Having had my bike since October 2010 I thought it was about time I did a report on it. In that time I have done about 650, purely commuter, miles. My round trip to work, in Bristol, is only 7 miles but manages to include 3 "hills" (they seem like hills to me!). My riding style is to, generally, use the highest power setting and just peddle faster as the going gets easier. I bought the bike because I wanted to cycle to work but could'nt face the embarrasment of walking up the first hill - which I was having to do on my standard bike. As this was a gamble I wanted a "cheap" bike, in case I gave up an went back to the car. That part off the deal has worked well as I have sold my car and my wife won't let me use hers! The second part is coming on; I can ride my ordinary bike up the hill with stopping but I would rather be on the electric machine!
Having never owned an elctric bike before I can only report my own experience.
The bike looks pretty good but is a pretty basic machine - exactly what you would expect in that price range. However, after 10 months of daily use in all weathers I am happy to say that nothing has broken and I don't seem to have to adjust anything more often than I have done on any other bike. The road I use has some pretty rough concrete sections and a tyre killing cycle lane (edge of woodland plus rubbish) but I have had no punctures. My mate, cycling the same route on his nice hybrid, has had seven! As I have got a bit fitter I find that I would like higher gearing as I never use bottom and would like an "8th" at the top. The brakes are a bit soft but have no problem bring the bike's 26Kg and my 90Kg to halt in an emergency. In truth, the bike is fine and I enjoy riding it. My car is sitting in front of my neighbour's house and I don't miss it.
On my route the bike does -exactly- 20 miles before expiring. I say exactly because I tested this twice and the bike expired at just about the same point each time. I don't think this is unreasonable, on my hilly route and using full power all the time but it is clearly a limit. Basically, I charge the battery, on the bike, every second night. It seems to take a couple of hours and I try to remember to unplug the charger but it does switch off automatically.
So what is bad?
1) The mudguards; I fitted "extensions" made from pond liner and that works well for me but they do not have sufficient reach.
2) The front shock; it does move but I suspect it is more decorative than functional.
That's about it; I like my bike and if I could magically double its range I would love it.
What next? Well.......the plan was to ween myself back on to my ordinary bike; maybe buy a road bike to replace my mountain bike and that is working - a bit. I do go out for rides, at the weekend, but I ave no inclination to ride anything but an electric bike to work.
I regard the battery as having a, useful, life of, maybe, two years. So I need to decide - nice, expensive bike or nice expensive electric bike (with a longer range)? I will tell you the answer in 12 months or so.
Bought the bike from "Take Charge", in Bath who were and are very helpful.
Andy
Bristol
Having never owned an elctric bike before I can only report my own experience.
The bike looks pretty good but is a pretty basic machine - exactly what you would expect in that price range. However, after 10 months of daily use in all weathers I am happy to say that nothing has broken and I don't seem to have to adjust anything more often than I have done on any other bike. The road I use has some pretty rough concrete sections and a tyre killing cycle lane (edge of woodland plus rubbish) but I have had no punctures. My mate, cycling the same route on his nice hybrid, has had seven! As I have got a bit fitter I find that I would like higher gearing as I never use bottom and would like an "8th" at the top. The brakes are a bit soft but have no problem bring the bike's 26Kg and my 90Kg to halt in an emergency. In truth, the bike is fine and I enjoy riding it. My car is sitting in front of my neighbour's house and I don't miss it.
On my route the bike does -exactly- 20 miles before expiring. I say exactly because I tested this twice and the bike expired at just about the same point each time. I don't think this is unreasonable, on my hilly route and using full power all the time but it is clearly a limit. Basically, I charge the battery, on the bike, every second night. It seems to take a couple of hours and I try to remember to unplug the charger but it does switch off automatically.
So what is bad?
1) The mudguards; I fitted "extensions" made from pond liner and that works well for me but they do not have sufficient reach.
2) The front shock; it does move but I suspect it is more decorative than functional.
That's about it; I like my bike and if I could magically double its range I would love it.
What next? Well.......the plan was to ween myself back on to my ordinary bike; maybe buy a road bike to replace my mountain bike and that is working - a bit. I do go out for rides, at the weekend, but I ave no inclination to ride anything but an electric bike to work.
I regard the battery as having a, useful, life of, maybe, two years. So I need to decide - nice, expensive bike or nice expensive electric bike (with a longer range)? I will tell you the answer in 12 months or so.
Bought the bike from "Take Charge", in Bath who were and are very helpful.
Andy
Bristol
