maggie x

Thanks, I'll look into these. I have my seat as low as it will go, resting on the frame in effect, but always feel frustrated that I can't raise the handlebars. I put off getting a motorbike license for about 20 years, as I figured I would be unable to ride one due to carpal tunnel. I was able to find a better sitting position on motorbikes though, which was a joy. I considered recumbent bikes for a while, but feel they would be even more vulnerable than ordinary cycles, and having been run over once by a guy who looked me in the eyes as he drove into me, miraculously still not seeing me, I'm all too aware of how dangerous roads can be. Luckily, where I live I can mostly avoid roads as there are tracks taking me a majority of the distances I want to go.

Well my bike is here, it is built and I've been out on it a couple of times. I've checked the elwctric assist so that I know they work as they should, but mostly I'm doing short, flat-ish routes just using it as a pushbike to get my cycling muscles back. A long tiime ago I used to do triathlon, stopped for a couple of reasons but a main one was that carpal tunnel problems really made it too painful to cycle. I've picked up bikes now and then since, but always stopped quickly when I was reminded of how painful it was. This time I am prepared and bought some decent wrist braces. They don't stop the problem completely but do mitigate it sufficiently that I should manage 30 miles or so once I'm fit again. The bike itself is very easy to ride, a lot lighter in weight than some I've ridden in the past, and once I get a new saddle for my fat backside it should be perfect. In the meantime I'm making the rocking world go round.

Thanks for the clarification, how do I do this please?

Thank you. That is what I was hoping. I have no need to leave it put in rain, am glad I can ride it even if the sun isn't shining.

I have just had my bike delivered, have unpacked it and chucked out all the polystyrene packaging as I have no space. Before assembling I have been reading the booklet, and one paragraph really concerns me. It is an Eleglide M1 Plus 29, and the paragraph reads; "Furthermore, avoid puddles, wet mud, swamps, water, snow and ice. Try not to use it on a rainy, stormy or snowy day. If the bicycle's electric parts (control unit, engine and battery) get damp, wet or soaked, it will cause irreversible damage or even a battery explosion. The handlebar may be affected as the user steers or brakes the bike." I had no intention of riding through soggy pastures or riding in ice and snow, but puddles? Mud? Rain? Is this a normal warning which will come with any electrically assisted bike, or is my bike not fit for purpose leaving me at risk of fires?

Yup, it is hills'r'us all the way here.

'Which model ? Let us know how you get on with it, they seem good value to me.' It's the M1 Plus. May be a bit big for me, but I prefer oversized bikes. I can't wait for it to arrive. I spent a fair bit of time considering if I would get another road bike, it's countryside here and even though up until now I've used a bike primarily for shopping or transport, I have been known to take short cuts across fields and might take rougher routes if the bike is built to cope. Realising that a bike can be used just for fun was a revelation for me, I used to to do triathlons when I was young, then used a bike as my only transport, but bikes in my mind had a serious purpose. I live pretty close to Hamsterley Forest and whereas I have no interest in the more lunatic tracks - I'm too old and fragile - it would be nice to have a go at the easier stuff.

I know Esh Winning, yeah. Oddly enough I know a bloke who lived there, who when I first met him called himself a bike engineer and destroyed completely one of my conversion kits. This is NOT your Billy Milburn I hasten to add, just one of life's weird co-incidences. It is handy knowing there is a real e-bike engineer there. The bike I have ordered is an Eleglide which seems decent kit for my price range, especially as I'm never going to go anywhere too exciting on the bike.

Hiya, just in from Teesdale. I've had e-bikes for a while, but they have all been second hand with knackered batteries and generally too small for me. I've recently sold my car and whereas I'll likely get another at some point, I'm going to try and manage without for at least the summer. I've just ordered a new -gasp - mtb, can't wait for it to arrive. The covid years made a mess of my health and frankly I want to get my breath back and have fun. Dropping some (lots of) weight would be a bonus, too. See you on a lane somewhere, I'll be the old woman embarrassing her kids.