I could do with a bit of advice please

[frothycoffee]

Hi I am new to the forum and new to ebikes I am thinking of getting an electric bike for the first time I have been looking around the internet.

I have tried out a Giant twist and I am going to try a Powabyke X6 Low Step tomorrow The first person I saw at the giant shop was very helpful but when I went back to look at the bike again today I saw somone else and he said I was wasting my money on an ebike even though this bike was a bit more than my budget, so now I am really confused because there are a lot of people on this forum who obviously like ebikes. I could do with a bit of advice on a good bike for me. I am able to spend between £500 - £1000

Thanks in advance

Dot

 

[Morag]

It might help if you explained what sort of biking you do the most, i.e. commuting, leisure etc. This might help in people recommending a more suitable bike. Do you need to have a folder what height are you that sort of thing, and basically what you want out of your ebike.

 

[garrence]

Waste of money compared to what?

A normal bike? Would you use it? The great thing about ebikes is you can use the motor on the hills that would otherwise make you out of breath and make your muscles ache. So you can go a lot further with less effort, and be more inclined to do so because there's no pain. I did a 44 mile ride a couple of weeks after getting mine, from a position of being unfit with little cycling over the last few years. I arrived back feeling like I could do it again (although probably couldn't!)

A car? You'll get 500 miles of travel for £1 of fuel on an ebike. The more car journies you replace then the more it pays back!

So it depends how much you'll use it. I think they're great fun and want to ride mine all the time. It's great for getting out of Sheffield, exploring the Peak District and actually getting to see what's around me!

I've also got a second hand multigym off ebay which together with the ebike means I can cancel the gym membership (never used anyway). I'm getting a lot fitter!

Remember to budget for the extras....

A decent lock or two @ £80 each. Abus ones are good. They all only slow a thief down by a few minutes and you're best off having two of different types if you do need to leave it somewhere exposed.

Helmet £35

Some all-seasons dry lube for the chain £9 (lasts ages)

Puncture repair kit, pump and spare inner tube £25. I'd recommend getting a bike with good tyres (Schwalbe Marathon Plus for on-road use) that are very puncture resistant, they'll save effort and money over time.

A little multitool (hex keys and screwdrivers) £5.

Some bikes have fitted lights that run off the battery, some don't.

You might want a rack bag or panniers to carry stuff.

Perhaps a bottle cage and bottle? £7

Your bum will ache before your legs. You can go a lot further with some well fitting padded shorts. £20+ depending on quality.

You might want a bright waterproof top.

A little cycle computer to tell you how fast you're going, how far etc?

Wiggle is good for checking out stuff to buy. Decathlon are OK for cheap stuff. You don't need to spend masses if you buy from a cheap source but it does add up at first.

 

[frothycoffee]

Hi sorry I didnt explain myself better I want a bike just for leisure really. I have angina so I get a bit scared to push myself too much although I want to get some exercise I find I cant get a decent distance at the moment before it gets a chore and is no longer a plesure. This is the main reason I want to switch to an electric bike. I am 5ft 5" and I am retired

Dot

 

[Morag]

I'm sure someone will be along shortly with some other ebikes names for you to try.

I'm new to ebiking myself so unfortunatley I'm unfamiliar with most of the makes etc, I was unfit with asthma and needed help with hills hence the ebike, love every minute of it and although I plumped for the cheap end of the market it's done the job I wanted it to so far without fault.

 

[Grizzly Bear]

Hello Dot
don't listen to that guy in the shop, electric bikes are great, but don't rush in and get the wrong one for you, take your time and try as many as you can.

Griz

 

[Vikki]

I echo what the others have said and I add that I think it is very wise of you to go this route given your angina. It is a nice, gentle form of exercise and lets you cover longer distances with pleasure. make sure you get a bike that can do distance (that's the X6 out). What you don't want is to run out of juice a fair way from home as electrics can be heavy brutes to pedal.

You might just possibly want to think spare battery but that won't half bang the price up. I know my bike can do more than 30 miles on an 18 month old battery so I call 30 mile total distance the limit unless I'm prepared to pedal some myself to extend the range.

36V, 14Ah lithium has a good range on it. Steer clear of lead acid (SLA).

There are lots of people on here with a variety of different bikes and we'll all tout our own ones or the ones we like which is why I'll also echo - Try some out and see what suits you

Best regards.

Vikki.

 

[garrence]

I'd recommend getting a bike with good tyres (Schwalbe Marathon Plus for on-road use) that are very puncture resistant, they'll save effort and money over time.

You mentioned leisure use so you might be planning to cycle some trails as well as road?

Those Schwalbe road tyres are excellent on road but terrible off road. Mine slide out to the side on gravel, sand or mud. Off road (mountain bike) tyres are much more knobbly so they grip properly. Road tyres have less friction so go faster.

Have you looked at your local cycle maps to work out some routes? The OpenStreetMap cycle map is good in many areas. It's made by volunteers out on their bikes with GPS recorders so you might find your area hasn't been covered yet.

OpenCycleMap.org - the OpenStreetMap Cycle Map

BikeHike is good for route planning too. Both seem a bit slow for me tonight.