Female friendly buying options for eBike (or not)

[Jdsk]

What's your new price range?

Jonathan

[Snowdrop]

Around £2,000. Could go a bit higher. :)

[Jdsk]

Thanks

You'v e already been pointed to Spa Cycles. I'd also recommend talking to Oxford Bike Works:
https://www.oxfordbikeworks.co.uk

Jonathan

[Snowdrop]

Thank you, yes they look really lovely. On my list. :)

[Snowdrop]

Just wanted to thank everyone who has responded on this thread, it's all been really helpful.

I've arranged to visit Ghyllside Cycles in Ambleside in a few weeks so they can show me different tourers, I am up at nearby Glenthorne on a retreat. I would not have had felt confident to go to a specialist bike shop like this without all the knowledge I've got from this forum, so thank you. :)

[JohnR]

Yet another thought to add to the list: What is likely to be the split in usage between touring and non-touring (eg day trips)? A sturdy touring bike is best at what it is designed to do and sub-optimal in other situations. B&B touring has been mentioned which should be only a moderate load. A bikepacking configuration would avoid the weight of a pannier rack. I wonder if gravel bikes should also be added to the list of options. They come with fairly low gearing and moderately wide tyres and are well suited for the UK's rough roads as well as gravel.

[Snowdrop]

JohnR - Thanks, yes I have been thinking about that too - how much local and how much touring, although as you say I am not camping (that's a decision), so my load won't be excessive.
The answer - I'm not sure! I expect or hope that I'll do plenty of touring during the next few years, I'm thinking about the British coastline... but don't really know what retirement will be like or how finances will work out. So it's all bit new.
But - it's a good point, and I have a great list now of my requirements / things to consider.

[PT1029]

Re panniers vs bike backing set up. Swings and roundabouts I suspect. I have friends who use bike backing set ups. More (but smaller) bags, more faff to get on the bike (they need to be strapped on firmly, and often straps loosened to access during the day), and for a modest load more evenly distributed than say 2 panniers.
Panniers much easier to fit onto the bike and acess during the day, and easier to carry up stairs etc in B&B/on train etc. Modern pannier racks don't weigh much these days, esp if you go for a Tubus one.
On a non function note, I regard bike packing luggage as an excuse for messy luggage!
PS I can see why people use bike backing set ups if they are doing a lot of off road riding.

[pjclinch]

Here's my wife's (Ghyllside Cycles sourced) tourer in action...

Off road tourer in action

She uses a mix of panniers and bikepacking bags (they're not mutually exclusive), with a frame bag (home made) used as well as a rack and panniers and a traditional bar-bag.

One of the points of bikepacking bags is they work without a rack, handy if you have e.g. a full suspension MTB or some other sports confectionary that doesn't take a rack... but if you want to go touring as the main game then not getting a rack is painting yourself into a corner to at least some degree.

Ghyllside will cater for all these possibilities though, as they're touring specialists, so you can see and play with real examples.

Pete.

[TrevA]

My 60 year old wife has recently bought an e-road bike from Ribble. We went to the Birmingham store but there are others around the country. If you go to Ribble HQ in Lancs, I understand that they have test bikes you can try out.

We took the measurements from my wife’s existing bike - reach (saddle to handlebars), seat height, the height of the bars from the ground. In the Birmingham shop they have a jig that they set up and you can sit on to test the position. We decided on an XS with a 70mm stem, which closely matched her existing bike and felt comfortable for her, then ordered the bike, which was delivered to the Birmingham shop. We then made another trip to pick it up, and they set the bike up to the right position whilst we were there. My wife is 5’ 5”, and ended up with the smallest sized frame, so you would perhaps struggle for size if you are smaller than this. After setting the bike up, they went through the operation of the bike, demonstrating the 3 power levels , how to vary your power levels in the app, etc.

Overall it was a positive experience and she loves the bike.

[Snowdrop]

Here's my wife's (Ghyllside Cycles sourced) tourer in action...

Thanks Pete that looks *exactly* like the sort of adventure I want to be having!

I hadn't realised there was a difference between 'bikepacking bags' and panniers.... I would like a rack and that's one of the things on my list to check when I go to look at bikes. Good to hear that Ghyllside was a positive experience. Thank you :)

[Snowdrop]

Overall it was a positive experience and she loves the bike.

Thanks Trev - I had not heard of Ribble Bikes... I'm not now looking for an eBike, but I will look them up. Good to hear of the positive buying experience, that sounds really helpful - and glad your wife loves the bike, that's the ultimate goal! :)

[TrevA]

Overall it was a positive experience and she loves the bike.

Thanks Trev - I had not heard of Ribble Bikes... I'm not now looking for an eBike, but I will look them up. Good to hear of the positive buying experience, that sounds really helpful - and glad your wife loves the bike, that's the ultimate goal!

They don’t just do e-bikes. They do aluminium, steel and carbon road, gravel and hybrid bikes too.

[Snowdrop]

Ghyllside will cater for all these possibilities though, as they're touring specialists, so you can see and play with real examples.

Just wanted to let you know I had a great visit to Ghyllside this afternoon.
It was great to have my list of questions and considerations - I created this list from all the comments here and it was really helpful.
I had a few test rides, we narrowed things down, and they measured me up - and will send me some suggestions for a custom build.
It was a really positive experience.
Thanks everyone. :)

[pal]

That's great to hear!