Electric bike

homeed

Hi there

I was wondering whether anyone has experience of an electric bike. I have been looking for the past few months - but am still feeling none the wiser.

My specifications for the bike is :

Under £500 - this throws out the more expensive bikes
Need to be able to use without driving licence - therefore weight less than 40kg, useable pedals, power speed less then 15.5mph (25kph) and 200watts or under.
Needs to be able to be carried up 40 steps for storage or recharging battery (by a weakling who lives in a second floor flat)
The bar going from seat to handlebars needs to be quite low so I can still wear skirts
The handle bars to be no further then 50cms (my arm length) from the seat.
I will be using the bike for around 7 miles a day on mainly flat ground but with a few slight hills.

I don't want to fork out for something that will be useless in a couple of months time, so would appreciate any ideas, knowledge people have about certain makes.

Last year I bought a normal bike - but firstly I felt as if I was toppling over when reaching for the handlebars, secondly the bar between the seat and handlebars was way too high and thirdly I was really ill after taking it for a short ride, therefore I have not been on it since. I feel that an electric bike would be more useful as public transport is a bit unreliable.

Thanking you in advance for your help

chopperharris

check out ebay for a fun6 , or on fun2ride.co.uk

Has the added benefit of 30mph button when off road , but i dont know if this model you would be able to carry up stairs , but should ask if the battery can be unloaded and then you can just charge the battery in your home.

The also do a fun trike version of the fun 6 incase you need more seat or balance.

I havent used one so cannot comment further.

frivolous_fay

homeed wrote: »

Last year I bought a normal bike - but firstly I felt as if I was toppling over when reaching for the handlebars, secondly the bar between the seat and handlebars was way too high and thirdly I was really ill after taking it for a short ride, therefore I have not been on it since.

In the spirit of moneysaving... are you sure you can't make your old bike work for you, and have you thought the electric option through?

You felt like you were toppling over - was the seat too high, or the handlebars too low?

It made you ill - what makes you think an electric one won't cause the same problem?

I cycle to work most days, and I don't bother trying cycle in clothes that I will wear all day. If I wanted to wear a skirt, I'd carry it and change into it!

PowaStation

Hi,

There aren't many electric bikes at less than £500 - we're a new electric bike and electric motorbike shop in Lichfield called PowaStation and our prices start at about £650 upward. But I have found one which we don't sell, but which you can buy online. Unfortunately, to hit your price band, it has a lead acid battery, not the lighter lithium ion one. It's called the Powacycle (no connection with us) Milan 2 Electric Pedal Bike (powacycle.co.uk).

Good luck.

debt12

I like the idea of these but I havent got anywhere to store a bike. Can anyone recommend anything?

Fire_Fox

I used to ride a bike and found wearing a skirt 'encouraged' lorry drivers and other idiots to beep their horn at me. Once I nearly fell off in fright as one beeped from behind me: had I fallen I'd probably have been under the lorry. Can't you keep your skirt at work, or carry in a rucksack and wear leggings when on the bike?

hula-hoops

The company my husband works for provides an electric bike for each employee and he cycles on it to work and back every day, regardless of the weather. As we got it 'free' I can't comment on your cost issue. He takes it 8 miles each way to work and back.

Agree with others about the clothes - definitely take a change of clothes. Especially as you are likely to be splashed with rain and mud from passing cars when you're on a bike. Some car-drivers seem to take pleasure in annoying cyclists.

They are heavy with the battery!

timmmers

This a yank thing, but surely there must be something similar UK side ?
http://electricbicycleconversionkits.net/electric-bike-conversion-kits/

Ebay comes up trumps on that page ...and 3 batteries too
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/new-electric-bike-conversion-kit-e-bike-kit-500w_W0QQitemZ380170585469QQcmdZViewItemQQssPageNameZRSS:B:SRCH:UK:101

t

[Deleted User]

I cannot really answer the opening post, except to say that I use an electric bike. I LOVE it and have done about 1500 miles in 16 months. I still pedal and use energy but my bike helps me when it senses that I am struggling ie up the many hills that we have around here. Mine was expensive and is a pedelec ie the motor only kicks in on pedal strokes. We sold my car after getting this bike but it is a top model and very reliable and lovely to ride. A good battery on its own is very expensive ie about £300 so a decent bike will cost well more than that

timmmers

More than 500 quid, but more than a bike too...these look quite nifty:-
http://www.buytech.co.uk/Eco-Friendly-c-2783.html

t

nmm

I can recommend electric bikes, we have 2 I use a Powacycle Salisbury, technically a mans bike but low enough for me and he has a Wisper 905 Se Sport. The wisper is excellent but too high for me. They are great, you can get about easily and you don't break a sweat, but still get the cycling benefit. I thoroughly recommend either bike i've mentioned, the female version of the salisbury is a milan as previously mentioned and this is much cheaper than the wisper at a cost of around £550-£600. You don't have to worry about the speed restrictions, power output etc as all the bikes sold in the UK are already set at UK limits. The powacycle milan/salisbury will easily do the 7 miles (35-40 max on a full battery), is great on hills and quite light for an electric bike. I have no regrets on buying ours