So many decisions!

[Nefarious]

hi there. I'm new here and looking for an ebike (why else would I be here?!). I have a dodgy back and live at the top of a very steep hill. I recently took to walking to work (it's only 3 miles each way) but want to move onto a bike. I know if I get one without any extra assistance, I will struggle with the hills and the back, and sooner or later, give up.

I was interested in the G-tech having seen the to ads but the more I look into things the less comfortable I am buying online and worrying about maintainence and reliability. Hence I'd rather buy from a respected store (Evans and Giant are 2 locally that are within my cycle to work scheme).

The roads here are thoroughly pot-holed and I would expect to ride on a trail with my son too so I was debating between hybrid with suspension or mtb but I would need to be able to lift it onto the top of an SUV roof rack (with the dodgy back!). I just saw the Giant Dirt E+ 2 online which looks the dog's, is near the top of my budget but would I find something more upright more forgiving??

Any recommendations welcome!

 

[Jimod]

hi there. I'm new here and looking for an ebike (why else would I be here?!). I have a dodgy back and live at the top of a very steep hill. I recently took to walking to work (it's only 3 miles each way) but want to move onto a bike. I know if I get one without any extra assistance, I will struggle with the hills and the back, and sooner or later, give up.

I was interested in the G-tech having seen the to ads but the more I look into things the less comfortable I am buying online and worrying about maintainence and reliability. Hence I'd rather buy from a respected store (Evans and Giant are 2 locally that are within my cycle to work scheme).

The roads here are thoroughly pot-holed and I would expect to ride on a trail with my son too so I was debating between hybrid with suspension or mtb but I would need to be able to lift it onto the top of an SUV roof rack (with the dodgy back!). I just saw the Giant Dirt E+ 2 online which looks the dog's, is near the top of my budget but would I find something more upright more forgiving??

Any recommendations welcome!

I doubt if the Gtech would be suitable for you. It only has a single gear and I doubt if that gear would be ok on your long steep hill. If it was it would be extremely low and frustrating on a flat road.

You'll get all sorts of advice about what type of bike to get, including from me but the best advice is to try some first.

I've got a couple of bikes and going only on what you've told us about yourself my Kudos Typhoon sounds like it would do the job. Loads of gears and plenty of grunt.

As for putting it on the car's roof, I'd recommend a tow bar and a cycle rack.

 

[Angelnorth]

I'm another one who's going to say "try some out". I've only just bought mine (in fact I don't have it yet - should be tomorrow!) and having test ridden a few I can say they really do all feel different and what suits one person won't necessarily suit another. Sheffield hills are going to present different challenges than windswept Norfolk broads so the more local you can make a test ride, the better!

Lifting any ebike to roofrack height might be a bit of an ask, dodgy back or no. You're typically looking at around 20kg, even if you take the battery out (which is another 2 or 3 kilos). Again, see how it feels to handle one at a local shop.

Good luck choosing!

 

[KirstinS]

Again, you must test

In particular try to test a hub drive vs a crank drive

My suspicion is that a crank drive will suit your big hills and dodgy knees the most ......but try!

I have three ebikes and couldn't get any onto a roof.rack by myself

I can get them onto a hatchback style rear rack by myself (not all at once !)

 

[Angelnorth]

I can get them onto a hatchback style rear rack by myself (not all at once !)

Sorry to hijack the thread - do you have a rear rack that's rated for the weight of your e-bike Kirstin?

 

[Nefarious]

Thanks for all the replies folks. I went to try out the Giant today and it certainly was a blast! Had a good ride around, up some very steep banks and loved it

 

[KeithMac]

Good work!.

The Gtech deffinitely helps you out but doesn't do all the work for you, takes the sting out of wind and hills but you have to put the effort in as well.