Electric Bike

[Daphnesmate01]

Has anyone recently purchased an electric bike?

I am considering purchasing a step through electric bike but conscious that the battery will be heavy.

Anyone? Please can you tell me about your experience - model of bike etc.

Dh bought a hai-bike. He tried a couple before, hadn't planned on this one! But he's totally thrilled with it.

A friend of mine recently bought one of these and is very happy with it. She hasn't cycled for decades but is whizzing about all over the place now.
www.sigmasports.com/item/Bianchi/E-Spillo-Luxury-Altus-Womens-Disc-Electric-Hybrid-Bike-2020/P6Y7

Good to hear people are enjoying their electric bikes.

Anyone else?

My sister has a Volt step through and my brother has a Volt one that looks like a mountain bike. Both are very pleased with them. My sister is not very strong but she manages it fine.

I got mine about 8 years ago, and it's a wonderful thing. Yes, it's heavy - so you don't want to run out of battery when you're miles from home (as I did once), but a bit of thought stops that from happening. It makes cycling a pleasure when you're not terribly fit, like me - I only turn on the assist bit for hills, but it makes all the difference.

I got a Halfords step through carerra recently (I originally got the pendlton one but it was enormous and a bit shit) also I realised only after getting it that I wanted to use it on river paths and a bit off road so I got a more sturdy one. It's great! I love it. Totally unfit and now I can do 20km bike rides with only using it on the hills. I love it. Suddenly it's a pleasure rather than a chore I try once and then never do again as it hurts too much.

Cons: bloody enormously heavy, they all are.
Get one with front suspension
Get one with disc brakes not v brakes
Get one with decent tires - think of the terrain you'll use it on. Mountain bike vs road vs hybrid.

Also, my battery is only 2kg. The bike is 23kg. The more money you spend the lighter they are. The posh bike shop told me I should spend no less than £2.5k for a decent one. Crazy. The Halfords one suits me fine!

I LOVE my e-bike. Genuinely love it. We bought it to replace our second car. It's a cargo bike and can take kids on the back. I use it for my work commute and for all short trips around town. The panniers carry everything I need and more.
It's a TERN GSD. Pricey, but the very best quality components and battery. It'll last.
TERN GSD Link

Hearing some really positive comments about electric bikes on this thread.

I love my ebike as I live up a very big hill. It is heavy but you hardly notice with the extra zoom.
I originally tried a folding one but went with a full frame as I feel safer riding that on the road. Got mine from Halfords. Not sure on the current situation due to Covid but you used to be able to test them.

I would also go for one where you can change the setting. I have 3 ‘electric settings’ and 9 gears which helps my fitness. Paid just under £1000 but I think the same bike is selling for more now However it does depend on when and where you would cycle.

I have a corratec e-bike. I’ve had it 2 years. It’s brilliant. It is quite heavy so would be hard to ride without the battery on and also if you had to lug it up stairs or whatever for storage.

It’s absolutely lovely to ride. It’s got 3 settings, eco, normal and high and the Bosch battery is powerful. Battery life is also excellent.

I cycle much more than I used to with my old push bike as it’s just so much easier. My DH also has an ebike, (can’t remember the make offhand) and our neighbours were so impressed at how much we were going out on them that they both now have ebikes as well!

Yes, two kalkhof 3b Endeavours. Love them. They are heavy but not to ride. They also have a “walk” function to make pushing them effortless. You can use them as normal bikes and then kick the motor in when you are tired.

Oh I absolutely ADORE ‘my electric bike. I hadn’t ridden for years and have never cycled much. However I’m addicted. Mine does about 30-35 miles on the battery. It is heavy if you turn off the battery or run out (!) but like a PP said..a bit of careful planning and it is fine.
I do about 100 - 150 miles a week on mine. I only use the battery for hills. I’d recommend it every minute of the day. I paid £2.7k for mine but it’s worth every penny!!

I've been cursing you tonight Daphnesmate01
This thread has sent me down the ebike rabbithole and I have found my dream ebike. I want this, in the gorgeous purple colour. It is perfect in all ways except one.
Scurries off to buy a lottery ticket....
www.trekbikes.com/gb/en_GB/bikes/road-bikes/performance-road-bikes/domane/domane/domane-lt/domane-lt-9/p/32578/?colorCode=purple

Do you already cycle? My mum was a really serious cyclist but couldn’t do as much as she got older. But she said she didn’t like any electric bikes. We managed to get her beloved bike converted to an electric bike. She loved it.

Sorry MrsA. Waves sheepishly.

I have a Pendleton ebike and love it! I use it for commuting and weekend trips (just on roads). The battery lasts pretty well. It is quite heavy but I don’t really find it a problem. As long as you don’t have to lift it up lots of steps to store it I wouldn’t worry about the weight.

Just looked at your link Mrs A...how much?!?!?

Flossie...which bike have you got, if you don't mind me asking? There are so many out there. Not a road bike though. Probably looking at a hybrid with low bar/step through.

i have the trek lift e.
it's electric assist and i love it. i wouldn't be biking at all in my very hilly neighborhood if it wasn't for the extra assist.
yes the bike is heavy but i'm not portering it anywhere.
the gears and boost options are easy to use.
i get several rides with one charge (i ride daily and charge weekly).

@Daphnesmate01

Just looked at your link Mrs A...how much?!?!?

I know.... It's too much. I can't justify it. Especially for something that wouldn't even be my main bike. Even if I did win the lottery I probably wouldn't! But it is so gorgeous. It's making me dissatisfied with the ones I might realistically buy.

Mrs A
If you have a second car...in place of a second car?

You never know it might go on sale.

I don't have a car at all at present actually. But I do already have several bikes. Can't really justify another. Though when the 2021 models come out companies often discount last years models, a bit like what happens with cars when the new registrations come out. I might have a look at the end of the year. As you say, I could get lucky!
I can't keep up with my son now, so an ebike would make him happy - less waiting at the top of hills for me!

yes the lift-e was replaced by one of the verve's. not sure which one i would pick today if i was to replace it. maybe one with some seat and handlebar suspension??