Cycling UK Forum

Hi guys

My wife Linda fancies getting an E mountain bike and I wondered if anyone on here has got one and if so what are they like, I am looking at possibly Haibike and Cube although I hadn't heard of either I know this market has really grown in technology and design and they are becoming more and more popular so any help or advice would be appreciated.

Thanks, Nathan.

Be careful using it in the mountains, I read of some people who hired €-bikes in the Alps, they tootled up the hill to a cafe for lunch
Riding back down the steep hill was too scary, they walked back down instead
The cycles were later recovered by the mountain rescue team in exchange for a significant payment

Best to stick to a real cycle if one is young and fit

Depends a lot how she wants to ride; how much real 'mountain', and how fit she is.

As you have probably seen, Haibike and Cube are both quality manufacturers. Haibike seems to go for more sporty mountain bikes, Cube does those but also many more relaxed models. Cube tend to be good value for what they offer; Haibike a bit more expensive (but I have never looked at the detail of what they offer as they aren't the sort of bike I need).

You can get excellent ebikes of various styles for quite a lot less; for example from Woosh (well recommended), eg https://wooshbikes.co.uk/?rio-mtb
They tend to come with larger batteries for better range as well.

A lot of expensive bikes use the Bosch or Shimano systems which are very good, but can be very expensive and slow to get mended (often replace whole motor after sending original back to Germany) if anything does go wrong. The batteries are also propriety and very expensive. Bikes from the likes of Woosh use standard Chinese components that are mainly just as good quality and reliable as Bosch etc, much more repairable, and cheaper to replace if they can't be repaired.

~~
If you are concerned about range beware of 'up to' distances.
Look at https://www.bosch-ebike.com/en/service/range-assistant/
It gives an excellent idea of how much range will vary depending on riding conditions.
It is very easy to see an 'up to' figure on flat good road in windless conditions with lowest level of assist of over 100 miles,
but under 30 miles for the same bike in more real conditions with average (tour) assist,
and 20 miles if you use full assist all the time.

This is for Bosch specifically, but most motors have similar efficiency and range for a given size battery.
You will see motor type makes much less difference to range than many other factors.
With a little interpretation it gives a pretty good result for any bike.

~~
For lots more advice post on https://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/forums ... -i-buy.40/
(with more details about the kind of use your wife will put it to).

When ever someone asks me about a new bike, I ask them what they want to use it for.
Your location is given as London, so, does your wife go mountain biking?, and will she be using it for anything else (on road commuting/shopping/liesure rides)?. If yes to using it for mountain biking, is this out in the sticks mountain biking (as in "proper" mountain biking), or is it off road cycle tracks/paths. The 2 can be quite different.
If it is cycle tracks/paths, a hybrid might do just as well.

A friend of mine has one looks great fun but make sure the brakes are real good for the extra weight -- large hydraulic discs are the thing to have. The electric help can be adjusted or switch off at the screen or switch on the handlebars so it shouldn't speed off downhill.

Unless doing serious off roading then a hybrid /cx bike will do the job, I use my e-converted Boardman cx for all my offroad riding from old railway paths to riding North & South Downs using the bridelways that not many venture on to even with mtb's.

Many ride using emtb but as Stodd has mentioned if a fault occurs most Bosch LBS aren't allowed to touch them except plug a diagnosis tool in to find the issue for software up date, other wise any other type of electronic/motor issue the bike or motor has to go back to Bosch for warranty.

Hi Nathan and welcome!

Does your wife have an MTB already? - if so then consider a conversion kit which will be far less expensive.

I have converted 3 of our bikes using kits from a Chinese supplier (though shipped from the EU so no hassle with import duties) and can thoroughly recommed them. There is Whoosh bikes in the UK who seem to have a good reputation and will supply more or less the same kit at slightly higher prices.

Linda - go for it, ignore the ‘you don’t need one’, ‘it’s cheating’ etc etc all absolute rubbish. I’ve converted two tourers to lecci, then two full suss mtbs, and we’ve now bought two Scott Axis eride full suss mtbs, they are fantastic.
Go for the most expensive that you can afford - you really do get what you pay for, and there is some rubbish about.
Ignore the comments like ‘if you don’t ride up mountains you shouldn’t have one!’ Just riding on the road a full suss mtb is so much more comfortable, and, if your roads are anything like ours, a necessity.
It really does depend on your personal circumstances - if you want to ride with someone quicker/fitter, it’s an ideal solution. If you want to ride further, or, ride in more hilly countryside where you might be out of your comfort zone, again they are perfect.
Sorry, but, from our experience to date, and talking to other converts, I really can’t see any downsides!

Downsid€$: much much more expensive than a real, sorry, ordinary cycle

Makes me sick to see fit young people using €bikes at 30 kmh when they could do 20 kmh supplying all the power themselves

Cyril Haearn wrote:Downsid€$: much much more expensive than a real, sorry, ordinary cycle

Makes me sick to see fit young people using €bikes at 30 kmh when they could do 20 kmh supplying all the power themselves

Ah well, it takes all sorts! I thought over the years we’d heard all the facile comments about ebikes, but, obviously not

If someone asks about the options for buying an ebike, I would assume that they are making a serious enquiry. If they’ve looked at any options already then I’m sure they can work out all on their own that they are more expensive, why wouldn’t they be???

I’d be a bit worried, personally, if anyone doing anything cycling related, or otherwise, ‘made me sick’ - not quite sure how anyone doing anything could have that effect. Most worrying though is the need to comment on a subject that is obviously of no interest to the commenter, with opinions that have no bearing on anything, and are of no help to the poster?

I'm sure no malice intended
I was taken with the fixed gearing in his signature line - 49" really??
Love to watch that descending the hills around here

Yes really, 100 rpm = 15 mph, that is plenty, no real hills here
Neither you nor I know the OPs situation in detail, there are plenty of people who unnecessarily buy €bikes and regret it. Unnecessary use of resources, manufacturing, economic activity, unnecessary spending of thousands instead of hundreds on a simple perfect machine do make me feel uneasy

Other opinions are available

make me feel uneasy

Uneasy to the point of sickness?

philg wrote:I'm sure no malice intended
I was taken with the fixed gearing in his signature line - 49" really??
Love to watch that descending the hills around here

I’m sure you’re right, I just feel that it’s a shame when someone disses the use of ebikes. From personal experience I’ve found them to be the perfect answer for those who might otherwise struggle with confidence or fitness. To be honest anything that gets more people on bikes can only be a good thing - the current situation not withstanding!
I do like the 49” line, having ridden penny farthings many years ago! re your last comment, I’d like to see that as well - not long ago we even chickened out on our old ebikes and used the toll road

€bikes have other disadvantages too

On a normal cycle, if one gets tired, one takes a break, has some food. On an e-bike, one might continue although too tired. Rather like driving when tired, possibly with consequences for others

Ebikes are heavier, harder to take on the train, up and down stairs. Harder to transport by car too (+1!), one could rupture something lifting an ebike. One wonders, would it be better (or less bad) if people used ebikes starting from home instead of taking conventional bikes by car? TDC, the tragedy of drive-cycling, has been discussed here, and whether 'more cycling' is desirable