MS666

Another quick update this evening (2 in one day!) Ian from Storck dropped me an email tonight with this link ... Storck Raddar - Storck Raddar Electric Bikes - News - EX DEMO EBIKE SALE - Prices from £1,899 Given what's been said by everyone, and from what i've tried already i think i've almost made my decision ... But just to be sure i'm going down to storck for a longer test ride at the weekend. I'm excited to soon be a fully fledged member of the Pedelec community!

Just had a look at onbike on line, they look good but its a 4 hour drive each way ... bit too far for me. thanks for the idea

thanks - glad theyve changed it, it sounds better if they've put less options in it

Update time! So I didn’t have much luck in finding a bike shop in the lakes that was open on a Sunday, although I didn’t really do a lot of planning, I just popped my head into one or two hoping they had some in stock. I ended up taking the family to Grizedale forest for a bit of fresh air (plenty of that in the lakes!) because I remembered seeing a bike shop on the Storck site as a stockist. When I got there they didn’t have the storck in, it was out on demo, but they did have a scott with the bosch system (Bingo!). I took the scott out for a short spin, my first impressions were good, the design was quite nice and they had some decent kit on it. The one I tried was a little small for me, so felt cramped, but it was good enough to tell me what I wanted to know. Although the bosch had a digital display (useful) the levels of assistance was baffling eco to speed with 1-3 levels in each. I couldn’t work out if Eco level 3 was the same (or better) than tour level 1. I just didn’t find it easy to adjust quickly. I imagine if you want to stick the bike in 1 mode and just let it do the same amount of work (or making minor adjustments of 1-3) throughout your ride then it would be fine, but for quick adjustment it felt fiddly. At one point I was in Tour 1 (I think) and wanted less assistance, but the mode button only lets you go up in assistance till you get back round to eco. Am I the only one that finds that silly? It’s like having a gear box in a car that makes you accelerate up through the gears before it lets you slow down. I did like the power it had, not sure which battery was on the scott as I think the bosch has different batteries, but it did have a kick in high power. I did find the pedalling action a bit more mechanical, I can only assume that’s because the bosch has a number of cogs in the box on the crank to provide the assistance. It wasn’t unpleasant, just different. It was good on the hills as well. To be honest, I’d already written off the bosch before id tried it because I like the idea of removing the electric part of the bike and being able to ride it as a “normal” bike in the future. I don’t think that’s possible with a bosch bike, Is it? So in summary – Bosch isn’t for me but would love to know what you think of them. Next up – Still looking to try a wisper and might go back to Storck for a longer hill test as everyone seems to be pointing me back to the Storck. Thanks

This sounds like a hoot! ... Now i've got even more motivation to get my bike sorted, count me in.

Quick update : Still havent had time to nip to shields to see the oxygens, however i'm staying in the lake district this weekend so i'm on the hunt for a Bosch to try tomorrow. I just hope there are some bike shops open on a sunday... thanks for everyone's feedback and help:D

Thanks Storcker, I'll keep that in mind. I think that if i go for the Storck i might swap the tyres for the marathon cross, Ian did say he would be happy to swap them over to get the bike right for me.

Update time! So I popped up to the chaps in Gateshead to see what they had in their sale and find out what the fuss was about. First impressions: the shop is on a business park, and not your normal retail unit like a few people have commented. The showrooms on the first floor and like RobF said, the bikes are all displayed on their own display stands, mostly racing and mountain bikes on display but they had a Multitask ebike in the window. Again Rob was right, i did enjoy the buying experience, its like a nice car showroom but without the guy at the end trying to haggle over throwing in the car mats! I had a nice cup of coffee with Ian and Trevor and had a chat about what i was looking for, as well as a sniff around some of the racing bikes (1 was nearly £10k and weighed less than 6kg – simply Stunning!) Anyway ... They had a full range of size in the sale, Mostly ex demo multitasks varying in degrees of usage, some of them were just ex display with little (if any!) visible usage. they were all being sold with a warranty and a new battery, so i had no worries about buying one. The one i tried was a near 21” Multitask (without the mudguards and rack) as it would be the size to suit my height. My first impressions were really really good, i knew i liked the styling of the bike from looking at the website but you can really see and feel the quality. The motor was deadly silent, and really really smooth. I only gave myself time for a quick spin around the car park and a couple of the hills for 2 reasons – 1) this was my first proper test since deciding want to buy an ebike and i want to separate the feeling of the “ebike smile” from the performance of this particular bike. And 2) i’m quite impulsive and if i tried the bike any longer i had a feeling that i’d be riding back to the shop waving my credit card! I wasn’t overly fussed with the big apple tyres, although they took the sting out of riding off kerbs and pot holes i preferred something skinnier and a bit more nimble. Ian offered to change the tyres to some skinnier ones at no extra charge if i wanted to buy the bike. So i didn’t leave with one in the back of the car, and that does mean i run the risk of missing out in the sale, but i do want to try the Emotion neo and ive even convinced my self to at least try a bosch bike. Overall: beautiful bike, super smooth and quiet, Ian and Trevor were really kanny and happy to help... and i got one of the posh catalogues for the coffee table! I’ll be going back for a longer demo after i’ve tried the others on my list. Next up: I Need to find a emotion Neo cross dealer near me this week and plan on heading up to south shields to try the Oxygen (not really on my list, but its up the road and im curious) I’ll keep you posted

Thanks RobF You've hit the nail on the head i want a quality bike first, then decent electric kit second. I want a really good quality bike, that can assist me. It seems like a false economy to have an expensive high quality electric kit, but adding it to a cheap bike. Isnt that like sticking a ferrari engine into a reliant robin? In terms of supporting local business, i dont just mean the importer. if i prefer the Neo and can find someone local that stocks them then i'll buy it from them instead of mail order or importing one. I feel the same way about my weekly food shopping or buying electrical items. The High street is on its Ar$e and i dont mind paying a little more to support business that are doing a good job. If everyone just changed one purchase they made regularly to a local business instead of mail order then the economy would be in a much better place ... Rant over

thanks D8veh, I'm quite taken by the design of the Neo, jsut need to find somewhere to try one. I guess im lucky that Storck HQ is up the road, so im going to head intoday and see what they have in the sale

Hi Everyone, Thanks for the help, questions, pointers ... and places to eat in Brighton (!?) So answering the questions in order they were asked! Kudos – Not interested in Chinese products, i’ve had bad experiences in the past with one product or another. I’ve never been able to find quality with a Chinese products. But that’s just my opinion Bike style I don’t want panniers as i’m not going to be going long touring, so no need for the extra weight. I also don’t want the rolling resistance that mountain bike tyres would bring on tarmac surfaces. That said, mudguards would be a nice to have. Storcker- I hadn’t seen / considered storck before you mentioned them, but i have now (see end of the post!). Emotion neo cross – now added to the consideration list! I agree about the Woosh and Kudos, nothing there lighting my candle! Jezz The hibike looks nice (for a crank drive! ), but its more of an off road machine. The KTM’s doing nothing for me either D8veh – Good advice! Im about 14st but quite tall. I’m happy to go at the legal limit. Range – i take the ranges with a pinch of salt (much like the MPG on cars!). But id like to work towards 40miles. Comfort – I don’t want a sit up and beg position, In my younger days i used to be a decent cyclist so i’d like to get my fitness back and eventually want to be able to use a bike without the assistance, Or atleast moderate it. Cyclezee – I really don’t want a conversation kit, i think id have to settle for too many compromises. I also don’t like the idea of front motors, if my weights over the centre/rear and the power is coming from the front surely i’ll get wheel slip or torq steer through corners? David – Wisper From what i’ve read you’re a well respected member! The wisper looks nice, i like the colour. What weight is it? Im not that fussed on the wider swept back bars. Is there another option? For now it’s on my List OxygenJames Appreciate your efforts BUT i’m a big believer in supporting local / UK business. Not only from a support and warranty perspective, but also because i’d rather spend a little more and support a UK small business through tough economic times, than send the money abroad. Juicybike Sorry i don’t like the design the down tube crossing over the other at the front looks a bit funny (no offence ) , I prefer a more traditional triple triangle lay out. I think that covers everything! So my current shopping list looks like ... Emotion neo cross Storck Raddar Multitask Wisper 906 classic – Maybe Next up i need to go try some bikes! First up im going to look at the Storck because 1) ive just found out they have a concept shop up the road from me and 2) i’ve seen on their website that they have an ex demo sale on so i might be lucky Storck Raddar - Storck Raddar Electric Bikes - News - EX DEMO EBIKE SALE - Prices from £1,999 I just need to find some local dealers to try the other 2. I’ll let you know my progress. Thanks

Does anyone know what the frame quality is like? from my past experience in the motor trade ive found that shiny bits are nice but if the chassis isnt up to scratch then its not worth it. As the famous saying goes? "you cant polish a T#rd but .... but you can sprinkle it in glitter" Nb - i'm not implying this bike is a T#rd as i wouldnt know

As a first time buyer i think this is a brilliant idea ! At the moment im trying to find my first ebike and finding it difficult going through suppliers websites to compare specs....The sooner this is ready the better!

Hi Everyone, Long term “guest” first time poster! Bit of background – I’ve worked in the motor industry for 40 or so years and have a real passion for cars, technology, gadgets ...much to my wife’s dismay! Couple that with a love of real ale and a hearty meal and you’ve got the recipe for a slightly out of shape chap from Sunderland:) I’ve always fancied a electric bike after trying a friends (think it was a wisper) a couple of years ago, but this year i’ve decided to commit to one! I’ve given myself a budget of about £2000 to find something nice. i’ve got an eye for quality so if the right bike comes along then I’m happy to squeeze the credit card a little more. I’m looking for a traditional style bike, not a dutch style or step through or folder. I wont be going off road on it, mostly roads but with a mix of some bridalways. I’m also not a big fan of crank drives, not that ive tried one but i think they look ugly, but then each to their own;-) I’m open to suggestions and would love to know what you think i should be looking at Thanks in advance Mike