Hi, not a cyclist......

[mtb1956]

Hi all,

I live in Horndean (PO8) in sunny Hampshire, UK and I have discovered this forum more out of necessity than anything else. 56 year old male, widowed, getting married again this Friday, lovely 11 year old daughter and inheriting two more 19 year old lovelies. That's the up side! Unfortunately my health is not the best at the moment and I have been stopped from driving my car. So I am looking to this forum in order to shamelessly pick the brains of the knowledgable crowd on here. I also hope that any threads I create may be of use to other people in my situation in the future!

My thoughts at the moment are (because my health problem affects my balance) that I need a recumbent trike that can be electrically assisted (I am not a peak physical specimen of the 56 year old variety!) I understand I can ride such a machine without the sanction of the DVLA and I am unlikely to damage anyone other than myself. I will not need to insure it and it will help me get about down to the local shops, hospital, etc. And I am sick of waiting around for, and taking, buses

I am not overly concerned about budget (within reason, but I am naturally a tightwad!) however my mechanical skills have almost deserted me (although I have all the kit) so I think a readymade solution is where I need to head.

Anyone have any immediate thoughts or recommendations on a machine that might suit?
Anyone got one for sale in the Horndean area? Bearing in mind my limited travel options at the moment, it would have to be close.

If this Introduction area is not the right place, should I raise another post in a different forum do you think?

Hi again and thanks for listening!

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Kinetics - The Hase Klimax Electric Trikes
Legal power is 250w, there's other options with higher power for better hill-climbing. Ready made electric trikes will be expensive, or you can fit a DIY electric kit to one, which should be a lot cheaper.

 

[Eagle]

If you are able to manage a non-recumbent trike, then this is a much cheaper option:

6 Speed Powatryke Cruiser : Powabyke : Electric Bikes & Electric Scooters

The tricycle operates in Pure Power (PP) mode where no or little pedalling is required and this will provide a journey distance of approximately 15-20 miles with the standard battery.

List of dealers:

http://www.powabyke.com/where-to-buy/

Article in recent Saga magazine:

http://www.powabyke.com/news/-/eddie_gets_on_his_powabyke_for_world_record_attemp

 

[GaRRy]

or possibly one of these

Trike 20 - Compact Electric Trike BATRIBIKE Electric Bicycles

which appears to be a bit lighter in weight.

cant comment for how good it is as have never seen one in the flesh.

 

[mtb1956]

If you are able to manage a non-recumbent trike, then this is a much cheaper option:

6 Speed Powatryke Cruiser : Powabyke : Electric Bikes & Electric Scooters



List of dealers:

Where to buy, How to buy Powabykes : Electric Bikes & Electric Scooters

Article in recent Saga magazine:

News, Latest news from Powabyke : Electric Bikes & Electric Scooters

Hi Eagle, Thanks for those links, I'll give them a go. The real reason I was looking at a recumbent trike is that the "sit up and beg" type look a bit elderly. Perhaps I should just accept my age!!!!

 

[mtb1956]

Kinetics - The Hase Klimax Electric Trikes
Legal power is 250w, there's other options with higher power for better hill-climbing. Ready made electric trikes will be expensive, or you can fit a DIY electric kit to one, which should be a lot cheaper.

Hi there, yes, not cheap! Perhaps a DIY conversion is the way to go...... I found a site a few months back which was extolling the virtues of the brushless electric motors used to power RC aeroplanes, but using one to drive the tyre (through a gearbox no doubt). Can't find it again though!!!

 

[mtb1956]

or possibly one of these

Trike 20 - Compact Electric Trike BATRIBIKE Electric Bicycles

which appears to be a bit lighter in weight.

cant comment for how good it is as have never seen one in the flesh.

Hi there, not far down the road from me either, thanks for that........

/\/\

 

[martin@onbike]

This is the best Trike i've ridden,due to it's tilting action making it feel more contollable like a "real"bike.
Sold by 50 cycles

Electric Bikes - Comfort - Veliac Three Electric Tricycle

 

[mtb1956]

This is the best Trike i've ridden,due to it's tilting action making it feel more contollable like a "real"bike.
Sold by 50 cycles

Electric Bikes - Comfort - Veliac Three Electric Tricycle

Many thanks for that Martin, I'm getting them to arrange a demo.

/\/\

 

[Velospeed]

Hi,

If you want to try the Batribike trike we have one in stock. We're just up the A34 and have sold plenty of Batribikes in your area. The Batribike is almost exactly the same as the Veliac but a tad cheaper (and silver)!

Whatever you like the look of make sure you give it a good try out.

Hope that helps!
John

Velospeed

 

[GaRRy]

Just spottted this on ebay if you still really fancy a recumbent

Recumbent Trike ICE Q with optional electric assist | eBay

looks like it will need a bit of TLC but nothing to serious.

 

[mtb1956]

Hi,

If you want to try the Batribike trike we have one in stock. We're just up the A34 and have sold plenty of Batribikes in your area. The Batribike is almost exactly the same as the Veliac but a tad cheaper (and silver)!

Whatever you like the look of make sure you give it a good try out.

Hope that helps!
John

Velospeed

Hi John,

Ideal for where I used to live in South Stoke! Unfortunately, miles away from my current haunts of Portsmouth, which makes a trial difficult! Maybe I can find one in stock a bit closer to me. Thanks for the info.

/\/\

 

[mtb1956]

Just spottted this on ebay if you still really fancy a recumbent

Recumbent Trike ICE Q with optional electric assist | eBay

looks like it will need a bit of TLC but nothing to serious.

Hi GaRRy, Good Spot! I'm already watching it thanks! (aren't saved searches wonderful ) Have messaged the seller to see if he thinks it would suit my needs. I know these ICE trikes are top of the range so I expect it to go for more than the reserve, despite the mileage!

Thanks again for drawing my attention to it.

/\/\

 

[Velospeed]

Hi John,

Ideal for where I used to live in South Stoke! Unfortunately, miles away from my current haunts of Portsmouth, which makes a trial difficult! Maybe I can find one in stock a bit closer to me. Thanks for the info.

/\/\

South Stoke would have been very easy! I must nip down to the Perch and Pike again soon.

If you do want to try the Batribike just let us know. Good luck with everything

John

Velospeed Electric Bikes

 

[themutiny]

Hi
I am very local to you, and have a selection of normal e-bikes (not recumbents or trikes)
You are welcome to try if you want to compare

Cheers

Nick

 

[Cyclezee]

Hi MTB,

That ICE trike looks like a bargain, if and it is a big if the bidding doesn't go through the roof. They are a great piece of kit, we have supplied a number of conversion kits for ICE owners.

Here is a link to one customers eZee conversion http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/electric-bicycles/12395-ice-trice-ezee-conversion.html

Regards,

 

[mtb1956]

Hi
I am very local to you, and have a selection of normal e-bikes (not recumbents or trikes)
You are welcome to try if you want to compare

Cheers

Nick

Hi Nick,

Unfortunately, I have "forgotten" how to ride a two wheeler, due to the health issue (I know, "it's like riding a bike, you never forget", but I have!). So thanks for the offer, but it has to be a trike, even a sit up and beg. I wouldn't want to crash one of your machine on a trial. Whereabouts are you? Are you a dealer? Could you get a trike in?

/\/\

 

[mtb1956]

I heartily recommend VeloSpeed

Well, having been advised by John at Velospeed that a Batribike Trike might suit my needs, tried to find one in stock "dahn sarff" to no avail. A call to Velospeed elicited the info that they were prepared to drive down to sunny Horndean from north of Newbury, with the only one they had in stock. For the princely sum of £30 which I reckon is a bargain.

Nick of Velospeed duly arrived today with the bike fully prepped and charged, ready to go. A quick troll around my cul-de-sac with the tilting mechanism locked caused me to doubt my ability to ride even a three wheeler! Nick was very concerned, but I assured him I would be fine. As he reluctantly drove away, I discovered my mistake and, by unlocking the tilt, I managed to get on just fine . Thanks Nick and Velospeed!!! Excellent service and advice!!!

I think I'll start a blog to let you all know how I get on.

BTW, thanks to all for your other input. I appreciate it immensely.

/\/\artyn

 

[Blew it]

Good result! glad to hear you found a machine which suits your needs. I remember the dealer in Swindon managed to get hold of two of those trikes back in the Summer. One was spoken for, and the other sold a few days later.

Have fun with your new friend.

Regards
Bob