Finally.

[OxygenJames]

Finally its happened. At last I can rest. I have found God. I have found home.

All I ever wanted in life was to be able to walk into the Evans Bike shop in Wimbledon and get some respect. Its not much to ask for. Just a modicum of respect. When I walked in there. With an ebike.

My God how I tried.

I bought me an Oxygen Emate and thought it was the coolest thing ever. I rode proudly into that Evans Store and was greeted with quiet Disdain. Oh the heartache. £1400 and a super all-black ebike and nothing. Not even a wow that looks nice. Nothing.

I went home hurt.

I returned a few months later with the latest Burisch - the white one - the white one that lets face it looks pretty darn cool. Darn I rode that thing in and waited for the respect to come flooding right at me. And waited. And waited. Oh the agony of it all. Can you believe it? Nothing! Not even a glance. In fact I detected a slight irritation from some of them - and certainly no f***** respect!

OK. Gloves off time I thought. My life's goal HAD to be achieved.

Two days ago - OK I lie - yesterday - I went and bought me that Haibike EQ xDuro FS that some of you may have seen on Ebay for some obscene amount of the Queens best. Poor guy had only had it a couple of weeks and messed up his leg on a motorbike accident so I got it at a reasonably good discount compared to new. Went down on the train. Brought it home. MY GOD. Seeing one in the flesh really is something. It is by far THE most ridiculous toy I have every bought myself. But a life's goal is a life's goal.

Evans Bike Store here we come.

The moment I got through the door it started. The respect. Pouring from the walls. Pouring from the floor. Pouring from each and every assistant in there. It was sublime. By the end just about each and every one of them had tried it out - riding it around with smiles the size of Simon Cowell's wallet. The boys were impressed! My God were they impressed. Really. I was told that the components were of such a high quality that even if it was a non-electric bike it would be around the £3K mark. But the sight of them taking it in turns trying it around the store was - as the advert says - priceless.

Another time I will tell you how it rides - but for now I just wanted to share that with you all.

Happy days.

(oh - and here's the best picture I have yet to find of it anywhere - right here)

 

[funkylyn]

So...do we take it that you are happy ?

I suppose its not a LOT of money to eventually 'find god'......though it just might have been cheaper to go visit the new pope , although I have to admit....not nearly as much fun lol

Heres hoping you really like it after all that, at least you know when you are feeling down you can always re visit Evans

I rather suspect you are going to enjoy this bike

Congratulations .... it looks rather nice !

Lynda

 

[Martin@e-bikeshop]

James,

Look what happens when you turn up with the latest in 'bike porn'
Shame the chap I sold it to hurt himself only a week after getting the bike!..
On the plus side you nabbed yourself a stinking good deal!

All the best with the new Haibike! Be good to see your thoughts as to how it rides.

Regards
Martin

 

[OxygenJames]

Cheers Lynda. Cheers Martin.

 

[jackhandy]

Well done you - Goal achieved:

Much to my missus's relief, I don't give a fiddler's bitch about being respected - "That daft old fart on a 'lectric mountain bike" being as close as it gets these days:

But it's hard to resist the temptation of just one more bike, dear, 'coz it's better than mine.

 

[dmcgoldrick]

great looking mountain bike......very interested to hear how it rides both offroad and on tarmac.....and especially on trails in the hills both up and downhill......

not a bike i would want to have to 'lock up' for any length of time.......far too tempting for light-fingered individuals........

regards

 

[flecc]

not a bike i would want to have to 'lock up' for any length of time.......far too tempting for light-fingered individuals........

And even for small-minded jealous vandals unable to resist spoiling another's pleasure.

A great looking e-bike though with well designed rear suspension, definitely one to be proud of.

 

[103Alex1]

That's a decent looking bike spec. It's what you'd expect of all high-end ready-built bikes but very rarely see. In Wimbledon though - definitely the Chelsea Tractor of the bike range. Bike like that definitely should be caked in mud out on a remote trail - hope you've got some fitting rides lined up !

Does seem the shiny new toy syndrome did get the better of you - just a tad Enjoy - as next year there'll be something even better to trade in for . Electronic suspension perhaps ?

 

[Kudoscycles]

Finally its happened. At last I can rest. I have found God. I have found home.

All I ever wanted in life was to be able to walk into the Evans Bike shop in Wimbledon and get some respect. Its not much to ask for. Just a modicum of respect. When I walked in there. With an ebike.

My God how I tried.

I bought me an Oxygen Emate and thought it was the coolest thing ever. I rode proudly into that Evans Store and was greeted with quiet Disdain. Oh the heartache. £1400 and a super all-black ebike and nothing. Not even a wow that looks nice. Nothing.

I went home hurt.

I returned a few months later with the latest Burisch - the white one - the white one that lets face it looks pretty darn cool. Darn I rode that thing in and waited for the respect to come flooding right at me. And waited. And waited. Oh the agony of it all. Can you believe it? Nothing! Not even a glance. In fact I detected a slight irritation from some of them - and certainly no f***** respect!

OK. Gloves off time I thought. My life's goal HAD to be achieved.

Two days ago - OK I lie - yesterday - I went and bought me that Haibike EQ xDuro FS that some of you may have seen on Ebay for some obscene amount of the Queens best. Poor guy had only had it a couple of weeks and messed up his leg on a motorbike accident so I got it at a reasonably good discount compared to new. Went down on the train. Brought it home. MY GOD. Seeing one in the flesh really is something. It is by far THE most ridiculous toy I have every bought myself. But a life's goal is a life's goal.

Evans Bike Store here we come.

The moment I got through the door it started. The respect. Pouring from the walls. Pouring from the floor. Pouring from each and every assistant in there. It was sublime. By the end just about each and every one of them had tried it out - riding it around with smiles the size of Simon Cowell's wallet. The boys were impressed! My God were they impressed. Really. I was told that the components were of such a high quality that even if it was a non-electric bike it would be around the £3K mark. But the sight of them taking it in turns trying it around the store was - as the advert says - priceless.

Another time I will tell you how it rides - but for now I just wanted to share that with you all.

Happy days.

(oh - and here's the best picture I have yet to find of it anywhere - right here)

OMG.....and I suppose it's got white smoke coming out the tail!!!
Please bring it along to Redbridge,I am sure others will love to see it.
KudosDave

 

[Woosh]

Looks really good James, hope you really enjoy it.
Yes, KudosDave is right - you should bring it to Redbridge so we can all gawp at it.
Hatti

 

[OxygenJames]

great looking mountain bike......very interested to hear how it rides both offroad and on tarmac.....and especially on trails in the hills both up and downhill......

not a bike i would want to have to 'lock up' for any length of time.......far too tempting for light-fingered individuals........

regards

Oh most certainly. I'm thinking it would be OK to lock it for a few minutes in the centre of Wimbledon - or up at the Village if I amy popping into the bank or something - but no way am I leaving it outside Colliers Wood Underground when I have a day's work in town or would I leave it anywhere SE of where I live (that's Mitcham way - bikes get stripped down there).

One place thats not too bad though is the Common itself. A couple of weeks ago I left the Burisch there by the fence where I always lock it - except I forgot to put the lock on it. 2 hours later after walking the dog (he goes on a basket on the bike btw) - I came back and it was still there.

But really I think I bought it like you buy a work of art - except once in a while I will be able to take it out for a blast.

Road test report so far - its just great. Completely different to have the motor in the crank not the wheel - it really is more like an extension to your body - it picks up from your own effort so precisely - the Oxygen and Burisch are completely different - there its like suddenly there is a surge of power - the Oxygen more in-tune with your own effort - but this Haibike matches you so much closer - and of course no throttle which I am getting used to. I took it up the hill from Wimbledon town to the Village - and it breazed up there. Very nice.

Cutting out at 15mph is a pain though. I can see why those dongle things are proving popular. But up to 15 its a joy. Wide handlebars though - seeing as all I am using it for is dense London traffic thats a slight pain - but I guess I will cope.

But locking it up will be confined to very very short periods and places I feel are only frequented by people who probably spend that amount on their annual flower bill.

 

[OxygenJames]

That's a decent looking bike spec. It's what you'd expect of all high-end ready-built bikes but very rarely see. In Wimbledon though - definitely the Chelsea Tractor of the bike range. Bike like that definitely should be caked in mud out on a remote trail - hope you've got some fitting rides lined up !

Does seem the shiny new toy syndrome did get the better of you - just a tad Enjoy - as next year there'll be something even better to trade in for . Electronic suspension perhaps ?

Oh for sure. Enjoy it while it lasts huh? The same bike weighing in at around 15kg is what would tempt me next. Just dont see one around. But time will tell.

 

[OxygenJames]

OMG.....and I suppose it's got white smoke coming out the tail!!!
Please bring it along to Redbridge,I am sure others will love to see it.
KudosDave

White smoke is optional.

I thought you lot were in Swalecliffe not Redbridge - it is a pretty cool looking thing for sure - in the flesh the quality of the engineering really hits you - the wheels themselves are a work of art - the brakes look amazing apart from being stunning functionally - it reminds me in some ways of this Mac Air I am writing this on - and I am not a Mac freak and this is the only Apple machine I have - but you take a look at a Mac Air and the thing just has a look to it that shouts quality - and this bike does too.

Somebody mentionned taking it out on a muddy trail! Ha! Are they mad? Oh sure. I know. That would be cool and probably a lot of fun - but for now I like it new and shiny and sitting in my front room with my girlfriend starting to complain its getting in the way. Thats how life should be.

 

[Martin@e-bikeshop]

@Dave

I am bringing a few of these to the Redbridge event for people to try as you know
Should have this one (FS AM) a FS SL and the RC29
I should have 6 in total for people to try..

Regards
Martin

 

[geezee74]

If Boris feels that they are good enough for the Met then they are good enough for me. Perhaps we could all have a 'whip-round' to help him achieve his first original plan (flecc et al 2013)

 

[OxygenJames]

@Dave

I am bringing a few of these to the Redbridge event for people to try as you know
Should have this one (FS AM) a FS SL and the RC29
I should have 6 in total for people to try..

Regards
Martin

Sorry this is probably a numb question and reveals my lack of knowledge in an area I should not lack knowledge - but if anybody has a moment could somebody enlighten my on what's happening in Redbridge? And when?

 

[funkylyn]

Sorry this is probably a numb question and reveals my lack of knowledge in an area I should not lack knowledge - but if anybody has a moment could somebody enlighten my on what's happening in Redbridge? And when?

James, its being held at Redbridge Cycling Centre from midday sunday 7th April......lots of different bike dealers there with all the latest models for testing on the circuit.
Sounds like it is going to be a very well attended event and a great opportunity for people to try a LOT of different bikes on a good circuit with hills and a chance for members to meet up.
In other words, well worth attending.......Ive heard Kudos dave has organized a free BBQ and booze tent for everyone ....ok ok ....that last bit is a lie

Lynda

 

[OxygenJames]

James, its being held at Redbridge Cycling Centre from midday sunday 7th April......lots of different bike dealers there with all the latest models for testing on the circuit.
Sounds like it is going to be a very well attended event and a great opportunity for people to try a LOT of different bikes on a good circuit with hills and a chance for members to meet up.
In other words, well worth attending.......Ive heard Kudos dave has organized a free BBQ and booze tent for everyone ....ok ok ....that last bit is a lie

Lynda

Thanks Lynda. Is there a link or should I just put Redbridge cycling center into google and follow the bouncing ball?

btw - the last line of your email did not come through - so Dave at Kudos is doing a free BBQ huh? Wow. I always thought he was a decent bloke - and with that kind of a gesture you can see why. If only more dealers were willing to put on free BBQ's like him maybe the whole market would pick up huh?

 

[Artstu]

Thanks Lynda. Is there a link or should I just put Redbridge cycling center into google and follow the bouncing ball?

This thread has all the events info in http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/electric-bicycles/13248-electric-bike-events-2013-a.html

 

[OxygenJames]

Thanks Lynda. Is there a link or should I just put Redbridge cycling center into google and follow the bouncing ball?

btw - the last line of your email did not come through - so Dave at Kudos is doing a free BBQ huh? Wow. I always thought he was a decent bloke - and with that kind of a gesture you can see why. If only more dealers were willing to put on free BBQ's like him maybe the whole market would pick up huh?

The only thing listed on their site for that day is this:

07/04/2013 9:00-12:00 Rooprai Spinal Trust Charity Event - Full road circuit booked

07/04/2013 12:30-17:00 Rally Design - Full road circuit booked