Please help me choose an ebike?

Hi!

 

I started looking at the option of buying an electric bike a couple of days ago for my commute to work. I was planning on cycling to work but, quite frankly, didn't fancy getting there knackered and sweaty with the thought that after 8 hours I'd have to do it all again. Now, this website is great, but the pedelec world gets more and more complex the deeper you go. I do not know which bike to go for or what exactly make a good bike, that's where I hoped you guys would help.

 

Could you recommend a bike based on these criteria?

 

Distance to work: 10 - 15miles (therefore range of at least 30 miles)

Price range: £0 - £1500 (a loose range, would be able to go up for the right bike)

Speed: I like to go fast Ideally I would like a bike that could be de-restricted and perhaps have the capabilities to reach 20-25mph on my own land.

Terrain: Road and canal tow path. Some steep, long hills involved

Me: I am 22 with no heakth problems and a decent level of fitness. 5'9".

 

Any more info. you may need to help me out, please ask

 

Thanks

Edited April 28, 201214 yr by booosh

Hi Booosh where are you in the UK

 

 

I can recommend Our Commuter Plus with A 48 volt 15 Ah battery Eat your journey and the Hills

 

Recommend The 20 inch Frame

 

Commuter Plus

 

You are welcome to come to Banbury for a test ride we are open 7 days a week

 

Thanks Frank

I'd suggest at 22 years old with reasonable fitness you should get a non-electric bike, something like a Boardman Hybrid Pro, or a Stevens Cyclo Cross bike. These will weigh less than 10kg, your fitness will improve, and if you take easy on the run to work you shouldn't get hot and sweaty

Hi Booosh,

 

Welcome to the forum.

 

As you have already realised, the there is plenty of choice and having set a budget is a good starting point.

 

The normal advice is to try before you buy if at all possible, you might also want to consider fitting a conversion kit to a non powered bike that you really like, so you are not restricted to buying a complete electric bike.

 

I must confess that my suggestions are somewhat biased, but I can highly recommend either an eZee bike or conversion. Please have a look at this model from Onbike eZee Bikes Torq Electric Bike or one of our kits. You can find more information on them here Bikes & Conversion Kits - Cyclezee Ltd.

 

Regards,

Thanks for your advice, guys.

 

Alan B, I am and have considered a standard bike. I do have the fitness (or could soon develop the fitness) to cycle 10 miles to work. I'm one of those unlucky people that seem to sweat a lot. Give me 20oC 10 minute walk and I'll be wet. Luckily, I guess, I don't smell (so I'm, hopefully reliably, informed). Unfortunately my work doesn't have a shower.

 

Please feel free to make recommendations if you work for a seller. I am going to be researching any recommendations a lot further before making a purchase anyway

OK, point understood.

 

I've a Kudos King. That's got the range, and is suitable for canal paths as well. I average over 15mph for my 10 mile commute, and on the level it's easy to pedal it at 17/18 mph. But it won't do 20/25 unless you have a tailwind or going downhill.

I do agree with booosh, I have electric bikes and 4 non electric. If I want a work out, I do 50 miles on my roadie. But, it is a pure pleasure riding my electric bikes and enjoying the scenery.

Some companies have the facilities of showers/ changing rooms. Nothing worse than a bad smell in the office coming from me.

Ideally I would like a bike that could be de-restricted and perhaps have the capabilities to reach 20-25mph on my own land.

 

An eZee conversion kit can be de-restricted to assist to 20+ MPH on private land.

Try a Wisper, great range of reliable bikes with a network of dealers and service centres...

 

My favourite bike of theirs at the moment is the 905 SEL, powerful dapush motor, big battery and XT gearing...

 

Re perspiration try PIT ROK deodorant, can get it in some boots chemists.

 

Could you recommend a bike based on these criteria?

 

Distance to work: 10 - 15miles (therefore range of at least 30 miles)

Price range: £0 - £1500 (a loose range, would be able to go up for the right bike)

Speed: I like to go fast Ideally I would like a bike that could be de-restricted and perhaps have the capabilities to reach 20-25mph on my own land.

Terrain: Road and canal tow path. Some steep, long hills involved

Me: I am 22 with no heakth problems and a decent level of fitness. 5'9".

 

Any more info. you may need to help me out, please ask

 

Thanks

 

Hi Booosh.

 

Are you a farmer? You must have a large piece of land if you want to pedal around at 25mph!

 

Regardless, as you're young and fit, you can ride unpowered quite easily but if you want to just sit back and let the bike take the strain from time to time, why not get one of these?

 

zippe-electric-scooters

 

Well within your price range and perfectly legal for road use, I think....and a natty little machine to boot!

 

Indalo

I do agree with booosh, I have electric bikes and 4 non electric. If I want a work out, I do 50 miles on my roadie. But, it is a pure pleasure riding my electric bikes and enjoying the scenery.

Some companies have the facilities of showers/ changing rooms. Nothing worse than a bad smell in the office coming from me.

 

That's exactly why I got an ebike! Was fed up having to take a change of clothes with me too

 

With your budget there is plenty of choice, but as has been said try as many different bikes as possible, as the riding experience differs quite abit between models and crank/hub drives

 

Happy hunting!

Could you recommend a bike

Thanks

 

Hi Booosh

 

Posts like yours appear here frequently and I'm rather cynical I'm afraid as I'm sure they're not all genuine, judging by the number who disappear after receiving "advice" from the on-board dealers of the forum.

 

Presuming that you are a real person and really want advice on selecting an ebike to suit your needs, my advice would be to completely disregard anything said or suggested by the business community and pay attention to to the end-users, the enthusiasts who have actually parted with their own money to purchase an ebike. You will be getting it straight from the horse's mouth then as, by and large, the typical ebiker on here has no vested interests in selling the machines.

 

All the best with your research,

Indalo

Booosh, you'd be mad to buy a bike without trying it. Go somewhere where there are lots of bikes and lots of hills and take with you lots of time too.

 

As for going faster than the legal limit, whether on or off-road, remember an e-bike isn't a motorbike or scooter or moped, and hasn't been designed with those speeds and stresses in mind. If you must seek such speeds ensure the bike you buy will cope with the extra forces involved (it'll probably need to be either heavy or made from more expensive materials).

 

Ah, the thrills of going faster than the legal limit - so very exciting? Not really my friend. Stick to an x-box or something...

There is a second hand Pro connect for sale in the classifieds here for £1250 ono. I've never owned one, but I know from my time here that they are pretty well regarded bikes and you could maybe end up with a relatively new and decent bike for a little over a grand which at first glance sounds ok to me. Good luck...

Hi Booosh where are you in the UK

 

 

I can recommend Our Commuter Plus with A 48 volt 15 Ah battery Eat your journey and the Hills

 

Recommend The 20 inch Frame

 

Commuter Plus

 

You are welcome to come to Banbury for a test ride we are open 7 days a week

 

Thanks Frank

 

Linfitter:

 

In lots of industrial electric motors an extra circuit is incorporated into their design that enables extra coils in the motor to be utilised so as to give extra power when the motor is starting cold or under load. The circuit is disabled when the motor is up and running.

What I would like to know is does Banbury Frank’s motors have this kind of setup and that the extra circuits can be bought into permanent use by the use of a ‘off road switch’ giving a permanent boost. If this is the case then Banbury Frank’s motor would be actually two motors in one, one legal and the other not and providing Mr Law would be happy that the rider could not easily switch between the two modes without having to be seen to be doing it, thus giving their officers opportunity to prove that a bike was being used legally or not, I cannot see a problem with a duel motor drive.

 

But

 

If the motor is wired so as to be permanently capable of reaching the higher rating and is electrically limited so it cannot by the use of a switch then I can see a problem. If this is the case and a precedent was allowed to be set under Law then this would at a stroke decimate the small 250cc motor bike trade because all a rider would have to do who aspired to ride a more powerful bike on passing their test would be to put on a throttle stop to limit a much larger powerful bike to only have the speed performance of its much smaller cousin. Pass the test,remove the stop or ride it on Private Land that is either yours,or you have written permission on which to do so, and Yo Ho away you go.

 

Interesting would you say.

Errr...My bike is de restricted and does easily over 20mph, my choice. I may restrict again after holidays.

 

There are e bikes that will compete with a 250cc motorbike but they are predominately German, designed and built and approved for these speeds, and cost a small fortune

If this is the case and a precedent was allowed to be set under Law then this would at a stroke decimate the small 250cc motor bike trade because all a rider would have to do who aspired to ride a more powerful bike on passing their test would be to put on a throttle stop to limit a much larger powerful bike to only have the speed performance of its much smaller cousin. Pass the test,remove the stop or ride it on Private Land that is either yours,or you have written permission on which to do so, and Yo Ho away you go.

 

Interesting would you say.

 

I believe that this is the method used by Triumph on various models such as their Tiger800.

 

I own a Tiger955i and a Tiger800XC. No need for restriction though as I passed my test 37 years ago.

Errr...My bike is de restricted and does easily over 20mph, my choice. I may restrict again after holidays.

 

There are e bikes that will compete with a 250cc motorbike but they are predominately German, designed and built and approved for these speeds, and cost a small fortune

 

A 250cc motorbike bike will do 90mph, which e-bike competes with it?

Hi Booosh

 

Posts like yours appear here frequently and I'm rather cynical I'm afraid as I'm sure they're not all genuine, judging by the number who disappear after receiving "advice" from the on-board dealers of the forum.

 

I can assure you I am a genuine person Advice noted. So it seems that I might just have to go and try some out before I know what I'll want.

I believe that this is the method used by Triumph on various models such as their Tiger800.

There's similar on the Honda CB500 twin for power limited riders, the engine is choked to a lower bhp from it's standard 68 bhp, a removable modification.

Hi Booosh.i have the same problem? I used to run up to 110 miles a week a while ago (quite a while ago??,10 +years) and am still fairly fit for 60+ and ride 10 miles to work do 12 hours and ride 10 miles home ( including today when at 0600hrs it was torential rain and blowing 40 knots ) and had no problems at all with my Freego Eagle despite having to stand up and pedal a few times as I useually do and even pedal down hill?? but like you I have no showers but the ebike makes it a lot Easyer in the Summer and if it's hot just pedal lightly for the same speed and take a flannel with you??. Regards Steve.

Hi if you like to go fast i would look at bikes with hub motors,a decent kit and a reasonable bike is the way i would suggest to go,ezee are one of the most powerfull kits or bikes.

Hi Booosh

 

Posts like yours appear here frequently and I'm rather cynical I'm afraid as I'm sure they're not all genuine, judging by the number who disappear after receiving "advice" from the on-board dealers of the forum.

 

Presuming that you are a real person and really want advice on selecting an ebike to suit your needs, my advice would be to completely disregard anything said or suggested by the business community and pay attention to to the end-users, the enthusiasts who have actually parted with their own money to purchase an ebike. You will be getting it straight from the horse's mouth then as, by and large, the typical ebiker on here has no vested interests in selling the machines.

 

All the best with your research,

Indalo

 

I have to say that saying that you are 'presuming' that a new member is genuine is hardly the way to encourage new members to post here asking for advice....

 

As to advising members to 'completely disregard' anything said or suggested by the business community on this forum seems , to me, downright offensive to those dealers who support this site, are quick to help members with problems often totally regardless of whether they are buying from them or not, and are an integral part of this forum.

 

As enthusiasts, yes, we have all 'parted with our own money'......but a drop in the ocean compared to what has been invested by people selling bikes here.....and if I was in business I would have to be pretty confident in what I was trying to sell to invest that sort of money, time and knowledge....especially as members on this forum are, quite rightly, quick to point out the pros and cons of their bikes.

 

Most dealers are extremely knowledgeable about electric bikes and extremely generous with their time on this forum, after all, I cant imagine e-bikes are going to make anyone mega rich in the near future.....most are enthusiasts first and foremost, and dont really deserve to be treated so dismissively.

 

I think there is always room for the opinions of both dealers and the general public leisure cyclists as most of us are on here.

 

Of course the best research is try, try, try before you buy

 

Good luck in your search Booosh

 

Lynda

Well I disagree with almost all of that

 

what gets extremely tiresome is the continuing popping up of business interests. When a new member comes on here seeking advice, I presume they want advice from enthusiasts that have a little more experience then themselves....

 

But what happens? out come the same old business protaganists with buy this, and buy that, me ..me..... me..... That is OK in some respects, they have payed for this privalage. but a real continuing yawn for the rest of us..... boring and repetitive, especaily when new members inquire about a specific product.

 

"Hey! I want a top of the range £3000 E bike money no object" and still they cannot resist...I mean come on! technical help and advice one thing, but heavy handed promotion quite another....

Well I disagree with almost all of that

 

what gets extremely tiresome is the continuing popping up of business interests. When a new member comes on here seeking advice, I presume they want advice from enthusiasts that have a little more experience then themselves....

 

But what happens? out come the same old business protaganists with buy this, and buy that, me ..me..... me..... That is OK in some respects, they have payed for this privalage. but a real continuing yawn for the rest of us..... boring and repetitive, especaily when new members inquire about a specific product.

 

"Hey! I want a top of the range £3000 E bike money no object" and still they cannot resist...I mean come on! technical help and advice one thing, but heavy handed promotion quite another....

 

 

 

Oh Eddie......there are lots of things going to be boring or tiresome at times to those members of a forum who spend a lot of time in here, and yes, have seen it all before, but ,hey, thats life in a public forum, best to just lie back at times like that and chill

 

Certainly no reason for anyone to tell people to 'completely disregard' our business members.......seems to me that some people need to relax a bit more and stop apparently auditioning for 'Victor Meldrew' awards....

 

I can imagine some people might find your seemingly intense ' love affair ' with wisper, or desire for uber expensive bikes with Bosch motors ' boring and repetitive ' too at times , along with my continuing love and stories of my Tonaro bike..... etc etc.......

 

But I defend to the death (well, almost ! ) our right to freely give our opinions........that is what the forum is for, and I enjoy being part of it even the 'boring' (to me) bits.....I certainly wouldnt think that an excuse to be rude about other members input.

 

I personally like reading of the latest offerings from John, Bob, Dave, Frank et al but most of all, appreciate their input of expertise into this forum.......lets face it we need as much expertise here as possible as we certainly dont want to upset any more members enough to make them leave, taking their unstinting help with them, ......do we Eddie ?

 

Lynda