All I want for Christmas........

[yeoman]

I'm quite new to this electric bicycle thing so please excuse any faux pas. I've been looking at folding electric bikes and recently came across the Synergie Levanto. Just the job I thought - low battery position, (inside rear wheel), front drive hub, folding off road type bike ideal for those long rides along the beach etc etc (my health's not too good). But it appears that the importers no longer carry it. Does anyone know why? I also saw a mountain bike type of ebike a while back called the Cyclone which although not a folder looked to be a half decent machine (what do I know?) but again that has disappeared from the market, I think.

I'd quite like one before December 25th actually but at this rate I'll probably have to settle for a bath chair. I'd be glad of any input on this.

Cheers

Jon

 

[flecc]

Hello Jon, welcome to the forum. The site Administrator Russ use to have a Cyclone at one time but was far from impressed, so it's disappearance could be a welcome thing.

Synergie are a cheap brand mainly sold online through Ebay, and as such their model range does tend to change suddenly at times. Some owners like one or two of their higher price models, but there as many thumbs down on them as approvals.

In this market as in most, we do tend to get what we pay for. There are loads of electric folders, almost all suppliers have at least one, but they are mostly junk, poor to ride, sometimes very low powered, and almost universally too heavy to actually carry about, being car boot jobs at best.

There's little below £500 that's any good, but if you can tell us the features you'd like to have in a bike, we'll see what we can come up with for you.
.

 

[Ian]

Hello and welcome Jon.
If the Synergie Levanto is what I think (folding MTB, battery in rear hub) then I owned one in another guise and you'd probably be better off with a bath chair. It's probably been withdrawn because of problems with build quality and reliability which certainly affected it, not uncommon at the cheaper end.

There are a few suppliers advertising on these pages and all are reputable although their products differ widely. 50cycles offer a range of top quality machines, Wisper are quickly getting a good reputation, Powabyke and Powacycle (not related) are value for money, the Powabykes are a little heavy and the Powacycles are quite low powered but all have many satisfied owners on this forum.

The main things to consider are whether the range and hill climbing ability will be adequate for your intended use. If something catches your eye simply ask for opinions here, the chances are someone will have experience of it.

Good luck
Ian.

 

[yeoman]

Thanks

Thank you Ian and Flecc,

Well now that you mention it you do generally get what you pay for. What I am looking for, I suppose, is a bike that will get me to the beach from wherever I've parked the caravan. I don't need a bike to get to work or to go a huge distance but certainly one that will transport me and all that I need for a day at the beach. I'm probably fit enough to ride it all the way there under MY own steam. but I'd like to be able to to be sure of getting back to the caravan (a range of max 10 miles there and back) if necessary on battery alone.The bike doesn't have to fold, but it would have been a bonus if it did. A full size frame to make luggage fitment easier would probably make sense- rather than a small wheeled folder (ala Moulton) Some off road ability would be advantageous. Perhaps this spec is why I was drawn towards the Synergie Levanto.
I am not convinced that these ultra modern full suspension bikes are what I'm after. I just haven't seen much else around . Although I did see an Izip in a local bike shop window. Confused?? I think I need an aspirin.

 

[flecc]

I definitely agree that full suspension isn't necessary, and I think it's usually an undesirable addition of weight and complication. The range you what isn't a problem, almost all models will easily cover 10 miles and often twice that.

Off road is a problem with electric assist bikes, most manufacturers advising against it. The weight of the motor and battery are a problem for that, the battery and it's mountings in particular nor really up to rough treatment.

Few electric folders are much good, most on the market being poorly designed, often with one or more of the following, wheels too small, rearward saddle meaning permanent wheelies, sloppy folding steering, slack in the frame hinge etc. So I think it's best to mainly think in terms of the more normal road bikes and the odd full length folder with 20" wheels.

One query, how much do you want to pedal? In other words, do you want to play a full part in the riding, or are you quite happy to sit back and let the bike motor do the job? Knowing that will make the choice easier.
.

 

[Ian]

What I am looking for, I suppose, is a bike that will get me to the beach from wherever I've parked the caravan.

Snap! I was using mine for that very purpose last week . I find that an electric bike is a perfect companion to a touring caravan.

I understand your attraction to a folder, transportation can be awkward which is why my first bike was a folding mtb, unfortunately the fact that the battery could not be removed meant the full 25kg had to be lifted in a very awkward shape. My Ezee Torq is actually far easier to load into my medium sized estate than ever the folder was, it does however take up the full length of the loadspace. Another option for transportation is a towbar mounted rack, I think these can carry a bike while towing.

Depending on where you take your caravan hill climbing might be a requirement as it's usually uphill all the way back from beach