Newbie looking into e-bikes - recommendations?

[Stephenmacleod]

Hi all. I'm from Cumbria and I am just browsing E-bikes as an alternative commuting option. It's around 10miles each way, mostly flat and mostly on cycle paths / roads, depending on the route a little rough track too.

I'm going to start with a normal pushbike anyway to build a bit of strength and fitness up but I'm looking to save towards an E-bike. I'm either going to try and go through a cycle to work scheme or look at the used market. Used, I think my budget will be around £500, or up to £1200 if it is financed through a scheme.

What would you guys recommend? I've only done very brief research and people seem to recommend oxigen E-bikes due to reliability, and the cheap availability of service parts. I'm not into road bikes, prefer more of a mountain bike style. What do you guys recommend? I'm not an experienced cyclist, and would like something with a few options of power delivery, which rules out the Gtech (which would struggle with the hills up here!)

Thanks guys.

 

[Fat Rat]

Hi welcome
Happy hunting

 

[soundwave]

if you up the budget a tiny bit you can get one of these.
https://www.freeborn.co.uk/cube-acid-hybrid-one-400-29-2018-black-white-emtb?gclid=Cj0KCQiAtvPjBRDPARIsAJfZz0qk4CJL_MrsB5dc8pRHT6UnnhsQ5W7ssj5c3qDS0lBnzCxaogqhf0UaAumREALw_wcB

 

[Eagle]

Thumbs up for the Oxygen MTB.

 

[davie150]

if you up the budget a tiny bit you can get one of these.
https://www.freeborn.co.uk/cube-acid-hybrid-one-400-29-2018-black-white-emtb?gclid=Cj0KCQiAtvPjBRDPARIsAJfZz0qk4CJL_MrsB5dc8pRHT6UnnhsQ5W7ssj5c3qDS0lBnzCxaogqhf0UaAumREALw_wcB

How does this compare to the carerra crossfuse ?. Is this the same Bosch system?

 

[Benjahmin]

For commuting reliability I would go for a hub motor every time. Less drive train wear and, should your gears or chain suffer breakage, you can still get to your destination. Pretty much all of the centre drives(particularly Bosch) are not user serviceable and even supply agents have to return the motors to the manufacturer for any work. Majority of hub drives have parts that are readily obtainable. Avoid the Carrera Crossfire at all costs. Some will tell you that hubs aren't good on hills. Well living in West Wales I can tell you it ain't so. Sure you have to work on steep hills, but that's part of your motivation.
The Oxygen has a good rep on here, also have a look at the Woosh Karoo for a light weight commuter, or the big Bear for slightly rougher stuff.

 

[Stephenmacleod]

For commuting reliability I would go for a hub motor every time. Less drive train wear and, should your gears or chain suffer breakage, you can still get to your destination. Pretty much all of the centre drives(particularly Bosch) are not user serviceable and even supply agents have to return the motors to the manufacturer for any work. Majority of hub drives have parts that are readily obtainable. Avoid the Carrera Crossfire at all costs. Some will tell you that hubs aren't good on hills. Well living in West Wales I can tell you it ain't so. Sure you have to work on steep hills, but that's part of your motivation.
The Oxygen has a good rep on here, also have a look at the Woosh Karoo for a light weight commuter, or the big Bear for slightly rougher stuff.

Big bear looks decent. How are they for self servicing? And parts etc, I know the oxigen gets good reviews as the parts are fairly generic.
Can the big bear be de-restricted as such? Apologies for the silly questions. I wouldn't want to exceed 20-25mph anyway, just good to know if I can "tune" it as such for a bit of extra oomph when I get more confidence on the road.

 

[Andy McNish]

How does this compare to the carerra crossfuse ?. Is this the same Bosch system?

The Crossfuse uses the very capable Bosch Activeline Plus mid-drive system - in terms of silence/range/ease of use it's probably the best touring drive available today (for terrain with elevations of 15% and under). Halfords have online sales where you can get it for as low as £1200. If you can get it at that price and on a cycle to work scheme that is very good value indeed.

The Crossfire uses a rear hub and has serious cut-out issues. Avoid.

That said any reliable e-bike should have no issues with a 20 mile flattish commute. OP should try a few and see which is the most comfortable - as he'll be on it for over an hour a day in all weathers.

 

[Nealh]

Big bear looks decent. How are they for self servicing? And parts etc, I know the oxigen gets good reviews as the parts are fairly generic.
Can the big bear be de-restricted as such? Apologies for the silly questions. I wouldn't want to exceed 20-25mph anyway, just good to know if I can "tune" it as such for a bit of extra oomph when I get more confidence on the road.

Besides it being a purpose built oem ebike it is no different to anyother bike with standard mech parts easy to self maintain. I have a Big bear Kit and it will run at 19-20 mph and up to 22/23 in benign still conditions.
If you derestrict then Woosh will not honour any warranty (Fair play why should they) and the fact you want a bit more speed won't go unnoticed by them if you buy one. Other wise the BigBear is a solid bullet proof bike, powerful front hub motor that is a bit unnatural in the way you feel the steering torque/power from the front hub.
Woosh are a forum favourite seller and are highly recommended.

 

[Benjahmin]

Yeh, standard bike parts, things like brake cables are low end but work. (had to replace the outers on my wife's bike when they started to fray - but easily and cheaply done.)
Motor is well known high torque beast of a thing - good hill climber. LCD is standard fair giving 5 levels of assist. On my wife's you can only turn power down to 1, from the LCD, not off all together. Minor inconvenience. I believe there are user adjustable settings through the LCD.
Overall a solid, well built (if low end) workhorse.

 

[Woosh]

. LCD is standard fair giving 5 levels of assist.

Big Bear LS has hydraulic brakes since last year and King Meter KD58C LCD which lets you set your own power as a % for each assist level.
Big Bear now has the same LCD and optional hydraulic brakes.

 

[barbel]

The Crossfuse uses the very capable Bosch Activeline Plus mid-drive system - in terms of silence/range/ease of use it's probably the best touring drive available today (for terrain with elevations of 15% and under). Halfords have online sales where you can get it for as low as £1200. If you can get it at that price and on a cycle to work scheme that is very good value indeed.

The Crossfire uses a rear hub and has serious cut-out issues. Avoid.

That said any reliable e-bike should have no issues with a 20 mile flattish commute. OP should try a few and see which is the most comfortable - as he'll be on it for over an hour a day in all weathers.

 

[barbel]

now £1800 halfords prices up and like a yo-yo

 

[Stephenmacleod]

There are so many options! I'm really fancying the oxygen s cross MTB - but I'm 115kg and 5'10" - would the big bear be better for me?

 

[MyTMc]

I am new to e bikes but popped along to Halfords and bought a Carrera Vengeance e MTB. Price was £850.00 reduced to £750.00 with voucher. Battery lasts up to 30 miles on relatively flat terrain. Servicing is done in store. No problems after six months. It looks good too!

 

[Eagle]

Maximum weights are:
Oxygen S-Cross......... 120 kgs for rider plus 15kgs luggage = 135 kgs
Big Bear.......................140 kgs inc rider & luggage.