Electric Bike - where to shop?

ElusiveHaggis

Hi, I was trying to get back to cycling and looking to get a bike that might assist me on the steep climbs. Would anyone know of a good and reliable make? Or place?

I need something that will get me into work easily and then I can properly cycle out.

Thanks for any help.

EH

cdaly_

Tell us a bit more about yourself. Age, level of fitness, location, route to work. Beware of spending a lot of cash on a heavy electric bike when suitably low gearing on a standard bike will ease your re-entry to cycling while allowing you to become fit enough that the steep climbs turn out to be just a couple of humps on the way to work.

iwillhtfu

Why not just get an ordinary bike and avoid the hills till you get a bit of mileage in the legs. Unless you live on a mountain then that plan might be an issue.

07Lapierre

Why do you only want to cycle home? How far is your commute?

07Lapierre

http://road.cc/content/buyers-guide/162436-buyers-guide-electric-bikes

StevieGriff

If you do decide to buy electric. Get something Bosch powered and unrestrict it...it's an unreal amount of fun.

ElusiveHaggis

Middle aged and rather unfit. I have to go up to the Mountaintop in Letterkenny and that hill is a pain in the arse and I'd rather not appear knackered and sweaty for work...having some elec assistance would be much preferable. I know Halfords have quite a good sale atm and I'm tempted by a couple of bikes there.

Thanks for the website link Lapierre, it has a lot of info I needed. I suppose it comes down to - do I want to spend around 1k for some help or 300 and put some effort in. Its just that I have no experience with elec bikes and don't really know good makes - wish I could try before I buy.

Anyone have any experience with kits? Because then I could get a good bike, convert it and then take it off when I'm a bit fitter.

Thanks for the replies.

gnarbarian

I recently discovered a crowd funding start up project from an Austrian company called ADD-E. They are currently doing crowd funding on Indiegogo, and are doing really well.
Link http://www.add-e.de/en/

Apparently the drive unit can be easily setup on your bike, within 1 minute.

07Lapierre

ElusiveHaggis wrote: »

Middle aged and rather unfit. I have to go up to the Mountaintop in Letterkenny and that hill is a pain in the arse and I'd rather not appear knackered and sweaty for work...having some elec assistance would be much preferable. I know Halfords have quite a good sale atm and I'm tempted by a couple of bikes there.

Thanks for the website link Lapierre, it has a lot of info I needed. I suppose it comes down to - do I want to spend around 1k for some help or 300 and put some effort in. Its just that I have no experience with elec bikes and don't really know good makes - wish I could try before I buy.

Anyone have any experience with kits? Because then I could get a good bike, convert it and then take it off when I'm a bit fitter.

Thanks for the replies.

Spend 1k on a road bike and put in the effort...that's my advice.

ElusiveHaggis

Never, 1k on a standard bike? I'm not a dedicated cycler...wearing the lycra gear wouldn't suit me heh. I'd rather buy a car.

The ADD-E setup looks great, I just hope it just drops in price 'cos I could just get an elec bike for the same cost they're asking - but I'll def keep my eye on it.

I do hear that Glenveagh have hireable elec bikes...so I might plan a visit when and I mean WHEN its sunny

StevieGriff

Those ADD-E and the very similar Rubbee Drive will just absolutely knaw through tyres.

07Lapierre

http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/convert-any-bike-into-an-e-bike-with-rubbee-drive-45133/

ElusiveHaggis

I think I'll just grab a good ol' standard bike. I've been put off getting an elec one 'cos they're way too expensive and most have only 6-8 gears, plus they're usually heavy as hell. The one I'm going for is 18 gear hybrid, it comes with addons like mud guards for 200 or so...plus I know enough about it to repair it.

There's also the thought that I would be less annoyed if some douchebag stole my lesser expensive bike rather than the one I spent over a grand on.

kenmc

200 quid for mudguards? that bike shop has BIG windows!

Lumen

ElusiveHaggis wrote: »

I think I'll just grab a good ol' standard bike. I've been put off getting an elec one 'cos they're way too expensive and most have only 6-8 gears, plus they're usually heavy as hell. The one I'm going for is 18 gear hybrid, it comes with addons like mud guards for 200 or so...plus I know enough about it to repair it.

A €200 new bike is probably crap. Not crap like a Big Mac, crap like a plastic hammer. If you use it regularly for its intended purpose it will give you grief.

€400 is about the minimum budget for a reliable new bike.

ElusiveHaggis

Well the place does have a sale on...although I'm used to an old skool bike system and all the v-brake systems and s h and one t makes me wonder if they're just gimmicks. I want a bike that's easy to repair and maintain. Also living near the coast can be really harsh, that sea air rusts things super quick.

And yes kenmc, they sell mudguards for 200 - they even install double glazing, pat you down, fleece u and then charge you for the service.

ElusiveHaggis

I finally got a bike...

A racer...

good condition...

for €60

It's nothing special but it gets me from a to b and gets me some exercise, the electric bike is on pause. But thanks for all the info and links guys...when the budget says I can buy an elec bike (and not a cheap 2nd hand car & tax it for the same price)..."I'll be back"