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Harlequin565

Harlequin565

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Ian
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I did search - please link me to the thread if my search-fu has failed.

I used to be quite an avid cycler for health, and for photo opportunities. These days, my knees are knackered as is my back and a cycle ride on a regular bike leaves me reaching for the medicine cupboard.

So I've been looking at eBikes and it appears it is a complete minefield with prices all over the place. With a budget of £1500 (if pressured I can go to £2k), my local bike shop showed me one bike. One. The internet shows me lots more, but these are clearly paid promotions. The bike the shop showed me has virtually nothing about it on the internet, other than a silent video from someone with 12 subscribers saying "it is awesome".

My riding is mostly road, or well trodden footpath/trail. I'm not a "cycle up Ben Nevis" guy, but I do like to get off the road occasionally. Don't care about looking cool, or the hackability of the thing. Just want to get about without reaching for painkillers.

Does anyone have tips for brands/manufacturers that are reputable? Reason I ask is that I really like the look of the Engwe E26 (hybrid bike, racks for camera bags/tripods etc), but every single review seems to be paid promotion, and their Trustpilot reviews are great until you read about folks having problems at which point it appears to turn into a $hitshow.

There is a similarity to cameras in that actually being able to sit on one and try it out is very difficult as local shops carry a very limited stock. And a bike needs to fit (I'm 6'1").

I'm sure there must be some photographers out there who have done more than the [several hours] research I've done, so I'm hoping to stand on the shoulders of giants. Please also feel free to link me to valuable resources (like reddit or youtube etc).

Cheers!
 
Last time I had a good look (a few years ago) Kalkhoff seemed to offer a good range with an excellent repurptation.
They didn’t have many UK dealers at that time.

I didn’t buy one in the end - back and neck trouble.
 
Not too up to date on ebikes but Specialised, Giant and Trek are all good makes so theirs should be good but probably over budget.

Decathlon have a good reputation for normal bikes so guessing the e ones should be fine.
 
I'm a (ex)mountainbiker, I can't help on E-bike front as such, Rutland cycles are good group, I bought an ex demo (E-mountain) for my other half so she could keep up with me..

They sell them in the sale section, may be worth looking/watching if you don't mind a few scratches to save money on big brands.

Not a hybrid but thought I'd share a link..(good luck)

www.rutlandcycling.com

Ex-Hire Specialized Turbo Tero 3.0 NB 2022 Electric Mountain Bike in Beige

<h3>Enjoy freedom, power, and performance with the Specialized Turbo Tero electric mountain bike designed to take you further and faster from pedal-assist technology.</h3>
www.rutlandcycling.com
 
I've been cycling all my life - Never been the skinny racer lycra clad type - just around town, in and out of work [occasionally off-roader] type mountain biker. I've had so many bikes stolen from me I'm a bit shy about over spending on replacements. My last bike was lifted about 5mths ago, it was locked to a sturdy post, Sunday afternoon, I nipped into Tesco for no less than 30 mins - came out to see my lock busted on the ground. Buying an E-Bike that costs €2K+ for anything that doesn't look like it's made for Dorothy from Wizard of Oz isn't very appealing right now, much as I'd love to give it a try. In an ideal world I'd say save a little until you can get a decent 500-750kw bike that will offer much more flexibility. You may only generally use a bike for in and out of town, but there might be times you want to go further, especially if the power allows. Sadly, no matter what you spend, and no matter the lock you chose [my current lock for my MTB costs 1/3 the price of the bike itself] the cunning little barstewards will find ways to break in
 
Last year I bought an Engwe bike, it's been great and they have a good range of models. https://engwe-bikes-uk.com/
I would advise checking the motor size and power of any bike if you plan to cycle on public roads as many models are 'illegal' in the UK and you don't want to lose it first time out.
If the bike you buy has assist modes only you are fine, it's the ones with a throttle that can be an issue for the cops, some can do 30mph+. TBH assist mode is all you need, to get you up that slope or help you go that bit further to get fitter.

Keith is right about locks too, they are little deterrent to anyone determined and equipped (with a battery angle grinder) so if you live in a high crime area be careful where you leave it and make sure any lock you buy is at least "gold" rated.
 
There may be an amazing e-bike from a niche manufacturer that offers great value. Sadly for every gem there will be 1000 shonky e-bikes also with names you have never heard of.
Buy a known brand and you will get a reasonable product at a reasonably fair price.
There used to be a small privately published magazine called AtoB which reviewed electric and folding bikes. If they are still going it might be worth subscribing before dropping £2k.

I don't want to be alarmist but I'm not sure I'd want to charge a big battery like that inside my house.
 
£2000 would be a very high price today, more likely £800/£1500
 
Steep said:
Last year I bought an Engwe bike, it's been great and they have a good range of models. https://engwe-bikes-uk.com/
I would advise checking the motor size and power of any bike if you plan to cycle on public roads as many models are 'illegal' in the UK and you don't want to lose it first time out.
If the bike you buy has assist modes only you are fine, it's the ones with a throttle that can be an issue for the cops, some can do 30mph+. TBH assist mode is all you need, to get you up that slope or help you go that bit further to get fitter.

Keith is right about locks too, they are little deterrent to anyone determined and equipped (with a battery angle grinder) so if you live in a high crime area be careful where you leave it and make sure any lock you buy is at least "gold" rated.
Click to expand...
I ended up going for an Engwe one. After another 2 hours research last night I decided enough was enough. Pedal assist with a deactivated throttle. I kinda get the feeling the cops aren't too bothered unless you're zooming around like an idiot but I'll leave it deactivated while I'm on public roads/spaces to be safe.

Cagey75 said:
My last bike was lifted about 5mths ago, it was locked to a sturdy post, Sunday afternoon, I nipped into Tesco for no less than 30 mins - came out to see my lock busted on the ground.
Click to expand...
So I was also concerned about security and after reading "stuff" on the internet, anything over a 13mm chain is apparently very difficult for bolt cutters if you have a rated chain. I've ordered a ground anchor which I'll fix to the concrete garage floor and chain it to that as well as the three stage ladder in there. We do live in a dodgy area, but I'm thinking it's where the criminals live as the crime rate is actually quite low. Don't mess in your own backyard and all that. Obviously if someone comes in with an angle grinder I'm stuffed but they aren't quiet. Did you have specific insurance for your bike(s) or is it covered under the household contents?

Edit to add: Thanks for taking the time to reply folks.
 
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Have a look at sportsbikeshop.co.uk for ground anchors.
 
Harlequin565 said:
Did you have specific insurance for your bike(s) or is it covered under the household contents?
Click to expand...

Nah, the bike was 3 years old at least, and was just your average €600 MTB nothing special. I never take unsurance on bikes, I've had many stolen and never got any good out of reporting them [even when a shopping centre had high res CCTV footage of one being nicked] - never had so much as a phone call back from the cops after they initially pretended to care for about 5mins. If I were to purchase an eBike though, I would definitely be insuring.
 
Also, well worth registering your bike here

www.bikeregister.com

BikeRegister - The National Cycle Database

Used by all UK Police forces, BikeRegister's marking kits can help reduce the likelihood of cycle theft by 83%. Every year hundreds of cyclists are reunited with their stolen bikes through the BikeRegister database.
www.bikeregister.com www.bikeregister.com

I went with the UV covert kit which gets you a visible security sticker and an 'invisible' UV stencil as well as adding the bike serial number to the database.
 
Harlequin565 said:
I ended up going for an Engwe one. After another 2 hours research last night I decided enough was enough. Pedal assist with a deactivated throttle. I kinda get the feeling the cops aren't too bothered unless you're zooming around like an idiot but I'll leave it deactivated while I'm on public roads/spaces to be safe.


So I was also concerned about security and after reading "stuff" on the internet, anything over a 13mm chain is apparently very difficult for bolt cutters if you have a rated chain. I've ordered a ground anchor which I'll fix to the concrete garage floor and chain it to that as well as the three stage ladder in there. We do live in a dodgy area, but I'm thinking it's where the criminals live as the crime rate is actually quite low. Don't mess in your own backyard and all that. Obviously if someone comes in with an angle grinder I'm stuffed but they aren't quiet. Did you have specific insurance for your bike(s) or is it covered under the household contents?

Edit to add: Thanks for taking the time to reply folks.
Click to expand...

Of course only you know how likely your bike is to be stolen, whether you will be popping to the shops on it or to work and leaving it for hours or none of the above. After too many hours watching bike lock testing vids, I just went with a gold class chain that did "quite well" in the tests. More than enough for me as I will probably never be leaving my bike unattended in public.
 
Steep said:
Of course only you know how likely your bike is to be stolen, whether you will be popping to the shops on it or to work and leaving it for hours or none of the above. After too many hours watching bike lock testing vids, I just went with a gold class chain that did "quite well" in the tests. More than enough for me as I will probably never be leaving my bike unattended in public.
Click to expand...

I got a Diamond rated U-Lock [apparently] - it'll take thieves 2 cuts using an angle grinder to take it [has to be cut each side before release] and tbh, the bike isn't worth that effort which feels almost like an extra security level - bought a plain ol' 2nd hand Carrera Vulcan mountain bike, good enough to get in and to work 4x faster than walking. My home trip is all uphill, that's where I wish I had ebike assistance, especially when carrying a load [sports bag full of shopping or other gear]
 
Please let us know how you get on with the Engwe. I’ve been looking for 2 years but lack of availability, security concerns and other factors put me off. I am now retired and keen to get an e-bike.
 
I bought mine direct from Engwe, if I was buying now I'd be thinking of either the P26/E26 or the new P275 all of which are UK legal. Look at Youtube videos for whichever bike you are thinking of, you'll often find there are discount codes in the blurb underneath.
 
So, to anyone interested...

R0001319.jpg

I got a step through E26. Found a 10% discount code so treated myself to the panier bag too. The sides fold out to give extra storage if necessary. It's a pretty decent bag and will definitely serve as a camera bag as it is well padded, and comes with velcro inserts that you normally only see in a camera bag.

It's a big, heavy bike and hard work without pedal assist due to the weight and the fat tyres. The ride though is extremely comfortable.

It was delivered in a box (eventually!) and had to be part-assembled. Handlebars, front wheel, seat, rack, mudguards and lights. It's actually relatively easy, but a pro tip is not to follow the instructions as they were not written by a native English speaker. YouTube is your friend.

After this brief ride, there are still adjustments to make to the handlebars, and a bit of faffing with the gears, as well as putting the bag on the right way round :facepalm: The step through frame hasn't given me the confidence to leap up curbs and it's far from as manoeverable as my MTB, but that's to be expected. Compromise, compromise...

Pedal assist comes in strengths from 1-5 and once you get to 3, it's like pedalling a normal bike. 5 is obviously "big smile" mode as you feel the motor kick in and you can trundle along at 15mph with very little effort. I pretty much did the whole ride in top gear and just used pedal assist to help me along. Once you hit 15mph, the motor cuts out and you power yourself, with the motor cutting back in as you slow down. It feels like good exercise for an old fart like me, because instead of getting strain, I can just ease off and let the motor do the work. I can't see me needing to meddle with the controller settings as 15mph feels fast enough for me.

A couple of thoughts that they don't tell you if you're "older" with mobility issues and looking for an easy cycle.

1. If you get a puncture, it's going to be a lot more difficult to repair because manhandling the bike upside down to get the wheels off requires strength. I bought a rechargeable car tyre inflator in the hope that it will do enough to get me home, because I wouldn't want to sort out a puncture at the roadside.
2. Moving the bike anywhere without power is a lot more awkward than a regular bike due to the weight. Wheeling it into the garage requires a little more effort (although I have lots of crap in the way which doesn't help). I wouldn't want to try and get this over a stile or through a kissing gate. It does have a walk assist mode though so if you do need to walk home with it, you can get the motor to help. Lifting it onto a car bike carrier just 2-3 feet off the ground would knacker my back instantly.

My 7km test ride was a ton of fun, and things like having brake lights and the physical size of the bike gave me comfort vs cars. I don't recall any close passes which is unusual.
Step through frame was the right decision for me, as it's big & heavy and swinging the leg over can unbalance me at times. The kick stand is a really handy and nice touch. With a few little adjustments it'll be great.

The brakes are a little dissappointing. Being hydraulic I was expecting good stopping power, but it feels just like my MTB did. I'm guessing the extra stopping power of the hydraulics is negated by the weight of the bike (and it's pie loving rider).

The bell is very cool.
 
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Harlequin565 said:
So, to anyone interested...

View attachment 417914

I got a step through E26. Found a 10% discount code so treated myself to the panier bag too. The sides fold out to give extra storage if necessary. It's a pretty decent bag and will definitely serve as a camera bag as it is well padded, and comes with velcro inserts that you normally only see in a camera bag.

It's a big, heavy bike and hard work without pedal assist due to the weight and the fat tyres. The ride though is extremely comfortable.

It was delivered in a box (eventually!) and had to be part-assembled. Handlebars, front wheel, seat, rack, mudguards and lights. It's actually relatively easy, but a pro tip is not to follow the instructions as they were not written by a native English speaker. YouTube is your friend.

After this brief ride, there are still adjustments to make to the handlebars, and a bit of faffing with the gears, as well as putting the bag on the right way round :facepalm: The step through frame hasn't given me the confidence to leap up curbs and it's far from as manoeverable as my MTB, but that's to be expected. Compromise, compromise...

Pedal assist comes in strengths from 1-5 and once you get to 3, it's like pedalling a normal bike. 5 is obviously "big smile" mode as you feel the motor kick in and you can trundle along at 15mph with very little effort. I pretty much did the whole ride in top gear and just used pedal assist to help me along. Once you hit 15mph, the motor cuts out and you power yourself, with the motor cutting back in as you slow down. It feels like good exercise for an old fart like me, because instead of getting strain, I can just ease off and let the motor do the work. I can't see me needing to meddle with the controller settings as 15mph feels fast enough for me.

A couple of thoughts that they don't tell you if you're "older" with mobility issues and looking for an easy cycle.

1. If you get a puncture, it's going to be a lot more difficult to repair because manhandling the bike upside down to get the wheels off requires strength. I bought a rechargeable car tyre inflator in the hope that it will do enough to get me home, because I wouldn't want to sort out a puncture at the roadside.
2. Moving the bike anywhere without power is a lot more awkward than a regular bike due to the weight. Wheeling it into the garage requires a little more effort (although I have lots of crap in the way which doesn't help). I wouldn't want to try and get this over a stile or through a kissing gate. It does have a walk assist mode though so if you do need to walk home with it, you can get the motor to help. Lifting it onto a car bike carrier just 2-3 feet off the ground would knacker my back instantly.

My 7km test ride was a ton of fun, and things like having brake lights and the physical size of the bike gave me comfort vs cars. I don't recall any close passes which is unusual.
Step through frame was the right decision for me, as it's big & heavy and swinging the leg over can unbalance me at times. The kick stand is a really handy and nice touch. With a few little adjustments it'll be great.

The brakes are a little dissappointing. Being hydraulic I was expecting good stopping power, but it feels just like my MTB did. I'm guessing the extra stopping power of the hydraulics is negated by the weight of the bike (and it's pie loving rider).

The bell is very cool.
Click to expand...

Green Slime to save you if you get a puncture :)

If you don't do off road riding then you can change the tyres for smoother ones to make it less work to ride, but they are pricey.
 
I’ve got a Moustache e-Bike, love it:)
If I’m frugal with the assist switch I can get 80-90 miles out of it. I put saddle bags of the rear panniers, plenty of space for my camera gear and I take my drone with me.
 
Proper workout today. Oh boy. @Bebop is 100% correct. More smiles per miles, and more photos too! Those fat tyres are fantastic in mud.

IMG_2599.jpg

Edit to add, I enabled the throttle (but not the speed increase). I'm aware that it's ok to have a throttle as long as it doesn't go higher than 4mph - i.e. it's enough to get you going from a standstill. The one on this bike seems to cut out at around 8-10kph which is around 4-6mph, but it applies whatever power is needed to accomplish that. So going through deep mud is much easier (and safer) as I can just stand on the pedals and concentrate on keeping my balance with the back end sliding around. Much easier to get through on this than my MTB because when the back wheel started to spin I needed to pedal faster to maintain forward momentum, which upset my balance. Sold on the throttle and good to hear that UK law may be changing in that department. It's also really easy to switch it off for road travel - just in case.
 
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Artoist said:
.I tend to go everywhere in Turbo mode.
Click to expand...
That's a nice looking bike! As a question; hub motors were out of my price range tbh, and I just wondered whether you had tried both (hub & rear wheel) and whether you noticed a difference?

Edit to add: And with that frame, do you step through or step over?
 
Harlequin565 said:
That's a nice looking bike! As a question; hub motors were out of my price range tbh, and I just wondered whether you had tried both (hub & rear wheel) and whether you noticed a difference?

Edit to add: And with that frame, do you step through or step over?
Click to expand...
Hi,it's a mid drive motor,I hadn't tried any other than mid drive tbh,the research I did ( a lot!) recommended the mid drive for the type of terrain I would be on for majority of my riding and my size/ weight.
I step over but bike has a seatpost dropper which makes it a little easier
 
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