Quote: Originally posted by Shiraz on 27/12/2013
I have just bought a Volt Metro Electric Folding Bike, and I intend to use it on my travels in 2014
I also intend to now downsize from a 4x4 and tourer to a small car and tent.
My wife of 60 years died in October of this year, and now that I am alone have decided to tour and revisit the UK again and if I manage ok then I may revisit the EEC again(particularly Italy)
Our main hobby of photography which we both enjoyed in taking photos of places and scenery etc When she was alive both of us were feeling our age (78 and 77 years) and we had discussed the possibility of electric bikes, and thought it was a possibility to allow us to get nearer to our photographic subject. I have bought the above eBike after extensive research and I have had a few try outs in my local quiet areas. My family are supporting me in this venture, so if you see a lonely figure riding a eBike with a camera around his neck then give a wave please. I am also in the market for a Tow Bar Cycle Carrier and a Kyhman touring tent and any advice would be appreciared - regards
Shiraz,
My parents have a Khyam tent for sale. I think it may be a 4 birth, but it's one of their 'easy-erect' models I think - I think it's called 'Classic'. It's been used for literally one weekend trip (they have a caravan now!). Let me know if you're interested and I'll get the full details for you.
I purchased the Viking Ego folding electric bike last year and have to say am delighted with it.
I got it for £375 in a flash sale at Sportsdirect, they are selling for around £500 - £600.
It does what it said it would do so no complaints..
------------- It is a wise man who has something to say.
It is a fool who has to say something.
I keep thinking of getting a 1KW retro fit kit for my bike. Problem is batteries are still too expensive if you want a decent range. My daily commute is around 35 miles so I'd be looking at around £400 for batteries.
I've rode the legal 250w version and in my opinion there's very little benefit. The 500w versions are good but if I'm buying a kit I might as well go the whole hog.
Hi JayC.
Problem is that anything more than 250watt motor is classed as a Moped, so apart from requiring insurance and having indicators and stop/tail light fitted you also need to wear a motorcycle type helmet and the bike will also need to be type approved.
Riding such an electric bike, could land you in hot water, not to mention loosing your driving licence if you have one.
Also anything with more than 250watt motor fitted is not permitted on cycle tracks/lanes etc.
I think the best compromise is to get a 250 watt motor Pedelec and fit a de-restricter like the SpeedUp or Badass, at least then you will get Pedal assist upto 28mph, and not be restricted to 15.5mph.
The cops will not have a clue as you are riding a pukka Pedelec bike.
I was considering buying a Kalkhoff BS10 "S" Pedelec that comes with 350 watt motor, but decided against due to the possible legal ramifications.
The best legal Pedelec that I have come across so far is the KTM Macina and Stevens Carpo, both use the BOSCH 250watt Crank Drive motor.
I'm fully aware of the laws regarding electric bikes but it's such a grey area and there are no documented cases of anyone riding a retro fitted bike being prosecuted.
I ride off road as much as road use so a higher wattage motor would be preferable. As I said I've tried a 250w bike and being a big guy it seemed so under powered. There again I also ride motorbikes so my opinion may be somewhat biased.
Yep jayc001.
Fair comment, and like you say it becomes a bit of a grey area when looking at over 250watt bikes.
I would imagine that most of the Ebikes out and about have been derestricted by there owners in any case.
But for of road use, even a derestricted 250watt Pedelec is going to struggle.
What this country needs is a separate class for fast Pedelecs, say upto 750watt motor, that also have a cycle use setting which can limit them to 15.5 mph when required.
The Germans seem to have a separate classification for fast Pedelecs so called "S" Pedelecs, were there is some kind of nominal tax to pay and insurance whilst still being treated much like a regular Ebike it's just a pity that UK does not have the same.
I am a cyclist, and would find being restricted to 15.5mph dangerous on some of the roads that I ride on.
Quote: Originally posted by Francais on 09/1/2014
I am a cyclist, and would find being restricted to 15.5mph dangerous on some of the roads that I ride on.
You're only restricted to 15mph under electric power - you can pedal them as fast as you like, if the bike is suitable - my 20" wheeled folding electric bike, with an unfit fat bloke on it, never goes faster than 15mph anyway
Hi John.
The problem is that the assistance stops at 15.5mph, I would imagine that you would have to be super fit to keep 25kg of Ebike going even at 16mph with no assistance.
I could quite happily pootle along at say 18 to 20 mph on an Ebike, requiring a lot less effort than on a conventional none electric bike.
I think the powers that be have set the restriction far to low, if an electric bike can go at 28mph as what the "S" electric bikes can do with assistance, then I can't see a problem.
I often speed along cycle tracks at 20mph on cycle paths and canal towpaths on my regular bike, when conditions allow, but when conditions change I reduce my speed.
What I am trying to say, is that you ride your bike at what is a safe speed, whether it be electric assist or just plain old pedal power.
But it looks to me like the nanny state of Europe that we live in, consider us all to stupid to ride an Ebike sensibly and that's why they have restricted them.
Thankfully we are clever enough to derestrict them.
Hi Bonzo, We've had our bikes for a couple of years and haven't looked back. Being asthmatic I find hells/gradients hard, and my husband has two new knees. We can travel 30 miles give or take, very comfortable to ride, have as much assist as you need and with gears to boot. Quite expensive, we bought the two Batribike - the Diamond & Granite for £1,500 new. www.batribike.com. Go for it!
Quote: Originally posted by Francais on 09/1/2014
Hi John.
The problem is that the assistance stops at 15.5mph, I would imagine that you would have to be super fit to keep 25kg of Ebike going even at 16mph with no assistance.
I could quite happily pootle along at say 18 to 20 mph on an Ebike, requiring a lot less effort than on a conventional none electric bike.
I think the powers that be have set the restriction far to low, if an electric bike can go at 28mph as what the "S" electric bikes can do with assistance, then I can't see a problem.
I often speed along cycle tracks at 20mph on cycle paths and canal towpaths on my regular bike, when conditions allow, but when conditions change I reduce my speed.
What I am trying to say, is that you ride your bike at what is a safe speed, whether it be electric assist or just plain old pedal power.
But it looks to me like the nanny state of Europe that we live in, consider us all to stupid to ride an Ebike sensibly and that's why they have restricted them.
Thankfully we are clever enough to derestrict them.
You may well be right It's certainly hard work to pedal mine faster than the motor will take it. The gearing is quite low and it's clearly meant as an electric bike and not a tourer. Having said that, I have hardly ever been overtaken by other cyclists on normal bikes, which I thought I would be
If you derestrict them, presumably they use up the battery a lot faster? Sadly my battery is getting to the end of it's useful life and they are ridiculously expensive to replace
Quote: Originally posted by Bramston on 25/12/2013
If you bye an electric bike that looks like a mountainbike it will handle well and probably have a decent motor and battery. If you buy one that looks like a shopping bike it will handle like a cow and is likely to have a poor power system. The best electric bike I have seen (belonging to an 80yo) friend) has a mountainbike frame and the battery is located behind the seat tube. He overtakes proper cyclists on steep inclines leaving them gasping and confused.
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Topic: Electric bikes
It's certainly hard work to pedal mine faster than the motor will take it. The gearing is quite low and it's clearly meant as an electric bike and not a tourer. Having said that, I have hardly ever been overtaken by other cyclists on normal bikes, which I thought I would be
