Best under £1000 bikes for 14 mile roundtrip hilly mon-fri commute

[IainSo]

Hi everyone,

I currently have a non-electric hybrid bike, I was thinking to get an electric bike to make my commute easier, as I'm always worn out by Friday and have no energy for other sports or activities. I reckon I'd use the motor mostly for the hills, and sometimes the flats if I'm tired. Three evenings a week I wouldn't use the motor at all, in order to get the exercise.

Most of the hills are around 5-10%, with a few short bits possibly steeper. I weigh 75Kg, age 39.

I'm looking for a fairly upright style bike that's good for all weathers (decent mudguards), and stoney footpaths. The bike needs to be quite upright because otherwise I get problems with 'numbness' and prostate pain - I use my wife's hybrid bike with a noseless saddle to solve this problem. One of the ones that caught my eye for price and range was:

http://www.wooshbikes.co.uk/?bigbear, at £849

But I also see there are a few sub £1000 bikes in Halfords. Ideally I'd like to get the bike on the cycle to work scheme.

 

[RobF]

You could do a lot worse than a Big Bear.

The motor is more powerful than many others, and the large capacity battery will enable you to take full advantage.

The Halfords bikes are Ebco, nice quality for the money, slightly better built than woosh, judging by the ones I've seen.

Smaller battery and not such a powerful motor.

But you are relatively light and already have some cycle fitness, so an Ebco bike would have enough poke for your commute.

The 9ah battery ought to do the round trip, but don't expect it to go a lot further.

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/electric-bikes/ebco-ucr-10-electric-bike

 

[trex]

if you want to keep fit, the woosh Zephyr-B is better. It has same motor as the Big Bear but a bigger 52T chainring, the Big Bear has 44T, the Zephyr-B has lower cadence and will encourage you to pedal more.
http://wooshbikes.co.uk/?zephyr-b

 

[IainSo]

Thanks guys, it's nice to know that a sub £1000 bike is viable for me.

 

[Cyclezee]

Hi Ian,

An eZee Sprint Primo GTS would fit the bill and at £795 including delivery is well within your budget.
Full specification here http://www.cyclezee.com/ezee-sprint-primo.html


If you can stretch the budget to £1095 the Ansmann FT15 might also suit, they come with an exceptional warranty, 3 years on the battery and 4 years on the motor. http://www.cyclezee.com/ansmann-ft-15.html

 

[selrahc1992]

Hi everyone,

I currently have a non-electric hybrid bike, I was thinking to get an electric bike to make my commute easier, as I'm always worn out by Friday and have no energy for other sports or activities. I reckon I'd use the motor mostly for the hills, and sometimes the flats if I'm tired. Three evenings a week I wouldn't use the motor at all, in order to get the exercise.

Most of the hills are around 5-10%, with a few short bits possibly steeper. I weigh 75Kg, age 39.

I'm looking for a fairly upright style bike that's good for all weathers (decent mudguards), and stoney footpaths. The bike needs to be quite upright because otherwise I get problems with 'numbness' and prostate pain - I use my wife's hybrid bike with a noseless saddle to solve this problem. One of the ones that caught my eye for price and range was:

http://www.wooshbikes.co.uk/?bigbear, at £849

But I also see there are a few sub £1000 bikes in Halfords. Ideally I'd like to get the bike on the cycle to work scheme.

if youre hybird is good quality and youre happy with it i would say - as a very recent convert - get an oxydrive kit and convert it - specially since you weigh 75kg - you'll end up with sufficient torque and speed in a quality package instead of a, well, less high quality package that isnt adapted for your needs

 

[Stalkingcat]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Electric-Bike-set-at-3300w-72v-Infinion-controller-winter-tyres-AMAZING-/141563649145?

My listing would be good for you but not with a purchase scheme i'm afraid

Not really a hybrid though, could just twist the throttle less

 

[trex]

your bike is worth £1000 alone without the battery.

 

[Stalkingcat]

Haha yes I need the money, cash flow and all that

 

[D8ve]

A bit wow

 

[Stalkingcat]

thanks, loads of interest already.
I'll post it in the classified section for anyone on here but be quick as don't think it will last the wkend...

 

[IainSo]

Thanks for the further advice everyone, I'm pleasantly surprised to hear that the sub £1000 bikes are good enough - I feared loads of replies telling me to avoid this or that make like the plague - and having to conclude I'd need to spend a lot more.

 

[Keith Palmer]

Check out www.conv-e.com for a Conversion Kit for you existing bike - cheaper, easier and you keep the bike you like

 

[patpatbut]

Hi Keith

Sorry to say can you stop hijacking every post?

 

[MDJO]

I bought a Ezee Sprint Primo (Ladies step through version of the one John has recommended above) for exactly the same purposes as you describe. 14/15 mile commute with some gradients. It's been a fantastic buy and does the job with ease. I'm a similar age (ok, ok a few years older) and similar weight. Battery life easily copes with 14 miles (easily over 50% remaining after 14 miles with a nominal amount of pedalling which is easy to do as it's quite light). Been using mine for about 7 months now and would buy another in a heartbeat. Highly recommended
.

 

[nichodia]

I got my Freego regency through the cycle to work scheme...it is a step through, very upright and ultra comfortable..I do a 14 mile round trip. I Got mine from ebikes direct..just told them the terrain I wanted to travel (down the valley and up the other side)..how much I weighed ( a lot more than you!) and how far..and this was the one they recommended...got to say I can't fault it..I am 58 (female) unfit (getting fitter) and just loving biking to work at 6am in the morning. I am a nurse and arrive untoiled ready for a hectic day on the ward.