Looking to make my daily commute as easy as possible

nemesis

Esteemed Pedelecer
Mar 14, 2011
521
343
the urban doesn`t have the cx motor only the off road models i think but i could be wrong,mudguards can be fitted easily.
 

soundwave

Esteemed Pedelecer
May 23, 2015
16,921
6,516
the cx motor is more for off road type stuff as you will not use the torque of the motor at speed on the road.

the race bikes dont have them as use s class performace motors
 

cwah

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jun 3, 2011
3,048
179
www.whatonlondon.co.uk
Look no further, this one is good for you:
http://www.vectorebike.com/bikes/typhoon-v2-0-10000-watt.html

Or for something more looking like a bike, but less powerful, this one:
http://www.conhismotor.com/ProductShow.asp?id=466

You don't want these low powered bike without suspensions, you're going to have back pain and wrist pain every day if you do 25 miles.


Recommended criteria... your bike should have:
- Full suspension frame for vibration and pain
- More than 1000W power to do 25-30mph journey continuously
- More than 1000wh (2000wh recommended) battery capacity so that you have enough power until you reach destination.

You'll thank me later for taking it, I do every day 10 miles (each way) to go to work and even though I have a relatively fast bike and full suspension I'm considering upgrading to a bigger bike for better comfort (I have a dahon jetstream):
 
  • Like
Reactions: dazza22345

dazza22345

Pedelecer
Dec 24, 2015
50
4
As much as I would love to have the top one, I think it's just asking to be pulled over riding one like that. And don't think it would take long before I would. And by the sounds of earlier comments I'm not sure the different power modes would save me.

The second one looks better, as its more like a bike, worried it might state the power on it though, as the battery is a bit of a giveaway.

Still can't decide if I should take the risk. Anyone ride an s-class in Exeter?
 

soundwave

Esteemed Pedelecer
May 23, 2015
16,921
6,516
you will get pulled on the top 1 why i never got a bomber as just looks like a motor bike. and its 50kg

mine has a dongle so s class but still says 250w on the frame and ride it past the police station all the time.
 

dazza22345

Pedelecer
Dec 24, 2015
50
4
In your experience would the 250w with a dongle be enough for 50 miles a day commuting? Or would I regret it?
 

cwah

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jun 3, 2011
3,048
179
www.whatonlondon.co.uk
Even more slow ebike looking, is the ODK V3. It may also be my next bike:


This bike has the merit to not look fast at all, but has a quite sturdy frame. With front suspension added, it should be able to handle 30-35mph speed and be decently stealthy. Just spin the pedals all the time and it'll look fine!

Juicy may be selling a frame (if you order before 10th of Jan):
http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/threads/juiced-riders-cargo-bike-frame-and-forks.22909/


An additive bag may be able to hide a massive amount of battery (>2kwh) without looking too suspicious:

https://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=66108&p=995267

But you'll have somehow to hide the motor.
 

soundwave

Esteemed Pedelecer
May 23, 2015
16,921
6,516
a 500w batt and charge it at work should do it tho depends how fit you are and how many hills are in the way.

ive got 28 miles out of mine on the flat in turbo 20-25mph
 

EddiePJ

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jul 7, 2013
4,632
4,013
Crowborough, East Sussex
www.facebook.com
Cwah, that second link must be one hot bike. I just get this! :D




dazza, I'm sure that you would have already investigated this, but have you looked into perhaps train transport to some other location which might reduce the onward/return traveling distance.
 

Alan Quay

Esteemed Pedelecer
Dec 4, 2012
2,351
1,076
Devon
As much as I would love to have the top one, I think it's just asking to be pulled over riding one like that. And don't think it would take long before I would. And by the sounds of earlier comments I'm not sure the different power modes would save me.

The second one looks better, as its more like a bike, worried it might state the power on it though, as the battery is a bit of a giveaway.

Still can't decide if I should take the risk. Anyone ride an s-class in Exeter?
As I've intimated I ride in and out of Exeter on my bikes, and they are not exactly legal. They are home-brew, but reasonably covert.

I've done around 3000 Miles in total around east Devon. I have not once been pulled over. The coppers are simply not interested/resourced around here.

I ride mostly for pleasure/utility, but not commuting.

An other example of the police's disinterest is my (fully road legal) Quad bike. I expected to be pulled a few times, as its unusual and worthy of investigation. I've done 2000 miles and I don't think I've even seen a police car in that time.

I would say you have a very low chance of detection, but the consequences (in your situation) could make it too much of a risk.

The other risk you should weigh up is that of an accident. The chances when commuting over 18,000m are reasonably high, especially at high speed.

I take all the risks above, but at lower speed, not during rush hour and at considerably lower distance/year.
 
  • Like
Reactions: flecc

dazza22345

Pedelecer
Dec 24, 2015
50
4
Ok thanks for the advice guys

Cwah - yeah I agree that it doesn't look particularly fast, but if your doing 30mph then surely that becomes more of a problem when the police pass you? Where as a fast road bike could be riding at that speed without a motor, so looks less suspicious. That's the way I see it anyways. I like the look of the bag to cover it up though, will look into that some more.

Unfortunately trains aren't really an option for my commute Eddie, but good suggestion

Ok thanks Alan, glad to hear they are not seeming too bothered, admittedly I have a 1000cc motorbike I used to ride rather too fast everywhere, and never managed to get pulled on that. I guess i'm probably worrying too much, just worried about how serious the outcome could be if caught though, so want to make it as unlikely as possible that I will get caught if I do decide to go down the s-class route
 

soundwave

Esteemed Pedelecer
May 23, 2015
16,921
6,516
i went to 2 police stations last week at 2pm pissed as a fart lol

not even a light bulb on ;(
 

Nealh

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 7, 2014
20,927
8,536
61
West Sx RH
The issue as I see it is as you are banned the local/county bizzies may have you on their radar and being seen or caught would make their day.
Another bike to consider is the Woosh karoo road e-bike.
 

Alan Quay

Esteemed Pedelecer
Dec 4, 2012
2,351
1,076
Devon
The issue as I see it is as you are banned the local/county bizzies may have you on their radar and being seen or caught would make their day.
Another bike to consider is the Woosh karoo road e-bike.
That may be true in other parts of the world but not in Devon where the only patrols are on the M5, A30 and A38.

Besides, a helmet and glasses make you virtually unrecognisable.

I concede however that commuting (same route/time) could make you an easy target.
 

dazza22345

Pedelecer
Dec 24, 2015
50
4
Yeah I doubt that I am recognisable to police with a single arrest in my lifetime. Unfortunately a short stretch of my route will most likely be along the A30 though, unless I take a detour down some lanes. kind of why I wanted a quick bike really, as will be dangerous enough to cycle along there as it is.
 

Alan Quay

Esteemed Pedelecer
Dec 4, 2012
2,351
1,076
Devon
Yeah I doubt that I am recognisable to police with a single arrest in my lifetime. Unfortunately a short stretch of my route will most likely be along the A30 though, unless I take a detour down some lanes. kind of why I wanted a quick bike really, as will be dangerous enough to cycle along there as it is.
Avoid the A30 at all costs.
 

cwah

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jun 3, 2011
3,048
179
www.whatonlondon.co.uk
this guy is doing 40mph on his edgerunner:



If u go cargo bike and only have 1 motor hidden by bags, it can be quite stealthy. his one is not anymore but imagine having the battery inside the bag:


People wouldn't notice it's electric apart from the speed
 
  • Like
Reactions: dazza22345