Motorhoming & Electric Bikes

[Tiberius]

There you are Phil, I think you need to exhibit at the next motor home show. I think they have a big one at the Bath and West showground near me in September.

Nick

Edited to add. 11-13 September The Motorhome & US RV Show and The Outdoor Leisure Show

 

[paul10june]

There you are Phil, I think you need to exhibit at the next motor home show. I think they have a big one at the Bath and West showground near me in September.

Nick

Edited to add. 11-13 September The Motorhome & US RV Show and The Outdoor Leisure Show

I have attended a few motorhome shows - there is usually someone there selling electric bikes as an importer - they are at the very bottom end - cheap, heavy and look pretty naff. BUT there is always a lot of interest and the guy sold out at the last show. You see people who have just bought them roaring around attracting a lot of attention!

There are also a lot of rallies (rallys??) and several interest magazines.

If you are interested in where the shows are and when I can probably help. I would consider caravan shows too. Same issues.

Paul

 

[david101]

Hi Paul

My wife and got our first motorhome in April (it’s a Rapido 9048df) and have been to Ireland and France so far. We hadn’t cycled for years, but decided we wanted to get ebikes for 3 reasons:
• To go shopping without taking the van off site
• To park on the edge of a town and cycle in for site seeing, etc
• For leisure and exercise.

I can say that we are delighted with the bikes on all 3 counts. We are definitely fair weather cyclists, but used them nearly every day. We were probably doing 12-15 miles per day comfortably and could easily have done more. However, they are heavy and when following one published cycle way we ended up pushing them up a long, steep muddy pathway/stream. They are not suited to this environment (well, not in our hands anyway!).

We have Kalkhoff Agattus and are very happy with them. I can’t comment on any other makes, but can not see why much of our experience doesn’t generalise. We do like the way that the Kalkhoff system works by giving you an extra push when you need it. The gears and motor controls are very easy to use. We have resisted the temptation of having the optional switch fitted, I think we would use it too much and run the battery down too quickly!!!

Typical range is published on website. We have not found this to be a problem and have recharged each day as we have been on mains. I haven’t needed to try an inverter as someone else suggested. I haven’t timed the charge time as we have just plugged in and left them.

Weight is published on website. We always take the batteries off when travelling. Our cycle rack is mounted quite high, but we have been able to load them safely. My wife is 5’4 and has to stand on a stool to reach, I am 6’2”. If you are going to carry them on a rack instead of in the garage I suggest you try it as I think you might struggle with ours. However, I understand you can get a Fiamma rack with a winch to make it easier if you decide to do it this way.

I bought a 53cm frame, my wife a 45cm frame. Both are fine. If you want to carry them in the garage I have done a quick estimate of the “size of the box” with the 2 bikes next to each other with handle bars turned. This is about 2m long, 1.14 m high and 0.9m wide. These are very approximate measurements – let me know if you need it more accurately.

They are very conventional, in a german manufactured sort of way. Reliability hasn’t been a problem and they are very comfortable.

I hope this answers all the questions. Let me know if you need any more advice. I do think you should try before you buy.

Best wishes

David

 

[paul10june]

Thank you so much - what a generous comprehensive reply. I have just been out with the tape measure and they should fit in ok. The door height is a little lower - short by about 10cm, but I think if tilted the bikes should go in fine. I agree I need to try some out and have a couple of contacts through this forum to do that.

I hope your time Motorhoming is a fun as ours has been so far. We are off to Spain/portugal in September, than Greece via Venice in Spring.

Kindest regards.

Paul

Hi Paul

My wife and got our first motorhome in April (it’s a Rapido48df) and have been to Ireland and France so far. We hadn’t cycled for years, but decided we wanted to get ebikes for 3 reasons:
• To go shopping without taking the van off site
• To park on the edge of a town and cycle in for site seeing, etc
• For leisure and exercise.

I can say that we are delighted with the bikes on all 3 counts. We are definitely fair weather cyclists, but used them nearly every day. We were probably doing 12-15 miles per day comfortably and could easily have done more. However, they are heavy and when following one published cycle way we ended up pushing them up a long, steep muddy pathway/stream. They are not suited to this environment (well, not in our hands anyway!).

We have Kalkhoff Agattus and are very happy with them. I can’t comment on any other makes, but can not see why much of our experience doesn’t generalise. We do like the way that the Kalkhoff system works by giving you an extra push when you need it. The gears and motor controls are very easy to use. We have resisted the temptation of having the optional switch fitted, I think we would use it too much and run the battery down too quickly!!!

Typical range is published on website. We have not found this to be a problem and have recharged each day as we have been on mains. I haven’t needed to try an inverter as someone else suggested. I haven’t timed the charge time as we have just plugged in and left them.

Weight is published on website. We always take the batteries off when travelling. Our cycle rack is mounted quite high, but we have been able to load them safely. My wife is 5’4 and has to stand on a stool to reach, I am 6’2”. If you are going to carry them on a rack instead of in the garage I suggest you try it as I think you might struggle with ours. However, I understand you can get a Fiamma rack with a winch to make it easier if you decide to do it this way.

I bought a 53cm frame, my wife a 45cm frame. Both are fine. If you want to carry them in the garage I have done a quick estimate of the “size of the box” with the 2 bikes next to each other with handle bars turned. This is about 2m long, 1.14 m high and 0.9m wide. These are very approximate measurements – let me know if you need it more accurately.

They are very conventional, in a german manufactured sort of way. Reliability hasn’t been a problem and they are very comfortable.

I hope this answers all the questions. Let me know if you need any more advice. I do think you should try before you buy.

Best wishes

David

 

[Schwinnfan]

Hi Paul, we have swapped our Schwinns for Raleigh Leicster and they are a bigger bike, the advice you have been given is good. If you have solar, get a pair of inverters, we charge the batteries in 4 hours with the solar. The Raleigh is an Agattu rebranded. In terms of range, we have done several 35 mile rides without a problem, but have bought spare batteries, we have some 50 mile days planned down in Messanges in the Summer. The Raleigh comes with great spec and rides really well, I am sure the Khalkoff must be the sa

 

[Phil [OnBike]]

Hey Tiberius!

Thanks for letting me know about the show

Cheers...

 

[Tiberius]

No problem, Phil.

Get me a free ticket and let me know if you need a local base.

Interesting, but google has caught up with the discussions here in about 24 hours. I can understand Pedelecs appearing if you search for motorhome and electric bike. But now you only have to enter motorhome and bike to get us on the first page. Maybe camper van owners without e-bikes aren't big internet users.

Pedelecs FounT of Wisdom.

Nick