Which electric bike shall I buy?

Aidy P said:
Anyone with Brompton Electrics after several years of use, I’d like your feedback please as I’m researching buying one. I’ve had a go at folding one in a shop and it looks great for the van in regards to space.

  • Can you charge it in the California?
  • Do you ever charge the pack in campsites, cafes?
  • Is the bag to stow it worth it?
  • Have you taken it on a plane (& how?)
  • Do you use panniers, rucksacks or a trailer?
  • How does it cope on mild rough tracks (that you can get around campsites)
  • Any other tips or advise would be appreciated.

Thank you!
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I own a standard m6l Brompton.. was thinking of an electric

Can you charge electric … would only attempt in a hook up
Panniers …. No .. get a rea rack and rear bag .. and you can get a “basket” as Brompton call it .. it’s actually a bag with a pull close top
my Brompton copes very well with mild trails , it’s not a mountain bike by any means but will hold its own on a canal side trail Or into the town centre. I use mine all of the time now. Just as good or if not better than my other bikes. ( orange p7, ice trike recumbent, boardman hybrid)

stow bags.. I have the Brompton cover which goes over the top of the bike. It actually leaves the bottom showing but for in the van or while travelling more than enough to protect the frame.

best tip , contact your local Brompton dealer , get a trial ride. You will be amazed
if you get one , order the toolkit as well. Fits into the frame , made to fit the Brompton. Has a basic kit to fix punctures etc.

if you are going to use it to explore new routes, buy a beeline velo 2 .. it links to smartphone ..displays directions etc so your phone is stowed away in your bag

IMG_0933.jpeg
 
Does anyone have any experience of Gazelle e-bikes, I’m considering the Ultimate C5 and would appreciate any feedback on the brand?
 
i had been looking at the rad power range and was on the verge of buying one as they are in pool quite near to me, i now see on the website they are closing all european dealing and will no longer be supported, few dodged that bullet.
 
Seaview said:
Does anyone have any experience of Gazelle e-bikes, I’m considering the Ultimate C5 and would appreciate any feedback on the brand?
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My only experience was when choosing.

I found the feel of the Gazelle quite cumbersome, somehow a little bit out of balance given the extra weight of it. In the end went for a full-fat Specialised turbo Vado, affectionally called Velma.

Also, just over a week old, I have Roxy, a Vado SL which is absolutely brilliant if you don't need all the power of the full fat version and would like something coming in at 15kg, not 25kg.
 
Just serviced this little beauty yesterday.
3 years young. No faults and I have an optional speed booster too ;)
It genuinely been a great little bike for the back of the van and trawling around town…

IMG_3713.jpeg
 
soulstyledevon said:
Just serviced this little beauty yesterday.
3 years young. No faults and I have an optional speed booster too ;)
It genuinely been a great little bike for the back of the van and trawling around town…

View attachment 114584
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Does it have a Bosch motor? I'm really hoping someone comes out with a smaller framed ebike with Bosch motor and belt drive. Cherry on the cake would be a folder. The Tern S10 gets me 90% there but lacks the low maintenance/clean belt drive.
 
Corradobrit said:
Does it have a Bosch motor? I'm really hoping someone comes out with a smaller framed ebike with Bosch motor and belt drive. Cherry on the cake would be a folder. The Tern S10 gets me 90% there but lacks the low maintenance/clean belt drive.
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It’s Bosch with a 500ah battery. I think they could’ve put a small/lighter battery in like the 400 and still have plenty of range.
There was a belt drive, it’s now discontinued. Take from that, what you will.

Personally, I would stick to the chain and derailleur version, as it has a good spread of gears.
The 20inch wheels are tough and strong and the tyres have good allround traction and handles both road and off road gravel tracks.

I would say the only downside is, no front suspension fork. Although, that would add more weight.
 
soulstyledevon said:
It’s Bosch with a 500ah battery. I think they could’ve put a small/lighter battery in like the 400 and still have plenty of range.
There was a belt drive, it’s now discontinued. Take from that, what you will.
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I was checking out the Cube website and belt drive is back. Cube Fold Hybrid 500. Seems quite well priced. I will wait until the Spring next year and if Tern or Reise & Muller don't bring out something tasty by then, I will get the Cube. I like the idea of being able to throw it in the boot.
 
Yes, it looks very similar.
I would love to try one and compare. I’ve never been a fold fan in the past. But it could be an interesting bike.

Remember, when chipped. They can achieve 29MPH. The quickest mode of transport in places like Cardiff or Swansea… :thumb
 
Did a ride last week and when I uploaded it to Strava, Strava mentioned that this looks like an eBike ride ...... wtf......now being tarnished for all my efforts

Recently bought a Cerevlo Aspero though......boy its fast.
 
GrannyJen said:
My only experience was when choosing.

I found the feel of the Gazelle quite cumbersome, somehow a little bit out of balance given the extra weight of it. In the end went for a full-fat Specialised turbo Vado, affectionally called Velma.

Also, just over a week old, I have Roxy, a Vado SL which is absolutely brilliant if you don't need all the power of the full fat version and would like something coming in at 15kg, not 25kg.
Click to expand...
The Specialised Vado bikes look good and I will try to get a demo.

I test rode a couple of eGazelles yesterday and my issue is that although they appear to be well made I get the feeling they are mainly town bikes. At this stage I don‘t want to own two bikes but want a bike that is good as a short commuter, good around town but feel robust enough to cycle along a towpath etc.

The shop I was in yesterday did have Riese and Müller and I probably should have had a test ride to get a comparison.
 
Seaview said:
The shop I was in yesterday did have Riese and Müller and I probably should have had a test ride to get a comparison.
Click to expand...
If you do ride the RM try a model with the Rohloff hub not the Enviolo. I didn't like the gearing characteristics of the latter.
 
Seaview said:
The Specialised Vado bikes look good and I will try to get a demo.

I test rode a couple of eGazelles yesterday and my issue is that although they appear to be well made I get the feeling they are mainly town bikes. At this stage I don‘t want to own two bikes but want a bike that is good as a short commuter, good around town but feel robust enough to cycle along a towpath etc.

The shop I was in yesterday did have Riese and Müller and I probably should have had a test ride to get a comparison.
Click to expand...

The full fat Vado is a beast. It does nothing wrong and nothing, gravel, mud, hills, gets in it's way. I absolutely love it for big cross-country tours of 600 miles plus.

However I am away on my own a lot and the 15kg SL is a lot easier for getting on and off the bike rack than 25kg when on my own. It also has a lot more of a traditional, very nimble, feel. So far I've been on 7% gradients with it and not had to go to Turbo (max power) boost nor had it in lower gears so even though the assist is halved it's still there. The nice thing is if the trip is planned right there should also be no range anxiety as it's perfectly rideable without assist. The range extender, which pops into a water bottle carrier, gives 50% more range if needed.
 
soulstyledevon said:
Yes, it looks very similar.
I would love to try one and compare. I’ve never been a fold fan in the past. But it could be an interesting bike.

Remember, when chipped. They can achieve 29MPH. The quickest mode of transport in places like Cardiff or Swansea… :thumb
Click to expand...
If you chipped it (illegally?) and got stopped breaking the speed limit, you're on the wrong side of the law of course. Electric bikes are not 'vehicles' subject to speed limits, but if they are unlawful (motor stops assisting at 15.5mph) you can't buzz round a 20mph zone at 29mph and expect to be immune.
Do the police care though? Almost certainly not, in my view, unless you have a collision...
 
Since I first rode a rented electric bike about 7 years ago (and was so amazed how I overtook mates on expensive road bikes up Lake District hills) I've had to convince myself I shouldn't 'cheat' until I can't ride comfortably any more. They are fun and practical and I still sometimes yearn for one. I rented another in Marseille a couple of years ago, and convinced my better half of their brilliance as we bombed up gravel mountain tracks, and had a picnic with incredible views after barely breaking a sweat.
I now know that you don't 'have' to cheat - just lower the power assistance - but I'm convinced I haven't got the self-restraint, and so I'll just end up doing less exercise. So I'm torn, we could go further and potentially do more exercise if we played our cards right.
I'm seeing 2 adults on one electric bike more regularly in London, and think that might be a good solution for us. I haven't got further than this one, which only ships to the US unfortunately, but is short (178cm) and light (30KG) enough to be carried on my towbar rack.
Anyone else got an electric bicycle made for two that fits on the Cali?
 
66tim99 said:
If you chipped it (illegally?) and got stopped breaking the speed limit, you're on the wrong side of the law of course. Electric bikes are not 'vehicles' subject to speed limits, but if they are unlawful (motor stops assisting at 15.5mph) you can't buzz round a 20mph zone at 29mph and expect to be immune.
Do the police care though? Almost certainly not, in my view, unless you have a collision...
Click to expand...
I don't want to be a party pooper but: Here's the law/ Government advice: https://www.gov.uk/electric-bike-rules#Getting Vehicle Approval For Your Electric Bike
A 'self-chipped' electric bike would not be lawful unless fully type approved as a moped or motor cycle and an owner would probably not be able to get the necessary insurance for road use. More advice here: https://www.pattersonlaw.co.uk/motoring-offences/electric-bikes/#:~:text=Did you know that you can be accused,its maximum speed, weight and maximum rated wattage.
 
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66tim99 said:
Since I first rode a rented electric bike about 7 years ago (and was so amazed how I overtook mates on expensive road bikes up Lake District hills) I've had to convince myself I shouldn't 'cheat' until I can't ride comfortably any more. They are fun and practical and I still sometimes yearn for one. I rented another in Marseille a couple of years ago, and convinced my better half of their brilliance as we bombed up gravel mountain tracks, and had a picnic with incredible views after barely breaking a sweat.
I now know that you don't 'have' to cheat - just lower the power assistance - but I'm convinced I haven't got the self-restraint, and so I'll just end up doing less exercise. So I'm torn, we could go further and potentially do more exercise if we played our cards right.
I'm seeing 2 adults on one electric bike more regularly in London, and think that might be a good solution for us. I haven't got further than this one, which only ships to the US unfortunately, but is short (178cm) and light (30KG) enough to be carried on my towbar rack.
Anyone else got an electric bicycle made for two that fits on the Cali?
Click to expand...
Try here? Something may suit. https://www.vanraam.com/en-gb
 
Doorbundle said:
I don't want to be a party pooper but: Here's the law/ Government advice: https://www.gov.uk/electric-bike-rules#Getting Vehicle Approval For Your Electric Bike
A 'self-chipped' electric bike would not be lawful unless fully type approved as a moped or motor cycle and an owner would probably not be able to get the necessary insurance for road use. More advice here: https://www.pattersonlaw.co.uk/motoring-offences/electric-bikes/#:~:text=Did you know that you can be accused,its maximum speed, weight and maximum rated wattage.
Click to expand...
Thanks
That’s clear then:
However anything which can travel at more than 15 mph, exceeds 40 kg or has a power output of greater than 250W is no longer an electric bike but, under section 185 of the Road Traffic Act, suddenly becomes a "motor vehicle", which is then governed by the Road traffic act and requires insurance and licence to drive it (as well as license plates, indicators and headlights).
 
Well that's me stuffed than...
 
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