Nick the wanderer Posted January 22, 2023 Share Posted January 22, 2023 Hi, I'd stab a guess this topic comes up on a fairly regular basis, but with more and more assisted bicycles being made and my bones getting older and older.. If I could find one I really like I'd be very tempted.. 🚲 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebishbus Posted January 22, 2023 Share Posted January 22, 2023 Trouble is there are so many variables. How much do you want to pay. What sort of cyclist are you. Do you want road/ offroad hybrid. or just shopper. How far do you want to go on battery power.? Brian B. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malc d Posted January 22, 2023 Share Posted January 22, 2023 1 hour ago, Nick the wanderer said: Hi, I'd stab a guess this topic comes up on a fairly regular basis, but with more and more assisted bicycles being made and my bones getting older and older.. If I could find one I really like I'd be very tempted.. 🚲 I found that my cycling trips were getting shorter and shorter, and routes were decided by ' elevations '- so I got myself an electric bike, and it solved all those problems. As ' thebishbus ' says, there are many types of bikes, and what kind you get depends on what kind of cycling you intend to use it for. The more powerful the battery, the further you can go - and the more the bike costs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John52 Posted January 22, 2023 Share Posted January 22, 2023 I want to keep pedalling as long as I can for exercise. Would be nice to be able to go further though. What put me off is the risk of theft in England ( https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/jan/07/britain-cycling-bikes-stolen-police-cycle-theft-crime ) They say a cheap old bike can still get stolen, but I can't shake the feeling they are more likely to take an expensive ebike, and its worse when they do. Since the ebike is heavier it sounds harder to get them inside somewhere safe? Does anyone have any tips on keeping them safe? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Globebuster1 Posted January 22, 2023 Share Posted January 22, 2023 That's funny your Guardian link mentions the UK, not specifically England.......although it does report theft figures for England and Wales. We have cheapo Electric Folders - they do an OK job, and have done so for 6 or 7 years. They really do broaden your horizons, in fact I'd say they were the best add-on to motor-homing we've ever purchased. They are stored in the garage of the van, so not visible. Not particularly difficult to lift in, even less so with the battery removed. If we cycle into a busy town for a mooch around we simply lock them together, and if really concerned take the batteries out and pop them in a rucksack, effectively taking the most expensive and desirable part with us. If you've ever tried cycling a cheap E-bike without a battery, you'll understand - they're bloody hard work, and I'd be inclined to think your average thief will take whatever affords the quickest getaway, and on-going ease of use. Perhaps if I had a really expensive E-bike I might think differently. Lets face it - bikes have always been nicked since the wheel was invented. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malc d Posted January 22, 2023 Share Posted January 22, 2023 One thing to take note of is that e-bikes can be quite heavy - so IF you intend to put them on a bike rack, check the capacity of the rack ( and what it's fixed to ) first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Globebuster1 Posted January 22, 2023 Share Posted January 22, 2023 Good Point - You can get specific racks for E-bikes, even ones that will lower them to almost ground level as part of the design. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John52 Posted January 22, 2023 Share Posted January 22, 2023 4 hours ago, Globebuster1 said: That's funny your Guardian link mentions the UK, not specifically England.......although it does report theft figures for England and Wales. Not just the Guardian - according to Pedalsure the 9 of the 10 worst places in the UK for bike theft are in England, and the other one is only just over the English border in Wales. https://www.pedalsure.com/blog/the-worst-place-in-the-uk-for-bike-theft Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Globebuster1 Posted January 22, 2023 Share Posted January 22, 2023 13 minutes ago, John52 said: Not just the Guardian - according to Pedalsure the 9 of the 10 worst places in the UK for bike theft are in England, and the other one is only just over the English border in Wales. https://www.pedalsure.com/blog/the-worst-place-in-the-uk-for-bike-theft Then I suggest you lock yours when you come south of the border Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B Dobson Posted January 22, 2023 Share Posted January 22, 2023 Evening Nick ... Ignoring the usual troll we bought two bikes a couple of years ago and they are brilliant ... I do a lot more mileage on mine than the missus ... I have a Cube bike with a Bosch battery and my missus has a Haibike with a Yamaha battery ... The Yamaha battery charges much quicker and lasts much longer than the Bosch so disregard all the hype about Bosch batteries ... Hope you find something soon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick the wanderer Posted January 22, 2023 Author Share Posted January 22, 2023 Hi, yes anything can be stolen if the thief thinks they can sell it on for whatever they need. As for the use of a new bike, in the past (on traditional cycles) we have done the High Peak Trail which was good. And Rutland Water which was enjoyable but more challenging. I have a good idea of range and the lighter the better, I know that much. I like to be able to pitch up and explore without having to move camp. I'm window shopping at the mo but I will get something eventually now I'm in my 60's.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malc d Posted January 22, 2023 Share Posted January 22, 2023 My experience of " range " is that it depends very much on the terrain - and how you choose to apply the assistance of the battery. When leaving home, the estimated maximum range on a full charge shouldn't be taken too seriously - 🙂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B Dobson Posted January 23, 2023 Share Posted January 23, 2023 I went out on mine yesterday and took the Go-pro . I dont really use the battery going down hill . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barryd999 Posted January 23, 2023 Share Posted January 23, 2023 10 hours ago, B Dobson said: I went out on mine yesterday and took the Go-pro . I dont really use the battery going down hill . Is that Huddersfield? Quite a trip to the shops for you on that bike. Does it get back up ok to your house or do you need to charge up at Tescos at the bottom? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B Dobson Posted January 24, 2023 Share Posted January 24, 2023 13 hours ago, Barryd999 said: Is that Huddersfield? Quite a trip to the shops for you on that bike. Does it get back up ok to your house or do you need to charge up at Tescos at the bottom? Ive never been to Huddersfield, dont think I have ever been anywhere in Lancashire actually . Its where I live though and yes at the bottom of the small hill is our local shop Dobsons Choice which caters for all our provisions but many are out of date as we are quite remote . A full charge will see me back home on the bike even with a full back pack of groceries . Normally I am down and back home within the hour . Have you got an e-bike Barryd999 as youve previously said youre quite sporty? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les W Posted February 4, 2023 Share Posted February 4, 2023 My wife and I had been using a couple of decent enough 'Hybrids' from Halfords for several years and were very happy with them... but hills and distances over 10-15 miles became 'challenging'. I decided to convert both bikes to electric using Bafang centre drive 250w kits, with 36v 17ah batteries.. wow! a game changer, hills are no problem and distances of 20+ miles are only limited by sore backsides. Each bike has a range of over 50 miles at about 10-12 mph, and after removing the quite heavy batteries I can still lift them onto the bike rack safely... this is mine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laimeduck Posted February 4, 2023 Share Posted February 4, 2023 Les hi ... looks interesting! Can you let us know the details of the kit to convert, and if possible a guide price please? Thanks Jeremy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les W Posted February 4, 2023 Share Posted February 4, 2023 2 hours ago, laimeduck said: Les hi ... looks interesting! Can you let us know the details of the kit to convert, and if possible a guide price please? Thanks Jeremy I bought the kits from here Jeremy https://eclipsebikes.com/ they cost £700 each kit, the kits contain everything needed for the conversion. Not to difficult to fit though some bicycle tools are required. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laimeduck Posted February 4, 2023 Share Posted February 4, 2023 2 hours ago, Les W said: I bought the kits from here Jeremy https://eclipsebikes.com/ they cost £700 each kit, the kits contain everything needed for the conversion. Not to difficult to fit though some bicycle tools are required. Many thanks Les Jeremy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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