Looking for a new e-bike

[bradgirl]

Hi All

I'm back on the forum after many years away... Bought my first e-bike in April 2011 and can see that things have moved on a lot since then! Mine was a JuicyBike Sport and I loved it but then I moved to a new area where I could use a 'normal' bike so sold it 3 years ago.

But now I'm back in the market... My work has moved and I have a 15 mile round trip commute to contend with and want an e-bike to help me get to work without being completely sweaty and tired!

The route I will take is on road and towpaths and cycle paths, with lots of quite big hills and also gentle gradients. And lots of potholes because it's England...

I'm willing to pay a bit more this time if necessary and want something that I can put a child seat on the back of. I live quite near all terrain cycles and also can easily get to an Evans so I think they are my options for purchasing if I don't go online.

I'm leaning towards Trek or Cube bikes (for women) and wondered if anyone had any pearls of wisdom to help me make a decision on what to go for? I know I want a hybrid rather than a pure road or mountain bike.

Let me know your thoughts guys

 

[JuicyBike]

Cycling Weekly list their 5 best for 2017
They don't list Trek or Cube amongst those five though...
I have my reasons for pointing you in their direction and hope you can understand why
Pleased you enjoyed your Juicy Sport Bradgirl.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Sorry Bob, but that article from Cycling Weekly reads like the office boy, who had never heard of an ebike, was told to research them for his homework and publish an article the next day. I've never read so much crap about ebikes in a professional publication before.

That's not to say that your bike doesn't deserve some acclaim. The trouble is that when they publish so much drivel, the validity of the claims about your bike become questionable.

 

[JuicyBike]

Sorry Bob, but that article from Cycling Weekly reads like the office boy, who had never heard of an ebike, was told to research them for his homework and publish an article the next day. I've never read so much crap about ebikes in a professional publication before.

That's not to say that your bike doesn't deserve some acclaim. The trouble is that when they publish so much drivel, the validity of the claims about your bike become questionable.

Nick Busca rode ours for three weeks around south London and Guildford. He's a rider rather than a technician with a particular interest in commuting cycling.
Here's another article of his for the BBC

But let's not divert this thread just because of my cheeky post (apologies for that Bradgirl). Can you advise on the Cube and Trek bikes?

 

[Electric Transport Shop]

Hi Bradgirl, I would say for value for money go for Cube (but I'm biased as you'll see). Here are the urban models from Cube. Some of these should prove interesting. We always do our best deals for pedelec members so get in touch if you need any advice or want to discuss an Evans beating deal.

 

[RobF]

You won't go wrong with either a Cube or Trek.

Evans now lists dozens of ebikes, none of which they hill have in stock or even easy access to.

Their own brand Lithium bike is worth a look, it has the Shimano Steps crank drive, which is very similar to the Bosch drive you will find on Cubes.

Not badly priced at £2K, but you may be able to get a Cube for a bit less.

More important will be the style of bike you prefer and the fit of it.

https://www.evanscycles.com/pinnacle-lithium-ion-2017-electric-bike-EV267144

 

[bradgirl]

Thanks Bob, I won't be going for a Juicy this time as I want to try something different

 

[bradgirl]

Hi Bradgirl, I would say for value for money go for Cube (but I'm biased as you'll see). Here are the urban models from Cube. Some of these should prove interesting. We always do our best deals for pedelec members so get in touch if you need any advice or want to discuss an Evans beating deal.

I do prefer the style of the Cube and they all have the Bosch motor I think which I'm leaning towards. I could probably get to York, do you do test rides?

 

[bradgirl]

You won't go wrong with either a Cube or Trek.

Evans now lists dozens of ebikes, none of which they hill have in stock or even easy access to.

Their own brand Lithium bike is worth a look, it has the Shimano Steps crank drive, which is very similar to the Bosch drive you will find on Cubes.

Not badly priced at £2K, but you may be able to get a Cube for a bit less.

More important will be the style of bike you prefer and the fit of it.

https://www.evanscycles.com/pinnacle-lithium-ion-2017-electric-bike-EV267144

Thanks for this. I think I'm too picky with the look of the bike to go for the Lithium although you are right about stock of e-bikes in Evans from what I can see on the website. Most that I like are out of stock or not available until mid May...

 

[Danidl]

I do prefer the style of the Cube and they all have the Bosch motor I think which I'm leaning towards. I could probably get to York, do you do test rides?

... Don't disregard the Raleigh Motus , strong, Bosch drive available in either hub gears or dereilliur. I am a happy user of one

 

[bradgirl]

... Don't disregard the Raleigh Motus , strong, Bosch drive available in either hub gears or dereilliur. I am a happy user of one

Just looked. Again, my pickiness strikes! I like a low crossbar rather than a high crossbar or step through! Thanks for the suggestion though.

 

[bradgirl]

... Don't disregard the Raleigh Motus , strong, Bosch drive available in either hub gears or dereilliur. I am a happy user of one

Just looked. Again, my pickiness strikes! I like a low crossbar rather than a high crossbar or step through! Thanks for the suggestion though.

 

[soundwave]

 

[lohr500]

Hi bradgirl,
If you are close to All Terrain, why not pop in there and see what they have. I called in to Evans in Leeds city centre a few months ago after looking at ebikes on their website and they didn't have a single bike to show me

I was reluctant to visit All Terrain because I felt they would be too specialised and only interested in selling to hard core cyclists.
But how wrong I was. They were really helpful and spent a lot of time explaining different options. No hard sell whatsoever. I tried a couple of different bikes up the hill next to Salts Mill and over the cobbled road outside the shop at speed. After I decided on a 2016 model Cube that was reduced in price, they spent time setting the suspension pressures for my weight and explaining how everything worked. Ant in particular was brilliant.
After initially calling in, I went away to think about it and to check prices online. Their pricing was as competitive as anyone else, and their service was brilliant. Great to know they are local as well, should anything go wrong.

They only seem to stock Cube ebikes in the Saltaire showroom, but a good selection and I did notice a range of women's frames.

I have no connection with All Terrain, but I would recommend them to anyone who asked.

 

[bradgirl]

Now that is nice

 

[bradgirl]

Hi bradgirl,
If you are close to All Terrain, why not pop in there and see what they have. I called in to Evans in Leeds city centre a few months ago after looking at ebikes on their website and they didn't have a single bike to show me

I was reluctant to visit All Terrain because I felt they would be too specialised and only interested in selling to hard core cyclists.
But how wrong I was. They were really helpful and spent a lot of time explaining different options. No hard sell whatsoever. I tried a couple of different bikes up the hill next to Salts Mill and over the cobbled road outside the shop at speed. After I decided on a 2016 model Cube that was reduced in price, they spent time setting the suspension pressures for my weight and explaining how everything worked. Ant in particular was brilliant.
After initially calling in, I went away to think about it and to check prices online. Their pricing was as competitive as anyone else, and their service was brilliant. Great to know they are local as well, should anything go wrong.

They only seem to stock Cube ebikes in the Saltaire showroom, but a good selection and I did notice a range of women's frames.

I have no connection with All Terrain, but I would recommend them to anyone who asked.

Sounds good, thanks for the advice. My biggest issue though is that I emailed them on Tuesday night and still have had no response... I'm not a fan of that sort of customer service.

 

[soundwave]

https://www.e-bikeshop.co.uk/Electric-Bikes-UK-Dealer/Haibike-sDuro-HardLife-4.0-2017-Ladies-eBike?filter=19

 

[Trevormonty]

If commuting and touring is your thing then go for trekking or hybrid with factory fitted mudgaurds, integrated lights (run of main battery) and rack. After riding a FS eMTB and my wife city ebike, realised these extras make huge difference for daily commuting.
A suntour NCX or thudbuster seat post is another must.

You can add IGH to list, great at lights and lower maintenance.

 

[Electric Transport Shop]

I do prefer the style of the Cube and they all have the Bosch motor I think which I'm leaning towards. I could probably get to York, do you do test rides?

Hi Bradgirl, we certainly do offer test rides. We have a large shop full of demo ebikes and the York store manager John is very knowledgable and helpful.

 

[Rohloffboy]

My Son (31) is a Bike Tech at Halfords, and is trying to find out about the Boardman Crank Drive ebike that they will be doing soon, although all that he has found out so far is that it is happening, details are less than scant at the moment.

Will post as when I hear more.