Get a grip woman!

Suffolk_lass

Haha, spent most of the day in the car - as I say, a major click and collect - this was our e-bikes. We have them. Our forecast is for gales today so not sure we will get out today but I'm going to suggest we go to the local reservoir and have a cycle there. Really looking forward to it. In the meantime there is plenty of kitchen work to do...

Karmacat

Congratulations on getting your mitts on the ebikes!  Can I ask what you chose?  I'm just starting to look for a folding ebike … it would add a lot to my life.

Suffolk_lass

Ours are Batavus (traditional dutch sit-up style step-through with the battery under the back rack).

Our research decided that for us we wanted a frame motor (not a wheel-hub), a belt drive and hub gears (not the ones that hang down at the back wheel) and the rack we have to put them on the back of the van or car has a ramp to wheel it up, rather than lift it - and fits on the tow-bar - so a lot less lifting. 

In respect of folding e-bikes there has been some chat on the motorhome group I am in and a raging debate about length of time batteries last (about 4 years), whether you can get replacements - alluding to the need to go for a brand with some longevity like bosch, and also the relative quality and value of bikes from China versus Europe - virtually all frames are made in S Korea, except hand-made top of the range.

enthusiasticsaver

Suffolk_lass said:

Haha, spent most of the day in the car - as I say, a major click and collect - this was our e-bikes. We have them. Our forecast is for gales today so not sure we will get out today but I'm going to suggest we go to the local reservoir and have a cycle there. Really looking forward to it. In the meantime there is plenty of kitchen work to do...

We treated ourselves to e bikes when we retired and use them so much more than our old mountain bikes. We have gales here today too

Suffolk_lass

DH could not resist and went for a pootle to the end of the village and back - he was very impressed and I won the step through discussion - he will be good to use this for many years without the precarious cross-bar mount/dismount!

Karmacat

Suffolk_lass said:

Ours are Batavus (traditional dutch sit-up style step-through with the battery under the back rack).

Our research decided that for us we wanted a frame motor (not a wheel-hub), a belt drive and hub gears (not the ones that hang down at the back wheel) and the rack we have to put them on the back of the van or car has a ramp to wheel it up, rather than lift it - and fits on the tow-bar - so a lot less lifting. 

In respect of folding e-bikes there has been some chat on the motorhome group I am in and a raging debate about length of time batteries last (about 4 years), whether you can get replacements - alluding to the need to go for a brand with some longevity like bosch, and also the relative quality and value of bikes from China versus Europe - virtually all frames are made in S Korea, except hand-made top of the range.

Thank you so much for this!  This is the only one on my list so far: https://dawescycles.com/product/falcon-flo/ I wanted one that I could buy through my local cycle shop, and this is the top of the Dawes electric range.  Replacement batteries are really important, given the lifespan of a typical bike, it never occurred to me, really good point.  I need to put more work into this - now my new computer is up and running, that will be much easier.

Suffolk_lass

Karmacat said:

Suffolk_lass said:

Ours are Batavus (traditional dutch sit-up style step-through with the battery under the back rack).

Our research decided that for us we wanted a frame motor (not a wheel-hub), a belt drive and hub gears (not the ones that hang down at the back wheel) and the rack we have to put them on the back of the van or car has a ramp to wheel it up, rather than lift it - and fits on the tow-bar - so a lot less lifting. 

In respect of folding e-bikes there has been some chat on the motorhome group I am in and a raging debate about length of time batteries last (about 4 years), whether you can get replacements - alluding to the need to go for a brand with some longevity like bosch, and also the relative quality and value of bikes from China versus Europe - virtually all frames are made in S Korea, except hand-made top of the range.

Thank you so much for this!  This is the only one on my list so far: https://dawescycles.com/product/falcon-flo/ I wanted one that I could buy through my local cycle shop, and this is the top of the Dawes electric range.  Replacement batteries are really important, given the lifespan of a typical bike, it never occurred to me, really good point.  I need to put more work into this - now my new computer is up and running, that will be much easier.

I can search on the FB group posts about this and pass on the names (about 4 I think). I do know there have been supply problems with Raleigh (because we have a 15% off voucher we could not use) - the bike shops can't see any build dates up to March so they just don't know when or if to expect stock. We were looking at whether an ex demonstrator with a second battery that we did not immediately commission might be the way to go

Karmacat

Suffolk_lass said:

I can search on the FB group posts about this and pass on the names (about 4 I think). I do know there have been supply problems with Raleigh (because we have a 15% off voucher we could not use) - the bike shops can't see any build dates up to March so they just don't know when or if to expect stock. We were looking at whether an ex demonstrator with a second battery that we did not immediately commission might be the way to go

I would be so grateful if you'd find those names and pass them on to me please, SL, that would be great.  

Suffolk_lass

Karmacat said:

Suffolk_lass said:

I can search on the FB group posts about this and pass on the names (about 4 I think). I do know there have been supply problems with Raleigh (because we have a 15% off voucher we could not use) - the bike shops can't see any build dates up to March so they just don't know when or if to expect stock. We were looking at whether an ex demonstrator with a second battery that we did not immediately commission might be the way to go

I would be so grateful if you'd find those names and pass them on to me please, SL, that would be great.  

• E-Scape from Towsure
• Wisper 806 (various stockists, mostly out of stock)
• The Link by Westhill bikes (link here)
• AS Bikes (link here)
• Raleigh Stow-E-way (link here) - we might still have a voucher that was 15% off (if they have stock, ordered direct, for delivery to your local shop) - I could check if it has not been deleted if you want that. I have a feeling Raleigh do an Evo model in their e-bikes too 
• Halfords Apollo and Carrera cross-city
• Facebook marketplace apparently - round here they look like add-on electrics

Karmacat

Thank you so much!  I'm packed and ready to go for my trip right now, but I'll look forward to checking these out properly when I get back some time on Tuesday.  All the best.