Dazed and Confused, Brighton..

[Nealh]

To be honest you need to test ride some bikes to see how they ride , a front wheel drive bike responds and feels different to rear wheel drive , then as you mentioned a mid drive (chain drive) is reliant on being in the correct gear more so then a hub bike.

 

[soundwave]

if you got the cash buy the cube it is the best value for money parts wise.

a bosch motor on its own is £650 and a 500w batt £700 so you could not build that bike for less if you bought all the parts on there own.

dongle it and you can ride to work going 30mph

 

[D C]

if you got the cash buy the cube it is the best value for money parts wise.

Budget is £850................

 

[Spidercat]

Budget is £850................

I know I'm probably looking for the impossible, but just want the least effort on short hilly trips for the money! Nealh is right, I need to test drive some but it helps to know what to look out for and avoid as it's a very confusing market if you're new to it and it's a big chunk of money..

 

[soundwave]

this is my bike bosch motor @fod.

 

[Nealh]

It's easy tp spend someones money which they haven't got and suggesting a more expensive option doesn't help them in their choice. A step thru dutch style is what the lady wants and has said she likes the style of them.

What to look for is hard but generally they will all be much a like.
Look for one with a LCD display and 5 assist levels for more choice of power 1 being lowest and 5 the highest giving 100% power form the system, these systems usually use current control over speed control though some can be adjusted for both. Current control is a better riding experience and best for hills. Bafang hubs are the about the best you can get a lot of bikes use them though there are different sizes and abilities amongst them.

 

[Woosh]

Look for one with a LCD display and 5 assist levels for more choice of power 1 being lowest and 5 the highest giving 100% power form the system, these systems usually use current control over speed control though some can be adjusted for both.

the Crusa's LCD lets you program the current/power for each of the 5 assist levels in percentage. 1 is set as default to 45%, 2 to 65%, 3 to 75%, 4 to 85% and 5 to 100%.
The simplest solution is to choose a less steep road on the way back, you ride faster, save time and some money.

 

[Eagle]

Since they are nearby, it might be worth a visit to Brighton ebikes, the conversion specialists, to get a better idea of what ebikes are all about:
https://www.brightonebikes.co.uk/

https://www.brightonebikes.co.uk/about.html

Tel: 01273 930700 or 07824 776399

Email: brightonebikes@gmail.com

The company can advise you about a Dutch-style donor bike which is ideal for conversion.
There may be a suitable one in this selection:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/Bikes/177831/i.html?Gender=Women&_sop=16&_nkw=dutch bike&_dcat=177831&rt=nc&LH_ItemCondition=3000&_trksid=p2045573.m1684

Here is a selection of Raleigh Pioneers like the one featured on the Brighton Ebikes home page:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=raleigh+pioneer&_sop=16

The other major benefit is that this local company will be able to deal with all your subsequent servicing and repairs.
Good luck.

 

[Eagle]

Spidercat,

Andy1865 has this Freego Hawk for sale on this forum (£680 ono) or via ebay (where 10% commission will be deducted from the selling price):

https://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/threads/upgraded-freego-hawk-crossbar-red.33721/#post-487167

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Upgraded-FREEGO-HAWK-in-Red-Dual-Power-250-500watt/273706870957?hash=item3fba3368ad:g:gZcAAOSwuZVcVv4P:rk:6:pf:0

 

[Gaz]

My Wife has an eight year old Wisper 705SE, and while the battery's not exactly in it's first flush of youth, I'd trust it to handle any of Brighton's hills, even with me on it (16st, 6'4"). Cost us £300 second hand on here. Welcome to try it out if you'd like.

There's also an e-bike shop adjacent to Eastbourne railway station, if you fancied a jaunt over this way.

Gaz

 

[Spidercat]

My Wife has an eight year old Wisper 705SE, and while the battery's not exactly in it's first flush of youth, I'd trust it to handle any of Brighton's hills, even with me on it (16st, 6'4"). Cost us £300 second hand on here. Welcome to try it out if you'd like.

There's also an e-bike shop adjacent to Eastbourne railway station, if you fancied a jaunt over this way.

Gaz

Thanks very much Gaz, that's a very kind offer and that was one of the bikes I liked but I think Hatti has sold me on the Santana 3 now. Just discovered there is a cycle to work scheme which has increased the budget a tad! A few test drives first and hopefully will go with Woosh.
Mandy