E Bike….. again🥰

[Take2]

Hi all, before anyone gets overtaken by the footy tmrw, I feel my original post was taken down many rabbit holes and my query was lost.
I was wanting to know if anyone has experienced both the small 20” wheeled e bike and the full sized one to get an idea of the difference in the ease of keeping up a decent speed. Or if the same river has experienced both crank and hub motors for their relative performance?
I understand there are pro’s and con’s but I’m coming from the angle of the same rider experiencing both scenario’s to gain some feedback. Thanks again… debate commence

 

[suavecarve]

Sort of some experience here.
We currently have the Haibikes on 26 inch wheels with Bosch batteries but before that we had a 20 inch foldable electric tandem, because we thought it made sense (I include the wife here)
We were both going in the same direction to the same place so I thought £1500 for one bike was better than £2K for 2 bikes (each).

So we pop onto the tandem and cycle out to a few local pubs to get used to it and it is a head tuning piece of machinery, so we pop it into the motohome and shoot off to Germany as we were happy with it.
We were near the source of the Donau, following the cycle path when one of us comes up with the idea of cycling the dry bit of the river, where it disappears down a sinkhole and comes back 200 yards later. That was when we first noticed the spokes breaking. Now this is much more likely to be distance between the 2 wheels rather than the size of the wheels. I had already replaced the sprockets for gearing having read about this particular bike. The other thing that changed our mind was being overtaken. We are both relatively fit as we have no worries of 80km flat cycling each day (with electric help and we are not cyclists) but when I am being overtaken by an obese German who is carrying his oxygen tank and there is nothing I can do about it, then something is wrong. If we started to sprint we could get to 22kph, this is on the flat with 2 of us peddling and electric on, but Herr Fatso is hardly turning his pedals and going past us. To add insult to this I am sure he stopped deliberately so he could do it a few times.
At this point I rang up to ask for a couple of minor pensions to be drawn as cash and went to a bike shop in Aachen and bought the 2 new Haibikes. We had a couple of days out there on them and me being me, just tried seeing how fast it would go on the flat. Easily 35KPH just on the eco setting.
Time has moved on and we have had them nearly 3 years now and we have only taken the motorbike once (with the bikes) in about 8 holidays (specifically for some dangerous roads in the Vercors) and have found a new way of holidaying by locating Voie Verts or disused railway lines (have created several threads)

So I wouldnt buy a 20 inch wheel cycle purely because of the speed that can be attained, but I have a large garage, loads of available weight) and could still put the bikes on the back (scooter and 2 bikes fit into garage) BUT if you were happy trundling along the canal or just getting the bread in the morning and dont feel embarrassed by Herr Fatso and his oxygen tank then I can easily see the benefit of getting one or 2 of them.

As an aside, we still have the tandem and have attached a seat to the bit over the back wheel and we have one of those trailers that can go on the end as well. Daughter (who lives over the road) borrows it occasionally to take her children to school (8, 6 and 2) and is quite a sight at the school.

 

[Steve N Tracy]

We had mountained biked for a number of years and were a bit septical about electric bikes, but wanted a couple of folders as I was worried about taking 2 very expensive full suspension bikes and maybe having them stolen, and Tracy had just recived a double hip replacement.
So I purchased 2 Hopper 20 inch wheel electric folders from Tesco for £399.00 each, they were far better then expected about 28 miles too a full charge, we took them up the Cols in France and did some off road had them for about 3 years, and then bought a couple of 26 inch wheel hub drive E-Ranger bikes these had a better range about 35 miles and were more comfortable on bad roads and offroad trails.
We had these for about 4 years and then decided that we wanted a bit more range and power, so went for a pair of Cube Kathmandu 625 Pro's on 29 inch wheels the range is well over 90 miles and the Bosch CX4 crank drive is amazing we have not found a hill we cannot ride up yet, and they perform quite well off road too.

 

[Take2]

Sort of some experience here.
We currently have the Haibikes on 26 inch wheels with Bosch batteries but before that we had a 20 inch foldable electric tandem, because we thought it made sense (I include the wife here)
We were both going in the same direction to the same place so I thought £1500 for one bike was better than £2K for 2 bikes (each).

So we pop onto the tandem and cycle out to a few local pubs to get used to it and it is a head tuning piece of machinery, so we pop it into the motohome and shoot off to Germany as we were happy with it.
We were near the source of the Donau, following the cycle path when one of us comes up with the idea of cycling the dry bit of the river, where it disappears down a sinkhole and comes back 200 yards later. That was when we first noticed the spokes breaking. Now this is much more likely to be distance between the 2 wheels rather than the size of the wheels. I had already replaced the sprockets for gearing having read about this particular bike. The other thing that changed our mind was being overtaken. We are both relatively fit as we have no worries of 80km flat cycling each day (with electric help and we are not cyclists) but when I am being overtaken by an obese German who is carrying his oxygen tank and there is nothing I can do about it, then something is wrong. If we started to sprint we could get to 22kph, this is on the flat with 2 of us peddling and electric on, but Herr Fatso is hardly turning his pedals and going past us. To add insult to this I am sure he stopped deliberately so he could do it a few times.
At this point I rang up to ask for a couple of minor pensions to be drawn as cash and went to a bike shop in Aachen and bought the 2 new Haibikes. We had a couple of days out there on them and me being me, just tried seeing how fast it would go on the flat. Easily 35KPH just on the eco setting.
Time has moved on and we have had them nearly 3 years now and we have only taken the motorbike once (with the bikes) in about 8 holidays (specifically for some dangerous roads in the Vercors) and have found a new way of holidaying by locating Voie Verts or disused railway lines (have created several threads)

So I wouldnt buy a 20 inch wheel cycle purely because of the speed that can be attained, but I have a large garage, loads of available weight) and could still put the bikes on the back (scooter and 2 bikes fit into garage) BUT if you were happy trundling along the canal or just getting the bread in the morning and dont feel embarrassed by Herr Fatso and his oxygen tank then I can easily see the benefit of getting one or 2 of them.

As an aside, we still have the tandem and have attached a seat to the bit over the back wheel and we have one of those trailers that can go on the end as well. Daughter (who lives over the road) borrows it occasionally to take her children to school (8, 6 and 2) and is quite a sight at the school.

Super info, thanks

 

[brynric]

We had a similar experience to the above. We bought a single small wheeled folder, just to see how we got on with it. We both had quite good but old mountain bikes and cycled for leisure quite a bit.
Whilst the small wheeled bike was fine for size and carrying in the van we both found it unstable - both of us had minor prangs whilst turning on soft surfaces- and whilst fine for pottering cycling a distance was a real chore.
Long story short - age and a move to the Cotswolds meant that we struggled on some hills with the mtbs so we bought Carrera Crossfires from Halfords. These were fairly budget but much more successful. They were a good hybrid style, comfortable and climbed well. They had a rear wheel drive which seemed fine but made the bike unbalanced when lifting onto the rack.
Mine unfortunately developed an electrical fault which Halfords couldn’t fix. Expense was damned and I went for a Moustache XRoad. A wide wheeled hybrid with Bosch crank motor. https://moustachebikes.com/gb/en/electric-bikes/samedi-27-xroad/samedi-27-xroad-3/
It’s not cheap but a gem of a bike, the crank drive means it’s well balanced with a very smooth transfer of power. The motor seems fairly bomb-proof and the battery is easy to charge in the van through an inverter. H was so impressed with it she also bought a similar version later.
They cruise and climb well and are at home on a range of surfaces. Last winter we cycled up to Guardalest from Albir along with lots of Lycra clad Road cyclists, and then cycled back down the river bed where we didn’t see a soul.
In short, bigger wheels better than smaller, Crank drive better than hub drive. Bosch motor is pretty good. And finally and obviously you have to pay more to get a good bike.

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[Take2]

Sort of some experience here.
We currently have the Haibikes on 26 inch wheels with Bosch batteries but before that we had a 20 inch foldable electric tandem, because we thought it made sense (I include the wife here)
We were both going in the same direction to the same place so I thought £1500 for one bike was better than £2K for 2 bikes (each).

So we pop onto the tandem and cycle out to a few local pubs to get used to it and it is a head tuning piece of machinery, so we pop it into the motohome and shoot off to Germany as we were happy with it.
We were near the source of the Donau, following the cycle path when one of us comes up with the idea of cycling the dry bit of the river, where it disappears down a sinkhole and comes back 200 yards later. That was when we first noticed the spokes breaking. Now this is much more likely to be distance between the 2 wheels rather than the size of the wheels. I had already replaced the sprockets for gearing having read about this particular bike. The other thing that changed our mind was being overtaken. We are both relatively fit as we have no worries of 80km flat cycling each day (with electric help and we are not cyclists) but when I am being overtaken by an obese German who is carrying his oxygen tank and there is nothing I can do about it, then something is wrong. If we started to sprint we could get to 22kph, this is on the flat with 2 of us peddling and electric on, but Herr Fatso is hardly turning his pedals and going past us. To add insult to this I am sure he stopped deliberately so he could do it a few times.
At this point I rang up to ask for a couple of minor pensions to be drawn as cash and went to a bike shop in Aachen and bought the 2 new Haibikes. We had a couple of days out there on them and me being me, just tried seeing how fast it would go on the flat. Easily 35KPH just on the eco setting.
Time has moved on and we have had them nearly 3 years now and we have only taken the motorbike once (with the bikes) in about 8 holidays (specifically for some dangerous roads in the Vercors) and have found a new way of holidaying by locating Voie Verts or disused railway lines (have created several threads)

So I wouldnt buy a 20 inch wheel cycle purely because of the speed that can be attained, but I have a large garage, loads of available weight) and could still put the bikes on the back (scooter and 2 bikes fit into garage) BUT if you were happy trundling along the canal or just getting the bread in the morning and dont feel embarrassed by Herr Fatso and his oxygen tank then I can easily see the benefit of getting one or 2 of them.

As an aside, we still have the tandem and have attached a seat to the bit over the back wheel and we have one of those trailers that can go on the end as well. Daughter (who lives over the road) borrows it occasionally to take her children to school (8, 6 and 2) and is quite a sight at the school.

Is there any advantage in buying abroad?

 

[brynric]

Is there any advantage in buying abroad?

I think there are many more e-bikes sold in Europe and there are many more styles available compared to here. Cycling on the continent is seen as much more acceptable and varied.
Against that is the availability of servicing systems that may be less familiar over here. I couldn’t comment on prices.

 

[dazandandrea]

" herr Fatso" loved that.

 

[suavecarve]

Is there any advantage in buying abroad?

Quality for money. I would say definitely and fairly certain a few others have done the same.

The shop we went into in Aachen is a national chain and you can import their bikes here, but if you buy them there, they take off 100 euros of the price (saving P&P)

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People will also tell you that you have to declare your purchase en route back for some form of tax, I, and some others, might say, get them dirty as you go through customs !