Electric Bikes

uptomyeyeballs

I've just taken delivery of an Electric bike. I don't drive, and have found it more and more inconvenient getting to work recently without it costing a fortune. I've relied on a mate to give me a lift, but he's finding himself called away on business more, so I invested some money in a new electric bike.

Why choose electric? Well, I've got to confess i'm not up to flogging up and down the local hills to get to work, but with this bike I can get there (7.5 miles) without being a sweaty mess. It has a motor which provides pedal assistance with a range of 40+ miles, plus a throttle which is useful for pulling away at uphill junctions. It costs 5p to charge the battery.

120 days bike commuting will pay for the bike in saved bus fares alone. :cool:

AdrianHi

Kalkoff?
I looked at these a while back and thought they were brilliant but my commute was a bit too far to consider one.

Takoda

Which brand did you go for eyeballs?

I've been thinking about one for my Mum's birthday.

uptomyeyeballs

I got a Wisper 905 City. It's absolutely brill.

AdrianHi

The Wisper is a few hundred less than the Kalkoff, nicer looking too I think.

gord115

These don't look bad for the money

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SYNERGIE-MISTRAL-LITHIUM-E-Bike-Electric-Bike-Bicycle_W0QQitemZ260495843625QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Bikes_GL?hash=item3ca6c32129

uptomyeyeballs

Since posting this i've had one puncture and the battery is currently in for replacement under warranty. The brakes aren't brilliant, but it got me to work every day between May and October, so 1,680 miles in all. Not bad. I got knocked off too, but was ok.

Incyder

can u post a few photos of you on the bike ?

no_more_cards_for_me

So what range are you getting from the battery ? 5p to charge but how much did the whole bike cost ?

Are you considering swapping to a normal bike ?

Sounds like the electric has been a success for you but 1,680 would of got you fit to do the hills without the assistance of the battery.

Happy cycling

thescouselander

Just having a quick look on the internet those sorts of bikes are about £1600 new - so if the OP paid full price thats around £1 per mile if you ignore the cost to charge the battery. A fairly pricy form of transport if you ask me.

no_more_cards_for_me

thescouselander wrote: »

Just having a quick look on the internet those sorts of bikes are about £1600 new - so if the OP paid full price thats around £1 per mile if you ignore the cost to charge the battery. A fairly pricy form of transport if you ask me.

Excellent point, I was guess at least £1,000 for the bike. An expensive way to travel when you consider that a good commuter bike would be £400 - £600.

Wonder if the battery is knackered hence the warrenty claim ?

Personally I think electric bikes are a poor substitue for the real thing, a normal bike will not only provide transport but make the rider fitter as well. The OP talks about arriving a sweaty mess, been there and done that, leave a suit at work, baby wipes and a sink together with proper cycling clothes and problem solves.

I wonder if due to the expense of fuel there might be more people considering electric bikes instead of buying a normal bike. Good idea to test ride one of each first and realise that most hills can be walked up then tackled with a bit of willpower.

MTFU