Convert or ready built

[trex]

we are not talking about putting a hub motor on carbon lowers here, the £300 Carrera Vengence that Denwyn likes the look of is this:

it's perfectly OK for first project. Stick an 8-Fun kit on it, and you have a stylish e-bike.

 

[KTM Bike Industries UK]

thats true, I'm just saying that I'd use the £300.00 to get something thats not an own brand bike. I'd haggle with someone on ebay or something and get something like this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Specialized-Rockhopper-29er-Large-19-Mountain-Bike-/321417902532?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item4ad5fff9c4

but each to their own. I'd also go and find my local bike shop and see what they have as a trade in, so you get the shop back up, support the local retailer and also get a bike for a better price. But then I'd also never buy a new car, I'd always rather let someone else take the hit of the first bit of crazy depreciation.

 

[trex]

maybe - but I wouldn't pay more than £170 for that Specialized.
try gumtree.

 

[RobF]

I'd also go and find my local bike shop and see what they have as a trade in.

The owner of my local bike shop tells me Cycle to Work has all but killed his secondhand trade.

Pity for him and his customers because plenty of people want a cheap bike with some shop back-up.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

maybe - but I wouldn't pay more than £170 for that Specialized.
try gumtree.

From Ebay, I paid £390 for a 26" Rockhopper Pro in immaculate condition that had Juicy 5 brakes, Shimano Deore XT drive train and Rockshox Reba forks, so I think that one is a bit over-priced, especially with defective forks. I'd say about £280 max. You can get a nice Carera Kraken for £200 - £250, which I think is one of the best value donor bikes that's easy to convert.

 

[denwyn]

Ive just bought an almost new Marin San Raphel for £200, took it for a 8 mile round trip and really enjoyed riding it. Will use it like this for a a short while, then look into fitting some sort of e kit

 

[trex]

which one? Marin San Raphael DS4?

DS3:

 

[denwyn]

which one? Marin San Raphael DS4?

DS3:

Ah you have got me there, it looks the same as that except it doesn't have disc brakes, i think he said it was either a DS2 or was it DS3, anyway its not very old and looks just like new, plus i really enjoyed my test ride on it. Collect it this coming weekend : )

 

[D C]

That looks a nice bike at a good price and the rim brakes could make it easier to fit a kit.
Dave.

 

[trex]

I think the DS2 has rim brakes, the DS3 and DS4 have disc brakes. All the Marin bikes are well made and long lasting.

DS2:

 

[denwyn]

Change of mind on converting my own bike, looked at a couple this week, one was a Bionx system, the other was i think a Cyclotronic ?? not really impressed, the latter was a real mess of cables, didn't look good at all, the Bionx was more professional but ridiculously expensive for what it was, its put me off doing my own now, I have been offered what i paid for my Marin San Raphel and think i will let it go and buy a ready made e bike. I know it will cost me a lot more, local dealers have a better selection than they used to have, hope to try and get down to Halfords to try one out tomorrow.

 

[trex]

the DS2 was a very nice bike, why did you sell it?
is it the riding position?

 

[denwyn]

Riding position was fine, I have just gone off the idea of doing my own e bike conversion. Will now be looking for something with similar riding position in a ready built e bike. Will look in Halfords tomorrow, and we have a Bicycle Chain store here in Taunton as well. Other than that I will have to go to Bristol for a better selection.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

There's the big show in Bristol next Sunday, where you can try just about every bike.

 

[denwyn]

There's the big show in Bristol next Sunday, where you can try just about every bike.

That sounds good, where is it then ?. i like the idea of trying as many as i can, only real concern buying in Bristol is taking the bike back if i had any problems with it, that's sort of why i am looking locally, but choice is not brilliant.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

You don't have to buy the bike in Bristol. You just try them out there. It's totally free.

Its at the bottom of Park Street from about !1:00 Sunday.

Many Roads in Bristol will be closed that day due to many other events. Try and park away from the centre, and walk or cycle the last bit unless you know your way round there.

 

[denwyn]

No way at all would I ever drive in Bristol city centre, it will either be the train there or drive and use park and ride. Looking more into it I can see a couple of bikes I would like to ride, plus I belive 50 cycles now have a shop in Bristol as well : ) .

 

[Jonah]

Not sure if the 50Cycles shop in Bristol is open yet (any day now I believe) but they will be at the Bristol event. I assume you live near Taunton. We have a selection of Kalkhoff bikes for test rides / hiring out in North Devon if you fancy a drive down our way. Details at http://www.bikehigher.co.uk/contact

 

[Artstu]

This is a nice bike

 

[denwyn]

This is a nice bike

Been down the Kudos route before, have no intention of doing it again. Nice bikes they may be, not for me. I'll wait and see whats on show etc at Bristol next weekend, looks a very good show from what i have been reading. Have chucked my budget out of the window now, seem some good offers around with 0% finance, interested in testing Kalkhoff, Wisper,Raleigh, also one of the latest Juicy Sport or Merlin, i had a used sport for a while till it was stolen, i did like it, except for the battery life, but that could have been a dud battery. Roll on next Sunday : )