What has happened to the variety?

[Kudoscycles]

If you look back on this forum 3 years ago you could read about what people thought about their Storck Raddar electric bikes or Wisper,Batribike,Haibike,Raleigh,Ebco. Now there are new entrants into the UK market including Roodog,Moustache,Byocycles,3e electric,Ansmann, Cube,Stevens,Gocycles,Green Zebra,M1,A2B,Momentum....there must be many others. But the forum seems to be dominated by Woosh,with the occasional splash of Cycleezee,Kalkhoff,Kudos,KTM the others seem to hardly get a mention,which is not good for the market and certainly not good for interest on the forum.
3 years ago there were at most times 30-50 members on the forum,I have just counted 14 members.
Is there nobody who has bought any of the aforementioned electric bikes and has a view on it,to be aired on this forum? It would be a refreshing change to read about less well known bikes.
KudosDave

 

[Deleted member 4366]

The problem is that many people have these specific requirements, like: "I'm a fat bar steward and there's lots of hills where I live. I have a budget of £1000". When someone comes along and says, " I'm an average joe, and I want an electric bike to go 10 miles", it's impossible to recommend anything because everything should be OK.

 

[Kudoscycles]

Dave,that's on the question side. But what happened to the I have bought a Moustache or perhaps more common a Batribike,Wisper or maybe Riese and Muller...I am very interested in what members think of these bikes or does nobody on this forum buy one?
Even the controversial arguments about the Storck Raddars was enlightening but now non existent.
Even the Kudos v Wisper banter seems to have disappeared?
Does BEBA still exist?
KudosDave

 

[EddiePJ]

BH get quite a regular mention.

Not saying that it is all positive though.

I must admit that I'd love to read more about other brands of mid drive motors besides Bosch. It's a shame that there isn't far more competition in that department to keep the bike choice/selection more exciting. It's currently quite a stale market.

 

[trex]

members who come up with questions or looking for advice are usually prepared to buy on the internet. Brands like Batribike, Wisper (now Freego), R&M.. are sold by shops.
Maybe there are more internet sales than before. Maybe people who buy from shops don't see the need to join the forum.

 

[Croxden]

I have a Riese and Muller Delite and have written two reports. See http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/threads/riese-muller-delite-2.16849/

 

[Jimod]

I agree with D8veh, people these days seem to have an idea in mind of what the ebike they're about to buy must do. If you go back 3 years people simply wanted an ebike, usually under £1000. Now they ask, which bike under £1000 will take me up steep hills without pedalling and get me 10miles in 5 minutes. If someone asked the 1st question, people like me would jump In and say "Kudos Tourer" it's big, comfortable and reliable. It has done me 3000 miles but it won't take a 100kg man up a 15% slope without pedalling.
People who are buying their 2nd ebike already know what they want and know what to Expect.

Just in case anyone reading this wants a good reliable ebike under £1000, I recommend a Kudos Tourer.

 

[Kudoscycles]

Trex,I don't quite see why people who buy in shops would not be interested in what others think of a bike they are considering? Surely buying in shops and buying from the internet is irrelevant,the forum still has it's place.
I agree that the forum currently does have a lot of members who wish to buy off the internet but the reality is that most buyers still prefer to buy their electric bikes off a local dealer just like they have always bought their normal bikes....buying bikes is still mainly a local purchase,this is evidenced by the popularity of e-bikes in areas were a good dealer offers the product,internet purchases tend to be cheapies,the higher cost/higher quality bikes tend to require (and not unreasonably) a test ride prior to purchase.
Anyway,back to the forum,a bit of variety would be nice...something about 'spice of life!'
KudosDave

 

[oldtom]

It seems to me that a lot of people describe requirements which can only be provided by a moped/scooter/motorcycle. Why do they look to EAPCs for the answer?

Tom

 

[EddiePJ]

Anyway,back to the forum,a bit of variety would be nice...something about 'spice of life!'
KudosDave

I try.

The bike.

http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/threads/the-neo-xtrem-has-reached-its-limit.17296/

BH in action.

http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/threads/wiggle-rough-ride.17042/

Best ride to date.

http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/threads/wiggle-ups-and-downs-april-26th-2014.17387/


Haibike.

http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/threads/uk-cycling-events-devils-mtb-17th-may-2014.17684/

I also have a potential list of seven other rides to complete this year.

Reading about other privately owned e-mtbs in action along with real* world reviews would make for interesting reading. The muddier the better.

* Not a submission via a dealer.

 

[trex]

Trex,I don't quite see why people who buy in shops would not be interested in what others think of a bike they are considering? Surely buying in shops and buying from the internet is irrelevant,the forum still has it's place.
I agree that the forum currently does have a lot of members who wish to buy off the internet but the reality is that most buyers still prefer to buy their electric bikes off a local dealer just like they have always bought their normal bikes....buying bikes is still mainly a local purchase,this is evidenced by the popularity of e-bikes in areas were a good dealer offers the product,internet purchases tend to be cheapies,the higher cost/higher quality bikes tend to require (and not unreasonably) a test ride prior to purchase.
Anyway,back to the forum,a bit of variety would be nice...something about 'spice of life!'
KudosDave

over the last three years, cheapies become more capable, that explains why many more are buying cheapies. Brands are nearly totally dominated by Bosch kits, much sameness except for superficial styling, so little new to talk about.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

It seems to me that a lot of people describe requirements which can only be provided by a moped/scooter/motorcycle. Why do they look to EAPCs for the answer?

Tom

Because they have the hope that they'll get a little fitter by pedalling as well. They don't want to give themselves a heart attack, so they have to work their way in gently. It's rarely a case of only wanting transport.

 

[cwah]

I haven't seen many "ground breaking" ebike either. Apart from the BH line with e-road bikes, I haven't really been excited by anything in the market.

For me, they all look more or less the same within the same price and functionality band.

 

[martin@onbike]

I try.

The bike.

http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/threads/the-neo-xtrem-has-reached-its-limit.17296/

BH in action.

http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/threads/wiggle-rough-ride.17042/

Best ride to date.

http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/threads/wiggle-ups-and-downs-april-26th-2014.17387/


Haibike.

http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/threads/uk-cycling-events-devils-mtb-17th-may-2014.17684/

I also have a potential list of seven other rides to complete this year.

Reading about other privately owned e-mtbs in action along with real* world reviews would make for interesting reading. The muddier the better.

* Not a submission via a dealer.

Eddie...without contest, your posts have been the most interesting for me to read over the last couple of months because you alone seem to be using your offroad bike as an offroad bike.The purpose it was designed for-even highlighting where it fails.
I always look forward to your descriptive comments and pictures to back it all up...keep up the good work!

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Eddie...without contest, your posts have been the most interesting for me to read over the last couple of months because you alone seem to be using your offroad bike as an offroad bike.The purpose it was designed for-even higlighting where it fails.
I always look forward to your descriptive comments and pictures to back it all up...keep up the good work!

Me too. It's also nice to get the real data that you provide.

 

[NZgeek]

Because they have the hope that they'll get a little fitter by pedalling as well. They don't want to give themselves a heart attack, so they have to work their way in gently. It's rarely a case of only wanting transport.

Haha! That's ME!

 

[Gringo]

I'll start off by saying I may be wrong but, that way you don't need to jump in telling me so That's a dig at another forum I use (toy cars)

There are two types of forum members, the first is here for answered to his or her specific needs and uses the forum more like a library, here to take what they need (information) good or bad and move on, making no further input.

Then there's the regulars Here as part of a community, quite happy to share there thought & experiences, usually on a bike/bikes they have owned for some time.
Now out of the regular members how many have a new bike ?
After telling us they have got it and what they think of it, what more can they say.
I think your asking for something that's not there to be had, maybe, just a maybe mind you, perhaps you should ask for a poll or list or something, from which you can see what members (regular) own. I'd be surprised to see many new exotic purchases made this year.
Personally I'd be happy to tell you more about my lovely new Cube, in fact I'll go & do that now

 

[enndee]

must admit I'm one of those people who came up with a specific requirement based around commuting. Think a lot of people are looking at ebikes as a way of getting to work without knackering themselves but still getting some exercise and in my case getting there faster than with the car. I find forums useful for getting ideas (entirely accurate info isn't really the area forums excel no matter the subject) and I tend to lurk, this forum being the only one I've bothered saying anything much.

As to the variety I suspect people like me shop using the internet and compare using the internet so if a brand is mentioned more and has more info it's going to appear more and be more popular and so get more info and...
Also to me it looks like ebikes are moving from being a hobby to being more mainstream the same as PCs did back in the 80's. Unfortunately that tends to lead to well known brands swamping things.

 

[jackhandy]

Eddie...without contest, your posts have been the most interesting for me to read over the last couple of months because you alone seem to be using your offroad bike as an offroad bike.The purpose it was designed for-even higlighting where it fails!

No - He's certainly not the only person using his bike offroad:
He is the only bloke using his bike in organised offroad events & talking about it...

But his posts are certainly very much appreciated.

 

[martin@onbike]

No - He's certainly not the only person using his bike offroad:
He is the only bloke using his bike in organised offroad events & talking about it...

But his posts are certainly very much appreciated.

Fair enough Jackhandy...I guess that was a bit of a sweeping statement as I myself go Offroad too....It would be nice to see and hear about other members extreme rides in the same detail