Electrifying Cycles

if you want the best deal, like most items - buy out of season. A retailer will be more willing to do a deal then or alternatively buy last seasons model. One thing I would like to see change is models not changing every year. Only change things when needed e.g. new motor etc. Sometimes it seems little changes apart from cosmetically. Conversely there are a lot of changes if you are buying a Bosch ebike this year.

Definitely go for something with a 500wh battery. There are some new 625wh batteries as well but you might struggle to find one in your budget.

Simplest within your budget: I would go Bosch crank drive with hub gears and marathon plus tyres. If you do get a puncture you have normal front and rear wheels but with these tyres it is less likely. I would also choose a bike with hydraulic brakes, ideally disc. If you raise your budget slightly you could get a Raleigh bike with a belt drive, hub gears and Bosch motor (£2,850). Otherwise there are plenty of hub gear bikes with a Bosch motor within your budget. We find Bosch to be reliable and there are lots of dealers so it is very likely that you will have someone local so no need to ship things around the country or make repairs yourself. Best advice try some bikes out and ask the dealer what happens if you have a problem.

Unless you are going to independently test both it is impossible to answer 100%. Also it depends when you change the chain as well, you could run it until it breaks or change it based on a wear indicator which would be sooner. Chains are generally cheaper so even if they don't last as long some people might prefer it. If I was using a bike for commuting or leisure I would prefer a belt drive but equally others would prefer a chain. Comparing boh hub gear to hub gear with a Bosch motor we find the belts last longer though. I base our findings on comparing the two based on our experiences which might differ from you but we sell different bikes so it is hardly surprising. Also it depends what chains you use, some last longer some less so. Really it comes down to what is best for the customer which is personal choice.

We have several customers who have done more than 7000 miles on their original belt. In our experience they last longer than chains but are more expensive to replace. This experience is based on selling belt drive bikes for four or five years. In this time we have had one faulty belt. The downside I would say is if you damage it you will find most bike shops will not have a replacement in stock whereas chains are more readily available. In addition if the gearing is too low the sprockets are expensive to replace. However most Riese & Muller bikes we sell have belts and I find our customers love them! Also they require less maintenance and no lubricating which makes them great bike if you don't want to worry about things like and replacing the chain. My advice is to try one out and see what you think, it all comes down to personal choice.

Hi All, Great advice as per usual. I concur that both bikes are very different so it just comes down to how the bike is being used. Both are great and l think test riding a few bikes out would enable you to choose the right bike. I would much rather people come back a few times or take their time to ensure they get the correct bike. We look forward to seeing you. All the best David

The electric Rolhoff R&M Supercharger is excellent. Would definitely recommend. Ideally I would try one out and see what you think. The R&M rep has a demo fleet which shops can borrow so worth checking if your local shop can borrow one for you to try. Good luck!

Never had any queries from Bosch re servicing when we have had warranty issues on a bike we've sold.

Hi Penny, We operate within around 2 hours of our address and stock a range of bikes. Feel free to pop down and try some bikes out. We currently have Riese & Muller, Wisper, Tern, Bergamont and should be getting the new Gepida's soon. If there is a particular model you want from the Gepida range we would be happy to order it in to try (no obligation). From past experience if you find a style and size of bike you like it is often best sticking to it as you know it will be comfortable. So as long as the bike is close to the ideal size it is possible to change stems, handlebars etc to adjust according to individual requirements. Best advice have some fun by trying out different e-bikes Feel free to call us to discuss in more detail. Regards, David

Sorry I don't have any spare chargers. David

I will have a look I might have a spare.

Try SwissStop brake silencer. It is expensive but we have tried it and it works.

I feel sorry for the customers but having been on the receiving end of a rude call from one of their directors I have to say I will not miss them. All because they were slagging off BH who were not on the forum. This was after a customer had said something about BH so not even first hand. I hope everyone gets their money back. Never liked their attitude. Always think it is best to buy local which is why we only sell within 2 hours of our address.

I think in this throwaway age the fact you have companies like Wisper who are also there post warranty is great. We have been a retailer with them for nearly 10 years and have always found them to be very helpful for advice and guidance. Yes in an ideal world everyone who like things fixed yesterday but this is not always possible. This is why we will loan a customer a bike if their bike was purchased from us. Also we are lucky to have good mechanics but they are not easy to come by given the low wages compared to some other industries. We pay them more and charge a bit more because of how important they are to your business. I find people sometimes expect you to almost work for nothing whereas if it was a car they are less likely to question things. Anyways well done Wisper!

Just to confuse matters the KTM e Cross had a torque sensor but having sold them before it has an incredible kick to it, I think it gave you up to about 400% assistance in the top mode. As someone else mentioned it does depend which motor you are comparing to the hub drive KTM.