Well All New To Me...

[Karl_Sheldon]

Hi All,

Seems a little mad as I'm not a cyclist at all, not since a good many years ago and then only doing a paper round. But some one suggested I get a e-bike to commute to work as it would be much better than the bus. So did a little research - mostly on here - thanks all those posters. Then hunted down something affordable but quality and seen as there was a amazing deal on the Oxygen CB at £1099 from £1499 with a nice look and good spec, great battery and range I though what the hell and its now on its way for Wednesday - thanks to Matt at E-bikes Direct fro the quick delivery, appreciated.

Lets hope it all works out - I have a 12-14 mile each way commute to work out the from B38 to DY2 with a couple of nice hills ! Should be fun.

Well nice to meet you all and hope to share my experience , any tips, advice, essential equipment or accessories to recommend most welcome,

Cheers

Karl

 

[Alan Quay]

From 0 to 24 miles a day you'll need to invest in a new arse.

By day three you'll feel like you've done a week in Shawshank.

 

[Benjahmin]

Hi Karl,
Welcome. If this is the bike
http://www.oxygenbicycles.com/e-bikes/e-mate-cb
then it looks well equiped already, although some extra lights never go amiss. 12-14 miles is going some if you've not cycled before, give yourself plenty of time and you'll soon see it as a breeze. Might need some security to park it at work.
Oh and waterproofs, good breathable ones would be my recommendation, as a jacket i use one of these:
http://www.hillanddaleoutdoors.co.uk/productDetail.php?productId=3044&brand=13
I know they seem expensive but it's lightweight and properly breathable whilst being waterproof, so you don't baste in your own sweat. I use some of their trousers too and they last for years.
Happy biking and may your e bike grin be enormous and give the finger to WMPTE for me.
Ben

 

[Karl_Sheldon]

Thanks guys..

Week in Shawshank, well I realise I will have to take it slow for a while but its got to be worth it.

Ben , cheers, that's the bike seems a good buy will review it as I go and update on here as not much mention of these bikes for some reason. The top looks good , for now I have a good weatherproof breathable of similar spec but as its dark I'll make do with a bright waistcoat for now. Got some waterproof over trousers with band down side too so I should stand out. Might look like a railway repair man but hey, safety first I guess.

Bike arrives tomorrow , dancing like a kiddy at Christmas tonight ...

 

[RobF]

As you've remarked elsewhere, 12-14 miles for a commute is stretching it a bit.

It will probably mean an hour or more in the saddle each way, which is plenty for most of us.

You are buying a decent bike which gives you a chance, but don't beat yourself up too much if you still take the bus some days, particularly in the first few weeks/grotty weather.

 

[Karl_Sheldon]

Its arrived , checked it all over plugged in battery to find pleasantly it was all charged and ready to go, so wooosh , amazed truly amazed what can I say I love it , just feels so natural and so easy, got her up to 23 mph and hills don't phase her at all, looking forward to some serious use in the weeks head , I know must break myself in slowly though ..

 

[Karl_Sheldon]

 

[RobF]

Its arrived , checked it all over plugged in battery to find pleasantly it was all charged and ready to go, so wooosh , amazed truly amazed what can I say I love it , just feels so natural and so easy, got her up to 23 mph and hills don't phase her at all, looking forward to some serious use in the weeks head , I know must break myself in slowly though ..

Pleased you are off to a positive start.

You mention you are new to cycling, and I see you have a lock on the bike.

That type of lock is not very secure, what we cycling types call a cafe lock, suitable for a coffee stop where the bike is not locked for long and you can keep an eye on it.

Do you have secure parking at work?

It's a sad fact of life that if you park a bike in public in the same place most days, it will get stolen.

 

[Karl_Sheldon]

Hi Rob, lock was just a quick purchase, I can park it inside my place of work as secure as it can be so no worries there thankfully , out and about its unlikely I will live with that lock I'll be heading out for a better one next week... Need a good D shape solid lock I guess with good security rating..

Anyone care to recommend one ..thanks.

 

[cosybike]

Greetings!

Are you quite short? Happy with the saddle height/ angle? Remeber it adjust fore and aft as well.
You want your knee just bending a bit at bottom of stroke. If you are waggling hips or stretching then seat too high.

 

[Karl_Sheldon]

Thanks cosybike , saddle probably needs a tweak , up a tad at the back, some good instructions and examples provided in the manual so will adjust before I travel too far. That said its not far out, was quite comfortable and legs height seemed OK easy enough to ride without power on.

Thanks for advice guys.

 

[RobF]

A D-lock would offer more security, but the same advice applies about not leaving the bike unattended for a moment more than you have to.

D-locks are usually breached by a jack inside the D.

With that in mind, buy a small one and try to anchor it to something that fills the D as much as possible.

You could deploy your existing lock as well to tether the motor wheel to the D lock or rest of the bike.

This Kryptonite D-lock is among the better ones, but it's around £55

You could get cheaper, buy anything under £30 is unlikely to offer very much security.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/kryptonite-fahgettaboudit-mini-lock/rp-prod18394?gs=1&gclid=CIKOwO3Y3soCFSsKwwodEMUAFg&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[Karl_Sheldon]

Thanks Rob, lock looks good, there are a few about on sale around £45 to £50 with sold secure gold rating so will plump for ordering one this weekend , very unlikely she will be left out of site excepting the odd trip to local shops , thoughtfully two of which have in store bike parking so that's good ...

 

[Karl_Sheldon]

OK first real journey completed ...35 miles to work and back via a 5 mile detour hmmmm. See review of bike in other section later...