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| Projectblue Member Since: 22 Nov 2011 Location: Devon Posts: 1096  
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Does anyone know anything about electric cycles?
I'm never going to get my fat arse back on a normal one, but figured one that gives me some assist may be of interest. Also can carry around on the back of my recently acquired VWT4 Day Van. It would be for exploring towns, tow paths, greenlanes and Nat Parks in the UK and Europe as a means to get from campsite etc. I don't need pro, but don't want Mary Poppins looking thing either. I know you have to pedal now, but wondered about the rest. Found this, I recognise the brand and some of the components like gears/brakes. No idea if it's any good or not. https://www.giant-bicycles.com/gb/stance-eplus-2-electric-bike New project and it's green: www.projectoverland.info |
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14th Aug 2019 10:23pm |
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| Ads90 Member Since: 16 Jun 2008 Location: Cots-on-the-Wolds Posts: 812  
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I still ride my regular mtb, but (younger) friends are starting to change over to e-mtbs and I've had a go and now I want one!
As you will have seen they are very expensive compared to a similarly specc'ed non-e, so I will have to wait a while - but that hasn't stopped me from enjoying a bit of t'internet research... That Giant you linked to looks ok for the money, take a look at Cube too for relative bang-for-buck, & my mate has just bought a pair of Haibikes for himself & his missus and they seem very pleased with them. But if you can find one, try and get to a demo day and try a few different makes & models in your price range. Even if you can't do that, you should be able to test-ride a couple from a local store to compare - the specs only count for so much - the fit & feel is still just as important. If you want to go down the YouTube rabbit-hole, lots of reviews and advice on these UK channels: Rob Rides EMTB https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxVMLv0XwgrIvWBjf4lWRBA/videos Electric Mountain Bike Network https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7Txz5nUDD14vCdNSU_JydQ/videos |
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14th Aug 2019 11:48pm |
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| ericvv Member Since: 02 Jun 2011 Location: Near the Jet d'Eau Posts: 5816  
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Just in case you would want the very best quality, look into Swiss made Flyer. Available in many European countries, not sure about U.K. though. My current one is 3 years old now, 13.000 km, never a problem, just annual maintenance, still like new. A real joy to use, certainly here where almost no road is flat. Uphill assistance is a godsend. Expensive, but I’ve tried many brands, and you get what you pay for. In any case suggest to steer clear of cheap Chinese brands.
Eric https://www.flyer-bikes.com/ch-de/sortiment/#mountain You never actually own a Defender. You merely look after it for the next generation. http://youtu.be/yVRlSsJwD0o https://youtu.be/vmPr3oTHndg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GtzTT9Pdl0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABqKPz28e6A https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLZ49Jce_n0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvAsz_ilQYU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8tMHiX9lSw https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dxwjPuHIV7I https://vimeo.com/201482507 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSixqL0iyHw |
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15th Aug 2019 4:45am |
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| Caterham Member Since: 06 Nov 2008 Location: Birmingham Posts: 6300 
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/\ still like new
why doesn't that surprise me 
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15th Aug 2019 6:32am |
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| seriesonenut Member Since: 19 Nov 2014 Location: Essex Posts: 1211
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Hi Projectblue
I could have written that myself (minus the VW of coure  ) and have also stared a search. I keep coming back to this one
https://www.e-bikesdirect.co.uk/brands/hai...wIQAvD_BwE I need to see one an as advised try it (which is not easy I have found). Good luck with your search and lets us know how you get on and what you end up with 2010 XS USW
1957 Series One 88 diesel 1958 Series One 88 4x2 |
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15th Aug 2019 6:40am |
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| Zed Member Since: 07 Oct 2017 Location: In the woods Posts: 3312 
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Funny you should say that. I was taking the
 out of a mate for having an electric Cube. Then I had a go.
It’s now on my Christmas list. |
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15th Aug 2019 7:16am |
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| DonH2000 Member Since: 12 Jan 2015 Location: North Kent Posts: 551 
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Hi fellow T4 owner!
I have had a HiBike with Yamaha engine for 3 years and it is under £2k and excellent and MrsH has a Cube with a Bosch engine which is also very good, also under £2k. Both fit on my Thule rear bike rack; I had to upgrade the rear tailgate struts! Both take around 2 hours to fully charge up and have a range of about 60 miles. Go for one with crank driven motor (not rear or front hub), center battery and you will have a better weight ballance. Get one and have fun! Cheers, DonH Cheers Don. |
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15th Aug 2019 7:39am |
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| Caterham Member Since: 06 Nov 2008 Location: Birmingham Posts: 6300
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I reckon if you change that seat you might get 70 miles out of a charge  |
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15th Aug 2019 7:55am |
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| markb110 Member Since: 22 May 2010 Location: Guildford Posts: 2644 
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 Click image to enlarge Specialized Kenevo for me. Had now for a year and absolutely love it. I ride further than I did with my Norco Sight LE, steep climbs off road are really good fun and due to the extra weight it is very planted when descending. Riding now is about the adventure and not about suffering - the added benefit as a Land Rover owner is that on an MTB you are not restricted to Byways. As my wife has one as well we can actually share rides together. A shared hobby eases the costs LOL. 2019 models are being discounted now. Most important is fit so take your time and ensure the bike shop / brand is well supported. other than that it is a normal bike that will need regular love and attention. Many bike shops off 0% finance to help spread the cost so if you can go with a good brand with lots of supporting dealers than just cheap or direct to customers bikes where if anything goes wrong you have to pack it up and send it back. Good luck ps check out EMTB Forums. lots of good advice and feed back on the key brands. |
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15th Aug 2019 8:09am |
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| GREENI Member Since: 22 Aug 2010 Location: staffs Posts: 10383
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As the D2 resident bike 'expert', whatever you buy, I'd strongly recommend buying one from your local shop.
Buying online is fine, but e-bikes of course have increased risks of stuff going wrong. Dealing with your online store can get frustrating and delay things....emailing, posting stuff, waiting for stuff. I'd say 'contact me for a cheaper price', but with e-bikes we avoid discounting them, as the aftersales service is more complicated and costly, it makes no sense. Again, go to your local shop, service is the key thing with e-bikes... How's that for 'sales prevention'? |
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15th Aug 2019 8:34am |
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| Caterham Member Since: 06 Nov 2008 Location: Birmingham Posts: 6300
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good honest advice and sales prevention often go hand in hand.
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15th Aug 2019 8:40am |
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| Caterham Member Since: 06 Nov 2008 Location: Birmingham Posts: 6300
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markb110.
any idea what the weight would be for your bike? |
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15th Aug 2019 8:41am |
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| lohr500 Member Since: 14 Sep 2014 Location: Skipton Posts: 1317
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Both myself and wife have Cube 120 hybrid full suspension e-bikes.
Not sure about the current model range, but a couple of years back they did various spec levels, with "better" quality components on the more expensive models. Our Cubes use the Bosch crank motor and I can't fault them. Full suspension is good if you are riding off the tarmac, even if you aren't into serious mountain biking. It makes for a very comfortable ride. And the front and back suspension can be partially or fully locked, to reduce travel and prevent your pedalling effort being wasted when on the hard stuff. Neither of us are hardcore mountain bikers, so 120mm of travel on the front forks is more than enough to soak up any bumps on modest trails. It's worth going for a larger battery pack if in your budget as this will give more range between charges. At the time the Bosch batteries were either 400 or 500 WH. I would try a number of makes/models to find one that's a good fit for you. I would also stay clear of the cheaper hub drive type motors. |
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15th Aug 2019 11:25am |
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| Sulisuli Member Since: 30 Oct 2016 Location: South west Posts: 4795 
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 2015 HT XS 90
2008 SVX 90 2000 XS TD5 90 |
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15th Aug 2019 11:49am |
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