Seeking Advice on Affordable Ebike for 20-Mile Daily Commute (£500-£600 = Budget)

Hey there

I've been looking into purchasing an Ebike for getting to and from work, it's around 20 miles a day. There's also some hilly terrain to contend with and im looking to spend £500 to £600. I'd love to get your insights and recommendations on this

My primary goal in going electric is to make my daily commute more eco-friendly, cost-effective, and less of a pain in the arse to park. I've heard good things about them for commuters, but I don't want to get one and it be crap.

Some more specific questions I kinda have:

1. Range: my daily mileage is about 20 miles, how crucial is the range of the Ebike? if It did run out can I still use the pedals fine or is the extra weight of the battery and motor too much?
   
2. Hill Climbing: I mentioned the hills. What motor power or assistance level should I aim for to conquer these inclines without too much effort?
   
3. Battery Life: How long do Ebike batteries typically last, and what's involved in their maintenance? I want to make sure I get a decent bike for my money but don't want to overspend as it will just be for getting into town and back to work.
   
4. Brand/Model Recommendations: Are there any specific brands or models within my budget range that you'd recommend? Are the off brand bikes any good?
   

Thanks in advance, and happy riding! ‍♂️

Are you after buying a new eBike, a second hand eBike or prehaps buying a normal second hand bike and doing your own conversion ?

Hey there

I've been looking into purchasing an Ebike for getting to and from work, it's around 20 miles a day. There's also some hilly terrain to contend with and im looking to spend £500 to £600.

 

Your budget is very low. Do you want to buy a ready made bike or DIY is an option?

 

Range: my daily mileage is about 20 miles, how crucial is the range of the Ebike? if It did run out can I still use the pedals fine or is the extra weight of the battery and motor too much?

 

Range depends on on many factors. 20m is not much to ask from an ebike. Yes, you can use pedals.

 

Hill Climbing: I mentioned the hills. What motor power or assistance level should I aim for to conquer these inclines without too much effort?

 

Yet again it depends. How steep are hills and how heavy/fit you are. For me 250W on roads is more than enough.

 

How long do Ebike batteries typically last, and what's involved in their maintenance? I want to make sure I get a decent bike for my money but don't want to overspend as it will just be for getting into town and back to work.

 

Depends on quality of cells used and on how you look after it. Typically around 1000 - 1500 charges

Hey there

I've been looking into purchasing an Ebike for getting to and from work, it's around 20 miles a day. There's also some hilly terrain to contend with and im looking to spend £500 to £600. I'd love to get your insights and recommendations on this

My primary goal in going electric is to make my daily commute more eco-friendly, cost-effective, and less of a pain in the arse to park. I've heard good things about them for commuters, but I don't want to get one and it be crap.

Some more specific questions I kinda have:

1. Range: my daily mileage is about 20 miles, how crucial is the range of the Ebike? if It did run out can I still use the pedals fine or is the extra weight of the battery and motor too much?
   
2. Hill Climbing: I mentioned the hills. What motor power or assistance level should I aim for to conquer these inclines without too much effort?
   
3. Battery Life: How long do Ebike batteries typically last, and what's involved in their maintenance? I want to make sure I get a decent bike for my money but don't want to overspend as it will just be for getting into town and back to work.
   
4. Brand/Model Recommendations: Are there any specific brands or models within my budget range that you'd recommend? Are the off brand bikes any good?
   

Thanks in advance, and happy riding! ‍♂

At that price, you're pretty well limited to bikes on Anazon and Ebay. This one will do what you want. It has all standard stuff that you find on these type of bikes, so cheap and easy to repair and upgrade.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Myatu-Electric-Removable-Battery-Mountain/dp/B0CC9K4RYF/ref=sr_1_5?crid=32O16YBHMCLQ2&keywords=Ebike&qid=1696170976&sprefix=ebike%2Caps%2C101&sr=8-5&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.cc223b57-2b86-485c-a85e-6431c1f06c86

Are you after buying a new eBike, a second hand eBike or prehaps buying a normal second hand bike and doing your own conversion ?

Want to get new Ebike, havent got time to do a conversion and preffer new to 2nd hand

As others have said, it will be difficult at that price range. If possible see if you can find one without front suspension. The cheap suspension you'll get at that price range will be very heavy, won't give very controlled suspension, and may well not last very long. However, industry fashion and perceived good selling points may make it hard to find one.

 

p.s. the extra weight is not that important on an e-bike, but the other factors still apply.

 

p.p.s Be aware of manufacturers 'up to' ranges, which are for flat riding in perfect conditions with low assist. In realistic conditions with some hills and wind and medium assist you may well get 1/3 the stated 'up to'; and if you ride hard with full assist a lot less still. The battery on the bike saneagle mentioned should be able to do your 20 miles fairly easily; you won't get their 80km range but it isn't as overstated as they often are.

 

Depends on quality of cells used and on how you look after it. Typically around 1000 - 1500 charges

At that price the cell quality probably won't be very good so you probably won't get 1000 charges. Their ad suggests 500 cycles.

Edited October 1, 20232 yr by sjpt

Want to get new Ebike, havent got time to do a conversion and preffer new to 2nd hand

 

well there are bikes out there at that price according to google quite a few what takes your fancy?

show us what your considering and im sure some folk will have insights to the best vfm

 

but with bikes in general the lower the price the lower the quality of its components, and cheaper products mean lower profits which can result in poorer or non existent after sales service, not a problem if you dont need it but...

 

Folk here would be hard pressed to suggest the cheapest options because some of what 'we' may consider fundemental requirements will not be met, for example disc brakes are not just attractive but significantly more useful on an ebike, secondly suspension not always a consideration while active pedalling out of the seat as you roll with the bike, but if you start to sit back and rest on an ebike every bump and road defect is suddenly hitting you in the backside..

 

And the lions share of an ebike cost is the battery the cheaper the bike the cheaper the battery and batteries are either good quality or not.

 

too many red flags associated with the bargain basement end of the ebike market

the cheapest viable option imho is a quality conversion kit on the most suitable bike you can find.

Fwiw my initial total budget was £700 i didnt make it and my bike has vbrakes and no suspension..

(edit.. actually i did initially just fall under budget but have spent more since..)

fwiw with V brakes your wheel rims could be showing signs of wear within a month .. yes RIM WEAR!! it freaked me out to find the ridges gone on my front wheel after only a few weeks of ebiking..

when your stopping from 15mph virtually every time your brakes work A LOT HARDER.

Lots of end of season decent bikes around for about twice your budget, having been reduced from four times it.

 

You might be better looking there. 20 miles a day, day in day out, needs something better than bottom of the heap.

Lots of end of season decent bikes around for about twice your budget, having been reduced from four times it.

 

https://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/brand/whyte/coniston-electric-hybrid-bike-930625#colcode=93062502

 

£1050 if my math is right.

 

...but I really like this one:

 

https://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/brand/whyte/e-506-electric-hybrid-bike-930466#colcode=93046603

 

"Only" £2K... prices on ebike market are becoming quite interesting.

Want to get new Ebike, havent got time to do a conversion and preffer new to 2nd hand

 

You might only be able to afford a decent £500 new ebike, but that does no meant there will be one you can buy.

 

You need to be realistic.

I think eleglide has been mentioned before as ok

 

https://www.electricscooterslondon.com/products/eleglide-citycrosser-electric-bike

 

For £100 more this seems a lot better spec, hydraulic brakes, much more powerful motor and a lot bigger battery

 

https://www.electricscooterslondon.com/products/eleglide-m2-electric-mountain-bike?variant=44142630142176&currency=GBP&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&utm_campaign=gs-2020-09-26&utm_source=google&utm_medium=smart_campaign&gclid=CjwKCAjwseSoBhBXEiwA9iZtxkF6lA3BRWjEI0LrptgnQinOk3XzHtP6zd6M_t9Zrq4XugwpvT39VxoC0JYQAvD_BwE

Edited October 1, 20232 yr by Peter.Bridge

perhaps someone should mention the price premium charged for replacement batteries in a custom form to fit an integral frame mount if available at all.

The extreme example being the recent post regarding a ktm battery circa £1.5k with 20% off iirc..

perhaps someone should mention the price premium charged for replacement batteries in a custom form to fit an integral frame mount if available at all.

The extreme example being the recent post regarding a ktm battery circa £1.5k with 20% off iirc..

The bike I linked and the eglides that Peter posted all have standard batteries that are the cheapest to replace, and you can choose whatever quality you want because there's so much choice.

 

I like that Eglide M2, but it has a battery with an integrated controller that makes a replacement controller a little more tricky.

Just a general comment, Im recalling all the many little surprises i discovered post conversion that OP may also be unaware of. tho the fact he is asking before plunging in puts him ahead already..

Another possible

 

https://www.onbuy.com/gb/p/hitway-ebike-26-up-90km-fold-citybike~p83410350/?variant=83410934&hitway-ebike-26=white

Things for you to look for:

1 Rear hub motor. Low/no maintenance, practically bullet proof for commuting. Avoid mid drives, all use proprietry batteries etc making them highly expensive to replace or ireplaceable. These will be way beyond your budget anyway.

2 Controller seperate to battery mounting. Less likely to overheat and easier to replace if it does blow.

3 Disc brakes are a must imo.

4 Bear in mind you will probably have to spend some extra. Mudguards, light upgrade, bell/horn, panniers.

5 Buy the biggest battery you can afford. As range diminishes over time, it will still give you the range you need. A full charge cycle is counted from empty to full. So, if you only use, say, 50% capcity each day - then charge- this constitutes a half cycle - ish. Battery is less stressed so lasts longer.

If you have an existing bike a nice conversion can be done within your budget. On the cheaper end bikes you may find that replacing cheap components as they wear is costly, but spread over time. You can upgrade as you replace.

Looking at the spec for the eleglides in #12, they are 'speed control' with 5 levels.

 

Where does one need to look to get the generally regarded as better KT style 'current control' on an entry level bike, or does that simply not exist?

Looking at the spec for the eleglides in #12, they are 'speed control' with 5 levels.

 

Where does one need to look to get the generally regarded as better KT style 'current control' on an entry level bike, or does that simply not exist?

Personally, I've not seen that on entry level bikes

Hey there

I've been looking into purchasing an Ebike for getting to and from work, it's around 20 miles a day. There's also some hilly terrain to contend with and im looking to spend £500 to £600. I'd love to get your insights and recommendations on this

My primary goal in going electric is to make my daily commute more eco-friendly, cost-effective, and less of a pain in the arse to park. I've heard good things about them for commuters, but I don't want to get one and it be crap.

Some more specific questions I kinda have:

1. Range: my daily mileage is about 20 miles, how crucial is the range of the Ebike? if It did run out can I still use the pedals fine or is the extra weight of the battery and motor too much?
   
2. Hill Climbing: I mentioned the hills. What motor power or assistance level should I aim for to conquer these inclines without too much effort?
   
3. Battery Life: How long do Ebike batteries typically last, and what's involved in their maintenance? I want to make sure I get a decent bike for my money but don't want to overspend as it will just be for getting into town and back to work.
   
4. Brand/Model Recommendations: Are there any specific brands or models within my budget range that you'd recommend? Are the off brand bikes any good?
   

Thanks in advance, and happy riding! ‍♂

you would be doing 20 miles a day, 100 miles a week, 5,200 miles a year. A £600-£700 budget won't be enough.

You'll need to ride in all weather, so full iszed mudguards and chainguard, rack, propstand, lights, bell, puncture proof Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres, hydraulic brakes are all needed. They cost already about £150-£200, leaving very little for the electrics and the mechanical bike.

 

Your best bet is the Woosh Faro: https://wooshbikes.co.uk/faro - unfortunately, it's more than your budget even before adding the MP+ tyres.

The low price point may end up being an achilles heel esp for the regular 20 mile commute, reliability may be an issue if you aren't maintenance savvy. The electric operating system is likely to be a very basic one .

Surely a £500 ebay bike is gonna have cheaper/inferior quality components that are gonna fail quicker doing 5k miles per year ?

That's a lot of winter miles that can punish a bike, I know, did a 12 mile commute every day in all weathers for 5 years

Surely a £500 ebay bike is gonna have cheaper/inferior quality components that are gonna fail quicker doing 5k miles per year ?

That's a lot of winter miles that can punish a bike, I know, did a 12 mile commute every day in all weathers for 5 years

I wouldn't say that. What do you think would fail and how? The electrical parts those bikes use have been around for ten years. The rest of the parts are all standard bike parts. A replacement battery would cost about £150 to £200. Compare that with the cost of a Bosch or shimano battery, or even a Halfords one. What about the £1300 for a KTM E-Cross battery if you can find one.

 

Quite often the more expensive parts are less durable because they're lightweight. The only parts I've had to replace on my bike in 10 years apart from chainsaws batteries are cables and chainwheels for my deluxe Shimano XT gears. I never had to replace gear parts on my previous commuter bikes with cheapo Tourney gears or worse.

 

I did a winter soak test on a cheap catalogue bike that I rescued from a tip and paid £5 for to test the theory that cheap bikes fail. It did 1000 miles in snow, sleet, rain and salt with no cleaning or maintenance. It could have done 5000 miles if I'd asked it to.

Edited October 2, 20232 yr by saneagle

When I think about cheap bikes, first thing which comes to my mind is rust. Rust on almost each component. I guess it is because most owners of cheap bikes don't care about them... or anything else for that matter. But also quality of components must contribute to general decay as well.

My Weber BBQ after 15 years still looks good while Tower smoker is all rusty after one year. I guess you get what you are paying for.

Edited October 2, 20232 yr by Az.

I have been riding a cheap ebike over the years it's been exelent as long as you maintain it and keep it clean it will serve you well I saved loads compared to my friend who rides a expensive ebike.