Raleigh Captus

[Crystal_pixie]

Hi,

Has anyone had any experience with the Raleigh Captus step through? it looks pretty good and I like the idea of having a Bosch motor.

Its not as powerful as my Kalkhoff but looks a nice bike with a good specification.

Thoughts please.

 

[Hillhelp]

Hi,
I’ve had my Captus Crossbar 2016 model for just over 6 weeks and I’m really pleased with it. I’ve ridden to work (about 6 miles each way) every day bar one since I got it. It’s my first ebike so I can’t compare it to others but it’s everything I wanted it to be.

I generally keep it in turbo mode, on the way in averaging about 16-16.5mph in 5th gear on the flat. The assist reduces above 15.5mph of course but doesn’t disappear completely until 17mph, so at that speed I’m getting a similar amount of assist as I would below 15.5mph in Eco mode.

Max gradient on my journey is only 7% but I can easily get up that at >15mph in 4th gear in turbo mode. Downhill top gear allows me to get to 30mph OK without pedalling stupidly fast.

On the way home I still keep it in turbo mode but try and keep the pace above 17mph on the flat to get a good workout.

Doing this my heart rate generally averages ~115bpm on the way in (so not too aromatic when I get to work!) and about 130-135bpm on the way home. I generally recharge the battery every two days by which time it still has 2 out of the 5 bars left.

If I want to really take it easy I can easily get to work without my heart rate rising above 100bpm by keeping below 15.5mph in turbo. Conversely, I’ve also ridden it home with the assist turned off just to check if I could. This obviously resulted in more use of all the gears and more variations in speed but was fine, though it unsurprisingly felt considerably heavier than my normal pushbike.

I’ve found it to be really comfortable (far more than my hybrid pushbike which has a gel seat and suspension seatpost). This is probably due to the more upright riding position and slightly wider tyres.

I haven’t found many cons. I do get the occasional clunky gear change, but the worst part is probably the brakes – the fronts still feel like they aren’t bedded in, giving a rather juddery deceleration, and the rears are pretty ineffective. To be honest, I’m lucky in that I rarely have cause to use my brakes until I arrive at work / home. If I was commuting through heavy traffic this may be more of an issue, but I think the 2017 model has been upgraded to disc brakes anyway.

For the record, I’m a 14.5 stone 51 year old man of no more than average fitness. If you want to ask any more specific questions, fire away.

 

[anotherkiwi]

You could swap out the front brake for a Magura hydraulic. It will make the world of difference.

 

[Benjahmin]

You could swap out the front brake for a Magura hydraulic. It will make the world of difference.

+1 on that, they are easy on the fingers with a fine graduated appliance of braking force. Well worth the money.

 

[Danidl]

Hi,

Has anyone had any experience with the Raleigh Captus step through? it looks pretty good and I like the idea of having a Bosch motor.

Its not as powerful as my Kalkhoff but looks a nice bike with a good specification.

Thoughts please.

.. I have the step through version of the Motus, which is the slightly more luxurious version of the Captus, with hydraulic brakes , a slightly bigger battery and I am told slightly better gears.
The review for the crossbar version is right on the button. A comfortable bike capable of decent range. I use the same gears etc. I could have written exactly the same review.
What he could have added is that it is fully equipped.. many bikes need bits added like pumps , mudguards , carrier .but not the Raleigh. This is a fully equipped bike
The riding stance , may look old fashioned , but it is comfortable.

 

[footpump]

the raliegh range to me seems expensive, small 300 watt battery,
the active line 50nm (I have ktm active) not sure how the motus copes with hilly terrain, if commuting with panniers ,locks etc.
the whisper vrange of bikes seem to be better specked and with a bigger battery option.
older models are being discounted to make way for new models.
bosch are bringing out a redesigned active moter.

 

[Danidl]

the raliegh range to me seems expensive, small 300 watt battery,
the active line 50nm (I have ktm active) not sure how the motus copes with hilly terrain, if commuting with panniers ,locks etc.
the whisper vrange of bikes seem to be better specked and with a bigger battery option.
older models are being discounted to make way for new models.
bosch are bringing out a redesigned active moter.

.. I will assure you that the Motus is excellent for on road , on tarmac, on gravel on low grass . Not suited for MTB only type terrain ..rocks, bouncing, sand dunes etc.
The carrier fits standard clipon panniers and no problem. I keep an Oxford armoured cable in mine, for those extended breaks when I cannot trust the internally fitted lock.
The Motus and therefore the Captus will go up any hill you can cycle up, the range of gears is good.
The Motus has the 400whr pack.
The only problem I have had is that I had great difficulty in finding the bike frame reference number... For newbies it is on the bottom of the seat post, behind the motor and pointing towards the rear mudguard.

 

[Crystal_pixie]

Thanks for the input guys. I am considering the Raleigh as an alternative to the Kalkhoff Pro connect B9.

When you are looking for a decent spec bike under £2k there doesn't seem to be much out there?

 

[Mal69]

Thanks for the input guys. I am considering the Raleigh as an alternative to the Kalkhoff Pro connect B9.

When you are looking for a decent spec bike under £2k there doesn't seem to be much out there?

I think it all depends on what you are using it for, have you looked at Oxygen e-bikes, they are good or the money.

If I had a higher budget I would have bought the new Giant E+1 road 2017 e-bike, I like the battery pack being integrated into the frame, the Shimano steps system interests me as well, automatic gear changes would be a blessing if the whole thing works as it's advertised.

Customer service when things go wrong is also important, I have read a few negative things about Raleigh customer service concerning e-bikes.

 

[Danidl]

I think it all depends on what you are using it for, have you looked at Oxygen e-bikes, they are good or the money.

If I had a higher budget I would have bought the new Giant E+1 road 2017 e-bike, I like the battery pack being integrated into the frame, the Shimano steps system interests me as well, automatic gear changes would be a blessing if the whole thing works as it's advertised.

Customer service when things go wrong is also important, I have read a few negative things about Raleigh customer service concerning e-bikes.

Any ebike dealer who is an agent for Bosch should be competent to service problems in the e bike part. I have asked locally and there would be no problems Any bike shop can repair and service the mechanical parts of the bike

 

[Trevormonty]

Cube usually have competitively priced Bosch ebikes.

 

[Crystal_pixie]

Its the Kalkhoff impulse motor I am wanting to avoid. My pro connect I8 has failed me and I have to admit to being a bit put off. I need a reliable bike that will do a good range (50 miles minimum) as my commute is 22 miles a day.

I did think about swapping it with the bosch motor equivalent but I am not too sure now.

 

[anotherkiwi]

Its the Kalkhoff impulse motor I am wanting to avoid. My pro connect I8 has failed me and I have to admit to being a bit put off. I need a reliable bike that will do a good range (50 miles minimum) as my commute is 22 miles a day.

I did think about swapping it with the bosch motor equivalent but I am not too sure now.

The Bosch Kalkhoff bikes are great. A wee bit expensive for my budget but definitely reliable.

 

[Danidl]

Its the Kalkhoff impulse motor I am wanting to avoid. My pro connect I8 has failed me and I have to admit to being a bit put off. I need a reliable bike that will do a good range (50 miles minimum) as my commute is 22 miles a day.

I did think about swapping it with the bosch motor equivalent but I am not too sure now.

You will have picked up from the messages here that ,
1. There is a view, which I share that a Bosch engined ebike is reliable.
2. Most ebikes at the same price point from good makers are much of a muchness . Whether you decide on a Raliegh, a cube , or a Kalkoff, the riding experience will be the same more or less.
3. Some suppliers will have slightly different specs .. mudguards yes or no, different gear manufacturers and either hydraulic or cable brakes and then whether rim or disk brakes

Depending on terrain and wind, a 50 mile range on a 300whr battery is a big ask, and you would be better trying to recharge at each commute, and or get a bigger battery.

 

[Peter Thornton]

You will have picked up from the messages here that ,
1. There is a view, which I share that a Bosch engined ebike is reliable.
2. Most ebikes at the same price point from good makers are much of a muchness . Whether you decide on a Raliegh, a cube , or a Kalkoff, the riding experience will be the same more or less.
3. Some suppliers will have slightly different specs .. mudguards yes or no, different gear manufacturers and either hydraulic or cable brakes and then whether rim or disk brakes

That is good advice! You will find much the same components being used on all these bikes. Pick the one that you like the look of ..........