Best electric bikes for touring and a bit of gravel

[deliquium]

Coaster531 if it would help and you're around 5' 8½" and are anywhere near Eryri (Snowdonia), you're welcome to try one of my Cube Touring One bikes out for a spin

[Jdsk]

Thanks everyone. Great advice. It looks to me as if the Cube is the best suited for me. I am buying this primarily to keep up with others in my group on longer day rides who have electrics and the speed of the group has gone up accordingly. I can't manage hills as quickly as they do.
I will also tour on this and doing this by Premier Inn and the like is now favourite. But I have not ruled out camping though.
Two last questions.
Best frame design? I am 70 and fit, but should I insure for the future by going for a step through frame or a step over? Step overs don't look cool and manly??!!
I would like to transport this beast by car. I have a towbar. Is the £700 Thule device the best for this?

Thanks for asking this question with such a clear requirement in the OP. And thanks to everyone who answered with specific knowledge about eBikes.

I'll buy something similar in a few years. And my wife would like something similar with a lower step-through height, preferably something a fair bit lower than a slightly dropped crossbar. And I can't find anything. So: same as OP spec, dropped handlebars, and low step-through, please...

Thanks

Jonathan

[stodd]

And my wife would like something similar with a lower step-through height, preferably something a fair bit lower than a slightly dropped crossbar. And I can't find anything. So: same as OP spec, dropped handlebars, and low step-through, please...
Thanks
Jonathan

Yes, low step through and dropped handlebars is an unusual combination. You may be best with a conversion; that will give you more choice for both the bike and the electrics. You may end up needed a rack battery as seat tube mounting considerably reduces the benefit of the step through.

[Jdsk]

And my wife would like something similar with a lower step-through height, preferably something a fair bit lower than a slightly dropped crossbar. And I can't find anything. So: same as OP spec, dropped handlebars, and low step-through, please...

Yes, low step through and dropped handlebars is an unusual combination. You may be best with a conversion; that will give you more choice for both the bike and the electrics. You may end up needed a rack battery as seat tube mounting considerably reduces the benefit of the step through.

Thanks: that's it how looks from my searching. At the moment that would be her existing Dawes Galaxy with a mid-drive motor. Major disadvantage of that would be losing the front changer.

Jonathan

[stodd]

I think it is possible to keep at least a double chainset with a crank drive conversion.

If you haven't already look at https://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/forums ... ussion.42/ and the other forums at that site, and ask questions there.
Most people there would probably recommend rear hub drive; but that obviously depends on the sort of riding you wife does.

[Jdsk]

Thanks

I follow pedelecs, so that's included in my unproductive search! : - )

Jonathan

[deliquium]

Major disadvantage of that would be losing the front changer.

Jonathan

As mentioned upthread, I've aways ridden triple chainets, mostly with 8 speed cassettes - and was worried about a 1 x 9 drivetrain. However, it took very little time to adapt and accept, mainly due to now using much less gear changes due to the motor assist and its easily adjustable assist level modes.

The only annoyance being the 3 tooth jump on the excellent Shimano Linkglide cassette from 17 to 20, but again surprised myself to accept this too!

This old dog learnt new tricks

[al_yrpal]

I would agree, the 9 ratios available on my Bosch Performance line powered Ortler ebike are more than enough. You dont need doubles or triples and the whole thing is simpler. 1 in 4s need a bit of welly on the lowest setting so you still get plenty of great exercise.

Al

[Cugel]

Major disadvantage of that would be losing the front changer.

Jonathan

As mentioned upthread, I've aways ridden triple chainets, mostly with 8 speed cassettes - and was worried about a 1 x 9 drivetrain. However, it took very little time to adapt and accept, mainly due to now using much less gear changes due to the motor assist and its easily adjustable assist level modes.

The only annoyance being the 3 tooth jump on the excellent Shimano Linkglide cassette from 17 to 20, but again surprised myself to accept this too!

This old dog learnt new tricks

It's true that the presence and use of a motor can enable one to adjust to an ideal cadence by varying the added motor power. However, this assumes that the motor power is always available or wanted.

Personally I still ride an e-bike as though it was an ordinary bike much of the time (sans motor) which means I don't want to use the motor for the easier albeit <25kph ascents; and I can't use the motor above 25 kph. A triple or a double chainset thus remains "essential" to me for enabling an ability to find the right cadence.

[Cadence]

Both of my hub drive conversions retain front triples. I was contemplating removing them in favour of a single as I tend to stay on the middle ring (38T). The smallest sprocket (11T) gives an adequate top speed with this and I can use the full cassette range without worrying about cross chaining too much. However......
I was 11 miles from home on a 30 plus mile ride when I had an unfathomable electrical failure which forced me to ride "analogue" the rest of the way. With some steep hills involved I was very grateful for the 28T "granny" ring!
The fault was a poor bullet connector for the battery to the controller- since replaced with an XT60.

[Coaster531]

Coaster531 if it would help and you're around 5' 8½" and are anywhere near Eryri (Snowdonia), you're welcome to try one of my Cube Touring One bikes out for a spin

Thank you very much for this offer and for your advice. I am afraid though that I am a six-footer living near London.

Stephen.

[Coaster531]

Time to report that I have just bought a Specialised Como electric bike. It has a manual internal gear hub, a carbon belt and it is a Dutch style bike with a stepover and a rack.

There is a very good bike shop within walking distance of my home and I visited it to see what was in stock. The Como was 1.8k off the list price, it is a 2023 bike design. This shop will provide support for my purchase in the coming years.

I have found this a difficult decision to take. There are so many issues to consider. It may be that I overthink things. However, several of my cycling friends have said to me that they think it is complicated issue if one is not going to lose 2-3k on a poor choice.

I shall report back here in a few months about how I get on with the new bike. It does feel a little like "cheating" going electric, but I am told by many that it is a very worthwhile thing to do. At least now I can hope to keep up with my riding group!

Thank you for all the helpful advice in this thread which has been very helpful.

Stephen.

[meejozzz]

I’m coming to this discussion a little late but I’ve just returned from a week- long tour in Brittany. A good mix of quiet roads and lots of amazing gravel tracks.

I bought a Cannondale Neo SE about 6 months ago specifically for this tour and I’ve got to say it was outstanding. It’s got a 500w battery and mounts for panniers. I used WTB Byway 47 tyres which were ideal as the conditions were bone dry.

We tried to use gravel tracks as much as possible which meant our miles were lower than usual but the experience was sublime. We averaged around 55 miles per day in 30’c heat. My battery was fully charged every night on the various campsites and I never had any range issues. The lowest I ever got down to was 2 bars out of the 5. I did keep it in ECO mode most of the day except for the steeper hills which I put it into Tour mode. There were plenty of hills. I never used the Sport or Turbo option.

Overall, touring on an ebike has been a great leveller for me. I was getting to the point of being last up the hills and always have my mates waiting for me - but not any more. It’s still hard work as I’m often over the 15.5mph where you’re on your own as far as pedalling is concerned. But I no longer fear hills.

My only problem was that both sets of brake pads wore pretty fast. I’m putting this down to the hot, dusty conditions and a very heavily laden bike - although I did grumble that I couldn’t recall replacing the cantilever brake pads on my Dawes Galaxy Ultra!

I’m not sure if Cannondale make this exact model anymore but I could definitely recommend it.

[fatmac]

As nobody has mentioned the new(ish) Brompton G-Line Electric, I will, it takes front & rear mounted bags, has rear wheel drive, & is suited to most terrains.

It is a bit heavy, but folds up small, owing to its design with 20" wheels, & rolls folded, so easy to manipulate into trains, hostels, hotels, or camp with...costs approx £3500.

[Jdsk]

And my wife would like something similar with a lower step-through height, preferably something a fair bit lower than a slightly dropped crossbar. And I can't find anything. So: same as OP spec, dropped handlebars, and low step-through, please...

Yes, low step through and dropped handlebars is an unusual combination. You may be best with a conversion; that will give you more choice for both the bike and the electrics. You may end up needed a rack battery as seat tube mounting considerably reduces the benefit of the step through.

Thanks: that's it how looks from my searching. At the moment that would be her existing Dawes Galaxy with a mid-drive motor. Major disadvantage of that would be losing the front changer.

Thanks again, everybody.

Any more advice? Either a new bike or I'm happy to do the conversion myself even if it's a bit complex...

Jonathan