Hello all, and thanks for helping me navigate through e-bikes as a beginner so far. I'm close to making a final decision, and am torn between two bikes.
context: I'm an experienced cyclist, mostly in urban contexts..I used to have a 40 minute each way commute on mostly flat roads.
For almost 18 months now, I have moved to the very hilly crystal palace, and my commute is now one hour, and is extremely hilly, especially on the way back. 15 degree gradients ahoy, or worst.
I fell off my bike 2 years ago after a moment of stupidity. Have not really cycled since. Every time I have tried, I simply could not face the climbs..my aim is to get back to exercise... I do not want a bike that will move for me, just assistance at the beginning of my daily commute, and then major assistance at the end of a tiring day climbing up and down repeatedly to crystal palace, which has to be one of the steepiest hills in London.
My budget was 750 pounds as I had my eye on the decathlon original 900. It has, after research, increased. I think my choice now is between:
1) the top of the range decathlon e bike, the elops 940 https://www.decathlon.co.uk/elops-940-e-step-over-classic-electric-bike-shimano-steps-id_8379378.html
And
2)the Raleigh motus 2019, currently discounted to 1360 pounds. https://www.evanscycles.com/raleigh-motus-2019-electric-hybrid-bike-EV343699
I'm currently leaning towards the Raleigh, as it is cheaper and it seems that Bosch motors seem highly rated. I don't know if the elops940 Shimano steps system is better, in fact I can't even tell whether it is a cadence or crank system.
Any advice welcome. I think I want to buy from a reputable retailer, and somewhere like decathlon seems like a good bet for parts, maintenance, and overall value due to their europe- wide presence.
Many thanks!
context: I'm an experienced cyclist, mostly in urban contexts..I used to have a 40 minute each way commute on mostly flat roads.
For almost 18 months now, I have moved to the very hilly crystal palace, and my commute is now one hour, and is extremely hilly, especially on the way back. 15 degree gradients ahoy, or worst.
I fell off my bike 2 years ago after a moment of stupidity. Have not really cycled since. Every time I have tried, I simply could not face the climbs..my aim is to get back to exercise... I do not want a bike that will move for me, just assistance at the beginning of my daily commute, and then major assistance at the end of a tiring day climbing up and down repeatedly to crystal palace, which has to be one of the steepiest hills in London.
My budget was 750 pounds as I had my eye on the decathlon original 900. It has, after research, increased. I think my choice now is between:
1) the top of the range decathlon e bike, the elops 940 https://www.decathlon.co.uk/elops-940-e-step-over-classic-electric-bike-shimano-steps-id_8379378.html
And
2)the Raleigh motus 2019, currently discounted to 1360 pounds. https://www.evanscycles.com/raleigh-motus-2019-electric-hybrid-bike-EV343699
I'm currently leaning towards the Raleigh, as it is cheaper and it seems that Bosch motors seem highly rated. I don't know if the elops940 Shimano steps system is better, in fact I can't even tell whether it is a cadence or crank system.
Any advice welcome. I think I want to buy from a reputable retailer, and somewhere like decathlon seems like a good bet for parts, maintenance, and overall value due to their europe- wide presence.
Many thanks!
