Cyclotricity Revolver Hybrid 2016 Electric Bike - 17 Inch / 15Ah Battery

[amaroq]

Recently began looking for my first electric bike.
Not really in the market for it, but a stolen bike forced me to begin anyhow, initially in gumtree hoping a decent bike would surface.

I've begun considering buying new given many offer financing and found this Cyclotricity Revolver.
I couldn't find a review for it on Pedelecs so, thought I'd ask if anyone has experience with it, or has any information to consider.

I am in London and needing a bike to do part-time deliver work. Therefore, I've decided I need a bike with some oomph.
by that I mean I'd like a bike I am not going to feel nervous about running out of battery, so need something that can comfortably cover +30 miles range in hilly part of town, so 36v15ah battery seems ideal; anything less than 36v. 10ah is not.
Because I live in a small space I thought a small folding bike would be ideal, but like they coyote connect they are mostly 24v batteries and even the 36v ones have less than 10ah batteries. The Whoosh Galego is beautiful but probably not a workhorse, unfortunately.

So, a bigger wheel bike is probably more sensible and this one seems to cover the bases and not cost the earth. But, is it well-built to last? Is there another better value bike out there?


Thank you, in advance, for your input and feedback.

 

[trex]

welcome to the forum, amaroq.
Bigger wheeled bikes are always more comfortable to ride long distance.
Have you got secured parking at work and a bike shed to keep your bike at home?

 

[Deleted member 4366]

there's loads of bikes around in that price range. Cyclotricity have been around for quite a long time, so you should get good support from them. Also, they have some UK production, so you'll be helping to secure UK jobs by supporting them. The Stealth Hybrid looks OK. there's one thing you have to look out for on just about all these cheap bikes, and that is that they're not 100% waterproof. It helps a lot to have mudguards to stop the wheels hosing the electrics. If you're going to use such a bike in all weathers, you might want to think about a cover for the battery. Wrapping it in cling-film would probably be enough.

 

[amaroq]

welcome to the forum, amaroq.
Bigger wheeled bikes are always more comfortable to ride long distance.
Have you got secured parking at work and a bike shed to keep your bike at home?

I've got a hallway and a balcony, on a 2nd floor. Stairs are pretty wide, so that's not too much an issue, although I did initially think fold-up-bike for that reason.

Thanks

 

[amaroq]

there's loads of bikes around in that price range. Cyclotricity have been around for quite a long time, so you should get good support from them. Also, they have some UK production, so you'll be helping to secure UK jobs by supporting them. The Stealth Hybrid looks OK. there's one thing you have to look out for on just about all these cheap bikes, and that is that they're not 100% waterproof. It helps a lot to have mudguards to stop the wheels hosing the electrics. If you're going to use such a bike in all weathers, you might want to think about a cover for the battery. Wrapping it in cling-film would probably be enough.

Top remark on the water-proof question. I just assumed that they already must be 100% water-proof.
That's certainly a consideration I'll attend to

 

[trex]

if you leave your e-bike on your balcony, even if it does not get rained on, humidity will damage it within a year. You need a dry place to keep you bike.
Do you have a lift where you live?

 

[Deleted member 4366]

IMHO, folding bikes are just as hard to carry as normal bikes. They weigh about the same. Folding bikes have the advantage that you can drop the handlebars down and fold the off-side pedal so they don't get in the way when you store them in your house. I know many people that keep their bikes in their flats. If you have a normal Ahead stem, you just loosen the stem clamp with an Allen key and turn the handlebars flat to the bike. That leaves only the pedal sticking out, though you can always change it for a folding one, which doesn't cost much.

 

[amaroq]

IMHO, folding bikes are just as hard to carry as normal bikes. They weigh about the same. Folding bikes have the advantage that you can drop the handlebars down and fold the off-side pedal so they don't get in the way when you store them in your house. I know many people that keep their bikes in their flats. If you have a normal Ahead stem, you just loosen the stem clamp with an Allen key and turn the handlebars flat to the bike. That leaves only the pedal sticking out, though you can always change it for a folding one, which doesn't cost much.

The Woosh Gallego looked really neat; Brompton-like. Otherwise, I agree. I checked the Coyote Connect and folding is more for long term storage but not for any immediate and pragmatic considerations

 

[amaroq]

if you leave your e-bike on your balcony, even if it does not get rained on, humidity will damage it within a year. You need a dry place to keep you bike.
Do you have a lift where you live?

So, no humidity... I didn't realise these things were so fragile; yikes!

Thanks, for the heads-up.

 

[amaroq]

So, water-proof and storage considerations aside this Revolver is good/best value in it's class?
I am also looking at a second-hand Burish Synergy.

A plus would be to un-limit the bike. 15mph is really not very fast.
The Stealth 500W has the dual option but at +£1000 I'm veering way off-budget.

 

[trex]

A plus would be to un-limit the bike. 15mph is really not very fast.

shush... derestriction is illegal and will void your guarantee whichever bike you buy.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

So, water-proof and storage considerations aside this Revolver is good/best value in it's class?
I am also looking at a second-hand Burish Synergy.

A plus would be to un-limit the bike. 15mph is really not very fast.
The Stealth 500W has the dual option but at +£1000 I'm veering way off-budget.

You can't say that it's best in class, because there's too many things to consider. I think it's a good value bike. The Burisch has a smaller battery and if you want to derestrict it, you have to change the controller, unless it's already done. Think about adding the cost of a new battery unless the seller can confirm that the present one is new.

 

[electrickery]

Hi amaroq, just to mention I have a cyclotricity revolver .It's in its 4th year probably close to 2000 miles on it .The battery is still pretty good, I look after them. It has needed a bit of maintenance as with any cheaper bike. Have greased bearings in crank once ,headset bearings once, trued rear wheel replaced a gear cable and adjusted the gears.Also the sensor disc on the crank came loose and the bike surged intermittently. A dollop of uhu solved that.Apart from that no problems . I would well recommend but being prepared to tinker a little possibly more than a more expensive bike. Also have a look at Elysium bikes on ebay.. " made in conjunction with cyclotricity".. actually looks identical to the revolver, but cheaper. I suspect it is cyclotricity trying to turn over a few units without losing their brand .
Regards

 

[amaroq]

Hi amaroq, just to mention I have a cyclotricity revolver .It's in its 4th year probably close to 2000 miles on it .The battery is still pretty good, I look after them. It has needed a bit of maintenance as with any cheaper bike. Have greased bearings in crank once ,headset bearings once, trued rear wheel replaced a gear cable and adjusted the gears.Also the sensor disc on the crank came loose and the bike surged intermittently. A dollop of uhu solved that.Apart from that no problems . I would well recommend but being prepared to tinker a little possibly more than a more expensive bike. Also have a look at Elysium bikes on ebay.. " made in conjunction with cyclotricity".. actually looks identical to the revolver, but cheaper. I suspect it is cyclotricity trying to turn over a few units without losing their brand .
Regards

Really appreciate your stopping by to share your experience.
I had just called e-bikes but their line was busy, then found a negative review, with their tyres getting punctured early on and other issues, which made me re-think, so, I appreciate to read your balanced review after that.
I think I get the realistic picture.
Will check the Elysium out. Also, given the inevitable teething issues, wondering whether to go 2nd hand...

 

[Deleted member 4366]

You'll get punctures on virtually any bike. Very few fit puncture resistant tyres. If you don't want punctures, ask the dealer if he'll fit puncture proof tyres as part of the deal.

 

[amaroq]

People here are probably familiar with the Burish Synergy bike.
It comes in at a similar price tag and seems to be in a similar class of bike.

Need help deciding whether to shoot for a 2nd hand Burisch or new Revolver

Thanks!