OK, before you lynch me, it’s not for me. A friend of mine that I used to cycle with nearly 20 years ago wants to get back into riding and has his heart set on an ebike. He has a road bike and a mtb that he hasn’t used for 10 years and he’s getting old, has a bad back and shoulder etc etc, I can’t talk him out of it, he’s made his mind up.

He had his heart set on this from canyon but he wants to use the ride to work scheme but his work won’t use canyon.

https://www.canyon.com/en-gb/e-bikes/e-gravel-bikes/grail-on/grail-on-cf-8-etap/2553.html?dwvar_2553_pv_rahmenfarbe=BU%2FBK#!accordions=1_0

He works in IT so loads of money and is a higher tax payer and has been looking at bikes for around £5500 😲

Ive suggested he buys a ribble for £2000 but they are out of stock.

He wants a road, gravel or adventure bike, well actually, he doesn’t really know what he wants. He knows he wants to cycle to the coast once or twice (from west Yorkshire) but in reality he will probably do 30 to 50 mile runs on it. Primarily on the road but also able to go off road to a degree. I doubt he will r2w on it as he either works from home or lives away on London for weeks at a time.

He wants 2x drive train, good tyre clearance and a battery that can get over 60 miles. He will probably buy a 2nd battery. He doesn’t want race geometry.

My knowledge of ebikes is very limited but my knowledge of gravel bikes is even worse. Gravel ebikes? 🤣 I’m clueless

So, can you put up some links to bikes that fit his crieteria? Bonus points if it’s in stock and even more if its on discount.

Anything he needs to think about to avoid? Which brands have the best warranty for when it all breaks down?

Are specialised the go to brand for ebikes now?

Thanks

Ps please don’t make this an ebike bashing thread. I’m just looking forward to riding with an old mate again after nearly 20 years and who knows where this bike will take him? Ta

Buy local with good warranty back-up. This is what my experience has taught me.

The only problem is none of the suppliers on his list are local or have any stock.

Canyon do Green Commute Initiative. Employer can just do it as a one off if they would agree .. they don’t need to sign up as such.

100% agree with @TroutWrestler, buying local will save a lot of hassle in the future.

The only problem is none of the suppliers on his list are local or have any stock

That doesn’t mean he can’t get one on order and wait though, chances are if it’s not in stock locally it might not be anywhere.

Let’s be honest the weather is gonna take a turn soon enough anyway.

Buy local with good warranty back-up. This is what my experience has taught me.

This, all day long. Or, get a spare.

https://off.road.cc/content/buying/best-electric-gravel-adventure-bikes-you-can-buy-e-gravel-bikes-tried-and-tested-5773
Specialized have a 4 year transferable warranty and as others have already said buying from LBS could save a lot of hassle in the long run.

https://www.chevincycles.com/catalog/product/view/id/53941/category/3/

I have one of these and other than changing the cassette and mech for wide range ones and fitting some 52cm bars, it’s pretty ace for the price.

https://www.merlincycles.com/wilier-e-adventure-gravel-e-bike-173101.html

Specialized have a 4 year transferable warranty and as others have already said buying from LBS could save a lot of hassle in the long run.

I agree with the sentiment, but please stop spreading disinformation. Specialized have increased the warranty* of 2019 and 2020 Levo’s full suspension & 2020 Kenovo’s from 2 to 4 years. This does not include 2021 Levo (now on sales) or Levo SL’s or Kenovo, vado or Creo’s, who still retain a 2 year warranty*. The move was to re-assure 2019/20 owners, as that model are experiencing a larger than normal failure rate on the motors.

Personally for road riding/commuting I like the look of the Spesh Vado or even a Levo hardtail but do see the Ribble offerings as interesting

*The warranty is transferable to the 2nd owner.

I’d steer away from any of them where its powered by the hub, rather than a custom built frame shape for the motor.
Otherwise what you appear to be getting is the BMW 5 series price, for a 3 series engine, and the rest cobbled together out of a Yugo.

The Ribble version is just cheap, and the only way it differs is the inclusion of a powered wheel hub 😕 , which you could convert any bike with, and even hunting out the best you’d still be doing better modifying one of his old bikes.

I’m not anti-E, and am saving for just such a thing. But theres too many at this stage just jumping on the bandwagon and asking an extra 500 quid for a bso.

I’d maybe look or suggest such a conversion, as its going on a bike he’s very familiar with, nothing changes, just a bit heavier and it does much of thew work for him.

I doubt he will r2w on it as he either works from home or lives away on London for weeks at a time.

Is this not a ‘help someone wealthy cheat the taxpayer’ thread?

Is this not a ‘help someone wealthy cheat the taxpayer’ thread?

If he works from home then any ride he does is a r2w.

Do you think everyone who buys a bike on the r2w scheme uses it to ride to work and do you think the government cares? It’s about supporting the bike industry and getting people to move more so they cost the NHS less.

So, leave that for another discussion.

Some really good points and recommendations, thanks for the input. The merlin bike looks interesting but the gears do look a problem or lack of but with a motor do you need easier gears? It’s even in stock!