Electric bike from Halfords

Si_Clist

Marco_Panettone wrote: »

How do e-bikes charge? Is it just a normal 3-pin plug, or something more complicated? What's the charge time like, and how long does it last for? Does it also have a dynamo to top up the charge on the go? Sorry for the questions!

The battery plugs into/sits in a charger, which plugs into the socket on your wall just like your toaster does.

Charge time for the battery on our bikes from flat is about 8 hours. With the fast charger it's about 6. With two year old batteries, we're getting around no less than 20 miles in hilly country, often with shopping in the panniers and/or the trailer. In flatter areas and without the extra loads, we'd reckon on 40-50 miles, but it depends on which of the three switchable levels of assistance we use.

The dynamo powers the lights. Many folk seem to think that it should top up the battery as you ride, but that's actually a nonsense from the engineering/physics point of view.

Si_Clist

Johnmcl7 wrote: »

From a few discussions I've had with people considering electric bikes, the main barrier to adoption is the high initial cost which is also likely to be well above the 1000 pound limit for cycle to work.

I personally wouldn't expect to get a good quality ordinary bike for under £1K. In addition to the electrics, we each have a Thorn Sherpa, both of which cost around £1600 4 years ago.

Johnmcl7 wrote: »

...I have wondered about how long the batteries last until they can no longer hold a usable charge and how much they are to replace them?

Can't answer this one from experience as both of ours are well over 2 years old now and still going strong. They were guaranteed for 2 years as well as the bikes, but if I recall correctly, the battery life is in theory limited by the number of charge/discharge cycles through which it's put, and these are rated for no less than 1100. I believe that the replacement cost of ours is getting on for £500

Johnmcl7

Si_Clist wrote: »

I personally wouldn't expect to get a good quality ordinary bike for under £1K. In addition to the electrics, we each have a Thorn Sherpa, both of which cost around £1600 4 years ago.

I guess that depends on your definition of good quality but I'd disagree, I have three ordinary branded bikes under £1K (a hybrid, a hard tail and a road bike) and they're all made up of decent parts. Each of them have decent groupsets and frames, spending more would shave a bit of weight but not a big difference in quality in terms of durability. The hybrid has been in daily use for nearly three years and still running well while the hardtail has had the toughest time with weekly MTB rides and it's only needed new brake pads.

For some more specialist bikes you need to spend more than 1K, I have a full suspension bike which cost quite a bit more but only because there wasn't anything decent cheaper as poor full suspension bikes tend not to be good.

John

Cash-Cows

warehouse wrote: »

Apart from kids bikes I wouldn't personally buy anything from Halfords as they're known to be cheap and nasty. However OP I'm happy to be proven wrong if you can report back regularly and keep the thread updated as I'm interested in something similar in future.

I think that's unfair on Halfords who offer a range of bikes including boardman and Pinarello neither of which are cheap or nasty.

SailorSam

Si_Clist wrote: »

Our Kalkhoffs were guaranteed 24 months (including the batteries), and so far with everyday use in all weathers, much of that towing a trailer full of shopping, all we've done to them in over 5000 miles between them is replace the brake pads and fit new chains. We have had no problems with either, and will probably be replacing them with new Kalkhoffs next January.

Although they were a lot more expensive than others it was the Kalkhoff range at 50cycles i'd looked at on the Internet. One of the things that was putting me off was i'm up here 200mls from any of their depots. I'm a bit worried that if anything went wrong i may not find anyone around Liverpool who knew how to fix it. On top of that £2k is a lot to spend without having a test ride first, which would mean a trip to London just to try it out.
For the moment i'll stick with the car but maybe next time.
Where did you get your trailer ?
This is the one i'm interested in.

http://www.50cycles.com/electric-bikes/sahel-compact.html

getmore4less

princeofpounds wrote: »

I've no experience of these, but I have wondered why they aren't used more (esp in countries with proper cycling infrastructure).

I'd be interested to hear the user experience after a few rides.

Go to china electric is everywhere from simple cycles upto vespa style scooters.

Si_Clist

SailorSam wrote: »

One of the things that was putting me off was i'm up here 200mls from any of their depots. I'm a bit worried that if anything went wrong i may not find anyone around Liverpool who knew how to fix it. On top of that £2k is a lot to spend without having a test ride first, which would mean a trip to London just to try it out.

I dealt with the "test ride" issue by buying a secondhand one first (same make, same power system, different model and previous year's) then flogging it at a profit.

We bought both ours online, and all I had to do on delivery was straighten the bars, fit the pedals and charge the battery. It still amazes me that these two Kalkhoffs (and indeed our two Thorns) could be bought online and delivered in boxes, then need no setting up or adjustment whatsoever, not even after we'd run them in. That's in complete contrast to every other bike either of us has bought from shops in the last 40-odd years (I think it's 13 between us), all of which have needed various things rectifying after purchase. No way would either of us buy a bike from a bike shop now!

SailorSam wrote: »

Where did you get your trailer

Here. Ours is the large one. You just need to add a plastic crate. Note the safe working load

sniggings

I guess they have their uses but a car would probably work out cheaper or around the same price. So saving wouldn't have to be your reason for buying one of these.

Richard53

Cash-Cows wrote: »

I think that's unfair on Halfords who offer a range of bikes including boardman and Pinarello neither of which are cheap or nasty.

I bought my wife and myself a couple of Raleigh Amazons from Halfords back in about 1992. Still in occasional use, and with just normal maintenance they have never let us down. In fact, I can't remember even tightening a spoke or adjusting the gears. Utterly bulletproof and reliable, if a little heavy and crude.


Having said that, I would buy a bike from a proper bike shop whenever possible, even if they were a bit more expensive. You get better service and are helping to keep a specialist going.

Oldfatgrumpy

I have one of these, it's a little more noisy than my Fast4ward Peak but has an easier smoother freewheel plus it's easier to lug about and store, and more stable than I'd expected. Thus far very pleased with it.