Volt Impulse vs Freego Eagle vs buying online and unseen

[damian]

I'd be grateful for opinions on the Volt bike. I've managed to find a couple of physical shops to visit and try bikes from.

I liked riding the Eagle but I'm not keen on the look of it. I actually preferred the look of the Raptor.
Another shop had the Volt Impulse (actually the Impulse X but I'm not paying the extra for it). I really liked the look of it. I know that that isn't supposed to matter, but still... It seemed to be well specced but compared to the Eagle there was a very noticeable delay before the motor kicked in. That probably wouldn't matter in normal use and would be 'normal' once you were used to it.
At the minute the choice is between these two. Both come from shops with knowledgeable staff, rather than a 'superstore'. Although the specs are slightly different I'm not sure that I would notice the difference. Compare it to my car - it's a Ford Focus that starts every day and is cheap and easy to maintain. A Merc or Audi or whatever wouldn't appeal to me.

Another option is to buy online. A few people have mentioned Woosh bikes. The price difference means that I could return it for repair several times and still be in a profit compared to the others above. The problem is that what if I got one and it wasn't *quite* right? I'm using the company ride2work scheme, so when it is bought it is bought.

Part of me told me that the more expensive bikes must be better until i read this at http://www.gopedelec.eu/:
"there are cheap pedelecs around (roughly specified by a price of less than € 1000 in regions such as Austria, Germany and the Netherlands) which are not of really poor quality, on the other hand high-priced pedelecs are not always of high-quality, in particular since the word has spread that customers prefer higher-priced products because they assume that they would be of high quality."

So if you have experience of the Volt and how it might work for a fit 50 year old 72kg guy on a flat 6.5 mile commute then I'd like to hear from you

Damian

 

[trex]

the most important thing is to try as many bikes as you can before you buy.

 

[damian]

the most important thing is to try as many bikes as you can before you buy.

I agree, but options are limited in Belfast - Freego, Volt or Cube are the only three I can find (so far)

Do I decide what my opinions are from the ones I can try and then ask how people feel they compare to what might be available online i.e. if you don't like A then B won't suit you

Or take the other approach. "Some have recommended the Woosh Kreiger. How would it compare to the Volt or Eagle?"

 

[trex]

can you look after your own bike at the moment? if you can, then consider buying online and I can be more specific in answering your questions. If you cannot, stick to German made bikes.

 

[damian]

can you look after your own bike at the moment? if you can, then consider buying online and I can be more specific in answering your questions. If you cannot, stick to German made bikes.

Although I have a bike I don't think I could look after it myself. I've had it for several years and to be honest it comes out for short rides only a few times a year. I've never even had a puncture. So online buying sounds like a bad idea for me. Thanks for the clarity of your response.

So all *other things being equal*, on the basis of realibility you'd say Cube?

 

[trex]

Yes, 100%

 

[RobF]

I for a fit 50 year old 72kg guy on a flat 6.5 mile commute then I'd like to hear from you

Think seriously about an ordinary push bike.

A flat 6.5miles might take a bit of doing at first, but would quickly become easier as your cycle fitness builds.

Do it, say, three times a week for a couple of weeks and you'll be surprised how much easier week three would be, compared to week one.

 

[MRMAC9]

Damian

I'd be grateful for opinions on the Volt bike. I've managed to find a couple of physical shops to visit and try bikes from.

I liked riding the Eagle but I'm not keen on the look of it. I actually preferred the look of the Raptor.
Another shop had the Volt Impulse (actually the Impulse X but I'm not paying the extra for it). I really liked the look of it. I know that that isn't supposed to matter, but still... It seemed to be well specced but compared to the Eagle there was a very noticeable delay before the motor kicked in. That probably wouldn't matter in normal use and would be 'normal' once you were used to it.
At the minute the choice is between these two. Both come from shops with knowledgeable staff, rather than a 'superstore'. Although the specs are slightly different I'm not sure that I would notice the difference. Compare it to my car - it's a Ford Focus that starts every day and is cheap and easy to maintain. A Merc or Audi or whatever wouldn't appeal to me.

Another option is to buy online. A few people have mentioned Woosh bikes. The price difference means that I could return it for repair several times and still be in a profit compared to the others above. The problem is that what if I got one and it wasn't *quite* right? I'm using the company ride2work scheme, so when it is bought it is bought.

Part of me told me that the more expensive bikes must be better until i read this at http://www.gopedelec.eu/:
"there are cheap pedelecs around (roughly specified by a price of less than € 1000 in regions such as Austria, Germany and the Netherlands) which are not of really poor quality, on the other hand high-priced pedelecs are not always of high-quality, in particular since the word has spread that customers prefer higher-priced products because they assume that they would be of high quality."

So if you have experience of the Volt and how it might work for a fit 50 year old 72kg guy on a flat 6.5 mile commute then I'd like to hear from you

Damian

I'd be grateful for opinions on the Volt bike. I've managed to find a couple of physical shops to visit and try bikes from.

I liked riding the Eagle but I'm not keen on the look of it. I actually preferred the look of the Raptor.
Another shop had the Volt Impulse (actually the Impulse X but I'm not paying the extra for it). I really liked the look of it. I know that that isn't supposed to matter, but still... It seemed to be well specced but compared to the Eagle there was a very noticeable delay before the motor kicked in. That probably wouldn't matter in normal use and would be 'normal' once you were used to it.
At the minute the choice is between these two. Both come from shops with knowledgeable staff, rather than a 'superstore'. Although the specs are slightly different I'm not sure that I would notice the difference. Compare it to my car - it's a Ford Focus that starts every day and is cheap and easy to maintain. A Merc or Audi or whatever wouldn't appeal to me.

Another option is to buy online. A few people have mentioned Woosh bikes. The price difference means that I could return it for repair several times and still be in a profit compared to the others above. The problem is that what if I got one and it wasn't *quite* right? I'm using the company ride2work scheme, so when it is bought it is bought.

Part of me told me that the more expensive bikes must be better until i read this at http://www.gopedelec.eu/:
"there are cheap pedelecs around (roughly specified by a price of less than € 1000 in regions such as Austria, Germany and the Netherlands) which are not of really poor quality, on the other hand high-priced pedelecs are not always of high-quality, in particular since the word has spread that customers prefer higher-priced products because they assume that they would be of high quality."

So if you have experience of the Volt and how it might work for a fit 50 year old 72kg guy on a flat 6.5 mile commute then I'd like to hear from you

Damian

 

[acm2000]

I believe woosh will take a return on a bike if you decide you don't like it (with some conditions of course) and paying the return postage

"Returning a bike for a refund because it is unsuitable:
You can return a bike un-ridden or ridden for a refund within 14 days. The bike must be packaged in exactly the same way as when it arrived and must be returned at your expense and at your risk. Alternatively we can collect the bike for you for a fee, please ask us for a price indication.
If any damage is incurred as a result of poor packing expenses will be deducted from your refund. We therefore advise using a reputable courier with full insurance.
If the bike has been ridden, £100 will be deducted from your refund since the bike can then only be offered for resale second hand. "

 

[damian]

I believe woosh will take a return on a bike if you decide you don't like it (with some conditions of course) and paying the return postage

"Returning a bike for a refund because it is unsuitable:
You can return a bike un-ridden or ridden for a refund within 14 days. The bike must be packaged in exactly the same way as when it arrived and must be returned at your expense and at your risk. Alternatively we can collect the bike for you for a fee, please ask us for a price indication.
If any damage is incurred as a result of poor packing expenses will be deducted from your refund. We therefore advise using a reputable courier with full insurance.
If the bike has been ridden, £100 will be deducted from your refund since the bike can then only be offered for resale second hand. "

Thanks for the reply but my problem is that I am getting it through the Ride2work scheme, so can't just send it back if I don't like it :-(

Having to courier it back if there was a problem could still be an issue, although the fact that it is hugely cheaper than ones I can get in shops here means that moneywise that could be overlooked

 

[MRMAC9]

I agree, but options are limited in Belfast - Freego, Volt or Cube are the only three I can find (so far)

Do I decide what my opinions are from the ones I can try and then ask how people feel they compare to what might be available online i.e. if you don't like A then B won't suit you

Or take the other approach. "Some have recommended the Woosh Kreiger. How would it compare to the Volt or Eagle?"

Damien, I'm from Belfast.

Thanks for the reply but my problem is that I am getting it through the Ride2work scheme, so can't just send it back if I don't like it :-(

Having to courier it back if there was a problem could still be an issue, although the fact that it is hugely cheaper than ones I can get in shops here means that moneywise that could be overlooked

Damien, I'm from Belfast. At almost 65 years old I am looking for a bike to get me up our local hills. I was considering an 'eagle' from Full Cycle. Caroline from the shop is at Bank Square every Thursday usually with one of the Freego bikes on display. What do you think of their service? Have you considered Greenaer in Dublin. They have a good range of better class bikes.

 

[damian]

Hi MrMac
I liked the guys at fullcycle. They seemed knowledgeable and helpful. my wife was with me and caroline came with us to the park to try three bikes and compare them. Still on my list and scoring highly for being a real bike shop.

I mailed greenaer at the weekend to look at the momentum upstart. They are getting one up from Dublin for me to try. Message me if you want come along! I think their other offerings were above my price range.

Oddly I was going to post to see if there any Belfast people active here who might be willing to let me try makes that we can't bit locally.

 

[MRMAC9]

Tha

Hi MrMac
I liked the guys at fullcycle. They seemed knowledgeable and helpful. my wife was with me and caroline came with us to the park to try three bikes and compare them. Still on my list and scoring highly for being a real bike shop.

I mailed greenaer at the weekend to look at the momentum upstart. They are getting one up from Dublin for me to try. Message me if you want come along! I think their other offerings were above my price range.

Oddly I was going to post to see if there any Belfast people active here who might be willing to let me try makes that we can't bit locally.[/QUOTE

After 15 years I took my old Dawes out of the attic, cleaned and oiled it, but found that I couldn't throw my leg over the crossbar. So for me it will have to be a step-through ebike or a model with 20" wheels. The Blue Label Pony looks a beaut but so expensive at nearly £3k. The new Kalkhoff is in the same price range. Viking ebikes are often featured on the Ideal World Shopping Channel but, at £450 - £750, I would be concerned about the quality of the product.
Anyway I will pospone my final decision until after xmas. Thanks for replying so quickly.

 

[damian]

Tha

I'll report back when I finally make my purchase.

 

[MRMAC9]

Having trouble posting. Many thanks Damien. I think I will look around and maybe take a trip down on the train to visit Greenaer in Dublin. Their prices in euros may decide what model I choose.

 

[damian]

Having trouble posting. Many thanks Damien. I think I will look around and maybe take a trip down on the train to visit Greenaer in Dublin. Their prices in euros may decide what model I choose.

I called out to greenaer in Moira yesterday.
Lee was very helpful and let us try the Momentum Upstart and a Steiger. I didn't like the look of the latter.
The momentum was great fun. Looks like a basic bike (less likely to get nicked?) and hub gears, so maybe easier maintenance

Only downsides were rim brakes (do I realy need disk brakes), relatively small battery and no suspension. on a 6.5 mile commute on reasonable paths those may not matter.

I take it that you are using free Travel pass to get to Dublin? Probably easier to do that than get to Moira. Although Lee offered to bring the bike into Belfast, which is good service!

 

[anotherkiwi]

Only downsides were rim brakes (do I realy need disk brakes), relatively small battery and no suspension. on a 6.5 mile commute on reasonable paths those may not matter.

You can swap the brakes out for hydraulic ones - http://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/magura-hs11-brake-set-4-finger-black-141307/wg_id-8327

Always buy a bigger battery than you think you need...

A good seat and ergonomic grips help on a bike with no suspension. A suspension seat post could go on your list of "what to offer me for my birthday" or whatever.

 

[damian]

You can swap the brakes out for hydraulic ones - http://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/magura-hs11-brake-set-4-finger-black-141307/wg_id-8327

Always buy a bigger battery than you think you need...

A good seat and ergonomic grips help on a bike with no suspension. A suspension seat post could go on your list of "what to offer me for my birthday" or whatever. [emoji14]

The 2016 model has a bigger battery, with a possible 15 extra miles.
Oddly enough a different saddle was one of the things I did ask about.

I tested the route to work and back last Saturday and found that 1) there's a headwind all the way back, so I definitely want an ebike and 2) I have a very boney backside and want a softer saddle