OTH

Try asking in the Electric Bicycles section. You're more likely to get an answer there, I think.

This is the thing. The Storcks are beautifully made, have good components and handle well, but the key feature is that the riding experience is just like on a normal bike - but easier. I'm not an e-bike expert, but I tried a variety (Trek, Freego, Raleigh, Oxygen, etc): none of them matched the Storck for giving the feeling that you could just get on and ride without being aware of some quirk that set them apart from normal cycling.

The Storck rides nearest to a "real bike" of any of the electric bikes I've tried. It's the only one I've got on and just ridden without being distracted by the assist bit. It handles very well (steep hills with bends near me, too), is beautifully made and has good quality components. And there's a local dealer in Taunton. The Cytronex looks nice, too. But you can only get them in Winchester, I believe. As you already cycle on a normal bike and plan to regularly cover significant distances, I'm pretty sure you'll appreciate the benefits of a "deluxe expensive" electric bike.

The Storck Multitask is very comfortable. The ballon tyres provide more than sufficient "suspension" for road/cycle track use, and the riding position is relaxed by normal bike standards.

There's something odd here I think. The Storck is way ahead of the Haibike in the poll where money is no object. But the position is reversed here. This doesn't make sense as they both cost a very similar amount. Or am I missing something?

What is the price of a Haibike EQ EXDURO?

Storck Raddar Multitask? Top quality components. Beautifully made. Excellent handling. Smooth, strong assistance available without any lag on starting. Good looks. (And, if you want a change from electric assist, swap the rear wheel and you've got a first class conventional bike.)

Any chance of an update, Jimmythe1?

Thanks, Scottyf. I've found it quite difficult to achieve a full discharge because of the lack of assistance towards the end of the process. Have settled for 70-80% discharged and hope this will do.

Pease forgive a couple of basic questions. I have a lithium polymer battery. 1. Does this need "conditioning"? If so, how many times should it be fully discharged? 2. With the battery showing approx 50% discharged the motor still gives significant assistance, but markedly less than when fully charged. Also, there is no appreciable difference between selecting high and low assistance at this level of discharge. By the time approx 70% discharge is showing there is hardly any assistance at all. Is this reduction in performance normal as a battery discharges? Many thanks.

Beautiful. If only I didn't have to ride an electric bike ......

This opening sentence from his column in the Times on 27 December 2007 may give you a clue as to his views on cyclists. "A festive custom we could do worse than foster would be stringing piano wire across country lanes to decapitate cyclists."

I think the survey shows 2% cycle in the UK compared with 31% in the Netherlands (Ref: graph D7). This is a little more credible.

Overlander, Is yours unusual for a UK bike? Trek quote 200 Watt motors in their catalogue. Perhaps I just don't understand the motor names.

I have considered just the same combination - Pompetamine plus Cytronex would be very nice. If you can wait, Cytronex aim to have a kit out in the next few months. Otherwise, The Electric Wheel Company might be of interest.