Cheap commuter bike, thoughts and concerns

[florencen]

Hello
I have had my Fiido D4S for 5 years, it's served me so well, and I've loved it - but I think it's on its last legs. It took some work and upgrading when I first got it (spokes broke constantly!), but it became a dream when it got a reinforced back wheel. It was so reasonably priced and has done me forever.
Budget - max 1400 (completely maxxed out at this)
I'm thinking I should make the move from foldable to hybrid, I commute 15 miles a day and want a little more power than that so I can have longer lesuire rides
I have arthritis in my knees, I'm little (5ft4) and heavy
I know I'll be recommended the woosh bikes (I have a bit of a bike crush on the Santana3. I'd prefer something step through
I worry that lots of places say buy from a local bike shop; I'm in the north of the UK, so Southend is a fair while from me.
It seems to be that Fiido these days is a bad idea, is that right?

Locally, I can get the Electras, which seem to be the only thing about in my price range in a shop nearby.

Cruiser Go! Step-Thru - Electra Bikes (GB)

Discover your next great ride with Cruiser Go! Step-Thru. See the bike and visit your local Trek retailer. Shop now!

electra.trekbikes.com

Is the price point worth going online?

What can I get the same amount of use and love from, in a reasonable price

all thoughts welcome

 

[saneagle]

Hello
I have had my Fiido D4S for 5 years, it's served me so well, and I've loved it - but I think it's on its last legs. It took some work and upgrading when I first got it (spokes broke constantly!), but it became a dream when it got a reinforced back wheel. It was so reasonably priced and has done me forever.
Budget - max 1400 (completely maxxed out at this)
I'm thinking I should make the move from foldable to hybrid, I commute 15 miles a day and want a little more power than that so I can have longer lesuire rides
I have arthritis in my knees, I'm little (5ft4) and heavy
I know I'll be recommended the woosh bikes (I have a bit of a bike crush on the Santana3. I'd prefer something step through
I worry that lots of places say buy from a local bike shop; I'm in the north of the UK, so Southend is a fair while from me.
It seems to be that Fiido these days is a bad idea, is that right?

Locally, I can get the Electras, which seem to be the only thing about in my price range in a shop nearby.

Cruiser Go! Step-Thru - Electra Bikes (GB)

Discover your next great ride with Cruiser Go! Step-Thru. See the bike and visit your local Trek retailer. Shop now!

electra.trekbikes.com

Is the price point worth going online?

What can I get the same amount of use and love from, in a reasonable price

all thoughts welcome

If youn want a bit more power, it would be better to get a bike with a 48v system, especially if you want one with larger wheels.

This one looks OK. The battery is only 7.8AH, so range would be around 30 miles, but it's a standard battery. You can buy bigger ones for less than £200 that slot straight in.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/VARUN-Electric-battery-C26-2-Commuter/dp/B0CN9GRPXF/ref=sr_1_6?crid=33MT95NUNCWCH&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.IVgtshnJHkmD5NljhpdlmNeSrZfLOE5rJHXI2RcoJ6cFD6mvdYTWcFYv888aoKG77MBgWxoUpr0bkUm_dmyTc9O1y4AB92wCW64ENsBs0EmBE1q-2aMXYh6fiyKLuDj3AvrRwfYEZazqoBfE6J4scI66wovTuF-03UcAVxUZoeWuAdRXDkvk2sU4PhtUvaOKoRH2C0oALIs1Gguil3jl0UpD-N-hPPWScJLMgJbuK5o.y1kOj6ujnNnYwDZoPB2H1I5PU8BdXZvZyGw129AFqos&dib_tag=se&keywords=250w+%2248v%22+ebike&qid=1740187740&s=sports&sprefix=250w+48v+ebike%2Csports%2C69&sr=1-6&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.75166066-20e3-4754-b877-e8b97a40eca8

This one has a bigger battery, but 28" wheels, so it might be a bit large for you unless you've tried 28" wheeled bikes before:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/VARUN-Electric-499-2Wh-Battery-50-100km/dp/B0CYGYVZXW/ref=sr_1_45_sspa?crid=2U7SCUELW4IIY&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Cex0n04pHI1w68m-rQVfeV0N1s-qqPXY07_RN5Iwj23yJQuM-CjEUSrQQh4W9mQnAA2NSVhI3Ywhsja2s29O5LbqORfPzH0AN6UnrF9maqnpqBokvluFZnRfdZMHSqM4HUxPashCUykDz67uDo7dYdEgfeMOo_Qe06btGto4vXnXkoBbJHcSXklwfNCnGCdn.10Ouo5Y_gsFdpgJupUInOZcN5bTUXItijl_Y0EcEXRA&dib_tag=se&keywords=250w%2B%2248v%22%2Bebike%2Blong%2Brange&qid=1740188019&s=sports&sprefix=250w%2B48v%2Bebike%2Blong%2Brange%2Csports%2C65&sr=1-45-spons&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.75166066-20e3-4754-b877-e8b97a40eca8&xpid=5c9Zn7l4uAV8p&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9tdGY&th=1

This one would be great for commuting. It has so much power that it can do ALL the work for you if you want:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Vipdrive-Electric-Removable-Mountain-Explorer1-2/dp/B0CXDBNJK7/ref=sr_1_88_sspa?crid=2U7SCUELW4IIY&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.rfsHO3ZBC6bqYEWnJQ234MNoP96tj46koGOW8gVQJJf2rsxkUyYfLDZ5StJDaZgWS14VepBvxc_bsPCR2tQj_dTuotFpm6v1kiVLTQ3SsJ1ZzzYavAgLlYjA2hx1PXcbmMtK00LCNIuJ8U6RTq1OpmbZV1Tg9U_ulB8i9IdvQe0iYVnfLWaJV7AIBb3-1rg0.uSgNcBP33GM7QQDtse601PohbqB_7LVVKWxgWj73VIM&dib_tag=se&keywords=250w%2B%2248v%22%2Bebike%2Blong%2Brange&qid=1740188181&s=sports&sprefix=250w%2B48v%2Bebike%2Blong%2Brange%2Csports%2C65&sr=1-88-spons&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.d7e5a2de-8759-4da3-993c-d11b6e3d217f&xpid=5c9Zn7l4uAV8p&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9tdGY&th=1

 

[matthewslack]

Woosh get great customer service reviews, and Santana seems to be in a sale at present. £999 or £1049 with larger battery.

Is this a sign?

 

[florencen]

Thank you both.
!

 

[florencen]

Woosh get great customer service reviews, and Santana seems to be in a sale at present. £999 or £1049 with larger battery.

Is this a sign?

It might be a sign.
I haven’t had a Dutch style before so that’s a worry and the weight of it is a bit of a worry too - my current e-bike is 18kg so the extra 6kg makes me nervous. I already struggle lifting my bike.

 

[florencen]

Really interested to hear from those who have them or other suitable e bikes.
Keep the wisdom coming

 

[thelarkbox]

Not a woosh bike - see icon.. dutch syle ortler conversion- not lightweight.

Only time lifting is an issue is when repairing (rare).

how often do you lift your bike and why? - hoists etc perhaps?

 

[florencen]

Even just getting it up say 4 steps into somewhere.
Maybe I just need to get rid of notion of doing that.

 

[cyclebuddy]

It seems to be that Fiido these days is a bad idea, is that right?

No, it isn't... I'm not sure where you get that idea! I have a Fiido D11, and both the bike and Fiido themselves have been great.

The Fiido C11 is the spiritual successor to the Fiido D4S (so Fiido themselves say) - hybrid step through design, hydraulic brakes, a bigger 500Wh battery for more range... it seems to tick a lot of your boxes, and currently £817. They even do cycle to work discount schemes now too if your commute/employer participates.

FIIDO C11 - Best Electric City Commuter Bike for UK Sale.

The problem with Fiido's D4S wheels was - as is common with many cheap, small wheeled bikes - carrying excess weight/abuse like hitting potholes and kerb-hopping... and then ignoring maintenance... it needed spokes checking and tightening every now and then, as does (did) my Fiido D11... once the wheels/spokes had bedded in and kept tight for the first few months riding, they've been fine ever since.

 

[thelarkbox]

Even just getting it up say 4 steps into somewhere.
Maybe I just need to get rid of notion of doing that.

Not an obstacle i regularly encounter hence the ignorant comment above DOH!.. Perhaps trying just lifting the lighter front end up the first few steps and engaging the walk mode drive to bring up the rear as you lift the front one step at a time?? - its what i would try i think... Finally a use for walk mode!!

edit - rethink using brakes to anchor the bike when partially up would negate use of the motor (brake cut offs) hmm would a temporary disconnect of one brake be feasible too or.... could some slick brake control come into play

 

[matthewslack]

Four steps is not permitted in UK public realm ground floors.

Nothing to be done easily about homes though.

 

[florencen]

No, it isn't... I'm not sure where you get that idea! I have a Fiido D11, and both the bike and Fiido themselves have been great.

The Fiido C11 is the spiritual successor to the Fiido D4S (so Fiido themselves say) - hybrid step through design, hydraulic brakes, a bigger 500Wh battery for more range... it seems to tick a lot of your boxes, and currently £817. They even do cycle to work discount schemes now too if your commute/employer participates.

FIIDO C11 - Best Electric City Commuter Bike for UK Sale.

The problem with Fiido's D4S wheels was - as is common with many cheap, small wheeled bikes - carrying excess weight/abuse like hitting potholes and kerb-hopping... and then ignoring maintenance... it needed spokes checking and tightening every now and then, as does (did) my Fiido D11... once the wheels/spokes had bedded in and kept tight for the first few months riding, they've been fine ever since.

The c11 was the one that was tempting me. Thank you.
Fiido seems to get a fair amount of bad press with e-bike people, none existent customer service etc

 

[florencen]

Four steps is not permitted in UK public realm ground floors.

Nothing to be done easily about homes though.

I didn’t know this!

 

[florencen]

T

Not an obstacle i regularly encounter hence the ignorant comment above DOH!.. Perhaps trying just lifting the lighter front end up the first few steps and engaging the walk mode drive to bring up the rear as you lift the front one step at a time?? - its what i would try i think... Finally a use for walk mode!!

edit - rethink using brakes to anchor the bike when partially up would negate use of the motor (brake cut offs) hmm would a temporary disconnect of one brake be feasible too or.... could some slick brake control come into play

Thank you. This is helpful! Love the problem solving.

 

[thelarkbox]

Thank you. This is helpful! Love the problem solving.

And a welcome whimsical distraction from 'world events' atm.
fwiw a considerable volume of text has been deleted from this post.

 

[Chainring]

It might be a sign.
I haven’t had a Dutch style before so that’s a worry and the weight of it is a bit of a worry too - my current e-bike is 18kg so the extra 6kg makes me nervous. I already struggle lifting my bike.

My first ebike was a Santana from Woosh about twelve years ago. The most comfortable bike I've ever had. I kept the bars, and used them when I modded our Radrunner. https://odysee.com/@Groucho:9 I know nothing about Fiido, but notice there are rack mountings welded on the front. How much does that cost when the frame is made? Once they are there, you have the option for a luggage rack/basket. Woosh give good service. Heavy to lift? Well, I'm old, but I manage, somehow!

 

[florencen]

My first ebike was a Santana from Woosh about twelve years ago. The most comfortable bike I've ever had. I kept the bars, and used them when I modded our Radrunner. https://odysee.com/@Groucho:9 I know nothing about Fiido, but notice there are rack mountings welded on the front. How much does that cost when the frame is made? Once they are there, you have the option for a luggage rack/basket. Woosh give good service. Heavy to lift? Well, I'm old, but I manage, somehow!

Thank you. This is super helpful