Which bike? Can't decide!

[Mia]

Hi, I'm looking for a bike to fulfill the following requirements:

- Battery that will last the 26 mile round trip to work (unlikely to be allowed to charge at work)
- Can cope with some VERY steep hills (at least two, where in a 1.2 16v Clio I have to go down into second gear)
- Either a folder or light enough to carry up stairs/get in the lift propped on the back wheel (I live in a flat, and bikes left outside get stolen)
- Not too expensive (have to leave it outside at work, and don't want to risk over a grand's worth of bike being stolen).

Was looking at a Powacycle Lynx or GreenEdge Silverado for folders, and not at all sure what would be best of the full sized bikes.

Any help much appreciated!!

 

[fishingpaul]

I dont really think any electric bike under £1000 would cope with a 26 mile round trip without charging for long, taking in hills that require 2nd gear in a car, quickly drains batteries this would be on the limits of almost any electric bike when new. the range would also gradually deterorate,most folders climb hills a little bettter due to the smaller wheels, but the range is often less than 20 miles.

 

[flecc]

What you require is virtually beyond e-bikes, they are after all electric assist, not electric bikes, so their capabilities are related to normal cycling.

The nearest would be one with the Panasonic unit driving through the gears and would cost from £1300 upwards. Even then a very powerful rider would be required to cope with hills of that magnitude, though the range would be possible.

The folders you are considering wouldn't stand a chance on hills like that, and would be unlikely to match that range including steep hill climbing. Batteries continuously lose capacity and therefore range as they age, so even one which would be ok at first would soon fall short with use.
.

 

[UrbanPuma]

Hi Mia,

The only bike which would seem to fit your requirements would be the nano-brompton Nano :: Home.

AtoB magazine have done a review on it and states that it climbs hills easily with a range of just under 50 miles. It is not too heavy and you can split the weight by removing the battery to carry the bike and battery separately up the stairs to your flat.

It will cost around £1200 but would fit under a desk at work to avoid chance of theft. I think you could purchase the bike on the 'cycle to work' scheme, not sure about the kit though.

Check out previous threads on this forum and the website supplying the kit. You could also email the company for more information.

Good Luck!

UrbanPuma

 

[frank9755]

Do you really need it to be light if you've got a lift? If not, then a Powabyke might just do the job. They're the tractors of the e-bike world, grind their way up most hills and have a good range. Powabyke are refreshing the range but I believe are still selling the old models. and good quality second hand ones regularly go for around £250 on ebay. If you value performance over image and you can get it in your lift, you could do a lot worse.

The Brompton Nano uses a low geared Tongxin motor. It could perhaps get you up the hills (depending just how steep they are) but you would be pedalling it yourself unassisted on the flat sections to get the range you need.

 

[Mia]

Thank you for the replies. I'm quite happy to pedal unassisted on the flat, as I'd happily cycle to work now if it wasn't for the hills! Am I right in thinking that the Nano Brompton is a kit you buy? Do you then get a Brompton folding bicycle to go with it?

The powabykes are the only ones actually sold in my area - might be because of our hills! I did look into them, but our lift is small in terms of floor space, and any bike would have to be stood up on its back wheel to get in. Would that be manageable with one of those?

 

[fcurran]

Thank you for the replies. I'm quite happy to pedal unassisted on the flat, as I'd happily cycle to work now if it wasn't for the hills! Am I right in thinking that the Nano Brompton is a kit you buy? Do you then get a Brompton folding bicycle to go with it?

The powabykes are the only ones actually sold in my area - might be because of our hills! I did look into them, but our lift is small in terms of floor space, and any bike would have to be stood up on its back wheel to get in. Would that be manageable with one of those?

Hi Mia, Probably not a practical thing to do with a Powabyke currently unless you eat lots of spinach! If you can wait we will have new models out before the autumn which will be far lighter than the current range of Powabykes. If you can wait till next year, then we will have a new light weight folder available too which will have the same motor as the current Powabykes.

Keep an eye on Powabyke Electric Bikes :: The Electric Bike Innovator and this website for further details.

Regards

FrankC
Powabyke Ltd

 

[fishingpaul]

The brompton nano is a kit only for around £500+,you would then have to fit this to a brompton folding bike.