My Powacycle arrived! First impression review

AgentGinger

Finding my (electric) wheels
Jul 30, 2008
12
0
Ipswich
Slightly late in delivery, my Powacycle Salisbury LPX arrived yesterday morning in a gigantic box. The large but fairly light Li-Po battery was put straight on charge whilst I fixed the pedals and handlebar onto the frame using the supplied tool kit.

After removing all the excess packaging protecting the frame I noticed several small scratches on the frame, and the plastic housing to the mode select switch was shoddy to say the least. However I have emailed the seller who says this will be resolved.

6 hours later...the battery fully was charged and the bike ready to go!

Mum came over for the first test drive - a trip from my apartment two miles up the road to a local park. We raced, leaving at the same time with Mum driving. She arrived only 30 seconds before me!

Actually riding the bike is pure fun. I'd done a lot of research into e-bikes and assumed that it would just make riding a bike a bit easier. But it really is a case of just "twist and go"! Or on pedelec mode it feels like someone pushing you from behind - every pedal you do, it feels like the Salisbury is rewarding you with about 4 strokes in return!

The brakes are standard, but perfectly acceptable, V-brakes and cope well with sudden stops at 15mph! The Salisbury has 6 shimano gears which seems to be all you need really on this bike.

The seat is much better quality than I expected for the price and fairly comfy - although I would recommend cycling gloves for the handlebars which don't have much grip!

The acceleration is ideal in throttle only mode. It slowly builds up speed instead of 'whooshing' off without you - although due to the weaker motor compared with other models if you plan to approach an incline in throttle mode you will need to have a high speed first - you won't get far starting at the bottom of a hill unless you provide some pedal power too!

Yesterday the bike managed a trip to the park and back home, a trip to the shops and home, then a trip to the cinema (X-Files is over-rated:rolleyes:) , back up to the park and then home again - a total of about 10 miles on throttle only. The battery is still over half full, and the bike coped with no problems!

Today I am attempting a trip to the doctors (3.4miles return), a visit to my grandfather (5 miles) then an evening trip to halfords (4miles)...all of which would have been impossible for me before.

If only I'd bought one of these 10 months ago :D

The best £500 ever spent :)

Thanks,
Agent Ginger
 
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flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
53,152
30,567
Good to hear that you are enjoying your new bike and that it's better than "The X Files". :)

With all those short journeys you're setting an environmental example to all those who drive cars for such trips, and saving loads of money against them with petrol the price it is.
.
 

rustic

Esteemed Pedelecer
May 31, 2008
288
42
North Essex
Great review, really good to hear that you are enjoying the bike. From what I've read these bikes seem a really good option for purchases around the £500-£600 mark.

Shame about the movie, I would recommend going to see the Dark Knight next time, modern batman & modern biking sounds a pretty decent combination. Rus.
 

JohnInStockie

Esteemed Pedelecer
Nov 10, 2006
1,048
1
Stockport, SK7
Congratulations AG.

It sounds like a new world has just opened up for you. I hope you are both very happy.

John
 

carpetbagger

Esteemed Pedelecer
Nov 20, 2007
744
18
blackburn
enjoy,you don't realise how good ebikes are until you get back on a conventional bike and ride up a hill.I did that with my son last week and he motored up the hill whilst i laboured up at 5mph....shattered when reaching the top ! I am sure you will have many miles of pleasent cycling :)