£2500 to spend - what would you choose?

I have had a windfall and a new ebike is on the list. Currently have an Ezee Torq that has been wonderful but times move on.

 

Lots of helpful advice here on the forum but a few words on your own choice for this spend and why would be very helpful.

 

Thanks

The personal preferences aspect is very important with e-bikes, and at that spend level I'd say even more so. The important thing is to try various bikes to see how they suit you, not how they suit others, and you should be prepared to travel and spend a little to do that if necessary.

 

I'd say try a high end crank drive bike such as a Bosch powered one like a Haibike (in short supply though), plus geared hub motor models from one or two upper end makes like Wisper and Oxygen, and a good direct-drive hub-motor bike like a Storck or a BionX powered make like Trek.

 

The three types are very different in character and at present you only have experience with the second in an older model so you may be in for a surprise. If you don't try, you'll never know of course.

.

Edited July 1, 201213 yr by flecc

Totally agree with Flecc's post above

In addition to this I would add, be clear on what you want the bike to do - ie for leisure, commuting in all weathers, on road or cycle path or through the muddy stuff - as this should have a bearing on whether you go for a more on or off road, sports or comfort orientated model, etc

Good luck and happy hunting

I have had a windfall and a new ebike is on the list. Currently have an Ezee Torq that has been wonderful but times move on.

 

Lots of helpful advice here on the forum but a few words on your own choice for this spend and why would be very helpful.

 

Thanks

 

Buy the latest Torq, Forza or Sprint and have some change;)

 

eZee Torq MkIII - electric bikes and conversion kits, eZee Forza MkII - electric bikes and conversion kits, http://www.cyclezee.com/ezee-sprint-8.html:cool:

If spending £2.5k then I would look at any bike with Bosch drive

Dave

Kudoscycles

I have had a windfall and a new ebike is on the list. Currently have an Ezee Torq that has been wonderful but times move on.

 

Lots of helpful advice here on the forum but a few words on your own choice for this spend and why would be very helpful.

 

Thanks

 

Two Juicy bikes, two spare batteries and a set of wicker baskets? Spend the change on riotous buying of coffee and cakes?

thanks for the advice - I see there is a deal at 50cycles for the 2012 Pro Connect S10 with the long range battery 18ah at £1950. This is the panasonic version. The much praised new bosch motor version is £300 more and has a battery thats half the size (8ah). Surely the bosch isn't worth that extra premium and half the range?

Comments?

Thanks.

I see there is a deal at 50cycles for the 2012 Pro Connect S10 with the long range battery 18ah at £1950. This is the panasonic version. The much praised new bosch motor version is £300 more and has a battery thats half the size (8ah). Surely the bosch isn't worth that extra premium and half the range?

Comments?

Thanks.

 

Having visited their Loughborough shop very recently, I'd say the Panasonic-powered PC is great value. The Bosch-powered model has the 350W motor, therefore illegal for road use but that aside, you would probably struggle to better 20 miles from the battery with that motor. The smaller, legal motor example which I don't think they have in stock would provide better mileage as Eddieo has mentioned previously from reports in the German Pedelecs forum.

 

The Panasonic model is the older 26V system but is equally illegal, sporting a 300W motor. It, however, would possibly give a bit more mileage.

 

They are both nice bikes in my view but I'd prefer one of their legally compliant models which produce sufficient power for most people.

 

Indalo

I think you need to try them...Odd that you seem so sure that Bosch not worth it, when its the biggest development in e bike technology........ I can assure you they are very good. light, normal wheelbase and cutting edge in style..If you like Dutch barge style bikes fair enough!lol. 40 leading manufacturers now use the system, with over 200 different models

 

Be careful re 50 cycles as they only stock the illegal 350 watt model.

Bosch powered bikes have been in short supply as demand so high in Europe. But there are models available in the UK

 

Scott

Cannondale

KTM

Haibike

AVE

BH Emotion

For me a Scott with the bosch drive would be about my ultimate ebike. This one looks a good deal:

 

Scott E Sub 20 Solution Medium Electric Bike - Biketreks, Ambleside

Bosch powered bikes have been in short supply as demand so high in Europe. But there are models available in the UK

 

Scott

Cannondale

KTM

Haibike

AVE

BH Emotion

 

Scott: Yes, but limited range of frame styles.

 

Cannondale: Yep, as above.

 

KTM: Yes, but 'tasters' only until 2013, excellent spec and build quality.

 

Haibike: Built to order, but worth the wait for such high spec machines.

 

AVE: Versatile frame styles, not readily available in UK.

 

 

BH Emotion: Oh yes! Large stocks of various formats all held in a central UK distribution wharehouse for immediate delivery to approved UK retailers. Attractive machines using Samsung hub-drives, Bosch center drives, 36 volt Panasonic center drives and a rather cute Panasonic center driven folder.

For me a Scott with the bosch drive would be about my ultimate ebike. This one looks a good deal:

 

 

I'm not sure about "ultimate" ebike as there are other bike styles I like and I don't think one ebike can encapsulate all the features I want on a bike.

 

That said, these Scott bikes with Bosch drive have come up a few times on the forum, usually having been advertised on ebay. You're right though; they are great value for money and the component list isn't too shabby. I don't think many people would say no to having one of those in the shed. Good choice!

 

Indalo

I'd spend the first £1900 on horses, hookers and booze then squander the rest on a Kudos Sport !!

 

Sorry, someone had to say it !!

One I meant to add to list is the Corratec range...

 

need to be careful with the BH emotion as they can use cheaper components..so wise to compare like for like carefully

 

my pick is the KTM 29'er with 11 speed alfina (approx £2000 imported)

I'd spend the first £1900 on horses, hookers and booze then squander the rest on a Kudos Sport !!

 

Sorry, someone had to say it !!

 

These bikes in a different league.....try some

 

Its like recommending to someone thinking of getting a mini copper S to buy a nissan micra instead....Both get you from A to B but a different experience;)

Edited July 8, 201213 yr by eddieo

Depends where you live and what bike shops are nearby. I'd be out and give some bikes a try for that kind of money. I was lucky enough to live near Cycle Heaven in York who do Gazelle bikes, which kind of influenced my choice! Although I was also in London recently and could have tried some Kalkhoff Agattu bikes if I hadn't already decided on the Gazelles.

I was trying some humour in George Best style (or was it one of the Marx borthers? Yes, Karl I think!)

 

Out of academic interst though, is the KTM29'er electric ? I had a look at their website, as it was a new one to me (out of my league), and it is not in their list of e-bikes.

No its been around a while. and its the Macina Race 26 or 29 inch wheels, just under 19kg

 

Macina Race 29/26

I dont have any problems recommending a Freego Eagle. Brought two last year and very pleased with them.

 

Good warranty and backup spares service, and try before you buy.

 

Rgds

I second that tonyishuk. Love my Eagle

 

gray

I bought the Kalkhoff BS10 from 50cycles in May. I haven't had this much fun on a bike since I was a kid!

 

I absolutely love it

I bought the Kalkhoff BS10 from 50cycles in May. I haven't had this much fun on a bike since I was a kid!

 

I absolutely love it

 

Badger,unless I am mistaken both the BS10 models are illegal 350 watt motors. I have ridden 350 watt motored bikes both in China and Germany,that extra illegal 100 watts just makes the bike so much exciting to ride and I would love to offer bikes with the extra performance but will stick to supplying cycle path legal bikes. I am amazed that 50 cycles have continued for so long supplying illegal bikes,it's got to end in tears for someone,someday!

Dave

Kudoscycles

A to B magazine article defines the situation re 350 watt e-bikes,basically you take a risk,just make sure you don't run into anyone!

Is the BS10 legal?

In a word no, but like so much in the Alice in Wonderland world of Euro-legislation, it is legal in parts, and can be made 100% legal quite easily. Just to recap, if you ride an electrically- assisted bike rated at more than 250 watts, weighing more than 40kg and capable of more than 25kph, you are liable to be prosecuted for riding an untaxed, unlicensed and uninsured moped. At 22.2kg, the BS10 sails through the weight clause, but is a tad powerful at 350 watts, and very very fast, so on paper at least, the rider is liable to prosecution. In practise, prosecutions of ordinary commuters riding ordinary-looking, but fast electric bicycles seem to be exceedingly rare, although the risk is certainly there.

 

Interestingly, the BS10, and presumably a few others, have now passed European Type Approval as L1e or ‘Low Powered Electric Mopeds', a category that seems to mean different things in different EU countries, or perhaps not. Type Approval means the bike comes with a certificate of conformity, proving that it has been properly tested, and it has a motor of less than 4kW (well under in this case) and a top speed of 45kph (28mph). Armed with your Type Approval certificate, you can register the bike with the DVLA, pick up your free tax disc (excellent), pay for basic insurance and plop on a helmet (both good ideas anyway). The bad news is that you have to fix a full-size number plate to the back of the bike (it already has a bracket), which is a real pain and makes you look like a first class plonker. Mind you, you may look like a plonker, but you'll be a squeaky clean, legal plonker, although presumably putting a licence plate on a bicycle will attract the attention of bored traffic police, so you're liable to get stopped once in a while.We almost forgot to add that youngish people who passed their car driving test after 1st February 2001 will also need a motorcycle licence or CBT certificate to ride the bike. Oldies don't need to worry.

 

Importer 50cycles takes care to point out that this legislative route is a necessary evil, and unlicensed BS10s can only be used on private land. There are now several hundred of these bikes at large in the UK, and the vast majority seem to be unregistered. Perhaps one or two really are used for beetling about on country estates, but we can assume most are being ridden to work like any other bicycle.

 

Where's it all going? Heaven only knows. The DfT has just ruled that it's minded to make Euro-friendly 250-watt electric bikes legal - that's after about a decade of deliberation. Yes, the DfT still thinks the 1983-vintage 200-watt limit applies. They should get out more. No doubt there are some at Marsham Street who still believe motorcars are proceeded by a man with a red flag. If it's taken the DfT a decade to get to grips with this very simple bit of law-tidying, it's never going to deal with the much tougher prospect of legislating for 28mph machines. And in the absence of clear guidance, more and more people are simply going to start riding these bikes illegally.

Edited August 25, 201213 yr by Kudoscycles

If its this much fun then it must be illegal!

 

:oI will second that, just test rode a BS 10 and it just made everything else i had tried feel slow and heavy. with this bike you dont just that feeling of effortless gliding along, with a bit of effort you also get some adrenaline flowing.

Came back to the shop grinning like a loon and ordered mine there and then!

 

I bought the Kalkhoff BS10 from 50cycles in May. I haven't had this much fun on a bike since I was a kid!

 

I absolutely love it