I'm looking at buying my first e-bike,unfortunately I am going to have to either by online or via EBay, as the only local shop which sells e-bikes only seems to sell very expensive models £1500 upwards,which is way out of my league. I have been looking at Whoosh,Kudos,and Giant models,these are more in my price range,although the Giant is at my very top limit. I know its best to try before you buy but I just can't. I am wondering what the difference is between say a £800 Woosh and a £1600 Wisper. I really only want the bike for travel to and from work about a 12 mile round trip, and short rides into town of about 5 miles. I am 65 years of age,in reasonable shape,5' 10", and a bit over weight at 16 and a half stone. I don't want a mountain bike or sports bike,I'm to old for them. I want to use the bike hopefully in all weathers within reason. I dont want to use it on just e-power all the time,just for assistance on a few inclines and small hills,its these I find difficulty on these days on my old normal bike. Any help or recommendations as to bikes suitable will be appreciated
first electric bike
- Thread starter denwyn
- Start date
Apologies for blatantly pushing my own product but the Kudos Tourer will fit your requirements exactly,its available with a derailleur gears(9speed Shimano Deore) or the Nexus Hub gears(an 8speed version of the old Sturmey Archer gears). The Tourer is not a flashy bike its a nice bike to cummute to work on. If you look up pedelec member Jimod postings,Jim has had a Tourer for 2 years now and has many postings about the bike. I am 6 foot tall,17 stone and find the Tourer a very comfortable ride.
Price from £965.00 and delivery is free.
There are photos and spec on our website.....: Kudos Cycles - e-bikes with style :.
Whatever you choose I hope you enjoy your ebike.
KudosDave
Hi Denwyn,
I bought an E tourer from Pro Rider online 4 months ago and I'am very pleased with the performance. I'am 82 and find I can do 10-15 miles in fairly hilly country and thoroughly enjoy the ride with the assistance given by the electrics.
I bought an E tourer from Pro Rider online 4 months ago and I'am very pleased with the performance. I'am 82 and find I can do 10-15 miles in fairly hilly country and thoroughly enjoy the ride with the assistance given by the electrics.
Giant, and I think now Raleigh, have entry level ebikes at £999.
Both makes sell through shops, so you may be able to find a stockist locally.
The Giant sounds made for you, being more 'road hybrid' spec.
I looked at a Giant - in a shop - a month or two ago and it is better quality than the Chinese makes.
Worth the extra hundred or two if the budget will stretch.
Both makes sell through shops, so you may be able to find a stockist locally.
The Giant sounds made for you, being more 'road hybrid' spec.
I looked at a Giant - in a shop - a month or two ago and it is better quality than the Chinese makes.
Worth the extra hundred or two if the budget will stretch.
I was going to wait until I had reached the magic one thousand mile mark, before writing anything else about my Woosh Santana, but your enquiry has prompted me to act a little sooner. I have done almost seven hundred and fifty miles since the beginning of May, this year, with a two week gap for illness. I was sceptical of electric bikes but, after speaking to a lady customer one day, who does a twenty mile round trip each day to the hospital where she works, I realised they were a practical form of transport. She has done this trip for two years now, and says the battery is just starting to get a bit tired. She has a Freego which, I now realise, is almost identical to the Santana, but twice the price. My daily ride to work is only three miles each way, but on my days off, I seem to do about twenty miles each day, merely because it is so easy to ride and such a pleasure to ride. (I am over fifty nine years old).
I had to tension a few spokes in the back wheel during the first few weeks, but that all seems okay now. One pedal played up, and the grips are a bit smooth and plasticy, but I can find no other faults. The brakes work, the lights work, the gears work, it's easy to mount and dismount. It takes me where I wish to go and, when I return, it does not feel as if I have made any effort. All this with just a motor and a battery added to a bike. I have not tackled any real hills during my ownership. There must be others on this forum with hub-driven bikes of a similar price, who can give you more information. I have fitted panniers and a front basket, so can carry most things when I need to. The rear tyre still has its original fine pattern on it at this mileage, so it must be pretty hard rubber, as all the weight is usually concentrated at the rear, with tools, motor etc.
As far as gears are concerned, I feel that three hub gears, like the ODK cargo bike, or the automatic set-up like the Momentum bikes, is the ideal for an electric bike. I tend to use a low gear or a high gear. Riding an electric bike is totally different to a normal bike, with the motor doing so much to help. I think the controller must play a large part, but it's rather out of sight and forgotten. I have never been a fan of hub gears, but they may have found their place with electric bikes.
It is worth going on the Ali Baba site with a search for ebikes, just to see what is available, from the poseur to the practical. This may help you get things in perspective, when you see what seems to be the same machine for sale in the UK, but at three different prices. Woosh seem to have made the effort with their website, to give as much help and advice as they can, when they are selling via the internet, and they were helpful when I contacted them directly. From your description of your transport needs, I think the Santana would be perfectly adequate.
I had to tension a few spokes in the back wheel during the first few weeks, but that all seems okay now. One pedal played up, and the grips are a bit smooth and plasticy, but I can find no other faults. The brakes work, the lights work, the gears work, it's easy to mount and dismount. It takes me where I wish to go and, when I return, it does not feel as if I have made any effort. All this with just a motor and a battery added to a bike. I have not tackled any real hills during my ownership. There must be others on this forum with hub-driven bikes of a similar price, who can give you more information. I have fitted panniers and a front basket, so can carry most things when I need to. The rear tyre still has its original fine pattern on it at this mileage, so it must be pretty hard rubber, as all the weight is usually concentrated at the rear, with tools, motor etc.
As far as gears are concerned, I feel that three hub gears, like the ODK cargo bike, or the automatic set-up like the Momentum bikes, is the ideal for an electric bike. I tend to use a low gear or a high gear. Riding an electric bike is totally different to a normal bike, with the motor doing so much to help. I think the controller must play a large part, but it's rather out of sight and forgotten. I have never been a fan of hub gears, but they may have found their place with electric bikes.
It is worth going on the Ali Baba site with a search for ebikes, just to see what is available, from the poseur to the practical. This may help you get things in perspective, when you see what seems to be the same machine for sale in the UK, but at three different prices. Woosh seem to have made the effort with their website, to give as much help and advice as they can, when they are selling via the internet, and they were helpful when I contacted them directly. From your description of your transport needs, I think the Santana would be perfectly adequate.
Electric Bike Buyers Guide is out on the shelves of most major newsagents and is a good source of information on the main brands in the UK market.
You can now see our review in all its detail at this link
The publication is well worth the £5.99 charged and can be purchased on-line at this link
There is no substitute for a test ride so choose a specialist e-bike shop near you with a good range to try and wander off on one, away from the sales people!
You can now see our review in all its detail at this link
The publication is well worth the £5.99 charged and can be purchased on-line at this link
There is no substitute for a test ride so choose a specialist e-bike shop near you with a good range to try and wander off on one, away from the sales people!
I have a Kudos Tourer with the 9 speed gears. I've had it just over 2 years. I live in a hilly are but not mountainous. I've done over 2000 miles including a couple of 45 mile trips. I have the power at full all the time and if I'm pedalling above 15mph ish the motor isn't doing anything it's all me. This allows the motor to come in and do its thing when I slow down due to a hill, tiredness or feeling lazy.
The battery will do over 30 miles doing this so your commute would be no problem.
I bought it direct from Kudos and had never seen it, I' m sure it wasn't even in the country when I ordered it. I've never regretted getting this bike and would buy another from Kudos with no problems.
Pulling away from traffic lights is great as the motor cuts in and let's me get away quick, which is a boon in heavy traffic. With the tourer the motor works as long as you're turning the pedals no matter how hard or soft you're turning them, the motor just does its thing and lets you get on with your thing. I prefer this system.
Be aware though, electric bikes are heavy and when the battery goes flat you are pedalling a heavy bike, make sure you charge it before going on a long trip in the hills.
You don't need to know how I know this, just believe me.
As has been said though, a test ride is good if you can get one.
The battery will do over 30 miles doing this so your commute would be no problem.
I bought it direct from Kudos and had never seen it, I' m sure it wasn't even in the country when I ordered it. I've never regretted getting this bike and would buy another from Kudos with no problems.
Pulling away from traffic lights is great as the motor cuts in and let's me get away quick, which is a boon in heavy traffic. With the tourer the motor works as long as you're turning the pedals no matter how hard or soft you're turning them, the motor just does its thing and lets you get on with your thing. I prefer this system.
Be aware though, electric bikes are heavy and when the battery goes flat you are pedalling a heavy bike, make sure you charge it before going on a long trip in the hills.
You don't need to know how I know this, just believe me.
As has been said though, a test ride is good if you can get one.
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Test rides, it's well worth travelling to get them. Otherwise you risk buying something you don't like. I've tested a lot of bikes recently, taking two 100 miles trips in the car to do so, but it's been well worth it.
D
Deleted member 4366
Guest
It's only a few weeks to the Birmingham NEC Cycle Show. There'll be plenty there to try if you can get there. I'll probably be there, so, if you hunt me out, I can explain everything about them there, so you get proper facts instead of saleman cr@p.
Dave,I assume instead of hot air you will be breathing pure OXYGEN !!!!!
see you there
KudosDave
Unfortunately, the OP doesn't say where he lives as someone here might know of a nearby reseller.
I am a bit concerned about his idea of buying a cheaper bike then only using the electrical assistance on a few hills. Cheaper bikes tend to be heavy and difficult to pedal unaided. My very sturdy, but low to mid-price Smarta LX8, (12,000 + miles in 3.5 years), equipped with panniers, toolkit etc. etc. is very heavy, particularly at the rear, and a pain to pedal when i have forgotten to charge the battery: 4 miles is about my limit.
If I want to pedal with occasional assistance I would try a more expensive, lighter bike with a small capacity battery. The Momentum Model T (£1099) is reasonably light so should pedal OK, but Idon't know how well the 2 speed autogear would handle hills. The Fast4ward Ride is also relatively light and a good pedaller, but i believe it is going to be superceded.
Whatever you decide I would recommend as many test rides as you can get.
Bill
I am a bit concerned about his idea of buying a cheaper bike then only using the electrical assistance on a few hills. Cheaper bikes tend to be heavy and difficult to pedal unaided. My very sturdy, but low to mid-price Smarta LX8, (12,000 + miles in 3.5 years), equipped with panniers, toolkit etc. etc. is very heavy, particularly at the rear, and a pain to pedal when i have forgotten to charge the battery: 4 miles is about my limit.
If I want to pedal with occasional assistance I would try a more expensive, lighter bike with a small capacity battery. The Momentum Model T (£1099) is reasonably light so should pedal OK, but Idon't know how well the 2 speed autogear would handle hills. The Fast4ward Ride is also relatively light and a good pedaller, but i believe it is going to be superceded.
Whatever you decide I would recommend as many test rides as you can get.
Bill
One option you have is to buy a standard bike and then convert it to an electric bike or get someone to convert it to an electric bike for you. That is precisely what I am doing. It is probably the cheapest option too. I couldn't afford the prices of the electric bikes I saw in the shops (I am a student). I bought the Raleigh Access folding bike which came out in 2012 about a month ago for £339 and I bought a conversion kit for £332 which has just arrived in the UK. Since I am not at all technical with bikes I have arranged for someone to fit the conversion kit onto my bike for £30, so all in all I have spent a total of £701. Not bad pricing for my first electric bike!
I'm sure that when you graduate with top grades you will convert those top grades to top grade electric ebikes starting from £ 2000 and upwards.
MS.
Hi d8veh,
Do you have all the details for this event including time it starts ,even going as far as knowing the nearest train station ? Thank you.
MS.
oops i am sorry i thought i had mentioned were i live, its Taunton. We have one dedicated e-bike dealer " Reaction electric Bikes " but the bikes they sell are way out of my price range, yesterday i managed to get to another dealer who are Giant agents, according to there web site they had all the electric range in stock, not true !! They stocked what looked like all the normal range but only got the electrics in to order, and to be honest all they could show me was a picture of the bike on there web page, not very impressed i left. Halfords dont do a gents e-bike, and I'm afraid I'm really not keen on a step through model or fold up bike which s all they sell. Our other couple of bike shops don't seem to do e-bikes.So i'm afraid i have no real option but online, or Ebay. a few years back i did try out a Izip bike from our e-bike dealer, seemed OK to me, but i put it off buying and they no longer sell them, having read what people say about that bike i am glad now i didn't buy one. I want to try and get something in the next few weeks if i can, and am fining this site a great help, i'm trawling through review's on here and past discussions,also keeping a daily eye on Ebay and Gumtree, as well as looking at dealers pages. Still not sure on hub or crank type bike as yet, i don't do many hills on route to work, more slight inclines, so maybe hills was wrong term to use. Thanks for all the help and advice
Thanks for the offer, have some transport problems at moment though, will keep your offer in mind.
Dennis
D
Deleted member 4366
Guest
Denwyn,you had Woosh on your shortlist. There's nothing wrong with them. They're cheap, but everything works very well. The electrical stuff is the same as on many similar, but more expensive bikes. The Sirocco CD would be my choice. It has mudguards, chainguard and lights for practical every day use. You won't find hills a problem anymore with it even if you're heavy.
I did a review of one here. Posts #1 and #18 are all you need to read.
http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/electric-bicycles/14201-woosh-crank-bike-review-2.html
My next recommendation would be the Kudos Tornado, that gets up the hills with brute power, so you go up hills a bit faster than the Kudos. This is the bike if you want to be lazy, but with only a 10aH battery, your range will be less than the Woosh. Once the price goes over £1000, there's a lot more choice of bikes able to get lardy people like us up hills.
I did a review of one here. Posts #1 and #18 are all you need to read.
http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/electric-bicycles/14201-woosh-crank-bike-review-2.html
My next recommendation would be the Kudos Tornado, that gets up the hills with brute power, so you go up hills a bit faster than the Kudos. This is the bike if you want to be lazy, but with only a 10aH battery, your range will be less than the Woosh. Once the price goes over £1000, there's a lot more choice of bikes able to get lardy people like us up hills.
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