Reasonably priced bike advice..

[Philip]

Hi,

Having read through the forum and in an effort to save money on commuting I am looking to get a pedelec.
Many of the threads in this forum are looking at bikes of getting on for £900 -£1000 plus.
Unfortunately I just don't have that kind of money, my budget is around £600-£700 and I would need to buy it through my works cycle to work scheme.

Does anyone have any recommendations on a bike that is ok, and is close to my budget? Below I have posted two examples of bikes I have found from a shop that I can get to that may be suitable but haven't seen any reviews of them.

http://www.e-bikesdirect.co.uk/Item/Brands/Byocycle/Byocycle_Boxer_24_Electric_Folding_Bike.aspx (My current number one choice as it is foldable)

http://www.e-bikesdirect.co.uk/Item/Brands/Green_Edge/Greenedge_CS2.aspx

Additional info:
I would be riding it around 10 miles, on generally flat ground.
A bonus would be that it is foldable but be of a normal ish size, I'm not keen on the really small wheeled bikes. This is because I need to carry it up five flights of stairs to my flat where I would store it - wouldn't risk leaving it outside..

Thanks for any input.

 

[Cyclezee]

Hi Philip,

A warm welcome to the forum.

Sorry if this is a bit negative, but I think you will struggle to find an 'off the peg' bike that meets all your criteria.

Large wheel folder for under £700 on a cycle to work scheme.

Woosh are certainly worth a look in that price bracket.

 

[flecc]

Remember the weight, neither of those have the weight given, but I'd guess that folder is in the 22 to 25 kilo range, a considerable weight to carry up five flights of stairs. I also don't like that locking clip on the folder, I prefer a more positive locking together.

Both Byocycles and Greenedge have been around for a while which might be reassurance re: ongoing support.

For more choice of bikes in your price range, have a look at the following major suppliers:

Woosh e-bikes

Kudos e-bikes
.

 

[Kudoscycles]

Phil,what you want is a contradiction,there are 26" wheeled folders but they tend to be awkward to carry when folded,more fold to store than fold to carry,to carry one up 5 flights would be so difficult you will wish you had bought a non assisted bike.
You really are restricted to small wheeled bikes by that I mean 20" not 14",my Kudos Secret bike is about the lightest around at 18 kgs but I would struggle to carry it up 5 flights,the price is £725.00...it would do the commute distance you want easily.
KudosDave

 

[trex]

The £599 Green Edge looks very good:

also there's the woosh £585 Sirocco with slightly larger capacity battery (36V 10AH battery against 9AH for the Green Edge).
http://www.wooshbikes.co.uk/?sirocco

 

[Philip]

Thanks for the advise and the further options to consider - am checking them out now. It does seem I'm being a bit optimistic especially re the folding option.
Probably should add I do have a lift that goes up 3 storeys, so can use that if necessary and just have to wheel the bike up two storeys - its just its a really old lift (i.e 1930s with manual sliding doors etc) which I prefer to avoid normally..

The whoosh bikes seem to have a good selection in my price range, but are a bit heavier than the Kudos bike - I may have to go to a store and try some bikes of similar weights to see how manageable they are.

 

[trex]

the woosh £699 Zephyr CDN would fit in any lift without having to fold but they are more often out of stock than in.
http://www.wooshbikes.co.uk/?zephyr-cdn
Also, smaller wheeled bikes are not as comfortable as full size 26" wheeled bikes on a 10 mile stretch.

 

[Pedaldog]

Have you thought about buying a 26" wheeled folder, such as the Rudge Bi-frame and adding your own kit to that? I had a Bi-frame a few years ago and it was a nice bike to ride, steady handling and folded acceptably when needed. I know it's a good long lasting bike as it's been through various members of YACF and Fell Club members and AFAIK is still running okay.

 

[Pedaldog]

or what about this for "!%99.00, seems to fit your wanted spec'
http://www.e-bikesdirect.co.uk/Item/Brands/Byocycle/Byocycle_Boxer_24_Electric_Folding_Bike.aspx

 

[Philip]

Thanks for the additional options. Yes, the byocycle is one I am looking at as an option and that company is in the cycle to work scheme.