Any suggestions for an ebike to take on a cycling trip to Europe. I would like to be able to take it off paved roads onto tracks. I'm looking for a balance between weight and range but needs to be fairly rugged and sturdy.

 

I've got a Specialised Turbo Levo HT at the moment which is superb for steep mountain terrain but the range isn't great.

 

Any suggestions?

an additional battery in a pannier bag/rucksack for your Levo ?

If money is no object then this looks good.

 

http://www.50cycles.com/electric-bikes/rieseandmuller-bikes/supercharger_hs.html

 

A bit cheaper (but not cheap) there is the Cube Kathmandu

 

http://www.50cycles.com/electric-bikes/cube-bikes/kathmandu_hybrid_sl_500_di2.html

 

Or much cheaper the Woosh Rio with 17ah battery

 

http://wooshbikes.co.uk/?rio-mtb

an additional battery in a pannier bag/rucksack for your Levo ?

Yes, good suggestion. I'm looking at some trainers at the mo. The problem is with 3" tyres and a dropper post it's not ideal.

T

If money is no object then this looks good.

 

http://www.50cycles.com/electric-bikes/rieseandmuller-bikes/supercharger_hs.html

 

A bit cheaper (but not cheap) there is the Cube Kathmandu

 

http://www.50cycles.com/electric-bikes/cube-bikes/kathmandu_hybrid_sl_500_di2.html

 

Or much cheaper the Woosh Rio with 17ah battery

 

http://wooshbikes.co.uk/?rio-mtb

Thanks. The Rise and Muller looks interesting. I wonder what it's like on rougher tracks.

Yes, good suggestion. I'm looking at some trainers at the mo. The problem is with 3" tyres and a dropper post it's not ideal.

Yeah, I hear you.

I'd get a fixed seatpost, swap the tyres for some wide touring (Schwalbe Big Ben, or Energisers/Marathons) and get a seatpost with pannier holes like this to fix a pannier rack ( https://www.cyclestore.co.uk/mpart_seat_clamp_with_rack_mount-ID_69697?sv_source=google&sv_medium=cpc&sv_campaign=[campaign_name]&sv_term=[keyword]&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI7t6K1NaU2QIVqL3tCh1pjgwJEAQYBCABEgIR4fD_BwE )...you could do all of that for less than £100 inc. the pannier rack

Great ideas. I fear I'm in "I need a new bike" mode ! Better tweak what I already have....nice one

Bulls evo 650w plus a spare =1300w of juice

The

If money is no object then this looks good.

 

http://www.50cycles.com/electric-bikes/rieseandmuller-bikes/supercharger_hs.html

 

A bit cheaper (but not cheap) there is the Cube Kathmandu

 

http://www.50cycles.com/electric-bikes/cube-bikes/kathmandu_hybrid_sl_500_di2.html

 

Or much cheaper the Woosh Rio with 17ah battery

 

http://wooshbikes.co.uk/?rio-mtb

The Riese muller is available with the 1000w battery and the new rohloff E14 electronic gear shifter. The same price as a small car but interesting..

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/singletrackworld.com/2017/07/rohloff-embraces-e-bike-market-with-e-14/amp/

Best of both worlds convert a gravel bike with 42 - 47 mm tyres. You should be able to add panniers for taking your touring kit as well as a single wheel streamline trailer if needed. Definitely two batt's and chargers.

I have been considering long distance riding and tbh neither of my bikes fit the bill.

As I am getting older it feels like for every year I age there is two years off of my liveable life so it feels like time is short.

My ideal plan would be to sell both my bikes and buy something like this as a one bike solution to my road/ light trail useage with the option of long distance with all the usual maintenance issues gone with the wind.

The 6k cost with the battery upgrade needs consideration but you only live once...

So to the OP, is this on your budget?

https://www.onbike.co.uk/electric-bikes/riese-muller/supercharger-gx-rohloff.html

tbh that bike is a rip off when you add it up in bits 700 per batt 700 for the motor and 1k for the hub gears that is a lot that u are paying for the frame forks brakes ect.

 

a second batt in a backpack made for a batt is a better idea because you cant put a power tube batt in a back pack as there to long.

tbh that bike is a rip off when you add it up in bits 700 per batt 700 for the motor and 1k for the hub gears that is a lot that u are paying for the frame forks brakes ect.

 

a second batt in a backpack made for a batt is a better idea because you cant put a power tube batt in a back pack as there to long.

I hear what you are saying but not everything is about cost. If it were then all Audi drivers would be buying a Skoda.

so buy the skoda and dongle it

http://pettisperformance.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/pa180004.JPG

1000bhp just add nitro or dual turbos for even more

It's all relative to what your finances are and how much you use the bike. I spent a bit extra on the Levo and appreciate the subtle engineering which doesn't really show up in the specs. That said it's a bit low geared for "grand touring"

 

I hadn't heard about Riese and Muller until this evening so I'm reading up on it. You are definitely paying a premium for the rohloff cause it's new but I do like the idea of it when you are out in the open for weeks. Definitely tempted

It's all relative to what your finances are and how much you use the bike. I spent a bit extra on the Levo and appreciate the subtle engineering which doesn't really show up in the specs. That said it's a bit low geared for "grand touring"

 

I hadn't heard about Riese and Muller until this evening so I'm reading up on it. You are definitely paying a premium for the rohloff cause it's new but I do like the idea of it when you are out in the open for weeks. Definitely tempted

Been reading up myself but at the end of the day does it do what you want? For me it does.. no gears or chains to replace or adjust, factory fitted lights, mudguards and rear rack, 1000w batteries melded into the frame, light trail use and road, and now the electronic shifting that automatically engages a preselected low gear whenever you stop. Downside is the price but as Rohloff is now aligned with Bosch I am sure there will be more offerings popping up soon.

Yes, good suggestion. I'm looking at some trainers at the mo. The problem is with 3" tyres and a dropper post it's not ideal.

A change of handle bars eg Jones and seat should give more comfortable tourer. There are 2.8" touring/ commuter tyres.

Extra battery overcomes any range issues.

 

Cheaper to work with what you have especially if you are only doing a few weeks at time.

Long distance? You need a lawn chair! Only done about 50 km maximum so far but without a motor of course.

Then ultra long distance, say 250 km a day:

 

https://www.google.fr/search?q=velomobile&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwij_5Cz-pXZAhWlLsAKHagJAZoQ_AUICigB&biw=1303&bih=869

I converted an Orbit Orion using a Panda kit and a battery from Jimmy at BGA Reworking. The battery is 17.5Ah and running the kit derestricted I get about 40 miles out of it on my commute with plenty of life left. I think if I ran it restricted to 25Kph, even with a touring load, I could get 70 miles out of it. With a 21.5Ah battery that Jimmy could have supplied me, I reckon close to 100 miles. The caveat being that I supply plenty of the oomph, but I reckon you could do so too.

 

My point is that converting a decent tourer designed/built up for the role would give you a lot more choice than something off the shelf.

you said long distance - how many miles do you want to ride a day? 50-70 miles? that would be easy.

for me, a good tourer needs to be stable when loaded with lots of stuff in the panniers, comfortable Dutch style upright riding position, which usually mean adjustable quill stem and front suspension fork.

otherwise, hydraulic brakes, good suspension seat post, puncture proof tyres.

I bought my Trek Super Commuter with this sort of riding in mind.

 

Have made a few changes to the bike since, but nothing too drastic.

I have bought an additional 500w battery, but if you are going to ride say 70 miles a day or so, then you will need two batteries.

 

Bought a brooks saddle, nice, but not essential.

The bike comes with a rack for panniers, but I also bought a Carradice Pendle saddlebag which accommodates the spare battery easily.

 

Leaves the panniers free for anything you want to carry, avoids the battery being on your back in a backpack.

 

Comes with built in lights, I bought the hub geared version with the Nuvinci hub, has been excellent in 750 miles of use, with minimal attention.

 

There is a slight saving on the list price to be made if you purchased the same bike with Shimano XT gears.

A change of handle bars eg Jones and seat should give more comfortable tourer. There are 2.8" touring/ commuter tyres.

Extra battery overcomes any range issues.

 

Cheaper to work with what you have especially if you are only doing a few weeks at time.

Yes very true. But the problem for me is the Levo is very much designed for the mountains. It's low geared and the motor is designed for torque rather than speed or efficiency. But the Riese Muller/Rohloff dual battery option is painfully expensive.

Whilst I agree with a lot Woosh says, I disagree about the Dutch riding position and front suspension fork. Bikes of that style tend to be heavy. A tourer needs to be robust, but nimble. It won't be a sleek racer, but it should have lots of braze-ons for racks, etc. Something like this would do a very good job. There is a 700c option too. Fit a good FWD kit and a large battery & you can eat up the miles in comfort. Pay a little extra to have it fitted to you by having the right length stem and saddle position and you'll ride like in an armchair over long distances.

I bought my Trek Super Commuter with this sort of riding in mind.

 

Have made a few changes to the bike since, but nothing too drastic.

I have bought an additional 500w battery, but if you are going to ride say 70 miles a day or so, then you will need two batteries.

 

Bought a brooks saddle, nice, but not essential.

The bike comes with a rack for panniers, but I also bought a Carradice Pendle saddlebag which accommodates the spare battery easily.

 

Leaves the panniers free for anything you want to carry, avoids the battery being on your back in a backpack.

 

Comes with built in lights, I bought the hub geared version with the Nuvinci hub, has been excellent in 750 miles of use, with minimal attention.

 

There is a slight saving on the list price to be made if you purchased the same bike with Shimano XT gears.

Thanks that's good to know. What wattage are your batteries? I'm hoping for a comfortable 100 mile range , obviously depending on conditions.

you said long distance - how many miles do you want to ride a day? 50-70 miles? that would be easy.

for me, a good tourer needs to be stable when loaded with lots of stuff in the panniers, comfortable Dutch style upright riding position, which usually mean adjustable quill stem and front suspension fork.

otherwise, hydraulic brakes, good suspension seat post, puncture proof tyres.

I am hoping for 100 miles. I can get about 50 miles in mixed conditions with my 460w Levo unladen. Do you think 100 miles on 1000w Rohloff Supercharger, laden is unrealistic?