Cycling UK Forum

Hi Guys,

I have just registered for your forum as I have been looking for somewhere to get decent advice on some cycling matters and I tend to think Reviews favour the products sent to the reviewer.

I hope that as an e-bike user I will not be frowned upon on the site? I basically bought the e-bike to commute the 18-mile return journey into my office in Glasgow rather than go on public transport with all this Covid-19 stuff going on. In the event I was not required to return to the office and have now changed jobs and will be based in Edinburgh so it's gonna be recreational cycling for me from now on.

Welcome.

There's a specific area for discussing eBikes:
https://forum.cyclinguk.org/viewforum.php?f=55

Jonathan

I hope that as an e-bike user I will not be frowned upon on the site?

No you won't Lots of interest in 'leccy bikes. I love my Brompton as much now as I used to when I bought it, non 'leccy, in 2010.

I think you will find many like minded people here in terms of wariness and skepticism about bike and accessory reviews. Like many other industries and indeed journalists more widely, maintaining relationships with manufacturers/sources does tend to bias the cycling journalist. Many reviews simply parrot the press-release or the received industry wisdom and current trends. Similarly, amateur experts who rise to prominence with their own blogs or sites and are sent products for free similarly evoke skepticism.

Of course the forum membership, although diverse, has it's own foibles and biases, often linked to that skepticism about the industry and the latest fads in marketing.

I know a number of people like yourself who bought ebikes due to long commutes or lack of fitness/ill-health and who probably would not be cycling without them. If my commute was more than 10 miles/1 hour I'd probably do the same.

Off-topic (so I apologise in advance), but I treat all magazine reviews with scepticism - One that convinced me was for a camera I had.... The manufacturer's instructions stated the macro setting went to 12cm, but when I examined the feature it went down much, much closer more like 12mm All magazine reviews said 'the macro only goes to 12cm, which isn't impressive' and there were other features which didn't correlate. It was abundantly clear that the reviewers had never handled the camera, merely read the pamphlets provided and 'written a review of what was expected'

Welcome.

Feel free to post any questions you may have, also see what posts are current - you may be able to answer some of them.

For Posting: If you click on Board Index (top left), you will see that there are lots of different sub forums, from technical to touring and electric to charity. Post your question on whichever is most appropriate. Give as much info as possible - imagine you are trying to answer the question, could you from the info you have supplied. Coming back with feedback or even thanks is usually appreciated by those who are trying to help you with their answers.

Welcome

... Lots of interest in 'leccy bikes ...

It wasn't always thus. Go back a bit and there was no other subject able to raise hackles with such total reliability. The demographic is changing - tempus fugit

Manners #1
Although it is customary to give fellow cyclists encouragement on challenging ascents with “keep going, nearly there”, etc, you may, if you do this from your e bike, find yourself met with pithy responses like “you know, you should take up cycling”.

Joking apart, if e bikes (and e scooters) are getting people onto the road and out of cars that’s fine with me.

Hi,

Many thanks for the warm responses, made me feel very welcome. Re the questions I have, they will probably not relate to e-bikes specifically.

To give a wee bit of info on my cycling background.... I bought a Canondale Hybrid bike 8 years ago and was out EVERY weekend in the rain and wind during the winter - but spring and summer were for golf. Like all things in life I let the cycling slip and put on a lot of weight after major surgery to my shoulder which prevented cycling for nearly 2 years) so when Covid-19 hit last year and the pubs were shut I got back on the bike. I love cycling and with the roads that bit quieter it was great.

I've explained why I chose to buy the e-bike but now that it's going to be used for recreational purposes I want to get out on the roads even more. I have 5 different power modes plus an automatic mode on my e-bile but I have never been above 3 (and that was a VERY steep hill). Normally I stay at 1, but when the speed goes over 15.5 MPH the assistance cuts out, so most of the time it is just me and the bike - no help at all from the motor. In other words I still get a real good work out when I'm out on my own. When my wife is out with me I more often than not just turn off the power altogether as she does not go very fast, even though she has an e-bike too.

I'm coming on 65 years-old so want to stay as active as I can for as long as I can. The higher spec e-bike will hopefully help me achieve that.

Thanks again and sorry if I've bored you all,,,,,,

Hi,

Many thanks for the warm responses, made me feel very welcome. Re the questions I have, they will probably not relate to e-bikes specifically.

To give a wee bit of info on my cycling background.... I bought a Canondale Hybrid bike 8 years ago and was out EVERY weekend in the rain and wind during the winter - but spring and summer were for golf. Like all things in life I let the cycling slip and put on a lot of weight after major surgery to my shoulder which prevented cycling for nearly 2 years) so when Covid-19 hit last year and the pubs were shut I got back on the bike. I love cycling and with the roads that bit quieter it was great.

I've explained why I chose to buy the e-bike but now that it's going to be used for recreational purposes I want to get out on the roads even more. I have 5 different power modes plus an automatic mode on my e-bile but I have never been above 3 (and that was a VERY steep hill). Normally I stay at 1, but when the speed goes over 15.5 MPH the assistance cuts out, so most of the time it is just me and the bike - no help at all from the motor. In other words I still get a real good work out when I'm out on my own. When my wife is out with me I more often than not just turn off the power altogether as she does not go very fast, even though she has an e-bike too.

I'm coming on 65 years-old so want to stay as active as I can for as long as I can. The higher spec e-bike will hopefully help me achieve that.

Thanks again and sorry if I've bored you all,,,,,,