Electric bikes - opinions?
Discussion
Just wondering if people on here have any experience of them or opinions on them? What are the makes to go for and the ones to avoid? Where to buy etc...
The bikes intended usage would be a 17 mile journey twice a day 5 days a week in all weathers except the most extreme.
I'm a complete numpty starting out doing some research so any useful info is very welcome.
The bikes intended usage would be a 17 mile journey twice a day 5 days a week in all weathers except the most extreme.
I'm a complete numpty starting out doing some research so any useful info is very welcome.
Funnily enough I've just been researching these - for a personal project not because I want one.
I went to the Low Carbon Vehicles event at Millbrook recently (CENEX) where SMART was demoing their electric cars and their new commuter electric bicycle. It's an interesting concept and certainly one of the ones I'd consider.
If I had the money, I'd go for the Stealth but it's a fair bit more expensive than the SMART:
You could have any hub made up with with an electric assist motor and controller though. They're available on Ebay from £120 plus batteries.
I went to the Low Carbon Vehicles event at Millbrook recently (CENEX) where SMART was demoing their electric cars and their new commuter electric bicycle. It's an interesting concept and certainly one of the ones I'd consider.
If I had the money, I'd go for the Stealth but it's a fair bit more expensive than the SMART:
You could have any hub made up with with an electric assist motor and controller though. They're available on Ebay from £120 plus batteries.
Had a go on a Raleigh one at the New Forest Show a little while back, one of these I think: http://www.raleighebike.co.uk/Range/Product/?pc=1&...
I have to say, I was quite impressed with the amount of shove it had from just-above standstill, I nearly mowed down a few people when it started 'helping'. Rode a bit like a Boris bike - quite slow-to-react and dozy. I can totally see the place for them; older people or less fit, might need a helping hand with hills, want to get about without working up a sweat... great. Frankly if they were cheaper I'd be tempted to pick one up for my OH so she can bimble along with me when I go out for rides (is drafting an e-bike cheating?) and I'd nick it for those times when you're just going to the shop down the road for a pint of milk.
The problem is... most people who ride them will either get to like cycling and after a little while, upgrade to a lighter, quicker bike, or they won't like being 'outdoors' and exposed to the elements, so they'll stop riding. And the environmental impact of every e-bike (and especially the few kilos of batteries) is considerable. So I'd be tempted to argue that they're not a good idea at all...
I have to say, I was quite impressed with the amount of shove it had from just-above standstill, I nearly mowed down a few people when it started 'helping'. Rode a bit like a Boris bike - quite slow-to-react and dozy. I can totally see the place for them; older people or less fit, might need a helping hand with hills, want to get about without working up a sweat... great. Frankly if they were cheaper I'd be tempted to pick one up for my OH so she can bimble along with me when I go out for rides (is drafting an e-bike cheating?) and I'd nick it for those times when you're just going to the shop down the road for a pint of milk.
The problem is... most people who ride them will either get to like cycling and after a little while, upgrade to a lighter, quicker bike, or they won't like being 'outdoors' and exposed to the elements, so they'll stop riding. And the environmental impact of every e-bike (and especially the few kilos of batteries) is considerable. So I'd be tempted to argue that they're not a good idea at all...
I’ve seen the numbers of them on my commute go up steadily, two years ago I’d see one or two a month, now it’s more like two or three a week.
They seem to work really well. I’m there slogging over Southwark bridge >< close to a heart attack and one will go past me with someone on it looking totally calm doing 15mph up hill.
I also understand they mainly come with two chargers so you could borrow some power from work to charge them up.
For getting to and from work within an urban environment I can see them being the perfect commuting vehicle, especially if you have free secure parking at the office. The saving on a year’s travel card/petrol/other public transport would see you breaking even. They’d also be good for rural areas as well I suppose where nipping to the shop is something you’d normally need a car for. I know a family that have 4 of them for going to their nearest pub that is just a bit too far away to walk.
If you weren’t too bothered about the health benefits of doing it all yourself they must be great. I’d probably go for something hybrid shaped with suspension on the front forks and a set of panniers.
They seem to work really well. I’m there slogging over Southwark bridge >< close to a heart attack and one will go past me with someone on it looking totally calm doing 15mph up hill.
I also understand they mainly come with two chargers so you could borrow some power from work to charge them up.
For getting to and from work within an urban environment I can see them being the perfect commuting vehicle, especially if you have free secure parking at the office. The saving on a year’s travel card/petrol/other public transport would see you breaking even. They’d also be good for rural areas as well I suppose where nipping to the shop is something you’d normally need a car for. I know a family that have 4 of them for going to their nearest pub that is just a bit too far away to walk.
If you weren’t too bothered about the health benefits of doing it all yourself they must be great. I’d probably go for something hybrid shaped with suspension on the front forks and a set of panniers.
I have a friend who bought a Storck Raddar 'leccy bike for very similar reasons, he cycles to work twice a week, 25 miles each way (including a few nasty hills on the way home).
I have only ridden the bike a mile or so but it was a very odd sensation! The electric motor only kicks in when you need it, so peddling along on the flat you are under your own steam, but if you start to lose speed on an incline or hill the 'leccy motor kicks in. You can adjust the sensitivity of the point at which the motor takes over, so if you are feeling a tad tired after a hard day in the office you can more or less program the bike to take you home, if you are feeling heroic you can all but turn the electric assistance off!
The only thin I would say is that the bike is flippin heavy with huge wheels, if the battery ever died I would not want to have to peddle the thing home. Also, it's not cheap - I think his cost him about 3.5k from AW Cycles in Reading.
I have only ridden the bike a mile or so but it was a very odd sensation! The electric motor only kicks in when you need it, so peddling along on the flat you are under your own steam, but if you start to lose speed on an incline or hill the 'leccy motor kicks in. You can adjust the sensitivity of the point at which the motor takes over, so if you are feeling a tad tired after a hard day in the office you can more or less program the bike to take you home, if you are feeling heroic you can all but turn the electric assistance off!
The only thin I would say is that the bike is flippin heavy with huge wheels, if the battery ever died I would not want to have to peddle the thing home. Also, it's not cheap - I think his cost him about 3.5k from AW Cycles in Reading.
I have an Oxygen E-Mate City
Mostly used on towpaths for when my poor-old-knees(arthritis) are feeling a tad dodgy. Very useful if headwinds are strong, or when traveling uphill on the road.
It will give about 70 miles(on the flat) or 30miles with throttle only from a full charge.
It has three positions for power; low, medium, and high. I usually pootle along on the medium setting, which gives assistance up to 12MPH(15 on high setting), though I keep my speed just above this at about 13MPH so mostly not actually using the motor, thus
getting considerably more miles out of the battery(160miles is about average).
Being very heavy, I find it a good workout, and to be honest, find riding my other bike(Apollo Highwayman hybrid) a lot easier, though not when the winds are against me
so would not really recommend one for purely recreational purposes, unless, like me, have dodgy knees etc. But can see the merit in using such for commuting, so as not to arrive in a sweaty heap.
Mostly used on towpaths for when my poor-old-knees(arthritis) are feeling a tad dodgy. Very useful if headwinds are strong, or when traveling uphill on the road.
It will give about 70 miles(on the flat) or 30miles with throttle only from a full charge.
It has three positions for power; low, medium, and high. I usually pootle along on the medium setting, which gives assistance up to 12MPH(15 on high setting), though I keep my speed just above this at about 13MPH so mostly not actually using the motor, thus
getting considerably more miles out of the battery(160miles is about average).
Being very heavy, I find it a good workout, and to be honest, find riding my other bike(Apollo Highwayman hybrid) a lot easier, though not when the winds are against me
so would not really recommend one for purely recreational purposes, unless, like me, have dodgy knees etc. But can see the merit in using such for commuting, so as not to arrive in a sweaty heap.
Thanks all for the input, consensus seems to be that they are generally a good thing, but quite heavy, what about reliability anyone had any issues with motors etc..?
It wouldn't be my only bike, I have my road bike for when I actually just want to cycle and I would have other means of transport open to me should it be necessary because of snow or something.
The electric bike is something that would just be used for the commute, as for me 17 (fairly hilly) miles twice a day every day under just my own steam would be too much, I'd get there but would just be a sweaty mess
I've found a place not too far away that rents them so I'm thinking of having a go on Friday, if I do I'll report back.
It wouldn't be my only bike, I have my road bike for when I actually just want to cycle and I would have other means of transport open to me should it be necessary because of snow or something.
The electric bike is something that would just be used for the commute, as for me 17 (fairly hilly) miles twice a day every day under just my own steam would be too much, I'd get there but would just be a sweaty mess
I've found a place not too far away that rents them so I'm thinking of having a go on Friday, if I do I'll report back.
patmahe said:
Thanks all for the input, consensus seems to be that they are generally a good thing, but quite heavy, what about reliability anyone had any issues with motors etc..?
It wouldn't be my only bike, I have my road bike for when I actually just want to cycle and I would have other means of transport open to me should it be necessary because of snow or something.
The electric bike is something that would just be used for the commute, as for me 17 (fairly hilly) miles twice a day every day under just my own steam would be too much, I'd get there but would just be a sweaty mess
I've found a place not too far away that rents them so I'm thinking of having a go on Friday, if I do I'll report back.
I have the original MB Dealer invoice for mine from 2001 and it's still going strong and holds charge. It wouldn't be my only bike, I have my road bike for when I actually just want to cycle and I would have other means of transport open to me should it be necessary because of snow or something.
The electric bike is something that would just be used for the commute, as for me 17 (fairly hilly) miles twice a day every day under just my own steam would be too much, I'd get there but would just be a sweaty mess
I've found a place not too far away that rents them so I'm thinking of having a go on Friday, if I do I'll report back.
They always say they only costs a couple of pence to charge but when you add the cost of battery replacement do they make sense?
I do like the look of this though:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Haibike-xDuro-FS-SL-Elec...
I do like the look of this though:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Haibike-xDuro-FS-SL-Elec...
d went past me on one of these monstrosities. He wasn't even pedalling. I bet he thinks that riding will help him lose weight too, fat bGassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff