Thanks Trex, they're certainly moving in the right direction. Without riding one I guess it's difficult to understand the way the power cuts out, but thanks for the explanation.

My husband bought one of these recently (Vita Uno):

http://londonelectricbike.com/electric-bike/vita-uno-26/

He loves the bike and it has already made it with ease up a 3 mile hill where we live. The reason I mention it is because it is within your price range at £695 and it's well equipped at that price.

It's actually a Kudos Cobra, dressed up for London Electric Bike to sell, if you do a search on here you should find plenty of information about the Kudos Cobra.

 

The Greenedge was another bike that he looked at but there have been a couple of problems reported from new owners on here (again a forum search will lead you to the threads).

 

The Gtech has just been reduced by £700 which has brought it down into your range but it's the only bike that they produce, they actually manufacture hoovers mainly so you might consider that they have questionable experience and committment to their product compared to the likes of Woosh, Kudos and Juicy Bikes, all of whom have been manufacturing ebikes for several years.

 

The other bike that hubby has ridden is a Juicy Bike Sport:

https://www.juicybike.co.uk/electric-bikes/sport-click-our-latest-hybrid-ebike

He liked the bike and it went up a very steep hill with ease but he decided on the Vita Uno as he preferred the styling. Juicy Bike have already offered to locate the Juicy Sport Lite for you which is a similar style to the Sport. Bob at Juicy Bikes was a great guy to deal with and I ended up buying my ebike from him. Aftercare has also been super.

 

Myself and hubby have recently got into the ebike world and I can't recommend highly enough that you listen to the advice of the more experienced folk on this forum, who will help as much as they can.

thanks for that lancslass, yes ive come to the conclusion that a rush purchase may not be the way to go.... tbh im a bit torn on about 4 bikes... I am wondering if the CS2 mountain bike style may give me a bit more in terms of IF I want to go on slightly more rough rides.... the freego raptor seems very light compared to most the woosh kaloo seems nice and is certainly getting my attention lol.... been riding to work for last 15 years and using a

trek 7.5fx for last 5 or so.... not keen on cycling against the wind but love cycling with it so hoping ebike will give me the feeling of with the wind when im actually against it lol...hope that makes sense lol

thanks for that lancslass, yes ive come to the conclusion that a rush purchase may not be the way to go.

 

I'm sure that time spent listening to the experience folks on here will reward you with the bike that you really want

 

I am wondering if the CS2 mountain bike style may give me a bit more in terms of IF I want to go on slightly more rough rides

 

The Vita Uno that I mentioned above will accept mountain bike tyres I'm sure, because the Kudos Cobra from which it derives is a MTB set up. Guys who know better than me will put me right if I'm speaking rubbish.:rolleyes:

How quickly does the assistance stop then? is there any delay?

 

Instant on my bike as soon as the pedals stop turning. The motor spins down but stops drawing power.

 

I unfortunately tested this afternoon a young lady pulled out from a stop sign in front of me. Of course I blocked the brakes and as soon as the back locked up instant stoppy and I almost went over the front. She said sorry and I said those French words you learn referring to her intellectual abilities. No she wasn't on the phone!

ive got a uno but I think you have to consider the availability of spares and in the future the cost of battery replacement. lebc/kudos/woosh are all ok as spares are carried.

and also tech help advice.

 

like the weight of the raptor but if its cold and windy id think the range would be very limited,

 

there are quite often ex demo ebikes with warrenty and special offers ie kudos had some Monday I believe some a fair bit cheaper than new

Ok, so anyone got any advice on this,,,,

Green edge cs2 is £649

The kudos cobra £200 more.... Is it worth it do you think,,,,

Also presumably the amount of assistance in high if the motors are 250w is presumably the sameish as each other ?

Cheers og

at this price level, you pay for the components. Kudos bikes have got some of the best finished frames around. The Cobra has better motor, better fork, beter crankset, better brakes. I don't need to go on, you get the picture.

at this price level, you pay for the components. Kudos bikes have got some of the best finished frames around. The Cobra has better motor, better fork, beter crankset, better brakes. I don't need to go on, you get the picture.

Cheers for that, I think I'm down to kudos or the woosh kaloo ...two different bikes and I'm leaning towards the kudos cobra as the normal bike I have is a trek 7.5fx hybrid and I have a giant roam (which is an inbetween mtb and hybrid) .... Shame I can't try them Does the smaller wheel on the cobra make it slower or harder to pedal ? Cheers og

Cheers for that, I think I'm down to kudos or the woosh kaloo ...two different bikes and I'm leaning towards the kudos cobra as the normal bike I have is a trek 7.5fx hybrid and I have a giant roam (which is an inbetween mtb and hybrid) .... Shame I can't try them Does the smaller wheel on the cobra make it slower or harder to pedal ? Cheers og

 

You need to test ride,the Woosh Karoo is more of a road sports bike,the Cobra is more of a mountain bike style, but with electrical assist the differences between these bikes becomes muted.

The Cobra is available as an ex-demo,priced at £662.00,, these ex demo bikes are what we use for test rides but many are almost brand new.

Woosh are at Southend,Kudos at Whitstable...not too far apart,the M2 motorway really. Alternatively we have a showroom in the west of London,LEBC at Hampton Wick.

Smaller wheels increase the torque reaction from the motor making uphill progress easier.

KudosDave

Edited December 12, 201510 yr by Kudoscycles

Does the smaller wheel on the cobra make it slower or harder to pedal ? Cheers og

 

if you are talking about riding without power then the energy efficiency of the drive train should be the most important factor, the size of the wheels is less important. In general, skinny slick tyres win over wide MTB tyres by a large margin, wider bottom bracket (GXP) is stiffer (better) than standard 68mm bracket, external ball bearings better than internal ones, rigid fork saps less power than suspension fork.

If you are happy to have an ex demo bike the very popular Kudos Tornado or its bigger brother,the Typhoon are on special at £811.00 and £885.00 respectively. They both have the powerful BPM motor.

Many forum members have either of these bikes.

Hope that helps.

KudosDave

If you are happy to have an ex demo bike the very popular Kudos Tornado or its bigger brother,the Typhoon are on special at £811.00 and £885.00 respectively. They both have the powerful BPM motor.

Many forum members have either of these bikes.

Hope that helps.

KudosDave

Thanks Dave, I will call you next week, I have noted the vita uno seems the same bike too.... Is the bpm motor only on the two you mention ? What is the diffrence on the cobra motor ? Cheers

Hey all, great forum....

SO I know very little about ebikes, and rearly would like some help here.

I basically cycle 2-3 miles to work and then back, 1 very steep hill, the rest flat road etc ...

I love the fitness side and won't be giving up my normal bike BUT a couple of days a week I want something a bit easier.... I think I've narrowed it down to the following and would love some input....

Freego raptor - can get one for £689

Greenedge Cs2 - £649

OR the Gtech ebike for £995

 

Will gears be better for going faster over the single speeds ?

 

Any help appreciated muchly

Thanks

Og

Greenedge cs2 is a good choice I had one as my first ebike did 1800 miles and enjoyed it but wanted bigger and better lol but for the mileage your talking about it would be right up your alley

And I can vouch for the guys at ebikes direct customer service was great

Thanks Dave, I will call you next week, I have noted the vita uno seems the same bike too.... Is the bpm motor only on the two you mention ? What is the diffrence on the cobra motor ? Cheers

 

The Cobra and Vita Uno are very similar bikes and use the SWX type motor,many find this motor ideal for their use(see Lancslass). The BPM is a larger diameter with improved low speed torque,it is used on the Tornado,Typhoon,Escape,Arriba.

Trust that answers your question.

KudosDave

Popped into halfords this afternoon by chance, now I'm more confused lol.... The 26inch wheel seemed so small for me compared to the 27.5 and 29..... I know the typhoon is a 29er but there doesn't seem to be a lot of 27.5 options for a lower budget ... Is that right ? Some of the 26" ones looked tiny even against the 27.5s..... Kinda put me off the cs2 and cobra

Og

This is the current Krieger:

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

Woosh have a new Krieger with 650B wheels (27.5 inch) for taller riders in January.

The new bike is fitted with the 15AH HL downtube battery.

not always easy uno 3 levels of assist,typhoon more powerfull moter more assist levels but 23kg. 10.4ah battery. 26" with front sus. 24 speed

 

karoo 13ah battery with option of 15ah longer range and 19kg no front sus but 700c wheels and I believe full speed throttle 8 speed

not always easy uno 3 levels of assist,typhoon more powerfull moter more assist levels but 23kg. 10.4ah battery. 26" with front sus. 24 speed

 

karoo 13ah battery with option of 15ah longer range and 19kg no front sus but 700c wheels and I believe full speed throttle 8 speed

 

typhoon isn't a 26" wheel

its a 29er ??

Popped into halfords this afternoon by chance, now I'm more confused lol.... The 26inch wheel seemed so small for me compared to the 27.5 and 29..... I know the typhoon is a 29er but there doesn't seem to be a lot of 27.5 options for a lower budget ... Is that right ? Some of the 26" ones looked tiny even against the 27.5s..... Kinda put me off the cs2 and cobra

Og

 

I hear what you are saying about wheel sizes, but it's irrelevant to the fit of the bike - or should be if the frame is properly designed.

 

Fit is down to the relationship between the three points of contact - saddle, pedals and handlebars.

 

The first two are most important.

 

The distance between the saddle and pedals is not governed by the wheel size.

 

A Brompton runs on 16" wheels, but can be ridden by 6ft+ riders.

The bigger the wheel, the further you have to fall !!

 

My husband is 5ft 8" and he fits 26" wheels comfortably.

He briefly test rode a 28" wheeled bike and felt very unsure on it.

 

I am 5ft 3" and ride on 26" wheels, but my saddle is on it's lowest position. I am quite a confident rider but a lot of women of my height, I imagine, would feel unsure on it.

 

I think it's down to your inside leg measurement and how comfortable you feel on the bike.

 

Did you actually sit on a 28" bike at Halfords to see how comfortable you felt on it?

Edited December 14, 201510 yr by Lancslass

I hear what you are saying about wheel sizes, but it's irrelevant to the fit of the bike - or should be if the frame is properly designed.

 

Fit is down to the relationship between the three points of contact - saddle, pedals and handlebars.

 

The first two are most important.

 

The distance between the saddle and pedals is not governed by the wheel size.

 

A Brompton runs on 16" wheels, but can be ridden by 6ft+ riders.

 

yes, I can see what your saying, I suppose I'm just use to a 700c wheel etc etc

I personally also prefer the look of the 27.5 inch mtb by a distance over the 26" - but that is cosmetic and just my opinion.....

the 29er typhoon is in my budget and to all intensive purposes I prefer the oversized look than the smaller 26" - 27.5 bikes seem to be (other than a couple) considerably more than £750-£850 .....

Davekudos has been very good and allowing me to try it and return with a cost of £25 if I change my mind.... that's fair imo....either way I believe the typhoon at £885 is worth the extra over the CS2 and is less than the GTECH I was firstly considering .... that's thanks to this forum.....

will let you know how it goes :-)

cheers

og

The bigger the wheel, the further you have to fall !!

 

My husband is 5ft 8" and he fits 26" wheels comfortably.

He briefly test rode a 28" wheeled bike and felt very unsure on it.

 

I am 5ft 3" and ride on 26" wheels, but my saddle is on it's lowest position. I am quite a confident rider but a lot of women of my height, I imagine, would feel unsure on it.

 

I think it's down to your inside leg measurement and how comfortable you feel on the bike.

 

Did you actually sit on a 28" bike at Halfords to see how comfortable you felt on it?

 

Yes, I have also in the past ridden a 29er and felt fine.... the 27.5 felt the best but I'm not doing that.....

I'm quite happy on a 22inch 700c hybrid trek so don't think I'm in for any shocks.... hopefully lol

yes, I can see what your saying, I suppose I'm just use to a 700c wheel etc etc

I personally also prefer the look of the 27.5 inch mtb by a distance over the 26" - but that is cosmetic and just my opinion.....

the 29er typhoon is in my budget and to all intensive purposes I prefer the oversized look than the smaller 26" - 27.5 bikes seem to be (other than a couple) considerably more than £750-£850 .....

Davekudos has been very good and allowing me to try it and return with a cost of £25 if I change my mind.... that's fair imo....either way I believe the typhoon at £885 is worth the extra over the CS2 and is less than the GTECH I was firstly considering .... that's thanks to this forum.....

will let you know how it goes

cheers

og

 

Rider preference is all, so let's hope you can get on with Typhoon.

 

One thing to check with a 29er is toe clearance.

 

It can be tight with the big wheel and a relatively voluminous tyre.

 

Think also about mudguards, traditional ones will reduce the clearance still further.

 

You may not want them anyway, but if you do, a down tube flinger and a short guard under the forks will do the job.

 

Another benefit of a short guard under the fork brace is it keeps road debris off the fork stanchions.

 

This is good because as the fork moves up and down, the debris is ground down into the seals.