wittgenfrog

By nature, I like endlessly to research new purchases, especially when as novel & expensive as an e-bike. I tried a few bikes, and was, in the end, very decisive. I don't know if my bike is the "best", but I'm very happy with it! Ultimately it all comes down to having a "gut" (or backside, in this case) feeling I think!

As a relative newcomer to e-bikes, and one who's pretty unfit, (6' 2", 114Kg) I haven't yet found the Bosch system lacking in either "Ooomph" or range. I live in a hilly area, and my "standard" training ride is 10 miles and involves around 1000 foot of elevation gain (according to Garmin). The elevation changes range from pretty gentle to very steep. I usually complete this in around an hour, and having used only 1 bar on the battery indicator, though I try to run without assistance where I can. On longer journeys involving bigger altitude changes, I've easily done 20miles (round trip) without using more than 1/2 the battery. I guess my point is that for me an e-bike is a means of getting back into cycling after illness, and getting fitter. This means I want to have to put in plenty of effort most of the time, but have the security of knowing I can get up even stupidly steep hills which I'd otherwise have to dismount for, when I need to. My friends & neighbours, on the other hand thoroughly enjoy their throttle-equipped e-bikes for popping out for a coffee & Danish, and are happy to let the electronics take the strain much of the time.

You have my sympathy! Maybe you've been misdiagnosed? Lots of loosely "arthritic" problems can appear to be gout.... My "gout" treatment (allopurinol) didn't work because I don't think I have gout. My problem is associated with "inflammatory" disease, but because I (also?) have elevated levels of uric acid, the docs stopped looking. Whatever it is, it can play havoc with one's fitness. I hope you get better soon!

Hello I am an 63, and have had a few brushes with the surgeon's blade over the past few years. Consequently I have lost substantial amounts of fitness over time. I'm now far too heavy, so when my hip started to hurt, and it became clear there was a problem I decided that action was needed! Hence I have recently become the proud owner of a Moustache Samedi 28 NuVinci. These are not the cheapest e-bikes out there, but are beautifully designed & presented. The choice of components seems to reflect the value of the bike too. Mine is very similar to AlMels, but a delicious deep gloss white, not black, and is equipped with a NuVinci continuously variable gear hub instead of a more traditional derailleur. I'll attempt to take some decent photos and post later if anyone's interested. Currently I only have some messy ones in the garage. I've not had it for long, but I've done several rides, mainly very local (about 3-5 miles) just to get my 'eye in' and my backside re-conditioned. The former has worked well, but 'numb bum' is still the order of the day after a few miles.... First impressions are that the bike is as I expected it would be from my test rides at Velospeed's Berkshire headquarters It's easy to ride, and pretty smooth even on my local (Pembrokeshire) byways, which tend to be pretty bumpy and damaged by frost. The combination of the NuVinci gears and the Bosch power unit works well for me, though I'd echo AlMel's comments about needing to find the right combination of gear\electric assistance and pedal rotation speed in-order to get the best out of it. Anyone who knows West Wales will know it's pretty hilly, and I live in a deep 'gorge' surrounded by hilly ascents which I need to scale if I want to go anywhere (nice to come home to, though!) The great beauty of the Moustache is that I can easily scale the steep stuff and then ease-off the assistance once on flat(ter) roads. Because of the short distances I've tended to go for a 'Work Out' style of riding, but more comfortable longer-distance touring is on the agenda with my e-bike equipped neighbours soon. It sounds ridiculous, but I'm feeling better already, after maybe 20 miles of riding. It may be a placebo effect, but if it keeps me 'out there' getting healthier, I don't care. The real proof of my e-bike pudding will come when I start to do longer rides, and in less clement weather (uncharacteristically dry and warm currently). Verdict (so far): Brilliant. I'm converted.