electric bike - 1st one - help please!

[Graham P]

Hi all
What bike shall I get?
6ft 1inch; 16 stone; commute to work daily about 9 miles with some challenging hills.
Relatively fit but just need to arrive at work not too sweaty but having had a bit of a workout.
Will be using it over datmoor also.
Budget anywhere between 600 to 1800 pound.
Plus where is the best place to go in the south west to see a wide range of bikes and test Drive (live in Plymouth)
Thanks
Graham

 

[Wicky]

Sounds like a job handled by a Woosh Big Bear

 

[D8ve]

Bristol is quite good and I think Swindon as well.
It's the right idea to try a lot.
Whoosh big bear covers the cheap end.
Then at least two dealers will offer you a good bikes.
1800 is enought to get one of the best bikes if you keep your eyes and ears open. Most of last years stock has gone in sales but you might get one still.
I think there was a secondhand KTM for 1300 posted.
Good luck

 

[Gringo]

I'm biased but your £1800 would get you a Cube 29er and I'm sure the dealer would put some guards and a prop stand on it for you to make it more commuter friendly.
http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/threads/cube-reaction-hybrid-pro29-first-impressions.17754/

 

[Kudoscycles]

Graham,at 6ft plus you may wish to consider a 29er...the Kudos Escape,£1395.00 is a torque sensor,it senses the effort that you input and replicates that effort,that system allows you to still get some exercise but you control that using the PAS control.
The Kudos Typhoon,£1195.00also a 29er is a speed sensor...effectively a switch that offers power when you turn the pedals.Jimod on this forum recently bought a Typhoon and put a review on here.
Your price range is such that most electric bikes are within your range.
May I suggest a trip up to the London Electric Bike Company in Hampton Wick,Surrey....they have stocks of every Kudos bike plus many KTM models,you can test ride any of the 40 bikes they have in stock.
KudosDave

 

[dylan2174]

Graham just a suggestion but you might want to try a Batribike Diamond and find a local dealer for a test ride. I am similar dimensions to your self and though it had great power and climbing ability and decently priced at around £1000. I have seen comment elsewhere the bike itself may not be highest quality and I am probably not best placed to judge that. In the end I opted to convert my existing Bike for £450 and really pleased so far.

 

[Graham P]

Thanks - this is all really useful.
There is quite a difference between the woosh and cube with the kudos mid-range (re price). Is there really such a significant difference in components etc to justify this?
Also there are 2 retailers in Plymouth that stock one of these brands - is it worth sticking to a local retailer in case things go wrong??
What about conversion - is that a reasonable option (currently have lid-range carrera mountain bike).
Thanks in advance - at least I know what style I want now (pleased I can get a bike that looks like a mountain bike!)
Gray

 

[Graham P]

PS What about Giant as a brand - any good?

 

[trex]

...
There is quite a difference between the woosh and cube with the kudos mid-range (re price). Is there really such a significant difference in components etc to justify this?
Also there are 2 retailers in Plymouth that stock one of these brands - is it worth sticking to a local retailer in case things go wrong??
What about conversion - is that a reasonable option (currently have lid-range carrera mountain bike).
Thanks in advance - at least I know what style I want now (pleased I can get a bike that looks like a mountain bike!)
Gray

Woosh sell direct only, Kudos bikes are available at about 25 bike shops - quite well spreadout - unfortunately not near Plymouth where you live.
The dealers add a bit on the price.
The Cube is a very different bike. Higher specs, Bosch drive with a price to match.
personally I would not spend too much on the first bike, until I know for sure where everything fits, I'll sell the first bike and get something better. A 9 mile commute is easy for e-bikes, lots of people do that with £600 bikes although you would need something beefier because of the hills. The Big Bear is your best bet.

 

[Kudoscycles]

If you want to try a bike at home...try to focus on which bike you find attractive and would appear to meet your price range and specification. If you live in a hilly area the BPM motored bikes(Kudos Arriba,Tornado,Escape and Typhoon)and their similar (KTM Panasonic hub drive) are very strong hill climbers,Disc brakes are a good idea and the King meter can be derestricted.
We are disappointed that many of our dealers won't stock a good range of bikes,for that reason we are establishing our own dealer chain.
If you want to try a bike at home,we will send the bike to you,free of charge,if you don't like the bike we will collect at £25.00 cost...the bike must be returned packed carefully and in new condition.
I think the Escape or Typhoon will do your job well and it's not too much to spend on a first bike,the Escape needs some rider input to get the power out,the Typhoon is more a lazy bike,you turn pedals you get the power you select on the display,both have good gearing and are a well proven product,quite light at 22 kg.
Hope that helps.
KudosDave

 

[dylan2174]

I have just this week converted a bike I really liked using an 8Fun kit. I'm really pleased with it (though early days).

Review is here:
http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/threads/8fun-36v-250w-front-wheel-conversion.17778/

 

[Jimod]

I've got 2 ebikes. I've got a Kudos Tourer and a Kudos Typhoon. I've had the Tourer for 3 years and the Typhoon for 2 months. They're different bikes.

The Tourer is more sedate, it goes the distance and does the job. I'm 6' tall and weigh 14.5 stones roughly. It takes me everywhere. It requires a fair bit of work on the steeper hills but has always got me there. It's bigger than the Typhoon and it's not as torquey.

The Typhoon is a different animal. It rushes everywhere if you want and goes up hills faster with less work.

I don't know your definition of 'challenging' hills so couldn't tell you which would be the best for you. The Typhoon is the better hill climber of the two and the Tourer comes equipped for touring/commuting. I've put a review of them in pedelecs. The Typhoon review I put in recently in the electric bike review section. Of the 2, I think the Typhoon is the easier to pedal when the power is off.

I've made many posts about my adventures with them but I'd say, try them.

 

[Jonah]

Graham, we have a range of Kalkhoff, Juicy Bikes and a Wisper that you can try out in North Devon. If nothing else, a couple of hours trying out some different bikes will help you decide what to concentrate on and the types of motor you prefer. Our bikes cover the price range from about £900 - £2100. Check out our website for details and send me a message or email if you're interested.

 

[jackhandy]

Hi Graham,

Another one from the wrong side of the river

If you're going to use the bike on Dartymoor, I guess you'll be on the various trails, tracks & dismantled railway lines up there, rather than just on the road?
In which case you'll know you don't want a bone-shaker

I'd respectfully suggest a 29er for easy-rolling, possibly one with g2-type geometry for agility.

If you fancy a conversion, you're welcome to a test-ride on my Carrera Kraken with 8fun 250w "bog standard" motor & my Trek Mamba 29er with Ezee "250w" motor that gives 50% more grunt on hills.
I can't quite replicate the gut-busting Merrivale, but my test route will quickly show the advantages of having some extra grunt.

Either kit would leave you with enough cash for a very tasty bike on which to install it. I don't sell bikes or kits, by the way - Just ride 'em.

If it's of interest, have a look at my website

www.cornish-alpine-ebikes.co.uk

 

[halfer]

If it's of interest, have a look at my website

www.cornish-alpine-ebikes.co.uk

FYI, that link is returning '404 page not found' at the moment.

 

[jackhandy]

Yes, sorry - I've taken it down temporarily.

 

[Graham P]

If you want to try a bike at home...try to focus on which bike you find attractive and would appear to meet your price range and specification. If you live in a hilly area the BPM motored bikes(Kudos Arriba,Tornado,Escape and Typhoon)and their similar (KTM Panasonic hub drive) are very strong hill climbers,Disc brakes are a good idea and the King meter can be derestricted.
We are disappointed that many of our dealers won't stock a good range of bikes,for that reason we are establishing our own dealer chain.
If you want to try a bike at home,we will send the bike to you,free of charge,if you don't like the bike we will collect at £25.00 cost...the bike must be returned packed carefully and in new condition.
I think the Escape or Typhoon will do your job well and it's not too much to spend on a first bike,the Escape needs some rider input to get the power out,the Typhoon is more a lazy bike,you turn pedals you get the power you select on the display,both have good gearing and are a well proven product,quite light at 22 kg.
Hope that helps.
KudosDave

Hi kudosdave - back again!
What is the advantage/disadvantage of an eiger? Is a 29er better? Seems closest to cube motor on their 29er. Think I am moving towards a kudos but would like to try a couple - could that be arranged for a delivery and I return the 1/2 I don't want? Also you talk about derestricting the meter - does this mean I can get more than 15.5mph off road if I wanted?
May be good to have a chat about it - presume you are based at the kudos wholesaler?
Graham

 

[PennyFarthing]

I live in the hills and commute about 5-6 miles (round trip) and when I tried out various bikes the only decent hill climbers for me were the crank driven bikes. However, technology is coming on fast and this was a couple of years ago. I don't turn up to work sweaty but I'm definitely getting a work out. in the hills.

 

[Kudoscycles]

Graham,yes I am based at Kudos warehouse,Whitstable.
Any bike fitted with a King type meter can be derestricted above the 15.5 mph limit,this can be done by pressing buttons but I am sure you realise that this makes the bike illegal as a bicycle.
Kudos deliver every bike with a default legal setting of 15.5 mph.
You buy an Eiger because you like the smoothness of the crank drive-Nuvinci hub, the TCM crank drive pretty much matches the hill climbing performance of the 8-fun motor but it won't match a BPM bike.
I noticed that in your OP you are similar height to me,but 1stone lighter,I strongly recommend the Kudos Typhoon,you state you want to arrive at work as sweat less as possible,that means speed sensor-with a torque sensor you do need to put effort in to get power out.
I find the 29 er a very majestic bike to ride,it's surprising that the bigger wheel size just makes the bike feel so 'king of the road' Pedelecs member Jimod put a posting on his Typhoon,worth reading.
Moving these bikes around is not cheap,about £25.00 per bike. I prefer to send a Typhoon because I am sure it's the best bike out of the Kudos range for you,I don't think I can offer anything more suitable.
KudosDave

 

[Kudoscycles]

I live in the hills and commute about 5-6 miles (round trip) and when I tried out various bikes the only decent hill climbers for me were the crank driven bikes. However, technology is coming on fast and this was a couple of years ago. I don't turn up to work sweaty but I'm definitely getting a work out. in the hills.

Penny Farthing,you are correct that the electric bike technology has changed considerably in the last 2 years. You would choose crank drive now because it offers a riding sensation closest to that of a normal bike but with assistance,similar also to a hub drive with good quality torque sensor.
But to arrive as sweat free as possible then BPM hub drive with speed sensor is preferred by most of my customers.
KudosDave