Beardedave

My current crank drive bike is much heavier than the first Hub drive ebike I rode. The reason being the Tonaro is a solid MTB and the Juicy bike was a little commuter thing with 20in wheels. Generally, I'd say try to avoid generalisations.

Truro Halfords has one, I think, but you have to look hard to find it! Where I live the doctor says that older residents "have strong hearts and buggered knees" - I'm hoping to have one and avoid the other by cheating when ever I need to.

Hah, Sunny, you deserve the name! Best reply yet and one I intend to use myself from now on. Thank you!

All good responses - think I'll go for the "attack being the best means of defence" route.

I've had my Compy for one week and I've used it every day. I've gone on longish treks and short hops to the local shop, (though that does involve a 15% hill). No matter what the trip I've always attracted comments (it's Cornwall, we get our entertainment where we can) and every single day one comment has included the phrase "that's cheating". The Compy is about as far from a stealth ebike as you can get without a neon sign but they can't help themselves. Already I'm starting to get ratty with people who say it - is it a universal problem? Do I need a badge or a tee shirt? And what would it say? "F off, it's not cheating!" All suggestions welcome!

Well, my Tonaro Compy arrived yesterday. I charged the battery while I assembled the bits (very well packaged, incidentally) which took a bit longer than I expected, partly due to me taking ages to find the right sized allen key in my over-stuffed shed. Bike assembled I took it for a ride..... First thoughts - the frame is really solid, and really heavy! The bike is back-heavy (the battery sits on a rack over the rear wheel) and somewhat tricky to manouvre when you're not riding it, but practice will sort that out. The front light is the opposite - light and flimsy, the catch snapped off as I was trying to see how it worked. I soon found the knack to changing gear under power, though it's easy to forget at first. And talking about power - wonderful! It climbed up Polruan hill (15% average but some of it is steeper) with me pedalling encouragement but not enough to tire my knackered knees. I let the teenage boy opposite have a quick go - his response "that is so cool, I went up there like a car!" Can't comment on battery life or range yet but early signs are promising. Today, rain, thunder, lightning and no riding but sun tomorrow........ And, re above messages, sorry for any communication breakdowns!

Sorry, that's the danger of typing and talking at the same time! I meant to type Southend but was talking about Brighton. Duh! The other thing is that Woosh seem to have a supply and demand situation at the moment, with lots of bikes sold out. Great for them but not if you're as impatient as me! I am sorry my failure at multi-tasking raised false hopes.

Oh, Kudos Dave, I contacted the dealer you put me on to and he didn't have a Tornado, in fact had no idea one was even meant to be coming! He (of course his name had to be Dave) told he he mainly deals with Bosch crank drives. Obviously a slip-up in communication somewhere.

Well, i tried a Tonaro Compy and Esprit, found the build quality very good and the ride excellent. I really liked the slow start to the pedal assist even though they were both fairly heavy. After much agonizing, and lacking the will power to wait the 2 weeks it would be before I could get to Brighton to try a Woosh, I have today ordered a Compy. Don't have a delivery date yet but it should be soon. Once I've tried it for a while I shall write again.

Thanks, Hoppy - we'll see what happens!

My initial chaotic uncertainty has, with help from those on this forum, reached managable proportions. i've narrowed it down to 3 makes (Woosh, Tonaro and Kudos) and starting on Thursday I go try them! Fun, fun, fun! Thanks everyone - I'll let you know what happens!

Thanks Dave, I will!

That could work out really well - could you give me the address pleas? Thanks, Dave

You're right! I am going to do exactly that. The problem is, I live 3/4 of the way up a 14% hill; shop and quay are at the bottom. Hard to replicate that when test riding!

I can walk/ride ok on the flat, hills can be very hard work some days! I want to be able to get out for some exercise, gradually build muscle tone, hopefully strengthen knees and know I won't find I can't pedal home 'cos my b****y knees have decided to turn traitor! I hadn't heard of the Tonaro, though the Esprit, with no cross bar to leap over, may suit me better. Can't find much by way of reviews - anyone out there got one?

Sorry for the delay in replying (life, eh?). Dave, are you saying the Tornado is a much better hill climber than the Woosh bikes?

It does look a lot like a very large shell, or a small rocket! As for cable ties, they sure are useful things. I don't intend doing massive off-road trips, just be good to know I could trek along the local cliff path if the situation arose.

RobF, thank you - you have confirmed my own thinking. Now I need to try one! BTW, do you know why Woosh say their bikes are not suitable for off road use?

Hi Rob, if the Kudos is a mountain bike, what would you call the Sirocco? More of a tourer?

So does the Kudos if you add the "plus pack". How do you see their applications differing? I thought they were quite similar, apart from the position of the motor - obviously you know better. I joined this forum to gain just this kind of information. So thank you!

Well, thanks to everyone for providing so much info! I've dropped the isea of a DIY effort, for now - if I'm stung for customs as well as delivery the differential isn't enough for the hassle. I now feel drawn to two bikes - the Woosh Sirocco CD (crank) and the Kudos Tornado (hub). I'm not hooked on speed, an ambler rather than a racer, and I can pedal on the flat - it's the hills that turn me into an old man, riding or walking (so do steps, but I won't be riding up those!) I weigh about 73 kilos and want to be able to exercise without fear of getting stuck in the Cornish wilds. Any feelings about the 2 I picked out? Thanks again everyone!

Thanks Dave, will do!

Kudosdave - now you're tempting me! I would be very interested in an ex-demo bike. My email is penstrassoe@hotmail.com if you want to contact me direct. In a way this discussion highlights why I called it what I did, so many different views and opinions, seems there are no real "bests" just a general agreement on the turkeys!

Jackhandy - thats a very nice offer. You're near St Austell aren't you? I'd appreciate that! Are rear hubs best for hills?

I don't have a bike at the present, but theEzee kits look veryexpensive compared to the GBK and BMS ones - what's the difference? And Trex, thank you, the BB does look good!