August 29, 20241 yr https://forums.electricbikereview.com/threads/mahle-x35-vs-x20-motor-scott-addict-e-ride-20-and-orbea-m20.51271/ Ribble road bikes seem to be Mahle X20 mid motor, which seems to get thumbs up for low drag but thumbs down for rather low torque. See rather hard to read first post in link. Might be a rerun of the Fazua for you, so take care and get a long day test ride before spending the money.
August 29, 20241 yr My partner has an Orbea bike with a Mahle motor. It is a nice bike but as as you say the Mahle is more aimed at people wanting a bit of assistance. The battery is only 250 Whr so many people have the motor switched off when you don't need it. I think the Mahle used in Orbea and Ribble is a hub motor rather than a mid drive. I don't think it would be a solution for someone wanting a lot of assistance assistance. Edited August 29, 20241 yr by Giraffe
August 29, 20241 yr Thanks, I am struggling to sell it - I'll have a go The frame is from a small boutique brand - ATR I cant trade it in locally as the bike shop that offers trade in doesn't sell anything suitable I really have a green elephant in the corner of my spare room! Now looking at a Ribble which is a similar weight bit I have worked out the motor yet Maybe also advertise it in a few other places? Cycling UK has a forum where you can sell bikes (not specifically ebikes but people sell all sorts of bikes: tourers, vintage, recumbents, trikes as well as ebikes). I have sold bikes there in the past. https://forum.cyclinguk.org. You don't need to be a cycling UK member to join the forum. Scroll down to find the bike sale thread. You might need to check up on it every so often to keep it active. I wonder if there is a Facebook Group or Reddit Group for people interested in bikes with Fazua motors that might be worth advertising in? I am a bit wary of Facebook Marketplace but an a special interest group might be different.
April 9, 20251 yr Author I'm back (said with a cackling laugh) So I've palmed the green bike off to my husband as I couldn't sell it he thinks it's ok & I'm remortgaging the house to buy a new bike Someone suggested a cube, so I'm looking at them more closely & an estarli too I've downgraded my 20 miles to 15 (Manngingtree and back) each way I still want to be high up, still love my riding position of the Crusa & I want a more central centre of gravity as I still get the train New info, I'm a nana now so I need a baby trailer! Looking at a Croozer I may buy a new battery for the crusa for when I want to go far & wide so I'll be a 2 bike person!!
April 9, 20251 yr I'm back (said with a cackling laugh) So I've palmed the green bike off to my husband as I couldn't sell it he thinks it's ok & I'm remortgaging the house to buy a new bike Someone suggested a cube, so I'm looking at them more closely & an estarli too I've downgraded my 20 miles to 15 (Manngingtree and back) each way I still want to be high up, still love my riding position of the Crusa & I want a more central centre of gravity as I still get the train New info, I'm a nana now so I need a baby trailer! Looking at a Croozer I may buy a new battery for the crusa for when I want to go far & wide so I'll be a 2 bike person!! Those choices are sending you down the same route again. People are recommending bikes that are good for them, not you, just like your brother did and probably half the people on this forum will. If you can't pedal very hard, you need a bike that gives power from a cadence sensor, not a torque sensor, and, ideally, it should have a working throttle too. I'm not sure about the Esteril. It might be OK or not. It seems a bit expensive if it has a normal cadence sensor, and wouldn't be so suitable if it has a torque sensor. Don't believe anything you read in magazine, Youtube or best buy reviews. They're all totally corrupt. Anybody with a Youtube channel gets offered free ebikes if you promise to do a favourable review. Some bikes have a boost button or throttle that gives a boost to full power as long as you're turning the pedals and whenever you press it, which means that you can air-pedal if you get tired. The Engwe L20 Boost is one example. It's quite heavy, but very powerful and good for towing if you can find a way to attach a trailer. The Miriders also have that. They're more lightweight for taking on trains and transporting in car boots. https://engwe-bikes-uk.com/collections/uk-warehouse?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwtdi_BhACEiwA97y8BAnbGAE_zMVJ-5GplD3M_YX-eVI9FK5gW-PjbtnEDPUFGIY0x_1yBBoC36wQAvD_BwE https://mirider.co.uk/ There are also bikes that can be bought with full independent working throttles that you can get from Wisper and Pedibal. https://pedibal.com/ https://wisperbikes.com/product-category/throttle-electric-bikes/ Edited April 9, 20251 yr by saneagle
April 9, 20251 yr This is what I don't understand and the lady seems set on a TS bike which isn't the right drive system for her. Katy has a Woosh Crusa and likes it , the hub drive system with Cadence PAS must suit her otherwise she wouldn't like the bike. So why the view that a TS is the anwser ?
April 9, 20251 yr I suspect [mention=16595]Katymac[/mention] is attracted by the comparatively low weights of the Cube and Estrali, for heaveaboutability. Sadly, neither will provide the ease of pedalling that her existing cadence sensored Crusa does. Someone suggested a cube, so I'm looking at them more closely & an estarli too Are both Cube and Estrali bikes available from various places for trial rides? Best try them out thoroughly. You will most likely be disappointed. Too expensive for an impulse purchase. I reckon, like myself, the "Natutal" feel of torque-sensored ebiking is the last thing you need or want. Sounds sweaty and far too much hard work. Edited April 9, 20251 yr by guerney
April 9, 20251 yr Author I suspect [mention=16595]Katymac[/mention] is attracted by the comparatively low weights of the Cube and Estrali, for heaveaboutability. Sadly, neither will provide the ease of pedalling that her existing cadence sensored Crusa does. Are both Cube and Estrali bikes available from various places for trial rides? Best try them out thoroughly. You will most likely be disappointed. Too expensive for an impulse purchase. I reckon, like myself, the "Natutal" feel of torque-sensored ebiking is the last thing you need or want. Sounds sweaty and far too much hard work. I don't understand the way the motors are described so unless the say torque sensor I won't recognise one when I'm looking online Sorry
April 9, 20251 yr I don't understand the way the motors are described so unless the say torque sensor I won't recognise one when I'm looking online Sorry The Crusa has a throttle which can help you going up a hill or rest your legs if you are tired. Bikes with a torque sensor don't have throttle and the motor gives more power if you pedal harder which makes them unsuitable to those with health or musculoskeletal problems. With torque sensored bikes, you have to pedal hard to climb hills.
April 9, 20251 yr Maybe : https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/205393403936 Or if you can find a relatively light (maybe without front suspension from a weight point of view) step through bike with disc brakes as a donor bike, fit a kit to it (or get someone to help fit a kit). Just for example, this is a womens Boardman Hyb8.6 that weighed 11kg (cost £240 second hand) - added kit and battery (£500) 16kg I suspect a stepthrough donor bike would be slightly heavier ,
April 9, 20251 yr I don't understand the way the motors are described so unless the say torque sensor I won't recognise one when I'm looking online Sorry Anything that has a Bosch, Shimano, Yamaha or Brose motor has a torque sensor, and the power you get depends mostly on how hard you pedal. You'd have to try one on a steep hill on max power setting to see if it can give enough power for what you need. They're mostly a bit more powerful than your previous bike, but when you're tired and can't pedal hard, you don't get maximum power. There are many other bikes that use torque sensors, but it's not always mentioned in the listings, so stick to ones that you're sure of.
April 9, 20251 yr Author Anything that has a Bosch, Shimano, Yamaha or Brose motor has a torque sensor, and the power you get depends mostly on how hard you pedal. You'd have to try one on a steep hill on max power setting to see if it can give enough power for what you need. They're mostly a bit more powerful than your previous bike, but when you're tired and can't pedal hard, you don't get maximum power. There are many other bikes that use torque sensors, but it's not always mentioned in the listings, so stick to ones that you're sure of. So any of those are bad! I can learn I promise!! So I need a list of those that are OK... Plus I need to look at lightweight ladies bikes on Ebay maybe
April 9, 20251 yr So any of those are bad! I can learn I promise!! So I need a list of those that are OK... Plus I need to look at lightweight ladies bikes on Ebay maybe Drop off a suitably low weight step-through bike to a professional conversionator, ask for a centrally situated battery, and possibly motor too, for more even weight distribution than your Crusa, and a suitably low weight high power cadence sensored motor kit, for overall lower weight than your Crusa. Best post links to bikes and kits you're intersted in for the conversonators among us to suggest ideas. Edited April 9, 20251 yr by guerney
April 9, 20251 yr So any of those are bad! I can learn I promise!! So I need a list of those that are OK... Plus I need to look at lightweight ladies bikes on Ebay maybe The problem is that lightweight and high power don't normally go together, except for bikes with small wheels (20"), which are generally smaller and lighter, and you get higher torque because of the mechanical advantage of the smaller wheels.
April 9, 20251 yr Kat any EAPC you see that utilises a middle motor/crank motor will be a Torque sensing type irrelevant of brand . For your needs as with the Woosh Crusa one will be looking for an EAPC with a hub motor.
April 10, 20251 yr What about something from Ribble ?. Ribble is a long established company, used to specialize purely in road bikes, so their Ebikes are roadie/hybrid orientated. https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/ribble-hybrid-al-e-step-through/ Though If I was looking for a townie type bike i needed to take on the train, and i had leg issues, i'd probably plump for an E-Brompton. Best folder out there, at least for size. Can be wheeled in folded position thanks to little wheels on the rack(Roller frame) and is very very popular, so if you ever need to sell it on it will recover a lot of your outlay, probably in the region of 1/2 to 2/3 Prices start at about £3k https://www.brompton.com/p/1156/electric-c-line-urban-with-roller-frame-4-speed
April 10, 20251 yr What about something from Ribble ?. Ribble is a long established company, used to specialize purely in road bikes, so their Ebikes are roadie/hybrid orientated. https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/ribble-hybrid-al-e-step-through/ Though If I was looking for a townie type bike i needed to take on the train, and i had leg issues, i'd probably plump for an E-Brompton. Best folder out there, at least for size. Can be wheeled in folded position thanks to little wheels on the rack(Roller frame) and is very very popular, so if you ever need to sell it on it will recover a lot of your outlay, probably in the region of 1/2 to 2/3 Prices start at about £3k https://www.brompton.com/p/1156/electric-c-line-urban-with-roller-frame-4-speed Are you suggesting bikes that you like rather than what are suitable her? Have you read the forum posts from people that had the Mahle X35 when they got got problems? Do you think a torque sensor bike is right for a semi-disabled person with one bad choice behind her (title!)?
April 10, 20251 yr Are you suggesting bikes that you like rather than what are suitable her? Have you read the forum posts from people that had the Mahle X35 when they got got problems? Do you think a torque sensor bike is right for a semi-disabled person with one bad choice behind her (title!)? No. She was looking for a bike with low down weight, and a step through model. both of the ones i suggested fit that bill The ribble is probably better balanced with its internal frame battery and is step through. The Brompton is a folder which is ideal for transporting it on the train, or even the bus, or the car for that matter as trying to get a normal size bike in any car is difficult to say the least. The brompton is possible the better transportation model due to many companies refusing Ebikes on their livery. The battery is in a small rucksack type of thing and the bike itself can be covered by a simple cover making it difficult to see that it is an Ebike. As to Mahle being problematic. Since I joined the vast majority, and i do mean the VAST majority come here reporting problems on a host of bike/motor types, so you cant really favour one over another. That said, Specialized use Mahle for their for their bikes and are priced up to £13k, so while as said all can suffer an issue, i would think this is not the rule Edited April 10, 20251 yr by AndyBike
April 10, 20251 yr No. She was looking for a bike with low down weight, and a step through model. both of the ones i suggested fit that bill The ribble is probably better balanced with its internal frame battery and is step through. The Brompton is a folder which is ideal for transporting it on the train, or even the bus, or the car for that matter as trying to get a normal size bike in any car is difficult to say the least. The brompton is possible the better transportation model due to many companies refusing Ebikes on their livery. The battery is in a small rucksack type of thing and the bike itself can be covered by a simple cover making it difficult to see that it is an Ebike. As to Mahle being problematic. Since I joined the vast majority, and i do mean the VAST majority come here reporting problems on a host of bike/motor types, so you cant really favour one over another. That said, Specialized use Mahle for their for their bikes and are priced up to £13k, so while as said all can suffer an issue, i would think this is not the rule What about the bit where she can't pedal properly?
April 10, 20251 yr Sorry, I dont know nor can tell the limits of someones disability, but if it is that bad that She cant even turn a pedal that hads any sort of weight on it, then i dont see anything being light enough. Everything requires pedals to turn and torque to be applied, even if it is minor, hills would present a problem.
April 10, 20251 yr Sorry, I dont know nor can tell the limits of someones disability, but if it is that bad that She cant even turn a pedal that hads any sort of weight on it, then i dont see anything being light enough. Everything requires pedals to turn and torque to be applied, even if it is minor, hills would present a problem. She wants a bike that works like her present one, but is lighter and better balanced. I think she has an old Woosh Crusa. Read post #1 to see what her problem is.
April 10, 20251 yr Author Ribble are definitely torque sensor Heybike is 19kgs so a saving of 5kgs which is better I guess but a long way to test ride (& seems to be a cadence sensor Looking in to Ebay and kits now (kuts are scary!)
April 10, 20251 yr I'm going to put in another penneth worth. For your needs I doubt if one will find a bike that fits the bill to be as light as one wishes it to be, one is likely going to have make a compromise on the weight issue. For the mo Kat forget about the weight issue of the bike and think about first the attributes of the bike that will help you the best. We have come to the conclusion that a TS set up is not the ideal option so we are looking for a hub cadence bike and I expect tbh one with a legal 15.5mph speed switch ( aka a thumb throttle). One such EAPC which is legal having gone thru the SVA is a Wisper step thru or any of their bikes ( Wisper will supply such a tested bike with the certificate ,a one off test). With the Wisper cetified bike there is no Grey area itis classed as a LPM 250W ebike and has the same rights as any 250w EAPC so one can use it on cycle ways , bridle ways and the road without any other bureaurcracy. Wipser have widespread dealers all around the country so look for one and arrange a test ride. For your needs if one finds pedalling gets to much or one needs a breather then simpy us ethe legal speed switch, also it will be an advantage for starting off or for ascents.
April 10, 20251 yr The only advice you really need is to ride before you buy. Don't just read websites and guess, and don't dismiss torque sensored riding until you have tried a top end motor like a Bosch Performance CX or Shimano EP8. Your previous bike was not typical of a torque sensored bike because it was designed for minimal assistance for an able rider, not extensive assistance for a rider that requires it. Only you will know, and you will only know by trying one, ideally on your regular route.
April 10, 20251 yr The only advice you really need is to ride before you buy. Don't just read websites and guess, and don't dismiss torque sensored riding until you have tried a top end motor like a Bosch Performance CX or Shimano EP8. Your previous bike was not typical of a torque sensored bike because it was designed for minimal assistance for an able rider, not extensive assistance for a rider that requires it. Only you will know, and you will only know by trying one, ideally on your regular route. And what happens Matt when Katy hasn't the energy to continue when out on a ride ? TS mid drive don't have a speed switch.
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