Which bike is right for me?

[Sheffield Steve]

Hi everyone,

I am looking for advice on my first electric bike.

Until last year I was super sporty, but after a bout of glandular fever, now suffer from CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome). I am now unable to walk far without being exhausted. The most pressing issue is getting to work. I am catching the bus, but as the bus doesn't go to the door of my work, the walk is too much. I used to cycle to work every day, and I think that buying an electric bike may solve my problems. So I will be commuting about 3 miles each way. Some of that will be up steep hills, so I want to be sure that the motor is doing the vast majority of the donkey work! I'll be mainly going on the rodds, but if able, I'd like to be able to go through some parks with my kids.

I'm 39 years old, male, and from Sheffield. I'm 5 11" tall. I weigh about 12 stone. My budget is about £1400 ish. But I could go higher if that was going to make a big difference. I'd like a bike with a rack on the back.

Any pointers on makes and models, or any features that I should be looking out for would be most appreciated.

Thanks all,

Steve

 

[RobF]

The good news is your budget is plenty for the job.

The possible bad news is that an ebike may not be suitable for the job.

Some effort will be required, so it comes down to what you mean by the motor needing to do the 'vast majority' of the work.

You certainly need to avoid bikes with torque sensors, because they match your effort.

Plenty without torque sensors, and all you have to do on those is apply light pressure on the pedals to get full assistance.

It sounds like you could manage that, but you need to test ride a couple before buying.

That's not easy because shops with a good selection of ebikes are few and far between.

 

[IR772]

This one has a throttle so can be like an electric motor bike.

http://wooshbikes.co.uk/?bigbear

 

[Electric Transport Shop]

Hi Sheffield steve we have bikes suitable for the Sheffield hills and your requirements. Our closest store is York https://www.electricbikesales.co.uk/yorkstore and you can test ride some options and get reliable after-sales support. You may find something suitable that you like well within your budget. The store manager is John, he loves bikes and he'll look after you well.


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[Sheffield Steve]

Thanks for the replies already.

Rob - thanks for the advice about avoiding bikes with torque sensors. That is really helpful. I will keep that in mind and try to test out a few types of bike. I will be able to apply some pressure to pedals and hope, touch wood, that my energy levels increase in the fullness of time. So I am going to keep on the EBike route.

IR772 - that bike looks great. And it is cheaper than I was expecting. I can't seem to see where that is sold locally. Does Woosh have showrooms where people can try the bikes out? I'm not sure I'd feel comfortable buying without trying. Also, is there a reason why this model is so cheap? I would never complain with paying less , but just wonder if there is an area of performance that explains the relatively low price.

 

[D8ve]

How steep is the hills you have to do and what size are you?
Big bear is good for hub drive and throttle helps. It's the basic Chinese import. Woosh who import are respected here for good service but no local dealers.
The design and law is confusing but most legal 250 watt motors can do a lot more.
Crank drive help the motor get up any hill.
Direct drive is a no no. Inefficient and if fast will stall on any hill.
6 mile round trip any battery should do but bigger is better, especially as the more you use the more you will want to ride.
Test ride and test ride again.

Paying more gets you a nicer ride, but no real extra speed as they are all limited to 15mph
15mph.
Disk brakes are a top buy. Quite cheap and excellent stopping even in the rain.
Save some money and upgrade as required to hub gears.
You can derestrict the speed but it eats the battery and if you get caught it could ba a world of grief.
You aren't cheating anyone. It's not a race or high power sports bike.

 

[RobF]

Woosh offers test rides from its premises in Southend in Essex, but is really a direct sales company.

That partly explains the price, although the bike bits are fairly basic and the electric bits are budget Chinese.

I wouldn't recommend them for heavy use, but your commute of three miles each way would be no problem.

The other good thing about woosh is they are decent people to deal with.

You could do worse than give them a ring on Monday morning and see about getting a bike on an approval basis.

I think it very likely a Big Bear will do what you require, and getting one would save you traipsing around dealers.

I'm guessing your condition means that while you want to sort a suitable bike, you lack the energy to do a lot of leg work.

Getting a Big Bear delivered could work well for you.

 

[Sheffield Steve]

HI D8ve - I live fairly centrally in Sheffield. I don't know how steep the hills are to be honest! But it's a pretty hilly city!

Sizewise, I'm 5 11" and fairly slim at 12 stone. I noted that the Big Bear is for people over 16 stone. However, I guess that with my condition I'll be wanting that extra umph.

 

[Sheffield Steve]

Rob - I will definitely give them a call tomorrow. Thanks for the advice. You are right in that I do not want to be going from one showroom to another if I can help it as my energy is very limited. I'll ask them if Big Bear would be a good fit for me despite me being a good bit lighter than they suggest for this model.

I would be slightly worried about the distance to the shop for when the bike needs a service. Do you know if a different shop would be able to service a bike from another company? Or would it mean a trip to Essex?

 

[D8ve]

You are the weight I should be, damm you.
The big bear is a beast for that but no complaints there if your struggling.
There are other budget bikes it's getting competitive at the sub £1000 mark now.
Some traders will come along suggest their bikes. Like the whispers etc.

 

[RobF]

The quoted weight is a notional maximum - being under just means the bike will pull stronger for you than for a heavier rider.

The electric bits don't need servicing, a bit like any other electrical gadget such as a dvd player.

The bike bits are cheap and cheerful, but standard, so you or any competent bike shop can look after them.

 

[Sheffield Steve]

Is there a really powerful bike out there that is a little lighter than the big bear. I want lots of help up the hills, but a bike that I can push without exhausting myself. Or are all of the powerful bikes really heavy?

 

[IR772]

Ebikes are heavy.

I don't think the difference pushing a 26 or 22 Kg bike is that much.

 

[JuicyBike]

Hi Steve
You'd be more than welcome to test rides on the variety of bikes we have at both New Mills and Buxton. Much better to try any bike you're thinking of buying, than buying blind. We have also lent riders bikes to try on their commutes to make certain the bike does the job. We have lots of owners in Sheffield.

 

[Sheffield Steve]

Thanks Bob - I'll consider popping along.

Question for any Woosh experts: what is the difference between Bali and the Bermuda? Are they the same spec? I'm interested in buying one of these, but can't seem to separate the two.

Sorry if I'm being daft!

 

[trex]

the Bali is a crank drive, the Bermuda is a rear hub drive.
If you tire easily, the Bermuda is a better and cheaper choice. You don't have to change gear with the Bermuda, the SWX02 motor is poweful enough to whisk you up 10%-11% hills without much pedaling.
The Bali is more fun to ride but you have to select the right gear to get the best of it. The Bali does have a throttle and by selecting the right gear, you can climb about any hill even on throttle alone.
Both bikes have the same battery and Lishui 18A HL controller. The only difference is the motor. The crank drive motor on the Bali is more expensive, hence the difference in price.

 

[JuicyBike]

Thanks Bob - I'll consider popping along.

Great. We also have a discount code to use at our website for direct sales only. Use the code "Pedelecs" for an 8% discount for forum members.

 

[D8ve]

Great. We also have a discount code to use at our website for direct sales only. Use the code "Pedelecs" for an 8% discount for forum members.

That's great. Can we not get this pinned up along with any similar offer near the front page.

 

[Sheffield Steve]

Trex - thanks for the advice on the Woosh bikes. I think I'll get a Bermuda. It looks like it will be a good simple commuter bike for my short but hilly route.

I have a question about batteries. You can get a 13AH or a 15AH. I see the 15AH will get you further. I am interested in whether the 15AH also gives you extra pedal assist for the steep hills? That is, does it only increase the number om miles, or does it also give you some extra oomph?

Thanks,

Steve

 

[trex]

both are capable of supplying the full 18A until they are flat. The 15AH HL battery gives you more miles, that's about it.