Is size everything?

[Rad]

Apologies if this has been covered before, I did do a search of the forum first and couldn't find anything related to my specific question.

I'm very new to the concept of e-biking. I've been a commuting cyclist since I was in my 20's mainly on mountain bikes, before deciding to grow up and get a hybrid. I have a 21" frame Claude Butler which I always suspected was a bit too big for me. (shop I bought it from were no help when I asked about frame size) I always found it very difficult to chuck into corners and quite often used to catch the pedals on the ground when leaning into a bend too.

As I'm now considering e-biking due to my commute having effectively doubled I've been looking at both the Powabyke x-bike and the Powacycle infineum. The reason I'm considering these machines is price (sub £1k) and style. I like that they look like a normal bike. I'm not so bothered about hiding the fact that they're electric, it's just they look like my sort of machine. I'd consider a pro-connect or agattu but they're totally out of my price range.

Seeing as I'm considering dropping a grand on a bike I need to be sure it's right for me. £250.00 on a bike that's too big is an expensive mistake. £1000.00 on something that's unsuitable would be an absolute disaster! So my first question is this...

If I went for an X-Bike would I be better off with the 21" frame or the 18"?
I've used the frame size calculator at Totalbike.com and that came up with 20" as my ideal frame size. Unfortunately the x-bike doesn't have that option.

My other dilemma is gearing. My current ride (well it was until I was relocated) is a 21 speed jobby and I only really used the front two cogs and probably no less than the rear highest four, but I like the comfort of lots of gears (I feel like Tim Allen in Home Improvement "MORE POWER!") so for that reason I was looking at the 24 speed x-bike over the 6 speed. If I go for a 21 inch frame then I'm having 24 gears. If after reading the advice I hope to get from my fellow members, I realise that I need the 18 inch frame then I only have the choice of a six speed and I just can't get my head around it.

Say if the battery fails, will a six speed be geared well enough to get me home on shanks? Or will I be a very sorry very sweaty e-bike rider pedalling like billy-o and getting nowhere fast?

Sorry to dump this on you, but I've been reading the forum for a few weeks and I know there are some incredibly knowledgeable people hereabouts. I'd really appreciate your advice and input.

Cheers

Rad.

 

[flecc]

On frame size it's obviously safer to go for the one that will definitely be reachable, since any fine adjustment can be on the seat stem and handlebars. On that basis the 18" seems to be the safe choice.

It's difficult to answer the other question without knowing your hills. In general I think e-bikes don't need many gears, 24 speed seems a huge overkill, and both my bikes are six speed. However, I make sure that I don't run out of battery and my bottom gears are megarange ones anyway so fairly low.

If your hills are a bit tough and there's a possibility of running out of juice, certainly a possibility on the small battery X bike, the 24 speed is the safe bet, though you'll normally only be using the top four or so. Just a pity it's quite a jump in price for that facility.
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[Rad]

Thanks for answering flecc I really appreciate it. I thought the 18 inch frame would probably be the correct choice for the reasons you mention. Hill wise? Well, I live on the outskirts of Norwich. Norfolk itself is always considered a very flat place but Norwich has some killer hills. I've cycled them with no assistance with the exception of Kett's Hill (which looks to be a b'stard! And one I'd have to deal with) and believe me, I felt like I'd had a workout every time. But e-bikes do seem to do most of the work on hills, so really I'm trying to tap up the experiences of seasoned e-bikers like yourself. I'm not scared of putting effort in, I quite regularly used to get over 17 mph+ on the flat in good conditions when riding my hybrid but I am looking at a 15 mile+ round trip commute compared to a 9-10 mile one and I don't feel I'm up to it right now. Especially considering the lay off from cycling I've had in the last five months since my forced relocation.

I have to admit my ignorance when it comes to gearing. What does megarange mean?

 

[Phil the drill]

Hi Rad,

Megarange is just an ordinary freewheel cassette, but with a large jump to a very low bottom gear designed to help on those challenging hills - typically its a 34t sprocket. Depending on your chainring size this can give you a very low gear for getting heavy loads (an electric bike?) up the steep stuff, especially when the lights go out....
Incidentally have you considered the Trek Cytronex ebike? It seems to tick all your boxes, very light for an ebike, totally conventional looking, fast charging, apparently very quick and available in a range of frame sizes. Last I looked it was available for a tad under £1000.00 too. I haven't ridden one (or seen one close up) but they got very good reviews in A to B mag., and several proud buyers have posted favourable reviews on this site. If you can get to Winchester, I gather it is possible to arrange a test ride, which is always a good idea if you are going to blow a £1000.

Cheers, Phil

 

[Rad]

Phil, cheers for the explanation on megarange. I have indeed looked at the cytronex and like the look of the bike, and the opinions expressed by other members.
But I did note that it's not available on the Cycle2work scheme. I can't afford to drop a grand all at once on a bike. So cycle2work is my only practical way of getting my mitts on an e-bike. My firm will only deal with Halfords, who to be fair have tried to source both the infineum and the x-bike. The x-bike is a go, the infineum is still to be launched so is currently unavailable. From reading the pedelec forum I see that Cytronex aren't part of the cycle2work scheme, but I didn't even think to ask Halfords about sourcing it so will do so as soon as I can.

Once again thanks for taking the time to pass on your advice. I'm very much a newbie to this arena and really appreciate the help I'm getting.

Cheers

Rad.

 

[frank9755]

As Flecc says, it's probably safer to go for the smaller frame size. Frame size, however, is not the universal measurement that it used to be, with compact frames and every manufacturer seeming to define it differently, so it is not possible to compare sizes between different bikes with much confidence. But if you have a smaller frame you can always add long seat posts to get the right adjustment. However getting the handlebars higher is often not so easy. So, if you have particularly long reach relative to height and/or want to get your bars as high as possible, you might consider the larger frame - otherwise I'd go for the smaller one.

Regarding grounding pedals on corners, I wouldn't blame that on the bike size. More likely its adjusting to a different style of bike. Mountain bikes usually have high bottom bracket clearance, for getting over rocks, etc. Your hybrid most likely had the bottom bracket, and hence pedals, lower to the ground. Being used to on-road bikes, I instinctively stop pedalling on a corner, and raise my inside pedal, to avoid grounding.

 

[Rad]

Cheers Frank, I did start coming across a lot of the different ways that manufacturers measure frame size when trying to find a formula to help me work out my ideal frame size.

Funnily enough my ideal frame is 20". A few years ago I purchased a mountain bike from a local bike dealer who refused to sell me a bike I really wanted (some Daewoo jobby) because the frame looked to be too large for me. He had a look around his showroom, selected a Barracuda with a 20" and told me to give it a go. It was spot on and I bought it (it was also cheaper than the Daewoo bike).

That same dealer is now a dealer for Powabyke, I went and had a chat with him today as I knew he was getting in a 21" frame x-bike. I was totally honest with him about the Halfords thing, but he was more than happy to let me have a test ride on the x-bike when it comes in. I'm hoping that as the he's the local powabyke dealer Halfords will have to source my machine via his shop, because he really is a great guy.