Hi all.
I'm looking for some advice on bikes for commuting.
I should start by saying that despite riding a bike several miles almost every day, I don't know that much about the workings and I "get by" when it comes to cleaning/maintaining.
I work approx. eight miles from where I live, and the route is flat most of the way - with only a single, fairly substantial hill in the last few hundred metres before I reach work in the morning.
For the last four years, I've been riding a Carrera Crossfire E. I don't drive at all, and so I ride 365 days a year and in all weathers. I have only ever had issues with the electrical part of the bike, and recently, it has come to light that some of the more hidden-away electrical components have become corroded and it will likely be expensive to fix (I've been told to expect in the region of £500).
I have no intention of paying that much for a repair when a new ebike is only a little over twice that, and now I'm wondering whether an ebike is the way to go at all.
Are the newer ebikes with the battery inside the frame better for all-weather riding? I have been looking at the Carrera Impel im-3 as a possible upgrade to my current Crossfire E, but ideally do not want to be faced with electrical issues again.
Would I be better moving away from ebikes? Are 3-speeds reasonable for commuting? I've been looking at the Boardman URB 8.6. The suggestion of less maintenance does appeal, but although I'm not in bad shape, I do worry it'll be a more physically-taxing journey than I'm used to.
Thanks in advance.
I'm looking for some advice on bikes for commuting.
I should start by saying that despite riding a bike several miles almost every day, I don't know that much about the workings and I "get by" when it comes to cleaning/maintaining.
I work approx. eight miles from where I live, and the route is flat most of the way - with only a single, fairly substantial hill in the last few hundred metres before I reach work in the morning.
For the last four years, I've been riding a Carrera Crossfire E. I don't drive at all, and so I ride 365 days a year and in all weathers. I have only ever had issues with the electrical part of the bike, and recently, it has come to light that some of the more hidden-away electrical components have become corroded and it will likely be expensive to fix (I've been told to expect in the region of £500).
I have no intention of paying that much for a repair when a new ebike is only a little over twice that, and now I'm wondering whether an ebike is the way to go at all.
Are the newer ebikes with the battery inside the frame better for all-weather riding? I have been looking at the Carrera Impel im-3 as a possible upgrade to my current Crossfire E, but ideally do not want to be faced with electrical issues again.
Would I be better moving away from ebikes? Are 3-speeds reasonable for commuting? I've been looking at the Boardman URB 8.6. The suggestion of less maintenance does appeal, but although I'm not in bad shape, I do worry it'll be a more physically-taxing journey than I'm used to.
Thanks in advance.