After my thread of do I really need an e-bike, I decided that the overwhelming majority was that it was a good thing. A couple of friends also suggested it would help my motivation.
I ended up (not without some faffing) with a Raleigh Strada Electric - at 50% off RRP. Unfortunately it turned out to be exdemo/ display not new as I was told. It was about 7 miles used if the ODO is to believed. Its also the last one in the country with the 700c tire size. Newer models are running 650b's which I was keen to avoid as my other bikes are 700c, so not many options and I could not see any other bikes with the step system and hub gears at that price. Also it came with the 2 year guarantee which is a good thing.
Anyway I finally got the bike built up and only did around 6 miles today. I was pretty nervous about whether it would be OK as I have never ridden an e-bike, let alone test ridden this one.
I liked this bike for a couple of key reasons:
1. Shimano steps crank drive motor, with 50Nm so a little more than the Bosch active motor (as I was considering a Scott Hybrid 30 as an alternative)
2. A carbon fork rather than suspension, saves on weight and maybe feel better to ride
3. Hub rather than derailleur (which in theory should mean lower maintenance.)
So this morning, freezing cold I set off to get a rack and mudguards fitted. First thoughts are that eco setting worked quite well and it was relatively smooth. Yes the motor makes a noise but it doesn't bother me. I guess it helps not having anything to compare it to. The transition from assisted to unassisted is seamless, and I only noticed when I stopped hearing the sound of the motor. It rode really well for a 19-20kg bike. The next 2 settings - normal and high, really do give a much bigger punch. I guess with tired legs headwind and uphill, normal would work well. I was expecting it to be like riding with a flat tire or treacle, as others have mentioned, but there were no such issues. High, does really push the thing along and I found it quite jerky.
I also did a very short 0.5 miles loop up a hill without assistance and found, to my amazement, it went well. Sure I was slow but probably comparable to a mountain bike with knobblies. Overall, despite the motor, the bike seems to ride nearly as nice as my everyday tourer, which is a ti magic carpet ride.
Its a hybrid but with relatively low bars, so the actual position, in terms of forward lean, is pretty much like my everyday bike (about a 4cm drop from seat to bars) and I quite like that. The handling is quite sporty and it just felt nice to ride, again not dissimilar to my road bike and much better than an much older Ridgeback hybrid I rode for awhile. Also the tires are nice and plump and roll well. I would prefer to go from 40c to 50c, and I think I have sufficient clearance.
On the flats (no headwind and maybe a tailwind) I was going over the cut-off of 15.5mph (in reality around 16mph - if the bike computer is to be believed) and could maintain a higher cruising speed without feeling it that much different to my everyday bike (which weighs around 12kg - with dynamo wheel, lugguage etc)
So overall pleasantly surprised. I thought I would not like it as much as I did and I think for commuting it will feel a lot like what I ride now, just easier.
I am using spds but quite it a little weird as I think my legs are a bit further out than my current bike, which means a new pair of shoes as I can be messing with spd cleats all the time.
Downsides:
1. I find the bars too wide (they are not mtb wide but I am used to road bars) and I miss drops, due to the various hand positions and despite nice bar ends, there are not enough positions.
2. With all the stuff I have added (dynamo wheel, rack and guards) I have probably made it heavier - but that is not the bikes fault. To be honest, I dont see why all e-bikes not come ready for British weather.
3. Its not cheap and the equivalent non e hybrid is probably in the £700 range.
4. The welding on the frame is functional rather than the rather pretty, unlike Boardman bikes which have a better finish.
5. Its a bit dull grey and orange, but maybe that is a good thing.
Upsides
1. Assistance - which I am hoping will rise my average speed so that I can save around 20 minutes a day off my commute
2. Little things like the stand-side, hydraulic disks (I have TRP disc brakes on my everyday bike) make life so much easier.
3. Will do light trails and gentle off-road, which I like to have the option of.
4. Its all integrated - gear, motor, and a single manufacturer - shimano
5. Also me to use the front dynamo wheel off my current bike
Will try and update as I get more miles in but so far its looking good.
I ended up (not without some faffing) with a Raleigh Strada Electric - at 50% off RRP. Unfortunately it turned out to be exdemo/ display not new as I was told. It was about 7 miles used if the ODO is to believed. Its also the last one in the country with the 700c tire size. Newer models are running 650b's which I was keen to avoid as my other bikes are 700c, so not many options and I could not see any other bikes with the step system and hub gears at that price. Also it came with the 2 year guarantee which is a good thing.
Anyway I finally got the bike built up and only did around 6 miles today. I was pretty nervous about whether it would be OK as I have never ridden an e-bike, let alone test ridden this one.
I liked this bike for a couple of key reasons:
1. Shimano steps crank drive motor, with 50Nm so a little more than the Bosch active motor (as I was considering a Scott Hybrid 30 as an alternative)
2. A carbon fork rather than suspension, saves on weight and maybe feel better to ride
3. Hub rather than derailleur (which in theory should mean lower maintenance.)
So this morning, freezing cold I set off to get a rack and mudguards fitted. First thoughts are that eco setting worked quite well and it was relatively smooth. Yes the motor makes a noise but it doesn't bother me. I guess it helps not having anything to compare it to. The transition from assisted to unassisted is seamless, and I only noticed when I stopped hearing the sound of the motor. It rode really well for a 19-20kg bike. The next 2 settings - normal and high, really do give a much bigger punch. I guess with tired legs headwind and uphill, normal would work well. I was expecting it to be like riding with a flat tire or treacle, as others have mentioned, but there were no such issues. High, does really push the thing along and I found it quite jerky.
I also did a very short 0.5 miles loop up a hill without assistance and found, to my amazement, it went well. Sure I was slow but probably comparable to a mountain bike with knobblies. Overall, despite the motor, the bike seems to ride nearly as nice as my everyday tourer, which is a ti magic carpet ride.
Its a hybrid but with relatively low bars, so the actual position, in terms of forward lean, is pretty much like my everyday bike (about a 4cm drop from seat to bars) and I quite like that. The handling is quite sporty and it just felt nice to ride, again not dissimilar to my road bike and much better than an much older Ridgeback hybrid I rode for awhile. Also the tires are nice and plump and roll well. I would prefer to go from 40c to 50c, and I think I have sufficient clearance.
On the flats (no headwind and maybe a tailwind) I was going over the cut-off of 15.5mph (in reality around 16mph - if the bike computer is to be believed) and could maintain a higher cruising speed without feeling it that much different to my everyday bike (which weighs around 12kg - with dynamo wheel, lugguage etc)
So overall pleasantly surprised. I thought I would not like it as much as I did and I think for commuting it will feel a lot like what I ride now, just easier.
I am using spds but quite it a little weird as I think my legs are a bit further out than my current bike, which means a new pair of shoes as I can be messing with spd cleats all the time.
Downsides:
1. I find the bars too wide (they are not mtb wide but I am used to road bars) and I miss drops, due to the various hand positions and despite nice bar ends, there are not enough positions.
2. With all the stuff I have added (dynamo wheel, rack and guards) I have probably made it heavier - but that is not the bikes fault. To be honest, I dont see why all e-bikes not come ready for British weather.
3. Its not cheap and the equivalent non e hybrid is probably in the £700 range.
4. The welding on the frame is functional rather than the rather pretty, unlike Boardman bikes which have a better finish.
5. Its a bit dull grey and orange, but maybe that is a good thing.
Upsides
1. Assistance - which I am hoping will rise my average speed so that I can save around 20 minutes a day off my commute
2. Little things like the stand-side, hydraulic disks (I have TRP disc brakes on my everyday bike) make life so much easier.
3. Will do light trails and gentle off-road, which I like to have the option of.
4. Its all integrated - gear, motor, and a single manufacturer - shimano
5. Also me to use the front dynamo wheel off my current bike
Will try and update as I get more miles in but so far its looking good.