Hi,

 

Might be able to stretch the budget.

 

I wasn't aware that the electric bike market was so diverse and mature - I can't cycle due to arthritic knees and I don't really want the expense of a petrol scooter so I wonder if an electric bike might do the trick.

 

I would appreciated some suggested models with good reputation and no issue with spare parts so I can do a more focussed search on ebay/gumtree - the choice is bewildering.

 

I am seeking a pedelec suitable for a 12 mile round commute with limited peddling (I have arthritic knees) and some modest hills. In fact, I'd quite like not to peddle at all....I won't be able to charge it at work and I live in Scotland something that won't struggle in the damp and cold would be nice.

 

My only other main criteria is that I can fit on a decent size pannier case (I have an ortlieb at the moment which would be nice to be able to reuse but obviously I can sell that on ebay and get a more suitable one).

 

A nice to have would be lightness - I have to lift it up and down either some stairs at the front of the house or a deep step up into the shed.

 

I like the idea of a folding bike but that's not a main criteria (in theory, it would be nice to take it into the office with me but in reality, we are crammed in like sardines and there is a bike shed outside anyway. Again in theory, it would be nice to take it on the train but one main point of buying it would be to save on train fares... ).

 

thanks for your time

Sorry, forgot to add that I am of fairly average female height (5 ft 6") and weight (10 stone)

And it doesn't need to be a 'female' style bike. Most of mine have been unisex.

Hi jowo

 

A folder with a throttle should do the job. Almost any 36volt 10 amp system would have the range. Infact the tesco hopper with its 24 volt system I think it is Pedelec and no throttle?

It's worth a look and at £380 new with club card points under budget for the bottom of the range and circa 15 mile range but go a little higher to £420 ish it for the hopper shopper it has a bigger battery and gears for an easy 20+ mile range.

 

Dave

 

O my god I didn't recommend whoosh???

Edited January 29, 201511 yr by D8ve

I hate to have to say it, but you'll be very lucky to find a bike that meets your requirements for that sort of money. I can tell you that the Woosh Big Bear LS will be perfect for what you want, but its £809. It's one of the few bikes that can take you along up some medium hills without pedalling. It's not light though. There's loads of used bikes on Ebay and Gumtree, but you never know how good the battery is.

I suspected my budget was optimistic.

 

My employer suspended the bike to work loan scheme and it doesn't get reinstated until the new financial year.

I would be very wary of buying anything mechanical like an electric bike second hand, although the prices do look attractive. I suppose like cars, you can be lucky. But a used bike which has a dodgy battery is going to cost a couple of hundred pounds to replace.

 

My employer has never had a bike to work scheme. I may ask them if they can run one, but finances are very tight at the moment.

O my god I didn't recommend whoosh???

 

Just as well, link here

.

On reflection, I think a lightweight folding bike is a must-have rather than a nice-to-have, preferably one that comes with a decent pannier rack.

 

That way, I can probably lift it down the steps more easily and perhaps be able to take it into the gym, office or yoga studio, get it onto local trains and buses.

 

Point taken about battery life issues with second hand bikes - no cost saving there if I then have to shell out £200 or more for a new battery.

the woosh Gale may suit you. It has a 10AH battery, that gives about 25-30 miles on a full charge. It has a throttle so you pedal when you want to.

 

http://wooshbikes.co.uk/?gale

 

http://wooshbikes.co.uk/2014/gale/mini/gale2-800.jpg

That's a very sensible carrier on the Woosh Gale. All too often small wheel folders have the carrier more forward where the heels when pedalling foul any panniers fitted.

.

Ah, that woosh looks just the ticket.

 

I noticed the Viking Harrier looks similar (not aware of reputation or reviews compared to Woosh) but it has less capacity (24v).

In theory, I can convert my existing mountain bike into an e-bike by buying a rear or front wheel 48v 500/1000w kit off ebay for around £200, one of which claims a top speed of 45 km/h...(downhill, with the wind behind me, and a brand new battery...?).

 

Is the reality that these are poor components that require frequent replacement as there are other kits for sale, twice that?

 

Also, I came across adverts on ebay for motorized petrol driven bicycles, one claiming to be 50cc (which if its anything like scooter laws, will go up to 28MPH). Who knew?! Expect these are subject to the usual motorcycle/scooter laws, not pedal bikes.

In theory, I can convert my existing mountain bike into an e-bike by buying a rear or front wheel 48v 500/1000w kit off ebay for around £200, one of which claims a top speed of 45 km/h...(downhill, with the wind behind me, and a brand new battery...?).

 

Is the reality that these are poor components that require frequent replacement as there are other kits for sale, twice that?

 

Also, I came across adverts on ebay for motorized petrol driven bicycles, one claiming to be 50cc (which if its anything like scooter laws, will go up to 28MPH). Who knew?! Expect these are subject to the usual motorcycle/scooter laws, not pedal bikes.

 

Those kits are very heavy and you need big heavy batteries that you'll struggle to find a place to mount. They're normally pretty reliable, but your bike won't be very pleasant to ride. There are light-weight kits for your bike. They all need a bit of DIY and head scratching to fit.

 

The folding bikes are not really suitable for taking on a bus or train, nor for bringing into the office. They're still too big and heavy. Non-folding bikes are often lighter because they don't need such strong frames.

 

Those petrol motor kits will get your bike confiscated by the police.

 

There's not many electric bikes at the cheaper end of the scale that can get you around without much pedal effort unless you've got no hills. Most of the cheaper bikes have small, low-powered motors and small batteries.

OK, so I could keep my eye on the secondhand bikes that get resold on the Woosh website that come with warranties so that might save £100 or so.

 

But on the predictor wizard on the Woosh website, they recommended the Zephyr-CDN (rather than the Gale) due to the type of gradient/distance that I entered. With the greater cost of this bike and additional cost of a panner rack, this is even more financially challenging.

 

The Zephyr has a 36Volts 8AH Lithium battery and motor rated at 250W.

 

What do you think to my buying a Powerbyke Folder second hand for around £200-300 and then spending £200-250 on a replacement batttery of this type of power and capacity?

 

Example

 

https://bmsbattery.com/ebike-battery/114-36v10ah-lifepo4-battery-38120-battery-pack-with-carrier-headway-battery.html

 

There is a thread on this forum where someone bought that model with flat batteries and was advised on how to replace/upgrade this model.

 

http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/threads/assistance-required-used-powabyke.13984/

Example 2nd handbike

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Powabyke-Foldable-Electric-Bike-Perfect-Working-Order-No-Reserve-/141559890393?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item20f5a081d9

The Mezzo is the closest to your requirement:

http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/threads/mezzo-folding-bicycles-emezzo-e-bikes-for-sale.19326/

 

otherwise the gallego:

http://www.wooshbikes.co.uk/?gallego

 

but weight 18kg which is still high for a folder

Ah, the Mezzo sounds interesting, thanks. Lot of the nice design and functionality of the Brompton but without a tear-inducing price....

O my god I didn't recommend whoosh???

 

Don't worry Dave that task is always covered on the forum by Trex:rolleyes:

Thanks John it's good to have backup.

Have to second the recommendation for the mezzo. I've had the folder since 2007 was thinking about electrifing it but finances have changed. Commuter bag was £70 when I got it, is now about £20 on eBay. Would love emezzo, but mezzo itself is great anyway and at Paul's (morphix) prices a bargain.

... And I thought you were the backup for if trex was too slow Dave

OK, so I could keep my eye on the secondhand bikes that get resold on the Woosh website that come with warranties so that might save £100 or so.

 

But on the predictor wizard on the Woosh website, they recommended the Zephyr-CDN (rather than the Gale) due to the type of gradient/distance that I entered. With the greater cost of this bike and additional cost of a panner rack, this is even more financially challenging.

 

The Zephyr has a 36Volts 8AH Lithium battery and motor rated at 250W.

 

What do you think to my buying a Powerbyke Folder second hand for around £200-300 and then spending £200-250 on a replacement batttery of this type of power and capacity?

 

Example

 

https://bmsbattery.com/ebike-battery/114-36v10ah-lifepo4-battery-38120-battery-pack-with-carrier-headway-battery.html

 

There is a thread on this forum where someone bought that model with flat batteries and was advised on how to replace/upgrade this model.

 

http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/threads/assistance-required-used-powabyke.13984/

a second hand bike makes sense. You soon save enough money to buy a better bike next time. Don't bother buying a new battery for it though. Most ready built bikes are optimized, upgrades are uneconomical. If the woosh predictor recommends the zephyr-CDN, it's because you have serious hills in your area, buy a second hand bike with the biggest 36V motor. Kits aren't cheaper than ready builts from woosh, without previous experience, you run a risk of not achieving your goal.

If you can't find any suitable second hand, ask Hatti @ woosh for a Mono. These used to be sold for £399 and they are good on hills. They are no longer sold on the woosh website but I think they still got one, she probably can give you a good deal.

http://wooshbikes.co.uk/mono.html

http://wooshbikes.co.uk/mono/dimension-mono.jpg

Trex

Looking at your photo. Is it hinged in the middle at the base of the seat post/crank ?

I cannot believe that that would do anything but wobble and rock. Sea sick on a bike?

It would incidentally reduce pedalling efficiency too?