To think about riding an e-bike?

https://www.merlincycles.com/electric-bikes-85951/ I have been lusting after this one since it was mentioned in the Guardian last year. The price has come down a lot.

I absolutely adore mine. Be aware though that they can be very heavy to lift. I haven't been able to find a bike carrier for my hatchback that either takes the weight or is low enough for me to get the bike onto it without having to lift a 27kg bike with my dodgy shoulder. So, I can never take the bike with me to ride anywhere else.

I hadn't been on a bike for over 30 years op. Last year I seen a local council free e bike for a few weeks, I applied and was lucky enough to get a ebike. It was fab...

Look around in your local area and council for a free ebike or donation etc.

Cube and the ridiculously named Moustache brand.

Get the biggest battery and motor you can afford....you will thank me later.
Only get one with a Bosch motor, cheap bikes have cheap motors.

Think if you will be mainly on road or would do tracks........some kind of hybrid is the most versatile.

Do it! They’re fab. I have a Gazelle upright, step-through which took me while to get used to but love it now. Hi to a good bike store and test ride a few to see what suits you best.

Definitely do it. I have 2 e-bikes, one a full size for local trips & going to the station, the other a folding e-bike for going away in the caravan. Both Wisper bikes, absolutely love them.

I absolutely love my e bike, it automatic gears and carbon chain ( have no idea what that is) but she is a thing of beauty. I have a basket front and back ...not cheap but not crazy money either
adoebike.co.uk/products/ado-air-28-pro

I had one and had to send it back. I'm sure it is awesome, but I wasn't quite tall enough for it even though I'm 5'6"

Try out a few in a reputable shop before you buy!

that’s a shame hope it gets sorted, my pendleton has been great
The only thing about the pendleton which I’d wish was different is that being short, the seat post could do with having an inch sawn off, which is what my husband has done with my raleigh. But because the battery is under the pannier rack it can’t be done on the pendleton
Something to bear in mind loopyluna when you are trying them out for size

Ive got arthritis in both knees ( i’m 68 and cycled for leisure and pleasure all of my life)and every step hurts to walk! I got an electric folding bike from halfords ( raleigh stow away) so we could put them in the back of the car and I’d be able to ride alongside my fit husband. It transformed my life! It’s not the most powerful thing in the world, I usually have to cycle on level 2 out of three so the battery needs charging after about 20 miles.
I also have now bought a big wheeled more powerful one for cycling locally - again from halfords the Pendleton somerby with curved handlebars and padded seat. More puwerful but quite heavy to manhandle in and out of the shed, up kerbs etc
Im regarding them as interim step between walking and needing some sort of mobility aid!
In hindsight I think i’d have bought a folding one with fatter tyres as the raleigh one is a bit flimsy on rough country tracks

E-bikes are now one of our favourite things to do on holiday - when I live somewhere more conducive to cycling, it will be my first purchase.

I wouldn’t recommend the Pendleton from
Halfords. I’ve had nothing but trouble with mine. It’s been back to the store probably 8/10 times in the first 18 months. It’s now out of warranty. This week 3 spokes on the front wheel broke, which really shouldn’t happen, unless the wheel was badly built. They previously replaced spokes, then the whole back wheel when it was still under warranty.

However, when it’s working it is WONDERFUL. i havent ridden a bike in my adult life really as I don’t like arriving places sweaty and it’s hilly where I live. This has meant I can cycle even with a kid on the back!

Husband with very dodgy knee bought one in the first lockdown. He's still cycling.

Husband and I have e-bikes and also an e-tandem. Lots of hills round here! I've had e-bikes for over 10 years now so very used to them. I would certainly say test ride before you buy. Go for a known make rather than something nameless from China. The problems with batteries catching fire are worrying but a "proper" make should be fine. Don't assume that because you have the motor to help you, you don't need gears.

I love mine. It's a Halfords Carrera so quite basic but does the job. The only problem I have is the battery is quite difficult to remove to charge it.

My Juicy ebike is awesome.

I've got a mycle and would recommend. I got the folding version which is heavier but I don't have a garage or shed to store a bike in. It's great for road use and just pottering around town on.

My Ddad got one when he was 85 and struggling with his old bike (he cycled up to the shops everyday, not certain he always bought anything but it was a habit).
We researched Ebikes for him plus he tried a few and finally settled on one which was very traditional to look at but had the benefit of electric assistance. Bought from a reputable cycle shop of long standing, it was definitely not one of those illegal self powered ones, this one gave you as much assistance as you required (set by a device on the handlebars) and switched off completely when you went over 15mph.
He was over the moon with it and it enabled him to cycle further than he had been doing so for atje previous couple of years.

Mine is great, I cycle into the centre of Edinburgh for work on it as it’s a lot faster than the bus. I have a Raleigh Motus, basically because I rented one on holiday and quite liked it. It’s at the heavy end and sluggish on very steep hills, but it feels very sturdy and safe and has a nice easy step through.

E bikes are truly awesome. They enable my DH with chronic pain to join us on fun cycles. And I take the e-bike if I have to go for a long errand. It’s brill

I love mine. I have arthritis in my knees and it relieves the pressure when going uphill. I keep it on the lowest setting on the flat and crank it up for the hills. It means I didn't have to give up cycling, keeps my knees moving and me exercising and I can still go for long rides with my husband. Would definitely recommend it.

Yeah, I just got one. It's fab.

I wasn't keen but can't keep up with the 70 yo's on rides.

I have one, 30, but fairly hilly area and I have crumbling bones! It is my favourite purchase ever, it makes going out cycling less of a chore as I know I don’t need to get off my bike to get up the hill (you do need to pedal, if you stop it stops even with the electric) but you can drop it into the lowest gear and slowly pedal and get the boost. I got a Raleigh motus via an e-bike loan Scotland had a couple of years ago for interest free ones.

We got ours in cycle 2 work schemes.
I have a specialized and partner a cube. He's into proper eMTB though...I'm a road and trail rider.

Lady passed me on her bike the other week. She was probably over 70. Powered up the hill then into pedalling on the flat. Wasn't a heavy ebike but did look expensive. I don't need one yet but can't deny they can get you out and take the pain out of cycling. Prob some good advice on YouTube