Advice on buying an E-Bike

[El Fusilado]

So, thanks to everyone that replied to my earlier post. I dithered somewhat and then went on holiday so missed out on the Argos bargains. I'm not sure they were entirely right for what I wanted but they were certainly cheap. Can I have your views on the following four options. It will be for riding around Wimbledon Common and on the road around Wimbledon. For leisure rather than commute. I'm 5 foot 7 and 96kg, and a fairly mobile 60 year old. I have a non Ebike Hybrid currently that struggles on the Common a bit. Some of the cycle tracks are a bit gravelly! I am also very non handy when it comes to the mechanics - so I want something easy and cheap to maintain. I'm also leaning towards a step through, anticipating declining mobility over the years to come! So favouring the Sanatna 3 and Ridgeback but slightly worried that the tyres might not be up to the Common. Any other suggestions gratefully received

ELEGLIDE M2 Electric Mountain Bike 27.5"/29"	649​	https://www.electricscooterslondon.com/collections/electric-bikes/products/eleglide-m2-electric-mountain-bike?variant=44804086038752
I would add mudguards and panniers
Santana3 with 17AH battery	1049​	https://wooshbikes.co.uk/cart/#/category/uid-1
Metroneer EG 1.0 Comp Gravel E-Bike	699​	https://www.merlincycles.com/metroneer-eg-10-comp-gravel-e-bike-282643.html
I would add mudguards and panniers		53 cm
Ridgeback Electron Front Hub Drive	849​	https://www.freewheel.co.uk/ridgeback-electron-front-hub-drive-varrb21990

 

[Peter.Bridge]

I'd eliminate the Ridgeback (rim brakes), the metroneer is drop handlebars and quite light (easy for putting away) with 360wh battery

The Eleglide is tempting and good value, but if you can afford it I would go for the Santana, it's a safe bet, lots of good reports in here. Reassuring customer service and support, will last years, good battery range, powerful motor / controller, cheap to replace battery in 5 years time

Has mudguards and pannier rack all fitted

 

[matthewslack]

Eleglide has decent battery size, simple and basic. The mountain bike part of the description only relates to styling and nobbly tyres, with hub motor it will have rather limited capability offroad. Hydraulic brakes is a plus.

Metroneer. Small internal battery. Range might be disappointing. How much is an additional battery?

Forget the Ridgeback with its rim brakes.

Santana is well regarded, has largest battery and Woosh have good reputation. But a lot more money.


I suspect someone will come along in a moment and show you more bike for less money....!

 

[matthewslack]

Size matters... the Eleglide is showing as only in Medium, and with 27.5 wheels.

 

[saneagle]

I'd go for the Eleglide. It's really good value for what it is.

 

[Nealh]

Argos have two 700c EAPC's under £500 but the batteries are small , approx. 8ah but should be good for 20 mile bimbles.

 

[egroover]

The eleglide gets my vote IF the size available fits you. You might wanna hold out for the 29" version if it's due instock soon and that would be a better fit. Hydraulic brakes and a 15ah battery sets it apart from other similar bikes at this price point. A lot of bike for the money

 

[Peter.Bridge]

The eleglide gets my vote IF the size available fits you. You might wanna hold out for the 29" version if it's due instock soon and that would be a better fit. Hydraulic brakes and a 15ah battery sets it apart from other similar bikes at this price point. A lot of bike for the money

Seem to have the 29" version at Amazon

Eleglide Electric Bike, M2 27.5''/29'' Electric Bicycle for Adults, E Mountainbike, 36V 15Ah Removable Battery,Max Range 125KM, Dual Hydraulic Disk Brake, Shimano 24 Speed, APP https://amzn.eu/d/babjtVy

 

[El Fusilado]

I'd eliminate the Ridgeback (rim brakes), the metroneer is drop handlebars and quite light (easy for putting away) with 360wh battery

The Eleglide is tempting and good value, but if you can afford it I would go for the Santana, it's a safe bet, lots of good reports in here. Reassuring customer service and support, will last years, good battery range, powerful motor / controller, cheap to replace battery in 5 years time

Has mudguards and pannier rack all fitted

Thanks Peter - do you think the Santana 3 would cope with the cycle tracks on the common?

 

[saneagle]

Seem to have the 29" version at Amazon

Eleglide Electric Bike, M2 27.5''/29'' Electric Bicycle for Adults, E Mountainbike, 36V 15Ah Removable Battery,Max Range 125KM, Dual Hydraulic Disk Brake, Shimano 24 Speed, APP https://amzn.eu/d/babjtVy

It has a phone app. I would never get a bike with such a thing. Do you remember the guys, who locked their bike with the app, then couldn't unlock it? I can't remember the name of the brand, but it was that one that you were bombarded with ads and marketing stuff nearly every time you went on YouTube until they went bust, leaving all the owners with a nice trellis for their beans. Keep things simple. An ordinary LCD works very well.

 

[cyclebuddy]

Seem to have the 29" version at Amazon

No, they only have the smaller wheeled one in stock... it says delivery 2-3 weeks for the bigger wheel, so that implies they're waiting new stock.

Having seen and been impressed by the low-step version of this bike in the flesh, I'd go for an Eleglide too... it's a lot of bike for the money.

 

[Peter.Bridge]

Thanks Peter - do you think the Santana 3 would cope with the cycle tracks on the common?

I think so but double check with @Woosh

 

[saneagle]

Thanks Peter - do you think the Santana 3 would cope with the cycle tracks on the common?

Any ebike would. You only need to worry about which ebike you need to get is when you want to ride up massive steep hills and/or you're over 110kg. My £235 Argos ebike would be fine for what you want. I think they've sold out now.

 

[Peter.Bridge]

I think so but double check with @Woosh

If you are mostly cycling on the common I think the Kenda Kwest 26*1.75 tyres would be ok, but might be worth asking Woosh to fit some more off road orientated tyres. I just fitted some Schwalbe marathon 365 to a bike for my mother in law as "go anywhere" all season, puncture resistant tyres, but just have to be a bit careful that they fit with the mudguards

Schwalbe Marathon GT 365 HS475 Tyre 26x2.00 50-559

One tyre. Four season, 365 days no tyre change necessary. The Marathon GT 365 is the first tyre which you will ride safely throughout the year in almost every condition. The new lamella tread and the specially developed 'FourSeason' compound provide full grip, no matter what time of the year. Of...

www.sjscycles.co.uk

 

[Peter.Bridge]

It has a phone app. I would never get a bike with such a thing. Do you remember the guys, who locked their bike with the app, then couldn't unlock it? I can't remember the name of the brand, but it was that one that you were bombarded with ads and marketing stuff nearly every time you went on YouTube until they went bust, leaving all the owners with a nice trellis for their beans. Keep things simple. An ordinary LCD works very well.

The phone app ( on both the 27.5" and 29") is optional - you don't need to download and use it , you can just use the LCD

 

[saneagle]

The phone app ( on both the 27.5" and 29") is optional - you don't need to download and use it , you can just use the LCD

Yes, but the controller has the capability to lock the bike. In that case the function is probably also in the LCD or could be initiated by a random fault. It just makes me nervous. There was no explanation for why those Vanmoofs (remembered the name now) were self locking. I'm not saying it's the same, it's just the unintended consequences of having unnecessary features:

https://x.com/jayonaboat/status/1438874061376004101?lang=en

 

[egroover]

Yes, but the controller has the capability to lock the bike. In that case the function is probably also in the LCD or could be initiated by a random fault. It just makes me nervous. There was no explanation for why those Vanmoofs (remembered the name now) were self locking. I'm not saying it's the same, it's just the unintended consequences of having unnecessary features:

https://x.com/jayonaboat/status/1438874061376004101?lang=en

I reckon the locking of the bike is between the lcd display (has a Bluetooth connecivity) and the phone app, not the controller. I have a new Bluetooth enabled bafang display, similar arrangement, can be unlocked when bluetooth enabled phone with app is within range if setup to do so.
If you don't enable any Bluetooth or connect the app, unlikely to be an issue.
Worst case scenario if the display did go bad and decided to lock the bike, it's a display replacement, no need to replace the controller or anything else

 

[El Fusilado]

Thanks once agian for your advice. I went to test ride the Eleglide buit test rode this instead and liked it - so I am now the owner of a Hampton hm2 hybrid bike. Just took it out on to the Common and It is up to the job so fingers crossed that it stays reliable! One question that I had: the assist mode has 3 levels and a throttle. Even at the lowest level it is a lot more powerful than other e-bikes. Is there a way to reduce the power in assist mode?

HAMPTON HM2 Hybrid Electric Bike

Explore seamless hybrid cycling with the HAMPTON HM2 Electric Bike, engineered for city streets and rugged trails. Featuring a dynamic motor-battery combo for extended range, comfortable geometry for all-day riding, and robust tyres, the HM2 is the perfect blend of performance and comfort.

www.electricscooterslondon.com

 

[Peter.Bridge]

Thanks once agian for your advice. I went to test ride the Eleglide buit test rode this instead and liked it - so I am now the owner of a Hampton hm2 hybrid bike. Just took it out on to the Common and It is up to the job so fingers crossed that it stays reliable! One question that I had: the assist mode has 3 levels and a throttle. Even at the lowest level it is a lot more powerful than other e-bikes. Is there a way to reduce the power in assist mode?

HAMPTON HM2 Hybrid Electric Bike

Explore seamless hybrid cycling with the HAMPTON HM2 Electric Bike, engineered for city streets and rugged trails. Featuring a dynamic motor-battery combo for extended range, comfortable geometry for all-day riding, and robust tyres, the HM2 is the perfect blend of performance and comfort.

www.electricscooterslondon.com

Enjoy your pedelecing - it looks all standard parts so would be easy to maintain / upgrade. Decent battery size and peak power 540W - so I am assuming that is a 36V 15A controller and 540W is the peak power from the controller

 

[Az.]

I am now the owner of a Hampton hm2 hybrid bike.

Write to admin and ask to upgrade your status to "I have found my (electric) wheels".



Welcome to the club. I am looking forward to see you opening new thread "Which e-bike should I buy next?"

 

[saneagle]

One question that I had: the assist mode has 3 levels and a throttle. Even at the lowest level it is a lot more powerful than other e-bikes. Is there a way to reduce the power in assist mode?

The only way you can fix that is to change the controller to a KT one, which costs about £80. Your bike has the controller integrated into the battery case, so you'd have to mount the KT controller in its own case or in a bag.