Flat bar e-gravel t...
 

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[Closed] Flat bar e-gravel type bike

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Does such a thing exist?

My gf isn't ever going to fancy 'proper' mtb riding, but would be up for bridleway type stuff. We've got some stuff locally, as well as some good routes in two of our preferred overnight escapes in our motorhome (having bikes will also be handy for nipping to the pub/shop in the motorhome)

So, she's not going to fancy drops or a 'proper' cx/gravel bike. Is there such a thing as a flat barred hybrid style e-bike? I'm building some form of rigid mtb/gravel bike contraption out of my old race hardtail and would be using that. She's never going to put in a load of hours training, so e-bike for her seems the best compromise to get out on the bikes together.

I know basically zero about e-bikes or gravel bikes either!


 
Posted : 05/02/2021 12:47 pm
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I had a loan of one at work, part of a local authority funded thing, it was 2500 quid worth of bike, a ridgeback, but tbh the bike itself was pish, possibly about 400 quid worth.

I reckon you'd get a much better end result by buying the likes of a calibre stitch and a bafang aftermarket kit.


 
Posted : 05/02/2021 12:51 pm
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hardtail 29er e-bike with fast rolling tyres would do the trick. Maybe even swap out the sus forks for rigids... but if it's an ebike then who cares about weight?


 
Posted : 05/02/2021 1:00 pm
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Yeah I definitely think rigid fork.

Edit. I'm off to google bafang aftermarket kit 😂


 
Posted : 05/02/2021 1:02 pm
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How about this.?
can take knobbly tyres and even 650b with a bigger tyre like the eSilex.

https://www.merida-bikes.com/en-gb/bike/2175/espeeder-200


 
Posted : 05/02/2021 1:09 pm
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Yeah that looks like the sort of thing I was after. Have to wait for a 50% off sale though 😳


 
Posted : 05/02/2021 1:11 pm
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Decathlon do some cheaper ones, and maybe look at Halfords too?
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/women-s-27-5-electric-mountain-bike-e-st100-white/_/R-p-311489


 
Posted : 05/02/2021 1:44 pm
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What ever you decide to go for have a think about how you are going to charge it up whist away in the motorhome.
Hook up is always best but plan B for when your off grid.


 
Posted : 05/02/2021 2:05 pm
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Edit. I’m off to google bafang aftermarket kit

There's a thread on here somewhere with some really good real world info - @tjagain has one IIRC?.


 
Posted : 05/02/2021 2:27 pm
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Ooh I'll try a search.

@Horatio cheers, that looks good....I always forget about decathlon!

Has anyone got the paging @tjagain/batman meme to hand?!


 
Posted : 05/02/2021 5:51 pm
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Cannondale trail neo, HT mtb that would do the trick


 
Posted : 05/02/2021 9:07 pm
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Anyone any experience of the Carrera Subway ebike? I know that the normal acoustic ffs Subway was fairly well thought of. Will it be okay on bridleways etc or is it tarmac only really?


 
Posted : 05/02/2021 10:45 pm
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I have some experiance of this... got a carrera for my wife a year ago, the rigid fork one with proper hydro brakes and 9sp BRILLIANT for the money but 20.5kg
Just got her a Boardman..a bit better and only 16kg, both bikes do come up second hand.
The Carrera had the best offroad tyres.


 
Posted : 06/02/2021 9:48 am
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Ooh excellent info! Yeah I saw that it was fairly hefty!!! Bike carrier on our motorhome is pretty much chest height, so weight is a bit of a consideration in that regard.

I've seen the Boardman one, but 2k is a bit too spendy really.

If you're looking to offload the Carrera and it's a small, then pop me a message!


 
Posted : 06/02/2021 10:11 am
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Sorry the carrera went on ebay last moth for £800 , got the boardman for £1500
The Carrera is in stock at Halforde £1100 btw the small is tiny..14" seattube leaves no space for a water bottle.


 
Posted : 06/02/2021 11:16 am
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The boardman seems to be 2100 now 😔

Cheers for the info about sizing. She's 5 foot 3 on a good day. Would she be okay on a 16inch frame do you think?


 
Posted : 06/02/2021 12:31 pm
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either would be okay. Boardman was off ebay.


 
Posted : 06/02/2021 12:33 pm
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Ah right. There's one on nearby but its 1900 quid!


 
Posted : 06/02/2021 12:38 pm
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the Boardman is a lot longer T.T. so you'd be better with a small.
It is a nicer road bike though.


 
Posted : 06/02/2021 1:15 pm
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That boardman would be worth an offer, I've put 38mm G-one's on the wifes.


 
Posted : 06/02/2021 1:26 pm
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Gravel ability is far more of a concern than road for us. I'm not a particular fan of road riding and my gf even less so. Cheers for the great advice though, I definitely think that that Carrera will suit her perfectly. Need to wait until pay day and also to find one in stock somewhere nearby!

Also eyeing up a Sonder Camino for myself now 😳


 
Posted : 06/02/2021 1:58 pm
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Marin Sausalito is exactly that - flat bar, gravel-ish ebike?

Not cheap mind!

https://www.marinbikes.com/gb/bikes/2021-sausalito-e1

[img] https://www.marinbikes.com/gb/bikes/2021-sausalito-e1 [/img]

It's a 'proper' ebike too, mid drive Shimano not a cheaper hub motor.


 
Posted : 07/02/2021 8:13 pm
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https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/ribble-hybrid-al-e-step-through-standard/

Been looking at similar for the Mrs and came across the ribble. Problem is big wait time on the small frame.


 
Posted : 13/02/2021 7:21 pm
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Carrera Subway came into stock yesterday so I took the plunge and treated her to it! Pick it up next Sunday.....hopefully the overtime I've been cramming in means that I'll still be able to afford the Sonder Camino I'm eyeing up if they ever come in stock!


 
Posted : 13/02/2021 10:32 pm

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