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Electric Bikes

PostPosted: 22 Apr 2017 16:22
by jonathon.e
Just enquiring if any of you good people are able to assist in my search for the following.

A Cube Reaction Hybrid HPA SL E-Bike with a 16 inch frame. In Black/glossy ( not Red )

I have tried all the relevant Mainline and non mainline bike dealers, local and other dealerships. But to no avail, any website that says they can order in, cannot as it appears they had the usual limited production run and have sold the allotted amount. If you have any LBS that might stock the aforementioned bike, I would be grateful, thank you in advance.
Link to what they look like, if you have any other E bike recommendations please feel free to suggest.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mobi ... prod154561

Re: Electric Bikes

PostPosted: 22 Apr 2017 17:31
by Big_Show
Both my parents have electric bikes. Give me a nudge when I'm not away from home and I'll check where they got theirs from.

Sent from my SM-G903F using Tapatalk

Re: Electric Bikes

PostPosted: 22 Apr 2017 18:14
by jonathon.e
Chees Big_Show, appreciated, thank you.

Re: Electric Bikes

PostPosted: 11 May 2017 08:11
by jonathon.e
Haibike SDURO Trekking Electric Pedal Assist Bike.

Put the torches and pitchforks down, yes, that includes you at the back in the corner, as I do a brief review of an electric pedal assist bike. As a total Luddite I have viewed any mechanical assist bike with scepticism. However, I was very pleasantly surprised when I tried one.

Mrs J. was a very keen cyclist a few years ago, time trialling, cycling club member, regular weekend century rides. Unfortunately, a few years ago she suffered a serious knee injury, over compensation lead to the other knee suffering. Not wanting to have an operation until really necessary, and wanting to get back exercising she started looking at options. One of which was a pedal assist bike to take the pressure off the knee. After much research, the first bike she chose had sold out throughout Europe. ( A CUBE Reaction )

One of the criteria was a bike that didn't look like it was an electric bike, basically a standard MTB framed bike with a huge brick attached to the frame.

After much deliberation and visiting numerous bike retailers ( I will add that it is better to go to a retailer who deals primarily in electric bikes, at least they know and use the bikes, our knowledge was greater than some of the staff ' I ride motorbikes usually ', ' I'm a roadie, and I only started work this week ', were two comments, at least they were honest !!!

The bike was purchased from the Electric bike shop in York. Built on site to Mrs J's specification.

She rode it for the first time the other day. Came back to the house with a grin the size of a Cheshire Cat's. No problem with her knees. Initially she was just going to do a short flat ride to get the adjustment right and use to the gearing. But, enjoyed herself so much, she went for a longer and hillier ride.

"You have got to try it ", she said when she got back to the house. Admittedly I was reluctant.

The ride quality is excellent, very little road buzz. Due to legal reasons the pedal assist cuts out at 15mph, but, for off road purposes only, an adapter may be purchased to take the pedal assist upto 30mph. Keep it above 15mph and you are doing the work, drop below that and the assist kicks in. The level of assist is variable. Eco+, Eco, Std, and Hyperdrive. The higher the level of assist the greater the battery drain. As the bike is over 20kg, if there is a need to push it, it also has a Walk mode, to assist.

Ten speed cassette, compact twin ring (a number of electric bikes have a small single cog in the front), so a great amount of variability. Disc brakes, adjustable front suspension. What it lacks is space for a bidon on the frame, we have put a twin cage adapter to the saddle.

If you have not ridden a pedal assist bike, please try one, it was a revelation. You feel the assist kick in and out around 15mph. You can get a good workout on the bike, it is ideal for riders who don't want to stress their joints as it gives that relief of pressure. For families who maybe reluctant to go out riding with fitter riders, keeping up would be easier, and more enjoyable. It provides access to cycling to a greater number of people.

Is it cheating ? Is it keeping with the ethos of cycling ?

That is going to be a personal opinion. I am a convert to its capabilities, as it provides greater access to cycling. The cycle shop we purchased it from retails about five a week. Prices do vary from low (£700) to high (+£8000), for a small shop that is a good turnover, and increasing, as technology improves no doubt the bikes will get lighter.

The great thing about the York shop, was no hard sell. There are a couple of mainstream battery/motors on the market, namely Bosch and Yamaha. As you would expect the dealers would champion the ones they stock and rubbish the other. The HAIBIKE company utilises both, so we got the pros and cons of both, also the shop manager is a keen MTBer and uses his daily. No hard sell, what he used, what his advantages were and disadvantages, and what was best for our useage.



Get out, and give one a try, then get the torches and pitchforks out if you want.







Oh, I did a triathlon the other day.

Re: Electric Bikes

PostPosted: 11 May 2017 09:10
by Kevy427
Glad to hear that Mrs J is pleased with the investment. Will there be many emails landing in inboxes around the locality to inform their KoM/QoM's have been taken...? :lol:

For the purist any assistance would be frowned upon but this new fangled electrickery thing will probably lead more people to indulge in cyclisting and the benefits it brings; cake, coffee, torrents of abuse, road rage etc. How long does it take to charge up?

jonathon.e wrote:Oh, I did a triathlon the other day.
:o

Re: Electric Bikes

PostPosted: 11 May 2017 11:02
by jonathon.e
One is concerned that she has started a STRAVA account though.

The shop says it would take about 3hrs to recharge a fully discharged battery. Reccomensation of letting at least 20% of the battery discharge before recharging to improve longevity.

Re: Electric Bikes

PostPosted: 13 May 2017 10:12
by Jack Hughes
jonathon.e wrote:Oh, I did a triathlon the other day.


Well done. I need to peer at Strava more closely.

However, all this stealth stuff is a bit annoying for those of us who do our races vicariously.

Looking forward to seeing the e-bike in action!

Re: Electric Bikes

PostPosted: 15 May 2017 20:08
by jonathon.e
Jack Hughes wrote:
jonathon.e wrote:Oh, I did a triathlon the other day.


Well done. I need to peer at Strava more closely.

However, all this stealth stuff is a bit annoying for those of us who do our races vicariously.

Looking forward to seeing the e-bike in action!

Sadly the GPS didn't capture so no race data. As for stealth training, it's is more like no training, due to injury. But any training does get uploaded to STRAVA, eventually.

Re: Electric Bikes

PostPosted: 27 May 2017 11:04
by Jimba
Never used one but I think they are a great idea, I have been on a group week away cycling for the last 13/14 years and one or two have dropped out because they can't take the hills, this would be ideal for them.

One triathlon for me so far this year but mainly running. Aiming for a gfa marathon time later in the year.

Re: Electric Bikes

PostPosted: 29 May 2017 07:31
by jonathon.e
Best of luck with the GFA, Jimba.

The pedal assist bikes would be great for the group. A number of places do hire me them out in the uk, and are getting more popular abroad. Mrs J. is enjoying getting out and if I go out with her on my MTB, the acceleration and ease that she proceeds up inclines is noticeable. By careful useage of the power assist, the range is quite staggering.