New to the world of Pedelecs

[James Smalley]

Hi Everyone, I have been lurking for a few days, registered at the weekend, and now decided its time to come out from the shadows.

I am a keen sportsman, who suffered a life changing injury in a super market, entirely of my own doing, and found I was unable to play sport at all. 6 months of being unable to walk, after reconstructive knee surgery, I defied all doctors orders and took to my bike, and managed 1 mile, then 2 miles, then 5, then 10 then hit a target of 250 miles in a week. I then asked the doctor if it was ok to do it.....

Long story short, that was 5 years ago, and now put in around 6000 miles a year, and I have broken into my forties. The group of guys who started up about the same time as me, have got better and better, and I languish at the back. They are always waiting for me, and its become a real struggle to go out on group rides. Last year I chose not to cycle with them at all, because I can tell they want to get up the hill and beat their strava segment, but I just cant do it. Whilst I have a fully working right knee, it just don't perform like a good one, and I cant press on.. so, I ride out alone. I managed a coast to coast UK 2 years ago, and a Coast to Coast Scotland last year, and I do really like long rides, with an eventual target of Coast to Coast USA.

I wasn't really aware of pedelecs till I saw one... "my lord, what the hell was that?", a mtb, flying long... gotta get my self one of them.

Well, I have taken a fancy to the Haibike Urban 2016, and was seriously considering getting one, when my salary bonus comes through, however on reading up on the additional Bosch gear, I was really surprised just how bad the Software was on the Nyon, based on the reviews. I was hoping to get a drop handle conversion and aero bars, as I am more into the road biking than the it just being an urban cruiser, with the intention of me being able to put in Turbo runs around the local area, of 30 miles, then dropping down to Eco for longer rides (my work commute is 54 miles each way, which I do once a week in the summer on a friday).

Now based on the feed back on the Nyon, Im looking at alternatives, in the road bike style, so am also looking at the Giant Road E+1. I have not seen many others in a full on road bike style. Up until reading the feedback, and purely working of the Bosch/Haibike information, I was truly sold on the Urban, with the Nyon etc. Although the upside if the Giant is a saving of £nearly a grand over the Urban, so I can afford a decent Garmin to go with it.

Decisions, decision. Just like to say, the site is usefull resource and its kept me reading a few night so far. I'm looking forward to Long, quicker road sessions in a group of one..... I know I wouldn't be able to go back to the group with an ebike.... even if I could keep up.

Thanks in advance of a warm welcome and I'm sure for all the advice and pointers that are to come. Cheers.

 

[soundwave]

race bikes are here but a lot more and there s class.

http://www.haibike.de/index.php?seite=produkte_liste_epower_en&navigation=72219

 

[soundwave]

s class is 45kph so be classed as a moped thus why has number plate on rear.

with a dongle you can raise that to 75kph but only with a custom dongle.

 

[James Smalley]

Thank you soundwave, I did see those bikes. Quite pricey for my taste/ bonus. Whilst I saw the S class and figured they were available from Europe, Would there be any need for a dongle ( ) ? I am keen to stay legal, but tempted all the same. Maybe the dongle is an after thought... if I am not happy with just boosting up hills and maintaining the speed on the flat naturally, then its an option yes. Technically I am not disabled (yet), but I do need to consider further damage to really badly damaged knee.... A mtb crash in the forest one day, almost split my knee in half.... so.... I don't ride the mtb so much. :-( coming off at 75 KPH... on tarmac... oh la la.

 

[soundwave]

s class and a normal dongle bike will go about the same speed as motors both the same just dongle lifts the 15mph limit on the 250w.

martin sells 1 here.
https://www.e-bikeshop.co.uk/Electric-Bikes-UK-Dealer/Moustache-Dimanche-28-Speed-2016?filter=23

 

[EddiePJ]

James, you don't have to be stuck with Nyon.

If you happen to buy a bike that has it fitted, you can simply slide off the console, and fit an Intuvia display. You don't even have to change the wires if you don't wish to. It just means that the Nyon toggle switch becomes redundant.

I'll leave others to comment about the legalities of dongles and 'S' pedelecs, as being blunt you wouldn't like my response.

 

[RobF]

The Haibike Urban is a flat bar road bike style which could suit your needs.

Haibikes - depending where you buy - can be expensive for what they are.

The Haibike trekking bike in the link below may be a better bet.

Whatever you buy, if it's a Bosch powered bike, make sure you get one with the bigger 500wh battery.

When you get into ebiking, you will find battery capacity - rather than motor power - is the most important thing, particularly as you like longer rides.

KTM bikes look better value to me.

The Macina Sport has the bigger battery and more powerful CX motor.

http://www.shop.flidistribution.co.uk/p/2016-ktm-macina-sport-11-cx5

https://www.e-bikeshop.co.uk/Electric-Bikes-UK-Dealer/Haibike-xDuro-Trekking-RX-2016

 

[James Smalley]

James, you don't have to be stuck with Nyon.

If you happen to buy a bike that has it fitted, you can simply slide off the console, and fit an Intuvia display. You don't even have to change the wires if you don't wish to. It just means that the Nyon toggle switch becomes redundant.

I'll leave others to comment about the legalities of dongles and 'S' pedelecs, as being blunt you wouldn't like my response.

The Haibike urban on its own, would not really flick my bean. It was the Nyon marketing that really caught me, and as the Haibike Race is not sold in the UK, then the only option in a race format is the Urban with a drop bar conversion. As Nyon is such a flat on its face failure, I am not at all sold on the Urban with out Nyon, as I pictured it, so it left me looking around because with out Nyon, its just another ebike, so why limit myself.

I really am gutted that Nyon is sold as all singing and all dancing but its just doesnt cut the mustard according to the reviews. I have read one review where the person says it does what it needs to for them.

Dongles and S bikes, yeah yeah, I just cant be doing with losing my ability to drive my car, because I wanna go fast on a bike (no matter how small the risk). I know the benefits, but I wont advertise it if I choose to use either. Some thing seems unjust about not being able to unleash the potential, Dongles have there place, legal or illegal so we can leave that there.

 

[soundwave]

another thing is when you use a dongle the speed is half that on the display.

i use a 5 quid 1 from halfords lol

 

[James Smalley]

The Haibike Urban is a flat bar road bike style which could suit your needs.

Haibikes - depending where you buy - can be expensive for what they are.

The Haibike trekking bike in the link below may be a better bet.

Whatever you buy, if it's a Bosch powered bike, make sure you get one with the bigger 500wh battery.

When you get into ebiking, you will find battery capacity - rather than motor power - is the most important thing, particularly as you like longer rides.

KTM bikes look better value to me.

The Macina Sport has the bigger battery and more powerful CX motor.

http://www.shop.flidistribution.co.uk/p/2016-ktm-macina-sport-11-cx5

https://www.e-bikeshop.co.uk/Electric-Bikes-UK-Dealer/Haibike-xDuro-Trekking-RX-2016

Thanks Rob, neither of your proposals fully tick the box for me, I am sorry to say, but I do take your point about the engine and battery capacity. The 2016 Urban does comes with the 500Wh battery and with a drop bar conversion, it would suit my needs only if Nyon worked as said in the marketing

Longer rides is where I want to be at, a saturday or sunday morning ride is usually 60 to 80 miles on my normal road bike - Im not averse to getting out of bed at 4 am to be on the coast for 8 am, eating a Maccy D breakfast, to burn off on the hills on the way home.

I really only need the assistance on the hills, as on the flats I can hold 18 to 20 mph, but I drop to 3/4 mph on anything over 5/6%, so if I can get to 10 mph on the climbs, Ill more than 1/2 my climbing time and take probably 20 to 30 minutes of a 30 mile ride. Because of the lack of power in the climbing, my average speed drops to around 9 to 12 mph, which really does reflect just how slow up the hills I am.

 

[James Smalley]

another thing is when you use a dongle the speed is half that on the display.

i use a 5 quid 1 from halfords lol

I did take note of your little silver 5 function speedo, looks a bargin. I just use a raleigh one on my road bike, I think it was only 8 quid, so not a bank breaker.

There one that shows 1/3 as well. I am also saying that it would only 1/2 or 1/3 the distance you travel as well?

 

[soundwave]

yeah dongle screws it all up, clock cant even keep time rather it be half the size that it is mine took a whack last time i crashed.

tbh i think the giant be best bet as looks better than the race haibikes and not be some hybrid with drop bars on it.

that has the Yamaha motor tho

 

[James Smalley]

And I am struggling to find good info on the Yamaha motor. you say in it such a way that implies the Yamaha motor aint so good. I understand it runs the older software of the bosh engine.

 

[soundwave]

looks wise it not far off this bike from the side
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/cube-aerium-c-62-race-tt-bike-2016/rp-prod141416

 

[soundwave]

id say the bosch is a bit better than the yamaha but not buy much and both near same spec.

just no 500w bat for them yet and screen not as nice to look at.

 

[James Smalley]

Just looking on the Giant website shows it with a 500 wh battery,
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/road.e.1/24987/90635/#specifications

and I know what you mean about the screeen. Was watching this video.

 

[soundwave]

seems it does have a 500w battery as listed here as well. cant find 1 to buy tho but maybe there be a screen up date not far away

http://www.tritoncycles.co.uk/urban-bikes-c4/electric-bikes-c283/giant-road-e-1-electric-bike-2016-p14893/s43381?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=giant-road-e-1-electric-bike-2016-size-medium-size-medium-72470515&utm_campaign=product+listing+ads&gclid=CjwKEAiAoIK1BRCRiMqphvnlwlwSJAAOebPMXdJkbmLtzgOP41wJNQTX-J5ZS1FOpFWAzcpe4LeW3xoCgCzw_wcB

 

[James Smalley]

Not available to buy till march, pre orders being taken though. Waiting on a review, and other options if there are any.

 

[soundwave]

might be why i cant find a 500w batt i also cant see the screen on that bike?

so that might be different as well id rather have the giant over the cheapest race haibike tho.

there are race class bikes but there not cheap and will need to be imported.

http://electricbikereview.com/m1-sporttechnik/spitzing/

problem is on that you will leave them for dust

 

[Artstu]

Not available to buy till march, pre orders being taken though. Waiting on a review, and other options if there are any.

I shall look forward to your review I'd have preferred more than 3 power settings, although they may have judged them perfectly.
Also when things wear out on the motor you should be able to get spares, whereas with the Bosch no motor spares are available.