Hello from Liverpool

filsgreen

Pedelecer
Nov 3, 2013
72
3
Litherland, Merseyside
Hi everyone, my name is Phil and I've spent the last ten days reading all the posts in my attempt to educate myself about electric bikes. Thanks to everyone who has saved me the bother of asking questions, as I have most of the answers I need. The only question left is "what bike should I buy?"

I'm disappointed that Merseyside is poorly represented, both with electric bike shops and people on this forum who use them. However, I can rest easy with the likes of Hatti from Woosh and Dave from Kudos providing what appears to be excellent service. I feel very confident that which ever shop I will buy my bike from; I will get good value and service.

My budget is around £1000; I was looking at maybe having to spend that and maybe add a few pounds to it. I was quite surprised at the Woosh Sirocco 2 for only £725; I think this bike would meet all my needs. I'm 54, 5' 5" and my physique is not what it used to be (to say the least). Consequently I'm looking to get the bike to encourage me to ride it and lose a few pounds. My work place is 6.7 miles away and only has one hill which has an 10% incline, so I'm sure the Sirocco 2 will handle the journey nicely.

However, there is a nagging question in the back of my mind, should I double my budget and get the Kalkoff Pro Connect Xion X24 for £1700? I remember the old adage "buy once by buying the best", is this relevant or am I being a snob? Any thought or advice will much appreciated.

Phil
 
C

Cyclezee

Guest
Hi Phil,

There is another option, when it comes to setting a budget, you could take the middle route and get a good quality bike that is excellent value for money, I'm talking eZee;)
 

JuicyBike

Trade Member
Jan 26, 2009
1,671
527
Derbyshire
Hi Phil
Definately arrange to try the bike you are thinking of buying. Definately!
The cheaper you go, the more likely you'll need support and aftercare, so my advice would be choose a make with a good dealer network.
Our nearest retailer to you is in Chester, I'm afraid, so not on your doorstep.

Good luck with your search.
 

mountainsport

Esteemed Pedelecer
Feb 6, 2012
1,419
298
Hi Phil,

There is another option, when it comes to setting a budget, you could take the middle route and get a good quality bike that is excellent value for money, I'm talking eZee;)
John, stop being so modest you've got much more good things to say about your bikes which are neatly hidden under that long sleeve shirt of yours.

MS.
 

trex

Esteemed Pedelecer
May 15, 2011
7,703
2,671
filsgreen,

think also about total cost of ownership. Set yourself a limit on cost per mile, 20p? 50p? then see how long you need the bike to work faultlessly to amortize your investment.
 

jackhandy

Esteemed Pedelecer
May 20, 2012
1,820
323
the Cornish Alps
Morning Phil,

I assume you mean your physique is More than it was - Join the club :rolleyes:

The point Trex raises is well made: There's no point spending a great deal of money on something that may prove to be a 5-minute wonder (Too many eBikes sit neglected in sheds once it's realised they don't do all the hard work for one :confused:); but... If you're going to ride it regularly, as a commuter or just because you enjoy getting out on a ride, like me, then it can be worth spending a bit more.

One point I would make is that, if you do take to riding for the sheer fun of it, your battery will never be big enough: You'll always want to go further than you thunk.
 
C

Cyclezee

Guest
John, stop being so modest you've got much more good things to say about your bikes which are neatly hidden under that long sleeve shirt of yours.

MS.
OK MS,

Is this better?

eZee are exceptional value for money when you compare the specification and performance to any other electric bike on the market and Cyclezee's after sales service is second to none.

Then there is our ANSMANN Lightride range, the best value German bikes available with an unmatched 3 year battery warranty.
 

RobF

Esteemed Pedelecer
Sep 22, 2012
4,732
2,312
Phil,

The Scirocco will easily handle your journey to work and, for the money, they are hard to beat.

A £2K ebike - Kalkhoff or something else - is likely to be more reliable.

It will have much better components and be nicer to ride.

However, some riders just don't 'get' a quality bike, that's not being patronising, we are all different.

I had a Scirocco on test and liked it, but I love my £2.5K Rose/Bosch bike and could bore for England about how fantastic it is.

You need to establish if you would get the same buzz from a more expensive bike.
 

103Alex1

Esteemed Pedelecer
Sep 29, 2012
2,228
67
Remember too that an expensive bike is only as good as its weakest part/feature. Be that a badly designed chainguard, a dodgy display design etc etc. There is usually something which winds up being a niggle or causing problems of one sort or another on any bike especially if you use it heavily. The truth is that even spending nearly £3k+ does not guarantee reliability. Recent case of Grace MX being a classic case in point.
 
Last edited:
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Cyclezee

Guest
That's fair enough Russ...........as long we have level playing field.

I noticed this thread was moved very quickly from the Electric Bike section http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/offers-promotions-competitions-discounts/16122-ezee-winter-sale.html

But this one and others like it not? http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/electric-bicycles/15589-kudos-sale-495-00-a.html?
 

rsscott

Administrator
Staff member
Aug 17, 2006
1,399
195
That's fair enough Russ...........as long we have level playing field.

I noticed this thread was moved very quickly from the Electric Bike section http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/offers-promotions-competitions-discounts/16122-ezee-winter-sale.html

But this one and others like it not? http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/electric-bicycles/15589-kudos-sale-495-00-a.html?
Hi John,

I'm switching a lot between 2 sites at the moment so odds are I will be missing stuff to move to the appropriate section. I will have a lot more time once the new site is live. If I do miss anything, do let me know!
 

mountainsport

Esteemed Pedelecer
Feb 6, 2012
1,419
298
OK MS,

Is this better?

eZee are exceptional value for money when you compare the specification and performance to any other electric bike on the market and Cyclezee's after sales service is second to none.

Then there is our ANSMANN Lightride range, the best value German bikes available with an unmatched 3 year battery warranty.
That's MORE like it, NOW lets make the SALES begin !!!!!!!!!

MS.
 

No1foxy

Pedelecer
Sep 29, 2013
34
3
South Leicestershire
Hi Phil,

I am a great believer that you get what you pay for and always buy the best that I can depending on budget. I have recently purchased 2 new electric bikes, one an AVE step through for my wife and a Kalkhoff for myself. I know they are expensive but so far we have not found a single fault with either bike. They both see like very good value. So the best thing you can do is set your budget and get the best you can, happy shopping and riding.

No1 Foxy;)
 

filsgreen

Pedelecer
Nov 3, 2013
72
3
Litherland, Merseyside
Thanks to everyone who gave me advice and apologies to Russ for using the wrong sub forum. I have decided to get the Kalkhoff Pro Connect X24; I bought an ex demo for £1595, saving £100. :D
Forgot to say thank you to Tim at 50 cycles for his unbiased, great service. I would certainly use 50 Cycles again, but I have a feeling I will not need to for a long time.
 
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alan spencer

Finding my (electric) wheels
May 16, 2012
13
0
burnley lancashire
Hya Phil.I am new to e-byking too and spent a lot of time on this forum and was offered a lot of advice.I had settled on a kit and had narrowed it down to a couple.Happened to call in at my local on yer byke shop and got some good sound advice.Main thing I was asked was why a kit when I could afford a complete byke.Trouble was I had a good quality Giant byke and it seemed like the best option.At the shop I tried a couple of complete bykes,one with a front hub motor and the other a rear motor.Then I tried a Scott ventura withmotor on bottom bracket.I know this byke is expensive but there was no comparison in the ride and performance.I was hooked and bought it that day.Been out about 6 times in the past few weeks and it is great.The kalloff you mentioned is around the same price I paid.You need to try a few bikes and make up your own mind about which is best for you.Being a fairly fit nearly 80 year old this was ideal for me and todays ride was my first experience of passing a group of riders on road bykes up a hill.What a great feeling but they took it in good part.Best of luck.Hope you get what you want and enjoy as I am doing.Regards Alan.PS One of my sons bought the Giant byke so it went towards the new one.
 

filsgreen

Pedelecer
Nov 3, 2013
72
3
Litherland, Merseyside
Hello Alan

I can take on board people advising to try different bikes, but being in Liverpool makes it very expensive. The nearest shop to me is in New Brighton, about 20 mile round trip and they do not have the model I wanted. Tim at 50 cycles suggested that I tried out the Pro Connect at Loughborough before I bought it, but that was a round trip of 220 miles, which would cost about £40 in petrol, I would rather that money go toward the bike.

Being in Liverpool as I've said has been a draw back, but I'm sure that if I don't like the bike, 50 cycles will accept it back. However, I do realise that I have responsibilities and it was my choice not to visit the shop to try it. At the end of the day I am buying the bike because I detest driving, so driving to try one out would put me in an awful mood before I even arrived at the shop.

Phil

PS. The amount of people over 70 riding bikes is amazing and certainly puts me to shame.
 

Fiddler

Finding my (electric) wheels
Nov 15, 2020
17
3
79
Liverpool
Hi everyone, my name is Phil and I've spent the last ten days reading all the posts in my attempt to educate myself about electric bikes. Thanks to everyone who has saved me the bother of asking questions, as I have most of the answers I need. The only question left is "what bike should I buy?"

I'm disappointed that Merseyside is poorly represented, both with electric bike shops and people on this forum who use them. However, I can rest easy with the likes of Hatti from Woosh and Dave from Kudos providing what appears to be excellent service. I feel very confident that which ever shop I will buy my bike from; I will get good value and service.

My budget is around £1000; I was looking at maybe having to spend that and maybe add a few pounds to it. I was quite surprised at the Woosh Sirocco 2 for only £725; I think this bike would meet all my needs. I'm 54, 5' 5" and my physique is not what it used to be (to say the least). Consequently I'm looking to get the bike to encourage me to ride it and lose a few pounds. My work place is 6.7 miles away and only has one hill which has an 10% incline, so I'm sure the Sirocco 2 will handle the journey nicely.

However, there is a nagging question in the back of my mind, should I double my budget and get the Kalkoff Pro Connect Xion X24 for £1700? I remember the old adage "buy once by buying the best", is this relevant or am I being a snob? Any thought or advice will much appreciated.

Phil
I'm in s Liverpool just done a convert why buy a en Ike when you can save build from kit . Have s go with mine Even me impressed . See how far I've gone on my first charge . A few bikes here for you