Hello, my name is Nigel I am in my late fifties, just over 6ft 3in tall. im also the wrong side of 18st!! so all in all a big lad. I have worked in the motor trade for 40yrs. Up until 2 months ago I was on the workshop floor physically working hard and burning off the bad things we all eat and drink. Now I am in a Training and teaching role which involves a lot of driving and little exercise. I feel the need to take up exercise to compensate for my less physical job. In my youth I was an active cyclist I even passed my cycling proficiency at school! But of late I have tried it again but not been able to "stick" with it. So I think it s time for an ebike!!

but which one?

So I start with my armchair shopping/research, and I find this forum, been lurking for a while here as a guest. I quickly learn that all the "nice" bikes are quite pricey, now that's not a moan that's just a realisation of the "better" quality components. I wont be commuting so it will be just for pleasure/exercise/fun. so I cant offset the cost against any savings made on travelling. Therefore justifications need to be made to her indoors.

Now for all the silly questions/conclusions I have come to;

• I want to try and buy local so I can try for size before I buy,
  
• I would like a crank drive if possible,
  
• Happy with a pedal assist only but quite like the sound of a "throttle" to use if needed.
  
• would prefer an upright riding position mtb? city bike? or a Hybrid?
  
• I enjoy photography so rack/panniers to be able to combine hobbies would be desirable.
  
• Thinking of going to cycle show at the NEC in Sept but think I might have too much to look at.
  

So to the bikes, First I was drawn to the GTECH Sport, but I think I have moved on from that now. I live in Winchester so I visited Cytronex walked around the shop for nearly 10 minutes and was ignored (shop empty) so walked out. quite like the look of the Carrera crossfire e but they are sold by Halfords! and appear to suffer problems. Finally I quite like the look of the Freego Martin City and they are only 12m away in Southampton so I think a visit to them is in order, But at £1500 might be at the top of my imposed budget.

 

So ANY criticism constructive or otherwise will be gratefully recieved

King Regards

Nigel

Oxygen bikes are pretty good, and they're quite popular on the forum. They have dealers in Southampton/Eastleigh and Chichester

Oxygen bikes are pretty good, and they're quite popular on the forum. They have dealers in Southampton/Eastleigh and Chichester

 

Thank you for that I will look into that Eastleigh is only 6 miles

Hello Nigel

 

Similar boat to you. Mid fifties, 6'4" and a bit and 16 stone desk jockey. Got my e-bike Autumn last year and wish I'd done it ten years ago.

 

Aren't Cyclotricity near you too?:

http://www.cyclotricity.com/uk/

 

Gaz

Hello Nigel

 

Similar boat to you. Mid fifties, 6'4" and a bit and 16 stone desk jockey. Got my e-bike Autumn last year and wish I'd done it ten years ago.

 

Aren't Cyclotricity near you too?:

http://www.cyclotricity.com/uk/

 

Gaz

Yes Gaz they are in Bridge st that is the shop I went in. I think they have more than one trading name the card I picked up in there was cytronex

Gosh Crap customer care makes my blood boil

 

Serves 'em right if they've waved goodbye to you as a potential customer

 

Gaz

I'd just read this too:

http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/threads/news-ms-sufferer-e-bikes-from-cumbria-to-gothenburg.28588/

 

Go figure

 

G

Yes Gaz they are in Bridge st that is the shop I went in. I think they have more than one trading name the card I picked up in there was cytronex

 

Cyclotricity and Cytronex are entirely different companies. The latter is a small scale very specialised setup converting high end lightweight bikes into light assist e-bikes intended for already quite fit riders. Currently they seem to be abandoning that and only selling the kit.

 

Cyclotricity on the other hand is a mainstream e-bike maker, currently distinguished by tryin g to make them as much as possible in the UK.

.

Cyclotricity and Cytronex are entirely different companies. The latter is a small scale very specialised setup converting high end lightweight bikes into light assist e-bikes intended for already quite fit riders. Currently they seem to be abandoning that and only selling the kit.

 

Cyclotricity on the other hand is a mainstream e-bike maker, currently distinguished by tryin g to make them as much as possible in the UK.

.

Thank you for pointing that out, I am finding that there is a lot to learn.

Well to conclude this thread, I didn't get to see the freego or oxygen bikes as I decided I wanted a hybrid with a crankdrive. Saw a lovely Giant dirt e+1 but it was "reduced" to £2300. Then I saw a Cube reaction hybrid HPA pro400

that was "reduced" to £1619.00. Took it for a test ride and was impressed it felt comfortable and I then purchased it so am now a happy ebiker.

So thank you for your help and as I put miles on it I will report back