Folding or regular, prebuilt or converted...advice appreicated !!

[Wingreen]

You could consider this as well......

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/electric-bikes/carrera-crossfire-e-mens-electric-bike

It states 9ah battery but a poster on here has just bought one and it actually comes with an 11ah battery. Also has hydraulic disc brakes and different frame sizes. It'll be heavier than the Karoo but it'll be a more comfortable ride.
Also its easy to go back to Halfords if there's any problems with it...... plus you may get a discount on it by joining British Cycling Membership.

Halfords: Carrera - "up to 80 miles" on a 36v 9aH battery? Is that really feasible?!

 

[JohnCade]

Halfords: Carrera - "up to 80 miles" on a 36v 9aH battery? Is that really feasible?!

Only if you are a very strong pedaler and you’re on flat ground. In which case why buy an e bike?

 

[Wingreen]

Only if you are a very strong pedaler and you’re on flat ground. In which case why buy an e bike?

My thoughts entirely. Downhill and level roads are there to be traversed without assistance. I've heard distances for ebikes quoted before (usually the distance that can be travelled along flat ground with little or no pedal assistance). I think the "up to 80 miles" is hugely misleading. 40 miles (or slightly less) would, in my opinion, be more realistic

 

[Yamdude]

They get away with it by saying 'up to'..... we all know its meaningless ******. There's far too many variables of hills, weight of rider, how much pedalling you do etc etc to give accurate ranges.
But i guess people who know nothing about ebikes do fall for it.

 

[JohnCade]

The first e bike I bought was a Woosh Sport CD with a 9ah battery. Where I live in west Wales I got just under 17 miles going as fast as I could. Around 20 w/hrs per mile. Speed sensor CDs like that eat batteries when ridden fast in hilly country.

 

[Anish]

I started off on a (cheap) Hopper Shopper Folding ebike sold through Tesco Direct and I used that almost exclusively on country lanes and, indeed, also used it along quite a few forest tracks. Never had any problems. I cant speak for the Woosh foldables but I suspect that, based on my experience with their Big Bear (which I've now upgraded to), anything by Woosh is likely to match or exceed my own experiences.

How much does the Big Bear weigh? It seems to be the right choice for a person like me? ...the Zephyr B is similar to Big Bear but is foldable.

 

[Anish]

Any feedback on https://expedition-bikes.co.uk/ ??
If it's a non-folding one...that's another one I'd like to consider...

 

[Wingreen]

How much does the Big Bear weigh? It seems to be the right choice for a person like me? ...the Zephyr B is similar to Big Bear but is foldable.

To be honest, I'm not sure. It IS heavy but a lot of that is probably down to the battery, which is very powerful. I would guess around 25Kg in total but, if its crucial, I'm sure Woosh would advise you. (By the way, if you do go for the Big Bear and you want to transport it by car on occasions, get in touch and I can point you in the direction of a reasonably priced bike carrier from Halfords that I have used successfully on many occasions to move my Big Bear to the start of various bike rides. Only downside is that it does need a tow ball on your car)

 

[Anish]

or the Coyote Commute Electric bike http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/electric-bikes/coyote-commute-folding-electric-bike

or the FreeGo folding https://www.electricbikesales.co.uk/FreeGo-electric-bicycles/Folding-Green10-Electric-Bike

or the Batribike or the Byocycle...

there are so many options and so few reviews...prices are high making it more of a little investment... confused (

 

[soundwave]

prob a bit more than u want to spend tho.

http://www.mhw-bike.com/cube-reaction-hybrid-hpa-pro-400-27-5-29-black-n-white-2016-4629

 

[gray198]

anish,
if you are thinking of the freego I am selling my wifes juicy bike folder which as far as I know is very similar to the freego folder. May be enough to pay for first bike and open to sensible offers. Would post a picture if I could figure out how to do it

regards gray

 

[Anish]

Which model please ?

anish,
if you are thinking of the freego I am selling my wifes juicy bike folder which as far as I know is very similar to the freego folder. May be enough to pay for first bike and open to sensible offers. Would post a picture if I could figure out how to do it

regards gray

 

[gray198]

Anish it,s Juicybikes own folder. They are well known on this forum. If you look in the classifieds I have posted a couple of pics

Gray

 

[Nealh]

How much does the Big Bear weigh? It seems to be the right choice for a person like me? ...the Zephyr B is similar to Big Bear but is foldable.

Look on Woosh all the specs are there.

 

[Anish]

Anish it,s Juicybikes own folder. They are well known on this forum. If you look in the classifieds I have posted a couple of pics

Gray

Thanks Gray. Looks like a great deal. Unfortunately, I wouldn't be able to take advantage of the cyclehire scheme on a used bike

 

[Anish]

Anybody convert a Dahon ? The Jifo uno weighs just 9kgs so after a conversion it would still be under 15kgs which I think is a great weight for a electric folding bike...also, the Dahons are priced competitively...

Any reviews on Coyote commute ? Or Btwin Tilt 740 ?

 

[Electric Transport Shop]

Hi Anish, Welcome to the forum. Hopefully you're enjoying the good suggestions and tips. We can help you with a conversion if that's what you choose.
Conversion kits are allowed through the scheme but some scheme providers have decided not to allow it. Pro cycle work does allow it: https://www.electricbikesales.co.uk/PROC2W-Electric-bike-cycle-to-work-Scheme

 

[anotherkiwi]

Nice informative page.

So the big winners in this scheme are high wage earners and employers? Low wage earners pay more for their bike? Social justice?

In France local government will pay up to 500€, depending on the town you live in, of the sales price no matter what wage you earn. Some companies (large) will also buy bikes for their employees along the same lines as the company car.

 

[Electric Transport Shop]

Nice informative page.

So the big winners in this scheme are high wage earners and employers? Low wage earners pay more for their bike? Social justice?

That's true as ever anotherwiki. Despite being lop sided in terms of who benefits the tax incentive has encouraged many more people to give cycling another go..... At least with ProC2W everything is clear and upfront so everyone understands how it works.
I won't mention the cost of the scheme to your local friendly bike retailer.....Just come and buy some bikes

 

[flecc]

So the big winners in this scheme are high wage earners and employers? Low wage earners pay more for their bike? Social justice?

Taking off my cynical hat for a moment, if the objective is to get people out of cars riding bikes there is a some sense in this imbalance. It's the higher paid who are more able to afford to use a car, pay congestion charges, parking charges and the like who are the least likely to adopt a bike, so need a bigger push. Conversely the lower paid, already hard pushed financially, who can be more easily tempted to ride a bike so need less incentive to do so.
.