Buying an electric bike

[DownwardDog]

Everyone I've ever known who knows lots about bikes has always said the same thing about conversion kits: don't do it.

Can you access the cycle to work scheme?

edit: unless you are DownwardDog. I bet he could make an e-bike conversion work really well, reliable and as long lasting as a built-for-it e-bike. But it'd cost twice as much as just buying an e-bike and require some specialist tools that need half a room and cost at least as much as a tour-de-france level e-bike (if such bikes exist).

I've made a few; I think I first made one for my wife in about 2008. Your observations on the process are correct after about 2015. Before then homebrew conversions were cheaper and better than the OEM models. Now there is absolutely no reason to make one other than the limited satisfaction to be had from the project itself.

 

[AnnO'Neemus]

I used an e-bike during the first lockdown, because I borrowed one to commute to work, because I wanted to avoid people coughing and contaminating public transport.

I'm definitely an e-bike convert now. Although the one I borrowed was a folding bike, and I don't think I'd want one, because I'm short and I think the way that folding bikes are configured and where the pedals are doesn't suit me and my little legs. It was great for temporary use, but I wouldn't have wanted to buy that particular model.

I've recently bought a Swytch kit for a regular(ish) bike. If you buy them on pre-order, it's half price, around £500, as opposed to around £1k. I'm getting it installed at a local bike shop. I asked the guy who runs it and he said he'd fit a Swytch kit, and he's done a few, but not any other conversion kits.

A couple of friends of mine who are hard core cyclists also bought Swytch kits just before me, and unbeknownst to me when I bought mine, so that was kind of reassuring. because they're proper bike nerds and would've properly researched the best conversion kits to buy.

I was also reassured when I came across a video by electric car and e-bike enthusiast Robert Llewellyn.
Robert electrifies his bike with SWYTCH's conversion kit - Fully Charged Show

I think if you're going to buy an e-bike, though, try to 'test drive' one, to check it suits your height and purposes. Some bike shops also hire bikes, I know at least one in this city hires them and if you end up buying one, they offset the hire fee against the cost of the bike. And see if you can get it on the Cycle To Work scheme as that gives you a tax break.

 

[AnnO'Neemus]

I think the main benefit of the e-bikes, for me at least, is that they extended my range. There's no way I would have commuted to work on a regular bike, as I'm unfit, it would've been too far, and also the inclines (slight gradient and a bit of a hill) would've been problematic on a regular bike. But an e-bike made the journey doable. I'd tried to cycle into work in a previous job, and that had a slight gradient that proved too much like hard work too. I don't want to be one of those hardcore lycra clad types who tear along and jump the lights and need a shower when they get to work. I want to be one of those continental-style cycle commuters who pootle along in regular clothes and don't work up a sweat.

 

[l'Otters]

Having said that, I could perhaps be persuaded that I could sell my normal folding bike (would get me about £250) to help fund an electric folding bike. But I'm still wondering what compromises happen in a folding bike of £1k to get it to that price compared to a normal ebike of £1k.

I got a folding e-bike because I figured once the battery ran out it wouldn’t be that good to cycle, with the extra weight of the motor & battery. Folding means you can get it on a bus or in the boot of a car etc. In theory it was so I could bring it indoors and it’d take up less space, too. I do store it indoors, but I don’t fold it.

 

[BristolEcho]

I use my Raleigh ebike for work which is all over Bristol. I managed to pick it up for around £1,200 (managed to get a bit cheaper after my original bike failed) 2 years ago which was financed via Halfords. It has a milage of 40+ and I always ride it in high as I'm lazy and it last around 2 days which is good considering the distance I do.

Worth every penny and a really solid made bike. Although Halfords are fucking shite it's better to get a it from a brick and mortar shop as it's easier if there are problems. I had a nightmare with my first £600 Amazon job, but it converted me at least. I absolutely rant my bike unintentionally and it's holding up well to my abuse so far.

If you're mainly concerned about an alternative to bus and driving then ebikes are a great idea imo. Initial outlay is a fair amount, but I've spent about £40 on it over the last two years for parts and around £8 P/M to insure.

 

[Brainaddict]

Brainaddict I have a folding e-bike which I was thinking of selling for £300. It’s currently locked up in my office bike basement near Bank.

I got it (used) nearly four years ago but apart from the first 3 months I needed it to ride to a job I was doing and back it’s had little use. But it’s in great condition, comes with a spare battery, had a full service history with a 3 year service plan from Halfords (with documents), and I made sure it got its last service.

It’s not a flashy Brompton by any means and is a lot heavier to carry (I wouldn’t recommend carrying it!) but it’s lovely and smooth when the electric motor kicks in and you’ll never break a sweat and it’ll do around 8 miles per charge IME.

View attachment 286754

Thanks for the offer, I've looked it up and think it will be too heavy for me - also from experience would be a bit nervous about a second hand bike that old, even lightly used. Looking at prices on ebay I'm sure it will get snapped up elsewhere easily enough.

 

[AnnO'Neemus]

I use my Raleigh ebike for work which is all over Bristol. I managed to pick it up for around £1,200 (managed to get a bit cheaper after my original bike failed) 2 years ago which was financed via Halfords. It has a milage of 40+ and I always ride it in high as I'm lazy and it last around 2 days which is good considering the distance I do.

Worth every penny and a really solid made bike. Although Halfords are fucking shite it's better to get a it from a brick and mortar shop as it's easier if there are problems. I had a nightmare with my first £600 Amazon job, but it converted me at least. I absolutely rant my bike unintentionally and it's holding up well to my abuse so far.

If you're mainly concerned about an alternative to bus and driving then ebikes are a great idea imo. Initial outlay is a fair amount, but I've spent about £40 on it over the last two years for parts and around £8 P/M to insure.

You've just reminded me, a friend had a nightmare with Halfords as well. He ordered a bike from them through the Cycle to Work tax break scheme, and you can also order a accessories (like helmets, lights, etc) at the same time, and he ordered an extra battery. They didn't have it in stock for ages and they were really shit and messed him around. So best avoid Halfords, I reckon.

 

[BristolEcho]

You've just reminded me, a friend had a nightmare with Halfords as well. He ordered a bike from them through the Cycle to Work tax break scheme, and you can also order a accessories (like helmets, lights, etc) at the same time, and he ordered an extra battery. They didn't have it in stock for ages and they were really shit and messed him around. So best avoid Halfords, I reckon.

Yeah I'm definitely not promoting Halfords they took ages too fix a fault with one of my bikes, but it was better than Amazon. I originally got the Halfords one from Cycle Republic who were also shit. The problem is they also sold the bikes for slightly cheaper so it's a fine balance.

 

[AnnO'Neemus]

Yeah I'm definitely not promoting Halfords they took ages too fix a fault with one of my bikes, but it was better than Amazon. I originally got the Halfords one from Cycle Republic who were also shit. The problem is they also sold the bikes for slightly cheaper so it's a fine balance.

I tend to be prepared to pay slightly more for better customer service and/or to companies that don't dodge taxes. (I don't know if Halfords is a tax dodger, I'm thinking more of buying books from Hive rather than Amazon.)

 

[BristolEcho]

I tend to be prepared to pay slightly more for better customer service and/or to companies that don't dodge taxes. (I don't know if Halfords is a tax dodger, I'm thinking more of buying books from Hive rather than Amazon.)

Yeah I will generally try to avoid amazon as much as possible. There's a big difference between £600 which I paid for my Amazon bike and what they charge in the local more independent shops here - Upwards of £1,500. That was my first electric bike and I wouldn't do the same now but economics and lack of knowledge were the main factors. This was also true for Cycle Republic where I could spread the payment.

I now try to make sure I have at least enough to get a lower end electric bike at short notice put aside, but that's not always been possible.

Either way though it has added up to much less than cars and public transport over recent years. I can't recommend them enough even if you do have to go slightly cheaper.

 

[DJWrongspeed]

I’m sure there are lots of lovely E-bikes but for yr average commuter in London any bike worth over £500 is a liability when locking up around town. Remember cheapo light bikes can be very fast and less hassle.

 

[A380]

I used an e-bike during the first lockdown, because I borrowed one to commute to work, because I wanted to avoid people coughing and contaminating public transport.

I'm definitely an e-bike convert now. Although the one I borrowed was a folding bike, and I don't think I'd want one, because I'm short and I think the way that folding bikes are configured and where the pedals are doesn't suit me and my little legs. It was great for temporary use, but I wouldn't have wanted to buy that particular model.

I've recently bought a Swytch kit for a regular(ish) bike. If you buy them on pre-order, it's half price, around £500, as opposed to around £1k. I'm getting it installed at a local bike shop. I asked the guy who runs it and he said he'd fit a Swytch kit, and he's done a few, but not any other conversion kits.

A couple of friends of mine who are hard core cyclists also bought Swytch kits just before me, and unbeknownst to me when I bought mine, so that was kind of reassuring. because they're proper bike nerds and would've properly researched the best conversion kits to buy.

I was also reassured when I came across a video by electric car and e-bike enthusiast Robert Llewellyn.
Robert electrifies his bike with SWYTCH's conversion kit - Fully Charged Show

I think if you're going to buy an e-bike, though, try to 'test drive' one, to check it suits your height and purposes. Some bike shops also hire bikes, I know at least one in this city hires them and if you end up buying one, they offset the hire fee against the cost of the bike. And see if you can get it on the Cycle To Work scheme as that gives you a tax break.

How have your friends got on? I only found out about Swytch a week or so ago. It seemed like a much cheaper way to electrify my Brompton (I like folding bikes) than the official kit. I wondered if it was too good to be true?

 

[two sheds]

Saw an e-bike the other month that looked like a 250 cc type motor bike, which I've thought would be a fine idea since I've heard of e-bikes. Bloke cycling it really liked it, can't remember what make it was though.

 

[Tricky Skills]

I'm looking at buying an e-bike. It would be mainly for distance along country roads. I'm just about fine to disappear for the day and cycle 100km. But I want something that would broaden this range. It looks like 150km is about tops? Is it worth waiting a year or so as the tech inevitably improves?

 

[Bahnhof Strasse]

I'm looking at buying an e-bike. It would be mainly for distance along country roads. I'm just about fine to disappear for the day and cycle 100km. But I want something that would broaden this range. It looks like 150km is about tops? Is it worth waiting a year or so as the tech inevitably improves?

The tech and battery life/kwh improves year on year, but as with computers, you have to jump in at some point....

What's your budget? A smaller battery with a second battery in a back-pack or pannier may be a better option than the very latest model with a >900kwh battery...

 

[Tricky Skills]

The tech and battery life/kwh improves year on year, but as with computers, you have to jump in at some point....

What's your budget? A smaller battery with a second battery in a back-pack or pannier may be a better option than the very latest model with a >900kwh battery...

That's useful, thanks. Looking at £2,000 - £2,500.

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

I'm looking at buying an e-bike. It would be mainly for distance along country roads. I'm just about fine to disappear for the day and cycle 100km. But I want something that would broaden this range. It looks like 150km is about tops? Is it worth waiting a year or so as the tech inevitably improves?

Road bike with drop bars? Or a flat bar/hybrid type?

 

[Tricky Skills]

Road bike with drop bars? Or a flat bar/hybrid type?

Open to suggestions. I'm probably thinking a hybrid, possibly with drops. I'd even consider a folder. I want to be able to cycle 150km in a day and open up new routes, then catch the train back. I did actually consider a GoCycle G4i. I even went into a store to have a look. It was more like a moped that didn't fold very well. The tyres were hideous. The bloke in the shop said there's no way you'd want to ride it once it is out of charge. Which kinda made up my mind for not spending silly, silly money on a bike.

 

[Bahnhof Strasse]

That's useful, thanks. Looking at £2,000 - £2,500.

Canyon Pathlite-On 5

500wh battery, should get you ~60-70 miles easily enough, a second battery will see you go forever…



Push the budget a bit more and look at Moustache Samedi 28’s….

 

[ChrisD]

How have your friends got on? I only found out about Swytch a week or so ago. It seemed like a much cheaper way to electrify my Brompton (I like folding bikes) than the official kit. I wondered if it was too good to be true?

Sorry to reply 11 months late.... A few months ago a friend saw me riding through town on a Brompton ( I have various bikes for various purposes - touring bike, pub bike, folding bike etc) he offered to lend me his Brompton with Swytch conversion. It's been brilliant in this v hot weather and I've used it a lot. It's one with old chunky battery which doesn't work with front bag. Very tempted to get the new version with smaller battery but meanwhile my friend has a separate new electric bike so doesn't seem desperate to have his back.

 

[Thesaint]

Having ridden electric bicycles one thing I have noticed is as it's so easy it's easy to forget about gears as the motor mostly makes them redundant....or at least until back on a conventional bike and try a hill start in the top gear. Oops.

 

[Tricky Skills]

As an update: I went with a Raleigh Centros in the end. The spec boasts of a range of 130 miles Many thanks for all the help and advice.

 

[Skim]

Sorry to reply 11 months late.... A few months ago a friend saw me riding through town on a Brompton ( I have various bikes for various purposes - touring bike, pub bike, folding bike etc) he offered to lend me his Brompton with Swytch conversion. It's been brilliant in this v hot weather and I've used it a lot. It's one with old chunky battery which doesn't work with front bag. Very tempted to get the new version with smaller battery but meanwhile my friend has a separate new electric bike so doesn't seem desperate to have his back.

Wish I hadn’t seen this post because I really, really want a Swytch for my Brompton now My current commute is fairly short and flat, but any trip into town involves steep hills, meaning I have to take a longer, flatter route. My bike only gets used for exercise now, but I’d get a lot more pleasure from it if I could get to my destination not looking like a hot mess.

 

[Bahnhof Strasse]

Having ridden electric bicycles one thing I have noticed is as it's so easy it's easy to forget about gears as the motor mostly makes them redundant....or at least until back on a conventional bike and try a hill start in the top gear. Oops.

With regards to this, yes they do make it easier in any gear. Good cadence is essential for range though, so for longer rides good use of gears is vital.

 

[Winot]

Just came across great term for conventional version - acoustic bike

 

[Thesaint]

With regards to this, yes they do make it easier in any gear. Good cadence is essential for range though, so for longer rides good use of gears is vital.

Some bikes have torque sensing either on the pedals or chain or wherever. They can sense if you are struggling and having to pedal harder and they make hill climbing a breeze.

 

[Leafster]

As there's been a fair amount of discussions about range on this thread, I thought it might be the right one to ask about what sort of range existing e-bike users get.

I've had mine a few months now but hadn't really pushed the battery to its limits. I decided not to put it on charge until I'd more or less run it flat. So after today's short trip to the shops the display is showing 'no bars' of charge. Strangely it was still providing assistance so I'm guess it's just on the cusp of being empty.

It managed 42 miles (roughly 68km) over a mix of terrain from roads, farm tracks, bridleways to muddy trails and the odd field on one charge. It's a bit hilly here so over that distance I've climbed around 3000ft or 900m. According to the manufacturer (Cyrusher) it should be capable of up to 50 miles on a charge. Are other e-bike riders getting the range the manufacturers claimed? I guess I might have over-used the power assistance as it's still a bit of a novelty.

 

[BristolEcho]

You'll never get the full range I don't think. I imagine that it's a baseline for eco driving and mainly on flat?

I run mine on the max setting constantly and probably get about 25-30 miles out of it which is fine for work. Charge it up every couple of days normally.

 

[dessiato]

Talking to friends who have e-bikes range is very much dependent on weather, route, weight of rider, and amount of assistance used. One has a claimed range of 60 miles but in practice he only gets about 40. However, it's still better than he'd use a normal for. So it keeps 4x4 off the road for short trips. (And he has a real need for off road capability before anyone decides to have a go about that)

 

[Leafster]

You'll never get the full range I don't think. I imagine that it's a baseline for eco driving and mainly on flat?

I run mine on the max setting constantly and probably get about 25-30 miles out of it which is fine for work. Charge it up every couple of days normally.

Yeah, I'm sure you're right about the full range. I was hoping to get closer to it than I did but, as I said, I'm possibly still drunk with having that electrical assistance on tap

Mine has 5 power settings and I mostly use it on the lower levels (1 or 2) but with the hills around here I often boost it to level 4 or 5 (on the steepest of them). I thought I'd probably use it more with no assistance but I've realised that at twice the weight of my normal MTB even a moderate climb is much more of an effort than I'd anticipated.