Hello Folks (And maybe a little help please....!) :-)

[andrewc]

Hi

My name is Andrew and I live in Cheshire. I'm hoping this great site will help me / educate me to buy my first e-bike. I'm looking for something that's easy to get on and off (I've had back surgeries and have residual nerve damage that has left me with foot drop on one side), comfortable and has a decent / long range.

Many thanks!!

 

[sjpt]

You almost certainly want a low step for getting on and off.
If you have any issues that mean you might tire or have pain that means you can't push then a cadence sensor so that the motor gives power as long as you can turn the pedals. The more sophisticated torque sensor will only give power out if you put some effort in.

A good first stop would be Woosh, https://wooshbikes.co.uk/. They do several step throughs. Best will depend a lot on how heavy you are and how hilly your rides are likely to be. And of course how much you want/expect to spend.

 

[andrewc]

Many thanks - I've put a more detailed post in the "Which e-bike should I buy" section with some more background to my quest!

 

[andrewc]

I'm in my late fifties, and am not as fit as I once was. After many years of abuse on the rugby field my body paid the price, and I sit here now having had 5 back operations over the last 25 years. I have foot drop in my left leg, and nerve damage has also weakened that leg too. However, I'm smart enough to realise that even an assisted form of exercise is better than none, hence this search. (I'm 6 feet tall and weigh about 13.5 stones)

I've rented e-bikes whilst on holiday in France, and have massively enjoyed the ability to roam the countryside in such an effortless manner. So I'm looking to get some input please on which machines I should consider.

I want something that's easy to get on and off because of the injuries I carry, so I guess I should swallow my pride and go for a step through model. I'm also looking for something that has considerable range - or alternatively, a model that has a removable battery such that I can carry a spare to get the same result. It also needs to be comfortable and able to take panniers etc. if I want to carry stuff. If there's an option to upgrade the max speed that would also be a bonus on longer rides, although I realise this could be a grey area!

I see that Cube bikes seem to be well liked on this forum - would the Cube Touring Hybrid SL 500 2020 model be a smart move? Or maybe the Volt Infinity Shimano Steps??

My budget is up to £3K ish.

 

[Amoto65]

As previously stated Woosh are good, also check out Juicy bikes in Disley and also Wisper bikes, regarding the Cube they are pretty popular on here, whatever you do avoid the Carrera Crossfire from Halfords it is plagued with problems, where as the Carrera Crossfuse uses a Bosch motor like the Cube and is much better. Above all else try and get a test ride so you can try both hub and crank motors (tricky I know under present conditions)

 

[andrewc]

Which is considered best? Hub or crank?? Thx

 

[Amoto65]

Which is considered best? Hub or crank?? Thx

Now that question is a can of worms, you will get people answering that Bosch crank motors are the devil incarnate even though they have never had one and also people swearing by them. Both are good in my opinion ( and I own 1 of each) best bet as I said is to try both out and speak to people who have owned them.

 

[andrewc]

What is the consensus on the Volt Infinity? Is that considered a good machine??

 

[Amoto65]

What is the consensus on the Volt Infinity? Is that considered a good machine??

I have no experience of them so am not qualified to answer, I have owned a Juicy Click which was great a Carrera Crossfire which was awful, A Viking folder which was passable and at the moment a Wisper 905se and a Carrera Crossfuse which are both excellent.

 

[Fat Rat]

welcome to the site

 

[Nealh]

Which type of drive might depend on the effort you can exert, mid drive oem bikes use Torque sensing for the PAS so only multiplies the effort you can put in. Hub direvs in the main use cadence PAS which only needs you to gently rotate the cranks for input though if you give more effort you can get more speed above the cut off level.