Bike for fairly fit 75 year old woman wanting assistance on hills

[krc]

Thanks for all the responses, which have given me a much better idea of how the different systems work. My mother has tried out a bike belonging to a friend (a basic Giant which is a couple of years old, I think) and has already identified some pros and cons from that. We're going to try and arrange some more test rides, but unfortunately it's a very long way to most of the dealers!

 

[Electric Transport Shop]

Hi KRC welcome to the forum. Wow what great advice from everybody. I'm sure you feel you've asked the right people for help. Are you starting to get an idea of what might be the right choice?
I would echo the recommendations to make a trip with your Mum to test ride a few because when she finds a bike she is comfortable on and the way the power responds to her feels right she will use it and it may just be the best gift since her iPad (assuming she has one - several older customers have told me this ...
Have you checked out the forum dealer locator: http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/buy/electric-bike-dealer-directory/
there are few in the region although I don't know how close to your mum.
One suggestion I can add to all the good advice above is to consider the next 5 or so years and whether a step through or at least low cross bar would be sensible.
No one replied regarding the D-cycle - they are probably one of the better quality options sub £1000 for the money but a bit heavy and not the best on hills.
Probably the best torque sensing ebike sub £1000 would be the newly priced Wisper models. check out AMPs link at the top of the page. These offer significant help on hills.
Hope that adds to help already offered.
Any questions regarding models just ask.

 

[Electrifying Cycles]

please note the sub £1000 Wisper bikes will not have a torque sensor (not trying to be pedantic but wanted to make this clear). This is what David from Amps told me. The more expensive Wisper bikes starting from £1499 do have a torque sensor.

The best advice as TETS say is to try some bikes out to see what will best suit.

All the best
David

 

[anotherkiwi]

Torque sensors seem to be the new thing "à la mode". Nobody ever read d8veh's posts about the new TS emulating controllers?

My bike feels like a bike. I have lost 4 kg since I put a motor on it, maybe because I ride it 20X more often and much farther. If I want a workout Assistance level 0 provides about 0W. ASSIST 1 about 60 W, I have light bulbs that use more than that. And so on - ASSIST 4 = 250 W or 100% of nominative power and 5... The whole kaboodle where you get to twiddle legs and the motor does all the work unless you are steaming up 5% hills at 25 kph.

I think that Bosch & co. bikes feel different because of their gearing.

 

[trex]

IMHO your mother should not buy a TS bike. At her age, she may run out of steam without much of a warning. A throttle is also a desirable backup and will help her keeping to the same cadence.

 

[oldtom]

IMHO your mother should not buy a TS bike. At her age, she may run out of steam without much of a warning. A throttle is also a desirable backup and will help her keeping to the same cadence.

Trex, the OP has been doing some research including reading these pages so I'm quite sure he and his mum are aware of throttle control. I'm also pretty sure they are both aware of the good lady's limitations and If either of them thought exhaustion from pedalling might be an issue, then bikes other than TS powered would figure high on their list.

This is what the OP had to say at the outset:

She definitely wants something that would assist, rather than do the bulk of the work, so she can get the exercise benefit from her cycling.

From my research so far, I've spotted

• Woosh Sport TS: interested in the torque sensing, which they claim is suited to someone who wants to keep cycling with a natural feel

Your opinion is no doubt welcomed but I suspect the OP's mum knows her own mind and let's not forget there are many septuagenarians, and older, who still enjoy riding non-powered bikes. I'd guess the lady's husband may be one of those.

Tom

 

[Electric Transport Shop]

please note the sub £1000 Wisper bikes will not have a torque sensor (not trying to be pedantic but wanted to make this clear). This is what David from Amps told me. The more expensive Wisper bikes starting from £1499 do have a torque sensor.

The best advice as TETS say is to try some bikes out to see what will best suit.

All the best
David

Hi David I've double checked and you are right. I think we had a discussion about getting TS onto the sub £1k models and I remembered incorrectly. Sorry KRC if you've dashed out and bought a sub £1k Wisper already I'll help you exchange if necessary.
These Wisper models have a 12 magnet cadence sensor.

 

[Croxden]

IMHO your mother should not buy a TS bike. At her age, she may run out of steam without much of a warning. A throttle is also a desirable backup and will help her keeping to the same cadence.

Do you still have to use the brakes when changing gears?

 

[trex]

I was thinking of something lightweight, rear hub drive so no fiddling with gears, just pedal at constant cadence to keep the heart rate steady and use the assist level to suit the terrain. A 24" wheels if the OP's mother is small or the Woosh Karoo if she is taller than 5ft8.

 

[RobF]

Weight is a consideration whatever sensor the bike has.

I think a 75-year-old woman may find an ebike too heavy to (wo)manhandle at stops, starts, restricting gates on cycle paths and the other obstacles we all encounter.

A step through would be easier in this respect, even though it might be a bit heavier than the equivalent cross bar bike.

 

[Croxden]

Weight is a consideration whatever sensor the bike has.

I think a 75-year-old woman may find an ebike too heavy to (wo)manhandle at stops, starts, restricting gates on cycle paths and the other obstacles we all encounter.

A step through would be easier in this respect, even though it might be a bit heavier than the equivalent cross bar bike.

When you see '75-year-old woman' written down it does conjure an image of pretty much past it. But she isn't much older than me, I see similar aged folk doing exceedingly well and women are tougher as a rule as we get older. It is stated she is fit and active, find the size for her and she'll be off most of the day trying to wear off the grin we all get.

 

[Electric Transport Shop]

[QUOTE find the size for her and she'll be off most of the day trying to wear off the grin we all get. /QUOTE]

Ha yes the electric grin - one of the best reasons to work in this industry.