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Original poster

Very light stepthrough eBke - possibly Islabike?

42 replies

KatyMac · 05/11/2020 20:59

Everyone keeps telling me I can't have a lightweight stepthrough eBike - I have found this & this

Neither are really powerful enough for me as I have a disability but it shows they do exist! Ideally I'd like to pull a trailer occasionally

Does anyone have either of them? Or another lightweight step through eBike?

I may have to have a bike built - does anyone recommend an engineer for me?

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Covidcorvid · 07/02/2021 17:10

I’ve got tubeless on my road bike and love it. Only had one puncture and the goop was flying out. I put some more in and it came out. So I stuck a “worm” in the hole, added some air and it was sorted.

Original poster
KatyMac · 16/02/2021 21:29

@Covidcorvid
I havent - I sent an email for a quote in December and haven't heard back so I just chased it today Hmm

I do need a powerful bike!! & I am really going to miss my throttle!!

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Original poster
KatyMac · 26/02/2021 18:42

After originally saying yes the bike shop/builders have pulled out Sad

So I am looking at a ribble or an islabike or maybe a switch?

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Original poster
KatyMac · 02/03/2021 01:08

@MrsAvocet just found this what do you think?

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MrsAvocet · 02/03/2021 07:48

Wow that's a coincidence @KatyMac. Whilst I was out on my bike yesterday I was talking to DH about this thread and wondering if you'd found anything!
That one looks like it might tick quite a few of your boxes but I'm a bit confused about the weight - it says 15 9kg at the top, then 17.5kg in the body of the text. I also can't see much detail about the motor, though I'm still half asleep so might have missed it!
I'm not familiar with this brand and it's quite expensive- I think I recall that both the Ribble and Islabike models you'd be considering are cheaper and have the benefit of being British made, or at least assembled so no risk of additional costs/hassle due to importing from Europe. I also can't quite figure out wherethe controls are - it mentions under the frame at one point which sounds a potentially inconvenient to me.
Sorry, that all sounds a bit negative and I guess it depends on how well the motor meets you needs. It claims a very good range and definitely fits the bill in many wags, but it seems a bit pricey compared to other brands similar offerings. I wouldn't rule it out completely but I'd ask a lot of questions and compare carefully with the others. (Maybe time for a spreadsheet!)

Original poster
KatyMac · 02/03/2021 09:58

Yes i agree about British made

And the 2 weights is a concern

It's a much lower step through so if I get worse I should be ok

I like the shape

There was something in there about 500w so I need to check its legal

The Ribble I cant have until October, not sure about the Islabike and I 'might' be able to test ride this (covid pending)

I cant see how the panniers work either

Its so hard - I would have spent that to get a custom bike but do I want to spend that for an off the peg

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Original poster
KatyMac · 02/03/2021 09:59

17.5 is 6.5 less than my 24 and I think 6.5kgs is a stone!

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MrsAvocet · 02/03/2021 12:15

I've had a quick search and rather irritatingly everything that seems to come up is their own website and the technical data on the motor is quite limited. The 17.5kg is what's mentioned there, so not sure where the 15.9kg came from? There's a non suspension version for £400 less, but it's still an expensive bike if it's not exactly what you want.
I suppose in my mind I am comparing to my ebike which was also around £5k but which has higher spec components, a carbon frame and is a shade under 12kg. It wouldn't be right for you though, so it's not really a useful comparison! I just kind of feel that whilst these look like pretty good, nicely made bikes, with reasonably good components, they seem a bit over priced to me. The company website is very stylish but lacks substance somehow. I'd like to see more technical data.
Being able to do a test ride is a plus though. I think it's probably worth you looking at it further but it didn't leap out of the page at me as "the one" from what you've said about your requirements.
I would think it will be legal here though as the UK law on ebikes was the same as the EU one originally and I doubt it's changed yet ( and probably won't!). It's US imports you have to really watch for as their regulations are quite different.

CalmConfident · 02/03/2021 12:26

I know nothing about e bikes... but can vouch for Islabikes being awesome!

Lighter bike makes all the difference for kids learning, quality amazing....we have had 8 of them in total, and hold their value on resale

CalmConfident · 02/03/2021 12:27

Maybe call them and have a chat

CyberdyneSystems · 02/03/2021 12:34

This is like saying I want a two tonne 4x4 with a petrol V8 that will do 70mpg

Original poster
KatyMac · 02/03/2021 12:44

@MrsAvocet thats what my brother says - a lot of money for 'almost i guess I need a custom build

@CyberdyneSystems I dont need to go fast I just need assistance riding and a bike that is light enough for me to maneuver when I'm not riding it

I rarely pass 10 mph

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Original poster
KatyMac · 02/03/2021 12:45

Thanks @CalmConfident I might ring them

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MrsAvocet · 02/03/2021 13:17

@CyberdyneSystems

This is like saying I want a two tonne 4x4 with a petrol V8 that will do 70mpg
Yes, it's a big ask CyberdyneSystems but Katymac has some specific needs due to her health. She's almost certainly going to have to compromise on something, which she acknowledged way back in the thread, but there's no harm in trying to find the nearest to her ideal that's possible is there? @KatyMac my gut feeling is that you are going to have to acveot "almost" but that you could get it for less money than this. Delivery time is another important factor at the moment in particular. My ebike isn't precisely the kne I wanted, but it could be delivered within a month, whereas the one I had originally decided on would have been a 9 month wait. It cost me more than I'd planned to spend, is a higher spec than I really need and is a colour that I wouldn't have chosen, but to me, the fact I could have it right away was crucial. Given that I needed it to help me with rehab after serious injury, and, at the time I simply couldn't ride any of my normal bikes, the immediacy was right at the top of my criteria. It may be different for you of course. I get the impression that your current bike is "ok" at present and that you're looking to future proof your cycling by upgrading. If that is the case, you might be better to wait for something closer to your ideal. Ebikes are evolving so fast. The current technology would have seemed impossible a few years ago and I bet in a few more years I'll be saying "Do you remember that first ebike I had - 12kg, what a tank!". So if your need us not urgent, it might be worth bidung your time and keep looking.If you have to buy soon, I think I'd opt for a lighter bike with a less torquey motor over a heavy bike with a big engine myself. (Well, that's what I did opt for!).Good luck with the ongoing search.
Original poster
KatyMac · 02/03/2021 14:10

Thanks @MrsAvocet

That one is in the UK next week......Ribble is October .....have to ring Islabike

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Original poster
KatyMac · 07/03/2021 22:45

Ooo, ooo! exciting - how about this

Waiting for my brother to see it

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Original poster
KatyMac · 09/03/2021 12:01

Well he rejected that completely!

He is going to build me one based on this frame

Very light stepthrough eBke - possibly Islabike?
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