Decisions, decisions, decisions... Sidmouth, Peak hill.

[Colban]

I always wanted to learn to drive and have an electric car as my first car... Well I learnt to drive and realised how much it all costs and now don't own a car because I can't afford to run it and most definitely can't afford a new electric car!

I'm getting back on my bike... after 6 years of being able to walk 5 mins to work I now have a 5 mile commute which involves a couple of big hills. This is the main reason I am looking for an electric bike. I have a quite manual job being a gardener so don't want to be knackered before I start and a long day at work should be finished with a relatively effort free trip home... obviously I want to put some effort in, I enjoy riding, just not hills!

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Sidmouth+EX10+8UT,+UK/Otterton+EX9+7BX,+UK/

Is roughly the route I need to do If I stick to roads, It involves a real big hill (Peak hill, Sidmouth) on the way to work and another in Otterton, a gradual incline pretty much all the way back to Sidmouth too.

I have had a good look and read around for reviews etc on electric bikes so this isn't just a shot in the dark.
The list of bikes that fit my budget and I believe may do what I'd like them to do (I may be wrong though)
Volt Alpine
Volt Pulse
Smart motion E-urban
Woosh Big Bear
Kudos Tornado

I think there were a couple more but I've closed the tabs now....

My fave was Smart motion e-Urban as it had integrated lock, lights, USB phone charger, speedometer (integrated for me means less things to forget or try and remember). Waterproof is mentioned on this bike and none of the others but there are so few reviews of it...

The other bikes had good reviews too that's why they are on my list.
I would like to know from somebody experienced if any/all will go up that hill without me peddling should I not want to? I'll never have more than 90kg (me + luggage) on the bike, more likely to be 80kg.

Anybody have any insight? Gone up that particular hill? Have any more suggestions for bikes? Would I be better of with a moped (I hope not)?
Thanks for reading!

 

[Geebee]

The only bike I have ridden that will do the steeper parts with zero pedaling is a Tonaro, they climb slowly but are unstoppable, an Ezee bike would also do it as it is very grunty for a legal drive but light assist probably needed.
The Big bear I havent ridden but should be similar to the Ezee, basically you need a large diameter geared hub to get the torque required.


To help people give advice:
Peak Hill, Sidmouth
Ride Segment Sidmouth, Devon, United Kingdom

• 1.5km
  Distance
• 10%
  Avg Grade
• 9m
  Lowest Elev
• 170m
  Highest Elev
• 161m
  Elev Difference

Full details http://www.strava.com/segments/peak-hill-sidmouth-669049

 

[Cyclezee]

Hi Colban,
As suggested by GeeBee and eZee bike would fit the bill and your budget.

You can see eZee bikes and other brands by clicking on the following link http://www.cyclezee.com/

 

[Wicky]

Bung some road tyres on and this would work >

http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/threads/2014-ktm-macina-race-29-ex-demo-bike-£1399.19476/

 

[Electrifying Cycles]

Most bikes will cope with a 10% gradient however I am guessing this includes steeper sections as this is the average. The best bikes on very steep gradients are either crank drives or high torque hub motors such as the Panasonic hub drive which is featured on some KTM bikes. By the way the bike above is a great bike for the money.

Please note: some bikes only have pedal assist. The best bike I have ridden with a throttle is the A2B Metro, it flies up the hills but is heavy and has no pedal assist.

Best advice is to try some bikes, you will be amazed especially if you are used to non-electric cycling.

 

[Geebee]

If you look at the Strava link there is some rather nasty steep ramps, 10% is the average.

 

[Wicky]

Using the shorter coastal path route appears to flatten the route out - as long as its accessible and without stiles.

 

[Colban]

Hi all, thanks for your inputs, greatly appreciated. It does have some pretty steep bits.
I've never ridden an electric bike but have also avoided hills, preferring to walk up them if I have to go up them and push my bike, so in that case getting up the hill slowly wouldn't bother me.

The coastal path is an option as it is shorter and flatter, I've not walked it yet as I'm not down there yet. I don't think it has any stiles but I could be wrong, I was more worried about steps as it is only a path not a bridleway. I'll find out in under 2 weeks....

I'll have to see if I can borrow one or something to test this hill out and see If I/the bike can do it. I'll also have to come down it so think I'll need a light bike?
Crank vs hub is always the argument, I preferred the Hub in my case as I could see things getting worn quicker on the crank and being more expensive to replace those worn parts. I'm not a mechanic nor a physicist though... Also the option to do nothing and still move is appealing, it probably wouldn't get used much but it'd be nice to have that option for the money.
Could you build a bike with a crank for pedal assist and a hub for lazy throttling, ran from the same battery? Throttling would turn the pedal assist off so you could only use one of them at a time? Would that add to much weight? is it not worth it?

Does anybody have any info on the Smartmotion e-urban... being made in New Zealand I thought It would be built with similar topography to Wales in mind It says weatherproofed and has a Dapu motor... Walk along mode a bonus too if it doesn't make it up with me on I can walk and not be pushing it up too.

 

[RobF]

Parts of that hill look really nasty.

Your manual job means you must be a lot fitter than most people who take to an ebike for the first time.

I reckon you will still need one of the more pokey bikes, and be prepared to put in some effort on the steepest parts of the hill.

A front wheel hub might even want to skip on the sharpest ramps towards the top.

It's then down to bike control, putting in effort you naturally pull up on the handlebars.

Pedalling standing, weight forwards, is a technique which will need some practice.

I can't see any point in a crank/hub dual drive contraption.

 

[Colban]

I've done similar routes to work before but never quite that steep of a hill hence I feel the need for a bit of assistance (plus I've added almost 10 years since then...)

Just out of curiosity would a 500 watt motor be better at getting up that hill, I know it wouldn't be road legal but would/should it be better (have more torque)?

 

[Geebee]

I doubt the extreme incline ramps in Strava are accurate so ignore the over 20% bits, just street viewed its full length, an Ezee should make it pretty painless.
OP you really need to test ride a legal e-bike with a big hub to get a feel of just how much assist they give, it will surprise you in good way, when I rode the Ezee I was shocked at the torque for a legal system, the test rider before me would not go above 3 on the controller as the power scared her

Be aware that if you look at 500w motors to make sure they are geared hubs as a direct drive 500w will suck at climbing.

 

[Colban]

Hi,
Well I got my ebike, I went with the Woosh Big Bear as it had good reviews and gave me a little more money to buy some other equipment, locks, lights, camera, helmet, tools etc... I took it out today to test peak hill, It will be a daily route so I'll give another update after a week of doing it.
It seems very good, I now have no problems going up a hill! Some of the steeper parts required me to lean onto the front wheel to stop it spinning but this was already advised and it did fine. Pedal assist all the way level 4 or 5 but it got up there at 8mph at the slowest which was very good, not to out of puff either, the coastal path is not an option, you're nearly at the top of the hill anyway if you follow that so I'll stick to an even road surface.
Coming down was a bit sketchy, up to 32mph (gravity!) heavy brake use before the corners but all in all very good. the flatter bits I was pedal assist 3 but it would be quite easy to be lazy and use 4-5 all the time.
Remembering to lower your gears and the assist level before stopping is a useful point so you can actually turn the pedals and so you don't feel like the bike is going to take off from under you.
There seems to be a big jump in power between assist level 3 and 4, you can really hear the motor kicking in at 4.
Nice loud horn which was needed once (old guy pulled out infront of me and then turned into another drive straight away almost took me out again!)
Knocking the button by mistake is a hair-raising experience though.
The front light is okay for emergencies but it is very dim and the flash function is not legal. You will need another if you go out after dark.
For the money paid I currently have no qualms whatsoever, but I've only clocked up 16 miles so far. Still plenty of juice left in the battery too!

 

[Colban]

I'll download the Stava app for my rides tomorrow so you can see the performance via that (if it works?)

Is a video from Ladram to Sidmouth sped up but you can still see the real times in the corner.

 

[Geebee]

Nice one, some of your roads are scary narow our one way roads are wider that those.
The music matches the sped up pace of the video nicely

 

[JohnCade]

Nice one, some of your roads are scary narow our one way roads are wider that those.
The music matches the sped up pace of the video nicely

Should see the lanes around here. All the farmers use giant tractors now that fill the whole road from side to side. You can't even get past on foot the things are so big....

 

[cjc100]

Keep the review going please Colban. I am considering one of these very strongly.
How noisy is the motor?
How responsive is the torque in pedelec mode with no throttle?

 

[Colban]

I don't use the throttle at all, pedal assist mode all the way (I can't sit on a bike and not pedal!)
The motor isn't loud but you can hear it especially as it is in front of you, if on assist 3 and lower it is very quiet, on 5 it is noticeable but like I said, only because it's in front of me, I don't know what it sounds like to somebody I'm passing?
Uploaded some Strava data:

http://www.strava.com/segments/669049

Got into 5th place (I'll update the fact I had an electric bike later otherwise people will think I'm a pro!)

I'll add I was wearing walking boots, cargo trousers and had a bag on my back with my lunch, spare clothes and a flask of coffee so I think the bike is excellent, still a struggle up there but I am fit and healthy so that helps. The journey back was good to, after a full days work (strimming - so walking around all day!)

http://www.strava.com/athletes/7249726 ignore the times on the way back at the end, I was walking around my house and forgot to turn it off, think it took 21mins total.

 

[cjc100]

Sounds impressive

Do you have the BB cross bar or stepthrough
If it stays together, sounds like a great ebike for the money

 

[Kinninvie]

I you use strava you might want to join our club
http://www.strava.com/clubs/EAPC