That's right, a lot of sellers claim 350w because they're selling into USA. many of those motors are the same as fitted to UK bikes marked 250w. Unfortunately, a motor marked 350w is not legal. Some have easy-peal labels, which helps, but if the motor''s engraved, there's not much you can do. Some motors have no markings. If you're unsure about any listing/marking, you can ask the supplier about how it's marked.

TBH, being a wuss I'd go for the 250W item. Mind you if it was a case of just a sticker...I once had a race exhaust engraved with a fake CE kitemark...never got pulled though so never found out if that worked.

 

The non-detachable screen bothers me. Left unattended that would generate unwanted attention. The answer would be a throttle. Poxy government.

The non-detachable screen bothers me. Left unattended that would generate unwanted attention. The answer would be a throttle. Poxy government.

A throttle is useful on an ebike, but not as the primary means of power or speed control. Pedal assist is much better.

 

If you get a kit with a KT controller, you can get the LCD4, which is tiny and not really nickable.

Mmm...interesting but disagree. Some scrotes would steal or attempt to steal anything, whether or not it was any use to them or even if they knew what it was or not.

No pleasing some folk.

I have lcd1, 2 , 3 & 4 none have been tampered with, if you don't have an lcd you don't get the nice power levels for control. With thumb throttle the power is either on or off and twist throttle is a kin to being a moped and not a pedelecs.

Is KT a brand or a type?

No pleasing some folk.

I have lcd1, 2 , 3 & 4 none have been tampered with, if you don't have an lcd you don't get the nice power levels for control. With thumb throttle the power is either on or off and twist throttle is a kin to being a moped and not a pedelecs.

Just a bit leery about leaving it outside the supermarket. TBH, I had imagined a progressive delivery of power derived entirely from pedal input.

KT is Keunteng an electronics brand a very good China producer.

 

I leave my main bike at the superstore and in town when shopping, like anything if one knows the local area they should be aware where it is safe for 20/30 mins to pop in to do some shopping.

With bikes it's often a routine thing , if it is noticed by scum they may note any regularities in routine then choose a time to do their thing , a total scum bag will be tooled up and won't need an invitation.

The problem with displays if removable is the contacts then become an issue and as we see with some of the mid motor brands cause connection issues.

 

The more blingy a bike looks the more attention it receives.

Convert a nice bike in good mech condition but don't pay much attention to detail and cleaning , something that might look naff and unloved is one way of drawing less attraction.

The problem with displays if removable is the contacts then become an issue and as we see with some of the mid motor brands cause connection issues.

 

The more blingy a bike looks the more attention it receives.

Convert a nice bike in good mech condition but don't pay much attention to detail and cleaning , something that might look naff and unloved is one way of drawing less attraction.

Yep that's why I'm messing with on oldie! Trouble is its looking better by the day...

A throttle is useful on an ebike, but not as the primary means of power or speed control. Pedal assist is much better.

 

If you get a kit with a KT controller, you can get the LCD4, which is tiny and not really nickable.

Put a bike cover on your bike when locking it, I’ve seen a few folk doing that around the university here!

I've been leaving my bikes outside supermarkets, pubs, doctors, dentists, hospital, meetings, etc for ten years. I've never had anything interfered with yet. I always park in the open, where it can be seen from as many directions as possible. At the supermarket, instead of the bike racks around the corner, I lock it to a tree next to the main path. At the pub, I lock it somewhere where i can see it out the window.

 

I don't go to the gym nor the cinema, but leaving one outside there would be asking for trouble. Likewise parking in the same position every day while at work will get it nicked very quickly. You just have to use a bit of common sense and a lock that can defeat bolt-croppers.

 

One time at the dentist, I locked my bike to a post outside next to a low wall. When I came out, there was a guy that looked like a drug addict sitting on the wall next to it looking like he was studying how it was locked. He had left his really rough cheapo MTB unlocked leaning against the wall. I think he was just an opportunist thief who had seen it and was hoping for an easy steal, but there was no way past my lock.

For the shop a rack and panniers straight away makes it an uninspiring bike for low life/scum, as does not cleaning any grime off it. Use two locks to each through the wheel and frame, the look of an unloved bike may attract less attention then others.

I bought a vibration alarm from Amazon, gives a wee warning if the bike is interfered with before letting out a very loud siren!

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/KINOEE-Anti-Theft-motorcycle-Waterproof-Sensitivity/dp/B08F592WQQ

The problem with displays if removable is the contacts then become an issue and as we see with some of the mid motor brands cause connection issues.

 

The more blingy a bike looks the more attention it receives.

Convert a nice bike in good mech condition but don't pay much attention to detail and cleaning , something that might look naff and unloved is one way of drawing less attraction.

This is entirely my strategy but I've developed a desire to have the frame powder-coated. Damn. Gloss black though, nothing too flash.

I've been leaving my bikes outside supermarkets, pubs, doctors, dentists, hospital, meetings, etc for ten years. I've never had anything interfered with yet. I always park in the open, where it can be seen from as many directions as possible. At the supermarket, instead of the bike racks around the corner, I lock it to a tree next to the main path. At the pub, I lock it somewhere where i can see it out the window.

 

I don't go to the gym nor the cinema, but leaving one outside there would be asking for trouble. Likewise parking in the same position every day while at work will get it nicked very quickly. You just have to use a bit of common sense and a lock that can defeat bolt-croppers.

 

One time at the dentist, I locked my bike to a post outside next to a low wall. When I came out, there was a guy that looked like a drug addict sitting on the wall next to it looking like he was studying how it was locked. He had left his really rough cheapo MTB unlocked leaning against the wall. I think he was just an opportunist thief who had seen it and was hoping for an easy steal, but there was no way past my lock.

Honestly, which lock is that? And nothing defeats the angle grinder. There's a you tube vid of a guy repeatedly stealing his own bike in broad daylight in very public places. And no-one gives a flying f.

For the shop a rack and panniers straight away makes it an uninspiring bike for low life/scum, as does not cleaning any grime off it. Use two locks to each through the wheel and frame, the look of an unloved bike may attract less attention then others.

Funny you should say that, just received the pannier rack! And yes, two locks. So between defeating the opportunist and being ignored by the career thief, maybe I'll survive. But I know from experience it doesn't stop some tosser stealing things from it. Or trying to. I spent ages looking for some lights which have a bracket that clamps to the frame! It seems things like that are out of fashion. Pifco anyone?

Anyway once more I feel I've learnt a lot about the scene, And once again thanks to all for the patient answers to dumb questions.

For fixed lights use the 6v - 60v models that fix via the front fork mudguard hole, the lights have a built in buck converter and they run off the bikes battery. For the rear use the wired type with bracket that fixes to the pannier rack again they work off the bikes battery. Wire both in parallel with a KT controller with a separate light out put and a handle bar switch. The front one I have is 100lux STVZO rating.

For fixed lights use the 6v - 60v models that fix via the front fork mudguard hole, the lights have a built in buck converter and they run off the bikes battery. For the rear use the wired type with bracket that fixes to the pannier rack again they work off the bikes battery. Wire both in parallel with a KT controller with a separate light out put and a handle bar switch. The front one I have is 100lux STVZO rating.

Wow that is so 21st century! It makes perfect sense if you are lugging a lithium battery around with you. Again though I don't like the idea of leaving it unattended with gadgets attached. I once saw a German design where the lights were built into the frame tubes - I thought that was very good indeed.

 

I bought one of those cheapo solar rear lights for a fiver. Quite pleased with it (so far runtime @ 8 hrs and still going) although I hear it isn't waterproof - I see a session with some silicon looming. Considering a front light if I see a design I like the look of, but in the meantime bought some LED AAA-powered items for a tenner! (Mr cheapskate here).

The lights are permanently bolted on, I doubt any one will have time to undo them.

It appears you must live in the most crime related area of the UK if you are that pessimistic.

To be fair, its not great. But this is a problem I have come up against when living in the bastions of Middle England too. People are c*@#s. Well, some of them anyway.