Ideas for new bike - step through hybrid, possibly/probably electric

[Grianan]

I have a Rose Trekking Black Creek hybrid which I love. However, it’s a man’s frame with a crossbar and, after a bad fall last year, I have a condition where lower leg wounds just don’t heal so I need a super stable step through bike to try to minimise risk of injury.
As I have increasingly dodgy knees and a sore left hip I’m thinking electric might be sensible. Where we live is really hilly and a rough track to the house - something capable of the chunky Marathon type tyres would suit.
I’m used to 27 gears so would struggle with single speed.
We have a PVC with Busbiker cycle carrier.
Ideally I’d like a bike suited to hills at home plus pootling into town and along river banks on holiday.
I’d prefer to pay more and get a lighter bike but I can’t afford some bikes I’ve seen in Germany €4000-€6500. Bikes something that rides ok without the battery would be good.
It needs good range as we won’t be able to charge every day.

I’d be interested in any models anyone had that look as if they’d fit the bill and also any advice on what to look for/avoid.

I’ve read some of the old threads but that is the limit of my knowledge. I’m imagining 2020 models will be coming out soon.

 

[Phill D]

how about an
" E Fat bike"!
or a step through from woosh BIG BEAR Ebike around £1200

 

[PhilMary]

Have looked at Stromer ST5.
Phil

 

[Snowbird]

Once I am home at the end of this month I will be selling my Dutch Gazelle orange C7 stepthrough frame. Bosch crank drive with 7 gears, sprung seat post, comfort saddle, front fork suspension in white and silver. Alloy frame and wheels. Normally you would have to sell a kidney to buy one of these bikes, if you could find one but am looking at around £750 for mine and its as new.

 

[Kannon Fodda]

27 gears? The modern approach is less is more, having a three ring front chainring plus the rear multi sprocket cassette was frequently duplicating. A single front ring and 9-11 rear cassette is sufficient and give a few less parts to wear and go wrong.

The cheaper e-bikes will have a front wheel hub motor or possibly rear hub motor. As the photos above they often have a carrier mounted battery. For leisure road use that can be sufficient. But the motor and battery have added weight to the bike and if higher mounted can create a higher centre of gravity. Particularly on a front wheel hub it's odd to be powering the bike at the rear by pedaling and having the bike pulled along by the front steering wheel. Conversion kits are typically hub motors.

Better bikes, and those more suited to non tarmac terrain, due to the lower centre of gravity will have the motor integrated in the frame as part of the crankset, and the battery is usually low mounted on the front frame tube. This will be the heart of the Bosch system but also derivatives like Shimano's motor. But this comes at a price, upwards of at least £1500.

There are different battery capacities. What you need depends on the duration of your rides, terrain, and how much support you want from the motor. I prefer gravelled forest type tracks to tarmac, but am a hefty weight, I try on my Bosch system with 500 powerpack to use the Eco (60% assistance) mode rather than the Tour (140%) or even Turbo (340%). With Eco I might have a range of around 40 miles on the average ride, but Turbo would be less than 10 miles. This is of course far less than Bosch might predict (but that's probably the same as MPG estimates for vehicles). But my cycling is also fairly pants - without the motor I'm that slow on hills a cycle computer would switch off "no movement detected". Tarmac roads with narrow road tyres may do better. My mountain style bike has chunky 3.6" tyres no doubt affecting efficiency.

But I'd never have a standard bike again, and when I get out on it, the e-bike just makes things so enjoyable.

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[Larrynwin]

Having a hub motor on my electric bike I would now go for one with the Bosch crank motor which puts the power through the gears , it’s fitted on some less expensive bikes than you quote and well worth considering .

 

[Grianan]

Thanks guys ... I m digesting all your info. Snowbird I’ll pm you for specifics

 

[Snowbird]

Thanks guys ... I m digesting all your info. Snowbird I’ll pm you for specifics

Replied.

 

[bobandjanie]

We got our electric bikes in Germany and got a deal on buying two.
Must be the biggest company that sells bikes, they have a track in the store, they measure you up and you can try as many bikes as you wish. Bob.

Fahrrad XXL Feld - Dein Fahrradladen in Bonn/Sankt Augustin

Fahrrad XXL Feld | Erlebe die große Auswahl an Fahrrädern, E-Bikes & Zubehör! ✅ Beste Beratung & Werkstattservice im Fahrradladen in Sankt Augustin ✅

www.fahrrad-xxl.de

 

[Grianan]

We got our electric bikes in Germany and got a deal on buying two.
Must be the biggest company that sells bikes, they have a track in the store, they measure you up and you can try as many bikes as you wish. Bob.

Fahrrad XXL Feld - Dein Fahrradladen in Bonn/Sankt Augustin

Fahrrad XXL Feld | Erlebe die große Auswahl an Fahrrädern, E-Bikes & Zubehör! ✅ Beste Beratung & Werkstattservice im Fahrradladen in Sankt Augustin ✅

www.fahrrad-xxl.de

Looks great ... on ferry home just now ... wish I could turn round and head back!

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[PhilG]

Once I am home at the end of this month I will be selling my Dutch Gazelle orange C7 stepthrough frame. Bosch crank drive with 7 gears, sprung seat post, comfort saddle, front fork suspension in white and silver. Alloy frame and wheels. Normally you would have to sell a kidney to buy one of these bikes, if you could find one but am looking at around £750 for mine and its as new.

Did this sell?

 

[Snowbird]

Did this sell?

It did indeed,and just by coincidence I am delivering it to Bakewell tomorrow.

 

[Snowbird]

It did indeed,and just by coincidence I am delivering it to Bakewell tomorrow.

OOps, sorry, I thought you meant the etrike. Yes, the Dutch bike went to a happy funster some time ago.

 

[PhilG]

OOps, sorry, I thought you meant the etrike. Yes, the Dutch bike went to a happy funster some time ago.

never mind... looking for something for the wife, sounded like a good bike too

 

[Grianan]

And having tried numerous bikes I’m still loving my hybrid. If anything I’d be tempted to go more MTB I think. Jury’s still out in electric ... if I’m honest I was struggling more with my behind being sore ...

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[AXO66]

Have a look. at Wisper bikes., low step through, which appears to be the most important factor.??

 

[DaveandJen]

We once had a battery assisted foldable bike with small wheels and a long handlebar and seat stem and what a nightmare of a bike to ride. Our next battery powered bike will have the normal size wheels like the photo above.

 

[JP1889]

If you've not already bought, have a look at

HYB 8.9e Womens Electric Hybrid Bike

www.boardmanbikes.com

Halfords sometimes do discounts

It is an electric bike with the superb very smooth German engineered Fazua Evation drive system . The battery and motor are detachable leaving you with 3.5Kg lighter ordinary bike with no drag from cranks or motors.
These lecky bikes really are on a different level to the old heavy Bosch hub type.

You could also look at https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/ribble-hybrid-al-e/
Same drive system a wider range of models and prices but unfortunately not with a 'female' frame.

I'd 100% recommend the electric route, age and injuries catches up with us all. Fortunately technology has recently quickly established a lovely new genre of bikes called gravel bikes. Not a heavy MTB that is like pedaling treacle on a tarmac road , nor a carbon road bike that wouldn't take the hammer of being off road.
Gravel bikes are a true hybrid , just a tyre change away from being suitable for a road riding, gravel, singletrack, cyclocross, touring, commuting, and bike packing.
HTH

 

[Lenny HB]

We got our electric bikes in Germany and got a deal on buying two.
Must be the biggest company that sells bikes, they have a track in the store, they measure you up and you can try as many bikes as you wish. Bob.

Fahrrad XXL Feld - Dein Fahrradladen in Bonn/Sankt Augustin

Fahrrad XXL Feld | Erlebe die große Auswahl an Fahrrädern, E-Bikes & Zubehör! ✅ Beste Beratung & Werkstattservice im Fahrradladen in Sankt Augustin ✅

www.fahrrad-xxl.de

Bought our Scotts from Germany, saved £500 each over the best UK price.

 

[AXO66]

.

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[JP1889]

If you've not already bought, have a look at

HYB 8.9e Womens Electric Hybrid Bike

www.boardmanbikes.com

Halfords sometimes do discounts

They have £200 off this price now.
If you take out British Cycling Membership (from £25) you should be able to get another 10% off .
Making this £1845. Stunning price for a very lightweight 15.5kg bike.
Halfords do lifetime free safety checks and lifetime manufacturer guarantee.

It is exactly the same brilliant motor system that goes into top high end £8,000 Look and Pinarello bikes!

 

[MyrtleGuru]

These people know the subject inside out and are unbiased:

Electric Brompton Buyer's Guide

The A to B Brompton Buyer's Guide covers the four key Brompton power-assist conversion kits and Brompton

www.atob.org.uk

Electric Bikes over £1,200

We no longer list all electric bikes, only those costing 'Over £1,200', and that table is big

www.atob.org.uk

 

[Grianan]

They have £200 off this price now.
If you take out British Cycling Membership (from £25) you should be able to get another 10% off .
Making this £1845. Stunning price for a very lightweight 15.5kg bike.
Halfords do lifetime free safety checks and lifetime manufacturer guarantee.

It is exactly the same brilliant motor system that goes into top high end £8,000 Look and Pinarello bikes!

thanks ... the only downside is not step through but the ability to remove the electric parts (eg if we’re off grid and can’t charge) is a big plus ? as is the weight.
Is the 15.5kg including the battery and motor?
Its my birthday on 27th do this could be a possibility.
thank you.

 

[68c]

I have a problem with hybrids, the whole frame geometry seems wrong. If you set the saddle so the pedal distance is correct, leg not quite fully extended, it is then too far to reach the ground easily when you stop. I think they use a mountain bike frame with the brake caliper mountings moved up to allow fitment of larger wheels, the problem is the crank bearing is then too high. Best get a proper bike. I have to say i do love electric, suddenly hills hold no fear, if you only use the electrics on the steep hills you get your exercise without too much pain. Longer more interesting trips can be tackled. I then find the limiting factor is not being tired, it is the pain in the bum and wrists.