Hi All

[Jimmythe1]

Hi, Just joined having caught the e-bike bug. I was touring in Europe on my self powered bike in the Black Forest and kept being overtaken by e-bikes. Thought help on the uphills looked a good idea. I hired a Giant Twist from the Electric Cycle Network at Carsington for a day, enjoyed it immensely and was hooked.

Researched on the web and found Pedelecs - a very useful and interesting resource.

I'm trying to decide whether to convert an existing bike - A Cannondale Street Ultra with Rohloff gears and discs - but that would mean front wheel drive, which I found slightly prone to skidding with the Giant on loose surfaces. It would be relatively cheap (800-900GBP for the kits I have looked at) and the existing bike is well specced.

However I'm not sure how much of a compromise a conversion kit would be, so keep getting tempted by ready built bikes - usually the last one I've seen!

I like the look and spec of Storck multiroad or Multitask bikes and the Kalkhoff Pro Connect disc or B27 BionX 3 - but I'm still researching what's available.

I want to end up with a bike I can use for day tours, which is not so compromised by being electric that it can't be ridden without power.

I would welcome suggestions for bikes or kits I should look at.

That's enough for the moment, I'm sure I'll be asking questions in other forums (hopefully the right ones) when I've got a better idea of the right questions to ask.

Thanks,

Nigel

 

[JuicyBike]

Hi Nigel
Welcome to the forums.
You will certainly get a lot of support from fellow members - you really only have to ask.

Of course, I would welcome a visit from you at Eco Republic in Buxton, where you can freely try our range.
We have finished trials of our kit and are preparing the manual to make it easy to fit - so there's another option for you.

I often have a cycle around Carsington and one of our very first customers lives in Brassington - a lovely village close by. One of the best advantages of an electric bike is in getting away from the, sometimes too popular, tracks and trails, and off up into the much quieter hills and villages. Carsington Water and Brassington are a case in point. Take a trip to the Old Gate Inn, opposite the partly Norman church in Brassington. Wonderful!

 

[Cyclezee]

Hi Nigel,

Having checked out the spec, that is one nice looking bike you have there, and with Rohloff gears, it would be a shame to fit a rear hub.

My completely biased suggestion would be to fit an eZee 700c front wheel hub motor kit along with a Cycle Analyst. eZee are renowned for their high torque motors, reliability and good value for money.

Cyclezee are offering special deals during the month of July to Forum Members, so send me a P.M. if you are interested

 

[Jimmythe1]

Hi John,

Thanks for the suggestion. Can I customise the kit when ordering - I want the biggest range I can get plus a spare battery?

I'll be in touch direct by e-mail to find out about the special deals when I've finally worked out my requirements.

Regards,

Nigel

 

[Jimmythe1]

Hi Bob,

Thanks for your welcome.

I've already looked at the Juicy bikes on display in Eco Republic - they look very good value but aren't exactly what I'm looking for.

The kit on the Juicy website is only available with a 26inch wheel which won't fit my bike. Is there going to be a 700c version?

Regards

Nigel

 

[JuicyBike]

There will be Nigel, and full details of the new kit will be on the Juicy Bike website quite soon (and is now in the Buxton shop). Price, 10AH 36V 250 Watt SB Motor, £549, with quick release motor cable and digital (non-hall sensor) controller, slick Kenda Brand tyre fitted to stainless wheel... but this is not the forum for such discussions, and I shouldn't really be giving product details here.... but since you asked!

I suggest you post a new topic in the "Electric bikes" forum to encourage others to share details of their own products and deals. Try "Kit Advice Wanted" and you'll get plenty of suggestions and useful discussion. It will make useful reading for others too.

 

[Cyclezee]

Hi John,

Thanks for the suggestion. Can I customise the kit when ordering - I want the biggest range I can get plus a spare battery?

Hi Nigel, the answer is yes to all of the above.