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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Electric bikes

12 replies

disconnecteddrifter · 17/01/2021 09:36

I want to get one for my commute and to ride at the weekend as I live in a hilly town and cant hack the hills. I'd ideally like weekend rides of up to 50 miles. There is so much choice and a huge price range. I'm looking to spend up to £2k. I've been looking since the summer as I'm completely confused as what to go for. Any advice?

OP posts:
SoupDragon · 17/01/2021 09:37

YABU

Covidcovid · 17/01/2021 09:41

Ribble ones look good.

I don’t have an electric bike but might get one in a couple of years. I guess battery size is the main consideration, they’re not all the same. Weight of the bike.

Is it a battery built into the frame (look nicer but maybe harder to charge) or a battery which clips off for easier charging.

Then the usual bike things to consider like what’s the gearing....lower gears make hills easier. And even with a battery you need to do some work so might be worth thinking about. Some sets are better quality. So a shimano 105 groupset is better than a tiagra and both are better than a sora.

FrostyChocolateMilkshake · 17/01/2021 10:03

Check out Oxygen electric bikes. Good quality bikes and a great selection. I've had a couple of friends buy from them before; I believe they offer aftercare too.

www.oxygenbicycles.com

montysma1 · 17/01/2021 10:13

I got one from a brand called "Moustache" which are very good quality.
They do a range of them although I went for one much dearer than 2k😳. I went a bit mad but paying it interest free.
I would say get one with the biggest battery you can afford..... You will need it if you want to do 50mile rides.

As I live in a very hilly place I went for one with the most powerful motor available......known as the Tork in the descriptions. . That's the oomph from the motor. At the time that was 75 oomphs! (cant remember the units!). There are now 85 oomph models available).

My longest ride is 42 miles so far and that included 2 massive hill climbs several miles long, and I still had around half my battery left. I did eke it out by using hardly any assistance on the flat though. These are not trips I could even have contemplated on a non ebike.

Also think what you want to do with it... City, tracks, off road etc.
Mine is a hybrid. Fine on the road but tough enough for tracks etc. Enough suspension to be comfy.

My friend has a, folding one, a definite town bike. Only 50oophs in the motor. It's really good but struggles where I live with the steep hills. You really notice the lack of power. It does get you up but it's hard work. It also has a much smallerbattery.
It wouldn't do for longs rides in the hilly place I live. With all the hills it's range drops to less than 20miles.

Look at the components. Decent bikes mainly have Bosch motors. They are best to have the motor center mounted rather than the back wheel.

Moustache are ebike specialists, they don't do normal bikes. I like mine, it's been perfect for a year.
Another brand which had the spec I was looking for, and were actually a bit cheaper, and with good reviews, were Cube (or is it Kube?). I just couldn't get one near me to try it and they aren't as nice a shape (and didn't have nice colours😂).

montysma1 · 17/01/2021 10:22

My bike. Because I am a bit in love with it!

Electric bikes
disconnecteddrifter · 17/01/2021 10:34

Wow thank you so much this definitely narrows down the field

OP posts:
DDIJ · 17/01/2021 10:36

This reply has been withdrawn

Message from MNHQ: This post has been withdrawn

Sinful8 · 17/01/2021 10:42

"As I live in a very hilly place I went for one with the most powerful motor available......known as the Tork in the descriptions. . That's the oomph from the motor. At the time that was 75 oomphs! (cant remember the units!). There are now 85 oomph models available)."

Its thats in Nm im surprised its so high, for perspective thats more than a 600cc supersport motorcycle.

jcyclops · 17/01/2021 13:40

You could try hiring one for a few hours to try it and see what one feels like.

Crayfishforyou · 17/01/2021 13:54

I’ve got a cube and it’s brilliant.
I don’t use much help on the flat, but on hills it’s so helpful. I have a chronic health problem and couldn’t tackle any hill otherwise. This has done so much to get my muscles working and building again.
Make sure you insure it properly.
My bike has a removable battery so when I go back to work it will be less desirable to steal, and it’s easier to charge. The battery is locked on with a key too.
I’m paying mine back interest free but I did pay for half of it outright.
My bike is heavy but it has a walk feature which helps me to push it along.

montysma1 · 17/01/2021 16:03

@Sinful8

"As I live in a very hilly place I went for one with the most powerful motor available......known as the Tork in the descriptions. . That's the oomph from the motor. At the time that was 75 oomphs! (cant remember the units!). There are now 85 oomph models available)."

Its thats in Nm im surprised its so high, for perspective thats more than a 600cc supersport motorcycle.

It is 75nm and there are now 85nm models. They are however limited limited to 15mph whatever the power of the motor. Naturally the bike can go faster than that but the motor will only assist to 15mph.
AuntyMabelandPippin · 17/01/2021 16:06

Are you in Scotland OP? You can try out bikes before you buy through the Energy Saving Trust here.

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