January 10, 201412 yr Hi there, New to the forum and new to e-bikes. I want to commute to work on an bike but obviously I need a bit of advice as it's such a huge purchase. I've been using a normal push bike to go the 12 miles to work and back. Doubtlessly due to my love of beer and kebabs I'm not as fit as I could be at 41. I can do the cycle no problem but I'm covered in sweat at the end of it. My solution has been to cycle to a leisure centre, shower, and then come into work smelling off roses but that puts an extra 20 minutes on my morning commute and I am NOT a morning person. The bus is expensive and takes an age and of course they often don't come. So I figured a bike of some sort. The ones I really like the look of don't look like e-bikes. The stromer and the emotion neo cross. But they are very expensive. Anything between £800 and £1600 that could fit the bill. I like the idea of having disc breaks too as I always seem to have a problem with normal ones. And tyres that are puncture resistant as standard. Any help?
January 10, 201412 yr Have you looked at the Kudos range? The newer ones are pretty stealthy looking. An other option is build from a kit. A good option if you already have a decent bike that you like. You will get more sound advice from others if you add some info about your weight, range (e.g whether you can charge up at work or not), Terrain, and desired speed. Oh, and welcome BTW.
January 10, 201412 yr The Mosso is the best value by far in that price range, but not a UK supplier, so effectively no warranty. We need a guinea-pig to try one. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2013-36V-350W-27-speed-MOSSO-A-Ebike-with-36V-12AH-Lithium-Battery-Electric-Bike-/171205737534?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item27dca83c3e If you want low cost, there's this one, or have a look at the Woosh bikes: http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/threads/best-value-entry-level-bike-new-vita-uno-26.16510/ If you want a bit more torque for hill-climbing, the Kudos Tornado. If you want fast comfortable commuting with good torque for hill-climbing, the Ezee bikes. Only the more expensive ones have high torque.
January 10, 201412 yr Author Thanks for the replies. That's a load of bikes to think about. Anyone know about these two. Roodog avatar Burisch Synergy GT250 Reliability is fairly important as it's for work.
January 10, 201412 yr Author I weigh about 90 kgs, maybe more since Chrimbo. It's mostly up hill 10 miles to work and mostly (of course) downhill back. I suppose I'd want a real world range of 20 miles without a charge. Edited January 10, 201412 yr by Leonzos
January 10, 201412 yr If you want fast comfortable commuting with good torque for hill-climbing, the Ezee bikes. Only the more expensive ones have high torque. and all of them are within the budget of Leonzos.
January 10, 201412 yr You might just get a Kalkhoff Pro Connect X24 within that budget if you're lucky and the offer is still open. Check out the 50cycles website.
January 10, 201412 yr If you are not planning on many muddy fields, I would suggest going with a 700c wheeled ebike. They generally have a greater range that their 26" counter parts simply because of the thinner, higher pressure tyres offering lower rolling resistance. For under £1600 the best one I have seen and test rode was the Raleigh Cite 700c at £1450. It had a 12 amp battery and a claimed range of 40 miles.
January 10, 201412 yr If you are not planning on many muddy fields, I would suggest going with a 700c wheeled ebike. They generally have a greater range that their 26" counter parts simply because of the thinner, higher pressure tyres offering lower rolling resistance. For under £1600 the best one I have seen and test rode was the Raleigh Cite 700c at £1450. It had a 12 amp battery and a claimed range of 40 miles. But, if you like a somewhat softer ride along with easy rolling, try a 29er with fat tyres..
January 10, 201412 yr But, if you like a somewhat softer ride along with easy rolling, try a 29er with fat tyres.. Yes indeed, 29ers are great. My Marin push bike has them. Getting a 29er ebike under the £1600 budget may be a challenge.
January 13, 201412 yr I opted for this one: http://www.cube.eu/en/bikes/hybrid/suv-hybrid/suv-hybrid-29/ With some discount included maybe it could fit your budget. I still wait for mine to arrive so can't share any real life experience.
January 13, 201412 yr I opted for this one: http://www.cube.eu/en/bikes/hybrid/suv-hybrid/suv-hybrid-29/ With some discount included maybe it could fit your budget. I still wait for mine to arrive so can't share any real life experience. That looks a superb and a well thought out design, if it goes as good as it looks you should be well pleased.
January 13, 201412 yr leonzos, if you are cost conscious, forget the German bikes. Their running cost exceeds 50p a mile. Also, a big 500WH battery is very useful for the range and to reduce the number of charging cycles. Edited January 13, 201412 yr by trex
January 13, 201412 yr leonzos, if you are cost conscious, forget the German bikes. Their running cost exceeds 50p a mile. Also, a big 500WH battery is very useful for the range and to reduce the number of charging cycles. 50p per mile. Are you paying someone to ride it for you? I've done the maths on mine over a 3 year period and selling the bike at the end. Less than 5p per mile. Based on a realistic 18000 miles over the period.
January 13, 201412 yr Hi there, New to the forum and new to e-bikes. I want to commute to work on an bike but obviously I need a bit of advice as it's such a huge purchase. I've been using a normal push bike to go the 12 miles to work and back. Doubtlessly due to my love of beer and kebabs I'm not as fit as I could be at 41. I can do the cycle no problem but I'm covered in sweat at the end of it. My solution has been to cycle to a leisure centre, shower, and then come into work smelling off roses but that puts an extra 20 minutes on my morning commute and I am NOT a morning person. The bus is expensive and takes an age and of course they often don't come. So I figured a bike of some sort. The ones I really like the look of don't look like e-bikes. The stromer and the emotion neo cross. But they are very expensive. Anything between £800 and £1600 that could fit the bill. I like the idea of having disc breaks too as I always seem to have a problem with normal ones. And tyres that are puncture resistant as standard. Any help? Our new Click range is now fully available, would do what you require and benefits from 10% discount during January (use "Pedelecs" code at the checkout).
January 13, 201412 yr 50p per mile. Are you paying someone to ride it for you? I've done the maths on mine over a 3 year period and selling the bike at the end. Less than 5p per mile. Based on a realistic 18000 miles over the period. if you don't mind me asking, which bike did you ride in those 3 years? A recent post tells the story of ebay.steve121uk: http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/threads/2nd-hand-pro-connect.11926/ and his advert on ebay: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Electric-Bike-Kalkhoff-Pro-Connect-55cm-9G-e-series-/251083044751?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item3a75b7378f#ht_500wt_1364 RRP £2,500 1 year old, starting bid: £250 No bid. Briefly, he bought the Kalkhoff Proconnect for 20 miles commute, used it for one year then put the bike on ebay. Second hand high milers do not do well, German or Chinese, no difference. You have to be prepared to write off your investment when you stop using your bike for commuting. It saves you a lot of money to stick to the essential requirements. Edited January 13, 201412 yr by trex
January 13, 201412 yr leonzos, if you are cost conscious, forget the German bikes. Their running cost exceeds 50p a mile. Also, a big 500WH battery is very useful for the range and to reduce the number of charging cycles. 50p/mile? I could run a Jag for that sort of money. Seroiuosly, I run a 1.8 petrol Focus for about 32p/mile all in. It has roof bars, air con and I drive it like I'm late for my appointment at Dignitas.
January 13, 201412 yr if you don't mind me asking, which bike did you ride in those 3 years? A recent post tells the story of ebay.steve121uk: http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/threads/2nd-hand-pro-connect.11926/ and his advert on ebay: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Electric-Bike-Kalkhoff-Pro-Connect-55cm-9G-e-series-/251083044751?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item3a75b7378f#ht_500wt_1364 RRP £2,500 1 year old, starting bid: £250 No bid. Briefly, he bought the Kalkhoff Proconnect for 20 miles commute, used it for one year then put the bike on ebay. Second hand high milers do not do well, German or Chinese, no difference. You have to be prepared to write off your investment when you stop using your bike for commuting. It saves you a lot of money to stick to the essential requirements. The bike has yet to complete the 3 years but it is a KTM macina 29. Even if I gave it away after 3 years I could not get to 50ppm. Like anything, you have to use it fully to get your money's worth. Mine, £2200 over 18000 miles or 3 years. 3 sets of tyres, minimal elec bill for daily charging. Take into account the 600 gallons of diesel saved. Sell the bike for £1.00 after 3 years and start again.
January 13, 201412 yr The bike has yet to complete the 3 years but it is a KTM macina 29. Even if I gave it away after 3 years I could not get to 50ppm. Like anything, you have to use it fully to get your money's worth. Mine, £2200 over 18000 miles or 3 years. 3 sets of tyres, minimal elec bill for daily charging. Take into account the 600 gallons of diesel saved. Sell the bike for £1.00 after 3 years and start again. You can't take the cost of Diesel into account when calculating cost/mile of an electric bike. Edited January 13, 201412 yr by Alan Quay
January 14, 201412 yr You can't take the cost of Diesel into account when calculating cost/mile of an electric bike. I can if I wish to know the real cost to my wallet. Having said that, one can take out the diesel but it would still be impossible to get to 50ppm. My car doesn't cost that much.
January 14, 201412 yr Yes indeed, 29ers are great. My Marin push bike has them. Getting a 29er ebike under the £1600 budget may be a challenge. I delayed this reply until both bikes were en-ship to us. We have 2 new Kudos bikes due January,early February. Both are 29ers. Bike 1....is a 29er based upon the Arriba bike,with torque sensor and hydraulic brakes,price £1395.00,named Escape Bike 2....is a 29er based upon the Tornado bike,with speed sensor and mechanical disc brakes,price £1195.00,named Typhoon Most people who have viewed the prototypes think they are the best looking bikes Kudos have produced to date. There is a third bike which couldn't be more different....it is a small step through with 24" wheels,c/w whicker basket,price will be £895.00 Regret I cannot release photos at this time. Hope this may be useful to some. KudosDave
January 14, 201412 yr I delayed this reply until both bikes were en-ship to us. We have 2 new Kudos bikes due January,early February. Both are 29ers. Bike 1....is a 29er based upon the Arriba bike,with torque sensor and hydraulic brakes,price £1395.00,named Escape Bike 2....is a 29er based upon the Tornado bike,with speed sensor and mechanical disc brakes,price £1195.00,named Typhoon Most people who have viewed the prototypes think they are the best looking bikes Kudos have produced to date. There is a third bike which couldn't be more different....it is a small step through with 24" wheels,c/w whicker basket,price will be £895.00 Regret I cannot release photos at this time. Hope this may be useful to some. KudosDave That's pretty good spec for the price.
January 25, 201412 yr This is £799 and is excellent - http://www.cyclotricity.com/stealth-electric-cycle/
January 26, 201412 yr I delayed this reply until both bikes were en-ship to us. We have 2 new Kudos bikes due January,early February. Both are 29ers. Bike 1....is a 29er based upon the Arriba bike,with torque sensor and hydraulic brakes,price £1395.00,named Escape Bike 2....is a 29er based upon the Tornado bike,with speed sensor and mechanical disc brakes,price £1195.00,named Typhoon Most people who have viewed the prototypes think they are the best looking bikes Kudos have produced to date. There is a third bike which couldn't be more different....it is a small step through with 24" wheels,c/w whicker basket,price will be £895.00 Regret I cannot release photos at this time. Hope this may be useful to some. KudosDave Hi Dave Would you consider the 27.5" level? Pat
January 28, 201412 yr Good morning....if you are still looking for a commuting bike we at Dorset e bike centre have just 4 Spencer Ivy Spencers left to sell..they are current / classic models and if you come down to us we can sell them at way below cost price..RRP is £1795...yours for just £900 complete with usual 2 year warranty from Derby Cycle... Best regards Peter
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