novemberdelta
Well-Known Member
So i bought a Mach E from Chain Reaction Cycles a couple of weeks ago, exclusively to kit out for commuting. The main purpose is to encourage me to commute more in winter, especially as the route is hilly, and usually windy. I often check the weather and can't be bothered - I am hoping the extra assistance and efficiency will encourage me out.
From reading forums I get the idea I am not a typical ebike rider. I am a pretty fit cyclist and runner, and have extensively commuted to work on a non ebike, run a few half marathons a year, participate in triathlon. I am seeing the ebike as a car replacement with some physical bonus. I will still ride my carbon at the club and for centuries etc. I have been interested in reading posts saying there is sometimes animosity between roadies and ebikers. I don't get it. It's about using the right tool.
Anyway, I paid £2100 for the bike, and it was reduced to £1890 a few days after delivery. I emailed CRC and they immediately refunded the difference in vouchers, I have therefore obtained this bike fully loaded for the commute (guards, lights) for just undr £2k. I have installed a rack too.
First impressions are very pleasant. I am going from an 8kg carbon bike, so this feels "bigger" and clearly heavier, but it is surprisingly fine to ride unassisted. I rode it unassisted for the first test to get an idea of it's characteristics, and it was no issue at all. People say that it can be difficult to ride an ebike over the cut off, but I havent found that at all. This bike is 17.5kg quoted. My average speeds have been around 18mph.
Riding with assistance is a joy I have genuinely found myself smiling and laughing when it kicks in. I have been carrying a heavy pannier this week and have used the high setting on any hills, and to get going from a stop. The rest of the time I have just left the assistance off. I feel like it just takes all the sh.t bits out of a commute, and makes the whole thing easy and enjoyable. I want my commute to be easy. If I want to make it harder, I can simply switch off the assistance.
The big tyres are great, I love the position which is super comfortable and personally I like the look but it's probably a marmite bike. It is great value for a shimano motor set up and gears. I will take a couple of photos once I have it fully set up with the guards etc.
From reading forums I get the idea I am not a typical ebike rider. I am a pretty fit cyclist and runner, and have extensively commuted to work on a non ebike, run a few half marathons a year, participate in triathlon. I am seeing the ebike as a car replacement with some physical bonus. I will still ride my carbon at the club and for centuries etc. I have been interested in reading posts saying there is sometimes animosity between roadies and ebikers. I don't get it. It's about using the right tool.
Anyway, I paid £2100 for the bike, and it was reduced to £1890 a few days after delivery. I emailed CRC and they immediately refunded the difference in vouchers, I have therefore obtained this bike fully loaded for the commute (guards, lights) for just undr £2k. I have installed a rack too.
First impressions are very pleasant. I am going from an 8kg carbon bike, so this feels "bigger" and clearly heavier, but it is surprisingly fine to ride unassisted. I rode it unassisted for the first test to get an idea of it's characteristics, and it was no issue at all. People say that it can be difficult to ride an ebike over the cut off, but I havent found that at all. This bike is 17.5kg quoted. My average speeds have been around 18mph.
Riding with assistance is a joy I have genuinely found myself smiling and laughing when it kicks in. I have been carrying a heavy pannier this week and have used the high setting on any hills, and to get going from a stop. The rest of the time I have just left the assistance off. I feel like it just takes all the sh.t bits out of a commute, and makes the whole thing easy and enjoyable. I want my commute to be easy. If I want to make it harder, I can simply switch off the assistance.
The big tyres are great, I love the position which is super comfortable and personally I like the look but it's probably a marmite bike. It is great value for a shimano motor set up and gears. I will take a couple of photos once I have it fully set up with the guards etc.
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