You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
Pottering about on here talking politics, solar panels etc, it suddenly occurred to me that there's a bike portion to this forum, that might have some useful pointers on bikes! Who knew.
The wife has to return to the office 5 days a week, and public transport being utter toss, is considering an ebike to get her there. It's about 15km each way, mostly cycle lane (both on-road and separated from the road), and she reckons she'd want something to get her to work that could carry spare clothes, laptop, packed lunch etc. She'd be looking to get it under the (Irish equivalent of) cycle to work.
Her last bike was a 25kg cast iron sit up and beg thing from Pashley, and she rode it for about 6 months of the 12 years we've had it. My gut feel is any new ebike needs to be no heavier than her last bike, if only from a man-handling point of view; and frankly I need it to be reasonably user-serviceable given it'll fall to me to keep it running.
I know little about eebs, so looking for some guidance and possible recommendations. Whatcha got?
drop bars i hope? bit more selection...
I'm tempted by some of the Ribble stuff, aluminium, carbon, titanium eebs..
Trek Domane + ? available in aluminium or carbon i believe
If i was back in the office 5 days a week i'd be looking at something like this: https://winstanleysbikes.co.uk/tern-hsd-p10-2023-electric-cargo-bike?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=1055895549&gbraid=0AAAAAD_ilfKJ_q_fyhR8gc6wmndV_6yOL&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8bXW0JeXkAMV65NQBh3lDwMuEAYYBCABEgLyV_D_BwE#172=2900
Actually the GSD for me as it's a bit bigger and for commuting it would make next to no difference. Massive range and huge utility outside of the commuting scope.
How keen is she?
The reason that I ask is that 15km each way is probably on the limit of what most people will put up with on a commute, as it'll probably take her the best part of 45 minutes.
raleigh motus
alan1977 - How do you come to the conclusion that drop bar e-bikes are more available that flat bars? Also less less suitable for a practical commute than a nice upright flat bar bike for visibility, confidence, stability etc. unless you have some pretention of being a racing cyclist.
OP, you didn't mention budget. At the lower end I'd take a look at the Carrara electric subway. Good value and plenty of local support. Will take decent mudguards and a rack for a pannier. I imagine that Halfords will be all over a bikes to work scheme.
Otherwise, go and look at your LBS's and see what they have. Consensus on other e-bike threads is that having local warranty support is useful if/when they break down. Trek make some nice ones that are termed 'equipped' and come with all the racks, guards and lights build in, which are pretty critical for a regular commute be it an e-bike or standard push rod.
My experience is more from the commuting perspective rather than the e-bike point of view.
edit - kramer also has a good point. A commute of that distance is going to require a change of clothes, shower, somewhere to store damp kit on wet days etc. etc. 45 mins is about how much the bike section of my half and half commute takes, I don't think I could be doing with it every day come rain or shine. Suppose the bad public transport is always a back up plan.
I have seen many more drop bar ebikes, as every manufacturer who does a drop bar seems to have an ebike or two twin, that's what it looks like anyway, and they usually have an option that takes decent tyres, racks and guards
but i did mention ribble, and they do some lovely looking flat bar options
Re.. upright versus dropped, certainly horses for courses, but if I'm doing 15km id certainly prefer the potential efficiency side. i would argue there was no real difference in visibility or stability in my experience, depending on how confident a rider. In fact My OH does a similar sort of commute daily on her own Trek Domane, mostly road, bit of dirt track.
If it was shorter distance a nice hybrid is certainly a lovely thing, or through say the super busy streets of London..But i picture a commute as suburban roads, maybe a little busy countryside were you may be pedalling the same road for extended periods of time, so i guess there's a lot of unknowns. However, the fact the OP said about cycle paths, perhaps she may well be sitting under the 15mph cut in which case being upright with motor assist isn't a big deal
How keen is she?
The reason that I ask is that 15km each way is probably on the limit of what most people will put up with on a commute, as it'll probably take her the best part of 45 minutes.
That's a really good point, and I'd certainly think about 45-60 minutes each way. She's convinced she'll be up for it, just because the alternative is bus to tram to long walk, but I'm really not sure. The route isn't great - about 5km is cyclepath on the pavement alongside a dual carriageway, for example. Not drop bar - she's much more along the lines of a dutch-style cyclist, bimbling sat bolt upright...
Really good shout on Carrera electric subway options, will check them out. A mate bought an ebike 3 years ago and the company went bust shortly before he needed to replace the charger, so large established brand from large shop is worth a look
I'd suggest that she may rent or borrow an ebike from a bike shop to try it out on her commute route first?
if you read the other threads then consensus seems to be that mid-motor is better than powered hub, and something with a low mounted battery (e.g. on the downtube) is easier to handle than something with a battery on top of the pannier rack, for instance. If youhave several options at a similar price point, Bosch motors seem to have the best feedback
A commute of that distance is going to require a change of clothes, shower, somewhere to store damp kit on wet days etc
I would argue that all this is not so necessary on an ebike. You certainly don't need to get sweaty, and I'm perfectly happy cycling 45 mins in jeans and a shirt. I bring waterproof trews and a jacket, but i do sometimes get wet socks so I bring a spare pair. I keep some smarter shoes at the office and if it's raining I wear cheap waterproof hiking boots for the ride.
OP, I would consider battery size. 250Wh might be pushing it for a 20 mile return trip, depending on how much effort your wife wants to expend. I'd suggest a minimum 360Wh battery for this.
Also, removable batteries, while they look a bit clunkier, can be easier to charge and easier to replace if and when they wear out!
These things look like a reasonable option in the sale (the RRP seems a bit high though) - 500Wh removable battery, 19Kg, albeit probably a bit more once you add a rack - https://templecycles.com/products/step-through-electric
How keen is she?The reason that I ask is that 15km each way is probably on the limit of what most people will put up with on a commute, as it'll probably take her the best part of 45 minutes.
It's pretty much a standard commute in London in terms of time, maybe a little longer in distance. I did that distance every day, rain or shine, for years on a normal bike. It's a really nice break at the start and end of the day that separates work from home. It's completely doable with an ebike.
I'd certainly think about 45-60 minutes each way. She's convinced she'll be up for it, just because the alternative is bus to tram to long walk, but I'm really not sure. The route isn't great - about 5km is cyclepath on the pavement alongside a dual carriageway, for example. Not drop bar - she's much more along the lines of a dutch-style cyclist, bimbling sat bolt upright...
The route is going to be key I think. 5km alongside a dual carriageway is going to be noisy and unpleasant, probably even worse in the wet. you've not given a budget but there are some great commute e bikes around
https://moustachebikes.com/gb/en/ebikes/urban/
Brompton G Line electric looks great, as does the Tern HSD
Have a look at things with Bosch or brose motors (or Yamaha), as I’d say they’re better for rebuild ability, esp if available locally but there are always e-bike sales on and sometime some pretty massive discounts. I suspect most full fat mid e commuters will be just about 25kg if you’re lucky and with 250w it will keep the speed up.
from a serviceable perspective , there are bike bits and electric bits, Ime unless it’s very electric simple then it needs somebody and it’s getting towards needing plugged in to diagnostics, see comments about local dealer skills etc.
some random ideas, Specialized tero, cube hybrid touring, haibike trekking etc, many manufacturers doing bikes that are racked and mudguarded up, even basic lights
posted to show what sort of discounts can be had if you’re lucky
Small size available in "ink," not a bad deal for £1k, been going since at least Easter.
If there's no need to go up stairs nor maximise fitness then I'd go for a full power mid motor and a big battery. Then taking on the headwind with tough puncture proof tyres isn't a faff on a dark evening after work and can be done soft pedalling in Turbo.
There are some deals on the old specialized turbo Vado sl, which sounds perfect for that sort of distance and weigh in around 15kg.
The new one (SL2) has a better motor, bigger battery, but is 20kg +
I,m enjoying using my GT Epantera Dash 29 Unisex.RM Cycles in Kent have this and many other ebikes.Comes with rack,lights and mudguards.Motor is silent to.
I know very little about ebikes, but if she is storing it in the shed at work see if they have rules about batteries. At my work you now have to remove the battery for the shed in my building or if it's non removable you have to leave it in a different location.
We've Merida eSpeeder 400. It's hub motor, smaller battery. Only about 46nm and range in eco/low of 120km, reduced down to 50km with full power and hills. It's been more than capable of some meaty hills in Highlands and Ireland, so if the commute your wife has is vaguely flat it would be ace.
But it weighs 14kg...it looks and feels like a weighty Hybrid. Comes with full rack, guards and lights. Carbon bars and seatposts, full carbon fork, light wheel set.
The only bit we don't like is the 'morse code' on button and the charging plug.
IMO, it's brilliant. It's been faultless in 18 months.
That does look good but a front fork would be more comfortable IMO.Perhaps a suspension seatpost to .
Mrs Pondo got an ebike, ooo, three years ago and it's absolutely her commuter tool of choice. We're both, ummm, "unsvelte", I would say, and apart from holidays she did close to zero cycling before, so I'm super-chuffed at the miles she does now, she rides all through winter. She has a Cannondale Tesoro Neo SL EQ Remixte for her 7 miles each way commute, lasts a couple of days between charges (and she uses the power a LOT), wears cycle kit and takes stuff in two panniers (I don't know how she fills two panniers daily), has showers at work. 15km is a bit of a step on, obvs, but I think/hope it's double. 🙂
For commuting I'd certainly be looking at rear hub drive.
She'll be doing 150km a week, mid drive means all the power going through the chain and cassette, hub drive means very little going through them. Chains and cassettes will last a lot longer and need a lot less maintenance.
I'd be buying this:
For a couple of years I worked in a shop which sold them. The quality out of the box was great, they have everything you need - mudguards, rack, suspension fork and seat post, built in lights and lock. Transmission is solid and cheap to replace.
UK made, backup is great and we had no failures at all in the two years we were selling them. There really is nothing to not like about them.
I picked up Wisper Tailwind Comfort on c2w earlier this year. It's done almost 2000 miles now and I can't fault it - I'd happily recommend it.
I bought an ADO air 20 pro earlier this year. Folder with rack, mudguards and lights. Reason for the folding bike was for the days I ride part of the commute and then hop on the tram for the rest. Handy when the weather is poor. Bike also has a belt drive for minimal mess.
The Ampere Deluxe is worth a look. Powerful rear hub motor with choice of battery size fully equipped with lights rack and mudguards and well specced with Shimano gear. Nice step through design and about 21.5 Kg. Comfy swept back bars. It may be hub drive but one advantage is that if you are tired you only have to keep the cranks turning and the motor will stay kicked in at the assist rate selected. Each assist setting will take you up to a certain speed and hold it there. Not particularly sophisticated but it works. They do a 700c or 26” version for smaller people but the 26 doesn’t have front suspension. Built in the uk (Devon) as well.