Hi everyone.
I'm so glad this group exists as its been a very confusing time of late, and I have had more than one sleepless night thinking about bikes!
I have always loved cycling but a dodgy hip joint put an end to my cycling (I couldn't even get my leg over the crossbar to ride). But last year I had a ceramic hip joint fitted, and now the job is a good one. But my fallen foot arches are now giving me grief. So another operation is needed to fuse the bone together and give me a more pain free foot. So you can see where my cycling needs are going.
I used to see an early electric bike being ridden, with its big plastic box of batteries and think - no way. next thing will be an electric scooter, and then a wheel chair. I'm not ready for that!
But I have recently noticed a new wave of bikes that actually look pretty good, really good in fact. But when I started looking I was overwhelmed by what was available, and also the prices.
First thought was convert my old Cannondale with a kit. It was recently updated and the parts are in good condition and decent spec. But what I would have is a Killer V900 downhill looking MTB, with a big battery and hub, wires clipped all over the place. I don't think the bike will be right, plus cost and time wise I may as well spend a little more and buy a new bike. But which one.
With a one thousand pounds budget, the marketplace is like a minefield. But the one thing that stands out in this bracket is weight. It seems to have been brushed aside as par for the course. E bikes are heavy, end of. The motor compensates for the extra weight, but if you don't want to use the motor, say on a flat road. You are then carrying the extra weight, so you need the motor. Its kind of a vicious circle.
I'm happy to propel the bike along, I just want some help on hills, so as not to put too much strain on my joints and then to have the power in reserve if I need it. So a torque sensing bike might be better, but my present understanding is that torque sensor bikes are more expensive.
So the search goes on.
I'm so glad this group exists as its been a very confusing time of late, and I have had more than one sleepless night thinking about bikes!
I have always loved cycling but a dodgy hip joint put an end to my cycling (I couldn't even get my leg over the crossbar to ride). But last year I had a ceramic hip joint fitted, and now the job is a good one. But my fallen foot arches are now giving me grief. So another operation is needed to fuse the bone together and give me a more pain free foot. So you can see where my cycling needs are going.
I used to see an early electric bike being ridden, with its big plastic box of batteries and think - no way. next thing will be an electric scooter, and then a wheel chair. I'm not ready for that!
But I have recently noticed a new wave of bikes that actually look pretty good, really good in fact. But when I started looking I was overwhelmed by what was available, and also the prices.
First thought was convert my old Cannondale with a kit. It was recently updated and the parts are in good condition and decent spec. But what I would have is a Killer V900 downhill looking MTB, with a big battery and hub, wires clipped all over the place. I don't think the bike will be right, plus cost and time wise I may as well spend a little more and buy a new bike. But which one.
With a one thousand pounds budget, the marketplace is like a minefield. But the one thing that stands out in this bracket is weight. It seems to have been brushed aside as par for the course. E bikes are heavy, end of. The motor compensates for the extra weight, but if you don't want to use the motor, say on a flat road. You are then carrying the extra weight, so you need the motor. Its kind of a vicious circle.
I'm happy to propel the bike along, I just want some help on hills, so as not to put too much strain on my joints and then to have the power in reserve if I need it. So a torque sensing bike might be better, but my present understanding is that torque sensor bikes are more expensive.
So the search goes on.
