birdon

Thank you all for the comments and suggestions. I am coming round to the fact that a trial/e-bike shop visit would be best. I had put this off on account of confidence - lots of negative thoughts about having to try an electric bike first time in public. But perhaps I just need to brave it out. I've looked on the ebike directory on this site, but there doesn't seem to be a specialist e-bike shop in manchester. Are places like halfords & evans worth a try?

I think it's a good point that if a folding bike is more wobbly and less stable then that could be an issue for me regarding confidence. I've never tried riding a folding bike. I will have help with lifting into the car, as daughter will be with me if we're going further afield, but the points made are making me wonder if I'm underestimating how difficult it will be to lift a non-folder.

Yes I should have said that budget is less important. If I need to pay more to get a bike that will be right for me, and that I will use regularly, then I'm fine to do that. I don't know much about Bromptons, other than they are a popular folding commuter bike. I hadn't thought they made ebikes though, and at my age and fitness I think I'll need an electric bike to manage hills and keeping up with my daughter.

Thanks for that and the link. For some reason when I was looking at the Big Bear info I didn't see about low profile seat post.

Hi all, I hope you will have some advice for me. I'm a 60 year old woman, 5'3" and nearly 14 stone, wanting to get fitter and go out cycling with my daughter (who will be on an ordinary road bike, but I won't mind if she gets ahead of me). I'm not a confident cyclist - my first time on a bike was when I was age 40 and I can count on one hand the number of times I have cycled since. But I am motivated to cycle now. I live in Manchester and getting out to more rural parts appeals, so I envisage that we might want to put bikes in the back of the car (I have a rav4 which, with rear seats folded down, takes one bike, and I'm hopeful of getting two in if not too big). So I'd like an ebike that is: Relatively light/compact to make putting into car easier (folding a possibility, but not essential) Suitable for more robust and shorter person Good for hills throttle control may be. I have looked at different options so much that my head starts to spin. I was thinking of the woosh big bear - but then noticed that it is recommended for 5'4" and above, and perhaps there is something better suited for shorter person?