Electric bike advice

Hazel2705

I'm thinking of getting one. Any advice??

I will need to do about 8 miles a day with no big hills and will be mainly cycle paths. I've been to Halfords and they only had pedal assisted in stock and I want a one that looks like a mountain bike with a twisty handle so I can put my feet up and zoom along when I'm feeling lazy .

Main reason for this is that we're scrapping our old run around car when the MOT runs out next month and we moved last year and are much nearer to town/shops/supermarket/work etc. I could save myself at least £1200 per year by going by bike so it's a big incentive to cycle! Also I'm fed up with sitting in traffic jams on my way to work every morning and could cycle to work in probably only 5 minutes longer than the car would take!

Thanks

Chimpofdoom

One of my colleagues has a pedal assisted bike.

Basically he loves it. He cycles 13miles each way through some of the hilliest parts of Edinburgh. He used to cycle on a normal bike which was off putting because of the effort, but now he does the full way on his bike.

If you want to put your feet up you'll need to buy an electric moped for which you'll need to follow the normal DVLA rules for driving a moped.

Hazel2705

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cyclamatic-Power-Plus-Electric-Bike/dp/B00472NWCA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1305837408&sr=8-1

What about something like this??

It says:
"Assisted mode will kick in the power as you start pedalling and add extra power to each cycle, propelling you faster and with less effort

Fully powered will take you from stationary to cruising speed at the flick of a wrist with absolutely zero leg movement"

How much does it cost in electric to fully charge a bike up?

SailorSam

I've been thinking of getting an electric bike, the ones i think look a good buy are from 50cycles. have a look at the Oxygen or the Tonaro Big Hit, both around £1300

thenudeone

Hazel2705 wrote: »

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cyclamatic-Power-Plus-Electric-Bike/dp/B00472NWCA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1305837408&sr=8-1

What about something like this??

With a top speed of 12mph you had better not be in a hurry.

Hazel2705

thenudeone wrote: »

With a top speed of 12mph you had better not be in a hurry.

That would be quicker than I can cycle!:D

thescouselander

Hazel2705 wrote: »

That would be quicker than I can cycle!:D

12 mph isn't so fast - going that fast on a good bike will require minimal effort on the flat.

You might find the money spent on a sub-standard electric bike would get you a decent conventional bike that will last you longer. Maybe you should try the journey on a normal bike first to see if the 8 miles really is going to be too much effort.

thelawnet

Hazel2705 wrote: »

I'm thinking of getting one. Any advice??

I will need to do about 8 miles a day with no big hills and will be mainly cycle paths. I've been to Halfords and they only had pedal assisted in stock and I want a one that looks like a mountain bike with a twisty handle so I can put my feet up and zoom along when I'm feeling lazy .

Main reason for this is that we're scrapping our old run around car when the MOT runs out next month and we moved last year and are much nearer to town/shops/supermarket/work etc. I could save myself at least £1200 per year by going by bike so it's a big incentive to cycle! Also I'm fed up with sitting in traffic jams on my way to work every morning and could cycle to work in probably only 5 minutes longer than the car would take!

Thanks

I'm not entirely convinced by electric bikes personally. They are expensive, and the technology not fully mature, and as a result buying an expensive e-bike today will not guarantee much resale in 3 years time.

As for the throttle you mention, they are illegal in Europe and the UK is to harmonise laws with the rest of the EU shortly - I would avoid.

If you want a practical electric bike that will take a week's shopping, try this:

http://www.cyclelane.co.uk/products.php?plid=m7b3s354p3698&rs=gb

But if your area is flat, I don't think electric assist is needed.

thelawnet

thescouselander wrote: »

12 mph isn't so fast - going that fast on a good bike will require minimal effort on the flat.

You might find the money spent on a sub-standard electric bike would get you a decent conventional bike that will last you longer. Maybe you should try the journey on a normal bike first to see if the 8 miles really is going to be too much effort.

It probably will be a lot of effort the first time. It takes a few goes, and a half-decent bike (no suspension please!) to get used to it.

forgotmyname

12mph is slower than you may think. Reasonably fit you can exceed 30mph on a flat smooth road, Even faster downhill.

Fully powerd require a licence, tax and insurance i think. If i could have bought a fully powered bike that could do 30+ mph
with a 30mile range i would have bought one rather than a petrol scooter.

emmell

I have two electric bikes one is a city light from https://www.3e-ltd.com that I use at home and a fold up lynx that I leave at our static.
Both will work with either pedalling, pedalling with assist or twist and go. Having mild arthritis in both knees it has got me cycling again.
I use the throttle to set off and pedal assist up hills. I would highly recommend one, just make sure it has a lithium battery and not a lead acid battery, I can ride un-assisted on the flat but I can't set off very well without wobbling a bit as the effort to set off from a standing start is just too hard with my knee problem.
ML.