your colleagues at Powabyke. Kind Regards Graeme

That didn't take long from the original company going bust a few weeks ago? Perhaps I will get my X-6 I ordered at the back end of August soon then?? Looking forward to entering the world of electric bikes Graeme