October 15, 20169 yr Hi, I'm new to the forum so sorry to be asking for help straight off ! I could really do with some help on choosing an ebike. I've got a 20 mile commute which I'm now looking to do by bike though not as fit as I used to be hence looking at an ebike. I'm looking for a 20" frame and ideally a bike that looks as close as possible to a normal mountain bike. I really don't want to spend more than £1K unless I absolutely have to. I've been looking at the Gtech bike www.gtech.co.uk/ebike £999 , the Aerobike www.aero-bike.co.uk £799 and the Oxygen S Cross form Ebikes ( a bit over my budget at £1,200). Any advice on my short list or any other bikes you think I should look at ? Many Thanks Duffryn Edited October 15, 20169 yr by Duffryn
October 15, 20169 yr I agree. A conversion is usually the most satisfying solution for cyclists, beside saving you a fair amount. For ready built bikes, your weight is a factor. If you are over 15st, I'd suggest something like the £999 Woosh Big Bear. 15AH battery, 20A controller, mudguards and rack fitted for all weather riding. http://wooshbikes.co.uk/?bigbear http://wooshbikes.co.uk/2016/bigbear/bigbear.jpg
October 15, 20169 yr Author Thanks loads for the input. I'm 11 stone so hopefully weight won't be an issue. Unfortunately I don't have an existing bike to fit a kit onto. I prefer the look of the Gtech / Aerobike / Carrera cross fire to the Big Bear. I don't really want to stretch to £1,100 for the Carrera. Is there anything wrong with the Gtech or the Aerobike ? Both seem to be able to handle the distance I need to travel with some margin left.
October 15, 20169 yr Only negative thing I've read about the gtech is the lack of gears, that won't matter if your trip to work is mainly flat but could be a problem if you've got some hills to contend with.
October 15, 20169 yr for your weight, there is the £929 Woosh Karoo. It has 8-speed and 13AH battery, more than twice the battery capacity of the Gtech. http://wooshbikes.co.uk/?karoo http://wooshbikes.co.uk/karoo/karoo5-1500.jpg
October 15, 20169 yr for your weight, there is the £929 Woosh Karoo. It has 8-speed and 13AH battery, more than twice the battery capacity of the Gtech. http://wooshbikes.co.uk/?karoo http://wooshbikes.co.uk/karoo/karoo5-1500.jpg That's a nice looking bike!
October 15, 20169 yr it's even nicer looking if you ask Woosh to replace the grips with a £25 pair of Ergon grips.
October 15, 20169 yr The areo bike (5.8 ah) and gtec both have very small batteries. The gtec has no gears, the aero has two. Both factors limit the range and usefulness of the bikes. Disk brakes really are a no brainier on a new bike. You can get good bikes on eBay or similar. Then convert. £200 gets a very nice one then £600 for conversion and you will have a very nice set up. If you can do the job obviously, but it's nothing more than you could have done in school engineering as a boy.
October 15, 20169 yr it's even nicer looking if you ask Woosh to replace the grips with a £25 pair of Ergon grips.
October 15, 20169 yr Author Thanks for all the help and advice. I'm only doing a 20 mile round journey commute on the bike and so I'm not sure the size of the battery will be an issue . The Aero bike having two gears is an advantage over the Gtech and so I think its a choice between the Aero or the Karroo.
October 15, 20169 yr One factor you might want to consider. We get quite a few people asking about what bike to buy, and then they finally settle on one. A couple of weeks later, they're back asking how to make their bike go faster than 15 mph. Some of the bikes mentioned above can't be easily changed. Out of all of them, the only one I know with certainty is the Oxygen, which can be made to go way over 20 mph. I only mention this in case it's important to you. It's not legal. Whatever bike you get, one with a hub-motor will be perfectly suited to your type of daily commuting.
October 15, 20169 yr Author Thnak One factor you might want to consider. We get quite a few people asking about what bike to buy, and then they finally settle on one. A couple of weeks later, they're back asking how to make their bike go faster than 15 mph. Some of the bikes mentioned above can't be easily changed. Out of all of them, the only one I know with certainty is the Oxygen, which can be made to go way over 20 mph. I only mention this in case it's important to you. It's not legal. Whatever bike you get, one with a hub-motor will be perfectly suited to your type of daily commuting. Thanks, that's a good point !
October 17, 20169 yr I'm now undecided, I've been looking at the Whoosh Big Bear, but worried over seeing one and test riding as I think the shop is in Southend?
October 17, 20169 yr Author I'm now undecided, I've been looking at the Whoosh Big Bear, but worried over seeing one and test riding as I think the shop is in Southend? After lots of thought I ended up going for the Aero bike, its a lot cheaper and there is a 14 day trial offer so I don't think I can really lose. It arrives Friday and I cannot wait to give it a go. I will let you know how I get on
October 17, 20169 yr Careful with the 14 day trials, one I looked at said, we only accept returns within 14 days f it's unused! For a bike!!
October 25, 20169 yr Author Well my Aerobike X Ride arrived on Friday and I've now just finished my 4th outing on it. I've got to say I'm impressed with it. It's my first ebike and so I've got nothing to compare it to but I am very pleased with my purchase. The battery seems to last forever, I've done well over 30 miles and its still showing a half charge ! I don't want to risk running out of charge so will charge it up again tonight. After getting a wet backside this evening I'm going to purchase the mudguards but all in all its difficult to fault - especially for the money. I've taken some stick at the office for cheating but this is from people that drive into work - the irony !
October 26, 20169 yr I bought the Big Bear LS for my wife after initially thinking of going for the GTech. Although I live on the edge of the Somerset levels I was aware that once my wife was enjoying riding her electric bike that she might want to go further afield. I have been proved right and as now she has ridden it locally she now wants to go further and not always on the flat! I'm impressed with the range of the bike, her last trip of 45 miles was easily within the batteries range, it now means we can get out together, with me on my carbon road bike. My Garmin gps measured the average speed of just over 15mph over 45 miles. The bike weighs 27 kilos (according to the weight stamped on the box it came in) but on the flat my wife found it relatively easy to pedal and the boost on power level 2 made the inclines we met no problem. The swept back handlebar angle makes the ride comfy.
April 18, 20179 yr Well my Aerobike X Ride arrived on Friday and I've now just finished my 4th outing on it. I've got to say I'm impressed with it. It's my first ebike and so I've got nothing to compare it to but I am very pleased with my purchase. The battery seems to last forever, I've done well over 30 miles and its still showing a half charge ! I don't want to risk running out of charge so will charge it up again tonight. After getting a wet backside this evening I'm going to purchase the mudguards but all in all its difficult to fault - especially for the money. I've taken some stick at the office for cheating but this is from people that drive into work - the irony !
April 18, 20179 yr Hi Duffryn I am also undecided whether to go with the gtech or Aerobike and went on to this forum to get some advice. I read your posts and was wondering how you are getting on with the Aerobike 6 months later? Many thanks
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