Sorry, but need an expert opinion!

[JonathanP]

Need opinions, please!

I have been researching electric bikes for days now, thank goodness for this site, an amazing wealth of information.

Range of bikes and their pros and cons are endless arent they, and I have now resolved to shortlist AND MAKE A DECISION! Its driving me mad!

My requirements are:
- up to £1300(ish) budget
- Light enough to be used when the battery is flat, as well as lift on and off trains
- Range not massively important as even the smallest range bikes would probably suit 95% of the journeys I expect to use it for
- Good aftersales support
- Suitable for on road and light-ish off-road (bridlepaths and byway) use
- Will be used for 6 mile journey to nearest town, and possibly with panniers for weekends away.
- I am reasonably active and would like to build up fitness, don't want something that I just sit there and let it do all the work, but do want a hand on the hills or at the end of a longer trek.

I have narrowed down to:
Cytronex Powered GT Transeo 3.0*
Cytronex Powered Cannondale Quick 5*
Oxygen Emate City Electric Bicycle
Infineum Extreme
Trek FX+

* I do live near Winchester

Any on that list that have any big negatives that would affect what I would use it for?

Thanks! Looking forward to making a purchase so I can pass on what I have learned through this process.

 

[JuicyBike]

I'd go for the BEBA member on that list - good code of practice and great support. So, if a Juicy doesn't suit you have a try out on the Oxygen.

 

[Cakey]

For me out of those it would be the oxygen eMate , suitable for a bit of off road. Disc brakes.
As long as you are taller than 5ft 7 as I think it is only 19 inch frame On all Oxys .
You can put a shorter stem but may still be a stretch.

 

[Cyclezee]

Hi Jonathan,

Welcome to the forum, the best place for advice on choosing an electric bike.

I would suggest that you add an eZee Sprint Primo to your list of possibles.

This model will fulfil your stated requirements for only £750, a price well within your budget.

More details here Bikes & Conversion Kits - Cyclezee Ltd

Regards,

 

[jasono]

Hi Jonathan
I would add the BH Emotion sport or Cross to your list of bikes to try. They are light, well proven and ride well without power
These were essential criteria for me and I have been very pleased with my bike, which I purchased via Onbike
Cheers and happy choosing
Jason

 

[JonathanP]

Thanks for all the advice. I would really like a BH Emotion, but unfortunately just out of my price range. Will research the other suggestions now...

 

[flecc]

And do try the Cytronex if you get a chance, they seem to fit your requirements more than most.

In any event, always best to try before buying, even if it means a long trip and some travel expenditure.

 

[jasono]

Thanks for all the advice. I would really like a BH Emotion, but unfortunately just out of my price range. Will research the other suggestions now...

Have a look at the following link to the UK importers ex demo sale page, the Sport Max looks tempting! But the Oxygen looks great too, then there's the Cytronex and the Juicy Sport... Used Electric Bikes

 

[OxygenJames]

Trouble with the cytronex is the battery cant be locked to the bike so if you pop to town you have to take the battery off if you go into a shop....... though I test rode one and liked it a lot........ but obviously with a tag name like mine I bought the Oxygen you list - the emate - had it 4 months now - very nice bike - does everything in your list plus some - Andrew at Oxygen has been great with aftersales stuff - good range - plenty OK on hills - disc brakes - just ordered another smaller battery as I dont need the range on the one I have and it will save me a couple of Kg. Try one at 50cycles.

 

[indalo]

If I were you Jonathan, I'd be trying to strike a deal with Cytronex, given your location. They attach their system to reasonably decent bike frames and I'd think from what you've said that one of their machines would suit your requirements perfectly.

Indalo

 

[JonathanP]

Hello, and thanks for all the help. Have decided to pop over to Cytronex tomorrow and up to 50Cycles to try the emate on Tuesday.

But, yes, those BH ex-demos do look tempting. Damn! But they are in the middle of nowhere, unless the dealer near me has a demo one in stock, another phonecall!

Thanks again,

J

 

[JonathanP]

Hello all, a quick update.

My visits were not wholly successful.

On arrival at 50 Cycles I was greeted with the news they had no Oxygen Emate City there, even after specifically booking to test one. Seems the man in Loughborough books the tests, but the man in Richmond sells off the demo bikes! So a word of warning, phone the branch and speak to someone who can put their hand on the bike you want to see! A long and wasted day which left me out of pocket and grumpy. Still like the look and spec of the bike, but that has really put me off the 50 Cycles customer service.

On a more positive note, like the Cytronex bikes. Still pondering trying something else and will definitely go back to Cytronex for a second go to be sure I like it.

 

[DJH]

I've just made the decision in favour of the Oxygen Emate after several months researching. I travelled about 300 miles to try different bikes but decided on the smooth powerful Emate. It not only performed well but it's looks appealed to me, especially the semi matt finish. It should arrive tomorrow if all goes as planned.

A few months ago I made an appointment through 50cycles at Richmond to try a Kalkhoff and Oxygen at Loughborough as I was in the area, but when I arrived nobody was expecting me! I did get a brief try on a couple of bikes although their salesman wasn't there to answer any questions, consequently I was not left with a good impression of their organisation.

In contrast 3eelectric bikes went out of their way to bring a couple of their bikes for me to try at a fairly local bike shop and I really appreciated the effort Chris put in. In the end I used the Electric Bike Shed at South Shields to have a good trial on the Emate and they couldn't have been more helpful and it's through them I ordered the bike.

Good luck in your deliberations.

 

[Tim]

Sorry about that Jonathan, as of this afternoon we do have one back in to try now. Two actually. They tend to go quickly - people have a test ride and want one there and then and there are sometimes delays before we can get a new Oxygen in - they are exceedingly popular, with good reason. Which is why we now have two on hand down in Richmond.

DJH - Our Loughborough branch is usually appointment only, but there is almost always someone there, Jim or Scott, who can tell you all about the bikes. It sounds like you were met by our workshop manager Matt who had just started with us a couple of months ago. Sorry you didn't get the red carpet treatment on the day. I'll look into it - do you know roughly what time of day and date it was?

Glad you went for the Oxygen in the end though - the 2012 version of the Emate was something of a revelation when I did some test rides over Christmas/New Year. Best hub-powered bike I've ridden, bar none. Andrew's done a great job there.

Hello all, a quick update.

My visits were not wholly successful.

On arrival at 50 Cycles I was greeted with the news they had no Oxygen Emate City there, even after specifically booking to test one. Seems the man in Loughborough books the tests, but the man in Richmond sells off the demo bikes! So a word of warning, phone the branch and speak to someone who can put their hand on the bike you want to see! A long and wasted day which left me out of pocket and grumpy. Still like the look and spec of the bike, but that has really put me off the 50 Cycles customer service.

On a more positive note, like the Cytronex bikes. Still pondering trying something else and will definitely go back to Cytronex for a second go to be sure I like it.

 

[DJH]

DJH - Our Loughborough branch is usually appointment only, but there is almost always someone there, Jim or Scott, who can tell you all about the bikes. It sounds like you were met by our workshop manager Matt who had just started with us a couple of months ago. Sorry you didn't get the red carpet treatment on the day. I'll look into it - do you know roughly what time of day and date it was?

Thanks Tim, PM sent.