Sw Scotland Newbie

Scots Guy lives in rural sw scotland loves getting out on his mountain bike . but its seen better days so decided to try out a emtb to replace my mountain bike . looking for a bit of advice for what model would be ideal for my self and my budget. live in hilly area use single track roads trails tracks cycle paths and roads. looking for something with 50 or more mile range. and for climbing hills i am 5ft 11 size 12 stone hard tail fine was thinking about a crank drive ? not a lot of choice of dealers local so was also looking to buy from the net and a good backup incase it has issues. budget max 2k? any ideas . Billy

Range could be a problem.

 

Most of the crank drive mountain bikes use the Bosch motor, which gives an excellent ride, but the cheaper ones have a 400wh battery which will struggle to do 50 miles.

 

You will need the new for 2016 larger capacity 500wh battery, even then getting 50 miles will depend on terrain and not too liberal use of the power.

 

This KTM is slightly over budget, but is probably the cheapest UK supplied 500wh Bosch powered mountain bike.

 

Good spec, and it has the highest torque CX5 motor which could help you stay upright on a difficult off road climb.

 

http://www.shop.flidistribution.co.uk/p/2016-ktm-macina-cross-11-cx5-1/ktm_bicycles_ebikes_bosch-drive?pp=12&sort_selection=price_low_high

t

Range could be a problem.

 

Most of the crank drive mountain bikes use the Bosch motor, which gives an excellent ride, but the cheaper ones have a 400wh battery which will struggle to do 50 miles.

 

You will need the new for 2016 larger capacity 500wh battery, even then getting 50 miles will depend on terrain and not too liberal use of the power.

 

This KTM is slightly over budget, but is probably the cheapest UK supplied 500wh Bosch powered mountain bike.

 

Good spec, and it has the highest torque CX5 motor which could help you stay upright on a difficult off road climb.

 

http://www.shop.flidistribution.co.uk/p/2016-ktm-macina-cross-11-cx5-1/ktm_bicycles_ebikes_bosch-drive?pp=12&sort_selection=price_low_high

thanks Rob f would like close to the 50 miles if possible and as i said we have a few step hills and tend to get quite a bit of wind will check the ktm out. thanks

Focus don’t get much attention. But they have the Impulse 11 motor with gear shift interrupt. So are at least as pokey if not more so than Bosch or Yamaha. One has a 612wh battery too. That one is around the three grand mark but there are cheaper ones.

 

50 Cycles sell them.

Edited September 30, 201510 yr by JohnCade

Focus don’t get much attention. But they have the Impulse 11 motor with gear shift interrupt. So are at least as pokey if not more so than Bosch or Yamaha. One has a 612wh battery too. That one is around the three grand mark but their are cheaper ones.

 

50 Cycles sell them.

thanks john will check it out i dont mind the brand or make as long as its got half decent equipment and can get spares . only dealer close to me id a hailbike dealer.

Hi Billy,

 

If you are near the border, Penrith isn't too far to go to the http://www.electriccyclecentrepenrith.com

 

If you can't get there by car they are only 2 minutes walk from the railway station or 10 minutes from the bus station.

Hi again Billy,

 

If you are happy to buy on line check out what we have to offer at http://cyclezee.com

Hi again Billy,

 

If you are happy to buy on line check out what we have to offer at http://cyclezee.com

Hi Cyclezee i am near the ferry port of stranraer so a bit away. over 100+miles will be checking out your site . thanks

Hi Cyclezee i am near the ferry port of stranraer so a bit away. over 100+miles will be checking out your site . thanks

Ah, a bit further west than my birthplace in Dumfriesshire;)

Ah, a bit further west than my birthplace in Dumfriesshire;)

yes i am in dumfries and galloway neare and quicker on the ferry to belfast belfast than penrith

My remark upthread about the KTM being one of cheapest 500wh Bosch bikes needs some, er, clarification.

 

I see Damian Harris has a couple of 2016 Cubes on pre-order at £1,799.

 

This one has the 500wh battery and the CX motor.

 

Gearing is nine speed, lower spec than the 11 speed of the KTM, but arguably more robust, and certainly cheaper to maintain.

 

http://www.damianharriscycles.co.uk/prod/ele_0139_cz/cube-reaction-hybrid-hpa-pro-500-29-black-2016-electric-bike

My remark upthread about the KTM being one of cheapest 500wh Bosch bikes needs some, er, clarification.

 

I see Damian Harris has a couple of 2016 Cubes on pre-order at £1,799.

 

This one has the 500wh battery and the CX motor.

 

Gearing is nine speed, lower spec than the 11 speed of the KTM, but arguably more robust, and certainly cheaper to maintain.

 

http://www.damianharriscycles.co.uk/prod/ele_0139_cz/cube-reaction-hybrid-hpa-pro-500-29-black-2016-electric-bike

Thanks Robf i am checking to see what dealers are within a 50 mile radius to see what they sell. just incase it has a prob but if not i will just use the net. will look at your link and keep it in mind. do you or anybody know what the focus jafaria 27 r 3.0 is like and what the impulse motor and battery are like compare to the bosch or yamaha crank drives? any things to look out for ire probs ?

Focus are made by Derby Cycles who also make the sister Kalkhoff brand which uses the same powertrain battery type. They are generally respected as a premier brand with good reliability. One of the Kalkhoff battery types had problems a year or so ago which were widely reported. But that seems to have been discontinued now, and the replacement is slightly different. Newer Kalkhoffs are moving over to a different integrated battery in the frame with a different name on the motor. But probably the same Impulse with a few minor changes.

 

The motors are tough and powerful, at least as powerful as the Bosch performance motors, and smooth too. The Yamaha is said not to be that smooth. They have various gismos like motor interrupt for gear changing to ease wear on drivechains and mechs. Generally well made tough well finished bikes with two year transferable warranties. Very few dealers will allow a warranty to be transferred if a bike is sold. Even if it’s only a month old.

Edited September 30, 201510 yr by JohnCade

Focus are made by Derby Cycles who also make the sister Kalkhoff brand which uses the same powertrain battery type. They are generally respected as a premier brand with good reliability. One of the Kalkhoff battery types had problems a year or so ago which were widely reported. But that seems to have been discontinued now, and the replacement is slightly different. Newer Kalkhoffs are moving over to a different integrated battery in the frame with a different name on the motor. But probably the same Impulse with a few minor changes.

 

The motors are tough and powerful, at least as powerful as the Bosch performance motors, and smooth too. The Yamaha is said not to be that smooth. They have various gismos like motor interrupt for gear changing to ease wear on drivechains and mechs. Generally well made tough well finished bikes with two year transferable warranties. Very few dealers will allow a warranty to be transferred if a bike is sold. Even if it’s only a month old.

thanks johncade

John Cade has it on the Focus/Impulse.

 

The attraction is the bigger battery, and the inverted motor is surely better protected than a Bosch bike, even if it has a bash guard.

 

However, the larger battery Focus is £2,400 against the Cube 500wh for £1,800.

 

Six hundred quid is a lot for an extra 100wh, which is really all you are getting because both bikes are of similar, decent quality.

 

A Cube with a spare 500wh battery would only be £100 more.

John Cade has it on the Focus/Impulse.

 

The attraction is the bigger battery, and the inverted motor is surely better protected than a Bosch bike, even if it has a bash guard.

 

However, the larger battery Focus is £2,400 against the Cube 500wh for £1,800.

 

Six hundred quid is a lot for an extra 100wh, which is really all you are getting because both bikes are of similar, decent quality.

 

A Cube with a spare 500wh battery would only be £100 more.

we are talking about the cube reaction hybrid ? £100 for the extra Battery ? robf at the moment from my search the brands i see in travel distance are Hailbike .Cube. ktm Giant . focus. these are bike shops that sell these brands so i take it they will can sell Emtbs? that seems to be all in the 50 mile range . so out of these brands what do you guys think

we are talking about the cube reaction hybrid ? £100 for the extra Battery ? robf at the moment from my search the brands i see in travel distance are Hailbike .Cube. ktm Giant . focus. these are bike shops that sell these brands so i take it they will can sell Emtbs? that seems to be all in the 50 mile range . so out of these brands what do you guys think

 

Total cost: the Cube in my link is £1,800, adding a spare battery for £700 makes the total £2,500 - only £100 more than the Focus with one battery.

 

The dealers you mention should be able to supply eMTBs, but you may find they don't stock them.

 

Any dealer will likely be reluctant to get one in unless you have previously agreed to buy it.

 

Each of the brands you mention are good brands, although Giant ebikes are rather uninspiring so I think you can discount them.

 

Haibikes tend to be expensive, for no good reason I can see.

 

That leaves you with KTM or Cube.

 

Either of those should serve you well.

 

Col, the guy who runs the company which imports KTM, posts on here.

 

Service from him/his business is probably better than that for most ebikes.

 

Having said that, a KTM or Cube ebike should be reliable.

Total cost: the Cube in my link is £1,800, adding a spare battery for £700 makes the total £2,500 - only £100 more than the Focus with one battery.

 

The dealers you mention should be able to supply eMTBs, but you may find they don't stock them.

 

Any dealer will likely be reluctant to get one in unless you have previously agreed to buy it.

 

Each of the brands you mention are good brands, although Giant ebikes are rather uninspiring so I think you can discount them.

 

Haibikes tend to be expensive, for no good reason I can see.

 

That leaves you with KTM or Cube.

 

Either of those should serve you well.

Thanks For Your Help Robf yes i am sure you are right about them not stocking them i had a chat with a few friends last night about eEmtbs and the only places that keep them is the hire shop bike shop that sells Hailbikes . the other is just Raleigh . Volts ?

Why not visit the cycle centre at Kiroughtree it's on your doorstep and they have the haibike sduro hard tail 27" available to rent (same as mine)

 

You can also do the off road sections great fun (Moab) though mostly a black run, great fun.

I took mine there in August and try the old military road to Anwoth.

Why not visit the cycle centre at Kiroughtree it's on your doorstep and they have the haibike sduro hard tail 27" available to rent (same as mine)

 

You can also do the off road sections great fun (Moab) though mostly a black run, great fun.

I took mine there in August and try the old military road to Anwoth.

Hi Martinp just found a local ktm dealer so going to test it have e mailed the cycle centre about the Haibike also £25 for a hire . yes i know the road and did many of the tracks when younger but n a scrambler great fun and thats part of reason i wanted a Emtb living close to the area

I have been delighted with the haibike and the Yamaha motor.

I have found over recent years MX Bikes even on legitimate green lanes in the UK are unwelcome where as on a e mtb most people smile and say hi.

I have a holiday home for some 25yrs near Gathouse so know the area pretty well.

The old military road is almost as good as kiroughtree. Not sure with the gates now installed you could get an MX through them.

Lots of fast fire trail roads about your area though there not very challenging.

Ps I did find on my test rides the Yamaha defiantly out performed the Bosch but both have top reputations

I have been delighted with the haibike and the Yamaha motor.

I have found over recent years MX Bikes even on legitimate green lanes in the UK are unwelcome where as on a e mtb most people smile and say hi.

I have a holiday home for some 25yrs near Gathouse so know the area pretty well.

The old military road is almost as good as kiroughtree. Not sure with the gates now installed you could get an MX through them.

Lots of fast fire trail roads about your area though there not very challenging.

Ps I did find on my test rides the Yamaha defiantly out performed the Bosch but both have top reputations

How do you find the battery lasts Martin? i was also looking at the cube with the impulse crank drive but with a bigger Battery ive settled for either focus cube Haibike maybe Ktm as they are closest but only two i can try the Ktm and Haibike

You can do 30 miles off road and off road eats the battery you need to switch between medium using hi only occasionally when needed which is rare as it spins the rear wheel.

On road in medium it's about 40 miles plus.

Leisurely ride in low, I have done 50 miles and still about a 1/4 battery left.

In all the above I have never fully ran out of battery power

 

I don't know much about the cube but if it's of good components like the haibike and Ktm,having either the Yamaha or Bosch motor it will ride the same.

The Haibike at the time just stood out as the best value and I have been delighted with the haibike

You can do 30 miles off road and off road eats the battery you need to switch between medium using hi only occasionally when needed which is rare as it spins the rear wheel.

On road in medium it's about 40 miles plus.

Leisurely ride in low, I have done 50 miles and still about a 1/4 battery left.

In all the above I have never fully ran out of battery power

 

I don't know much about the cube but if it's of good components like the haibike and Ktm,having either the Yamaha or Bosch motor it will ride the same.

The Haibike at the time just stood out as the best value and I have been delighted with the haibike

yes its got a Bosch performance crank drive and seems same kid of sprc as Haibike but will know better onece i see it the dealer is going to mail me when they have it in stock.will let you know how it goes