iwchris

Yes I have only had mine a few days and it is getting so much more use than my larger bike, I think that is a good point you made regarding chaining it to the cargo point when it is in the car, I am finding that it is so quick just to go down the shops on it if I just want a few small items.

Just recently purchased a Raleigh Stowaway e bike, and after the first week of use I can say that I am in love with it, I have had a Large Raleigh e-Bike for 3 years and really have enjoyed the crank drive system which I found was so much better than my original hub drive of 5 years ago, this new Raleigh Stowe way folder is of course a hub drive and I must say that they have really moved forward, it certainly is as smooth as the Bosch crank drive on my larger bike, I do also like the lightness of this little folder, it is so convenient for putting in the back of the car.

It is a load more unnecessary regulation from that shower in Europe, hopefully will be out of it soon.

For me it's no contest! Living on the Isle of Wight We have a lot of off road cycle tracks, these are completely out of bounds for mopeds, and I mostly ride just for pleasure with just a few trips to the local shops and supermarkets. I guess that I am fairly lucky living in a lovely place like this, and with some of the best weather in the UK.

I did contact my local Morrisons to say that the bike parking bay, is in just about the best place for bike thieves and vandals, it is out of site from the main entrance right at the back, so I use one of the car park lamp posts to chain mine too, right in sight in the open!!

I should have said in my last post that my car fuel bill has dropped by one third in the time that I have had an electric bike, as with the carrying capacity of my panniers, I generally use my bike for trips to the supermarket if only wanting moderate amounts.

Now there are so many benefits it seems to having an electric bike. 1 I have lost over half a stone in seven weeks, and I wouldn't really have considered myself grossly overweight, so that must be good. 2 My Electric bike gives me a sense of terrific freedom, something that is now sadly gone with the motor car, without the parking problems and not being ripped off by the local council to park. 3 I seem to see and chat to more people that I know when on a bike, as complete strangers seem to want to chat when you stop, as at the moment the electric bike is still something of a novelty to a few people.

Thanks all, I have learnt a lot.

I just dread a rear puncture out in the field as not sure how to get the rear wheel out, but I have always carried a spare tube when out on my " No Elec Mountain Bike" as don't think it's worth trying to repair, but on the Pedelec I suppose it does remove the need to having to take the wheel out if you just patch so I also would like to hear about the best patches to carry. I should also say that I always use "Slime" in my tyres and have had very few punctures in any of my bikes. Chris

Hi Phil and Welcome. I am quite new to the world of Pedelecs, had mine for 3months now and love it, I do use my Moutain Bike as well, but if any of my trips include steep climbs I take the the Elec and have managed to cut my car fuel bill right down, as the Pedelec is great for supermarket trips if not needing too much, I have some good Panier Bags, so I'm sure you will really love it, and I think we will see much greater use over the next few years of these bikes. Good luck and enjoy Chris

Thanks for sharing your pics! Looks a nice place

Looks really great, hope to see more of your trip. Thanks Chris

I have a lot of Hobbyking Lipo's that I use in electric model aircraft, some of mine are close to 3yrs old and never had a problem with any, the brand that we all use our "Zippy" they really do get a hammering when used as aircraft batteries, we discharge in two minutes in some cases, as regards VAT I have never had a problem they just seem to come through vat free.

Yes that would be great, just let me know when you are over. Chris

I think that I could get quite interested in a conversion a bit later on when I have learnt some more, it is all so interesting

Good luck with your second chance, should be an interesting project, I envy you guys that can build these bikes, I'm learning a lot on here.

What a lovely morning it was at 7.30am, I got out on Sandown Seafront and went right through to Shanklin, it is a lovely ride on a "Shared Pathway". Im using this bike so much more than my Mountain Bike, that now sits in the Garage!! the Pedelec is so nice if heading into a strong wind, something that we have had plenty of this summer.

Our Morrisons is the same regarding a badly positioned bike park, it is at one side and well back out of site, just about the worst place it could be for cycle security, I expect it is just another case of the designers having loads of university degrees and not an ounce of common sense.

That sounds like a really nice ride that you had along the towpath, I love those sort of rides myself, away from the traffic crowded roads, and often do a seafront ride myself here on the Isle of Wight. Happy riding! Chris

Something that really annoys me when on the cycleways, are the dog walkers that have their dogs on a 12ft lead, them on one side and the dog on the other side.

Yes I think a Pedelec is the way to go to the big events, the car used to give us freedom but it does no longer, with all the hassle of traffic jams parking, and then getting stitched up to actually park the car. I went to Cowes IW , on Friday, and found the same as you, got it right down into the event without any hassle, I will be using my new bike a lot more, especially to go to these events.

Hi All Thanks very much for the warm welcome, and yes I will start another thread with the details and my thoughts on the new bike, and some of my rides so far. Chris

Hi all! I'm Chris from the Isle of Wight, I just got a Pedelec two weeks ago and love it, I have rode a Mountain Bike for years but liked the idea of being able to do a much longer range, just yesterday I rode to Cowes, from Sandown, Cowes is always a NoNo this time of the year in the car, as a lot of the roads are closed for the Regatta, but the freedom of being on a bike was fantastic. I have clocked up over 140 miles in two weeks so far ...........and loving it! Chris

You may find that "Squash Racket" wind on grip will work.