Electric bikes?

[katymac]

I have decided to get an electric bike - any suggestions which one?

I like the look of the gazelle

[leonardthelemming]

Do you mean the Dutch Gazelle range? I have no experience of any ready-made electric bikes although I did once fit an after-market electric conversion kit to my wife's hybrid and it was very effective.

Looking at the specifications for the Gazelle I see that some have the motor mounted in the front wheel and some have a crank motor. I think the consensus opinion is that the crank motor system is better because it can take advantage of the gears, whereas a wheel motor cannot. Most of them seem to have hub gears which means less maintenance.

The only thing I don't like is that most have rim brakes. Rim brakes are certainly powerful but they eventually wear the rim out. How quickly this happens depends very much on how many steep hills you go down! But eventually the wheels will need to be rebuilt with new rims. I'm surprised they don't fit discs or, in keeping with the low-maintenance ethos, roller brakes.

I did a quick Google and found this:

www.50cycles.com/electric-bikes/kalkhoff-bikes/integrale_i8.html

It's quite a bit more expensive but you get what you pay for, and the specs look good - Crank drive, hydraulic disc brakes, 8-speed hub gears, integral lights, and Gates carbon belt drive (so no oily chain to maintain).

I think you need to set aside some time to visit suppliers and test-ride a few bikes before you decide.

[katymac]

I don't think there is much round here really but I can have a look & see

Tbh I think even the basic gazelle is right at the edge of my budget

[BarchesterFlowers]

I don't know anything about them but Woosh or Whoosh or something or another are in Southend and they are at the cheaper end of electric bikes (no idea where I learnt that tbh).

Might be worth looking at.

[Starman16]

I test rode a Gazelle Orange yday - I tried both front powered and mid-mounted and much preferred the mid-mounted as it felt much more natural ie the additional power is coming from where it does on a normal bike...on the front mounted it felt weird, with a distinct 'pull' from the front.

It was overall a comfortable bike and the shop I went to spoke highly of Gazelle in terms of value for money, reliability etc

[Starman16]

This is the model i tried: www.electricbikesales.co.uk/e-dutch-bikes/Orange-C7-HMB

[katymac]

Thanks for all that info - I think a motor towards the back makes more sense too

I think I have a lot of shopping to do

[katymac]

I am looking at the Woosh bike shop in SOuthend it's fascinating there are 2 possibilities for me I think

the Crusa or possibly the petite?

I may go & have a look on Friday

[katymac]

I'm going to see them on Friday - fingers crossed

[witchmountain]

I test rode several Gazelles and they were great. They make good bikes anyway and the motors are well integrated.

I found a lot of people online complaining about their Kalkhoff Impulse motors but no one having issues with the Bosch motors, so I'd favour them.

Not sure where you are but if London is within easy reach then go and see Flying Dutchman near Euston station, they will sort you out. And if not, enjoy your test rides on Friday! Would really recommend trying a few though because they all have quite a different feel.

[katymac]

I went on a Volt today - wee was it fast (on number 2) - I think I'll have to work up to this!!

[Fortheloveofscience]

I used to have a Woosh bike. Biggest problem was that it weighed an absolute tonne, so if for any reason you lost power (which happened occasionally) it was absolutely impossible to ride on even the slightest uphill inclines.

They are cheaply made, but customer service was decent and the fact they are still going after a few years suggests they're doing something right.

[katymac]

The weight on all the ones I have looked at were between 19kg & 23kgs - DH's ordinary bike is 19.5kgs

So maybe they got lighter? The weight is a concern of mine but then I couldn't lift an non-electric bike either & if it gets too hard - DH can ride back & get the van at the sort of distances we will be doing I guess

[katymac]

Bought one

[witchmountain]

Ooh, what did you go for?

Also, did I remember right that you were about to do an amazing trip in a camper van?

[katymac]

I got the Crusa: the wider tyres make it smoother I think

I confused the life out of the man selling them, i'l quite short barely 5ft 5 but my arms and legs are very very long so the petite I was hitting the handle bars with my knees!!

Yes I'm off on a Big Adventure for 4 months! I can't wait!!

[witchmountain]

Fat tyres sound good, I've got them on mine and they do make a difference. Your trip sounds wonderful, have an amazing time!

[katymac]

Thank you

Tis' pretty

[TiggyD]

I'm jealous. I want to go in a camper for a huge trip with my electric bike too.

Try the www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/ for tips and advice. It seems to be the biggest UK electric bike forum. A few of the manufacturers and vendors are on there for direct feedback. Hope the bike is what you wanted.

[katymac]

It does seem to be just what I neeed - I'll have to build up to riding it longer distances - I really hurt this evening!!

You too can have the mid-life crisis I am plannin - you just need to run a nursery for 13 yrs & go bust!!!

[katymac]

Oh bugger he first thing I read is that it might not be legal - how on earth would I know?

[TiggyD]

If you bought it in this country it's be legal for this country. What's the issue with it?

[TiggyD]

I'm middle aged, and I like to think I've helped some nurseries go bust.

And you do need to build up. I'm a warm weather cyclist. I got it out the shed this week and my bum was not happy after a little 15 miler.

[katymac]

Well tbh I never even considered legality a question I should ask....so the fact that it might be an issue is terrifying

But reading on it seems I am fine

I have efe funding!!!

[witchmountain]

It's legal because it will only provide assistance up to speeds of 15 mph - faster than that and you're under your own steam. It is pretty!

Agree, the sore bum thing gets better!

[TiggyD]

Invest in a nice gel saddle.