Hi Steve

 

Like yourself, I purchased an electric bike in order to get fit again. I purchased a Woosh Sirocco Sport at the beginning of March, at a cost of £599. I set my budget at £1000, because I was not too sure how I would get on with an electric bike, and can always upgrade later if I wish.

 

My legs are getting stronger already and today I cycled for 15.5 miles. The bike is great, and on each outing I am trying to increase my distance. At the moment the majority of my cycling is mainly on the canal towpath, but try to incorporate a few miles on the road/hills to build up my confidence on the roads and increase my stamina.

 

I'm very happy with the performance of my Woosh bike, but as I have not ridden any other electric bikes, I have nothing to compare against. For my first electric bike, I am impressed with how easy it is to cycle now

My son his cycling from Liverpool to Leeds down the towpath next month for charity. Not on an electric bike though. It must be great to be young and fit. 15.5 miles is just great, are you using all the battery power??. One thing I was wondering, can two batteries be fitted with a switch to turn one off and start the second battery? I have a bottle battery on mine and could fit an additional battery on the rear. If its possible.

My son his cycling from Liverpool to Leeds down the towpath next month for charity. Not on an electric bike though. It must be great to be young and fit. 15.5 miles is just great, are you using all the battery power??. One thing I was wondering, can two batteries be fitted with a switch to turn one off and start the second battery? I have a bottle battery on mine and could fit an additional battery on the rear. If its possible.

 

Yes, I agree .......oh to be young again, I'm 58 by the way.

 

No, I did not use all the battery power. Today, I used the lowest pedal assist and varied between the 6 highest gears on the towpath. Mine is an 18 speed bike. On the hills, I used lowest and middle pedal assist, and dropped the gears right down and used the easier lower gears. The bottle battery still had 3 out of the 4 lights showing. Should imagine though that the 3rd light would have gone out had I travelled much further? My average speed though was only 7.1 mph......too many pedestrians on the towpath lol. I have not yet been able to cycle to see what the maximum distance is on a full charge.

I cannot get used to the gears on this bike, 21, when my last bike had three. God knows what they all do. I've only used three of them..lol I didn't realise you had a bottle battery, I have seen one other fitted on a Burish on here. I think thats what they called it, anyhow I like the idea, stealth looking. When I first got the bike, my son drained the battery for me, it did 18 miles on level five with throttle assist. He drained it three three times to condition it. Second time, for some reason it did better at 21 miles. Don't know why. Third time 20 miles. I will have a look on the net what a woosh looks like because I have no idea.

Yes, I agree .......oh to be young again, I'm 58 by the way.

 

No, I did not use all the battery power. Today, I used the lowest pedal assist and varied between the 6 highest gears on the towpath. Mine is an 18 speed bike. On the hills, I used lowest and middle pedal assist, and dropped the gears right down and used the easier lower gears. The bottle battery still had 3 out of the 4 lights showing. Should imagine though that the 3rd light would have gone out had I travelled much further? My average speed though was only 7.1 mph......too many pedestrians on the towpath lol. I have not yet been able to cycle to see what the maximum distance is on a full charge.

 

The Woosh looks like a superb bike, I can't understand why you are considering the extra expense of the Rose. Like I said though, if it's that the bike you want then go for it. On this Pedelec site you've got to be careful and try not to fall for all this brand name snobbery. Ask yourself what you want the bike to do, from what I guess, a commute to work every day is not something you will use the bike for. If its leisurely trips down the canal towpath at a steady MPH to improve your fitness, you don't need the Rose for that. I also like German brands, Since passing my test, setting aside the first starter cars, I drove Mercedes E class vehicles, however, when my family grew up and left home, I didn't need a family car, so I bought 2 Mercedes Smart cars, one for the wife and one for me. Why, because that's all I need and can't see the point in driving to work and back carrying three additional empty seats. If the Germans did a budget bike, I would buy one, they, to the best of my knowledge don't do a budget bike. I do agree with people on here that Germans make really good products and I can also understand why people on here rave about them. However, they are not for everyone, unless you get a very honest person, they will try make you buy an expensive bike when I don't think you really need to. For what you do, to keep fit and enjoy life, you have the best bike for the situation.

I can't understand why you are considering the extra expense of the Rose.

 

I don't think She is. I mentioned the Rose.

 

With regard to your 21 gears, there will be some overlap to some gears. I run the Shimano Nexus 8 speed hub (think modern Sturmey Archer) and the Rose I linked to runs the later 11 speed version of the same hub. Mine has a very simple twist change and a very clear gear indicator window.

 

http://www.bikeman.com/store/graphics/00000001/Alt-JB/JB-SG8R36.jpg

 

http://harriscyclery.net/merchant/370/images/large/nexus8twister.jpg

 

http://www.montaguebikes.com/folding-bikes-blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Boston-8-Hub-Pic500.jpg

I don't think She is. I mentioned the Rose.

 

With regard to your 21 gears, there will be some overlap to some gears. I run the Shimano Nexus 8 speed hub (think modern Sturmey Archer) and the Rose I linked to runs the later 11 speed version of the same hub. Mine has a very simple twist change and a very clear gear indicator window.

 

http://www.bikeman.com/store/graphics/00000001/Alt-JB/JB-SG8R36.jpg

 

http://harriscyclery.net/merchant/370/images/large/nexus8twister.jpg

 

http://www.montaguebikes.com/folding-bikes-blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Boston-8-Hub-Pic500.jpg

 

I think I follow this, do you not have the three, five, six coggs on the bike? or is it the motor that changes the gears like on a car etc. Or is this shown in the picture not the motor and just the gear section of the bike? Sorry, if I sound a little thick, but I am not sure I have got this concept.

The same as a Sturmey Archer, one cog at the front and one cog at the rear, 8 or 11 gears inside the rear hub. There are also 7 gear versions. None of the pictures show a motor, just the hub gears. It does of course mean the motor has to be either a crank drive or in the front wheel.

 

There's no duplication of gears and you can change gear whilst stationary too. The Rose and KTM

use these hub gears.

 

This is my none electric bike

http://cdn.mos.bikeradar.com/images/bikes-and-gear/bikes/folding/Mu%20XL%20Sport%20(08)-399-75.JPG

Edited April 8, 201313 yr by Artstu

I cannot get used to the gears on this bike, 21, when my last bike had three. God knows what they all do. I've only used three of them..lol I didn't realise you had a bottle battery, I have seen one other fitted on a Burish on here. I think thats what they called it, anyhow I like the idea, stealth looking. When I first got the bike, my son drained the battery for me, it did 18 miles on level five with throttle assist. He drained it three three times to condition it. Second time, for some reason it did better at 21 miles. Don't know why. Third time 20 miles. I will have a look on the net what a woosh looks like because I have no idea.

 

I'm a little confused here about battery care, so maybe someone can clarify this for me. My Woosh manual does not say anything about draining the battery 3 times to condition it. It states that I have to initially fully charge the battery, and then top up the battery regularly. Manual also states that the battery should not be allowed to completely run down. Do some bottle batteries need maintaining differently from others?

I'm a little confused here about battery care, so maybe someone can clarify this for me. My Woosh manual does not say anything about draining the battery 3 times to condition it. It states that I have to initially fully charge the battery, and then top up the battery regularly. Manual also states that the battery should not be allowed to completely run down. Do some bottle batteries need maintaining differently from others?

 

Not sure, Artsu could answer this for he owns a Woosh

Hi Anniegirl,

 

The battery on your Woosh Sirocco Sport is a high quality one with Samsung cells. It does not need conditionning and you should avoid draining the battery completely.

 

Hatti

 

I'm a little confused here about battery care, so maybe someone can clarify this for me. My Woosh manual does not say anything about draining the battery 3 times to condition it. It states that I have to initially fully charge the battery, and then top up the battery regularly. Manual also states that the battery should not be allowed to completely run down. Do some bottle batteries need maintaining differently from others?

Edited April 8, 201313 yr by Woosh

Hi, conditioning of batteries dates back to the days of old NiCad batteries and is not so important for modern(ish) chemistry I.e. LiPo etc.

However, ANY rechargeable battery (including your car battery) can benefit from a few discharge & recharge cycles. Just run the appliance until the low battery light comes on, then charge up again to full power.

A few caveats...

NEVER short out ANY battery to quickly discharge. The battery will quickly overheat, and may explode.

NEVER charge a hot (or warm) battery. Let it cool to room temp.

 

My personal preference is to (where possible) with a new gadget is to use the battery fully for 3 times.

After that, then just charge as need it. Approximately every 2 months discharge battery fully until the charge me light comes on. Well that works for me.

 

George...

Not sure, Artsu could answer this for he owns a Woosh

 

You're mixing me up with Annie.

You're mixing me up with Annie.

 

Sorry, I am at work, so I wasn't on the ball, got it now. Going for lunch now, I shall return later to chat more about those excellent looking gears.

I can concur with Steves assertion of brand snobbery with regard to ebikes. It sort of feels like an exclusive club of essentially hobbyists. Thats fine if thats the way the traders really feel. But if they want a business some may consider that its better to open the doors a little to the hoi polloi.

 

That essentially means possibly producing a few loss leaders to grow the market.

 

I bought a bike from TESCO. Sorry for swearing But it allowed me a cost effective way to enter the market.

 

I attended the Redbridge event yesterday and was able to judge the bike against others.

Yes it did show up its limitations, and yes it gave room to think about upgrading to something better in future. But without the first step buying a cheaper supermarket bike I would probably never have had my interest tweaked.

 

I believe that is the same with so many other people.

Didn't know Tesco sold them. I shall be having a look at the very least.

I can concur with Steves assertion of brand snobbery with regard to ebikes. It sort of feels like an exclusive club of essentially hobbyists. Thats fine if thats the way the traders really feel. But if they want a business some may consider that its better to open the doors a little to the hoi polloi.

 

You and Steve are so wrong on this point. I'd like to think you will at some point in the future come and admit to being wrong once you know more about bicycles. In Steve's case it is very clear he has a lot to learn about ebikes and bicycles, and he openly admits that. It was the snobbery comment that made me engage in this thread, so I could point out the error of your judgement.

 

That essentially means possibly producing a few loss leaders to grow the market.

 

I bought a bike from TESCO. Sorry for swearing But it allowed me a cost effective way to enter the market.

 

I attended the Redbridge event yesterday and was able to judge the bike against others.

Yes it did show up its limitations, and yes it gave room to think about upgrading to something better in future. But without the first step buying a cheaper supermarket bike I would probably never have had my interest tweaked.

 

I believe that is the same with so many other people.

 

You're already noticing that more expensive bikes are better. So please leave out the snobbery comments. They're not justified and show your lack of knowledge on the subject.

 

No one on here will dispute the fact that cheap bikes work perfectly acceptably, spending more does get you a better bike, that's not snobbery.

I can concur with Steves assertion of brand snobbery with regard to ebikes. It sort of feels like an exclusive club of essentially hobbyists. Thats fine if thats the way the traders really feel. But if they want a business some may consider that its better to open the doors a little to the hoi polloi.

 

That essentially means possibly producing a few loss leaders to grow the market.

 

I bought a bike from TESCO. Sorry for swearing But it allowed me a cost effective way to enter the market.

 

I attended the Redbridge event yesterday and was able to judge the bike against others.

Yes it did show up its limitations, and yes it gave room to think about upgrading to something better in future. But without the first step buying a cheaper supermarket bike I would probably never have had my interest tweaked.

 

I believe that is the same with so many other people.

 

Excellent post, I must add like I have said in the past, some people have short hobbies, they join a Gym and go for a few weeks and end up with a monthly subscription left to pay. For those type of people buying the cheaper end and upgrading later if they are not fed up and have left their bike in the shed for a year, is the best option. Sales men on here should understand this and try encourage a better approach.

Sorry to all for the mix up, I have re read the posts and I am now back on track. The gears... Could I purchase a 26" wheel with the gears attached, so I can dump my wheel. I have a front wheel motor. Or is the only option to buy the better bikes with these high end gears already fitted?

The gears... Could I purchase a 26" wheel with the gears attached, so I can dump my wheel. I have a front wheel motor. Or is the only option to buy the better bikes with these high end gears already fitted?

 

Bikes are infinitely flexible with what can be done. If you mean hub gears, any bike shop can build a wheel with the hub gear of your choice so that you can add it to any bike. If you mean derailleur gears, then derailleur ready wheels can be bought and the cassette of sprockets of your choice added, together with the mechanisms and controls, all of them at whatever quality you want, The price ranges are huge, as you'll see on the Wiggle site link below where you can select "Gears and Drivetrain" or "Wheels" on the left hand menu lower down:

 

Wiggle

.

Edited April 8, 201313 yr by flecc

You and Steve are so wrong on this point. I'd like to think you will at some point in the future come and admit to being wrong once you know more about bicycles. In Steve's case it is very clear he has a lot to learn about ebikes and bicycles, and he openly admits that. It was the snobbery comment that made me engage in this thread, so I could point out the error of your judgement.

 

 

 

You're already noticing that more expensive bikes are better. So please leave out the snobbery comments. They're not justified and show your lack of knowledge on the subject.

 

No one on here will dispute the fact that cheap bikes work perfectly acceptably, spending more does get you a better bike, that's not snobbery.

 

Snobbery is not a swear word and no offence is intended, it simply means that people believe that their product is better than everyone else's and they have the best. If you are to have a forum about e bikes, then it should be an unbiased view about all e bikes. There is nothing wrong with you or anyone else stating that you can buy high end products and you happen to have one and it works well. That's fine. But I have read on here people knocking the lower end of the market like it is just total rubbish; simply because they own a high end bike, to me that is clear brand name snobbery. I also like German products, I have a German car and boiler and many other German products that are all excellent. I would not say that my next door neighbours Citreon car is worse than mine though, it gets her to work every day and it hasn't yet let her down in the past 8 years.

I have read on here people knocking the lower end of the market like it is just total rubbish; simply because they own a high end bike, to me that is clear brand name snobbery. I also like German products, I have a German car and boiler and many other German products that are all excellent. I would not say that my next door neighbours Citreon car is worse than mine though, it gets her to work every day and it hasn't yet let her down in the past 8 years.

 

Unfortunately there was a period of many years when most of the low price e-bikes were definitely junk and a waste of peoples money Steve, and that did colour many views. Another factor is that many suppliers were (some still are) "band-wagon jumpers" who disappear after selling a few bikes, leaving no support or replacement batteries. That last point is important, the number of e-bikes introduced for which no replacement batteries have been available after a year or so is a disgrace. It's possible to lash up another battery as a replacement mounted on a rear carrier, but that's not what many want to do and many don't have the knowledge or ability to do that.

 

Things have certainly improved more recently, but one can understand the caution about cheaper bikes of those who, like myself, have been on this scene for many years. We've seen how the suppliers who charge more and sell upmarket products have had staying power and mostly give good service, while the low end of market contained among it's members all those guilty of all the sins mentioned and more.

 

I'm no high-end purchase snob, for example, of my two cars, one is a poorly regarded very cheap one but ideal for my citycar purpose so I couldn't care less what others think of it. The other car for all my other uses is so unpopular that very few people will ever see one in their lifetime!

.

Edited April 8, 201313 yr by flecc

Excellent post, I must add like I have said in the past, some people have short hobbies, they join a Gym and go for a few weeks and end up with a monthly subscription left to pay. For those type of people buying the cheaper end and upgrading later if they are not fed up and have left their bike in the shed for a year, is the best option. Sales men on here should understand this and try encourage a better approach.

 

That's a very sensible approach, I dipped my toe into ebikes with the cheapest bike going, at the time I didn't really have a clue how I'd cope on a bike. So for sure the cheaper bikes have a place, I'll be much more demanding than a none cyclist who hasn't ridden a decent bike before. My cheap bike did the job and was in my opinion good value for money. I still think the high-end bikes I'm looking to buy are over-priced in comparison with high-end none electric bikes, not being mainstream is the biggest factor to high prices I guess.

I'm no high-end purchase snob, for example, of my two cars, one is a poorly regarded very cheap one but ideal for my citycar purpose so I couldn't care less what others think of it. The other car for all my other uses is so unpopular that very few people will ever see one in their lifetime!

.

 

Now I'm wondering, come on you have to tell us what they are? Mine is a 14 year old Micra, proving I'm certainly no snob.

Unfortunately there was a period of many years when most of the low price e-bikes were definitely junk and a waste of peoples money Steve, and that did colour many views. Another factor is that many suppliers were (some still are) "band-wagon jumpers" who disappear after selling a few bikes, leaving no support or replacement batteries. That last point is important, the number of e-bikes introduced for which no replacement batteries have been available after a year or so is a disgrace. It's possible to lash up another battery as a replacement mounted on a rear carrier, but that's not what many want to do and many don't have the knowledge or ability to do that.

 

Things have certainly improved more recently, but one can understand the caution about cheaper bikes of those who, like myself, have been on this scene for many years. We've seen how the suppliers who charge more and sell upmarket products have had staying power and mostly give good service, while the low end of market contained among it's members all those guilty of all the sins mentioned and more.

 

I'm no high-end purchase snob, for example, of my two cars, one is a poorly regarded very cheap one but ideal for my citycar purpose so I couldn't care less what others think of it. The other car for all my other uses is so unpopular that very few people will ever see one in their lifetime!

.

 

I didn't have you in the Snob category Flecc, before I purchased my bike I browsed many threads on here and I actually think your input should receive a commendation. You appear to have helped hundreds with answers to their questions, are very knowledgably and I for one feel I can trust what you have to say. Again you have clearly pointed out why the mistrust in lower market products exists and I can understand this. Although, batteries and other parts are readily available on most internet shopping sites. Just in case the supplier suddenly disappeared, I checked before my purchase if I could buy batteries etc from other places, that is something that anyone buying the lower end products should do. If they are to buy low end products, people need to factor in that they may have no warranty as such and might need to buy more parts. That's why I said in an earlier post, I could buy parts for the next 5 years and I doubt I would spend £2500 that I would spend on a high end bike. I also doubt I will be riding at the end of the summer, I do get fed up with hobbies fairly quickly and my aim is to get fit again, so if I spent £2500 it would be just a waste of money. If I am still interested by the end of the summer, who knows I may find myself upgrading, I doubt it will be to another electric bike. If I am fit enough it will be a normal pedal bike, what the point in having assistance if I don't need it. I will not however, knock anyone for wanting to get fit and buying whatever bike they can afford to do it.