First E bike ?

[RufusChucklebutty]

I'm looking for something like this for a old git ( me ) to get around the local area on , I dont need anything fancy or high spec but want a solid reliable bike that can carry weight on the racks and I can have confidence in .

1. Step through frame
2. Upright riding position
3. Racks front and rear
4. Semi fat tyre



What are the good and bad brands ?
What specs should I look for ?

 

[FrankCrank]

This one has seen many favourable reviews:-


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G81IT0zXtuU

 

[dicko]

It might be a good idea to enquire if the E bike comes with a thumb throttle which will give you a 5mph boost as you set off. I was pointed this out, by a dealer, at a cycle fair in Derby a few weeks back.

 

[SteveH80]

I found https://www.cyclingelectric.com/ and https://road.cc/ebiketips very useful when I was looking for an ebike last year.
There are so many different types ebikes that it's confusing till you've decided what you really want to do with the bike.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

It might be a good idea to enquire if the E bike comes with a thumb throttle which will give you a 5mph boost as you set off. I was pointed this out, by a dealer, at a cycle fair in Derby a few weeks back.

It is called "walk assist" - helps to know the exact term and "throttle" can get the wrong message across

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

I reckon I should mention the Raleigh Motus

They seem to be reducing the range now

but mine is 6 years old and has just gone over 12,000 miles
I have worn out a few chains and gear cogs but it has been great

I also ride a lot on paths rather than roads - so it has dealt with roughish tracks pretty well

It has a Bosch motor - which are really good
but Bosch are a pain in the whatsit if they go wrong - which they do not do much
but that is only the motor - the rest of it is "just a bike" so wheels, gears etc etc are just normal

I would suggest that you look around local bike shops and see what they have

it is easier to get things repaired if you bought it through them in the first place

and ebikes do sometimes need someone who has a contact with the manufacturer


Oh - and Raleigh were really good when I first got mine and it went wrong
after a while they replace the whole bike with a better one free of charge to me and the LBS