Hub gears are just easier for riding in town and lower maintenance. That is not to say there is anything wrong with Derraileur gears, just best to decide what suits you. The bike has an independant throttle (twist grip) up to 15mph.

 

Appreciate you clarifying that EC

thats a point of view for sure, but hub gears have their problems, punctures for example tend to be a pain, and they are less hammer engineering than derailleurs so can't be fixed as easy at the roadside in my experience.

 

i had a similar experience in being laid up and unable to ride whilst trying to choose a new ride, and i'd say build yourself a big shortlist (is that an oxymoron? probably ) I remember being really interested in the stats and making a huge spreadsheet, which i promptly ignored and bought the first bike i loved

Ha ha, I can imagine that. There is nothing like seeing something in the metal and in the end it will no doubt depend on which bikes I can try out and are convenient for servicing etc. Can't wait tbh, never having tried an ebike it should be fun!

Hub gears are particularly suited to a folder for a few reasons:

 

Derailleurs on small wheeled bikes hang very low making them more susceptible to damage and picking up road dirt.

 

The chain on a hub gear bike has a higher line which means it stays cleaner.

 

Hub gears are cleaner for handling the bike when folding, unfolding and lifting in and out of the car.

Thanks DW for your words regarding the Wisper 806Classic.

 

I should mention as well that the 806Classic has the advantage of a soft start option, where the power can be set to come in over 4 seconds. In the wet or ice this can be very advantageous especially with the powerful Dapu motor.

 

I should also mention that the 806Classic has been so popular this year that we are all but out of stock until early 2014. I think we have two left.

 

Best regards

 

David

Morning all,

 

So far I'm not having much luck finding many suitable bikes to try locally. Our closest dealer (ebikes direct) was all about the Freego (too heavy IMO and I'm just not into the style) and even the branch in London didn't have a Juicy Bike or Fast4ward Edge in stock despite listing them on their website. Again, they suggested the Freego.

 

So, OH has kindly agreed to pop up to London to test out the Volt Metro for me and I'll ring around to find out if anyone has the other bikes. I know the Fast4ward (now a2b Kuo) is not as powerful (26v battery) but it's lighter so I'm still keen to hear how it compares to the 36v bikes...as it may just about be enough for what I need.

 

In the meantime I'm thinking I may have to buy online without a test ride. so I've continued reading through the archives of this forum and came across a discussion about a cheapie bike from Tesco...which led me to this model (love the write up...especially the part about it being 'special addition version with uprated parted')

 

http://www.tesco.com/betadirect/hopper-urban-se-electric-bike/249-5474.prd?pageLevel=&skuId=249-5474#

 

Hmmm, am I scraping the barrel with this one (do love a bargain and could use up some clubcard points)!?

 

Can anyone tell me if you can add a throttle to any ebike as it doesn't appear to have one?

I've no idea what that ebike from Tesco is like..... but I do know Tesco's after sales are excellent, any problems or you just don't like it, you can just return for replacement or a full refund. You don't even have to pay to return, they will send a courier to collect at a time that convenient to you.

OK, that's good to know. Nothing to lose I suppose if you can just send it back.

 

Ringing round has brought no further luck with regard to tracking down bikes to test. Looks like one London dealer could possibly get a Fast4ward Edge in to try with a bit of warning but none currently in stock and definitely not round here. That's a shame as am definitely drawn to the BMX styling. It seems that bike is being rebranded as the A2B Kuo and will be out next year (tho John Lewis have it already) so that might account for its scarcity. Not much point in OH going up to London just to try one bike (Volt) without others to compare.

 

Buying blind online is looking more likely...

Just an update - the lack of folding ebikes available to try is proving quite perplexing. I'm not getting any fast replies from manufacturers so have rung 4 different dealers asking about certain bikes (of which none are in stock) and had every single one of them tell me what I really want is a Freego folder (which I never mentioned when calling and I don't think I do!). I was beginning to wonder if I had accidentally rung the same outlet four times as the conversation was exactly the same.

 

So am having to think outside the box and consider the lighter/smaller non-folders as well as would prefer to purchase locally for the backup support. We'll just have to change cars sooner and get a rack :-)

 

Our nearest (ish) shop is E Bikes Direct in Aldershot so will head up this weekend and try the following :-

 

Oxygen Diva (very highly recommended by a helpful member)

Cyclotricity Stealth

Freego Folder (if nothing else it will give an idea of what a small folder is like to ride)

 

Was also hoping to try out such bikes as the Byocycles Chameleon or Fast4ward Edge as comparison but no stock.

 

If anyone has an opinion on any of these bikes then I'd be very interested to hear it.

 

Thanks...

OK, that's good to know. Nothing to lose I suppose if you can just send it back.

 

Ringing round has brought no further luck with regard to tracking down bikes to test. Looks like one London dealer could possibly get a Fast4ward Edge in to try with a bit of warning but none currently in stock and definitely not round here. That's a shame as am definitely drawn to the BMX styling. It seems that bike is being rebranded as the A2B Kuo and will be out next year (tho John Lewis have it already) so that might account for its scarcity. Not much point in OH going up to London just to try one bike (Volt) without others to compare.

 

Buying blind online is looking more likely...

 

Cricket,buying blind is never a good idea,so many occassions on this forum have resulted in members realising they have bought the wrong bike on-line. Is the London Electric Bike Company within your radius in Hampton Wick,Kingston on Thames.....they have over 20 e-bikes in stock including the 5 Kudos Secret bikes and Versatile bikes.The Secret was a bike you originally thought ideal. The Secret was a bike that worked well from the prototype,we have another 100 stock en-ship to us such is our faith in this bike,

KudosDave

Cricket,buying blind is never a good idea,so many occassions on this forum have resulted in members realising they have bought the wrong bike on-line. Is the London Electric Bike Company within your radius in Hampton Wick,Kingston on Thames.....they have over 20 e-bikes in stock including the 5 Kudos Secret bikes and Versatile bikes.The Secret was a bike you originally thought ideal. The Secret was a bike that worked well from the prototype,we have another 100 stock en-ship to us such is our faith in this bike,

KudosDave

 

Dave, you are right about buying blind and I don't want to so OH has kindly offered to trawl the shops for me to get going. So we'll start local as if nothing else it means we've got an easy port of call should anything go wrong with the bike. I asked about your bike at Aldershot but they had none in store. However, the Secret still remains on the list but possibly not the Versatile as I believe it has no throttle and is lower voltage? Having said that the shape and suspension are more to my requirements so if you could combine the two we'd be all systems go! Only kidding. Anyway, if the local pitstop brings no joy it will be on to London and my OH will make a first stop at The London Electric Bike Co for a good look around before heading into central London. I look forward to updating this thread with case solved eventually. It's just been tricky tracking bikes down but hopefully on a roll now :-)

Finally made it to the local dealer to try out some bikes and fell in love with the Oxygen Diva. The bike is arriving today and I'm more excited than when I got given a free box of chocolate flapjacks last week (and that's saying something).

 

Not sure how I went from considering a Brompton to a 26" Oxygen but don't suppose I'm the first person to have changed their mind. It rode like a dream and I couldn't stop smiling.

 

Did try a Freego folder (26kgs!) which I quite liked but I underestimated the weight issue big time and anything above 15 or so kilos was going to be a problem to lift which made a folder a bit pointless. Also, as some of you pointed out the larger wheels are better for off road tracks and paths..as is the suspension and I really felt that when test riding them both. I think some sort of lightweight folder will still be needed down the line though (N+1).

 

Thanks everyone for your advice and especially Ghouluk who so very kindly let my OH take theirs for a spin on the local hills. Will update when I've had it a while.

 

Cricket

Oxygens are decent bikes.

 

I nearly bought one - twice.

 

Problem I found was there was never any in stock or even available to order within a reasonable time span.

 

Assuming your bike exists, all should be well.

i'm a big fan of the oxygen (as you and most other people know) which is kind of a shame as my wife owns it

 

great that you got sorted, enjoy the new bike and look forward to seeing you around and about in the future.

On the surface, Oxygen don't look much, but they have cassette motors with decent gearing, good batteries, and everything else is well specified, but the main thing is that they're very pleasant to ride. Nearly everyone that rides one likes them and comment how nice they are.

I agree we sold a nice pre-owned one a while back, ride was very nice. Only improvement I would like is a chain guard.

On the surface, Oxygen don't look much, but they have cassette motors with decent gearing, good batteries, and everything else is well specified, but the main thing is that they're very pleasant to ride. Nearly everyone that rides one likes them and comment how nice they are.

 

Dave, you're being modest. Oxygen make great bikes and are members of BEBA. Andrew, the owner of the company is an extremely nice chap and is a pleasure to meet. When Dave had problems getting to the NEC set-up day (to help out at the Oxygen stand) we had the happy luck to be able to help Andrew set up his stand, and so got to see his bikes up close. They are very good bikes.

 

Andrew still owes us a pint though...

Thanks everyone, glad you all think of it as a solid choice. It certainly looks good sitting in the lounge but OH and my Dad are having a problem assembling it. Nearly there but seems the front mudguard is not curving up high enough so the wheel is catching/rubbing. They've tried everything and are now looking for a washer to push it up in place.

 

Any advice please!?

Well, my first foray into ebiking has hit a hurdle. After an afternoon assembling the diva and a full charge of the battery we discovered a problem with the power - you turn it on and it cuts out. A throttle attempt up the garden and the bike gave up the ghost making a noise akin to a cats chorus. No minor adjustments solved the problem so it had to go back today. These things happen and I must say Rami at E Bikes Direct has so far been very apologetic and assures us he'll get it sorted or order another bike which will be fully assembled and tested. The only problem may be stock if this bike can't be mended as Oxygen are pretty much down to the last one with no idea when the next batch are due. Fingers crossed it can be fixed.

Well, my first foray into ebiking has hit a hurdle. After an afternoon assembling the diva and a full charge of the battery we discovered a problem with the power - you turn it on and it cuts out. A throttle attempt up the garden and the bike gave up the ghost making a noise akin to a cats chorus. No minor adjustments solved the problem so it had to go back today. These things happen and I must say Rami at E Bikes Direct has so far been very apologetic and assures us he'll get it sorted or order another bike which will be fully assembled and tested. The only problem may be stock if this bike can't be mended as Oxygen are pretty much down to the last one with no idea when the next batch are due. Fingers crossed it can be fixed.

 

Oh dear.

 

I would be vary wary of quoted delivery times for an ordered-in replacement.

 

As I mentioned earlier, supply of Oxygen bikes is very hit and miss.

Oh dear.

 

I would be vary wary of quoted delivery times for an ordered-in replacement.

 

As I mentioned earlier, supply of Oxygen bikes is very hit and miss.

 

I hope that won't prove to be a problem as I do really like the diva. Maybe it'll be something as simple as a loose cable and the bike can come straight back!

Sid's Law in operation - Finally find your ideal bike & there's only one available in the entire uk...

 

And that one's broke

After profuse apologies from E Bikes Direct they promised to look at the bike yesterday and if it couldn't be fixed get a new bike sent over if any stock left. Surprise surprise...heard nothing so chased them up today and they're just too busy to look at it...that old chestnut :-)

 

Feeling a bit grouchy today so after an email to say not happy and a refund politely suggested they sprung into action and checked it over. It is the connection to the controller which is failing. They will fix it but the part from Oxygen would take a couple of weeks. It must have been that magic word refund as they acknowledged that would not really be acceptable after spending £1,300 on a new bike and have asked the manufacturer to send another bike which should arrive in the next day or so. This time they have agreed to fully assemble and test the diva before we collect it.

 

Can't say fairer than that so hopefully all will go well this time. And at least there was one still in stock.

Good news - hope the next one is as good as frankie's has been - can't believe they didn't assemble and test before delivery of the last one though?

It's really disappointing that they didn't check it before they sent it out. Presumably, they didn't check that the brakes were properly setup either.