So this is a post I didn't think I'd be posting anytime soon, a what ebike thread!
1 week from my 50th bday and due to health issues my fitness has dropped off a cliff. Always thought a gravel bike would be a fun thing even when fit, but nowadays it's feels like a necessity.
I however have zero idea about e bikes. My normal bikes have lots carbon and expensive bits. All I want is a basic bike that I can pootle about on. Range of this one looks a bit worrying, 25 miles doesn't seem alot. But budge is 2.5k max
Is it an OK option?
HALFORDS.COM I'm sure it's great, but Porsche have just binned Fazua so I'd be reluctant to buy a bike with one of their motors due to support/warranty being an unknown.
I don't think there's much else for 2.5k or under. The closest would bikes like the Merida eSillex, Sonder El Camino or various Ribbles coming in at around £2650 - £2800.
^^ this one isn't the Fazua model
its a hub motor that i have never heard of..
I'd be drawn to one of the Ribbles more likely
Yeah it's some random one I've never heard of. The ribbles look interesting, all be it a fair bit more expensive.
Realistically what's the range on these things ? Most of the time I'll be doing about 90 min max, but occasionally I'd like to take it on a big day out. Maybe up to 3 hrs. I assume the ribble won't last for that?
Also, I've used one ebike in my life, an sworks gravel bike which was an absolute weapon. But 10 grand. It had numerous modes depending on terrain. I especially liked how it would give 25%/50%/ or 100% of your effort dependent on mode. Is the ribble that clever, or does it just give a set wattage ..ie 50 watts on low mode, 10p medium, 200 on high etc etc
I can't open the link due to some goskimresources thing, but when I Google it separately it lists the motor as a Fazua Evation on both the Halfords and Boardman websites.
Regarding the Ribbles and Boardman I have GT eGrade Amp which uses a Mahle rear hub motor. Ribble used to use this but changed to something very similar.
I use mine on road/offroad mix and usually see about 60 mile range and I live in a hilly part of Cumbria. If I go offroad on mainly red routes the range is much better pushing 100 miles. Race King tyre 29 x 2.0 on the back and Maxxis Rambler 700x45 on the front 30-35 psi if that counts for anything.
I can't open the link due to some goskimresources thing, but when I Google it separately it lists the motor as a Fazua Evation on both the Halfords and Boardman websites.
Ah, I see the distinction now... there's a M Frame version which I didn't Google originally, assuming it was frame size😆
I’ve no idea if this helps. But on the off chance here goes.
We eventually bit the bullet and bought my wife an ebike. We ended spending £1500 on an kona e-coco from Winstanleys, they still have large and small left. Other people have them for a bit more and presumably mediums in stock.
The good
Shimano mid drive
500wh removable battery
Insane range. Yesterday light 4 went out meaning she hit 60% charge. She’s done at least 4 rides all at least all of at least 20km on about half a battery. All pootling with me on acoustic in flattish terrain. But even so that’s good
47mm tyres give reasonable off road capability. You’d get bigger in with out mud guards.
Reasonably light, under 20kg
less good
Basic Shimano build. So that’s 1x9 Alivio, those brakes that are organic pads only etc.
City bike style
27.5 wheels
Quick release wheels
The dew-e is similar without the dropped top tube
I've had a GT eGrade Bolt gravel ebike for just over a year, has a Mahle X35+ rear hub motor, comes with 248Wh battery so only ~15Kg.
I've had a few 50 mile ~3200 feet rides of approx 3-3.5hrs off a fully charged battery ~40mins before heading out, returning home on battery fumes. This involved using custom max 250W turbo on the longer ~260 feet hills, but at the same time, doing a threshold effort myself of similar Watts. Because of the rolling hills, practically no battery used on the descents when over ~15.5mph.
I bought the Mahle X35 battery extender from Ribble in their January sale, extra 208Wh for when I want a longer ride and/or more motor help (I typically use custom 90/150/250W levels).
Not sure what bargains are currently out there, but before my GT bargain, I liked the concept of the old Boardman e8.9 which could almost completely remove the Fazua battery and motor from the down tube.
I think the Ribble gravel ebikes now use the newer Mahle motors.
Forgot to add, above mileage from battery was with 35mm front and 40mm Marathon Supreme rear with butyl tubes on moderate to rough tarmac.
Recently changed rear to 45mm Caracal Race and latex tube, so less rolling resistance, which means the battery use will be more efficient.
