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For some context, my FIL is in his early 70s, had both knees replaced in the last 5 years (one last year) and hasn’t ridden a bike in over 20 years. However, he wants to try an ebike on the cheap to ride the lanes around Coventry, Meriden etc. Nothing too fast or taxing, just enough of a boost to not hurt the knees. He’s keen on this as it seems to get good reviews - comes with hydro discs for under £700: https://touroll.com/products/touroll-j1-st-step-through-ebike?srsltid=AfmBOopygOz7L3UHjAJe2rD9Ogl75_Q6m0x0TOu1VOL-M8dm23O33kkC
Thoughts on this or any other viable options in terms of what it offers, cost, safety, reliability etc? I don’t know enough about eebs to offer any real first world advice - hence asking you lot! 🙂
Ridgeback Errand was being sold recently at various places for £700.
Thoughts on this or any other viable options in terms of what it offers, cost, safety, reliability etc?
Honest thoughts...? How soon your wife is looking to cash in on any inheritence, would dictate whether this was a no brained purchase, or an absolute no brainer...
We've all heard the phrase "buy cheap, buy twice"... Well it's every bit as applicable to eBikes, if not more so, than anything else!
The 85+deg head angle on that bike pictured tells me that safety hasn't even remotely been considered when "designing" said bike (if it was actually designed, rather than just thrown together in a factory, I would be shocked)...
£700 really isn't a lot when it comes to eBikes... I've seen a few half decent, second hand Yamaha or Bosch powered mid-drive bikes in good condition for around £1k recently... If you or your FIL have any concern for his safety and welfare, then steer well clear. But if you want your wife to inherit anything he might leave her, sooner than later, it could be £700 well spent... 🤷🏻♂️
If it's got to be new for whatever reason, pop and see the guys at Jardine Cycles in Tile Hill, if anything the cheaper end of the eBike market (but safe, good quality ones) is their forte, and they're a local business at least and will be able to help as and when it goes wrong...
Thoughts on this or any other viable options in terms of what it offers, cost, safety, reliability etc?
It looks like it's been ridden into a wall.
Plus everything that @mboy says above ^^.
Please, get something decent. Doesn't have to cost the earth but it would be worth explaining to him that a vaguely reputable brand with some half decent kit on it would be considerably better to ride than whatever that thing claims to be.
Look for a second hand Bosch mid motor from Raleigh or Carrera. You'll get one for less than £800. If your lucky you'll get a hub gear too.