Which Kudos?

[andrew69]

hi folks

Newbie here looking for some advice

We have been recommended Kudos as a brand of electric bikes but we are struggling to decide which model exactly to go for

Bike for myself and my wife, for on road and light/medium off road, neither fit but both used to cycle when bit younger (only 30s now!), I would like to use for 8 mile each way commute for 4 months of year, I'm 5ft 10 and about 110kg, not long legged, wife 5ft 6 and average weight, need to be able to put a child seat on back for 18 month old

Front suspension a must, prefer the mountain bike look rather than the old fashioned style of the step throughs

So out of the kudos range what would anyone recommend?

We are in the lakes so reasonably hilly!

 

[trex]

you will need bikes with BPM motor for their hill climbing ability, medium frame.
In Kudos MTB format, that will be the £1,100 Tornado.
http://www.kudoscycles.com/product_info.php?cPath=1&products_id=326

 

[andrew69]

Thanks Trex

Anyone else able to explain the difference between the bikes?

 

[Alan Quay]

Roughly:

Tornado: BPM, mechanical disk
Typhoon: Big version of Tornado
Arriba: Torque sensor tornado, hydraulic brakes.
Escape: Big version of Arriba.
Cobra: lower torque SWX type motor
Eiger: Crank drive


I agree with Trex, Tornado, although the better brakes on the Arriba make it a good upgrade.

 

[andrew69]

Many thanks for the input mike, just needed a bit of a push in the right direction

 

[andrew69]

As I'm sort of borderline 5ft 9 or 10, do we think it's not worth going for a bigger frame like that of the Typhoon?

And I didn't know then whether the Typhoons bigger frame overall would cope better with MY bigger frame?

 

[trex]

the Tornado is the right size for you. The Typhoon has bigger wheels, you need to be 6ft to be comfortable with.

 

[andrew69]

Great thanks Trex

Looking at the Arriba coz of the better brakes, torque sensor is an option for £100, worth it? What's the difference with or without? (total newbie)

 

[trex]

I wouldn't go for a torque sensor. You can't rest your legs if you are tired.

 

[andrew69]

Thanks Trex

 

[Alan Quay]

Looks like you can have the Arriba with speed sensor and Hydraulic brakes for £1200. So Hydraulic brakes cost an extra £100.

If you can afford it, it's worth considering.

 

[Jimod]

Great thanks Trex

Looking at the Arriba coz of the better brakes, torque sensor is an option for £100, worth it? What's the difference with or without? (total newbie)

A torque sensor requires you to be putting in effort all the time. It adds power depending on how much effort you're putting in. A pedal sensor simply realises that the pedals are moving and puts in full power no matter how much or how little effort you're putting in.

 

[JohnCade]

Torque sensors get you fit because you can’t just turn the pedals and go uphill fast. They are like an unpowered bike with bionic legs. Your effort is multiplied by up to three times the amount you put in.

You can turn the power down with speed sensors and pedal hard but the temptation is not to because you don’t have to.

 

[RobF]

You need to have a think about mounting the child seat.

Some types make use of the seat tube.

The Tornado has a plastic box fixed to its seat tube - the motor controller - which may be in the way of a child seat.

 

[andrew69]

Well think we are looking at the Arriba now, without the torque sensor

Any issues fitting a child seat on the Arriba anyone?????

 

[Alan Quay]

I would guess the same as the Tornado.

 

[Alan Quay]

Well think we are looking at the Arriba now, without the torque sensor

Any issues fitting a child seat on the Arriba anyone?????

How old is the child?

 

[andrew69]

18 months

 

[Alan Quay]

You can get the ones that go at the front. When they get a bit bigger, you can get a saddle that fits on the top tube.

You can also get rear seats that fit more like a standard rack. Never used one though.

Personally, I really enjoyed riding with my boy on the front, as he was much more 'engaged' with the experience. When he was on the back, he would fall asleep or be bored. (that may be what you're after!)

 

[andrew69]

Thanks Mike

As long as there is a way round it we can sort something out!