You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
Hope someone can advise. My dad who is now in his 70s is considering getting an electric bike as would welcome some assistance compared to his normal bike. Typically likely to be doing about 10 mile round trip on road with no major hills. Will need some carrying capacity as he may need to take laptop. He may want to also take bike on train so ideally not too heavy. Any suggestions please!
They all weigh a ton. I'd shop around and try lifting a few. Go for one with a crank-located motor as they are easier to manhandle than wheel-motors. Budget for £1,800 or so to avoid the crap. Cube do a good range.
Kalkhoff are the best drive system on the market at the moment. I have one of their crank drive bikes and its epic. Add a couple of Ortlieb panniers and you can happily cart a full shop home, even up hill! Has transformed my practical biking.
Scotroutes+1 imo.
Ive ridden a couple, the assistance is great but i wouldnt fancy lifting any of the ones I've seen up a flight of stairs, for example.
[url= http://www.enorm-ebike.com ]These look cool[/url] I bet they're heavy though.
The cube range are the best VFM (IMHO) I've rode them unassisted and it's not that bad
i wouldnt fancy lifting any of the ones I've seen up a flight of stairs, for example.
The 2015 models have a walking mode
Thanks very much for all your suggestions and advice. Not sure what my Dad's budget is but it will be his main form of transport as he doesn't own a car.
Some of the higher-end Raleigh e-bikes are very good - we've used them in our hire fleet for the last few years. For this year we have the Motus which used a Bosch motor and has an incredible range.
We're selling off some ex-hire and ex-demo models at the moment. Details are on Bikesoup if you're interested, e.g. http://www.bikesoup.com/bike/54784f3478341-2014-raleigh-leeds-tour-26-e-bike
Bosch motor systems are good - I do Riese & Muller bikes with them. Had a full sus electric load carrier in the shop recently 😉
[url= https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7543/15727396609_918c28404a_z.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/cycleologist/15727396609/ ]Untitled[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/people/cycleologist/ ]Ben Cooper[/url], on Flickr
Kalkhoff aggatu. Everything else is a compromise. Raleigh's are rebranded kalkhoff's. Scotroutes is right about budget. Proper electric bikes are not cheap things, but they are excellent.
Buy a step- through frame.
i have had a kalkhoff and a haibike in the past.
the kalkhoff was proper good quality, ideal for day in day out commuting and touring.
the haibike was a lot sportier. a full suspension proper offroad bike, but they also do a commuting utility model. well worth their money, and they both sold for a good price too.
Thanks for the further suggestions - the step through frame would make sense as I know he suffers from lack of flexibility in his legs. Gave him some details re pricing - think he just needs to persuade my Mum that it's a good investment! 🙂