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You are posting in the Speed Pedelec section so I assume you want one of those. The Stromer is all but unique being a quality 45kmh/28mph bike with a hub motor. Most alternatives will have the Bosch crank drive motor. Not that there are many alternatives available in the UK because the speed...

My point wasn't about pressure numbers, although I agree with much of what you say particularly about the rider establishing his own preference. I was passing on what Schwalbe say which is the thumb test is not a reliable inidcator of pressure on their tyres with puncture protection because...

That statement is truer than you think. A 'thumb test' is a very unreliable way to gauge pressure in a Marathon Plus because of its stiff construction. As you've found, even 20 psi feels 'hard'.

Thanks. The ebike market is developing, but it's not like the push bike market where most shops have dozens of bikes to look at. You might be aware of the shop at Framwellgate Moor outside Durham City. It's a combined car accessory and bike shop, which doesn't sound very promising. But he...

Evans has lots of ebikes on its website, but I doubt there will be many to look at in store. About four or five, last time I was in their MetroCentre branch a few weeks ago, The nearest shop that does have a good selection, particularly Haibike, is KB Cycles at Newburn, west of Newcastle...

Pro rata, I reckon the Bosch is the most reliable, given that literally millions have been sold. Which doesn't help if you get one of the occasional duffers. I've not heard of many problems with Yamaha or the Steps E6000, but the newer Steps E8000 emtb motor hasn't got off to the best of...

I wonder if the boxy down tube on the Orange acts as an echo chamber and amplifies the motor noise.

Short answer: Yes. Longer answer: The 28" size marking is popular in America, but it is exactly the same as a '29er' or 700c. Outiside circumference depends on the type of tyre. Mountain bike tyres have fairly tall sidewalls which gives the tread a bit more circumference. Narrow, roadie...

That is, put simply, nonsense. Any Marathon - or other - tyre marked 28", 700c or 29er will fit, provided it's not significantly narrower than your present tyres. In standard Marathon Plus, the 28" X1.75" width would be the one to go for...

A Brooks Aged saddle was fitted to the Charger. Supposedly 'comfortable from day one', although I think it has broken in a little after 2,000+ miles. I get on with it OK, but I suspect a similar size and shaped plastic saddle would be just as comfortable, and a lot less to buy. The leather on...

Failure rate, as usual, is very hard to work out. I'm surprised at Dave's post, which indicates a failure rate of close to 100 percent over 2,000 miles. On t'other hand, Dave is a straight talker and when he says he's been told of 50 failures, you can believe it. However you cut it, buying a...

Good to hear of a retailer actively trying to develop the market, rather than just flog lowest common denominator bikes from a container from China. It will be an uphill task persuading buyers Klakhoff/Impulse problems are a thing of the past. To be fair, my limited direct experience has been...

Bike retailers have been largely avoiding their warranty responsibility for years. Most claims are dealt with on the basis: "We will contact the maker/importer and see what they say." In other words, the retailer is no more than a message boy. Enforcing rights can be difficult, so I can fully...

In your original post you said brands would have to stop their motors being tunable if they wanted to sell in the EU You now seem to be saying motors will have tuning detection built into the software. Big difference, and far more believable than the stuff in the OP about motors progressively...

One hopes so, although some of the failures appear to be on 2017 bikes. The ISIS standard bottom bracket as used by Bosch has never caught on. Manufacturing quality comes into it, but the bearing race is relatively small which means - like orginal Mini tyres - it tends to wear quickly because...

I would be curious to know if the failures are mostly on EMTBs which get proper mountain biking use. That's a harsh environment, although the motor is sold to cope with it so should be able to do so. There's been stories of mud getting into Bosch motors going back to the first generation of...

You can't easily. But neither can you degrease crank bearings easily, certainly not with a hand spray degreaser which it sounds like you used.

I think Col has been the victim of a teutonic sense of humour. The Germans probably still haven't forgiven the Austrians for The Sound of Music. Col, did you mention the war?

Failures are no good to Bosch in terms of cost and reputational damage. If there's a way of upgrading the bearing, they will do it. Chances are the original supplier will have been dispensed with and what is hopefully a better alternative already identified. You won't know if your new motor...

I doubt there's a rabbit away, it's probably more cost effective to swap the motor than train dealers to do a repair a lot of them will never be asked to do. What we will never know is the answer to the most important question - failure rate. Clearly a number of these bearings are failing, but...