I have a 22 mile each way commute and for much of the last few years I've split the journey by driving half way and cycling the rest on a Specialized Secteur Sport road bike. Recently I've gone the whole way a few times but am completely knackered in the evening. I've been thinking a pedelec could allow me to do the entire journey rather more frequently so have been looking into the possibility of buying something to replace my 5-year old roadie).
Primary requirement: To be able to ride the distance at speed on road. The last time I commuted the whole way I averaged 17.8 mph in and 16 mph on the return (I run out of energy!). I'm aware of the 15 mph cutoff and do want to keep legal, but I don't want to be going any slower than I already do without assistance. I know it's a bit of a grey area - for example I believe the BH Neo series are still providing assistance up round 18 mph?
Secondary requirement: My wife has an old Clockwork Orange hybrid bike whereas I only have my roadie. I therefore can't go on trails. Added to that we now have two children (3 and 1) and it would be good to head out on trails for family cycles - with necessary child seats or whatever. I don't think this is a difficult requirement as pretty much all e-bikes are better off-road than mine (with the exception maybe of the BH Neo Race or Carbon).
Any thoughts? I'm considering the BH Neo Cross, KTM E Cross P etc.
Michael
Michael,please read your PM.
Reading through your OP this is not just about speed,its also not getting home tired. You mention that you are not far from the London Electric Bike Company and have visited them,why dont you go and try a Kudos 29er and derestrict that comfortably within fleccs tolerance,ie about 17 mph and go for a long bike ride over similar terrain to your journey,it will soon reveal whether sticking at 17 mph assisted will keep your same journey time but arrive home less tired.
The resultant conclusion will I am sure be interesting to many on this forum.
Without wanting to start a forum war I agree with Colin and Tom at LEBC that cycling along at plus 20 mph in London,assisted or otherwise,is a very scary experience and inevitably doing it on a daily commute you will have an accident,there are literally dozens of crashes in London now,usually between bikes and pedestrians,its not always the cyclists fault and not always the pedestrians fault but all bikes are getting quicker now and people are just not ready for the speed.
Also around my London base (Canary Wharf) are Boris's so called super highways,some of the one way streets have cycle lanes running the 'wrong way' down the street,as a pedestrian you have got used to cars coming from only one direction,you dont expect a 20 mph plus bike silently from the other direction.
KudosDave
