The eBike thread

Has anyone tried shipping an ebike from Americaland? It's a bit annoying that most of the bikes here are limited to 250W so I'm wondering if it's worth getting a 750W one shipped over

It'd be nice if cargo bikes got a higher limit given they're heavier to start with

250W is a misnomer.

All of these bikes a 250W 'nominal' power. They produce more 'peak' power. And for hauling cargo, torque is your friend, not power. If you look at the torque figures, that will give you a better indication of the motor's capabilities, as torque is not limited by law.

Tbh, there's so many jokers about on electric scrambler bikes that I'd probably need to be riding around brandishing a Boring company flamethrower before the guards raised an eyebrow

I nearly got flattened by one lad doing well over 25km/h in town on a pavement. Wasn't too impressed with his skillz 🙄

The bike looked awesome though, seriously envious 😁

I remember a few years back sitting in a train at Broombridge station and some knackers were doing wheelies on a scrambler bike on the other platform. I had to listen to that glorified lawnmower engine while the train was stopped

At least they'll be quieter now 😂

Hi all, I recently received the engwe ep-2 pro and haven't had much time to spend trying to assemble it.. I am finding it extremely annoying to try and align the front wheel without rubbing the disc blocks. There is no diagram of the nut/washer sequence which doesn't help. Can anyone enlighten me please???

Anyone have anything to say about the Ridgeback Arcus 1? I was looking at this or a da vinci, my budget was 1,500 but the ridgeback is 600 more at 2,100...id be willing to come up to that if I was genuinely getting a better bike, any thoughts or opinions?

Rad Bikes are pulling out of the EU (to focus on the US market, apparently). Worth knowing if anyone is currently considering one.

Im planning on starting that conversion soon, was it much hassle?

I haven't tried them, but the Rockrider E-ST520 from Decathlon gets good reviews and is around your price range

I bought one of these almost a year ago:-

It's been great. I have found that the real world range is 50 - 55Kms.

It is quite light for an electric bike so easy enough to lift if required.

The only potential negative is that the battery is fixed in the frame so must be charged in situ. Not a problem for me but it could be for others.

Tenways have now released a CGO600 Pro which has a removable battery and a slightly bigger capacity.

Anyone here got a swytch bike kit yet?

Sister ordered one, which should have arrived last week. Despite the website saying all orders include eu vat and import duties, and final price will be shown at checkout, UPS want €300 from yet for vat and duty before delivery.

Swytch took two days to respond, told her to pay it, and they’d refund her.

Sounds a bit dodgy, given they didn’t mention this up front.

Just in case you weren't aware, on Friday Swytch started taking orders for their new, low cost deal. It's more like the original adapter than the Air one they started shipping last year.

It gets rid of the handlebar-mounted socket, and the battery pack is attached anywhere you like using velcro straps - handy for better balance, but not so easy to remove it to take indoors for security or charging - you have to undo 3 straps and disconnect one lead. The handlebar socket is replaced by a new cable into which is plugged the wheel cable, the pickup from the pedals etc. The new batteries are bigger - 20 MILEs and 40 miles. And heavier than the Air ones of course.

You need to add a small display if you want to see your remaining juice, and to change the level of assist.

They have sold out on December delivery, what's left is May 2024 for a cheap deal.

So what? The price! €299 for a full kit - wheel, battery, charger, sensor, cables! (€399 for the 40 mile one). €30 for the display. €15 I think for EU delivery. Prices said to include all import and VAT. You'l need to make a €150 deposit NOW.

If, like me, you have a Swytch already, the basic upgrade kit (battery, new cable) is €225 or (€299 for the 40 mile) though you'll need the €30 display if you like changing assist levels. It's not clear if there is some way to use the new battery as an extension of the original kit - though you'd be lugging around quite a bit of weight if you had both. In the demo they basically discard the old battery/controller/level assist changer, and the handlebar socket, and replace it with the new battery and the new multi-socket cable. There's a bracket that uses the water-bottle mounting bolts for €29

Kinda sickening for anybody who purchased last year.

As my battery is starting to show signs of reduced capacity, I'm tempted. On the other hand it should last at least another year and I might just bodge it and make my own version of the "new" Swytch, centrally mounted etc. And hope the price of batteries reduces further next year.

All this assumes Swytch stay in business and are not just making a last-gasp attempt to raise money.