Looking for new fast ebike. So many choices!

[Alan Quay]

Yep, not a problem for me either, it's just a case of reading between the lines.

You are getting way ahead of yourself here. You need to pay more attention to the actual lines, not what you perceive between them.

The OP is (presumably) looking for advice on his/her original topic: 'Looking For a New Fast Ebike'.

It's not helpful to the OP for you to chip in with uniformed conjecture presented as informed opinion.

 

[Shrubser]

Yeah I'm fairly convinced that a full bike is the way forward rather than a bolt on system. The new bikes are just so much more tidy and "complete". I've seen a fair few mountain bikes being suggested but still not too many suggestions for a commuter bike. Is there a reason for that? Also, is there a tried and tested method for de-restricting the Turbo, for off road use.

 

[oldtom]

Electric Hub drives either front or rear wheel, to me seem a real Heath Robinson way of doing things, so I won't be going for that option.

Prolific correspondent here, d8veh, might have a view on that comment but I think you might do well to keep all options open till you have been aboard some of the great EAPCs from which we can choose today.

I like crank-drive bikes with torque sensoring and I still own one. However, I have a couple of very good hub-drives, one of which does a great impression of a crank-drive. Ridden blindfolded, were that possible, you probably couldn't tell the difference, even up steep hills.

Tom

 

[bebbe]

First of all. This ebike thing is absolutely the best thing! I bought my first ebike two years ago. I have always loved to ride bicycles. Both racebikes on the road and mountainbikes in the dirt. But about four years ago I was in an accident that messed my left knee. After a couple of operations it is starting to work ok. But I had a really hard time on longer trips. So I was almost desperate to fix it. That was why I bought my ebike in the first place. It is a comuter. Scott esportster with bosch crank engine. Now after two years my knee is almost back to it's old strong shape. I have been able to make longer trips with my MTB (no ebike). And it manage to commute 45 Miles 3 to 4 times a week without any problems.

But! That ebike "feeling"! The sense of that electric engines torque is almost adictive. Just a week ago I ordered me a new Haibike Sduro Allmtn Plus. It's a Allmountain Fully suspension bike with a Yamaha crank drive. The reason why I shoosed the Yamaha is that the power delivery feels really nice. It's strong and smoth. I know Bosch new system for 2016 is supposed to be as strong as the Yamaha but if you compare the same bikes with same spec the one with Yamaha engines are not as costly as the once with Bosch engines. And as an old cyclist I have big demands on the components. One other benefit I like is the double chainrings in the front.

I want only crankdrived ebikes because I think they give the most feel of ordinary bicycle. Only that you feel as you on steroids [emoji48]

 

[JohnCade]

Yeah I'm fairly convinced that a full bike is the way forward rather than a bolt on system. The new bikes are just so much more tidy and "complete". I've seen a fair few mountain bikes being suggested but still not too many suggestions for a commuter bike. Is there a reason for that? Also, is there a tried and tested method for de-restricting the Turbo, for off road use.

If you want a bike that goes fast a kit on a good quality bike might be a better option. With complete bikes you get what you pay for, and for an everyday commute you want something robust with good components that isn’t going to fall apart after a couple of months. Some of the cheaper bikes are really only good for fun use and won’t take the milage. Look for German or Austrian bikes for that. Kalkhoffs for instance are built like tanks and will take a daily pounding and keep going.

If you want to use a bike that is derestricted it becomes an unregistered uninsurable motor vehicle and not a bicycle or pedelec. That is your choice, but you should know the possible downsides and do it with your eyes open. Like so many others new to this you talk about off road, but that is a misnomer. The same laws apply in any public space on or off the road. Only private land with no public access is exempted.

 

[Nealh]

Yeah I'm fairly convinced that a full bike is the way forward rather than a bolt on system. The new bikes are just so much more tidy and "complete". I've seen a fair few mountain bikes being suggested but still not too many suggestions for a commuter bike. Is there a reason for that? Also, is there a tried and tested method for de-restricting the Turbo, for off road use.

A new bike that looks like a bike for less then 1k and a commuter, Woosh Karoo this looks proper

 

[Shrubser]

Ok, so back to the original topic as we seem to have gotten a bit off track. Are there any other bikes that are similar to the Specialized Turbo?

 

[RobF]

Ok, so back to the original topic as we seem to have gotten a bit off track. Are there any other bikes that are similar to the Specialized Turbo?

Stromer, as mentioned.

Kalkhoff Integrale, not on the UK supplier's website but I know they've sold at least one because an acquaintance has it.

Nice bike for about £2,800.

His one is legal, I expect an illegal in this country S Pedelec version would be more money.

http://www.kalkhoff-bikes.com/en/bikes/e-bike/e-performance/kalkhoff-integrale-s10-10-g.html

 

[Kudoscycles]

If you're looking at eBikes, read up on the law and the risks you'll be taking should you use a unrestricted bike in the public domain. Don't just listen to some of the people on here who say... risk it. They won't be there next to you if it goes wrong.

Colin...I think you are wasting your efforts....many of these guys just dont care whether their bikes are legal or otherwise,I gave up long ago trying to keep the industry legal......the only time they will care is when some sharp bobby realises that he can do them for many motoring offences or there is a significant accident that will hit their pockets.
It seems that we suppliers go through a moral loop where initially we want to keep things legal and fight against the illegals,but trading standards dont seem to care so in the end you give up...sort of King Canute trying to hold back the tide !!!!
Having said the above I am determined to sell ex-works legal bikes,you appear to have a similar mind.
What I dont understand about this speed/power thing is why they dont go off and buy a motorbike and do it properly,there are some very powerful and cheap motorbikes around these days,which are cheaper than S-pedelec bicycles.
By the way,S-pedelecs in Germany and Switzerland are only to be used on the highway,you are excluded from cycle tracks and bridleways.
People keep using this phrase 'off road',as though thats ok for usage of an illegal,it isnt it has to be private land...unless you are Andrew Lloyd Weber and have an estate half of Berkshire then where could you use it.
This forum is called pedelecs,yet it seems to be dominated by guys who want motorbikes....are there no suitable forum they can use to discuss motorbikes.
KudosDave

 

[JohnCade]

I wonder how many are banned drivers?

Not speaking of anyone posting on this thread, but a lot of the would be fast commuters seem to want to have cheap, no tax, test or insurance transport that goes as fast as a scooter but is peanuts to run, and can be parked in bike spaces. The best of all worlds in fact. Having said that the people willing to pay smaller motorcycle prices for a fast - for an bike - e bike as transport don’t seem to be constrained by money….

 

[Artstu]

What I dont understand about this speed/power thing is why they dont go off and buy a motorbike and do it properly,there are some very powerful and cheap motorbikes around these days,which are cheaper than S-pedelec bicycles.

If they wanted a motorcycle I'm sure that is what they would buy. Buyers want a bicycle that doesn't hinder them. Standard e-bikes are great for going up and down hills, but compromised elsewhere, for some people.
A faster e-bike has all the hill climbing benefits of a standard e-bike, and none of the compromises you normally have to make when riding on the flat.
When my bike was faster I rode it more or less in Tour or less all of the time (mines the least powerful Bosch) like that it was a joy to ride, the most like riding a standard bike with consistent effort everywhere.
I hardly ever ride my back to standard e-bike now, if I do it's in Turbo all the time, but I hate it, there's no consistency to the effort required to ride it. For a lot of the time it's a joyless experience.

I guess you either get it or don't. It has nothing to do with pure speed. Being in harmony with the bike perhaps.

 

[Plasmadaddy]

What I dont understand about this speed/power thing is why they dont go off and buy a motorbike and do it properly,there are some very powerful and cheap motorbikes around these days,which are cheaper than S-pedelec bicycles.

Because a motorbike is a motorbike and a bicycle is a bicycle however fast it goes.

I ride both and comparing the two is just a ridiculous thing to do.

Of course in law an S Pedelec or a dongled ebike may well be classed as a motorcycle but riding a jazzed up bicycle is hardly the same as a motorbike, whether it be a moped, sports bike or any number of other bikes out there.

I really don't understand it when the advice given is to just buy a motorcycle.

Sorry, just saying........!

 

[JohnCade]

The higher powered throttle e bikes are pretty similar to an old Puch pedal moped I used to ride in France at one time. Just less noisy.

 

[trex]

...
It has nothing to do with pure speed. Being in harmony with the bike perhaps.

+1. I don't have throttle on my bike and I rarely go over 15mph.

 

[anotherkiwi]

I am looking at getting my average speed up because since June I have suddenly found myself doing more journeys over 50 km than anticipated. "Fast" for me is an average speed of up to 35 kph or more compared to my current 26 kph average.

This can be done within the limits of pedelec law on my standard route by using a bike with 28" wheels (700C) and correct gearing. At the moment with 26" wheels I can only pedal to 34-37 kph before spinning out at high cadence (90+) downhill.

I anticipate that pedaling uphill with maximum assist I will be able to maintain 27.5 kph (25 kph +10% legal tollerance) and downhill pedal to just over 50 kph (46x11 or 48x11 not decided yet) before spinning out at a cadence of 90. At my normal cadence of 60 I will be around 40ish a gain of 10 kph. I am pretty sure of the above numbers now that I have 1300 or so km under my belt and they are based on experience of the routes I take and my cycling habits.

The other solution is a moped (s-pedelec) which is legal here but bogged down with silly stupid helmet law. My favorite quote from the interweb "Why would an ebiker doing 25 mph need a different helmet than a lycra doing 25 mph? What's the mystical magic?"

So drivers licence/road code certificate, insurance, no more bicycle paths (only some are moped legal) and, in my case, riding with an illegal helmet. A helmet which is legal for Germany Switzerland, the Netherlands ad. nauseum but not for France or Spain... In France 90€ fine and three points off the drivers licence. Spain "up to 200€" fine and three points. There is an interesting clause in Spanish rode code "Every such certificate issued by the competent authority of a Member State of the European Community will be valid in Spain" which could mean that an s-pedelec helmet with a German certificate should be valid in Spain.

In an ideal world I will have two bikes: a pedelec for knocking about at distances up to 10 km from home and an s-pedelec for "fast" commutes on larger distances. Fortunately I have the parking space downstairs! The frame and fork for the s-pedelec are in front of me in my living room, just need to get it done ($£€ ) and through individual inspection by the DRIRE before the first of January...

 

[Shrubser]

I consider this thread well and truly hijacked . No to worry. Got sorted with a Scott e aspect 710 from Martin at e bike shop today. Looking forward to it arriving in time for the weekend.

 

[RobF]

I consider this thread well and truly hijacked . No to worry. Got sorted with a Scott e aspect 710 from Martin at e bike shop today. Looking forward to it arriving in time for the weekend.

Decent quality Bosch bike.

A bit 'mountain bikey' for a commuter, but you also said you wanted to have some fun.

Versatile frame, so you might want to put on more road orientated tyres when you work out how you want to use the bike.

Not sure how quick it will be, even de-restricted.

 

[Plasmadaddy]

I consider this thread well and truly hijacked . No to worry. Got sorted with a Scott e aspect 710 from Martin at e bike shop today. Looking forward to it arriving in time for the weekend.

Nice bike, enjoy!

I use my Haibike SDuro Hard9 to do a 25 mile commute. Found the MTB tyres to be a bit too off road for my liking as RobF mentioned above.

Stuck a couple of these on over the weekend and added another couple of MPH to my average speed so pretty chuffed.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/continental-speed-king-ii-racesport-29er-folding-mtb-tyre/

Definitely worth changing tyres for road riding.

 

[RobF]

Nice bike, enjoy!

I use my Haibike SDuro Hard9 to do a 25 mile commute. Found the MTB tyres to be a bit too off road for my liking as RobF mentioned above.

Stuck a couple of these on over the weekend and added another couple of MPH to my average speed so pretty chuffed.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/continental-speed-king-ii-racesport-29er-folding-mtb-tyre/

Definitely worth changing tyres for road riding.

Those Continentals are not cheap, but I like the tread pattern.

Shallow in the centre for on road, but with some tread on the shoulders to grip when the tyre digs in on the soft stuff.

 

[Shrubser]

That's the plan. Road tyres for the most part and then on to off road tyres for the fun in the summer. Hard 9 was another choice and I guess a very similar bike. Thanks for all the suggestions folks.