February 17Feb 17 Hi all, New here and hoping for a bit of guidance before I spend any money. My main aim is to take the sting out of the hills and let me ride a bit further/more regularly to help keep the weight down. I've read several similar threads, but none quite hit the 'big bloke' button. About me 6'4", about 118 kg. Fairly fit (veteran) for age, but not as much as I’d like. One hip done, the other a bit grumbly at times. Riding Mostly Wiltshire lanes. Some gravel tracks/byways. Occasional trips onto Salisbury Plain. What I think I need (happy to be corrected!) Bosch CX motor or similar. Decent battery, maybe 625 Wh. Something like a hybrid/trekking bike rather than a full MTB. XL frame (I’m tall…). Rack/guards would be useful. Budget is around £2k, and I’d look at a good used bike if that’s a better route. Bikes I’ve seen mentioned Cube, Trek, Haibike, KTM, etc., but I’m open to anything sensible. Questions Am I right to focus on the Bosch CX for hills/weight? Is 625 Wh enough in the real world? Are there any other good options for big riders? Is it better to buy new at this price, or go used and get more bike? Any/all advice appreciated, and if anyone has something suitable for sale, feel free to shout. Cheers and thanks for reading.
February 17Feb 17 Bosch is best regarded motor brand, and the CX versions have plenty of performance. Yamaha also good, go for a 70Nm or more version. I don't know the codes. Shimano EP8 also pretty good. 625Wh is pretty good and common these days, you might be disappointed with anything smaller, bigger given the choice is always better. You mentioned a range of decent brands, all will have adequate models. Don't waste money on flashy top end drive trains, all that can be upgraded as needed as you learn what you need. A basic 9 speed will do, but often don't have a low enough bottom gear. 10 or 11 speed with at least a 42T lowest gear is about right. I get on very well with 11 speed and a 51T. There should be options around the £2K mark new, and 2 years warranty is a lot of peace of mind. Secondhand and not much used but fully working can be a bargain. Have a good look around, don't compromise on motor, battery and condition, remember its a buyers market for secondhand.
February 18Feb 18 As above really, Matt's pretty much cracked it. Of the drivetrain groupsets, DEORE is excellent money to spec ratio. Its heavier(relatively speaking) but as a result far more robust. At 118kg you are probably best with 4 pot brakes, at least on the front(2 pot rear/4 front is ok) I'd also recommend front suspension at least, and on that its a minefield, because not all suss forks are created equal. The suss fork will make it easier on your arms. Maybe a step thru as well(thinking of you dodgy hips) like this Haibike model. https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/bikes/electric-bikes/haibike-trekking-5-low-step-electric-hybrid-bike-lime__14449 How are you at home mechanics ? as in can you swing a spanner like the best of them. An option there could be to buy cheaper, as many models share the same frame/motor/battery size, but much lower spec on the components. You buy and fit the better bits. So maybe 1500 on the bike and the rest on the bett6er spec.
February 18Feb 18 There's lots of member here with Bosch / Yamaha motors and are very pleased with them. A couple of other suggestions https://wooshbikes.co.uk/?gran-camino Or find a second hand MTB from Facebook marketplace and add a kit to convert (either convert yourself or get converted) Powerful 48v DWG22C 48V 250W rear hub kit https://wooshbikes.co.uk/?hubkits Tsdz8 mid drive kit https://wooshbikes.co.uk/?tsdz They won't look as polished as a Bosch / Yamaha bike but will be easy to service / repair yourself and replace/upgrade with generic standard components (eg batteries)
February 18Feb 18 Hi all, New here and hoping for a bit of guidance before I spend any money. My main aim is to take the sting out of the hills and let me ride a bit further/more regularly to help keep the weight down. I've read several similar threads, but none quite hit the 'big bloke' button. About me 6'4", about 118 kg. Fairly fit (veteran) for age, but not as much as I’d like. One hip done, the other a bit grumbly at times. Riding Mostly Wiltshire lanes. Some gravel tracks/byways. Occasional trips onto Salisbury Plain. What I think I need (happy to be corrected!) Bosch CX motor or similar. Decent battery, maybe 625 Wh. Something like a hybrid/trekking bike rather than a full MTB. XL frame (I’m tall…). Rack/guards would be useful. Budget is around £2k, and I’d look at a good used bike if that’s a better route. Bikes I’ve seen mentioned Cube, Trek, Haibike, KTM, etc., but I’m open to anything sensible. Questions Am I right to focus on the Bosch CX for hills/weight? Is 625 Wh enough in the real world? Are there any other good options for big riders? Is it better to buy new at this price, or go used and get more bike? Any/all advice appreciated, and if anyone has something suitable for sale, feel free to shout. Cheers and thanks for reading. Just in case you don't know, these sort of bikes have locked electrical systems, which means that any electrical faults can only be diagnosed and fixed by official dealers. That can bring all sorts of problems if you buy online. If you want such a bike, it might be an idea to have a chat with your local dealer first to see what they have and what their attitude is to fixing bikes that were bought elsewhere at a discount.
February 18Feb 18 Author As above really, Matt's pretty much cracked it. Of the drivetrain groupsets, DEORE is excellent money to spec ratio. Its heavier(relatively speaking) but as a result far more robust. At 118kg you are probably best with 4 pot brakes, at least on the front(2 pot rear/4 front is ok) I'd also recommend front suspension at least, and on that its a minefield, because not all suss forks are created equal. The suss fork will make it easier on your arms. Maybe a step thru as well(thinking of you dodgy hips) like this Haibike model. https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/bikes/electric-bikes/haibike-trekking-5-low-step-electric-hybrid-bike-lime__14449 How are you at home mechanics ? as in can you swing a spanner like the best of them. An option there could be to buy cheaper, as many models share the same frame/motor/battery size, but much lower spec on the components. You buy and fit the better bits. So maybe 1500 on the bike and the rest on the bett6er spec. Thanks Andy - much appreciated.
February 18Feb 18 Author There's lots of member here with Bosch / Yamaha motors and are very pleased with them. A couple of other suggestions https://wooshbikes.co.uk/?gran-camino Or find a second hand MTB from Facebook marketplace and add a kit to convert (either convert yourself or get converted) Powerful 48v DWG22C 48V 250W rear hub kit https://wooshbikes.co.uk/?hubkits Tsdz8 mid drive kit https://wooshbikes.co.uk/?tsdz They won't look as polished as a Bosch / Yamaha bike but will be easy to service / repair yourself and replace/upgrade with generic standard components (eg batteries) Thanks, Peter, that's useful, as I'm reasonably good with the spanners!
February 18Feb 18 Author Just in case you don't know, these sort of bikes have locked electrical systems, which means that any electrical faults can only be diagnosed and fixed by official dealers. That can bring all sorts of problems if you buy online. If you want such a bike, it might be an idea to have a chat with your local dealer first to see what they have and what their attitude is to fixing bikes that were bought elsewhere at a discount. Great point - thanks!
February 19Feb 19 Author Many thanks for all your replies, which have really helped dial me in. Does anybody have any experience with H&B Exclusive in Holland? They offer a good selection of used and refurbished bikes with Free Delivery and Warranty, and, being from a nation with many tall people, they have a wide selection of XL/XXL sizes (I think I'm the latter). Link to the Store: https://ebay.us/m/96dezF There is a nice Cube Reaction Hybrid Pro 800 Allroad available - shame it is only an XL - https://ebay.us/m/9JXkR3
February 19Feb 19 The link didn't take me to a specific bike, but I get the gist. Main point is to be sure of the warranty offered. A new bike has 2 years on motor and battery. The 800 battery is good. The ones I looked at had basic MT200 brakes, fine to start with, you might upgrade front to a good 4 piston one. Some versions seem to have XT 12 speed. I would either avoid that, or swap it for more robust 11 speed.
February 19Feb 19 Author The link didn't take me to a specific bike, but I get the gist. Main point is to be sure of the warranty offered. A new bike has 2 years on motor and battery. The 800 battery is good. The ones I looked at had basic MT200 brakes, fine to start with, you might upgrade front to a good 4 piston one. Some versions seem to have XT 12 speed. I would either avoid that, or swap it for more robust 11 speed. Thanks Matt - apologies about the link.
February 19Feb 19 Thanks Matt - apologies about the link. Don't worry about that! It is interesting to see what the price of my 2021 rather low spec bike buys today! Twice the battery, top of range motor, better components and still cheaper!
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