Electric pedal bikes

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Bongolia
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Electric pedal bikes

Post by Bongolia » Sat Jul 22, 2017 1:22 pm

Anyone here use one?
Any recommendations as to ready built or kit or any info at all really.
Moving to house soon and the area I am going is quite hilly.
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Re: Electric pedal bikes

Post by g8dhe » Sat Jul 22, 2017 3:05 pm

Geoff
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Re: Electric pedal bikes

Post by mikeonb4c » Sat Jul 22, 2017 3:28 pm

So, 11 years ago i bought a bongo and soon found myself in a campsite in Chertsey. I met a couple in their 70s who were riding Powabykes. They explained they took their caravan to Spain for the winter months and used these to get about, since they could recharge them on their already paid for hook-up. So i went and bought a Powabyke Euro 2nd hand for £150 off ebay, reasoning i could commute on it and reduce / offset my Bongo fuel bill. Two years of everday use put 2000 or so miles on it and it proved v useful, but it was now getting a bit worn so i bought a replacement, which i use occasionally. Mine is lead acid battery so much cheaper to (DIY) replace, and it works ok in flat country. I'm thinking of getting a more modern lithium ion batteried bike but am put off by three things:

1) New they are v expensive
2) 2nd hand its hard to be certain of battery condition and replacements cost a lot
3) A bewildering number of makers and its not clear what spares and repairs will be like and/or if the brand will be around in a few years hence.

But electric bikes are great. Range will of course be much reduced in hilly country I imagine.
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Re: Electric pedal bikes

Post by Bob » Sat Jul 22, 2017 6:50 pm

I rode a Yamaha one some while back, and jolly good it was, too. :D

Bear in mind they are heavy if planning to transport it on a bike rack.
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Re: Electric pedal bikes

Post by Northern Bongolow » Sat Jul 22, 2017 8:26 pm

my mate owns and runs this place. give him a call if you see owt you like, i should be able to help with a good deal.

http://www.wickedcycles.co.uk/
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Re: Electric pedal bikes

Post by pauldeb » Tue Jul 25, 2017 7:02 am

Check out the Powarider ebikes also. They are not too pricey.
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Re: Electric pedal bikes

Post by Bongolia » Tue Jul 25, 2017 9:48 am

Thanks for the input and leads. I hadn't realised there was such a range of bikes and prices!
Geoff being Geoff :D I expect you thoroughly researched before making the choice you did, what were the reasons you chose that bike above others?

P.S What rating battery do you use and what sort of average range do you get?
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Re: Electric pedal bikes

Post by g8dhe » Tue Jul 25, 2017 12:12 pm

Yer, did check around a bit ;-) For me it was the weight it was rated for, the battery capacity (16AmpHr gives me 50 miles) and at the date I bought it the throttle was still allowed without a limiter (most controllers have a simple link plug to add the speed limiter in as its now a requirement to be limited - easy to unlink ;-) ). Do buy from a local supplier as then you get one free service (online might be cheaper until you need adjustment spares etc.) from FreeGo, they also have a good reputation and a reasonable good support page on FaceBook. Also do try out a few bikes, the frame sizes seem more limited these days then they used to be in the past or at least for ebikes.
mikexgough might have some thoughts as well ?
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Re: Electric pedal bikes

Post by Bongolia » Tue Jul 25, 2017 5:47 pm

Thanks Geoff, 50 miles is impressive and I am particularly taken by your bike choice I think I will go for that one. Reasonably priced too. I will wait until I am settled in the new Gaff then find a supplier local to me.
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Re: Electric pedal bikes

Post by the1andonly » Tue Jul 25, 2017 10:39 pm

Thanks for this thread, it has got me thinking
Last year i bought a cheap full susser (gooutdoors calibre bossnut, all in the name) cant take it on holiday because of she who must be obeyed. but an electric semi trail bike for swmbo .
Geof is yours the eagle crossbar? what is differrence to Martin sport
am i blind but i cant see the answers to some questions
what size wheels?
what tyres road/ intermediate off road
what brakes hydraulic or cable discs
gearing?
Are these available on the ride to work scheme?
buzzing
to much thinking going on.
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Re: Electric pedal bikes

Post by g8dhe » Tue Jul 25, 2017 10:52 pm

Yes Eagle crossbar, click the Specification link further down the Details page http://freegoelectricbikes.com/electric ... ego-eagle/ for the detailed specifications on all the things you asked!
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Re: Electric pedal bikes

Post by tanglefoot » Wed Jul 26, 2017 8:00 am

I got an Elife folding bike from Ideal world 3 months ago (£500). It has 3 levels of assist, 6 gears and is just right to fold and put in the back even with the rocker bed out. Great for those hilly bits. My mate paid over a grand, single assist level, bigger wheels, speedo etc. I beat him on the hills but he is faster on the level. I think all these bikes are limited to 15mph? I certainly cannot pedal any faster on the level.
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Re: Electric pedal bikes

Post by g8dhe » Wed Jul 26, 2017 9:29 am

Yes they have always been limited to 15.6mph for assistance but only since start of 2016 did the throttle limitation come in as well;
Motor cannot exceed 250W average continuous rated power
Assistance is only available up to 25km/h (15.6 mph)
Can only be ridden on public property if aged 14 years or over
Assistance is only available if pedals are rotating in a forward direction
Walking throttle / easy start is allowed up to 6km/h without pedals rotating. Using the throttle only without pedalling, to achieve the maximum allowed speed of 25km/h, is illegal
All bikes must conform to EN15194 (EU safety standard test) and be labelled as such
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Re: Electric pedal bikes

Post by KateMill » Tue Sep 19, 2017 8:52 am

I used it when I travelled in Southeast Asia, it's really convenient, not so dangerous as scooter, but faster than a normal bike. Though needs charge every 30 (?) km.
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Re: Electric pedal bikes

Post by g8dhe » Tue Sep 19, 2017 9:22 am

Ranges are improving with improvements in motor efficiency and battery capacity. Mine currently gives me 50 miles (80Km) travel using a 36volt 16AmpHr battery.
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