Electric bikes

[Nick C]

Does anybody have experience of electric bikes?

I know a young lad who's just getting into mountain biking and while I'll take him out while I can, I don't always have weekends free or the sort of riding we're doing isn't suitable for him.

His grandfather is looking to buy an electric bike so at least they can go on the road together from time to time and neither he nor I have any idea about what to look for.

Does anybody here have any experience with them?

 

[Andy B]

Electric bikes are heavy & cumbersome.

Need to spend the best part of £700-£800 to get a half decent one.

Electronics are prone to failure on some of them.

Parts can be hard to get for some models.

 

[Tad]

Electric bikes are heavy & cumbersome.

Need to spend the best part of £700-£800 to get a half decent one.

Electronics are prone to failure on some of them.

Parts can be hard to get for some models.

All of what he said. My advice is to get in touch with the local cycling clubs. Most of them will have a youth policy and some of them will have a dedicated "youth wing" with CRB checked members leading kids rides. Try your local CTC group too.

 

[ekiborter]

I can highly recommend the Giant Hybrid cycles. and the 2011 models are better than ever.

Giant this year will have 50 dedicated Hybrid test centers in the UK with at least one demo bike at each center/shop to test ride. pricing starting at £999 and don't be fooled into thinking a cheep bike is going to be any good as if Giant cant get the price lower than this for a quality product who else is going to be able to do so?

trying to get in contact with a local club / CTC sounds like a good idea too.

;]

 

[Nick C]

Thanks for the advice guys I'll take a look at the CTC and yes I realise the prices are high, £1000 was mentioned to me when it was being discussed by the grandfather.

 

[barry2017]

I like them.

Look up Heinzmann hubs.

 

[Kestonian]

I think they're cool - there are some good ones out there, but they're not quite "ready" yet.

I really think that in a couple more years electric bikes will be everywhere.

Having said that, I was down at the beach this afternoon and a few guys buzzed past on Segways. Now they are cool .....