Which one to choose

[martin7010]

Hi,
I’m considering getting an e-bike an some advice / reccomendations would be appreciated so I hopefully make the right choice! I guess this is a good place to start as there’s lots of experience on here.
I currently ride an unpowered low end hybrid for my 2 1/2 mile commute which I do through the spring / summer / autumn I have to own up to retreating to the car when winter hits! My current commute is flat for the first half of the journey and some moderate to steep short inclines over the second part, I’m not especially fit 6’ 1” (approaching 40 could do with losing a stone!) but this is fine for me and cycling at least does me a bit of good. In January I start a new job which is a 4 mile commute. This is suburban to start with the country lanes (all tarmaced) for about 2 1/2 miles. There is a pretty steep hill which lasts for about half a mile as well as a couple of other inclines. Hope that gives enough info about me and my commute as that would be my main use of the bike.
I’d ideally buy on the cycle to work scheme but could top this up a bit, might ask nicely with a significant birthday approaching!

Current bikes I’m considering...

Cytronex (CB Urban 500 or Cannondale Quick CX)

Pro.
Great lightweight bike
Could still involve exercise
Great spec
Can easily be used unpowered.

Con
Price
Might have to work too hard on hills, I understand the Cytronex is a completely different system (how fit do you need to be and would I arrive at work unfit to do anything!)
Could be overkill for my basic needs
Winchester is a long way (100 miles) from South Devon if it all goes wrong

Wisper (Probably 905 eco at a big stretch 905 City)
Pro
Powerful should take out those Hills.
Can control how much power to use.
Good spec
Can be serviced reasonably locally

Con
Can it be used unpowered or is that just asking for trouble?

Salisbury
Cheap
Could be the sort of basic bike I justify / need
Not too bothered about speed - as long as it takes on the hills

Con
Can’t be ridden unpowered very easily
Could be rather small for me?

Also might take a look at x-bike or urban mover any suggestions from people with experience greatly received!
Many Thanks

 

[eddieo]

try them all is the best advice, and you have omitted a Panasonic powered bike from your list. I would not fancy riding many e bikes without power, but the cytronex may be an exception.

You have a short commute, so as long as you try the bikes on a similar hill climb as on your route you will be fine. My wisper can climb very well and I am 17 stone and unfit, but it is the 14 amp model, I would not consider the less powerful one.......

 

[JuicyBike]

I recommend you take a trip to Atmosphere bikes in Bristol and meet Alistair - very helpful and experienced with a wide range of bikes, many of which you have listed.
Good luck!

 

[dmcgoldrick]

hi, recently had the same issue....was finding hills a little too difficult on the hybrid bike (however,i am giving you nearly 20 years so you should have a bit more in the tank !!!)
bought a wisper. made decision on quality/price, and the fact it was delivered fully assembled to my door.

up hill on this wisper without assistance where i live is nearly impossible.( it is quite hilly ) , but with assistance and in low gear it goes well. i pass kids who need to push their bikes up these hills !!!!

did a 14 mile run out yesterday of fairly level road (just a couple of small inclines and then about a half mile steep finish) in exactly one hour using the highest level of assistance..the wisper has 3 settings...was quite pleased with this average speed of 14 mile per hour...not tired, no sweating or getting out of breath so maybe not a good workout ...but very enjoyable.....battery was about half used from a full start.
have found battery power is much better when fully charged than when less than half.there is a noticeable drop off in performance on the uphill when battery running down.

hope you find something to fit your needs . if its convenient get to a bike shop and test drive a few.

look forward to seeing what you go for....

 

[allen-uk]

Agree to all the Wisper comments above. Nice powerful bike, almost useless without the power switched on, unless you are an uber-fit (probably young) cyclist.

Shame you're in the deep south (or if you like that JuicyBikes is in the north), as otherwise they would certainly be worth a try - and as you can judge above, the proprietor is one good guy, recommending someone else's shop and products. Not the usual stop-me-and-buy-one routine!


Allen.

 

[trickletreat]

Why not fit a kit to your bike, then if all goes well you can upgrade your bike later. If you are not impressed, you still have a bike and can sell the kit. if anything goes wrong, then if you have bought the kit from some one decent in the first place, you just change/replace bits by post.

After all the complete bikes and kits are meant to appeal to our safe option, when spending so much money.

Most kits are simple to fit, and you can get lots of help here.

Nigel

 

[martin7010]

Thanks for the tips

Thanks for all the advice so far. I guess the next step is to go out, have some fun and do some testing! Bristol isn't too far for me so maybe I'll get up to Atmosphere Electric Bikes, thanks to Bob for that tip. I've also never really thought of the kit option so i'll look into that more.
The Wisper does look like a good bet I guess you can just turn the power down to low when you want to do some work yourself.
Thanks a lot
Martin

 

[flecc]

You can rule out the Salisbury Martin, it's one of the lowest powered e-bikes and not good on steep hills though it manages moderate ones at low speed with rider help

eZee bikes from Onbike are another choice similar to the Wisper bikes and also good climbers.
.

 

[martin7010]

Good to know

Thanks Flecc for helping rule something out and also another option I hadn't thought of.

 

[eddieo]

If you go to Onbike they also sell the Panasonic powered E Motion range of bikes, which are also very nice......

 

[martin7010]

Thanks, Panasonic powered bikes are another thing to look at - are these the crank powered varity?

 

[eddieo]

Thanks, Panasonic powered bikes are another thing to look at - are these the crank powered varity?

Yes......I tried one only recently (swiss flyer) and was very impressed...I want one as well as the wisper!

 

[' ELECTRIC TRANSPORT SHOP]

If you are coming to Bristol you might also consider trying a Smarta bike at The Electric Transport Shop - 36v and they fit within the cycle 2 work price limit without needing a top up.

If you want something special, and you can afford to spend a bit more money, the panasonic crank driven bikes are superb - you have complete control over your speed and effort.

One thing I'll say about riding without power - the Salisbury/Windsor are actually the some of the best at this - they're much lighter than almost every other electric bike - the power is lower however so you would need test the amount of assistance they will give on a hill similar to the one you will be tackling.

You've already been given the best advice - try as many as you can, as extensively as you can. There's a lot of very different stuff out there. Good Luck!

 

[allen-uk]

Martin:

There is an on-going debate on this site as to whether Wispers are actually rideable in 'low' power mode. Some say they are, others (me for example) say they're almost unrideable except in medium and high. Have a search!

Allen.

 

[eddieo]

Agree with Allen. And I can never understand this debate..You buy a bike with a BIG battery for power and range, so why would you want to ride it without power

 

[JuicyBike]

It's a British thing. I find UK males in particular need a reason to take advantage of the assistance, and don't like to admit to needing or enjoying the advantages the electric motor provides. I think it's a protestant work ethic thing, combined with a machismo attitude.

Women and Europeans seem to spot the benefits straight away and don't suffer the guilt of electric assistance.

Only my experience from offering free demos at the shop for the past two years...

 

[flecc]

It's a British thing. I find UK males in particular need a reason to take advantage of the assistance, and don't like to admit to needing or enjoying the advantages the electric motor provides. I think it's a protestant work ethic thing, combined with a machismo attitude.

Women and Europeans seem to spot the benefits straight away and don't suffer the guilt of electric assistance.

Only my experience from offering free demos at the shop for the past two years...

I'm sure that is true Bob, and similar to the way e-biking is called cheating. I don't know of any European equivalent to that.
.

 

[martin7010]

Interesting to see the different attitudes to power assist. I would quite like to feel I was at least getting some exercise but maybe a Wisper or a bike like that would make you work a bit in peddle assist, a lot are advertised saying you can arrive at work fresh and then work out on the way home, however advertising is advertising!
Interesting what is also said about the Wisper in low power mode, still I guess there's no substitute for trying one out.

 

[JuicyBike]

The exercise that you do get, when riding with 50% assistance is enough for your legs to ache after an hour or so, but never so great that you have to stop for a break.
You should hire a bike for an hour or two to understand that although you feel bionic you are having a workout.

 

[eddieo]

You are still getting aerobic exercise on an e bike you still have to ride the thing....it is not a scooter

I think I saw that a 10 mile e bike trip was equivalent to a 2.5 mile walk...not sure how accurate that is. But when I do my 10 mile exercise run (no throttle) I certainly feel it when I get home.