Helen C

Spokes all fine. Any other ideas, please?

Thanks, flecc, hadn't thought of that. Will check in the morning.

As the wife of a mechanic, I know there is nothing they dread more than someone saying they can "hear a funny noise" - however, I can, and am not sure if it's indicating something wrong or if normal. When I'm going uphill (doesn't seem to do it on the flat) I can hear a pretty constant "tinkly" sound. It seems to be coming from the rear hub. Another thing that makes me anxious is that occasionally it feels as though something "snatches". It feels as though the bike is momentarily held back, then it goes on without a problem. Should I be concerned? There is no problem with the ride at all, it goes very well, indeed. -H

I've had my first ebike for a few weeks now. Best thing: not worrying which way/how hard the wind is blowing when you decide to go out. Worst thing: not having enough time to go as far as I'd like every time. Go!od luck Helen

Well, not a 10 mile trip - it only took 10 minutes to get to where I took this pic of the Bristol Channel but I have very little time at the moment so have to content myself with "I'm going out on my bike for half an hour" http://www.pbase.com/aitch/image/156646183.jpg

I'm sure KudosDave will be along to reply to this, but in the meantime, I think you must somehow have got hold of the wrong Dave (hardly surprising, given the number of them ) when you called. The WsM Dave that was a new dealer in Kudos was a new dealer in bikes altogether, no Bosch or any other drives, and he definitely had the Tornado by last Saturday - I bought one on Monday Glad you're sorted with a bike now, anyway - hope you enjoy it as much as I'm enjoying mine. Helen

I realise that we all have different tastes and priorities but often we need to compromise. As there doesn't seem to be a ready made bike that you like the style of, perhaps you would be best going back to the idea of converting one yourself. It would hopefully be easier to find a non-electric bike that you are comfortable on and with. As you see from my avatar, my bike probably was never intended for a late-middle aged woman but it doesn't bother me at all. I can whizz up the 1 in 5 hill we live on at 12mph, it's very comfortable (not sure why the MTB you tried seemed "hard" on the road) and that's all that matters to me Hope you find something you like -H

Don't think the avatar will cheer anyone up but the bike makes me happy

I'm absolutely delighted with it. The hill-climbing is beyond my expectations. And, Dave at DS Automotive couldn't have been more helpful. Oh, and as for your worries about style, Denwyn, as a 57 year old woman I'm quite happy with the mountain bike style ;-) -H

Thanks. I'm not sure - everything seems very tight down there. -H

Managed to get out for my first proper go on the bike - it's great and the way it climbs the 1 in 5 hill from the village is just unbelievable (14mph and me laughing out loud). But there's a squeak. I've tracked it down to the magnetic sensor rubbing on one area of the fibre disc with the magnets in. As you turn the crank slowly you can see that at one point the disc comes too close the sensor - but I'm not sure why or what to do about it (I could take it to the dealer but it hardly seems worth it for such a trivial thing if I can fix it myself). Any ideas? Thanks -H

Title says it all Thanks to everyone for their thoughts and recommendations. I visited DS Automotive in Weston-super-Mare today and came home with a Tornado. Dave, at DS, couldn't have been more helpful. He even took us, in his van, to a suitably huge hill so that I could test the bike in the way I'll be using it. I was completely amazed at the way it shot up that hill! I thought to myself, "oh dear, is something wrong? the motor is cutting in and out" and then realised I was travelling up this big hill at over 15mph. Will do a full review in a few days time, when I've had time to test it properly. It rained as soon as I got home with it so I had a cup of tea instead ;-) Thanks again for all the advice - I'm sure I'll have more questions soon. Helen

Sorry to butt in on this thread - but in my thread you said the Tornado was a speed sensor. Which is it, please? -H

Thanks again Dave for your help. Because of my dodgy knee I need to be as far away from the pedal as possible. It's second nature to get off of the saddle when I stop. Until 3 years ago I was doing all my shopping on the hybrid with no problems but I lived in a very flat area - now I live at the top of a steep hill! My budget is up to about £2,000 so the Tornado is well within that even given that I will want to add a rack, mudguards, lights etc. Just to check, the Tornado does have a speed sensor, not torque? I appreciate the offer of sending the bike back if it's not suitable - I had made up my mind to go the the LEBC in a couple of weeks' time (we've been in Italy and France for a month and will have to catch up with gardening before I can think about a bike!) but it's maybe not worth the trip if the Tornado is the best one for me anyway. I will definitely want to add a rear carrier and have found the link on here for what I'd need. Getting closer to a decision then! -H

Thanks Thanks, John. I will have a look at the Sprint. I'm assuming that has the same motor as the kit my son fitted? I know that would get me up the hill! -H