Switching to an electric

[djsb]

Hi,
I'm moving 20 miles away from where I work and I'd like to cycle there and back on an electric bike. Up to now I've been usng a Dawes Galaxy touring bike to cycle a maximum of 15 miles each way once a week from my current home in west London. I've also mixed bus travel with cycling so It's a more manageable 6 mile cycle each way.
Now I'm moving out to Hemel I know that I could not do the 40 mile trip every day comfortably and sustainably. I also have to carry myself (15 stone 54 years old,long term cyclist so fairly fit) and a bike up 3 flights of stairs at either end (no lift).So, I've decided to invest in an electric bike to provide some assistance. It has to be as light as possible, use conventional cycle transmission (ie Shimano etc) So, here I am to get some help with deciding which one.
Thanks,

David.

PS I've been looking at the Storck Multitask and that's all so far. Are there any better bikes than this?
PPS I'm an Electronics tech by trade so don't be afraid to use technical terms if you need to, although I'm new to electric bikes.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

The Ezee Torq is the ideal long-distance commuter. It's fast, comfortable and relaxing to ride. It has a big battery, strong motor and tall gearing; however, it's not very light, and if you've been looking at the Storck, I guess you're more into iphones than Samsungs, so you'll probably find it ugly. To complete 20 miles each way in all weathers, you'll need a battery with more capacity than 10aH, The bigger the battery, the higher the weight. You didn't say how fast you wanted to go, which can have a bearing on which bike is best. The other thing is whether you wan't a work-out from your ride to work or want to arrive fresh and smelling nice.

 

[djsb]

Thanks for your reply.
Love Samsung and hate Iphones but it's nice if theres some form as well as function. I manage about 10 MPH on my Dawes so 15 MPH+ would be more than adequate. I want to do some of the work as thats one of the reasons I ride a bicycle for the exercise. But it would be great if I didn't have to work TOO hard. A removable battery would be great as I could carry the bike in stages.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Virtually all bikes have removable batteries. Can you get down to Bristol on Sunday? There'll be a lot of different bikes to try there. The sun is going to shine, so it should be a nice day out, but many roads will be closed in the centre, so think about where you're going to park.

 

[trex]

the Woosh Big Bear or Sirocco CDL has the range.

http://wooshbikes.co.uk/?bigbear

 

[djsb]

Hi,
I think the woosh big bear would be too heavy to carry up stairs. I can't attend the Bristol show as I have to do some packing for my move.
Would the Kalkhoff Pro Connect Impulse 10G XT do the job?
Not sure if a 50cm size will fit me though (6'2" tall 33 inside leg).
Maybe the
Kalkhoff Pro Connect Impulse Alfine 8G with 3 different sizes would be better? Anyone own one of these?
Thanks.

 

[shemozzle999]

If you are thinking of part commuting to Watford Junction I would wait before buying an ebike. They do have a bike storage facility at the station.
Try out the routes first with your non ebike first. All routes will be very busy during peak times even the canal towpath along the Grand Union.
One good thing is you will have the Nickey Line route on your doorstep.

http://www.nickeyline.org/

 

[djsb]

I've got to commute from Bovingdon to Hillingdon near Uxbridge. I've got a motorcycle as my main form of transport but I want to continue cycling as I love it so much. I'll check out the nickeyline sometime, thanks.

David

 

[djsb]

Just looking at the Ezee Torq. Looking good so far. Will report back later.

David.

 

[shemozzle999]

I've got to commute from Bovingdon to Hillingdon near Uxbridge. I've got a motorcycle as my main form of transport but I want to continue cycling as I love it so much. I'll check out the nickeyline sometime, thanks.

David

Same problem will apply with the country lanes from Bovingdon to Rickmansworth or Watford Met stations unfortunately, but plenty of good cycling opportunities around the Chiltens.

 

[Jonah]

As no one else has commented I will just say that the Kalkhoff Pro Connect bikes are excellent commuting bikes and have many satisfied customers using them for this purpose and have done for a number of years. There are many other bikes available but few will have the all round quality, reliability and function of the Kalkhoff. They are perhaps not the prettiest looking bikes but this is a matter of personal taste.

 

[Kudoscycles]

Whilst you are in West London can I suggest that you visit Hampton Wick near Kingston. Within 200 metres you can visit 50 cycles and view the Kalkhoff range,also compare with the KTM range at the London Electric Bike Company. I particularly like the 2014 spec KTM e-Panasonic or the KTM 400 Sport models. With the length of commute you intend it is important that you test and select the correct bike.
KudosDave

 

[hoppy]

Hi,
I'm moving 20 miles away from where I work and I'd like to cycle there and back on an electric bike. Up to now I've been usng a Dawes Galaxy touring bike to cycle a maximum of 15 miles each way once a week from my current home in west London. I've also mixed bus travel with cycling so It's a more manageable 6 mile cycle each way.
Now I'm moving out to Hemel I know that I could not do the 40 mile trip every day comfortably and sustainably. I also have to carry myself (15 stone 54 years old,long term cyclist so fairly fit) and a bike up 3 flights of stairs at either end (no lift).So, I've decided to invest in an electric bike to provide some assistance. It has to be as light as possible, use conventional cycle transmission (ie Shimano etc) So, here I am to get some help with deciding which one.
Thanks,

David.

PS I've been looking at the Storck Multitask and that's all so far. Are there any better bikes than this?
PPS I'm an Electronics tech by trade so don't be afraid to use technical terms if you need to, although I'm new to electric bikes.

Hi David,My biggest concern would be carrying the bike up three flights of stairs at each end of the journey.If you take the battery out that means two ascents at each end. Phew! Sounds like hard work to me. I'd certainly go for the lightest bike you can find.

 

[trex]

the Proconnect Xion X27 weighs only 24kgs including 15.5AH battery and djsb is a big guy.
The Ezee bike is heftier though.

 

[hoppy]

the Proconnect Xion X27 weighs only 24kgs including 15.5AH battery and djsb is a big guy.
The Ezee bike is heftier though.

Did you really say ONLY 24kg! Up three flights of stairs at each end of a 20 mile commute! Rather him than me!

 

[trex]

he hasn't much choice: 15AH battery is needed for his 40 mile commute, that excludes all the light bikes. One way to get a lighter bike with the same range is to get Woosh to fit their CST kit to a nice bike like the Cube Aim SL26, total cost about £1,050. Total weight: about 20kgs

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/cube-aim-sl-26-hardtail-bike-2014/rp-prod114094

http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/conversion-kits/rear-cst-kit/

 

[djsb]

The stairs at my new place can be done in three sections (1 set of steps then rest etc). The stairs at work are temporary whilst a new lift is being fitted so it's not as bad as it seems. I suppose I'd have to develop a way of wheeling the bike up on it's rear wheel. I'm going to make a shortlist and visit a few retailers maybe in August/September. The Kalkhoff range are on my shortlist.

 

[hoppy]

he hasn't much choice: 15AH battery is needed for his 40 mile commute, that excludes all the light bikes. One way to get a lighter bike with the same range is to get Woosh to fit their CST kit to a nice bike like the Cube Aim SL26, total cost about £1,050. Total weight: about 20kgs

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/cube-aim-sl-26-hardtail-bike-2014/rp-prod114094

http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/conversion-kits/rear-cst-kit/

Much as I love ebikes, if I was a fit cyclist with a 20 mile commute with three flights of stairs to carry the bike up each end, I think I'd go for an 8kg road bike and pedal!

 

[Geebee]

Much as I love ebikes, if I was a fit cyclist with a 20 mile commute with three flights of stairs to carry the bike up each end, I think I'd go for an 8kg road bike and pedal!

This with a BBS01or Q100 and light weight battery.

 

[djsb]

I don't know how much my Dawes Galaxy weighs but it's fairly light. I'm not adverse to doing a conversion if it means I can optimise everything. More to think about. Whats a BBS01or Q100?