Newbie looking to rent initially

[Saracen]

completely lost in new reality. or new stupidity

 

[Middlewife]

Dyu and Hitway suggestions are bikes that can be folded. OP explained that folding would be difficult because of arthritic fingers, and I'm no expert and call me old fashioned if you want, but 5ft 2" and a name like Middlewife is probably a she, not a he.

You are correct

 

[Az.]

You are correct

How about step through? Something like in my avatar. They are good for beginners.

 

[Peter.Bridge]

It's debatable whether that tiny DYU D3F is a true folder

 

[Middlewife]

Have booked an appointment with surge bikes in Bramley, they specialise in e bikes and conversions and have pretty good reviews; they have about 5 small frame step throughs to try out, including Haibike, Raleigh & Cube within my budget and have good aftersales and servicing support; didn't seem fazed by my newbie questions, wish me luck! & thanks for all the advice so far....

 

[Az.]

Have booked an appointment with surge bikes in Bramley, they specialise in e bikes and conversions and have pretty good reviews; they have about 5 small frame step throughs to try out, including Haibike, Raleigh & Cube within my budget and have good aftersales and servicing support; didn't seem fazed by my newbie questions, wish me luck! & thanks for all the advice so far....

Keep in mind, not all e-bikes are built with future servicing in mind. It saddens me to say that many of western cycling companies talk a lot about ecology and sustainable future, while in practice they do everything to make customer dispose old bike and buy a new one rather than repair.

 

[Middlewife]

Keep in mind, not all e-bikes are built with future servicing in mind. It saddens me to say that many of western cycling companies talk a lot about ecology and sustainable future, while in practice they do everything to make customer dispose old bike and buy a new one rather than repair.

Built in obsolescence - makes me mad! Luckily we have a few repair cafes round here, but I will check with them re servicing, and replacement parts. although I'm very much a leisure cyclist, will not be pounding off road trails

 

[Saracen]

This is 100% why I went the way of re building my existing Saracen and Sanderson bikes with Bafang
motors

There are millions world wide and batteries, so they will be going for years when the likes of the new bikes with built in motors/batteries change their designs and parts are not available after three years

No way was I going to pay another £2000 for a bike, have it fail a few years from now and bin it

 

[saneagle]

Built in obsolescence - makes me mad! Luckily we have a few repair cafes round here, but I will check with them re servicing, and replacement parts. although I'm very much a leisure cyclist, will not be pounding off road trails

Don't forget to ask them how much for a replacement battery, then ask them how much a typical service is where they persuade you to have a new cassette and chain. Ask them about how much they charge for software updates too. Those dealers love people like you.

 

[Middlewife]

Don't forget to ask them how much for a replacement battery, then ask them how much a typical service is where they persuade you to have a new cassette and chain. Ask them about how much they charge for software updates too. Those dealers love people like you.

Fortunately, they provide up front costs for various levels of servicing, but will check on replacement battery. Hopefully my 64Kw car shouldn't need a new battery for at least 15 years!!!

 

[saneagle]

Fortunately, they provide up front costs for various levels of servicing, but will check on replacement battery. Hopefully my 64Kw car shouldn't need a new battery for at least 15 years!!!

Be very careful. They give fixed costs for servicing, but when they do the service, they tell you that you need a new chain, gears and brakes. When you don't know better, they can be very convincing. Parts and oils are not included in the prices.

There was a thread a few months back, where there was a video about a workshop servicing a high end MTB. The general greasing and adjustments, plus some minor parts cost the guy about £650. The mechanic guy said around £1000 was more normal.

Any but the cheapest gears have, by design, all sorts of different shaped teeth to aid shifting. They point to them and say, "see the difference. Those ones are worn. You need a new cassette". They can add to their case by putting the shifters slightly out of adjustment, so you ask them to fix your shifting problem, which they then blame on the "worn" gears. It's too easy when people don't know about bikes.

I'm not saying they're all like that. Forewarned is forearmed.

BTW, I went on the Bosch dealer course. The trainer spent some time showings how to use the Bosch data system to make more money from the mugs, like adding an optional service timer into the display,which you can set to however many miles you want, and using the diagnostic report to persuade you to spend £50 on a software update.

 

[Middlewife]

Be very careful. They give fixed costs for servicing, but when they do the service, they tell you that you need a new chain, gears and brakes. When you don't know better, they can be very convincing. Parts and oils are not included in the prices.

There was a thread a few months back, where there was a video about a workshop servicing a high end MTB. The general greasing and adjustments, plus some minor parts cost the guy about £650. The mechanic guy said around £1000 was more normal.

Any but the cheapest gears have, by design, all sorts of different shaped teeth to aid shifting. They point to them and say, "see the difference. Those ones are worn. You need a new cassette". They can add to their case by putting the shifters slightly out of adjustment, so you ask them to fix your shifting problem, which they then blame on the "worn" gears. It's too easy when people don't know about bikes.

I'm not saying they're all like that. Forewarned is forearmed.

BTW, I went on the Bosch dealer course. The trainer spent some time showings how to use the Bosch data system to make more money from the mugs, like adding an optional service timer into the display,which you can set to however many miles you want, and using the diagnostic report to persuade you to spend £50 on a software update.

Be very careful. They give fixed costs for servicing, but when they do the service, they tell you that you need a new chain, gears and brakes. When you don't know better, they can be very convincing. Parts and oils are not included in the prices.

There was a thread a few months back, where there was a video about a workshop servicing a high end MTB. The general greasing and adjustments, plus some minor parts cost the guy about £650. The mechanic guy said around £1000 was more normal.

Any but the cheapest gears have, by design, all sorts of different shaped teeth to aid shifting. They point to them and say, "see the difference. Those ones are worn. You need a new cassette". They can add to their case by putting the shifters slightly out of adjustment, so you ask them to fix your shifting problem, which they then blame on the "worn" gears. It's too easy when people don't know about bikes.

I'm not saying they're all like that. Forewarned is forearmed.

BTW, I went on the Bosch dealer course. The trainer spent some time showings how to use the Bosch data system to make more money from the mugs, like adding an optional service timer into the display,which you can set to however many miles you want, and using the diagnostic report to persuade you to spend £50 on a software update.

Thank you. I have dealt with many unscrupulous motor mechanics over the years and got very good at saying "thank you, I need to check my diary and get back to you" - then get a second opinion. I even took a dealer to arbitration when they tried to refuse a warranty claim for a failed clutch in a nearly new car and won my case, saved me over £700 but caused a lot of stress. It's a sad world we live in....... My car was serviced in December when the dealer rang me to say 2 of my tyres needed replacing - I knew they didn't and said I'd go elsewhere. It's just been MOT and not even an advisory on tyre tread - they are absolute crooks, and the more expensive the car, the more they will try to fleece you - seems it's the same with bikes too...

 

[saneagle]

Thank you. I have dealt with many unscrupulous motor mechanics over the years and got very good at saying "thank you, I need to check my diary and get back to you" - then get a second opinion. I even took a dealer to arbitration when they tried to refuse a warranty claim for a failed clutch in a nearly new car and won my case, saved me over £700 but caused a lot of stress. It's a sad world we live in....... My car was serviced in December when the dealer rang me to say 2 of my tyres needed replacing - I knew they didn't and said I'd go elsewhere. It's just been MOT and not even an advisory on tyre tread - they are absolute crooks, and the more expensive the car, the more they will try to fleece you - seems it's the same with bikes too...

I bought my last car new. After 24 months, they invited me to bring it in for a service at around 1500 miles. I got a bill for about £500 of which about £100 was for changing the brake fluid. They said that it was recommended to replace it after 2 years, which is weird because I never changed it on my motorbike in 30 years, and the brakes are still working perfectly, and I never replaced it on my last two cars, which I kept for ten years each.

Anyway, you sem to understand things, so you should be OK. One other point, though. When you buy an ebike, you might not have a choice of where to take it for service, which is why it's important to do your due diligence first.

 

[Middlewife]

Took ,or at least, tried to take a few out for test ride. First one I could only get one toe on the ground leaning at 15 degrees, so that was a non starter (fortunately it was the most expensive), second was better for height but only by swapping out suspension post for a non suspension saddle at very lowest, and knees were cramped, third time lucky, could get both tip toes on ground, handlebars not as swept back as I'd like but they're going to shorten them by an inch as I have narrow shoulders. Got a decent lock so will be delivered next Thursday. Went for Haibike 4 trekking short frame. No hard sell or upselling. Trying some sort of armoured tyre, they weren't keen to fit tubeless and as I'm a leisure rider would probably have been overkill. I have arthritic fingers and thumbs and degeneration spine and left hip glued after running injury, so my ability to upend and lever off a tyre is doubtful. It has walk assist, so if it comes to it, should be able to walk it home.
Service and insurance wasn't mentioned at all, but suspect that may come on delivery.

Final question for now, is it generally better to add to house insurance for outside home use, or but a specific bike policy?
Thanks.

 

[Az.]

Went for Haibike 4 trekking short frame.

Nice bike, but with built in obsolescence.
Can't help thinking it is not the best choice for you. I hope I am wrong.

Tip toes on ground is exactly how I like it, but I wouldn't recommend it to a beginner.

This one?

Haibike TREKKING 4 LOW 720Wh - 27.5 Easy Entry Electric Trek Bike - 2023 - dark silver pearl - matt

Haibike Bikes Trekking bike with powerful Yamaha motor, 720Wh battery and full equipment. Model dark silverpearl - matt

www.bycicle.net

 

[Middlewife]

Nice bike, but with built in obsolescence.
Can't help thinking it is not the best choice for you. I hope I am wrong.

Tip toes on ground is exactly how I like it, but I wouldn't recommend it to a beginner.

This one?

Haibike TREKKING 4 LOW 720Wh - 27.5 Easy Entry Electric Trek Bike - 2023 - dark silver pearl - matt

Haibike Bikes Trekking bike with powerful Yamaha motor, 720Wh battery and full equipment. Model dark silverpearl - matt

www.bycicle.net

Yup, time will tell, hopefully you won't see it advertised on here at Christmas!

 

[Middlewife]

Btw, I took have built in obsolescence, not sure if the bike will fail first or me

 

[Az.]

To high saddle is not only inconvenient, but also dangerous when somebody is not confident enough. I wouldn't sell bike like that to beginner and especially to a beginner with your medical history.

Don't worry about fixing flat tyre. I hope you have some nice cycling paths nearby. Just stop and wait. I am sure somebody will stop and fix it for you. I know I would. Just make sure you have spare inner tube.

 

[saneagle]

Took ,or at least, tried to take a few out for test ride. First one I could only get one toe on the ground leaning at 15 degrees, so that was a non starter (fortunately it was the most expensive), second was better for height but only by swapping out suspension post for a non suspension saddle at very lowest, and knees were cramped, third time lucky, could get both tip toes on ground, handlebars not as swept back as I'd like but they're going to shorten them by an inch as I have narrow shoulders. Got a decent lock so will be delivered next Thursday. Went for Haibike 4 trekking short frame. No hard sell or upselling. Trying some sort of armoured tyre, they weren't keen to fit tubeless and as I'm a leisure rider would probably have been overkill. I have arthritic fingers and thumbs and degeneration spine and left hip glued after running injury, so my ability to upend and lever off a tyre is doubtful. It has walk assist, so if it comes to it, should be able to walk it home.
Service and insurance wasn't mentioned at all, but suspect that may come on delivery.

Final question for now, is it generally better to add to house insurance for outside home use, or but a specific bike policy?
Thanks.

Please keep us updated on how you get on.

 

[sjpt]

Enjoy the bike when you get it; I'm sure it will give lots of pleasure.

I hope your armoured tyre is Schwalbe Marathon Plus to avoid punctures, or something as good.
Just in case you DO get a puncture, as Az says someone will help.