Nothing Oxford branded is worth buying. Almax chains and a squire lock are well worth the money.

 

The Oxford lock is good being a bendy type it has an inner steel core with an outer core covering like individual roller bearings with a plastic sleeve over the top, though in time this cracks. D locks look good and strong but their week point are the lugs that hold them in, I'm reliably told by my nephew who who works for DMR bikes that most bike thieves love em as a tug and a lever in the right place and they are off in seconds.

 

Some of the Oxford items are sold secure rated (Bronze up to Gold) - I have to admit that I'm not too convinced by a brand that i regularly see in TKMaxx stores though.

 

Almax chains aren't foolproof either sadly - i suppose if someone wants it bad enough then they'll come with the right tools. Case of risk limitation versus weight and practicality.

 

erring towards a D lock with the option to use a wire loop if necessary.

Well managed to get to my local TKMaxx at lunchtime - the usual suspects in terms of bike lights and locks, prices no better than anywhere else and nothing there that inspired any sense of security (in fairness though they only have locks up to £10 in price ; Am-Tech, Rolson and the odd Oxford).

 

Decided to go with a Kryptonite D lock and additional wire loop so i can wire the motored front wheel as well.

 

thanks for the suggestions.

Pichipedals That is a brilliant write up. So useful to other E Bike researchers. Thanks for taking the time.

Pichipedals That is a brilliant write up. So useful to other E Bike researchers. Thanks for taking the time.

 

Thanks - I hope its of use to someone, in the same way as I found Lancslass' thread(s) useful for myself .

 

I'm no expert, but then perhaps my non techie reviews might help the next e-bike virgin !

 

 

 

I managed a short trip out today in between rain showers - familiarisation ride

 

The nearby cycle path (starts other side of my village) presents a nice steady gradient of 1:12 along what was a railway line in years gone by - sufficiently wide for walkers, cyclist and dog walkers its tree / hedge lined edges give a useful barrier from the neighbouring busy B road. Did 5 miles up the path, giving ample opportunity to try out the assistance modes and the gears - top level assistance had me tootling along at a very pleasant 12 mph in a high gear with next to no effort - exactly why you buy an eBike lol!

 

Return journey was a very comfortable coast, amply aided by gravity

 

Very, very impressed with the Groove; my day got even better with the arrival of my new funky panniers :D

 

Hopefully the security lock arrives tomorrow which will give me even more opportunity to use the bike.

Most breaching of D locks is done by levering from inside the D.

 

When you deploy it, try to make sure the D is well filled by the bike and anchor point.

most ppl that rob bikes round here use angle grinders so go through a d lock like butter in seconds.

Thanks for the advice peeps.

 

I thankfully will be locking the bike up in a reasonable public place, if not outside a shop door, so in full visibility and only in daylight hours. fingers crossed thats as much a deterrent as the lock itself !

So a week in I can report i do like my Kalkhoff - its a very refined ride bar the squeeky seat (no doubt my other half can sort that for me !), I'm impressed by the design, control layout and the level of assistance available.

 

30 years away from a bike means i'm rather wobbly and nervous in traffic , but that'll come with practice. Two small tumbles last week, one possibly down to too much (ie full!) assistance negotiating a roundabout and the other due to an insecure pannier (schoolgirl error lol!). My other half is encouraging me for short rides out at quieter times to practice and to re-learn some 'road sense'.