Trying to choose the right bike

[SteveG]

Hi,

I've been reading the posts on here for a week or so but this is my first post. I'm seriously considering buying an electric bike to take some of the pain out of my commute.

It is a 15 mile round trip and i currently do it a maximum of 3 times a week. Usually only once or twice. The last 3 miles on the way home are consistently up hill. It is not really steep but it seems to go on for ever.

Whenever I ride into work I wish I was doing it every day but whenever I ride home, I vow never to do it again. However, i do still want the exercise and this is my primary reason for riding. I'd just like to take the sting out of the return journey and then I feel I would ride more often.

I am based in Southampton and have seen two bikes in the flesh so far, the Freego range and the Lifecycle range. However, neither seem really big enough in the frame to suit me.

I'm 6ft 2 and 16.5 st.

My current bike is a 21" frame Raleigh Metro LX, and this about the right size for me. The only thing I've seen which is similar, (in my price range of under £1,000) is the Powabyke x-6 and x24 but I'm not sure about front wheel drive? sounds dangerous?

i've also thought about conversions but these seem to be all front wheel drive as well.

The Raleigh Dover looks perfect but at £1800, this would be worth more than my car and i just can't justify that.

Any advice would be gratefully received.

Thanks

Steve

 

[piotrmacheta]

I travel about 8 miles each way to work and I fitted an ezee kit to my bike and this works great.
Although I never tried one I always thought a Cytronex would be ideal as I am a reasonably fit cyclist and would want to keep the weight low.
I'm 6ft 2 also and found that normal bikes fitted me best so that's why I fitted the kit to the mountain bike.
Good luck, as usual it's best to give them a try as the hub drive bikes are different to ride compared to the crank drives.

 

[Jasper13]

I think the X24 comes in a 21" frame, I ride an X6, it certainly sounds like it would fit the bill for you, thou I'd consider charging at both ends to try to preserve battery life. The front wheel drive has never been a problem for me, and they certainly love hills. FCuran posted a pic of the new model recently, the motor looks to be 'a lot' smaller, don't know if it means reduced power...
J13

 

[JuicyBike]

Hi Steve
You should have a look at the cycle To Work scheme. If your workplace are signed-up then you could save a few hundred pounds on a bike costing up to £1,000.
At 16.5 Stones (but not for much longer... and a journey of 15 miles it would be prudent, I think, to go for a 14Ah battery. Most are 10Ah, though the FreeGo has options to 17Ah. Yours is a borderline 10 - 14Ah range, I would say.
The advantage of 14Ah is more than range; the longeivety of the battery is improved the less of the available charge you use. And batteries are expensive!
So, you should also compare the prices manufacturers charge for spare parts, especially the batteries.
Finally, though there are countless other considerations, not least style, you should look for a BEBA registered shop / manufacturer, who will have signed-up to a code of practice that in our fledgling industry gives essential piece-of-mind, as manufacturers come and go quite suddenly.

If you can make the trip, Atmosphere is one bike shop down south that in my limited experience of shops down there offers excellent range and service. Atmosphere are based in Bristol.

Good luck and welcome to this forum!

 

[Jasper13]

Pic was here; http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/electric-bicycles/6913-new-x-6-powerbyke.html?highlight=frank#post87687

P.S, my 6Ah Powabyke battery did a similar trip OK with just charging at work for nearly 2 years before the battery was stolen...

J13

 

[Pedalo]

I used to regularly do a similar distance on a Cytronex. I would highly recommend them if you want it mainly for a bit of help on the hills and want to also be able to pedal the bike yourself without too much drag from the motor.

According to their web site they are bringing out a retro fit kit towards the end of 2010 - which I guess means any time soon?

 

[SteveG]

Thanks for all your replies.

Just had a look on the Cytronex website. They look perfect for my needs actually.

My employers seem to think the Cycle to Work scheme is a huge hassle, and last time I asked they said it was only worth their while if 12 people signed up at the same time.

Is there really that much paperwork to do?

 

[SteveG]

does anyone know of a dealer that stocks the Powabykes in Hampshire? i called a few of the dealers listed on their website but they didn't stock the x-6 or x-24.

otherwise, it seems a trip to Bristol via Cytronex in Winchester is in order.

 

[JuicyBike]

Thanks for all your replies.

Just had a look on the Cytronex website. They look perfect for my needs actually.

My employers seem to think the Cycle to Work scheme is a huge hassle, and last time I asked they said it was only worth their while if 12 people signed up at the same time.

Is there really that much paperwork to do?

The scheme is administered by several 3rd parties, who do the work, making it easy for the employer. I think the slickest of these is "CycleScheme".
To sign up with them use this link:
Tax free bikes for work through the Government's Green Transport Initiative - Cyclescheme, provider of Cycle to Work schemes for UK employers

There are several others. It should take only a short time to sign-up, cost your company nothing, and benefit any employee. No records of rides need be kept and the bike eventually becomes yours.

Hope this helps.

 

[ronipozn]

Regarding the front wheel hub.

It's really depends. You should use a strong enough bicycles that would hold the high pressure of the motor.

But overall, it shouldn't be a problem to place a front hub.

It's sure have many disadvantages (such as one gear one speed...) but you don't have to worry about accidents if you did the necessary examinations.

 

[Atmosphere]

If you do make it to Bristol we also have the new 2011 Xbyke with 21" frame in stock so you can compare that to others
With the 700c wheels and larger frame it may well be what you after

Regards

Alistair

 

[SteveG]

Thanks Alistair,

Do you have any details on the 2011 Xbyke?

Steve

 

[Atmosphere]

Hi Steve

These are some details I have copied from Frank

250w BRUSHLESS Motor - High torque to eat up the hills without compromising speed
New Chrome finish as opposed to the silver/black finish
New easy plug and play electrics
More efficient anti rotation bracket
Lightest Powabyke on the market at 21kg
Locking bracket for the battery.

Basically it bears very little resemblance to the old X byke and is very nice to ride. We found this works well as a stand alone bike and is smooth when the power comes on - not a massive range but will certainly suit someone who wants just the help up the hills and wants to ride on the flat

Alistair

 

[eddieo]

I think it looks a really nice bike in the new chrome finish.