electric bikes

Agusya

Hi. Maybe someone could direct me into better forum for this subject, I have no idea if someone would have enough knowledge here, I'll try anyway. Im looking for a e-bike , I have been reading about it and from what I can see its best if its not more than 20kg but majority is about 25kg. I need something thats good to go up the hill ,but that will need 500W motor but not heavy ( I know over 250W is not legal in UK or EU but how would you get caught if you arent going super fast?) everywhere I look 250W is not enough to go up the hill. I have no idea where to look, Ive checked like 15 companies selling/making affordable (not more than £1000) e-bikes. Im looking into used as well. Whats the good battery? I can see they have ''Ah'' next to number, highest is best?  Im seriously puzzled by this e-bike business   Thanks for any help 

KeithP

I think you'll find that www.pedelecs.co.uk will be able to answer all your questions.

Ayr_Rage

You are correct anything over 250W is not permitted, you'll have to add some pedal power to get up that hill!

Some higher powered bikes can be used on the road provided they are correctly registered and can be ridden as mopeds if you have the correct licence.

Ah refers to the capacity of the battery, so you will get more usage/range with a higher number but larger capacities are heavier too.

As for getting caught, if you are sensible on an "illegal" bike then your chances are small but if stopped they may confiscate your bike.

Nebulous2

There is no point in imposing your own  limit at 20kg. Lighter bikes often have less powerful motors and smaller batteries to achieve the weight limit. 

Under £1000 you would need to be looking at second hand to get anything reasonable. 

My experience is all of legal ones, and they are wonderful machines, that have been life-changing for some people, or alternatively, for other people, they are used twice then abandoned in a shed. 

njkmr

You can buy kits to convert normal bikes into electric bikes.
These are available in higher power as well ie 1000w.
I did my bike and the wifes for about £1000 each a few years ago. They may be cheaper now?
Have a look on ebike forums for ideas.

gzoom

eBikes of all kinds are fab, I've got 2 of them, along with a couple of analogue(normal) bikes. Thinking about adding a 3rd soon.

What do you want the eBike for? And how much cycling do you do or have you done on the past?

martindow

I wouldn't get obsessed over the weight of the bike.  Another 5kg is neither here nor there when you add the rider's weight - 90kg compared to 95kg for instance.

The general opinion is that the legal limit of 250W is quite sufficient to get you up hills.  

The higher-powered illegal bikes are used by drug dealers, etc., often ridden recklessly and far too fast, far over the 15.5mph limit, and so more at risk of getting stopped.  I wish the police were more active stopping and confiscating them in my area.

Auti

martindow said:

I wouldn't get obsessed over the weight of the bike.  Another 5kg is neither here nor there when you add the rider's weight - 90kg compared to 95kg for instance.

Depends on size of rider I think - 1m 50 and 48kg and I am struggling to find an electric bike to look at that is not fold up. Need storage on it as well

I am tempted

njkmr

100kg rider. Bike with motor etc is heavy but will do 25-30 mph, but I ride sensibly, but I do like overtaking lycra clad blokes on race bikes uphill, exclaiming "morning" as I go by them. Usually accompanied by my wife and we chuckle like holy hell.
To be fair the lycra boys normally laugh as well , at our cheek..

Agusya

Ayr_Rage said:

You are correct anything over 250W is not permitted, you'll have to add some pedal power to get up that hill!

Some higher powered bikes can be used on the road provided they are correctly registered and can be ridden as mopeds if you have the correct licence.

Ah refers to the capacity of the battery, so you will get more usage/range with a higher number but larger capacities are heavier too.

As for getting caught, if you are sensible on an "illegal" bike then your chances are small but if stopped they may confiscate your bike.

thanks! Adding pedal power? How do you do that? How is pedal power shown ?

Agusya

gzoom said:

eBikes of all kinds are fab, I've got 2 of them, along with a couple of analogue(normal) bikes. Thinking about adding a 3rd soon.

What do you want the eBike for? And how much cycling do you do or have you done on the past?

Ive just sold my car and going to move to Spain in couple of months. Going to live on the top of the hill so need a bike powerful enough to get me there plus I would like to go on bike trips or just stroll on the promenade. I had a regular city bike in the past and always struggled (and hated) hills  .I have been checking out used ones.  So Im thinking I should get 500W , Im a bit scared that 25kg one will be too heavy. Also -should I avoid chunky tires bikes? Ive heard they blow up or something? thanks