Rosie

Thanks RobF. Been for 6 month service today (was free)and mentioned your suggestion to mechanic who loosened and tightened the bolts. Only used it when I arrived home, but the Intuvia worked first time, so hopefully it'll be ok. Otherwise all was fine, apart from a little rust on the pedals. The shop kindly replaced the pedals, which I was pleased about. Thanks again for your help. Rosie

Sorry, not been on for awhile. Thx for all your replies. Interesting to know Intuvia can be temperamental. I've cleaned the heads but not used anything else so far. I remove the display when the bike is parked out of sight, like you, but also at night on campsites where the bike is outside, although covered. Also, I remove it when the bike is being transported, although it's covered then too. I might be a bit over cautious I suppose as it's now removed while my bike is in my garage-still covered though. Rosie

I've now had my Captus six months, and over a few winter months in Spain increased the mileage to 500. It continues to be a delight, and as predicted, moves easily up hills. The torque system enables me to ride hills and into wind at a nice controlled pace allowing hubby on his manual bike to follow closely. Of course on the flat, in calm conditions, he's not waiting for me. Out there Ebikes amongst the motor home community far outnumber 'normal bikes. I met several people with Bosch powered bikes and without exception the all loved them. Also, all the bike shops sold a selection of ebikes, but at similar, or even higher prices than here. I had only one issue with my bike. Each time I finished using it I removed the controller on the handlebar (can't recall the proper name without looking it up) and when I put it back on it didn't recognise the battery was on. Taking it off and putting it back on again worked every time, but I worried that it might not work. In a few weeks I'm going to go back to the dealer for my six month service and wonder if this is worth mentioning? Rosie

Hi Mike, I've seen a few trikes used in Spain by those who can't quite manage a two wheeled electric bike. One lady we met had one from Jorvik cycles in York, which she rated highly. Her husband rode a Freego and they went off on them most days. Hope you get what you want. R

Thanks Robf, much appreciated.

Great thanks. Only done about 200 miles and enjoying it very much. It rides pretty much like a regular bike and no problem riding slowly in crowded places, unlike my previous bikes which needed to keep the speed up to get power. The bike is without problem so far and the battery capacity is far more than I'll ride in a day, so all good. I took it for it's six week service, which I presume is a once over and tighten a few screws, but handy if there had been any issues. O/h has just bought himself a new hybrid and it's unlikely I'll be able to keep up on flat terrain, but on those hills I'll be whizzing by him. BTW, for you experts out there, I tend to do trips around 10 miles and charge every two, however I think I read that these Bosch batteries last longest if charged every trip. Any comments please? Thanks, Rosie.

Have just changed to Nexus hub and after a few false starts find it's really good. Just ease off the pedals, change, and the torque will speed you up the hill. Really handy to change down whilst stationary when you stop in a high gear. R

My Captus came with a 400wh battery-might have just been lucky as the Raleigh website still shows 300wh. Early days yet, but 30mls will be well within it's reach. I don't do any massive hills though. Others will be more knowledgeable on the Bosch battery mileage, although wind, surface, your weight and the speed you wish to ride at all play a part. So far I love the bike, it rides just like a regular bike, but with a push. Good luck. R

Sold them both, one online and the other to a friend who is beginning with ebikes but didn't want to splash too much cash on a new one until she was sure it was for her. Apart from usual maintenance, I was lucky with both bikes and had no electrical problems. Hope the Raleigh is as good! R

Having ridden 'normal bikes for years, I found I could no longer manage due to a longstanding injury, so decided to buy my first ebike, an Urban Mover with 24 ins wheels-can't remember model no. I got it from Bolton Electric bike centre and it allowed me to cycle again so I loved it. I had gone there to look at Powercycle and they had the UM in which suited me a lot better. After a few years the battery wasn't so good so a change was due. I wanted something that looked less like an Ebike and had full size wheels, eventually deciding on a Giant Twist lite over a Raleigh something and a Batribike. A local bike shop ordered it for me without obligation and it felt good on a test ride. After three years good service it was still going well with only the slightest reduction in the battery capacity. An opportunity arose to change it and I had a buyer lined up for the Giant, so this time I wanted something that would give me more power on hills and my budget just stretched to a Bosch system, the Captus mentioned above. I had looked at a Cube, and a Giant, also the Wisper torque, but choose the Captus because of the Bosch motor, and the torque sensor, which is considerably better starting off and on hills than the sensor on my Giant. Happy with it so far. R

Ebikes, as I've found out over the years of ownership, come in all shapes and sizes and when having test rides those I thought would be good were unsuitable and vice versa. There is no doubt that online there is a wider selection available, but so far I've bought three from shops and this has stood me in good stead as I have seen and test rode exactly what I'm paying a large sum of money for, and have somewhere to go back to should a problem arise. As you say, the debate continues. R

Hi Kathy, I'm also in the Gtr Mcr area and there are few dealers selling electric bikes. Wherever you go, make sure you test ride on a hill similar to those in Oldham. My first bike came from North West Electric bike centre in Bolton,where they are quite helpful. Check out the website and if anything takes your fancy give them a call. There is a big hill to the rear of the shop. Living in Oldham you'll need plenty of oomph on the hills. I've recently bought a crank motor Raleigh Captus from a Stockport dealer, although I needed the 26ins wheels because I'm short. Whilst looking around I came across a Captus with 700mm at Brooke's cycles in Eccles, which I rode and liked, but decided on the smaller wheels. It was reduced and may still be available. The shop owner was very helpful. For me the crank motor works best on the hills, and whichever motor you choose I've found a torque system preferable for hills. Buying on the net is tempting, but I believe, best avoided. Happy hunting.

I've recently bought the Captus, having changed from a hub motor Giant. I too bought local, although not as local as you, and having just been for my 6week service find this a benefit. I love the Captus and how it rides just like a normal bike but with power and climbs hills effortlessly. Look at my review on the reviews section. I got the 26ins wheel version and was lucky enough to get the larger battery with it. Let us know what you decide. Good luck Rosie

After 2 weeks with my Raleigh Captus I thought I'd give a quick review. To recap, I've had 2 previous ebikes, but this is my first crank motor and the difference at low speed and on hills is notable. It is the 26'wheel version, with a Bosch motor and a larger battery than was shown on the spec. Being teal it's a bit more girly than I would have liked, although less so than the Modus which is pink and white. Being short the size is perfect for me, also the Dutch style handlebars easier to reach than the straight ones on my Giant Twist Lite. Early impressions are very good, especially the ease at which it climbs on 'turbo power, the immediate power on setting off (hub had a few seconds delay before power kicked in) and the general handling that so far seems secure. It came with a good Bosch manual, and a pretty useless Raleigh one. The hub gears, which are new to me, work well, although getting the changing right is not automatic yet and I need to think about it. More mileage should sort this. The suspension forks are another new feature for me, and as I seldom ride off road or hard paths such as canal paths, I'm sceptical about their benefit. At the moment I've turned them off, if you know what I mean, but might try them later when I get used to the handling of the bike. The Bosch controls are easy to operate, change power etc. So far I think most riding will be in 'tour' which shows a range of 50mls on a fully charged battery. I was wondering if others remove the control when parking their bike away from home or have put the screw in to permanently secure it? That's about it for now, I'm very happy with my bike so far, also the service from the dealer, a small local bike shop that delivered it ready to ride with panniers and a lock supplied. Lastly, thanks to all who gave me advice to help me make my decision. If it gives as much pleasure as the Giant has, then it's money well spent. Rosie

Donna, not Mcr Lass, but am 5' tall, so similar problems sourcing right bike. Look at thread 'hub to crank' where you'll see I've bought the 26"wheel Raleigh Captus- pretty much same at Modus only cheaper though lower spec. It's perfect for my short legs and short arm reach. Hope this helps. Rosie

At last I've bought one, so thanks to all for your advice and info. Yesterday I went to see the Raleigh Captus with 26ins and knew straight away that the difference in size from the 700mm models made it the bike for me. On my test ride the size was perfect and the Bosch motor glides along. Hub gears were ok too, but will take a bit if getting used to. Another bonus was that it comes with 400wh battery, when I expected the 300wh stated in the online spec. So all in all very pleased, and the shop are delivering it later in the week. Can't wait! Thanks once again, will write a review when I've done a few miles. Rosie

Thanks everyone, appreciate your explanations, sounds like it's nothing to worry about. Will try it out tomorrow and let you know if make progress.

Thanks, all your comments are helpful. This Raleigh Captus with smaller wheels has a Nexus 7 hub. As for use, I won't be a hard rider, will probably never use the bottom and top gears.

Not quite bought one yet, but getting there. Yesterday I rode a Captus with 700mm wheels which was good on size and the Bosch motor felt fine. I think I've sourced one with 26ins wheels and am off to see it tomorrow. The main difference from the 700mm wheel version is that the 26" version has hub gears, which I know nothing about except that I can change when stationary. Are there any downsides to hub gears that I should be aware of? The 700mm bike is a demonstrator that has done 50miles and comes with a substantial discount- tempting. The shop have had it for six months or so, and it looked 'as new' as far as I could see. The dealer, from a small local shop, was however very helpful and knowledgeable, and has even offered to meet me at a local hilly park so I can test it on hills before deciding. Rosie

Thanks Soundwave. It was on my shortlist but I wasn't sure I could get an outfit to match it. R

Have managed to get store to change seat post and am going to have another test. Meanwhile I've been looking at a Raleigh Captus which is now being made with 26ins wheels - the smaller the better for me. These don't seem to be in stock anywhere locally at the moment,although several places have the 700mm wheel size which I can look at to see if I like the look of it. Does anyone have a Captus, or even the big brother Modus, and if so what do you think of it? Thanks again. Rosie

Thanks for all help. Will contact shop tomorrow and ask if this adjustment can be done. I don't have suspension seat post at the moment as far as I can see, and doubt I'll miss it. Will let you know outcome.

Thanks for this, yes that is the bike. Will ask if post can be changed. Otherwise they've been very helpful, so hopefully.... Must admit to knowing little about suspension seat posts but if a simple change will solve my problem then thanks for the advice. Rosie

Thanks. My husband has just called shop wondering could the post be shortened, but they said 'no. It is at Winstanleys in Wigan. Wonder is it worth another try tomorrow when more knowledgeable staff might be in? Risie

Well, went to see the Giant today and it was a very nice bike, that weighed 20.8 k, fine for motorhome. But, the problem arose when the guy lowered the saddle to the lowest it would go, and I knew it was too high for me. It was a 45cm frame bike, same as my Twist lite, but the saddle didn't lower to the frame but to a lip in a sort of inner tube. (Sorry, not too technical) I ride my current bike with the saddle at 48cm from the crank, however the lowest point the Prime would reach was 51cm. I came away, gutted, but now wonder is there anything that can be done to lower the saddle further? Any help would be gratefully appreciated. Rosie