New to the elec scene

[Big-Damo]

Good morning everyone,

I have been contemplating buying an ebike for some time now.

I had quite a serious motorbike accident in 2000, nearly loosing my leg, destroying all the ligaments in my knee. I have over the years got most of the mobility back but am unable to fully stand and pedal as I haven't quite got the stability in the knee to be able to do it. Therefore I have decided to go all out and buy an ebike to give me a bit of assitance but more importantly to get out and enjoy cycling again and loose a load weight.

I have dwindled it down to two bikes that have taken my interest:-

1. KTM Macina Kapoho LT 271 8S EX1 (2017)
2. Haibike xDuro AllMtn 8.0 (2017)

I have a whole bunch of questions regarding both bikes,like which is better in terms of build quality and how good/bad the S.E.S. (Sprocket Equalising System) on the Haibike is but I will address those questions in the relevant forums.

Anyway hope you all dont mind me firing off some questions over the next couple of days and look forward to recieving any kind assistance that you may be able to provide.

Many thanks
Damian

 

[Gaz]

Hello Damian

Can't help you with technical stuff I'm afraid. I prevaricated for a ridiculous amount of time looking for a magic answer. My decision in the end was made with as much factual accuracy as a finger in the wind Although I'm very happy with the outcome.

Gaz

 

[soundwave]

spec wise there pretty much the same the haibike looks better but is it worth the extra £1700 to you?

ses wheel does the job but i have removed the plastic chain guard as it just strips the chain of lube.

haibike parts like bearings and bolts are expensive like 3 times the price for the ktm.

both have the new ex1 group set and a new cassette is £285 atm no idea on wear rate as so new.

front sprocket options are 14t 16t and 18t and about 15 quid.

 

[Big-Damo]

Hello Damian

Can't help you with technical stuff I'm afraid. I prevaricated for a ridiculous amount of time looking for a magic answer. My decision in the end was made with as much factual accuracy as a finger in the wind Although I'm very happy with the outcome.

Gaz

Thanks Gaz, I must admit I am swaying towards the KTM at the moment. For two reasons, price being the first and secondly being an engineer the small extra cog on the haibike (the S.E.S. with friction and wear and tear in mind) seems like just another that will inevitably go wrong/bend/break.

 

[soundwave]

wear on the ses wheel it self is not a problem its the bearing in side it that dont last to long well for me it was knackered after 2000 miles.

was 10 quid for a new one and easy to fit.

 

[Big-Damo]

spec wise there pretty much the same the haibike looks better but is it worth the extra £1700 to you?

ses wheel does the job but i have removed the plastic chain guard as it just strips the chain of lube.

haibike parts like bearings and bolts are expensive like 3 times the price for the ktm.

both have the new ex1 group set and a new cassette is £285 atm no idea on wear rate as so new.

front sprocket options are 14t 16t and 18t and about 15 quid.

More food for thought there.

As I mentioned above the price was probably the key reason for swaying toward the KTM but as you've highlighted it's the after sales things I should be mindful of.....

Not sure if I did buy the KTM (shop based in Cardiff) whether I could get the servicing done closer to home (at e-bikeshop.co.uk) all be it most of the stuff I'm sure I could do myself.

My only concern would be when I comes to running-gear such as motor and general setting up of the bike including warranty servicing then the haibike (based in Farnham, about 15 miles away) would be easier to follow up on.

Decisions, decisions!

Thank you for your informative reply though

Damian

 

[soundwave]

no dealer can service the bosch motor it has to be sent back to bosch if there is a problem with it.

martin will not service the bike unless you buy it from him direct and also some parts he also will not sell to the public for the same reason.

also all of his parts are well over priced if you look and compare them the ex1 is 100 quid more than on ebay atm.

he will fit dongles and honer the warranty tho and no other dealer will do this and would be the only reason to buy from him, there also well over priced now as well.

ktm bikes will also not give him any stock to sell for this reason.

 

[soundwave]

http://www.flidistribution.co.uk/

he is a member of this site if you want a ktm

 

[Big-Damo]

Very sound advice (pardon the pun), thank you soundwave.

I think I will be taking a trip down to Damian Harris after my 4 night shift and get myself measured up properly (frame wise) for the KTM then.

Damian

 

[EddiePJ]

Damian, I can only suggest that you try both, but owning a KTM Macina Lycan and a Macina Race, I'm clearly going to be biased towards the KTM option.

There are dealers closer to you that stock KTM bikes, and a starting point would be to either contact FLI Distribution http://www.flidistribution.co.uk/ or KTM directly via this forum. http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/members/ktm-bike-industries-uk.8115/

I'd take it as given that e-bike shop won't be interested in servicing your bike for you.

There certainly KTM dealers in Brighton and Tunbridge Wells, and if you are ever in the Crowborough area, you would be more than welcome to come out for a ride on one of my bikes. Both are large size frames.

Out of interest, what is it that has attracted you to those two specific models?

 

[soundwave]

the haibike on spec is just not worth the extra £1700 only thing i dont like on the ktm looks wise is at the top off the battery on the frame just looks a bit half done in the design.

tho they could off made some sort of rubber insert or plastic clip in part to make it look more integrated.


you also can get some nice bike upgrades for 1700 quid like some kick ass mavic wheels

 

[EddiePJ]

only thing i dont like on the ktm looks wise is at the top off the battery on the frame just looks a bit half done in the design.

That is a good observation. It doesn't look quite so exaggerated from this angle. The dropper post also looks different in these two shots when compared with D.Harris link.

 

[soundwave]

i wish they would change the bosch battery case and make it more easy to fit in to the bike frames, they done it with the motor casings with the cx drive and all can make there own now and make a better fit and look for all the different bikes.

i also think the the power connector is the wrong way round and should be at the top and have some sort of new connector with slits in the 3 pins so it can still lock in and out but at the top, it is just 3 wires and a connector.

 

[RobF]

Good to see a new ebiker looking at buying a quality ebike.

But to 'enjoy cycling again and lose weight' do you really need £5k or more of full-sus mountain bike?

Bear in mind you can get exactly the same motor system - the heart of the bike - on an ebike costing under £2k.

Cubes look good value at the moment, but if you fancy a KTM they also offer ebikes at under £3k.

A mountain bike style makes sense, they are very versatile and you can plonk slicker tyres on if you find you are riding mostly on cycle paths and other well-made surfaces.

Which is good reason not to buy a bike with the new 'boost' size wheels - tyre choice may be limited.

This Cube is decent spec, and has plenty of bosses for a rack, mudguards and a drinks bottle - some or all of which you may want depending how your cycling develops.

https://www.cube.eu/uk/2017/e-bike-hardtail/reaction-hybrid/cube-reaction-hybrid-hpa-sl-500-rednflashorange-2017/

 

[Altop1]

Hi it really is a good idea to try first and buy resonably close for warranty reasons. I have a Hardseven and love it bought it .about 40 miles from me at a good price.Not my nearest ebike dealer but best price.The 15mph thing takes some getting used to but ,ways and means, i never thought i would like the e,mbt thing as much as i do .When im out never really want to come home always doing at least 20 miles a trip .Cheers

 

[Andy88]

I think Cube keep their bikes more competitively priced in the way that they distribute them, which gives more value to the end user.

 

[LeighPing]

Alternatively, you could source any bad-boy bike and thrash it around the countryside. Tearing it up like a hooligan, carefree and fearless. A warrior poet, bold and unafraid. Leaving destruction and pillaging within life's wake. A God of war, on a bike!

Enjoy whatever you eventually decide to get. They're all great fun.

 

[D8ve]

Alternatively, you could source any bad-boy bike and thrash it around the countryside. Tearing it up like a hooligan, carefree and fearless. A warrior poet, bold and unafraid. Leaving destruction and pillaging within life's wake. A God of war, on a bike!

Enjoy whatever you eventually decide to get. They're all great fun.

View attachment 16809

SW how did you get your mits on leighping,s account?

 

[EddiePJ]

I think Cube keep their bikes more competitively priced in the way that they distribute them, which gives more value to the end user.

Funny that you should mention that.

I happened to mention Cube bikes to a cycle shop owning guy in Switzerland, and the response was very negative about the make.

It wasn't the quality that he was venting frustration at, it was their internet marketing practice for Swiss and German buyers, which was starting to hit cycle shop sales.


.

 

[Andy88]

Here is a good insight into cube bikes.
http://m.pinkbike.com/news/cube-tour-germany-2016.html