Help choosing an e-bike please

Nealh

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 7, 2014
20,912
8,528
61
West Sx RH
With the Ute I got over the 50kg skewer max loading by attaching the tow hitch to the rear bike pannier extension frame (which is part of the main welded bike frame) , I attched by various means a stout solid aluminium bar to which to attach the tow hitch.
The Cotic isn't an issue as the rear is an alfine 8 so has a solid 10mm axle.
 

guerney

Esteemed Pedelecer
Sep 7, 2021
11,312
3,214
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.
 
Last edited:

guerney

Esteemed Pedelecer
Sep 7, 2021
11,312
3,214
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.
 

Nealh

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 7, 2014
20,912
8,528
61
West Sx RH
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

Esteemed Pedelecer
May 9, 2021
1,786
1,009
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

Esteemed Pedelecer
May 9, 2021
1,786
1,009
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 ?
 

Hen

Just Joined
Oct 24, 2023
2
0
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

Esteemed Pedelecer
Sep 7, 2021
11,312
3,214
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.

 
Last edited:

Hen

Just Joined
Oct 24, 2023
2
0
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

Esteemed Pedelecer
Sep 7, 2021
11,312
3,214
all day............

my niece went to the bank went in came out GONE!
Thieving scum! :mad:

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.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Woosh

slow_k

Just Joined
Oct 18, 2023
4
0
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!