One big hill

[gallagtara]

Hey there.

I have sold my old (almost new) bike due to having moved workplace, which means my commute has changed. Instead of down one big hill which is apparently a category 3 on length/difficulty and then a flat route into and out of my little city of no more than about a mile, it's now down one big hill and just under 8 mile to and from a local town, bike lanes all the way.

There are no showers at work, I don't really want the faff of changing or being all sweaty and having to redo makeup, plus the route to work has a cycle lane but it is often windy and there are a few more little hills and I am lazy and unfit.

So, I'd like a light, folding electric bike that will get me there and back with occasional but non-vigorous peddling, and which I can successfully fold up and down and lump up and down the steps to my house every workday.

I am planning to buy a chinese model online as I have a very tight budget consisting of the 300 pounds I got for my bike, plus say another 50 or so pounds. I've got a few models bookmarked, but a steer on what kind of motor I should look for, plus what position and voltage would be great. Thank you!

 

[RobF]

A £300 ebike is unlikely to do what you want.

For that sort of money, you will get a dreadful, cheap, nasty, unreliable contraption.

You may not get anything at all - lots of scam adverts on ebay.

Even if something does turn up, you will have no comeback or warranty support - whatever the advert says.

Post a link or two, someone on here may know the seller and be able to give you a better idea of how the transaction may proceed.

Stretching the budget to £750 or so would give you a fighting chance.

Even then, such a bike wouldn't be ideal for daily commuting which is hard use for any bicycle, electric or not.

 

[Mike63]

Rob's right....don't buy anything for £300 or even £500 not even used.
Up the budget to £1000 and I think you can get a brand new Wisper with a 2 year warranty....you'll be glad you did.
....and buy close to home...excellent dealers down your way.

 

[Alan Quay]

Does your company use the cycle to work scheme, or could they be persuaded too? That would save you some money and let you pay it back over (I think) 2 years.

 

[gallagtara]

Thanks for your help. It really is the case that I just can't afford anything more than about 400 quid - even that is quite a lot for me right now! With that in mind, I've been looking at direct from the maker, via Alibaba.

My current picks are:

These three from Shuangye, who have a good name in bikes and bikes - they are all folding models but I'm not sure what kind/position of motor is best:
https://zhebike.en.alibaba.com/product/60240667005-800878406/2015_Shuangye_lithium_battery_for_mini_fold_electric_bike_A2_FB20.html
https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Aluminum-Alloy-250w-motor-shuangye-folding_60155174888/showimage.html
https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/14-inch-36v-250w-folding-electric_60466148666.html?spm=a2700.7724838.0.0.LBhSek

I've also been looking at some from Changzhou Bisek Cycle - this one folds up similar to a Brompton:
https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/20inch-city-bike-electric-folding-bicycle_60493149920.html?spm=a2700.7724838.0.0.0m5GMe

And some from Dongguan
https://tailg.en.alibaba.com/product/60289360339-801721282/Dongguan_TAILG_mini_folding_electric_bicycle_lithium_electric_bike.html
https://tailg.en.alibaba.com/product/60309386550-801721282/mini_folding_electric_bicycle_Dongguan_Tailg_cheap_electric_bike_with_hidden_Lithium_battery_TDT158Z.html

Then again, if a foldable version will not be strong or comfortable enough for daily use, I could go non-folding? I have ear-marked these:

https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/shenzhen-tailg-electric-mid-drive-36_60382505792.html?spm=a2700.7724838.0.0.2QBD2T
https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/women-shopping-electric-bicycle-with-250w_60488438773.html?spm=a2700.7724838.0.0.AJLi2r
https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Dutch-style-electric-bicycle-700CC-with_1508551451.html?spm=a2700.7724838.0.0.MRH7qN

 

[the_killjoy]

Don't forget the duty, carriage etc and you will be on your own as regards any after sales service ~ they wont fall over themselves for a single sell.

 

[Alan Quay]

Sometimes it's cheaper to borrow money and buy the right thing rather than have to buy twice.

 

[gallagtara]

I would spend more if I could, but I really can't - I'm not going to get in to justifying why. I do appreciate your advice but a more constructive approach would be more useful to me.

'you will be on your own as regards any after sales service'

Yeah, I accept that. A lot of the suppliers use Samsung, Panasonic batteries, which I've been thinking would be a good option as they are big brands and so will be easier to replace, should I need to. Tires etc are also a concern but lower down the list of priorities.

Right now I think I need to better understand the position of drive I need, the kind of motor (brushless?) to tackle my daily commute, and how much weight is too much.

All the rest can flow from there I think. I am going to a bike shop later and will try out lifting/folding some of their models and hopefully that will narrow it down.

 

[Alan Quay]

I would spend more if I could, but I really can't - I'm not going to get in to justifying why. I do appreciate your advice but a more constructive approach would be more useful to me.

'you will be on your own as regards any after sales service'

Yeah, I accept that. A lot of the suppliers use Samsung, Panasonic batteries, which I've been thinking would be a good option as they are big brands and so will be easier to replace, should I need to. Tires etc are also a concern but lower down the list of priorities.

Right now I think I need to better understand the position of drive I need, the kind of motor (brushless?) to tackle my daily commute, and how much weight is too much.

All the rest can flow from there I think. I am going to a bike shop later and will try out lifting/folding some of their models and hopefully that will narrow it down.

You won't be getting Samsung or Panasonic at that price. The best you can hope for is that it doesn't burn your house down.

The only way it could be done within your budget is second hand or DIY. Then you'll have to lucky/handy, probably both. Any new electric bike you can buy today for less than £400 delivered will not stand up to daily commuting for very long. You will be covering nearly 4000 miles a year don't forget.

I think that is pretty constructive advice BTW.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Those bikes are quite good, but the shipping cost will be as much as the bike, and then you have to add duty and handling costs, so a $300 bike costs $600 plus 25% = $750 or £580.

This is about as cheap as you can get. If you join the national cycle club, you can get discount on that price, plus if you join Quidco, you get an additional 3% discount. Go to your local Halfords to see what they've got.

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/electric-bikes/viking-hopper-city-se-electric-bike?istCompanyId=b8708c57-7a02-4cf6-b2c0-dc36b54a327e&istItemId=xtlamrmllm&istBid=tztw&_$ja=tsid:35522|cid:627838503|agid:32471675404|tid:aud-80976661309:pla-279327139204|crid:112784842204|nw:g|rnd:16540717386385731035|dvc:c|adp:1o2&gclid=CjwKEAjwrcC9BRC2v5rjyvSbhWASJACKkjDza6C_c-Uy-4LLC9p6CzvRK1rvEnqb9Z6K_omEt15ZMxoCaMnw_wcB

I don't agree with some of the other comments about cheap bikes not lasting; however, it helps if you have basic bike maintenance knowledge and DIY skills.

 

[anotherkiwi]

A kit mounted to a free bike would be your best bet to stay closer to budget. I am on my second free bike so they are definitely out there to be had.

Or a second hand bike that has been loved.

I was also in a very difficult financial position when i started out last year and went over budget but over 3500 km later I don't regret it.

 

[Suseka]

Whilst I cannot offer advice on your choices, my concern would be relating to any after sales service unless you're pretty handy with bikes. They need maintenance and from what I've learned from folks on here is that many local bike shops won't touch ebikes.

Of course you'd hope not to experience any issues, but I did within weeks of buying a good brand and was grateful that I had bought locally and it got sorted hassle free.

Luckily I have access to a c2w scheme, do you?. If not could you perhaps save up a bit over time too add to your pot?

Whatever you choose I hope it works out for you.

 

[gallagtara]

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!

 

[gray198]

don't forget to look at the classifieds on this forum. Could be something to suit

 

[RobF]

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!

I'm not surprised you are confused, you are drowning in a sea of information - the internet is a great research tool but the harder task is filtering out information, not gathering it in.

The bikes in your UK links are similar to the ones in your alibaba links.

Buying one for a private UK resident comes to a similar price - d8 explained the import duty and he understands that far better than me.

It remains the case that none are ideal for your relatively heavy use.

Such an ebike does not exist for much under £1,000.

Your budget is fixed, so you may have to think of another way of getting to work, or you could buy one of the bikes in your links and hopefully prove me wrong.

If it's the latter, I suggest you avoid anything with smaller than 20" wheels and certainly avoid seat post mounted batteries - the mount snaps on nearly all of them.

Any ebike - whatever the price - is fairly heavy, so you need to be comfortable with that.

No folder remotely close to your budget folds very neatly, they are all unwieldy lumps to carry.

The hinge and folding mechanism is something else that could fail over time, so it might be better if you could manage with a rigid frame or a folder you rarely need to fold.

Other costs will come into play, d8 has more faith in the cheaper bikes than I do, but we both agree some fettling/parts replacement will be required as the miles rack up.

You might be able to do some fettling yourself, but parts and consumables such as tyres, tubes, chains, etc cost money.

Year round commuting also means appropriate kit and clothing.

What you have already will be fine to get you started, but you may need warmer/more waterproof stuff if we get some bad weather.

 

[trex]

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.

That list contains more challenges that most e-bikes can deliver, leave alone on you small budget.
First question: how much weight you can and want to carry up two flights of steps? If your answer is x kgs, then x - 6 kgs is the weight for your donor bike. Find that bike on Gumtree/ebay then we can help you sort out a suitable conversion.

 

[gallagtara]

Thanks all.

Yesterday I lifted up an 18kg folding ebike in a shop, and that was doable - so maybe nothing much more than that - say 20kg? So that leaves no more than 14kg of weight. I will have a look for something light on gumtree today.

I have asked and my employer does do cyclescheme. I could conceivably use this to increase my budget to just shy of £1000, but it would need to be foldable for storage and security.

 

[gallagtara]

Second-hand non folding models on Gumtree I have found include:

Claud Butler Nimbus:
http://claudbutler.co.uk/product/nimbus-20/

Bickerton Junction 1507 country:
http://www.bickertonportables.co.uk/bikes/junction/junction-1507-country/

Dahon Curve:
http://dahon.com/bikes/curve-d3/

Dahon Speed D7:
http://www.foldingbike20.com/dahon-speed-d7-review/

Would any of these be good options? What kind of kit would I need to fit to these?

 

[trex]

they are viable but... the Nimbus is a bit too heavy at 14kgs, the junction at 13.3kgs is also a bit too heavy. The D7 seems the best candidate for front hub conversion but you will have to have your battery in a front bag making it front heavy.

 

[Suseka]

.........
I have asked and my employer does do cyclescheme. I could conceivably use this to increase my budget to just shy of £1000, but it would need to be foldable for storage and security.

I'd look into this more if I were you -they may have particular suppliers who they prefer you use and if you know that, you can check out what bikes they can offer. A quick google search throws up a few good names - Ebco, Freego to name but two -all within your price range.

With c2w schemes you generally end up paying less that the purchase price due to the income tax adjustment.

The good thing is that it'll give you more £s to play with and you should end up with a bike that'll last you well and save you money in the long run.

Good luck with it