Advice for Pedelec virgin

[Saddlesore]

Hi everybody - I've just been accepted on board and am keen to get a few opinions on a suitable bike.
I've been trawling through various threads here and on other internet sites but seek the views on experts for my particular situation.
I have to confess that all this research is due to the imminent loss of my driving licence and after attending at Presteigne last Saturday I don't appear to be alone in this reason to embrace electric bikes.
I cycle a fair bit anyway and try to do 10 - 15 miles ride every other day to keep fit but staying sweatfree as part of my daily commute is a must and this is where you experts come in.
My daily commute to the nearest railway station is a 10 mile round trip and the route ( Worcester area) is not hilly - just a couple of reasonably easy gradients - nothing I couldn't cope with on a push bike at 60 years of age.
I was contemplating a Ezee Liv but after attending Presteigne I fell in love with that new Gitane 3 speed auto - so easy to ride and no messing about with gears - a bit over my £1k budget really.
I tried the Ezee Forza - ok and Urbanmover which I didn't really like. It was worth the trip to find out that I prefer pedelecs with a fair turn of speed if possible and no twist grip with preferably hub gears.
I did have a discussion about the merits or otherwise of rear and front wheel drive - not something I have found discussed although from a security point of view rear hubs would be easier to secure as you don't have to worry about your front wheel along wth the motor being pinched,
Anyway I've rattled on far toomuch and await in interest any responses from veteran pedelecs - Thanks.

 

[The Maestro]

Hi I'm in the same boat as you. Going to lose my license next wednesday barring a miracle! Actually I'm not that bothered and am quite looking forward to cycling to work even on an unassisted bike. However I might need some help on various days.

I don't have much advice, just saying welcome to the forum. I'm still researching and might be after a similar thing to yourself. I'm going to look up the Gitane 3 as I haven't heard of it before.

 

[JohnInStockie]

Hi John and welcome,

Did I read that your planning to commute to the train station, if so do you mean to take your bike on the train with you?

If you do you should know that many rail companies will not allow bikes on trains, and if they do its normally often only allowed at off-peak times.

The exceptions to this are folding bikes which I understand are classified as 'hand luggage'.

John

 

[JohnInStockie]

I'm going to look up the Gitane 3 as I haven't heard of it before.

Ive got a picture of one in the thread on the Tour De Presteigne. My wife tried one and the whole auto gear thing is very interesting (I like automatics in everything), but I was concerned by the height of the crank and of the relative pedal clearance from the ground after I watched one fellow nearly lose it completely whilst turning and pedaling in a very gentle curve at Prestigne. He was very shocked at the time that he had touched the floor, as he was not turning hard at all.

Still doesnt mean you cant have the auto-gear on another Nexus hub geared bike does it


John

 

[Saddlesore]

Hi John and welcome,

Did I read that your planning to commute to the train station, if so do you mean to take your bike on the train with you?

If you do you should know that many rail companies will not allow bikes on trains, and if they do its normally often only allowed at off-peak times.

The exceptions to this are folding bikes which I understand are classified as 'hand luggage'.

John

No I shall be securing the bike at the railway station which does have CCTV trained on the bike park area although despite the rules I've seen several people with those ghastly e-bikes from Thompsons get on and off at will and never be challenged!!

 

[Saddlesore]

Ive got a picture of one in the thread on the Tour De Presteigne. My wife tried one and the whole auto gear thing is very interesting (I like automatics in everything), but I was concerned by the height of the crank and of the relative pedal clearance from the ground after I watched one fellow nearly lose it completely whilst turning and pedaling in a very gentle curve at Prestigne. He was very shocked at the time that he had touched the floor, as he was not turning hard at all.

Still doesnt mean you cant have the auto-gear on another Nexus hub geared bike does it


John

I didn't have any problems with grounding but perhaps that's because I tend to freewheel round sharp bends with the inside pedal in the raised position - I've bitten the dust several times in my youth because of pedals digging in and tend to try and avoid a repeat these days!
I was quite suprised how comfortable the Gitane was and more so when I realised it had no form of suspension at all not even a damped seatpost.
I'm sure that other manufacturers use this Shimano auto box but as I am new to the scene I am not aware of any other bikes with it fitted.

 

[flecc]

Giant made some of their Panasonic motored Lafree bikes with the now discontinued Shimano Auto Nexus 4 speed hub, and A to B magazine reported favourably on it.

I don't know of any other instance of an e-bike using one historically.
.