Today's Sunday Times

[lectureral]

I have been wondering whether the Sunday Times, which has recently added a biking correspondent, would ever mention electric bikes - today there was this in its Bike Clinic:

Q I am 61 and asthmatic. I have always enjoyed cycling but now need help. Are there any devices that can be fitted to a bicycle to assist with cycling up hills? I need an extra boost otherwise I will never be able to use the bike again.

JW, Merseyside

A There are lots of electric bikes to choose from. But, as we have remarked before in Bike Clinic, most are dreadful – heavy, underpowered and with limited range. There are some exceptions: among electric bike aficionados, the current favourites are the Kalkhoff Agattu, Gazelle Easy Glider and Sparta Ion. Most good-quality electric bikes give you a boost only when you are pedalling: they are not simply twist-and-go electric mopeds.

If you are looking for an electric drive system to put on your existing bike, look at the Heinzmann range. The UK distributor can be contacted via Heinzmann DC Motors UK distributor- estelle electrobikes powered by Heinzmann. Fitting a 200-watt motor, batteries and controls to your bike will be pricey – roughly £900. An excellent source of information on electric bikes is A to B magazine (www.atob.org.uk).

 

[flecc]

Thanks for the information lectureral.

But isn't it sad that it's only mentioned in connection with disability?

This is something which annoys A to B magazine, and I side with them on it for two reasons.

First they are very useful for any rider in difficult cycling circumstances.

Second, they are in fact unsuitable for many with disabilities, and we've had members in here who have been very disappointed to find that out the hard way after spending large sums.
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[simonbarnett]

I have been wondering whether the Sunday Times, which has recently added a biking correspondent, would ever mention electric bikes -.

To be fair to the ST they had a similar article at the end of last year when they praised the Ezee Liv- interesting to see they're keeping up with the changes now. Again it was answering someone with a disability- gammy knees, I think. But it was what drew me into exploring this weird world

 

[Sector]

Thanks for the information lectureral.
.. they are very useful for any rider in difficult cycling circumstances.
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Yes I agree with that. I've ridden to work throughout this last winter on the E-bikes, and having the battery powered boost available has made that so much more practical and reasonable.

I've been doing the 5 mile commute by bike for 38 years off and on. On onrdinary bikes I've usually given up mid-winter through a disinclination to battle with the weather. This winter in the worst days I have just donned hard shell waterproofs instead of breathable ones and kept on cycling.

It is often quite diffcult to get a space on the bike rack at work, but in the depths of winter mine was quite often the only bike on the rack. So I think winter riding in the UK qualifies as difficult circumstances, and many more riders would benefit from E-bikes if the image problem could be overcome.

 

[flecc]

It is often quite difficult to get a space on the bike rack at work, but in the depths of winter mine was quite often the only bike on the rack. So I think winter riding in the UK qualifies as difficult circumstances, and many more riders would benefit from E-bikes if the image problem could be overcome.

I'm sure that's true, winter riding being far easier when helped by auxiliary power. I certainly wouldn't have done my 1500 plus miles in the last two months on a normal bike.

These disability references to e-bikes add to the image problem for cycling, and like A to B I never lose an opportunity to dispel the notion that they are "mobility" vehicles.
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