Should get that electric bike magazine to do a poll.

It's a bit of a no-brainer for me to vote for the Haibike xDuro having been riding one (two if you include my wife's bike (am I allowed to vote on her behalf )) since May. An excellent machine and well worthy of winning the accolade for 2011, in fact I think I will go for a celebratory ride this evening (oops the voting hasn't finished yet).

Edited December 15, 201114 yr by eTim

It surprises me that no Cytronex machines have found their way into either list of nominations and I know we have a few owners amongst our members.

 

I'm surprised because they don't use bargain-basement bikes on which to fit their system; good quality frames from Cannondale or Trek seem to be the order of the day and the little motor with a fast-charge battery doesn't add much weight to those lightweight frames. The prices across the range seem to me to be very reasonable but to be fair, I suppose their style and the image it conjures up isn't perhaps that sought by the buss-pass generation. Drop handlebars and rigid forks, I suppose, are more suited to the hair-shirt folk who can wear lycra without looking like prats.

 

What makes their omission all the more surprising to me is, given my comments relating to age/image/rigid forks, we have a clear leader in the "money no object" poll which just happens to have sporty geometry and no concession whatsoever towards rider comfort! So......if I were pressed, nice bikes though both the Raddar and the twin-sus Haibike are, I'd have to go for the more comfortable ride of the Haibike.

 

Indalo

 

I think part of the reason is that despite how good the Cytronex are, they haven't really released any new models of note for 2011, they have had votes in previous years and come close to the top I think.

I already intimated some surprise at the omission of the Cytronex models from the nominations but it's just occurred to me that the Kalkhoff Bionx model also failed to get a mention. Of course, the time allotted for nominations was brief but we seem to have missed some interesting machinery which only became mainstream fairly recently.

 

I know the Bionx system has been around for a while but when Kalkhoff took it on board and priced it very competitively and given their prominent place in the market, I expected it to sell very well. Evidently, replacement batteries cost the earth but the few reviews I've read from owners and testers praise the bike highly. In its Kalkhoff guise, the Bionx seems better value than the Trek Valencia model sporting the same system.

 

Indalo

I couldn't go out on a premature celebration ride this evening as I've got a rear flat* and not enough time to sort it out before other evening activities take over. I guess punctures respect no bike, no matter how good.

 

* running Marathon Plus MTB tyres but can't see anything obvious so I think it's a pinch flat from some enthusiastic mountain biking.

I couldn't go out on a premature celebration ride this evening as I've got a rear flat* and not enough time to sort it out before other evening activities take over. I guess punctures respect no bike, no matter how good.

 

* running Marathon Plus MTB tyres but can't see anything obvious so I think it's a pinch flat from some enthusiastic mountain biking.

 

LOL.....( sorry )......but surely a sign that a celebratory ride was a bit premature

 

Lynda

My vote: Tonaro esprit in both categories. Crank drive and throttle-brilliant.

Why is Oxygen Bikes not in the poll .

Nobody nominated them in the earlier thread asking for nominations David.

 

Nominations are necessary of course, since if everything was included the list would be impossibly long.

Just looked at the voting in this poll to date and I'm wondering what the guy in charge at Storck up in the north-east must think of the ebikers who populate this forum. If he were to think that a Tonaro girly bike cannot possibly be a better ebike than the Raddar, I think I might just be inclined to agree with him.

 

Indalo

Just looked at the voting in this poll to date and I'm wondering what the guy in charge at Storck up in the north-east must think of the ebikers who populate this forum. If he were to think that a Tonaro girly bike cannot possibly be a better ebike than the Raddar, I think I might just be inclined to agree with him.

 

Indalo

I think he might be a tad worried. The potential market for the Raddar is small and likely confined to sports cyclists prepared to admit that they might like a little assistance.

If volume sales take off, then probably the roadster type will sell better. I have no knowledge of the current sales figures for all e-bikes, but from what I see around me, folders are very popular not semi racers.

I think he might be a tad worried. The potential market for the Raddar is small and likely confined to sports cyclists prepared to admit that they might like a little assistance.

If volume sales take off, then probably the roadster type will sell better. I have no knowledge of the current sales figures for all e-bikes, but from what I see around me, folders are very popular not semi racers.

 

 

With the greatest of respect Mike, the title of the thread concerns a poll and I paraphrase here:

 

"Which of the following bikes, based on your own opinions, is the best one of 2011"

 

Were there a poll entitled, "Which ebike did you buy in 2011?" then I could buy the voting pattern. That wasn't the question though; the best bike........not the one you...(or any member) bought!

 

If the old technology reprised in the Tonaro range can somehow be regarded as breakthrough technology in the face of Bosch-powered ebikes winning awards and plaudits from reviewers across Europe, then I am baffled. Tonaro bikes are decent value for money but there it ends. The likes of Storck and Haibike amongst others are the people pushing the envelope and should be applauded not ignored by end users.

 

This poll seems to have been interpreted as a "How clever am I!" list by those whose fiscal means perhaps inhibit them from owning the very best ebikes available so they attempt to persuade others that they are more discerning, more knowledgeable than the rest of us by talking up their particular purchase. We all understand, (I think) that quality inevitably comes at a premium but nobody would ever nominate a Reliant Robin as car of the year, even though it could perform most, if not all, of the functions of the best cars of its time. Those who have voted for mediocre ebikes in the light of what is available this year need to get real!

 

Indalo

With the greatest of respect Mike, the title of the thread concerns a poll and I paraphrase here:

 

"Which of the following bikes, based on your own opinions, is the best one of 2011"

 

Were there a poll entitled, "Which ebike did you buy in 2011?" then I could buy the voting pattern. That wasn't the question though; the best bike........not the one you...(or any member) bought!

 

If the old technology reprised in the Tonaro range can somehow be regarded as breakthrough technology in the face of Bosch-powered ebikes winning awards and plaudits from reviewers across Europe, then I am baffled. Tonaro bikes are decent value for money but there it ends. The likes of Storck and Haibike amongst others are the people pushing the envelope and should be applauded not ignored by end users.

 

This poll seems to have been interpreted as a "How clever am I!" list by those whose fiscal means perhaps inhibit them from owning the very best ebikes available so they attempt to persuade others that they are more discerning, more knowledgeable than the rest of us by talking up their particular purchase. We all understand, (I think) that quality inevitably comes at a premium but nobody would ever nominate a Reliant Robin as car of the year, even though it could perform most, if not all, of the functions of the best cars of its time. Those who have voted for mediocre ebikes in the light of what is available this year need to get real!

 

Indalo

 

Oh Dear.....here we go again......

 

People can surely only vote for bikes that they know and have tried.....SURELY that is obvious ?

Surely the other poll is for the latest 'up to date super duper boys toys innovative, money no object bike 2011' ?

 

How can you possibly expect members of this forum to vote in this poll, on a make of bike they maybe know nothing about, are we supposed to just take your word for the virtues and vote like a herd of cattle following the head bull ?

 

In my personal opinion, I dont feel the need to 'talk up' my bike, its just the bike, that after a lot of research, proved to be the Best one for ME At the Moment...for a myriad of reasons.......end of.......next year I might prefer something different....who knows.......so for me personally it gets my vote as bike of the year 2011.......

 

I , for one, dont consider myself 'more discerning or knowledgable' than anyone on this forum.....but I do consider myself to be polite, well brought up, and able to accept the right of other people to express their opinions on a public forum and vote, as they see fit, in a public poll without constantly being verbally abused for it........please try to just accept other peoples preferences gracefully.......

 

This is a vote......people have different opinions......live with it .....' get real '

 

And as for the 'girly bikes' comment.....perleeese......if this poll is winding you up so much maybe you should just stop watching the results..... as Tonaro bikes, older technology or not, prove their popularity with several members of this forum

 

In any case......this is just a bit of FESTIVE FUN !! ......remember ?

 

Lynda

How to vote is a difficult one to call, as the much more experienced car world shows. For example, in the long established "European Car of the Year" award, the modest often win over the luxuriious or advanced, for example in 1967 the little Fiat 124, which was later to become the Russian Lada, beat the BMW 1600 into 2nd place and the advanced Jensen FF into 3rd place.

 

By contrast, this year it's the advanced technology of the Nissan Leaf e-car which has won. I think this shows that the judgment is based on the relative value of each aspect to the consumer at a given time.

 

The full results from 1964 on can be seen on this link

With the greatest of respect Mike, the title of the thread concerns a poll and I paraphrase here:

 

"Which of the following bikes, based on your own opinions, is the best one of 2011"

 

Were there a poll entitled, "Which ebike did you buy in 2011?" then I could buy the voting pattern. That wasn't the question though; the best bike........not the one you...(or any member) bought!

 

If the old technology reprised in the Tonaro range can somehow be regarded as breakthrough technology in the face of Bosch-powered ebikes winning awards and plaudits from reviewers across Europe, then I am baffled. Tonaro bikes are decent value for money but there it ends. The likes of Storck and Haibike amongst others are the people pushing the envelope and should be applauded not ignored by end users.

 

This poll seems to have been interpreted as a "How clever am I!" list by those whose fiscal means perhaps inhibit them from owning the very best ebikes available so they attempt to persuade others that they are more discerning, more knowledgeable than the rest of us by talking up their particular purchase. We all understand, (I think) that quality inevitably comes at a premium but nobody would ever nominate a Reliant Robin as car of the year, even though it could perform most, if not all, of the functions of the best cars of its time. Those who have voted for mediocre ebikes in the light of what is available this year need to get real!

 

Indalo

 

 

 

Very well put and I totally agree. What seems to happen on here is increasingly more insidious and a distortion. On one hand all is described as "a bit of fun", in its self pointless if it does not represent anything meaningful. Surely these sort of debates must stand for something if the forum is to be taken seriously...

 

Every time a poll or something like it appears out come the totally over the top and emotional gang of supporters of that bike (of name I can not speak) which ends up distorting a decent poll and turning things into a bit of a circus......

 

I drive a Ford, I know a BMW is better, but I dont go screaming down the street waving arms in the air shouting that my Ford is the better car!

Hi eddieo

 

Nothing wrong with a ford after all they made the model T the first production car

 

Bringing the cost off cars to the masses

 

The same with E bikes If it gets you from a to b reliably then it is the bike for you

 

Frank

Edited December 18, 201114 yr by banbury frank

Yes, Ford make great cars, don't like their electric bike though.

Of course Ford make good cars and Tonero have found their nieche.......But to quote someone else "get real"

Edited December 18, 201114 yr by eddieo

Of course Ford make good cars.......But to quote someone else "get real"

 

I'd need to get real, lots and lots and lots to buy a Ford with them.

 

1 Brazilian real = 0.348781133 British pounds

.

.

Edited December 18, 201114 yr by flecc

Many factors can make a bike, "the best one for 2011". It doesn't necessarily have to be the bike that has introduced the most ground breaking technology onto the market, the one which represents the best value for money, or the most attractive looking bike. All of these factors and many other besides, will carry varying levels of significance for people and influence what they vote for. The result of the poll is therefore likely to hold an element of surprise for some people and the outcome may not be what they were expecting to see. But this doesn't make the poll invalid, distorted or any less credible, it is just a reflection of how the people on this forum view the current crop of eBikes when considered in the context of this very limited poll.

 

This is why, rightly or wrongly, I removed the cost element in the second poll. I know that it is only one of many factors, but it is probably the most important one for a majority of people and I thought it may be interesting to see how the two polls differ when people are given a free reign with their budget. Again, very limited but there may be some commonality between the two polls which may give a further pointer in the direction of the best bike of 2011.

Edited December 18, 201114 yr by tillson

This is why, rightly or wrongly, I removed the cost element in the second poll. I know that it is only one of many factors, but it is probably the most important one for a majority of people and I thought it may be interesting to see how the two polls differ when people are given a free reign with their budget. Again, very limited but there may be some commonality between the two polls which may give a further pointer in the direction of the best bike of 2011.

 

Except that the 2nd poll is based on the nominations of the first poll which makes the bikes being voted on in the 2nd poll not representative of money no object type bikes!

Except that the 2nd poll is based on the nominations of the first poll which makes the bikes being voted on in the 2nd poll not representative of money no object type bikes!

 

I want to see how people's opinion of the nominated bikes changes once the money factor is removed. For example, if a person votes for modestly priced bike X in the first poll and then sticks with bike X in the limitless budget poll, then that will be a very strong indication of that person's commitment to that particular model. If they are tempted away from modestly priced bike X and towards bling-bike Y, then their commitment to X is a little more superficial.

 

I know it isn't perfect, but I wanted to try and establish some correlation between the two polls so that the strength of people's opinion can be measured when tempted away from their original choice by a limitless budget. The list had to be the same to do this. To some extent it has worked as the Stork bike becomes more popular in the second poll. The Tonaro and Haibike seem to be doing well in both polls, so perhaps these two are the true leading contenders.

 

I stuck with the same mid range bike in both polls, so this indicates that I firmly believe that the bike I have voted for is truly the best one of 2011. Those chasing the bling in the second poll may not be so confident with their choice.

Edited December 19, 201114 yr by tillson

Those chasing the bling in the second poll may not be so confident with their choice.

 

I think most will be supremely confident - - - - - - - - in the knowledge they can't afford their choice so risk no disappointment!

What seems to happen on here is increasingly more insidious and a distortion. On one hand all is described as "a bit of fun", in its self pointless if it does not represent anything meaningful. Surely these sort of debates must stand for something if the forum is to be taken seriously...

 

Every time a poll or something like it appears out come the totally over the top and emotional gang of supporters of that bike (of name I can not speak) which ends up distorting a decent poll and turning things into a bit of a circus......

 

I drive a Ford, I know a BMW is better, but I dont go screaming down the street waving arms in the air shouting that my Ford is the better car!

 

Eddie, I said previously I'd find it embarrassing to be identified as a member of Pedelecs were, for example, the Gadget Show to interview someone to discuss the news, (God forbid!) that we had voted for a near 30Kg, old-technology bike (and an ugly one to boot) as our ebike of the year. This, remember, in the light of Bosch entering the field in 2011 with a new crank-drive system taken up by a host of brands and universally praised by all who have tested or reviewed it.

 

Those who see ebikers as a little odd would just feel vindicated in holding that view and they'd probably guess that we had all gone over the edge if someone showed them a Haibike alongside the Tonaro.

 

I read the attempts to explain or rationalise the choice of a Tonaro but frankly, I find the reasoning of its defenders quite pathetic. Sure, it's a free country and people can vote for whoever or whatever they like and I defend that right absolutely but when we have members actively encouraging others to vote for a particular bike and making these pages look like spam central, then we all lose credibility.

 

In my view, Pedelecs should be seen as a responsible body of dedicated ebikers. These polls spoil any notion of that.

 

I don't know Eddie and I can't explain it; maybe it's a northern thing?

 

Indalo

Edited December 19, 201114 yr by indalo

Eddie, I said previously I'd find it embarrassing to be identified as a member of Pedelecs were, for example, the Gadget Show to interview someone to discuss the news, (God forbid!) that we had voted for a near 30Kg, old-technology bike (and an ugly one to boot) as our ebike of the year.

Indalo

 

 

Dear boy......You are far to kind!