I just bought my first ebike, a Cube hybrid, didn't really put much thought into it TBH (unlike me but quite refreshing) but just went shopping at a relatively local bike shop and came out with the Cube, i liked it because it already had the lights, guards and rack already fitted. I used to cycle a lot in my youth which is a long long time ago, so much so that me and mates cycled to Switzerland without any probs, not something i would attempt now! - I did have an Overbury mountain bike which i used a lot but then just drifted away and lost interest, I find walking a bit boring (and painful on my knees and feet) but I really wanted to get out and about more on a bike and having experienced a hired ebike thought that was the way to go ... it is! - I also wanted to cut down on local journeys so this morning did my first shopping trip. that was a bit nerve wracking as i hadn't cycled on main roads for a long time but because the Cube is quite a big bike (and fast accelerating) didn't feel at all intimidated and i got all my shopping home in one piece. I was surprised at how drivers were behaving themselves (I do as a driver) it was quite impressive especially as the last time I was on the road on a bike there were no restrictions on how badly you could treat cyclists. The Cube's now on charge ready for the next trip - onwards and upwards

Most LBS only sell mid drive bikes and will sell anything to get a sale, I doubt if many are too bothered if it suits an individuals needs.

Most LBS only sell mid drive bikes and will sell anything to get a sale, I doubt if many are too bothered if it suits an individuals needs.

No, utter mince

Its because they already have contracts with the big companies who do their standard bikes. Santa Cruz, Whyte, Trek,Marin etc etc, and these companies also do an Ebike version aimed at their mtb riding customers.

The larger companies do a range of bikes now aimed from the trailpark dedicated riders to the recreational mums and dads.

 

They're never going to buy in bikes from some Chinese import company that might be shut down in a years time.

I last posted on this thread in 2014. I still have the same trusty eco-stepper e-bike. I didn’t use it for a few years when I had a car but due to my health declining again and motorists being horrendous, I’ve gone back to my e-bike. I missed it. I forgot how much I loved riding. It truly is my last line of independant travel I have. Since the pandemic, the roads have gotten even crazier than before. Biking is getting scarier, but luckily I live in a town and can just about manage getting around safely. People stop me all the time and ask about my bike. Can’t recommend it enough.

I revisited cycling circa 2020. However living uphill/upslope from most destinations, going out was/is fine but even the longer gentler sloped routes home from the city would leave me exhausted, and shopping etc would get left on the bike while i took a wee rest even after more local trips.

 

Post conversion I can still ride out to most places without turning on the power but oh boy do i appreciate the motor assist on my faster rides home, and arriving home without staggering up to the back gate catching my breath after the final push is great, no more defrosted peas or icecream or worse, 'Warm Cut Meats and Melting Butter!' in the panniers..

 

Nothing Monumental but a huge boost in quality of life for me..

I am disabled and 70 years old I have a disability scooter I use a lot but now have an e-bike that I can go out fishing with down to my local beach . Could not do that before I was dependent on others with room for a scooter . So yes changed my life style a lot .

however have a few issues to sort out with a throttle…..

Certainly made a difference when I moved to another slightly hill area (10% max). As the ads said at the time "you will amaze other cyclists as they see you gliding effortlessly up hill" That was true. 15 years ago when I retired I like to visit many of the traditional Pubs around 10 mile radius. So dropping in for a few jars was never a concern (for cyclists) - no breathalysers for me - not that I was ever intemperate btw. I would mostly come home dark nights on the pavement - way too dangerous on the roads. Those were the pre Covid days alas.

Bit late to this conversation, but here goes....

 

I'm in my early 60's and had a near catastrophic accident in '22 where I sustained an unstable spine fracture at L1 and a few other vertebrae cracked too. Lots of other broken bits, and a widespread brain bleed. I was a very close one, died on day 4 etc etc... Had to be resuscitated and have a little visit to intensive care and high dependency units.

 

After three significant spinal ops I have a Meccano set holding me upright, and widespread numbness from the middle down.... Hey, I'm vertical and I can shuffle to the pub even though it sort of looks like I've possibly had a different sort of accident when walking now... never mind.

 

Previously an active 'social' cyclist doing many holidays on bikes including riding from the South to the North of Vietnam at one stage.

 

I now struggle to pedal my 'normal' MTB, getting on and off is also a fun sight.

 

I purchase a Cube reaction hardtail (Bosch smart thing) and added a suspension seat post... I'd piled on weight due to inactivity and lack of mobility and needed to do something. It has a 'slightly' lower crossbar so mounting and dismounting is less entertaining.

 

I can now comfortably do 40 odd mile runs, I tend to only use Tour+ unless I get a big hill and need extra shove via eMTB; never use Turbo, I say never, but the app shows 2 miles in the 1000 odd covered so far.

 

7 stones off in 10 months, I'll take that, and my back/spine thanks me for it...

 

Only had one 'negative' in that time....

 

Mr Jogger was 'entertaining' his lady crowd on a canal bridge and called out to 'let the cyclist through' in his condescending tone.. Then added, 'Oh, he's no cyclist, it's electric'. My tolerance for idiots when at the tail end of the 40 miler and in a fair amount of pain meant that I decided to confront rather than ride away... Oh he was embarrassed and his entourage weren't happy with him when I asked if he had enough brain cells to consider that there may be a reason why I choose to ride electric...

 

I'm still well over 6' and rugby prop forward shape, he looked a bit shocked to be confronted...

 

Either way, I get a real good workout from the bike, it's helped me shift a chunk of lard and get some strength in my legs; it has given me at least some freedom and independence.... As and when it wears out, I'll 100% treat myself to a full suspension as I'm light enough to be able to go that way now...

 

I only really do canals, quiet lanes, disused railway lines, that sort of thing.. Suits me, never thought I'd get where I am after my accident.

 

Roger

Alpha one male taken down a peg or two , well done.

Hi, I have always been fit, but old age (i'm 77), a stroke, developing a lung disease and sleep apnea had resuklted in genaral lethargy which was making me depressed. I got a Raleigh Motus step through and thanks to a friend I have been using it every week, for leisure trips and replacing some car journeys. Along with regular canoeing the exercise has improved my mood and helped with weight loss and improvement in my determination! At first I was using turbo mode all the time, but gradually have been able to generally move to using eco mode (and sometimes no assist) only resorting to turbo on the hills! Around Oxford there are many cyclepaths which have been fun and I have even taken my bike on my van further afield.

Hi, I have always been fit, but old age (i'm 77), a stroke, developing a lung disease and sleep apnea had resuklted in genaral lethargy which was making me depressed. I got a Raleigh Motus step through and thanks to a friend I have been using it every week, for leisure trips and replacing some car journeys. Along with regular canoeing the exercise has improved my mood and helped with weight loss and improvement in my determination! At first I was using turbo mode all the time, but gradually have been able to generally move to using eco mode (and sometimes no assist) only resorting to turbo on the hills! Around Oxford there are many cyclepaths which have been fun and I have even taken my bike on my van further afield.

That's something I do too, originally when I got an electric bike I used the higher levels, but now I try and use as low a level as possible.

I haven't driven for four years, as as a type 1 diabetic can only have a 3 year licence, I've had 12 of these and am superstitious, I'm in good shape for my age and reasonably fit, but the morning bike commute has an affect on my breakfast injection, I'm pleased to say that at a day short of a months pedelecking the blood sugar drop has vanished, and same on the way home and trips across town, I even successfully ate a bag of macky dee chips when I took the grandson out as I wouldn't have previously with the ride home in mind.

 

And last butnot least when the weekend comes I've enough energy in the bank to enjoy rides out on the non eMTB instead of blowing out of my arris.

Jumped on the ebike bandwagon almost 20 or so years ago way before E bikes were mainstream.. Electric /Electronic tech by profession so a no brainer really. First Ebike was a crusty old front drive brush motor Powerbyke .Got it cheap batteries dead. Sourced some Lithium brick batteries that completetly transformed the bike. Now gone through saeveral iterarions of various folding ebikes and whatnot.

 

My current favorite ride a once abandoned 24V Argos E+Plus 20" wheeler . For extra range I have a battery off a disability mobility scooter...that currently retails £900.00 and gives me trebble the range my measely original 8Ah jobie!!...I was 70 last July BTW.

Edited October 11, 2025Oct 11 by Fatgadget