Advice/suggestions for an appropriate bike

[Deleted member 17694]

Hello,

I recently changed jobs and now work about 3.5km from home. I'd really like to cycle to work but I have some issues. I had some heart trouble in the past and I need to avoid strenuous activity, so cycling a normal bike up a steep hill is not on (in fact walking up a steep hill is a challenge unless I take a break or two). I can pedal with no problems when the pedal load is light, so a bike with motor assistance sounds ideal.

On the flat and downhill, I'll be fine most of the time, but on a bad day however I might need assistance on the flat too, so it would be nice to be able to control the level of assistance. Since I'd be commuting, I need lighting, mud guards and the ability to carry a laptop and a few folders. I would also be cycling off road for most of the journey (uneven, gravel footpath), so an off road style frame with wider tyres is essential. I'd be leaving the bike outside at work, so it must obviously be weatherproof (and I need to secure it).

I won't say money is no object, I'm not rich, but I'd prefer to invest in something that's well built and going to last. I don't know much about motorised bikes so having somewhere I can go or call to get parts, repairs etc. would be useful.

Suggestions for suitable model(s) appreciated and I will take a look in detail. Note that I want to try before I buy, so I'm not interested in models I can't test ride.

 

[Spire]

Try wooshbikes.co.uk they have a wide range, can advise and option to test.

I own one and so far very happy.

Sent from my E6653 using Tapatalk

 

[trex]

for your distance, any e-bike will do, gravelled paths are no problem, all bikes can do that. Your state of health means that you should get a bike with enough power to get you home on throttle alone. Also, you need lights, mudguards and rack. You also need puncture proof tyres.
I would recommend a rear hub bike. They are less expensive than bikes with crank motors. Avoid direct drive motors, they are heavy and have comparatively lower torque. Which geared hub motor depends on your weight. Under 13st, any geared hub motor in 120mm diameter (commonly called SWX) will do, over 17st you'll need a much more powerful motor in 160mm diameter (commonly called BPM), in between, 140mm sized SWX02. Allthough any battery can give you the range you need, the larger capacity battery gives higher current so better suited for more powerful motors. I would match a battery with capacity of 10AH-12AH with an SWX motor, 13AH-14AH with an SWX02 and 15AH-17AH with a BPM motor.

 

[D8ve]

Trex has given you the general Chinese bike advice, most bikes have chinese parts so don't worry about that. I would only disagree about the battery, bigger is better especially if you need health assistance.

My advice is to test ride as many as you can. The better handling the bike without power the better it will perform overall.

Luckily you can retro fit a throttle to the Chinese bikes. And it stays legal.
Look for a local bike shop. That is handy for everything

Pricier bikes tend to be harder to adapt(full speed throttle).
However it is nicer to have quality components.
Torque control is generally a nicer ride for the fit, but for the F..ked it could be hard work so give it a miss. And save some cash too.
Disk brakes are cheap and very effective. Hub gears are nice( I have just put an 8 spd hub on mine)
Sit-up and beg style is comfortable.

I can do my 4 mile commute in 15 to 17 mins even though I'm asthmatic.
Expect similar times with easy riding.
You do tend to ride more and more so get fitter.

 

[Deleted member 17694]

Excellent responses, thank you. I'm going read up on some of the things you've mentioned as I don't know all the terminology too well. I think it's important to get a good understanding.

I'm on the south coast (Southampton actually), anyone know of a particular store in my area that's highly rated? I'm willing to travel further to get the right bike but it would of course be nice to get it from somewhere that I go to get parts, repairs etc.