One big hill

[trex]

suseka, the OP intends to ride 16 miles a day, 300 days a year, that's 4,800 miles a year. Not many e-bikes under £1,000 are built with good enough components for this sort of work. He also wants it light, foldable and compact so he can carry it up two flights of stairs and stowe it in a corner. That's beyond the Ebcos and Freegos. Only a conversion from a tough, well built bike like a Brompton can hack it.

 

[Suseka]

Hi Trex, fair enough, I've no real experience when it comes to it, but was just trying to encourage the OP to look into a c2w scheme.

Whilst the limit is £1k you could pay the difference, meaning the OP could put money towards it, that's what I was going to do but found a bike to suit my needs just under £1k.

Mind you my OH brought his for not much more and it looks well sturdy enough for that type of commute albeit it's not a folder.

 

[Alan Quay]

suseka, the OP intends to ride 16 miles a day, 300 days a year, that's 4,800 miles a year. Not many e-bikes under £1,000 are built with good enough components for this sort of work. He also wants it light, foldable and compact so he can carry it up two flights of stairs and stowe it in a corner. That's beyond the Ebcos and Freegos. Only a conversion from a tough, well built bike like a Brompton can hack it.

He also doesn't want to have to re-do his makeup when he gets to work.

 

[RobF]

suseka, the OP intends to ride 16 miles a day, 300 days a year, that's 4,800 miles a year. Not many e-bikes under £1,000 are built with good enough components for this sort of work. He also wants it light, foldable and compact so he can carry it up two flights of stairs and stowe it in a corner. That's beyond the Ebcos and Freegos. Only a conversion from a tough, well built bike like a Brompton can hack it.

My Brompton Nano went to a lady solicitor who does a five mile each way flattish commute on it.

I see her now and again, she's pleased with the bike and general reliability even though the battery conked out after a few months.

 

[gallagtara]

Redoing makeup having sweated it all off is a pain! I'm surprised e-bikes don't lead with this feature in their advertising.

I'll keep the Dahon Speed D7 on the cards for now and have another look at what's available 2nd hand.

I think a cycle scheme one isn't totally off the cards though - after all things change all the time and seeing as I am going to be moving in under 2 years my commute may completely change, so it's not like I need it to last forever.

 

[Suseka]

Sounds like you have a plan, good luck with it

 

[Kuorider]

Thanks all, I do appreciate the pointers.

I have had a look at second hand and there are a few lightly used electric folding bikes which are coming up as slightly above/within my budget - which do you reckon would be the best option for me? I need to get up one category 3 hill, as well as go 15 miles a day every weekday, and carry it up two flights of steps. I'm seeing:

Viking e-Go - 23kg, no panniers
http://www.e-bikesdirect.co.uk/Item/Brands/Viking/Viking_E-Go_Electric_Folding_Bike.aspx

Byocycles Chameleon - 23kg with panniers
http://www.e-bikesdirect.co.uk/Item/Brands/Byocycle/Byocycle_Chameleon_20_Folding_Electric_Bike_10ah_or_13ah.aspx

Dillinger Cheetah - 28kg (!!) with panniers
http://dillengerelectricbikes.com.au/electric-bikes/dillenger-cheetah-electric-folding-bike-by-dillenger.html

PowaCycle Puma - 18kg with panniers
http://www.powacycle.co.uk/Puma-Lithium-Polymer-Electric-Folding-Bike.asp

Viking harrier
http://www.idealworld.tv/pp/viking-harrier-6sp-24v-250w-electric-folding-bike-20inch-wheel-305427

coyote connect
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/electric-bikes/coyote-connect-folding-electric-bike

Hopper city SE
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/electric-bikes/viking-hopper-city-se-electric-bike

I'm so confused!

Don't buy any bike that you cannot try out. Avoid 16 inch wheels and 24 volt low amp hour batteries. These are fine for toddling round the park on a nice day. The Byocycle is by far the best of these by miles. On discount now so a bit of a bargain. They offer finance too, why not put half the price down and the balance over a year. Your saving on fares will probably pay this. You will need at least a 36 volt 10amp hour battery and 20 inch wheels to make any regular commute bearable. A regular commute in all weathers is no job for a cheap toy.

 

[gallagtara]

Thanks Kuorider, that's really helpful.

I've (almost) decided to go for a Byocycle purchased through our cyclescheme from e-bikesdirect.co.uk. The lightest is the Chameleon Tornado at 19kg but it is quite a lot of money. What do you guys think, is this is the right choice?

 

[Zack @ Byocycles]

I've got a couple of minutes left of work so I'll write you a few facts about the Tornado.

The Tornado is the lightest, most well equipped bike on the market for the £799 retail price. It comes with a Samsung battery, a fairly decent starter mechanical specification, and excellent electrical components.

The following dealers have them in stock:

Cliftonville Cycles -166 Northdown Rd, Margate CT9 2QN
AXcess-Electric-Bikes - Unit F, Heath Park Industrial Estate, Honiton
JMTB Cycles - Unit 22 Waterloo Park Waterloo Industrial Estate, B50 4JG
Summitbikes.co.uk - 24 Hillfield Rd, Selsey, Chichester PO20 0LB
Atman - 7 Galliard St, Sandwich CT13 9BG
Rinskis - The F.O.X Centre, Delling Ln, Bosham PO18 8NN
Supreme Cycles - 42-52 Earle St, Crewe, Cheshire East CW1 2AT
G&S Cycles - 48A High St, Gosport PO12 1DF
Lifestyle & Mobility Basildon Lifestyle and Mobility - Basildon
Biketricity - Redhouse Farm, Stratton on the Fosse, BA3 4QE
Brooks Cycles and Leisure - 4 N Albert St, Fleetwood FY7 6AA
Direct Car Parts - Front Street, Framwellgate Moor, DH1 5AU
E-Velo - 7a, Blyth Road Industrial Estate, Halesworth IP19 8EN
Torbay Ebikes - 107 Dartmouth Road, Goodrington, TQ4 6NF
Lifestyle and Mobility Southend- Southend

If you need any further information, give me a call on 02392 488 362

 

[gallagtara]

Thanks Zack! I bought a Coyote Commute in the end for just under 400, great condition only lightly used.

 

[Highside43]

Plus one on the C2W scheme.

 

[Zack @ Byocycles]

Thanks Zack! I bought a Coyote Commute in the end for just under 400, great condition only lightly used.

Hey Gallagtara, sounds like a good deal! Welcome to the fun and exciting world of electric bikes!!