Which E Bike

Considering buying my first e bike. Have ridden a mtb up to a couple of years ago but now retiring and looking for a bike for leisure use both on and off road (no commuting thank goodness). Am 69 and 5'10 weighing around 15 -16 stone.

Looking for an bike that can assist up hill mainly as live in Devon but still wish to pedal as well to keep fit and hopefully loose weight. Looking to spend £1300 or there abouts. Any suggestions to make the purchase easier will be much appreciated.

There are several places in Devon where you can take test rides on a variety of bikes. Where do you live?

It's impossible to recommend a bike for you as each rider-bike combination is unique.

Taking a test ride will allow you to identify all the issues important for you.

Am 69 and 5'10 weighing around 15 -16 stone.

Looking for an bike that can assist up hill mainly as live in Devon but still wish to pedal as well to keep fit and hopefully loose weight. Looking to spend £1300 or there abouts. Any suggestions to make the purchase easier will be much appreciated.

 

I would suggest the Woosh Rio MTB with 27.5" wheels.

 

http://wooshbikes.co.uk/?rio-mtb

Gotta laugh.

 

One seller says can't recommend as you need to try many other straight in for the sell.

 

I'd agree with Juicy. The whoosh may be ideal but you need to try it against other offerings. Also put Wisper on your list.

I would also look for a dealer with good back-up and ready to resolve any problems,

most sellers on this forum give good after sales.

One seller says can't recommend as you need to try many other straight in for the sell.

I only made a recommendation based on the initial post, age, weight, height, terrain and MTB shape.

 

what else do you want me to do? wait for somebody else to make a suggestion in my place?

I would suggest the Woosh Rio MTB with 27.5" wheels.

 

http://wooshbikes.co.uk/?rio-mtb

Thanks for input. On the website it states 26" Wheels but you recommended the 27.5" Wheels. Any particular reason for this?

There are several places in Devon where you can take test rides on a variety of bikes. Where do you live?

It's impossible to recommend a bike for you as each rider-bike combination is unique.

Taking a test ride will allow you to identify all the issues important for you.

Live in Torbay.

Thanks for input. On the website it states 26" Wheels but you recommended the 27.5" Wheels. Any particular reason for this?

 

at 5ft10, you can ride either 26" or 27.5" - as you are a tad heavier than the average, I think you would be more comfortable on the 27.5" wheels.

Gotta laugh.

 

One seller says can't recommend as you need to try many other straight in for the sell.

 

I'd agree with Juicy. The whoosh may be ideal but you need to try it against other offerings. Also put Wisper on your list.

Thanks will look into Wisper ebikes

Oxygen are also good bikes, if slightly higher budget than you stated. My 2-year-old eMate MTB is a great bike. I've had power supply issues with it, but the battery design has changed since my bike and is probably better now.

 

The equipment specification of Oxygen bikes is very high given the price tag and is not the cheaper Shimano stuff fitted to equivalent bikes. This is the bike that replaced my eMate: http://www.oxygenbicycles.com/e-bikes/s-cross-mtb

 

Have fun on whatever you choose.

Live in Torbay.

 

You could have a days hire of various bikes at either

Exeter Electric Bike Hire, Marsh Barton, Exeter EX2 9HZ 07786 916 659

Or at

Devon Cycle Hire in Okehampton

Sourton Down, Okehampton EX20 4HR 01837 861141

That would give you loads more knowledge and a good basis for deciding on what would work for you.

Thanks Juicybike will certainly look into hiring for a day

Oxygen are also good bikes, if slightly higher budget than you stated. My 2-year-old eMate MTB is a great bike. I've had power supply issues with it, but the battery design has changed since my bike and is probably better now.

 

The equipment specification of Oxygen bikes is very high given the price tag and is not the cheaper Shimano stuff fitted to equivalent bikes. This is the bike that replaced my eMate: http://www.oxygenbicycles.com/e-bikes/s-cross-mtb

 

Have fun on whatever you choose.

Thanks for input Warwick another to add to the list. Will need to look at spec to see if extra cost is worthwhile. Trouble is knowing what parts are worth paying more for

Thanks for input Warwick another to add to the list. Will need to look at spec to see if extra cost is worthwhile. Trouble is knowing what parts are worth paying more for

top of the list is the battery. You pay for the WHs.

Next is the motor. You need a motor with enough torque to suit your weight and terrains.

Next on the list are mechanical components: hydraulic brakes are more expensive than mechanical disc brakes which are more expensive than V brakes. As for suspension forks, just google the model of fork fitted to your bike. Bottom bracket, crankset, derailleur, tyres etc all contribute to make a good bike.

Tell us which bike you like the look of and ask members 'what is wrong with my choice?'

Thanks will look into Wisper ebikes

 

Cheers Leema,

 

We have a good selection of dealers in Devon that would look after you and give good after sales support. Massively important unless you are happy to do your own repairs and servicing.

 

All the best, David

at 5ft10, you can ride either 26" or 27.5" - as you are a tad heavier than the average, I think you would be more comfortable on the 27.5" wheels.

 

I bought 27" wheels on my Toba bike. It was a big mistake. Heavy weight of bike requires plumper 26" MTB tyres. Off road bridlepaths are not rideable and it does not feel safe over 20 mph on tarmac. .

I bought 27" wheels on my Toba bike. It was a big mistake. Heavy weight of bike requires plumper 26" MTB tyres. Off road bridlepaths are not rideable and it does not feel safe over 20 mph on tarmac. .

Thanks for comment Perseus. Sounds logical so will think about it

I bought 27" wheels on my Toba bike. It was a big mistake. Heavy weight of bike requires plumper 26" MTB tyres. Off road bridlepaths are not rideable and it does not feel safe over 20 mph on tarmac. .

I bought 27" wheels on my Toba bike. It was a big mistake. Heavy weight of bike requires plumper 26" MTB tyres. Off road bridlepaths are not rideable and it does not feel safe over 20 mph on tarmac. .

 

It's not the choice of wrong wheel size, just the max tyre width your bike will allow. Horses for courses narrow tyres can be a bit skittish off road esp on loose surfaces in you case a a 27.5" or 29 mtb would have been a better choice.

It's not the choice of wrong wheel size, just the max tyre width your bike will allow. Horses for courses narrow tyres can be a bit skittish off road esp on loose surfaces in you case a a 27.5" or 29 mtb would have been a better choice.

 

 

Done by experience of two bikes, one with thin tyres that cannot hack it by a big margin and the one with slightly thicker tyres that does. Loose surfaces, narrow gouges in paths, mud, pebbles, gravel, whatever surface the thicker tyres do the job and the thinner ones hopelessly fail.

I have both 26" & a 27.5" MTBs. Both are fine off & on road with the correct tyres. Both can accommodate wide MTB tyres if I want them to, but I choose to run Schwalbe Land Cruiser tyres on the 27.5" Oxygen. Those are about 2"/50mm wide.

That's more or less what I used to think, but I had to recalibrate my thinking when I got my Giant gravel bike. It could be the light weight that helps make a difference. Whatever, these narrow knoblies work surprisingly well - both on and off-road.