Need an e bike for commuting in London

[Kvothe]

Hi guys,

I'm looking to ditch the train and commute to work on an e bike instead.
I haven't been cycling as much as I should be, once a week or so, 10 mile round trip.
I'm 5'8 and weigh 82kg.
My commute to work in central London is a 30 mile round trip. (All weather commute.)

I understand that it will take a while to build up my fitness, but I'm willing to put in the effort.
I've started researching on ebikes and I must say, it's driving me crazy. The options available in the market are unbelievable.

I'm looking for the following in an e bike:
1) Quality and reliability: 30 mile all weather commute.
2) Price: Ideally I'd like to spend under £2k.
3) Having throttle assist would be a huge plus.

Appreciate any help!

 

[Wicky]

Relatively short 30 mile round journey opens up your choices considerably - take look at Kalkhoff, KTM, Kudos etc.

Any hillocks to climb on your route?

http://www.shop.flidistribution.co.uk/p/2015-ktm-macina-sport-10-plus?pp=12

http://www.kudoscycles.com/product_info.php?cPath=1&products_id=346

 

[Kvothe]

Relatively short 30 mile round journey opens up your choices considerably - take look at Kalkhoff, KTM, Kudos etc.

Any hillocks to climb on your route?

http://www.shop.flidistribution.co.uk/p/2015-ktm-macina-sport-10-plus?pp=12

http://www.kudoscycles.com/product_info.php?cPath=1&products_id=346

Thanks for the reply!

Fortunately route is pretty flat. So I don't really need any hill assistance. I would like some speed though. Is an average speed of 15mph realistic? It would make my commutee an hour long, which is what I'm aiming for.
Ive looked at the Kalkhoffs, I will also be visiting 50cycles soon to check out their range. However I've noticed they are slightly on the steep side, price wise. The same can be said for the KTMs?
I haven't looked at Kudos, how is the reliability and quality like?
I also looked at the Momentum Upstart, any idea how good it is?

 

[Wicky]

As legal bikes are limted to power assist up to 15.5mph then your best looking for torquey bikes assuming your route route is relatively flat but stop / start - thus high assist off the line in traffic light grand prix. Take a test ride at 50cycles and across the road at the Kudos/KTM shop to see what floats your boat An s-pedelec would be ideal for out right speed capability on your commute but be aware of the risks associated with such bikes and read the small print...

 

[D8ve]

The average speed will be less than 15 mph as traffic lights and traffic will slow and stop you.
On the flat you should cruse at 15 ish. But unlikely to be much higher from your statements.

A good bike will help. A hub geared bike is good for city cycling.
The whoosh is cheap and can do the job but the higher range/price bikes can be a more pleasant experience to ride.
Upgrades include saddles and tires to improve your trip.
d8veh will happily advise on kit bikes, and second hand bikes can give you a lot more for your money.
But for less than £2k there are lots of bikes around, including Oxigen and on here you sometimes get dealer offers,

I advise against ileagal bikes. If or in London when you have an accident you could automatically lose any compensation and leave your self open to prosecution.
Personally the car driver that hit me has now accepted liability following there prosecution and I expect some compensation for my two months off work and Broken bones and bike.

 

[Geebee]

Well if you want to average that speed a Tonaro bike that has had the wheel magnet slip slightly out of line will cruise at 32 kph with very light pedalling
This is on the Esprit which is a bolt upright dutch style riding position.

I am in Australia and mine was sold as 200w so I can legally ride it without the speed limiting magnet, so I just removed mine.

 

[trex]

I'd look at the Woosh Zephyr-B.
It's got rear 8-Fun BPM motor, front and rear hydraulic brakes, Kevlar tyres, will do 30 miles in all weather and it folds, that means you can take it in trains even in rush hours. It's also lightweight and stealthy.

 

[Cyclezee]

Hi Kvothe,

Welcome to the forum.

eZee bikes will do what you want, they are reliable,comfortable, with torquey motors, a range of battery capacities from 11Ah to 21Ah, throttle and pedelec assit and are well under your £2k limit.

Please take a minute or two to check them out on our website via the following link:http://www.cyclezee.com/ezee-e-bikes--pedelecs.html

 

[Kvothe]

Thanks for the replies!
I haven't looked at kits yet to be honest.
Although I would love to try building one myself. If budget is an issue, would you guys recommend that option?
In terms of the actual ride, how different is an ebike to a normal one?
Also, can I get away without having to shower after? Or do I need to factor this into as well?

 

[Cyclezee]

Cyclezee also supply kits by Ansmann, eZee and Heinzmann although only the eZee kits and the Heinzmann Classic geared motor kits have a throttle.
They are not difficult to install if you have basic DIY skills.
Electric bikes can eliminate the need to take a shower after a ride.

 

[Wander]

1) Quality and reliability: 30 mile all weather commute.
2) Price: Ideally I'd like to spend under £2k.

I'd go for the Raleigh Motus.

 

[JohnCade]

Thanks for the reply!

Fortunately route is pretty flat. So I don't really need any hill assistance. I would like some speed though. Is an average speed of 15mph realistic? It would make my commutee an hour long, which is what I'm aiming for.
Ive looked at the Kalkhoffs, I will also be visiting 50cycles soon to check out their range. However I've noticed they are slightly on the steep side, price wise. The same can be said for the KTMs?
I haven't looked at Kudos, how is the reliability and quality like?
I also looked at the Momentum Upstart, any idea how good it is?

Best to ride a couple. If you're going to 50 Cycles check out the Pro Connect 9 at a special offer price of £1600. The German bikes have build and finish, and ride quality which the Chinese ones don't. All in my opinion of course.

The Kalkhoff and some other German bikes use the ten percent leeway in the law and don't cut out completely until over 17 mph. That makes a difference. They roll just like normal bikes on the flat past the cut off once they are going too.

 

[D8ve]

Electric bikes can eliminate the need to shower but?
If you're doing 15 miles and in a hurry your likely to be working and build up a sweat.
The plus side is no need for Jim membership and improved fitness.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

If you want a fast commuter with a throttle, the Oxygen MTB does a real 24 mph, the Ezee Torq about 20 mph, and the Volt bikes with X in the name. All have high power motors. Some of the bikes previously recommended, including the Kalkhoffs, don't have throttles.

 

[Kudoscycles]

Kvothe....the range you require can be covered by most e-bikes so its really which bike do you like and feel comfortable with.
You mention visiting 50 cycles to view the Kalkhoff bikes,top quality bikes,I always think of them as the Mercedes of the e-bike world.
Only 200 metres down the road is the London Electric Bike Company,they have 35 plus bikes to view and test,specialising in the KTM (I think of these as the BMW of the e-bike world) and Kudos (the Ford of the e-bike world).
Bikes you may wish to focus on...
Kudos Tourer D9,£765.00...on special offer at the moment,whilst current stocks last.
KTM Macina Fun 9,£1899.00...probably the best value of the Bosch drive bikes,including all commuter accs (lights,mudguards etc)
Kudos Rapide,£1395.00....the current flagship bike from Kudos,the BPM motor gives it the best hillclimbing power,with Shimano Deore gears,Tektro hydraulic brakes,latest battery shape....a brand new model only released last week,see www.kudoscycles.com.
Good luck with your choice,nice x-mas pressie !!!!
KudosDave

 

[RobF]

The Oxygen MTB is an excellent tool, but would need commuterising - rack, mudguards, lights.

Their Emate City has all these things, and a throttle, and it's very easy to, er, alter the 15mph cut off speed.

The battery behind the seatpost makes for a longer wheelbase and a good ride, although the bike is not quite so handy in tight spots.

Alternatively, any Bosch powered bike with the 11ah battery would do the job.

No throttle, which I don't think you would miss.

http://www.oxygenbicycles.com/e-bikes/e-mate-city

 

[Deleted member 4366]

The Emate city is a lovely bike, but it doesn't have the power of the MTB, which has a much bigger motor, which is why you can sustain a high speed with it. A pair of SKS Beavertail mudguards are only £14 and take about 5 minutes to fit. The lights you get with bikes that have them are pretty dim, so I'd replace those anyway with bright ones from Ebay or Banggood. For a lightish rider that doesn't want to go so fast, the Emate would make a nice comuter.

 

[Cyclezee]

In my humble opinion, the eZee Sprint Primo will do all the OP wants and at £795 it's a bit of a bargain

 

[D8ve]

As Eddie says the KTM is a quality bike at a great price. Seconded.

 

[Kvothe]

Thanks a lot for the replies! You have given me a lot to think about, appreciate it

I will certainly test ride a few bikes before committing myself.
Planning on visiting 50cycles and the London Electric Bike Company this weekend.
Does anyone have an experience on the Momentum Upstart?
http://www.johnlewis.com/momentum-upstart-bike-black/p747495