Halfords Ebike any good just £1200

[mercalia]

Carrera Crossfire-E Mens Electric Bike

seems affordable?

but the batteries arent - £400

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/electric-bikes/carrera-crossfire-e-mens-electric-bike

they even have a folder for just £500...

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/electric-bikes/coyote-connect-folding-electric-bike

[Chess]

Having osteoarthritis in both knees, I opted for a halfords e bike. I got the e-vulcan MTB, primarily to cope with the rough roads and potholes of Huddersfield which is hilly too.
Having so far clocked over 1300 miles on the odometer without any faults other than a picture, I certainly can't fault the bike. But I do only tend to use the electric assist on the hills to save my knees or when carrying my little daughter otherwise I ride it as a normal bike. It is a bit heavy, but I can't complain as it's been fitted out with mudguards, rack and panniers for shopping and commuting duties. And has also pulled a trailer when we went bike camping. Can't fault it's ruggedness, practically and reliability so far.
So I'd say go for it as the battery and motor used in the crossfire are the same as the Vulcan.
Hope this helps in your decision.

[Mick F]

100% power assistance; the optimum setting for riding at speed

100% ?
Does that mean it goes by itself?

[landsurfer]

My wifes EBike was offered for sale by Halfords for approx £1200 ..... we bought the exact same bike from the importer, from their EBay shop, for £700 ... be careful .....

[Chess]

Mick F:- Its not 100% power assist. You still have to peddle, just not as hard. There's generally at least 3 assist settings on most models. But none do it all for you, they just assist you making it easier.
Landsurfer:- do you have a link for the one you bought as I can't find it, there's loads.

[John_S]

Whilst I appreciate that the following are another step up from the Halfords bikes price wise (I think that the Urban version starts at £1,699) but just reading bits in the cycling press recently I thought that the new Orbea Gain bikes looked quite nice.

http://road.cc/content/tech-news/228810-orbeas-gain-e-bike-looks-just-normal-road-bike-packs-250w-motor

https://www.orbea.com/gb-en/ebikes/urban

https://youtu.be/xSAUAVf1uss

I’ll completely hold my hands up to not knowing anything about e-bikes and so this doesn’t act as any kind of recommendation because I don’t have the knowledge. Also I’m not sure how all of the drive and/or different battery systems compare to one another but it certainly looks like more companies are starting to offer e-bikes. Wouldn’t it be great if these could both help people who would like a bit of assistance and also somehow offer an alternative for short journeys often taken by cars.

However I’d have to say that I don’t think that the Bugatti in this video will have any mass market appeal given the price tag.

https://youtu.be/VQZu_WtpG8w

[squeaker]

So I'd say go for it as the battery and motor used in the crossfire are the same as the Vulcan.

Suntour rear hub drive with freewheel? No personal experience, but looks a sensible approach to me. (Yet to be convinced about crank drives.)

[[XAP]Bob]

100% power assistance; the optimum setting for riding at speed

100% ?
Does that mean it goes by itself?

100% of the available assistance (limited to 250W at anything under 15.5mph).

Note that the electronics normally tail off the power as you approach the magic speed so that you don't end up bouncing off the end of it...

[Annoying Twit]

I would have thought that £400 is about right for an ebike battery. How much do others cost? I had a look around here: https://www.e-bikesdirect.co.uk/electri ... n-battery/ and £400 seems about the right cost for the 11.5AH battery on the Halfords bike. It's not cheap, but it's not eye-popping.

You have to pedal to get assist? When I had a test ride on an ebike (About £1500 worth some years ago) it could run either without pedalling at all, just using a throttle, or in pedal assist mode. I can see the value of both modes and, if I bought an ebike, I woule prefer a bike that does both. Which might be a meaningless statement as I have no plans to buy one. I offered to buy my partner one but she is sticking with a 'normal' bike.

[amediasatex]

You have to pedal to get assist? When I had a test ride on an ebike (About £1500 worth some years ago) it could run either without pedalling at all, just using a throttle,

Generally you do, but the regulations changed (Jan 2016) so there's more restrictions placed on current sales.

https://www.gov.uk/electric-bike-rules

If it can be propelled by the motor alone (without pedalling) then it's classed differently and needs type approval (and may also require insurance, license, crash helmet etc. depending on motor power and cut-out)

However this does NOT apply retrospectively so anything sold before Jan 2016 is still technically covered by the old rules (which were woolly!)...and type approved models within the power/cutout rules can still be throttle powered I believe.

[Annoying Twit]

You have to pedal to get assist? When I had a test ride on an ebike (About £1500 worth some years ago) it could run either without pedalling at all, just using a throttle,

Generally you do, but the regulations changed (Jan 2016) so there's more restrictions placed on current sales.

https://www.gov.uk/electric-bike-rules

If it can be propelled by the motor alone (without pedalling) then it's classed differently and needs type approval (and may also require insurance, license, crash helmet etc. depending on motor power and cut-out)

However this does NOT apply retrospectively so anything sold before Jan 2016 is still technically covered by the old rules (which were woolly!)...and type approved models within the power/cutout rules can still be throttle powered I believe.

That explains things. I'm very sure it was some time before Jan 2016 when I had the test ride. Thanks.