Newbie from Fife

[Alidoll]

Hi

Just joined the forum as toying with the idea of getting an electric bike and not sure what to go for.

I had surgery on my right knee for a torn meniscus about 10 years ago and am going in for surgery on Wednesday for the other knee so my days of cycling "unaided" are probably past...unless its freewheeling down a hill!

I have a 4 year old daughter though who is just starting her journey on a bike...granted, its got stabilisers at the moment as she's still a bit wobbly with the steering. However at some point she'll head off and will likely leave her old mum behind which would be a bit embarrassing!

So, thinking go getting a pedelec to keep up but am new to this (I have a standard mountain bike but not been on it for years and am pretty unfit....ok...very unfit!).

Would be looking for something about the £400- £600 range but not sure whether to go for a "mountain bike" style / fold-up or step-through? I'm 5ft 4 on a good day with two knackered knees and a bad back so it can't weigh and absolute tonne (I bought a 50cc scooter and can't lift it back onto the stand as I can't brace it against my knee so OH has that now).

I do fancy a comfy seat so had been thinking of one of the pedal scooter types or even the electric moped but from what I've read, they are a bit of a grey area with the law and need insurance, licence etc so probably better with an actual bike one but which manufacturer would be the best?

Requirements
- not too heavy or big
- reasonably nippy (hey, I like moving fast!)
- comfortable
- cover up to 10-15 miles
- cost about £400-£600
- easy to maintain
- not used every day (only in the summer probably as cant see daughter wanting to go out in the pouring rain!) as too far to commute to my workplace.

Any suggestions?

 

[trex]

The Woosh Santana would suit you well:
It'll cover easily 30 miles and costs £625.

 

[Alidoll]

Thanks - are there any sellers in Scotland of this bike (Edinburgh area?) as would prefer to see in person and try out before I spent that amount of money.

Had a quick look at the Rayleigh Velo XC today and looked ok (couldn't try it out as had surgery on my left knee on Wednesday so still really sore). Has anyone got this bike? How easy is it for spares (assuming its ok given Rayleigh's pedigree)? Its a bit more than the woosh Sant Ana - which would be better? I like the idea of being able to cycle slightly off road - would the woosh bike cope with this (or any other step through design bikes up to £1000)?

The guy in the store mentioned cycle to work scheme but its over 25 miles each way and don't think I'd get away with saying I'd be cycling!!

 

[Jimod]

The guy in the store mentioned cycle to work scheme but its over 25 miles each way and don't think I'd get away with saying I'd be cycling!!

I work with a guy who lives 40 miles from work. He bought his bike on the cycle to work scheme. He has actually had it at work, on the roof of his car.

 

[peerjay56]

I work with a guy who lives 40 miles from work. He bought his bike on the cycle to work scheme. He has actually had it at work, on the roof of his cat.

His cat has a roof?????? Is it hot and tin?

 

[Jimod]

His cat has a roof?????? Is it hot and tin?

I've edited it. I blame the iPad's predictive text.

 

[RobF]

Thanks - are there any sellers in Scotland of this bike (Edinburgh area?) as would prefer to see in person and try out before I spent that amount of money.

Had a quick look at the Rayleigh Velo XC today and looked ok (couldn't try it out as had surgery on my left knee on Wednesday so still really sore). Has anyone got this bike? How easy is it for spares (assuming its ok given Rayleigh's pedigree)? Its a bit more than the woosh Sant Ana - which would be better? I like the idea of being able to cycle slightly off road - would the woosh bike cope with this (or any other step through design bikes up to £1000)?

The guy in the store mentioned cycle to work scheme but its over 25 miles each way and don't think I'd get away with saying I'd be cycling!!

Either bike will do bike paths and reasonably well made forest tracks.

Isn't the Velo about £1,000?

I tried one and thought it very ordinary, so can't see the value in it compared to the Woosh.

As regards Cycle to Work, very few people do.

If your employer offers the scheme and you like the terms, go ahead.

 

[stevieb]

try easygo at linlithgow

 

[john h]

I think there is a place in dundee but not sure what type they sell also a shop about a mile from the condor base in arbroath, bike shop in forfar high st hires out ebikes,( might be a help )