Help choosing an e-bike please

[slow_k]

Hi all,

I temporarily cant drive while awaiting medical treatment and looking into getting an e-bike to get between home and the train station (c. 2-3 miles) twice a week as our local bus service is unreliable

Unfortunately my body does not seem to get on with even the slightest incline, and the route home mentioned above has a c.30% gradient for about 1/3 of the distance!

I've been browsing on this forum for a few days now but thought it best to post and ask for advice so I dont make a misinformed decision

Few bits of information below, appreciate any recommendations for which bike to go for:

• Budget up to £1200 (which I gather is on the low side but this is already pushing it for me)
• I am very unfit, and cannot cope with hills, so maximum assistance is appreciated - ideally with a throttle option if possible
• Aside from above commute, only other use will be taking the kids out on a gravel path in a bike trailer very occasionally
• Low maintenance preferred as there is already a laundry list of jobs to do around the house with 2 young kids
• Dont fancy DIY kits for above mentioned reason, I probably wont ever get it built being honest with myself
• Happy to consider either folding or non-folding. If folding I will probably take it part way onto the train with me
• Happy to consider used from either forum members or trades

If I've missed anything please do shout! Appreciate your help

 

[guerney]

Towing a total weight heavier than myself and my bike combined feels quite worrying, I fear my bike and I being thrashed about the road by the Homcom's towing arm, when a trailer wheel hits a pothole - the QR skewer being wrenched out is prefereable TBH. I'll stick to towing a total of less than 90kg wherever possible. Bike + me = 93kg, and I'm losing even more weight. 2 and 3/4 stones is gone, losing this final 3/4 stone of blubbery body lard is taking forever.

 

[AGS]

It will probably get stolen if you leave it locked up at the train station all day.

 

[guerney]

It will probably get stolen if you leave it locked up at the train station all day.

I've seen some of the larger train stations have bike racks on platforms, presumably those would be a bit safer? Mostly empty - they might be for rail workers? I haven't enquired.

 

[saneagle]

I've seen some of the larger train stations have bike racks on platforms, presumably those would be a bit safer? Mostly empty - they might be for rail workers? I haven't enquired.

They're empty because all the bikes got nicked.

 

[Nealh]

Georgehenry kept his in a safe store room and not on public view, other wise he would likely have had a long trek home after his shift.

 

[StuartsProjects]

It will probably get stolen if you leave it locked up at the train station all day.

Absolutly.

Back in the day when I commuted to Bristol, I took a Brompton on the train with me so no risk of it being stolen.

I used to work with a guy who would leave a real cheap bike, charity shop purchase etc, at the station where he got the train and another at the station where he got off. They were real cheap bike so no great worry if they were knicked.

But a eBike ?

If your going to ride it to a station what do you do with it when you get there ?

 

[StuartsProjects]

I've seen some of the larger train stations have bike racks on platforms, presumably those would be a bit safer?

A bit maybe.

But beware of ninjas on the platform who observe you locking a bike up and jumping on a train. How long have they got ?

 

[esuark]

all day............

my niece went to the bank went in came out GONE!

 

[guerney]

Crime in England and Wales - Office for National Statistics

Crime against households and people aged 16 years and over, using data from police recorded crime and the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW).

www.ons.gov.uk

 

[Hen]

If you often ride your e-bike to the station, it may be worth considering purchasing or renting a locker in the storage room.

 

[guerney]

Which other train stations have these? What if thieves also have "Swift" cards to gain entry and steal your bike?


On your bike! Secure 'cycle pod' opens at Birmingham New Street
A secure ‘cycle pod’ has been created at Birmingham New Street for city centre commuters to store their bikes and interchange from cycle to train.

On your bike! Secure 'cycle pod' opens at Birmingham New Street

A secure ‘cycle pod’ has been created at Birmingham New Street for city centre commuters to store their bikes and interchange from cycle to train.

www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk

 

[Hen]

Actually, it's very cool. It's nice to ride your bike to the station and catch a train without worrying about it being stolen.

 

[guerney]

all day............

my niece went to the bank went in came out GONE!

Thieving scum!

I never need to leave my folding electric conversion locked up anywhere, because it folds... but for those premises which will not allow my bike entry, and for short light shopping trips, I'm renovating an old 26" wheeled Dahon Espresso (also folds) I bought on ebay for £76. Total cost of repair shouldn't cost more than a pygmy marmoset's handful of tenners if that - won't be nearly as troubling if that gets stolen. I'll remove the seatpost before leaving it locked up, because those with integral tyre pumps are hard to source for that old bike. If thieves remove other components making it unrideable, I can simply fold it for the bus/+train/taxi journey home.

 

[slow_k]

Thanks all for the advice

As it happens I can now drive again so the problem is solved, but it looks like the bike wasnt a viable option in the end as I fear it would have been nicked. Sadly the bike locks are in a place they wont be seen by anyone at off-peak times, so could almost guarantee anything semi-valuable would have been gone

Safe riding to you all!