Having a new eBike built - any hints or tips? First job choose the colour!

[KatyMac]

My brother (an ordinary Bike mechanic) has offered to build me a new eBike as what I want isn't available.

I have been looking for a while but the spec he thinks I need for my mobility issues aren't available on stepthrough bikes. Possibly because they are low to middle price range and the more expensive stuff wont be on them

Mens (crossbar) bikes have a lot of what I need but I cant get my leg over!

I'll have to pay customs for it as he is in Sweden

First question is what colour and he sent me RAL chart....1625 colours!

Leaning towards green or purple but where do you start

It's definitely having a basket and a pannier rack plus mudguards

& he is stressing about the gears/brakes and crap like that

This may sound a bit boastful (it is) but it's also a massive relief as my current bike is becoming more inaccessible - I cant get it in and out of the shed atm, DH has to do it for me

Have you looked through the websites of some of the manufacturers to see if any colours stand out to you? The bikes don’t need to be the same style as you’re getting to get a feel for what you like.

The Orbea website has a bit called MyO where you can customise the paint on each part, so you could play around with that and see if you like different looks.

I have seen a couple of bikes in a really nice pearlescent paint which is green or purple depending on how the light catches it. No idea what it’s called though. But that way you could get both colours!

Also, think about what you want. Black looks good, but isn’t going to be very visible in poor light conditions. Bright orange will be seen easily, but might not be to your taste or look good if all your cycling clothing is a clashing colour! How much dirt will it show up?

It’s a nice problem to have, but sometimes I’m glad when there isn’t too much to choose between.

I love the idea of purple/green paint but I think its out my price range

Not having black I dont think- I like that customise thing on Orbea

I am leaning towards 6010, 6017 or 6018.
.. but 6038 is interesting

Definitely too much choice!

I wouldn't pick anything too unusual as it can be a nightmare to get touch up paint. Or if you do, be sure to ask for some touch up paint to be included when you buy it, and I would helicopter tape at least the parts of the frame most vulnerable to scratching like the chainstays. Pearlescent paints seem to be popular at the moment and they look gorgeous when new but it will be interesting to see what they look like in a couple of years. I once made the mistake of buying a very pretty pale green mountain bike and it proved impossible to cover scratches. I always get black nowadays if it's an option.

Not having pearlised because of that possibility

This is the main colour chart (or something) I'll mention a touch up pen

I don't know what "helicopter tape at least the parts of the frame most vulnerable to scratching like the chainstays" but I'll mention it to my brother

2010/2017 are the final 2 waiting to see which is in stock

Helicopter tape is an abrasion resistant clear polyurethane film, so called because (I'm told) it was originally developed by 3M to protect helicopter blades. It's very good for protecting bike frames from scratches. You can cover the whole frame of course but it's not cheap and it's a bit of a fiddly job so a lot of people tend to only put it on the parts of the frame that are most likely to get scratched.

@KatyMac -helitape is heavy duty clear tape. Lots of cyclists put it on the parts of their bike frame that are most vulnerable to damage, to protect it.

Thanks guys - I know very little about that sort of thing

I'll add to this as he starts telling me what bits I am getting

Its being sprayed tomorrow and I have asked about a touch up pen and the tape

Great news. Glad you're finally getting there!
Which colour did you go for in the end?

6017 it matches my mothers day coat better (I think anyway)

I've paid for it at least I dont need to worry about being scammed!

on sale for less than that!

Great choice, enjoy your new bike when it arrives!

That’s an lovely colour. Don’t forget to get an amazing bike lock too!

We have 2 huge bike locks a D and a chain both the 'gold' version

My current bike is an ebike as is DH's - DD is deciding if she wants my old one or something cheaper/lighter

Apparently the discussion for today is wheel size.....

Any updates @KatyMac?
When will it be arriving?

No, sadly the guy expected to spray it has a wife and 2 children with Covid so it's running a bit behind

Poor thing!
My brother has saved 220g on the pannier rack (apparently this is important)
And he has started to build the wheels

Oh that's a shame, I hope they all recover quickly.
At least your brother is on with his side of things. Keep us posted!

Yes
Although saving grams seems odd! But as he says it all adds up