In my usage, I have only run the battery flat once. It was used every couple of days to about half capacity and then immediately put back on a full charge overnight (or overday as I was working nights at the time). If I didn't use it for a while, it got a maintenance charge (at a lower voltage) every couple of weeks. I reckon overall it has had about 100-200 charge cycles. As I said above, there has been no noticeable reduction in range over 6 years. The bike is a Wisper (as supplied to the German police force, apparently) and seems to be quite high quality throughout, so I imagine the battery control system is one of the better ones. Not sure an Argos special would last as well.
OP, go for it. I don't regret getting mine for a second. I love it and it has a definite place in my garage - but I wouldn't want it to be my only bicycle. Horses for courses. I wouldn't be happy with the reply from Bikester, either. Perhaps try another supplier. But I'd echo
@Drago and say if you want it, get it. All problems are solvable in the long run, and they are not likely to rear their heads for a long time.
good post
I think the problem is the periods between charges
so if you ride every day over summer and charge a few days a week - then when it gets cold and wet (winter) you leave it for a few months
and during this time the charge decreases - due to chemical stuff.
The ideal - apparently- is that you keep the charge to 50% or so
but most systems do not allow for this to be measured - which makes it diffucult
personally I don't have a problem with my bike - because if the weather is dry I will ride it if I can
but my wife's bike is different
every few weeks/months I take it out out of sympathy - so it tends to go several months between charges in winter
hopefully I take it from 50% charge it to 100% - then ride it down to 50% - which should be OK
but it would be very easy to accidentally allow it to get VERY low - which is BAD - if it gets too low then you can actually destroy the battery - the affected cells are just scrap and only an expert can work out which ones are affected.
So the only thing to do is replace all the cells
so - TLDR - if you ride it regularly and charge it when it get a bit low - you are OK - but this needs to be year round
if your riding varies - keep it over 50% when there might be a long gap between rides
but not tooo high
stuff it - just get one and go out and ride
and buy a waterproof - legs dry out due to heat when riding - do a jacket is enough
just ride the damn thing and it will thank you for it