Is an ebike for me?

[DBrown67]

Well thanks for the replies peeps. I've done a bit more research today regarding storage possibilities. It seems that last year 110 bikes were stolen from Leeds campus. And the number that were locked with a D-lock was.... zero. There are cycling cages available on campus but I don't know any details.

One thing we do have in Leeds though is a Cycle Point. It's a Dutch style thing where people can cycle into Leeds and park their bikes. There's an Evans store inside it so it's manned through the day. It does cost... £140 for a year pass.

It's based at the train station which is about 10-15 mins walk across town. I suppose that's more exercise but decent peace of mind.

Well I better test ride that bike then and see how it goes from there.

 

[2Lazy]

There are lots of people here who can advise you on suitable bikes in your budget - of which there are plenty - but I'd avoid Halfords if I were you. Better to buy from a local bike shop and if possible an ebike specialist.

As has already been mentioned, aside from the choice of bike, security should be your number one priority. If you haven't already done so investigate secure cycle storage. I work for a university and we have secure cycle storage for staff but it's hidden away and you wouldn't know about it unless you specifically asked the security/facilities department. Also look to see if the local council has any nearby secure cycle storage facilities. Above all else make sure your bike is insured and you use at least two very good quality locks (these will cost upwards of £100 for the pair) and lock the bike properly through frame and wheel to an immovable object (there are plenty of YouTube videos on this). You may be able to insure the bike on your home contents policy but check the small print. If not a separate policy will probably cost around £80 but it would be madness not to insure the bike in your situation. Before I knew that I had secure cycle storage available at my destination I was considering a covert GPS anti-theft device, there are several on the market now, I'm not sure how reliable they are but its something to consider if security is an issue e.g., http://www.spybike.com/ https://boomerangbike.com/how-it-works/. Also if you work in an office and you have the space then it might be worth considering a folding bike which you can keep in the office, Woosh do a full-size MTB style folding bike, the Zephyr-B which might fit your needs http://wooshbikes.co.uk/?zephyr-b

I commute on my ebike and in terms of clothing you'll just need a rain jacket big enough to go over your regular jacket/coat, some waterproof over trousers, and some gloves. For winter I'd also recommend some padded/insulated over trousers and some thick gloves.

It goes without saying that you'll also need a helmet and lights - most ebikes come with lights, for commuting it's useful to have integrated lights which run directly from the main bike battery as you then don't have to worry about replacing batteries or recharching etc.

Finally I'd say, go for it, I've been commuting on my ebike for the past year and it's still the part of my day that I look forward to the most. Even the winter whether hasn't put me off.

 

[Danidl]

There are lots of people here who can advise you on suitable bikes in your budget - of which there are plenty - but I'd avoid Halfords if I were you. Better to buy from a local bike shop and if possible an ebike specialist.

As has already been mentioned, aside from the choice of bike, security should be your number one priority. If you haven't already done so investigate secure cycle storage. I work for a university and we have secure cycle storage for staff but it's hidden away and you wouldn't know about it unless you specifically asked the security/facilities department. Also look to see if the local council has any nearby secure cycle storage facilities. Above all else make sure your bike is insured and you use at least two very good quality locks (these will cost upwards of £100 for the pair) and lock the bike properly through frame and wheel to an immovable object (there are plenty of YouTube videos on this). You may be able to insure the bike on your home contents policy but check the small print. If not a separate policy will probably cost around £80 but it would be madness not to insure the bike in your situation. Before I knew that I had secure cycle storage available at my destination I was considering a covert GPS anti-theft device, there are several on the market now, I'm not sure how reliable they are but its something to consider if security is an issue e.g., http://www.spybike.com/ https://boomerangbike.com/how-it-works/. Also if you work in an office and you have the space then it might be worth considering a folding bike which you can keep in the office, Woosh do a full-size MTB style folding bike, the Zephyr-B which might fit your needs http://wooshbikes.co.uk/?zephyr-b

I commute on my ebike and in terms of clothing you'll just need a rain jacket big enough to go over your regular jacket/coat, some waterproof over trousers, and some gloves. For winter I'd also recommend some padded/insulated over trousers and some thick gloves.

It goes without saying that you'll also need a helmet and lights - most ebikes come with lights, for commuting it's useful to have integrated lights which run directly from the main bike battery as you then don't have to worry about replacing batteries or recharching etc.

Finally I'd say, go for it, I've been commuting on my ebike for the past year and it's still the part of my day that I look forward to the most. Even the winter whether hasn't put me off.

Lights are a necessity, I would however have reservations on the requirements for an adult to need a helmet. Cycling is no faster than running, and we do not see Runners or even hurdles athletes with helmets. Children under 10 with soft skulls yes . It is implying that it is more dangerous.than it is.
I e cycled into my college for a number of years and was fortunate to have a ground floor office, so security was not a problem.
I might beg to differ in regard to lights, the most convenient arrangement is a dynamo, even were the battery to fail it would still operate. But that is a matter of preference.

 

[D8ve]

Lights, helmet, mudguards,rack and lock. All required on a commuter.
Cyclists get hit by cars. And 15 mph on ice can hurt too. Protecting your brain is a no brainer, helmets make a big difference.
Below was 17 mph,4*4 broken arm and bloody nose. (On cycle path)
No helmet it could have been worse.

 

[Trevormonty]

I've always worn a helmet and my wife's crash proved how important it is.
She had low speed crash just cycling at 10km/h on smooth cycleway, front wheel caught edge of path and she did a face plant. She had massive black eye and was slightly concussed. Luckily I'd just bought her a new helmet and fitted correctly. Helmet took brunt of impact on temple region and side of her face rest. If helmet hadn't been fitted correctly I doubt it would've protected her.

 

[Trevormonty]

.

 

[Mac_user82]

if you buy two Kryptonite D-Locks and lock one to a back wheel and done to the front wheel i should of thought you won't really get many problems because they are one of the strongest locks on the market
and the come under gold rating too.

i would also suggest buying a pinhead seat post lock to stop people from stealing your seat from your bike or either take it with you when you have parked up which is another way of looking at it too.

i always have pin head quick release wheels because i have expensive set of wheels if i ever had to leave my bike somewhere i know they couldn't steal the wheels because they require a key to get them off too

 

[Woosh]

When they can't take your battery, they'll nick things like LCD, saddle and post, lights, wheels and even skewers.
That's why commuter bikes need to have functional components and not flashy.

 

[Fordulike]

I never leave my Scott E sub Sport 2015 nowhere out of eye view because due to that fact someone could come up too it and cut the wires on the bike and then their would be no assistance

Cable cutters are ebike cyclists worse nightmare if someone wanted to steal your bike and couldn't because you have good lock on it they would just cut your power wires

For me it would cost me a lot of money to put my bike right if they did that to me

Wow, you have a lot of faith in the human race lol

 

[JimRides]

...Also if you work in an office and you have the space then it might be worth considering a folding bike which you can keep in the office, Woosh do a full-size MTB style folding bike, the Zephyr-B which might fit your needs http://wooshbikes.co.uk/?zephyr-b

I'll just echo this - my e-bike is a folder and lives under my desk at work during the day. Saves a lot of worries.

 

[Woosh]

Question: which battery position is the best for a commuting bike?
I reckon in-frame and lockable is best. You have to fold the bike to access the lock.

This is the 12AH in-frame battery in the Woosh Zephyr. Charging port, on/off switch and 5V USB power outlet.

 

[DBrown67]

Test rode the Carrera Crossfire today. Only intended to cycle round the city centre a bit but ended up doing 15 miles. That's the longest I;ve been on a bike in 20 years! I really enjoyed it... but I can feel it a bit now even with the assistance I had. But it was great.

I deliberately kept to ECO mode nearly all the time. Some time with it off altogether. Left the shop with 3 bars showing and returned it with 2 bars left. So I reckon I'd only need to charge maybe once a week on my commute. I really was impressed with it but I'd be easily impressed with most bikes as I'm not a cycling fan really. But I do appreciate you get what you pay for really.

My main concern with an expensive bike is of course security. I did see a chap today locking his electric bike up with three locks. One Kryptonite lock for the frame and secondary D-locks on each wheel. He didn't take his battery either but that was a smaller cheaper looking model.

Circumstances may dictate that I need a folding bike so this Sunday I'm gonna test ride a Brompton. Not electric of course but that will give me a comparison for electric or not. Kind of.

 

[2Lazy]

Glad you enjoyed the test ride. It's worth testing a few bikes before you make a decision. Also bear in mind that the battery should be charged after every use if at all possible i.e., when you get home every night. This will ensure that you have plenty of juice in the tank and you'll greatly increase the lifespan of your battery.

 

[Danidl]

Question: which battery position is the best for a commuting bike?
I reckon in-frame and lockable is best. You have to fold the bike to access the lock.

This is the 12AH in-frame battery in the Woosh Zephyr. Charging port, on/off switch and 5V USB power outlet.

...That's a very neat structure. However I think that easily demountable batteries are more convenient. Not all users have power points adjacent to their bikes

 

[Danidl]

Test rode the Carrera Crossfire today. Only intended to cycle round the city centre a bit but ended up doing 15 miles. That's the longest I;ve been on a bike in 20 years! I really enjoyed it... but I can feel it a bit now even with the assistance I had. But it was great.

I deliberately kept to ECO mode nearly all the time. Some time with it off altogether. Left the shop with 3 bars showing and returned it with 2 bars left. So I reckon I'd only need to charge maybe once a week on my commute. I really was impressed with it but I'd be easily impressed with most bikes as I'm not a cycling fan really. But I do appreciate you get what you pay for really.

My main concern with an expensive bike is of course security. I did see a chap today locking his electric bike up with three locks. One Kryptonite lock for the frame and secondary D-locks on each wheel. He didn't take his battery either but that was a smaller cheaper looking model.

Circumstances may dictate that I need a folding bike so this Sunday I'm gonna test ride a Brompton. Not electric of course but that will give me a comparison for electric or not. Kind of.

.. There are electric kit s for brompton

 

[Danidl]

Test rode the Carrera Crossfire today. Only intended to cycle round the city centre a bit but ended up doing 15 miles. That's the longest I;ve been on a bike in 20 years! I really enjoyed it... but I can feel it a bit now even with the assistance I had. But it was great.

I deliberately kept to ECO mode nearly all the time. Some time with it off altogether. Left the shop with 3 bars showing and returned it with 2 bars left. So I reckon I'd only need to charge maybe once a week on my commute. I really was impressed with it but I'd be easily impressed with most bikes as I'm not a cycling fan really. But I do appreciate you get what you pay for really.

My main concern with an expensive bike is of course security. I did see a chap today locking his electric bike up with three locks. One Kryptonite lock for the frame and secondary D-locks on each wheel. He didn't take his battery either but that was a smaller cheaper looking model.

Circumstances may dictate that I need a folding bike so this Sunday I'm gonna test ride a Brompton. Not electric of course but that will give me a comparison for electric or not. Kind of.

....Were you to get that bike, the best option would be to recharge it daily, not weekly. Explained in simple terms structures In side the battery expand and contract as the state of charge changes , these structures are rigid and the cycles cause deterioration. Keeping the battery close to the same level reduces this wear.

 

[Audio2]

Wq


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Woosh]

...That's a very neat structure. However I think that easily demountable batteries are more convenient. Not all users have power points adjacent to their bikes

The in-frame battery has a normal lock.
You can unlock and remove it like all the other lockable batteries to charge it up indoors for example.
The advantage of in-frame battery is that the lock is protected by the frame.
When you lock your bike to a bike stand, keep the chain side to the stand, that will stop the bike from being folded. If the thief can't drill the lock, he can't nick the battery.
You don't have to take the battery out and carry it with you when you only go shopping.