Newby choosing first bike

cookie

Finding my (electric) wheels
Feb 17, 2016
23
7
76
Hi All
Just joined up to this great site,I have done a little research & my feelings are directed towards a Woosh Big Bear at the moment, is this a general good choice
Cookie
 

soundwave

Esteemed Pedelecer
May 23, 2015
16,875
6,492
depends what you want to use 1 for ie id not recommend going off road on it ;)
 

cookie

Finding my (electric) wheels
Feb 17, 2016
23
7
76
Just a bit of fun really, Quite hilly where I live, but I would need something reliable
 

soundwave

Esteemed Pedelecer
May 23, 2015
16,875
6,492

worth a watch if not seen them b4 ;)
 

Emo Rider

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jan 10, 2014
659
414
The Haibike pictured above is a great piece of kit. They come in Sduro (Yamaha powered) and Xduro (Bosch powered) models. The Yamaha units are less pricey and some prefer the way they work over the Bosch.Raleigh, whom supplies Haibike, has a range of their own ebikes as well.

Freego have a great line of bikes as well with very good warranty. Their well equipped Hawk is £999. They have upgraded the Eagle this year and it is great spec for the price.

Buying the most inexpensive ebike you can find is just that, an inexpensive ebike. Having said that, regardless of what you buy, if you take good care of your bike and have a dealer that will take care of you, you should be okay.

Bottom line is visiting a dealer or dealers and test riding a variety of bikes. Anyone here will tell you that a volume of words can not replace a five minute test ride when describing the ebike experience. Good luck with your purchase
 
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trex

Esteemed Pedelecer
May 15, 2011
7,703
2,671
wise words from Emo Rider, totally agreed.
The Big Bear is a good all-rounder,
It's been bought and reviewed by quite a few members but I wouldn't describe it as a fun bike.
If you want a bike for the occasional off-roading, check out the much lighter woosh Bali.
http://wooshbikes.co.uk/?bali
 

cookie

Finding my (electric) wheels
Feb 17, 2016
23
7
76
thank you all for your help so far. I should have mentioned that I will need a step through
Cookie
 

trex

Esteemed Pedelecer
May 15, 2011
7,703
2,671
cookie, the new woosh Santana 2 is hard to beat. Lighter and cheaper than the Big Bear LS, the front wheel has quick release, Avid disc brakes, compact BPM rear motor, suitable for occasional off-roading.
http://wooshbikes.co.uk/?santana2

 
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JuicyBike

Trade Member
Jan 26, 2009
1,671
527
Derbyshire
thank you all for your help so far. I should have mentioned that I will need a step through
Cookie
Where do you live Cookie?
 
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cookie

Finding my (electric) wheels
Feb 17, 2016
23
7
76
made a decision & ordered a Woosh Santana 2, spec & price seems to fit my needs at the moment, looking forward to Wednesday
 

electrickery

Pedelecer
Jun 8, 2015
135
124
71
fife scotland
Well done.. sure you won't regret your choice . Woosh have a good name for producing decent inexpensive ebikes with good after sales service.. and welcome to the world of ebikes..great fun addictive and rejuvenating ... you would hardly believe soundwave was an oap ;).. seriously tho enjoy.
 

cookie

Finding my (electric) wheels
Feb 17, 2016
23
7
76
thank you electrickery, really not easy to make that final choice for a first timer
 

Fingers

Esteemed Pedelecer
Feb 9, 2016
3,373
1,552
46
thank you electrickery, really not easy to make that final choice for a first timer

Lol. It is so tough isn't it. So many choices and deals. I reckon you've got a winner there though. I've read a lot on this forum despite not being a member for long and from what I can see is pretty much everyone has a different reason and specs for their purpose. It's great to get the help on here but at the end of the day you've got to make the plunge. I wouldn't have found out about my Gtech if it hadn't been for here though.

Good luck mate and I bet once you get that first boost the hardest thing will be to wipe that smug grin off your face. Lol. I know that's the case with me.

These things are the future. Wish I'd got involved sooner.
 

cookie

Finding my (electric) wheels
Feb 17, 2016
23
7
76
Hi Fingers
Seeing the Gtech ad got me into thinking about ebikes, they look great to my eyes & I would be interested to hear how you get get on with it as it was on my original list
 

Fingers

Esteemed Pedelecer
Feb 9, 2016
3,373
1,552
46
Hi Fingers
Seeing the Gtech ad got me into thinking about ebikes, they look great to my eyes & I would be interested to hear how you get get on with it as it was on my original list

Hello mate.

My reviews(s) are on this thread.

http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/threads/is-£800-enough-money-to-spend-on-an-everyday-ride-to-work-bike.23264/page-6

Without going back into it I am very, very happy. My only real let down is the size of the actual tubing and the god awful welding. But it's still a handsome bike. And my 'complaints' are purely from an aesthetic point of view.

It does the job for me and believe me I was more than happy to invoke the 14 day clause. Still am if it doesn't carry on being perfect lol.

I'm properly made up for it and I truly hope your one is an instant success for you too.
 

cookie

Finding my (electric) wheels
Feb 17, 2016
23
7
76
just to say the santana 2 arrived on time, the build & finish looks really good to my eyes,what do I know :rolleyes:, only been on short runs so far its great, looking forward to better weather to really try it out
 

Perseus

Esteemed Pedelecer
Oct 15, 2015
396
21
72
wise words from Emo Rider, totally agreed.
The Big Bear is a good all-rounder,
It's been bought and reviewed by quite a few members but I wouldn't describe it as a fun bike.
If you want a bike for the occasional off-roading, check out the much lighter woosh Bali.
http://wooshbikes.co.uk/?bali
Text says 23 kg.Same as Kreiger.
Bear is 26 kg, very heavy.

Bikes w/o electro-assist may be as low as 13kg nowadays.
 
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