Anyone know anything about electric bikes?

[swee'pea99]

A friend's just asked if I know anything about them (there's lots of hills round here) and I don't. Do you? Any hints, tips, recommendations, words of wisdom much appreciated.

 

[Pale Rider]

A friend's just asked if I know anything about them (there's lots of hills round here) and I don't. Do you? Any hints, tips, recommendations, words of wisdom much appreciated.

That a bit like asking does anyone know anything about ordinary bikes - too general a question to answer in a forum post.

Whereabouts is friend?

There are now ebike dealers in many areas of the country, so it might be simplest to send him/her into a shop to have a look/chat/test ride.

 

[Smokin Joe]

A friend's just asked if I know anything about them (there's lots of hills round here) and I don't. Do you? Any hints, tips, recommendations, words of wisdom much appreciated.

Yeah, right.

 

[swee'pea99]

Well I guess I was hoping someone might be able to give some personal experience of one: 'I've had one for two years and blah de blah.' Or even, 'I don't have one, but a Which report said the ones to look at are the blah, the blah and the blah.' I dunno. Anything really. Someone who knows more than me. More than bugger all, in other words.

 

[Andy_R]

By electric, I assume you mean electric assist bikes. I work with a team that uses them to encourage people to cycle to meetings from our main offices, we also use them to encourage people who are seriously unfit to start a gentle form of exercise and for those with hip/knee problems who would find some aspects of ordinary cycle use uncomfortable or downright painful. The bikes are simple to use - generally a controller on the handlebars which the user sets the amount of effort provided by the battery and the gearing range. Effort is usally 1-3; 1 for minimum input from battery and motor, 3 maximum. "Gearing" is usually something like "Eco", "Touring", "Sport", "Turbo".

Scott do some very nice hybrid style ones, but the most comon style is the sit up and beg type

Whilst they are not everyone's cup of tea, we've found they are huge fun

 

[swee'pea99]

Yeah, right.

I'm not sure I like the tone of your boldening, you brazen hussy, how very dare you. Her name is Amanda. Mine isn't. So there.

 

[swee'pea99]

By electric, I assume you mean electric assist bikes. I work with a team that uses them to encourage people to cycle to meetings from our main offices, we also use them to encourage people who are seriously unfit to start a gentle form of exercise and for those with hip/knee problems who would find some aspects of ordinary cycle use uncomfortable or downright painful. The bikes are simple to use - generally a controller on the handlebars which the user sets the amount of effort provided by the battery and the gearing range. Effort is usally 1-3; 1 for minimum input from battery and motor, 3 maximum. "Gearing" is usually something like "Eco", "Touring", "Sport", "Turbo".

Scott do some very nice hybrid style ones, but the most comon style is the sit up and beg type

Whilst they are not everyone's cup of tea, we've found they are huge fun

Yeah - them's the fellers. I just did a wee bit o' googling & Kalkhoff seems to be one name that comes up. Like bikes, but with batteries.

 

[Andy_R]

also popular are IZIP - TBH they're all much of a muchness but the Scott design has the motor attached to the bottom bracket not in the wheel hub and seems a lot quieter. Hub motors can make wheel changes a bugger if you puncture though.

 

[bikepete]

I run Electric Bike Magazine and have personally reviewed something over 60 electric bikes so far... all issues are free online.
Short answer is go to a proper e-bike specialist dealer (e.g. one of these) who stock bikes from several different brands and take their advice. Try to get test rides on the different types explained below.

The main distinctions are:

First in the way the motor is controlled:

- 'Rotation sensor': the cheapest and simplest. A sensor just checks that you are pedalling (forwards) and after a turn or so of the pedals the motor will kick in and attempt to accelerate you towards the 15 mph motor cut-out limit (or less if you choose a lower level on the controller). There is no need to put effort into the pedalling, you can just wave your feet about. Many of these bikes for the UK market have a throttle, so you can apply the motor whenever you want, pedalling or not. That is handy to overcome the inital delay of the motor kicking in.

- 'Torque sensor' - a sensor measures your pedal pressure and instantaneously matches it with the motor. It's rather like power steering on a car - your efforts are amplified but it still feels very natural. So it feels just like normal cycling but with superhuman legs. You are also forced to contribute: it only gives out max power when you're putting in a decent effort. The one to choose if you value the natural cycling feel or want to retain fitness. Very few have a throttle option though so not good for those who (for illness or whatever) may need a 'just pull me home' option.

Choice between the two is personal preference, though typically 'cyclists' will prefer the (typically more pricey) torque sensor bikes. There are just a few models coming through which attempt to offer both control modes or the 'best of both' but most still fall very much into one or the other type.

And secondly, in the type of motor:

- geared hub motor: usually a bit noisy, but compact and can be good on hills. Available at all price points. Usually 'rotation sensor' control, sometimes with a throttle.

- 'direct drive' hub motor (no gears): typically completely silent and very smooth. Can be a bit bulky, a tad heavier and not great for the steepest of hills. Almost always rear wheel mounted and almost always torque sensor control, although some have optional add-on throttles.

- Crank drive, also known as mid motor or bottom bracket motor. Always torque sensors, no throttles (as designed for EU market where throttles aren't allowed). Usually geared but noise levels are quite low. By driving the chainring, the electric assist works through the bike's gears which means this type can be great on hills and off-road (just gear down for ever more torque at ever lower speeds) but that also means that the power is going through chain and cogs, so it's hard on transmissions. Another plus is that front and rear wheels are standard, no motors to disconnect, so punctures etc are less daunting (though almost all hub motors just have a simple connector). This type tend to be pricey (1700ish upwards) but the crank drive units have a good reputation for reliability. Bosch are most popular but Kalkhoff do a good system too called 'Impulse' and there are also systems from Panasonic, Yamaha and Shimano (among others) just coming to market.

Personally I like the silence of a direct drive hub motor but again it's personal preference.

Any questions just ask.

 

[classic33]

Well I guess I was hoping someone might be able to give some personal experience of one: 'I've had one for two years and blah de blah.' Or even, 'I don't have one, but a Which report said the ones to look at are the blah, the blah and the blah.' I dunno. Anything really. Someone who knows more than me. More than bugger all, in other words.

Believe @Sara_H may be able to comment

 

[Sara_H]

I've got an electric bike. When I was deciding which to choose I used the pedalecs forum.
The members there are very knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. Lots of dealers posting and advertising too, so your fiend may be able to find a local dealer on there also.

http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/

 

[slowmotion]

I've got an electric bike. When I was deciding which to choose I used the pedalecs forum.
The members there are very knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. Lots of dealers posting and advertising too, so your fiend may be able to find a local dealer on there also.

http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/

Do they spend endless hours arguing about helmets on that forum or are they compulsory on an ebike?

 

[swee'pea99]

Fantastic! Many thanks all, especially bikepete - that's exactly the kind of thing I was hoping for. And Sara H. I shall pass on your messages to my friend and suggest she checks out your links.

 

[swee'pea99]

You can retrofit some systems to a bike you already have, with a rebuilt wheel. I know a few older cyclists who have kept going on their treasured bikes by doing this.

If the person is at all disabled, beware of systems that require you to pedal off before the motor kicks in. It means you can't get going if you stop on a hill. I have a friend who made that mistake with his first electric bike and it was no help to him really.

Thanks, no she's not disabled at all. It's just that like I say, there's a lot of hills round here, one of which is directly between where she lives and works - after a hard working day a bit of a 'helping hand' would make all the difference.

 

[Smokin Joe]

And Sara H. I shall pass on your messages to my friend and suggest she checks out your links.

*Snigger*