Oxygen S-Cross ST & CB

[JezWhy]

Just collected our Oxygen S-Cross ST and CB e-bikes from our local bike shop UKCC

For those that may have missed the earlier ramblings we’ve been looking at e-bikes for about 12 months, undecided about what to buy, age and a pending knee op has made a regular bike too painful to ride so the decision had to be made.

I drew up this list of “essential” requirements, set a maximum budget and steamed ahead:

- Hers and his versions with identical batteries to allow swopping if needed

- Light enough to pedal without battery power

- Throttle operation only for emergencies to get home

- Reliable

- Around 50+ miles from a full battery charge

- Branded Bike

- Maximum rider weight up to 120KG

- Local Supplier

I shortlisted these:

Halfords Carrera, Wisper, Gtech, Whoosh, Juicy, Oxygen, Ebco, Freego.

After weeks of research, test rides and a hire we decided on the Oxygen bikes as the best choice, we liked the specification and the “concealed battery” is a brilliant idea, much less attractive to thieves we thought. Only reason not to buy was the lack of a local dealer, nearest being either 60 miles north or 60 miles south. I would guess a lot of thought has gone into designing these bikes from the ground up having seen the previous models which takes them a step or 2 above the likes of the Carrera which you could effectively build yourself if inclined.

I asked UKCC if they would order them for me and set them up even though they specialise in mountain bikes for the fearless end of the market. I’m glad they did because we had an issue with where to put the thumb throttle. They produced a small custom fit part they use on seat posts and attached it on the right hand side above the gear selector which was spot on. The bikes look extremely good in black and come complete with lights, mudguards and racks. The bike shop staff thought the component choice was pretty good and it was smiles all round as they whizzed around the car park testing them.

Off we went for our first 7 mile trip home. With power assist set on 1 (choice of 1 to 6) away we went on what has to be the easiest 7 miles we’ve ever done on a bike, switching to 4 on the hill as we approached home which has me out of the seat and sweating on a regular bike.



Warts and all review to follow for anyone interested in the next few months.

 

[Hali94]

Are you still happy with your purchase? I'm thinking of getting the oxygen st for handling hills on my daily commute. How good have you found it for that purpose?

 

[JezWhy]

Are you still happy with your purchase? I'm thinking of getting the oxygen st for handling hills on my daily commute. How good have you found it for that purpose?

Still really impressed with them- if I had to be really picky my only 2 possible quibbles would be
-I find the seat a little uncomfy for my skinny backside and the brakes are not as sharp as my old bike at speed..but for the money I would still buy them again and have no regrets except wishing I'd bought them sooner they make life so easy!

 

[JezWhy]

Not sure where you're based but do the route you intend to to use the bike on if you have any doubts,a good shop will have a demo bike you can loan. My other half has had no problem on hills so far on her ST and weighs around 10.5 stones, but she finds the bike too heavy to lift up and down stairs at train stations - which falls to me to deal with!

 

[LeighPing]

I find the seat a little uncomfy for my skinny backside!

Tesco do a nice £10 gel saddle and a suspension seatpost makes life a lot easier.

 

[jimfol]

View attachment 16412 Just collected our Oxygen S-Cross ST and CB e-bikes from our local bike shop UKCC

For those that may have missed the earlier ramblings we’ve been looking at e-bikes for about 12 months, undecided about what to buy, age and a pending knee op has made a regular bike too painful to ride so the decision had to be made.

I drew up this list of “essential” requirements, set a maximum budget and steamed ahead:

- Hers and his versions with identical batteries to allow swopping if needed

- Light enough to pedal without battery power

- Throttle operation only for emergencies to get home

- Reliable

- Around 50+ miles from a full battery charge

- Branded Bike

- Maximum rider weight up to 120KG

- Local Supplier

I shortlisted these:

Halfords Carrera, Wisper, Gtech, Whoosh, Juicy, Oxygen, Ebco, Freego.

After weeks of research, test rides and a hire we decided on the Oxygen bikes as the best choice, we liked the specification and the “concealed battery” is a brilliant idea, much less attractive to thieves we thought. Only reason not to buy was the lack of a local dealer, nearest being either 60 miles north or 60 miles south. I would guess a lot of thought has gone into designing these bikes from the ground up having seen the previous models which takes them a step or 2 above the likes of the Carrera which you could effectively build yourself if inclined.

I asked UKCC if they would order them for me and set them up even though they specialise in mountain bikes for the fearless end of the market. I’m glad they did because we had an issue with where to put the thumb throttle. They produced a small custom fit part they use on seat posts and attached it on the right hand side above the gear selector which was spot on. The bikes look extremely good in black and come complete with lights, mudguards and racks. The bike shop staff thought the component choice was pretty good and it was smiles all round as they whizzed around the car park testing them.

Off we went for our first 7 mile trip home. With power assist set on 1 (choice of 1 to 6) away we went on what has to be the easiest 7 miles we’ve ever done on a bike, switching to 4 on the hill as we approached home which has me out of the seat and sweating on a regular bike.

View attachment 16412

Warts and all review to follow for anyone interested in the next few months.

Hi, what is the custom part you that the ukcc used to fit throttle....and can you buy them seprately. I have an oxygen bike and want to for the throttle, but the handle bars are very busy.
The bike is fantastic.....no sweat going to work!...​

 

[JPGiant]

Hi, what is the custom part you that the ukcc used to fit throttle....and can you buy them seprately. I have an oxygen bike and want to for the throttle, but the handle bars are very busy.
The bike is fantastic.....no sweat going to work!...​

I would also like to know if these can be bought - on the piccie by JezWhy it looks like a 90 degree clamp/peg device.
I think I've seen one before fitted on a seatpost for a rear light, but not sure.

 

[gnscloz]

Hi as anyone got a source for the custom part yet? Or photo

 

[londonbrl]

I am considering getting one, just didnt make my mind in terms if i should go for the CB or the MTB one.
Are you happy with the CB one or would you recommend me to go for the MTB version due hydraulic brakes and better fork ? I live in London and my commute on mainly flat roads and less than 10k, just want a nice bike to not get sweaty in the office.

 

[vfr400]

Here's my take on the difference.
The CB is slightly more efficient, so if you have a very long commute or like to tour all day, the CB has some advantage. The extra efficiency would help you to keep a higher average speed if you ride over 20 mph.
The MTB has better brakes and better handling. It feels extremely safe and planted when you ride it. the CB feels a little more twitchy and the grip isn't so good from the thinner tyres.
The MTB is more comfortable. The bigger tyres absorb bumps better and I find the riding position better, but that might be just because it suits my body size and shape.
The CB is probably less likely to get nicked.

Fo the type of mixed riding I do, I'd get the MTB, but I would still buy the CB if my circumstances were that I wanted the extra efficiency of the CB

 

[cyclenut1952]

View attachment 16412 Just collected our Oxygen S-Cross ST and CB e-bikes from our local bike shop UKCC

For those that may have missed the earlier ramblings we’ve been looking at e-bikes for about 12 months, undecided about what to buy, age and a pending knee op has made a regular bike too painful to ride so the decision had to be made.

I drew up this list of “essential” requirements, set a maximum budget and steamed ahead:

- Hers and his versions with identical batteries to allow swopping if needed

- Light enough to pedal without battery power

- Throttle operation only for emergencies to get home

- Reliable

- Around 50+ miles from a full battery charge

- Branded Bike

- Maximum rider weight up to 120KG

- Local Supplier

I shortlisted these:

Halfords Carrera, Wisper, Gtech, Whoosh, Juicy, Oxygen, Ebco, Freego.

After weeks of research, test rides and a hire we decided on the Oxygen bikes as the best choice, we liked the specification and the “concealed battery” is a brilliant idea, much less attractive to thieves we thought. Only reason not to buy was the lack of a local dealer, nearest being either 60 miles north or 60 miles south. I would guess a lot of thought has gone into designing these bikes from the ground up having seen the previous models which takes them a step or 2 above the likes of the Carrera which you could effectively build yourself if inclined.

I asked UKCC if they would order them for me and set them up even though they specialise in mountain bikes for the fearless end of the market. I’m glad they did because we had an issue with where to put the thumb throttle. They produced a small custom fit part they use on seat posts and attached it on the right hand side above the gear selector which was spot on. The bikes look extremely good in black and come complete with lights, mudguards and racks. The bike shop staff thought the component choice was pretty good and it was smiles all round as they whizzed around the car park testing them.

Off we went for our first 7 mile trip home. With power assist set on 1 (choice of 1 to 6) away we went on what has to be the easiest 7 miles we’ve ever done on a bike, switching to 4 on the hill as we approached home which has me out of the seat and sweating on a regular bike.

View attachment 16412

Warts and all review to follow for anyone interested in the next few months.

 

[cyclenut1952]

Looking forward to your review,
Buying an Oxygen go next week.