Moron Wanting an E-Bike UK

[DazedConfused]

Hi all,

I'm complete novice with bikes, I've never really been able to afford a good bike so my knowledge has been severely limited.
But now I'm having to commute over an hour a day across a large metropolitan city, I'm spending stupid money and need to get fit but also am not naive enough to think that I can do the commute without some support.

My budget isn't huge, I am using the BIke2Work scheme but only have a 12month contract with my new role at current.
I'm ideally looking for a bike under £2000 but for the right bike will make allowances.
The best bikes that I have come up with in this budget thus far are the following

VanMoof X3 - £2000
Ribble Hybrid Al E Fully Loaded - £2299
Ex Demo specialised Turbo Vado 3.0 2021 - £2,020
Ex-Demo Scott E-Silence 20 2017 Electric Hybrid Bike - £1,859.39
Cowboy 3 - £1990
Orbea Vibe H30 - £2399

Long short is I will be commuting 20 miles each day with a massive hill in the journey, I do hope to get into cycling and doing some longer distances 50miles odd.
I need something good reliable and bang for its buck as with my career choice I'm never going to have any money to upgrade.

The VanMoof makes the most immediate sense given my budget, but I'm feeling like its a lot of style over substance I could be wrong.
Very open to suggestions also but they have to be through the Bike2Work scheme.

Even just advice on what is best without crunching the numbers will be great!!

Any help or guidance would be super appreciated, I know I'm asking a lot but I seriously know no one with expertise and there are no apples 2 apples comparisons for these bikes.

Thanks a lot!!

[ReapThaWhirlwind]

One thing you should consider is that literally ANY e-bike should do.

Wanting a brand name bike for this purpose is all about vanity.

However, consider that this aspect of vanity also provokes other dangers, such as theft.

https://www.cyclist.co.uk/buying-guides/7516/best-electric-bikes-under-1000-a-buyers-guide

[Jesper]

In my experience, most criminals are looking for a quick turnover. Be it for cash, or drugs; they need quick cash and will be opportunistic for the easy theft; preferrably shiny and new. I doubt most thieves know Ribble or VanMoof, but they do know that an ebike costs hundreds of dollars/pounds/euros, even on the cheap end of the spectrum. $50-$100 return for a $300 or $3000 bike does not matter to them.
Get the bike that you want and within your budget. Protect it as it is your primary means of transportation. Preferrable keep it in an enclosed space and out of sight.

[Robert J Hansen]

ReapThaWhirlwind was on point, basically any ebike will suit your needs on a commute like this. Prioritize comfort and look for a low-end model within your budget, and take care to keep it well away from potential theft. Will it be possible for you to take it indoors at your workplace, or position it somewhere that passerby won't see it? The best padlock isn't as good a defense as no ill-intentioned individuals knowing it's there in the first place.

[enkei]

The number-one question to answer is where will you keep the bike when you're at work?

Unless you can keep it in a known, very secure place (ie., at your desk), you should basically assume it's going to get stolen, and make your purchase on that basis.

Having a big hill in the middle of a commute really sucks but over time, you should still find your commute times fall as you get fitter. I'm a masochist, so I'd be doing that commute without electric assistance (40 miles a day, including hills, used to be my London commute).

If you can definitely keep the bike secure at work, go for whatever tickles your fancy but IMHO, you really want something that will be as light and easy to pedal as possible if your battery craps out. If security is a problem, then get the cheapest, most unattractive e-bike that fits your commuting needs as possible.

Oh, and budget for two good locks, too. Almost nothing stands up to cordless angle grinders but there are a few that chew up cutting discs so if you lock the bike up with two of those, you might be in with a chance.

It'll probably still get stolen, but all least you won't have grown too attached to it.

Most home contents policies will cover your bike but you'll want to inform the insurer of the details and value of your bike AND use a good lock with a high Sold Secure rating.

Good luck!

[ichitan]

If and when I buy an E bike, I would research the availability of parts when something fails. With some E bikes it is difficult to get replacement parts. I would also look at the cost of replacement parts. Some are very expensive. Then make a decision on the availability and cost of replacement parts.

I will see when the time comes, but I would probably get an E bike conversion kit, and put it on an existing bike. That way, if something fails, I only need to the replacement parts for the conversion kit. If needed, I could probably replace some parts from a conversion kit with a different brand.

I suggest, research all this on the internet. It is not just about the purchase price, but the availability of parts and cost in the long term.

[GirishH]

Hello DazedConfused,

I really love the various suggestions, so pitching in with a few of my own.

1. Any possibility that you could do combination commute, i.e bike-in one day and take the bus/train the evening. Next day's commute would be the opposite. Again, this is possible ONLY if you have a secure bike storage in your office. In my previous job, I used to store my bike inside a bike cage that was accessible only through a badge but thieves cut the cage in an attempt to steal..:-(

2. Why an E-bike? I did see that you have a big hill in the way but is that the only reason for an E-bike. Do have a safe place to recharge at work or home? Like some have commented, E-bikes are HEAVY especially if battery dies or you get a flat. I have never used E-bike but have close friends who do. For the long rides, I am not sure if E-bike can pull it off. I know some E-bikes have a advertised range of 50+ range but not sure how much of that is actually rideable and how would you come back..:-) Again, I have no experience with E-bikes so fortunately never had to worry about these issues.

Good luck and do let us know what you end-up getting..:-)

[enkei]

(02-20-2023, 02:06 AM)ichitan Wrote:  If and when I buy an E bike, I would research the availability of parts when something fails.

This is a GREAT point!

[JR Namida]

Funny, I knew nothing about eBikes when I purchased mine. I read everything I could find. Living on the third floor I have always needed to carry my bicycles up and down a narrow stairwell.

I could move to a newer complex and double my apartment costs to get a frieght elevator. Most areas where I live an eBike is going to disapear faster than a road bike so I carry all bicycles to my balcony. Want to keep them safer than street level or a bicycle room.

I purchased a single speed, belt drive stealth ebike with hidden battery. I modified the bicycle to reduce the weight with carbon fiber, or lightweight alloy parts. I spent $1,045 for a KBO Urban Stealth Hurricane and another $350 for light weight parts.

KBO advertized the bicycle weight as 36 pounds, assembled without the pedals it was 37.7 pounds. After modification it was 32 pounds and much easier to carry up and down stairs.

I found not much that can go wrong with a single speed eBike. Yes a controller could fail, wiring could become unattached, or battery could go south. But almost anything else on the bicycle is replaceable/repairable at your local bike shop.

If my pocketbook had more dollars I would have purchased a 24 pound Ribble or Orbea Gain. 8 pounds less weight would be easier to carry up and down a narrow stairwell, simular stealth eBikes but mine is not geared and much cheaper.

   

[enkei]

(02-25-2023, 02:10 PM)JR Namida Wrote:  Funny, I knew nothing about eBikes when I purchased mine. I read everything I could find. Living on the third floor I have always needed to carry my bicycles up and down a narrow stairwell.

I could move to a newer complex and double my apartment costs to get a frieght elevator. Most areas where I live an eBike is going to disapear faster than a road bike so I carry all bicycles to my balcony. Want to keep them safer than street level or a bicycle room.

I purchased a single speed, belt drive stealth ebike with hidden battery. I modified the bicycle to reduce the weight with carbon fiber, or lightweight alloy parts. I spent $1,045 for a KBO Urban Stealth Hurricane and another $350 for light weight parts.

KBO advertized the bicycle weight as 36 pounds, assembled without the pedals it was 37.7 pounds. After modification it was 32 pounds and much easier to carry up and down stairs.

I found not much that can go wrong with a single speed eBike. Yes a controller could fail, wiring could become unattached, or battery could go south. But almost anything else on the bicycle is replaceable/repairable at your local bike shop.

If my pocketbook had more dollars I would have purchased a 24 pound Ribble or Orbea Gain. 8 pounds less weight would be easier to carry up and down a narrow stairwell, simular stealth eBikes but mine is not geared and much cheaper.

Nice-looking bike. You ride without bar tape?

[Peter Mogish]

Everyone is mentioning more about how to protect your eBike from Getting Stolen, than about actual performance! I guess is is s sign of the world we live in. Make sure that your bike is stated to have 60-70 mile range if you want to do 50 mile rides. When that battery power ends, eBikes are really heavy to pedal alone. And in cold weather , or after afew years, distance on Battery can drop 20 to 40%.