August 23, 201015 yr Author Hi, we will try your method out re gradient. Cycle to work we are looking in to thanks, only hitch is my partner is looking to change her job very soon, so we'd have to pay the full amount soon, but we are looking into that today. Also found some of your earlier links of ebike dealers, there are a couple of others that I had'nt found before around the area to check out too. J
August 23, 201015 yr The Freego has a large battery and a very good range according to others on here. just because you had one bad experience at the retailers, and considering you cant peddle much, it would be silly IMO to dismiss this bike.......
August 23, 201015 yr Hi Jackie, We have a couple of ex-demo bikes with throttles that we are willing to sell at a reduced rate. We're in Berkshire, so it's a trip up the A34 or a journey to Goring and Streatley station but if you're interested just give us a call and we'll tell you what we have. John Velospeed Velospeed 01635 579304
August 23, 201015 yr There ARE ways of helping your knees when pedalling, Jaycat. Kneesavers Clip Less Bicycle Pedal Extenders Crankarm Extensions I use these. They extend the pedals outwards by 30mm, which means you can pedal with your foot at an angle (unlike ordinary bikes, where you are forced into a straight foot position, good for pedalling, bad for dodgy knees). Not sure whether you can get them in the UK (that's a US site), but I bought them from that place, and their postage to London wasn't too bad. And on the bike front, you DEFINITELY need a bike which will get you moving on THROTTLE only, even if you can then pedal it. Very few bikes (except Kalkhoffs) come without a twist throttle. Allen. Allen I have worked for years on my knees and it strikes all of us in the trade that as we get on a bit our knees play up. I`m taking Glucosamine & Chondroitin combined and things look a bit better. My son-in-law has been taking it for a year and has transformed his knees( he is only 40 years old BTW) Anyway, I`m always ready to take advice and might try those extensions to get the pedals out a bit. Did you read about the new angle being good for knees or did you stumble across the benefits? A bit of reading on the subject Knee saver pedal extenders [Archive] - Bike Forums Edited August 23, 201015 yr by Old Timer
August 23, 201015 yr Just to add something to what has already been said. As most members know I had a heart attack about 3 months ago and was told by the surgeon to get back on the bike. So I got back on and got a bit worried when having to push on hills so I stuck a front wheel hub on my powertrek that already has a rear hub and just use the second hub on throttle to give a lift on hills plus a really good pull away from junctions. So that`s one way to get more power and some might say that it isn`t legal but after a close shave to be honest thats the least of my problems and I will enjoy getting out on my bike till I drop(when ever that might be) Then there is my Aurora, 350watt hill climbing Barfang motor that does everything it says on the can. Dave
August 23, 201015 yr Author Eddieo, I will always consider any brand that fits my needs, as long as I receive the service from the retailer, which is an important point of purchase too. If he can't be bothered to take time and have my custom, I certainly won't be giving it to him on a plate. Veleospeed, I will have to ask my partner if we can make a trip to see you, she's just finishing off her dissertation at the mo, so time is limited, do you open Sundays? Old Timer, I wish Glucosamine & Chondroitin had helped mine am trying omega 3 at the moment; I'm in my forties as well as your son in law. I'm glad though it has done something for you, you could always pop omega 3 too Thanks all, J
August 23, 201015 yr Anyway, I`m always ready to take advice and might try those extensions to get the pedals out a bit. Did you read about the new angle being good for knees or did you stumble across the benefits? A bit of reading on the subject Knee saver pedal extenders [Archive] - Bike Forums I had a brief look at the bikeforum archive stuff. Blimey, talk about testosterone, eh? I'm sometimes glad I'm old and past most of that stuff! Anyway, no, I hadn't read about them - like one of the contributors to that bikeforum debate, I have a PLASTIC leg, which only points one way. Well, not entirely true, if I take an Allen key to it, I can vary the direction the foot points, but if it's right for cycling, it's a bugger to walk in. Hence the kneesavers. I can position my plastic foot at its own (unnatural) angle, and my heel misses the frame. Without them, my heel would bang into the frame at each stroke. As it happens, my so-called GOOD leg also suffers from knee problems (being fat for decades hasn't helped), and being able to position my flesh-and-bone foot at whatever angle it NATURALLY falls helps alleviate the knee-strain. On a normal bike, you're forced to keep your foot fairly straight, which can be a real strain on slightly older or damaged knees. Another device which helps me as an amputee, and which might help jaycat, is the Gravitydropper, but it is so sodding expensive that I hesitated to mention it! (I found the expense a sacrifice worth making, but I didn't want to scare jaycat off at this early stage of his investigations...) Allen.
August 24, 201015 yr [quote=jaycat;84589Veleospeed, I will have to ask my partner if we can make a trip to see you, she's just finishing off her dissertation at the mo, so time is limited, do you open Sundays? Hi Jaycat, We can open at any time, just give us a call if you can make it up here. If you want to discuss the bikes first then give me or Nick a call on 01635 579304 as there are a couple of different options depending on your preferences. Regards, John Velospeed
August 25, 201015 yr There ARE ways of helping your knees when pedalling, Jaycat. Kneesavers Clip Less Bicycle Pedal Extenders Crankarm Extensions There are much cheaper ways of getting the same effect here. Amazon.co.uk: Used and New: Sunlite Pedal Extenders - 9/16" Pedal, 9/16" Crank, 27.5mm and here, http://www.niagaracycle.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=pedal+extenders&osCsid=572bbed8cca4b529b617402094a97b48&x=15&y=10
August 25, 201015 yr Jackie If tere's anything you want to know about the juicy urban 20" folder just ask - Its almost exactly the same as the free go 20" folder, deadpowerful and i bought 2 last weekend! I am 11 and a half stone and mine pulls me along without pedalling. I've had a juicy sport for 18months and its never let me down. If anything the quality of this folder is even better. Service from them is great and i managed a little discount for 2 (only £25 but got a couple of baskets thrown in as well). I am delighted with them!!
August 25, 201015 yr Hi Jaycat - you might want to consider a Wisper or a Smarta bike. These will both give you plenty of power from a standing start. The Wisper has a 19A controller and the Smarta has a 10A (upgradable to 15A). This gives you an idea of the power available. If you don't have any big, long hills then the Smarta will do the job otherwise it's going to be the Wisper. You could also consider the Ultramotor A2B Metro, or a Heinzmann conversion, even more power, but these are quite a lot more expensive. We have a shop where you can try these and others in Oxford, or I would suggest contacting any other pedelecs members nearby to try and arrange a test ride.
August 25, 201015 yr I saw the AtoB in a shop yesterday and it failed my "lifting of the ground test" miserably...not a bike at all IMO really a sort of hybrid.
August 25, 201015 yr There are much cheaper ways of getting the same effect here. Amazon.co.uk: Used and New: Sunlite Pedal Extenders - 9/16" Pedal, 9/16" Crank, 27.5mm and here, http://www.niagaracycle.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=pedal+extenders&osCsid=572bbed8cca4b529b617402094a97b48&x=15&y=10 Blimey, OMBike. Most definitely, and certainly the Amazon ones. Amazing. Next time I want to buy anything out of the ordinary, I am going to come here and ask YOU first! Oh, can you find me a Gravitydropper (27.2) for less than about £250? Ta. Allen.
August 27, 201015 yr I use this post from KS. KS Cobra I900 Seatpost Review - BikeRadar A fraction of the price, and works better. No horrible play like on the GD, and fully serivceable. Works brilliantly. Edited August 27, 201015 yr by Lloyd
September 2, 201015 yr Hi Jaycat, Another option for you would be the Ezee Liv or Ezee Sprint Eco from Onbike. They are a bit of a travel from you but they are very helpful and it would be well worth the trip, if you haven't decided already. Here's links to the bikes on their website: eZee Liv Electric Bike eZee Sprint Eco Electric Bike Bike Good luck! John velospeed
September 2, 201015 yr I use this post from KS. A fraction of the price, and works better. No horrible play like on the GD, and fully serivceable. Works brilliantly. Thanks Lloyd. Their version (950R) with the handlebar control takes it up to about £140, but still over £100 less than the Gravitydropper. Shame about the seatpost diameter, as it seems that only a 31.6 is available. I shall keep an eye on the site, and do some more digging, as I am sure they must do the more common 27.2 as well. Can't say I've had problems with play on the Gravitydropper, although there is a bit - but it takes my 115kg up and down the full 4" time after time! Thanks for the link. Allen.
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