Sw Scotland Newbie

[Billy mc]

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

 

[RobF]

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

 

[Billy mc]

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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

 

[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 there are cheaper ones.

50 Cycles sell them.

 

[Billy mc]

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.

 

[Cyclezee]

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.

 

[Cyclezee]

Hi again Billy,

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

 

[Billy mc]

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

 

[Cyclezee]

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

 

[Billy mc]

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

 

[RobF]

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

 

[Billy mc]

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 ?

 

[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.

 

[Billy mc]

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

 

[RobF]

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.

 

[Billy mc]

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

 

[RobF]

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.

 

[Billy mc]

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 ?

 

[martinb]

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.

 

[Billy mc]

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