Honest Advice Needed

[Oil_Refugee]

Dear All
In June I intend to purchase an electric bike, the trouble is Ive only narrowed it down to about 6 models and Im not sure if they will fit the bill.
This is where the advice is needed, so I will break down the requirements into areas.
1. The Commute.
Its 18 miles each way with no hills to speak of, but being near the coast it can get a bit windy especially in the winter months.
I intend to to use the bike all year round in all weathers 5 days a week.
2. The Bike Requirements.
I intend to pedal a lot of the time but it would be nice occasionally to twist and go(if Ive got a cold in the winter months etc. but this is not essential)
As for charging the battery I can do this at work(it would be nice to be able to charge just once at work for the whole 36 miles)
Part of the journey is on private roads so the ability to go faster than 15mph would be good(either by button or by modification)
It needs to look like a bike!!!
3. Me.
6' 3" weighing in at 105kg fairly fit
4. The Budget.
£1700ish could go more but it would take some persuasion in the wife department.

I think thats it. I wont put the details of the bikes Im looking at, as Im open to any suggestions.
If I had to name one thing it would be speed(top end assisted 20mph ish)
Thanks in advance.
Graham

 

[Xcytronex]

Wisper fit all your requirements.

 

[fishingpaul]

Go and try for yourself prestigne is weeks away,honestly you get so many people reccomending what is good for them,but this is not the way to pick the best bike for you.

 

[Oil_Refugee]

I must admit i am looking at going to the event in a couple of weeks, i just wanted some unbiased info before i go. Im sure all the sales people will tell me theirs is the best for me.
I do like the look of the 905 se sport...

 

[Xcytronex]

I must admit i am looking at going to the event in a couple of weeks, i just wanted some unbiased info before i go. Im sure all the sales people will tell me theirs is the best for me.
I do like the look of the 905 se sport...

I'e never ridden a Wisper only Cytronex-Torq 1- Ecolux Tornado-Giant La free-Powabyke.Never sold a Wisper either --it still fits all of your requirements.

 

[fishingpaul]

If you like to pedal along at a slow easy going cadence and do not want speed,look at kalkhoff,emotion,yamaha or other panasonic powered bikes,if you like to pedal as hard and fast as you can,with the option to take a break and let the motor take over then a hub powered bike wisper or ezee,or far cheaper alien may be worth looking at,unbiased opinion as best bike i have ever ridden is an derestricted ezee.

 

[Old Timer]

Dear All
In June I intend to purchase an electric bike, the trouble is Ive only narrowed it down to about 6 models and Im not sure if they will fit the bill.
This is where the advice is needed, so I will break down the requirements into areas.
1. The Commute.
Its 18 miles each way with no hills to speak of, but being near the coast it can get a bit windy especially in the winter months.
I intend to to use the bike all year round in all weathers 5 days a week.
2. The Bike Requirements.
I intend to pedal a lot of the time but it would be nice occasionally to twist and go(if Ive got a cold in the winter months etc. but this is not essential)
As for charging the battery I can do this at work(it would be nice to be able to charge just once at work for the whole 36 miles)
Part of the journey is on private roads so the ability to go faster than 15mph would be good(either by button or by modification)
It needs to look like a bike!!!
3. Me.
6' 3" weighing in at 105kg fairly fit
4. The Budget.
£1700ish could go more but it would take some persuasion in the wife department.

I think thats it. I wont put the details of the bikes Im looking at, as Im open to any suggestions.
If I had to name one thing it would be speed(top end assisted 20mph ish)
Thanks in advance.
Graham

Hiya Graham

I`ve never ridden a wisper but the 14Amp battery should give you your 36 mile a day coverage and from what I read on here the back up is great.

I have a Powertrek that is relatively unkown and i reckon out of it`s 36V 10 amp battery I should be able to get around 25 miles.

I also have converted my 20 year old Evans MTB with an alien kit (36v 10amp) I`ve never run the battery into the ground so someone like NRG would probably give you the low down on the mileage but what I will say is that on a decent MTB the kit works a treat and I eat the miles up and I`d be surprised if you were far short of your 36 miles on one charge that you are looking for. What I have learnt so far is to keep the bike light. I`m not sure just how much a decent MTB costs nowdays (I would think that £4-500 would get you a decent bike) + the £450 for the easily fitted kit. You don`t need IMHO a triple front chain ring because if you have a decent spread of gears with a decent low 1st gear then anything you can`t ride up would be quite steep. With a conversion kit you get to choose the bike that fits and suits you which seems to be seldom the case with proper E bikes. Another advantage if you are fairly fit is that you can remove the battery and apart from the weight of the front wheel hub you will have a MTB( there is no or very little drag from the Alien Barfang hub) and there back up service is second to none.
Just a thought if you want to save some money and have a fast reliable commuter. I`m not very fit and am retired but can push the conversion along on the flat at around 20mph and 22mph (or there abouts) using the throttle whilst pedalling.

Hope it helps

Dave

 

[Cyclezee]

Hi Graham,

To meet your criteria, my choices would be as follows.

A Kalkhoff Pro Connect S (way over budget at £2595, but very well built), and from Ezee, a Torq II, Forza or Sprint GTS with a 14 Ah battery, or a bike of your choice fitted with a Bionx PL350 kit.

All of them are or can be derestricted, have a throttle and are capable of 20+ mph, but, unfortunately all would be illegal to ride on public roads

If you live anywhere near Milton Keynes, PM me.

J hn

 

[Oil_Refugee]

Thanks everyone there is some really good advice here. I must admit I didn't even consider kits but I will give them a good looking at.
I do like the look of the Torq and the Kalkhoff, choices choices.
Off to do some research.

 

[TopCat]

Thanks everyone there is some really good advice here. I must admit I didn't even consider kits but I will give them a good looking at.
I do like the look of the Torq and the Kalkhoff, choices choices.
Off to do some research.

Hi Graham,
Now that you have considered kits, what about a Cyclone kit? Im actually thinking of getting one of these kits myself - once I have the money. Of course i'd want more ooumph so i'll be going forthe 900Watt job

Electric bicycle DIY kits kit NuVinci Electric bicycle DIY kits kit NuVinci Electric bicycle DIY kits kit NuVinci Electric bicycle DIY kits kit NuVinci Electric bicycle DIY kits kit NuVinci Electric bicycle DIY kits kit NuVinci Electric bicycle DIY k

UK Site.
eclipsebikes.com| bikes | electric bike kits | Pedal | Power

There are various Volt/Watt powered kits. Here are a few youtube videos plus a 500Watt kit build.

Cyclone 500W e-bike kit in action - 42km/h on flat!
YouTube - Cyclone 500W e-bike kit in action - 42km/h on flat!


Diamondback Ebike with 500w cyclone motor part 1
YouTube - Diamondback Ebike with 500w cyclone motor part 1

Diamondback Ebike with 500w cyclone motor part 2
YouTube - Diamondback Ebike with 500w cyclone motor part 2

Diamondback Ebike with 500w cyclone motor part 3
YouTube - Diamondback Ebike with 500w cyclone motor part 3

Kit Build (From Endless-sphere.com).
Endless-sphere.com • View topic - eeesickle - 500w Cyclone (Warning: Pic Overload)

At the end of the day its all about choice and what suites your needs?

Regards
Tom

PS...

This last one's a little over the top but worth a look. Cyclone's double 1000A motorized kit with speed up to 120km/h ( 75mph).
YouTube - The fastest e-bike. Speed 120km/h ( 75mph)

 

[fishingpaul]

Hi Graham,

To meet your criteria, my choices would be as follows.

A Kalkhoff Pro Connect S (way over budget at £2595, but very well built), and from Ezee, a Torq II, Forza or Sprint GTS with a 14 Ah battery, or a bike of your choice fitted with a Bionx PL350 kit.

All of them are or can be derestricted, have a throttle and are capable of 20+ mph, but, unfortunately all would be illegal to ride on public roads

If you live anywhere near Milton Keynes, PM me.

J hn

Just for your information graham,john (aldby) has probably owned more electric bikes than anybody else in england,and would have more honest opinions of how they compare in every day use.

 

[Cyclezee]

Just for your information graham,john (aldby) has probably owned more electric bikes than anybody else in england,and would have more honest opinions of how they compare in every day use.

Thanks for that Fishingpaul.

Again, my personal recommendation for Graham would be hub motor, Ezee Forza, Torq II or Sprint GTS, crank motor Kalkhoff Pro Connect S and for a kit Bionx 350 PL. In my opinion they are the best on the market in their particular categories. Having said that, there is no subistitute for test riding before you buy.

J hn

 

[Tex]

Aldby. What an excellent wish list. Have the 350, so a customized pro connect s for next, then!

 

[Cyclezee]

If considering a kit, you can of course, also a include the tried and tested one from Ezee. The 350 watt motor version can be imported from the U.S., but the 250 watt is also excellent.

J hn

 

[Oil_Refugee]

Thanks Aldby and everyone,
Its great that you can get this kind of advice for free.
Just one question with regards to kit or complete bike.
The Bionx looks a great piece of kit and well made, (not to sound like Harry Hill) but which is best with regards to the motor and controls.
I suppose Im saying Bionx or torqII or would it be just down to preference.

 

[Tex]

in addition to 4 regen levels, 4 assist levels, the throttle the 8-bar battery indicator, run down time and cycle computer functions here's all the ways you can program you bionx console

2001: KM or Miles
2002: Generative Breaking
2003: Time last with the battery
2004: Clock
2005: Wheel size
2006: Programming brake sensor
2007: Polarity throttle (0-5volt or 5-0volt)

3771: wheel size
3772: diagnostic mode
3773: max speed
3775: throttle max speed
3776: Speed that motor will start
5000: Full reset
1976: motor direction
1234: sensor speed signal; 1= slow 5= fast
1970: Configuration activation backlight ad DCDC automatic
0007: Sensor signal gain, 0.1 to 4.0
0008: Configuration of extra assistance 1.0 to 4.0

 

[FrankieXu]

Dear All
In June I intend to purchase an electric bike, the trouble is Ive only narrowed it down to about 6 models and Im not sure if they will fit the bill.
This is where the advice is needed, so I will break down the requirements into areas.
1. The Commute.
Its 18 miles each way with no hills to speak of, but being near the coast it can get a bit windy especially in the winter months.
I intend to to use the bike all year round in all weathers 5 days a week.
2. The Bike Requirements.
I intend to pedal a lot of the time but it would be nice occasionally to twist and go(if Ive got a cold in the winter months etc. but this is not essential)
As for charging the battery I can do this at work(it would be nice to be able to charge just once at work for the whole 36 miles)
Part of the journey is on private roads so the ability to go faster than 15mph would be good(either by button or by modification)
It needs to look like a bike!!!
3. Me.
6' 3" weighing in at 105kg fairly fit
4. The Budget.
£1700ish could go more but it would take some persuasion in the wife department.

I think thats it. I wont put the details of the bikes Im looking at, as Im open to any suggestions.
If I had to name one thing it would be speed(top end assisted 20mph ish)
Thanks in advance.
Graham

I suggest if you would look out our model, we will soon update our website with the details ( it is not on our website yet, we think it is a different league). Reason being: it fits your requirement with half of your budget.

Just got my company car, so will be able to drop by perhaps and let you test ride it.

No obligation at all, I just want to know what people think as many people in this forum know exactly what they want from an electric bike just like you.

Perhaps you can share with others your review on your test ride.

Best wishes.

 

[Xcytronex]

I suggest if you would look out our model, we will soon update our website with the details ( it is not on our website yet, we think it is a different league). Reason being: it fits your requirement with half of your budget.

Just got my company car, so will be able to drop by perhaps and let you test ride it.

No obligation at all, I just want to know what people think as many people in this forum know exactly what they want from an electric bike just like you.

Perhaps you can share with others your review on your test ride.

Best wishes.

If you are around Guildford Surrey this week -I would love to test your new bike !!!!!! Please pm if interested.