Suitable bike for new buyer

[pmkc]

Hello,

I am new to the forum and have been reading posts by other contributors. I have been impressed by the amount of helpful advice and knowledge which has been on offer to those who have asking for advice. Which is why I am here!

My weight is currently just over 17stn, 56 and I am looking to reduce my weight and get fit so my first question is will an e bike help with this?

I have a budget of £800/£1000 I am not expecting miracles just something that is going to make things a bit easier particularly with hills.

As a result of an accident a few years ago I do have some problem with my right leg and knee if I over do it.

I have seen the sirocco cd which does offer a version for someone of my weight.
I would welcome any views from anyone who has a similar experience to me.

Thanks

Patrick

 

[peerjay56]

Hello Patrick,
Welcome to the forum. I've only been a subscriber myself for a few months, but you're right, there is a wealth of advice and knowledge available here. My only contribution to your question(s) would be that, yes, an ebike will help you get fit again, and probably also lose weight (but only as part of a calorie controlled diet). Why will it help you get fit? Well, if your experience mirrors mine, you will just get out and use your bike more than if you had stuck with a non e-bike. It really does make you feel as though you have shed some years, as well as weight, and for me just restores the pleasure of cycling.
Good luck in your choice of bike - a friend of mine has just taken delivery of a sirocco CDL. They appear to be well made and well priced.

 

[pmkc]

Hi Phil,

Thanks for that.

I have started my diet. I also tried going for a ride on my old bike. What a mistake, after trying to ride for a short distance including a small hill I retired with a splitting headache and feeling dizzy - almost lost my balance at the end!!

Time to take it easy

Patrick

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Yes to your first question.
Your budget limits choices to the Woosh Sorocco CD or a DIY crank-drive kit (Bafang BBS01) or a hub-motor kit from China, which isn't legal.

 

[Cyclezee]

Hi pmkc,

Your budget also includes a couple of models from the eZee range worth a look, namely the front hub motor Sprint Primo eZee Sprint Primo - electric bikes and conversion kits and the rear hub motor Forza EV eZee Forza EV - electric bikes and conversion kits.

 

[Eaglerider]

Hi pmkc.

Yes, you can lose weight on an e-bike, even with a dodgy knee. I have a Freego Eagle 250 watt hub drive. I lost over 12 kilos and 6 inches off my waist in 18 months, without really trying hard at all. I was thoroughly enjoying myself and more less lost the weight by accident.

I also have a long standing knee injury, but since I started riding ebikes, it's now better than it has been for many years.

There is a considerable difference between crank drive and hub drive bikes in how they assist you, and there is no substitute for trying out the different types yourself. I would suggest you try a hub drive as they provide the option of riding with negligible effort, whereas a crank drive needs some effort from you all the time. I found crank drive bikes harder on my knee than Hubs.

Try all you can, then decide. There are some nice bikes for around a Grand. Go for a big battery if you can, as it makes the bike more versatile for longer trips. Get into the habit of riding at least 20 miles, twice a week, the weight will drop off, just go easy on the pies!

 

[Deleted member 4366]

I would suggest you try a hub drive as they provide the option of riding with negligible effort, whereas a crank drive needs some effort from you all the time. I found crank drive bikes harder on my knee than Hubs.

That's not quite right. The Woosh and the Bafang BBS01 have the same control system as your bike, so you can pedal them without effort too - or not pedal at all because they both have independent throttles. It tends to be the more expensive crank-drive bikes that you have to pedal harder because they use torque control systems. There's also hub-motors that use torque control, so the effect is the same: You have to pedal them harder too, so this effect comes from the type of control system, not the type of motor.

 

[Eaglerider]

I stand corrected venerable D8veh, clearly your knowledge of the different types exceeds my own. I have only tried Bosch and Panasonic crank drives, and made the comparison to my own experiences of my hub drive, and certainly my Freego is easier on the knees. I'm not fully up to date with the latest variants, but I'm confident the weight loss potential is there for all types in one form or another.

Best regards
ER

 

[Deleted member 4366]

I agree with you 100% there. All these more expensive bikes seem to be aimed at sporting cyclists, where they're trying to match the power characteristics of a normal bike, but with added power. For people who want to commute and tour, and anybody who's not a regular fit cyclist, the speed-control systems, like you have, are miles better.

 

[timidtom]

You should certainly be able to find what you want within your price range - but try as many different bikes as you possibly can; there will be one which suits your needs! There are reviews somewhere in the forum - durability is a factor related to build quality!
Happy e-biking and let us know your decision.
Tom

 

[banbury frank]

Hi pmkc

We have just listed a low cost Bike on Ebay 48 volts 1,500 watts all the Grunt to go up hills no problem

Come and try one we are open 7 days a week in Banbury


fast Electric Bike Xipi Exprees 1,500 watt ready to ride 10 AH Battery | eBay


Frank

 

[D8ve]

But note Frank is offering an off road only bike as 250watt is maximum legal power etc.
I would never condone breaking the law etc....

 

[Jimod]

Frank needs to stop touting his blatantly illegal bikes without mentioning the fact that they're illegal.

 

[Willin']

First of all to the OP welcome to the forum and I hope you get to find the bike that is right for you. I would second the advice given so far to try as many bikes as you can to see what suits you. Depending on where you live that may not be so easy - it's certainly a difficulty in the North East where I live (unless I fancy a Storck Raddar which is on my doorstep).

With regard to the hills and the choice between a hub or crank drive all I can say is that is very hilly where I live (see RobF's thread about the Durham Big Ride - that's my backyard and where I often ride) and I have found my Tonaro Bighit to be excellent so crank drives get a big thumbs up from me - especially because I like to set the assistance level at the lowest level wherever I can so I have to work a bit harder and get more of a workout but can still use the highest level when I need help on hills.

Any way best of luck with bike hunting.

 

[Artstu]

Hi pmkc

We have just listed a low cost Bike on Ebay 48 volts 1,500 watts all the Grunt to go up hills no problem

What's the traction like on a steep wet hill I wonder?

 

[Kudoscycles]

Some of the foregoing posts are a bit out of date and the differences between hub and crank drive have become somewhat blurred of late. Similarly the differences between cheap and expensive bikes.
Cheap crank drives tend to have on/off power delivery,the power comes in sudden and requires sympathetic riding on the part of the rider to avoid chain snatching problems,but if you understand this they can be very powerful up hills.
Expensive crank drives such as the Bosch system realised the above and introduced 'soft start' software with cadence/power and speed inputs. But the system can feel 'soft' uphills and on steep hills it is inevitable to lose momentum. But the system as a whole feels very smooth and refined.
Bosch also introduced the performance crank drive but this is normally combined with the Nuvinci gear system to cope with the torque,I found the Bosch plus Nuvinci to be a very nice combination to ride.
Cheap hub drives tend to use the Bafang 8 Fun motor or equivalent,these work well provided you can maintain mimimum 6 mph uphills but are poor on very steep hills when the motor speed falls below its optimum operating speed but 90% of the time on the flat or up to medium hills they work very well,probably not ideal if you intend to use a lot of throttle only riding in very hilly locations.
Medium priced hub drives that use the BPM-CST motor are,in my opinion,the current best buy,they are simple to install,they will offer good torque even down to 4mph,very responsive and are very powerful on the steepest hills....the Panasonic E-Race P,the BH Emotion Neos and the Kudos Tornado are examples of this breed,it was interesting at Eurobike that some of the most expensive ebikes had moved away from crank drive to hub drive.
So crank drive nor hub drive is prefered,it really depends on what you want from your ebike,your fitness,your pocket,your riding style,your terrain....there is no substitute for trying these bikes,I rode over 50 trial bikes at Eurobike and my preference is now hub drive with torque sensor,but that is very personal.
I was at the new London Electric Bike Company(www.londonelectricbike.com) shop yesterday,they had some bargains and should be the first shop to receive all the latest KTM and Haibike 2014 models.
KudosDave

 

[Cyclezee]

Dave
I bet you haven't tried an eZee, in my opinion the best geared hub drive on the market

 

[Kudoscycles]

John,apologies I find it difficult to trial ride bikes at shows I am exhibiting at,will have to try one of your bikes at our next meet.
Good luck.
Dave

 

[Deleted member 4366]

I have to agree with John.The Ezee Torque is a surprisingly nice bike if you want to do a proper bike ride. It's comfortable, fast and powerful. The Kudos Tornado is also a very nice bike. It's better if you want to dash down the shops, or you want a bike with nicer styling than the Ezee. I haven't tried the KTM yet. I guess I'll have to wait til spring.

The problem with trying bikes at shows and demos is its very easy to get a wrong impression. It's only when you get used to a bikes idiosyncrasies that you really get to figure out how good/bad it really is; however, there's some which you can rapidly cross of your list, especially when you try the first hill.

 

[pmkc]

Hello,

Just a quick message to say thanks to everyone who offered their advice and suggestions.

I have placed an order for the sirocco cd.

Regards
Patrick