Electric bike recommendations

[weeksy]

I don't believe there's anything in that range at all, let alone whether it's good or bad.. but if there is, it's very very unlikely to be good.

Even Decathlon are struggling to come in that bracket

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/electric- ... mc=8586865

[Count Steer]

I found this. Removable battery, Shimano 6 speed, 250 watt motor 15-20 mile range. It's not going to excite the MTB brigade but might work for a 2-3 years as a commuter.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/HYPER-Electri ... 904&psc=1

[JamJar]

I found this. Removable battery, Shimano 6 speed, 250 watt motor 15-20 mile range. It's not going to excite the MTB brigade but might work for a 2-3 years as a commuter.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/HYPER-Electri ... 904&psc=1

The issue with those bikes is they are cheap Chinese crap and you have no idea if they are safe and won't burn your hose down.

[Mussels]

How far is she commuting? A cheap one might be ok for a couple of sedate miles but not for 10 miles when you don't want to hang around.
I had a cheap ebike for commuting, I think it cost £500 about 15 years ago. The electrical parts were great but the bike parts were terrible and broke frequently.

[Taff]

I'd be looking for a used one from a decent manufacturer like cube etc.
A quick look on eBay suggests that you'd need to double the budget though.

[roadster]

I bought a second hand Decathlon 920 type about 6 years ago. I don't use it regularly but its still OK and has a range of 25 miles or so provided you don't use the 15.5 mph speed option. Only problem was the charger which failed quite soon after I bought it. The replacement one has been OK but it does get quite hot. The battery remains cool though.

There is a limit to its hill climbing ability and if you force it up a long 1 in 5 it will overheat the hub motor. It is a big help on gentler hills where you can maintain 10 mph and put in some physical effort.

[weeksy]

It's a fair point, for most of us the bicycle version gives the option to use in a different way, e.g off-road. But if that's not a factor then yeah a motorcycle version may make more sense.

[Mussels]

I commuted into London by motorbike and ebike and if all the roads are 30 limit or below then it's an easy choice as ebikes have a huge advantage when it comes to parking. There's no faffing around looking at full bike bays or paying, you just chain it to a nearby set of railings. Carrying a lock suitable for London isn't easy but it's the same problem for both sets of wheels.
Ebikes also open up a load of routes you can't use on a motorbike, all depends where it will be used. I could use ebikes on snow and ice with studded tyres and they were generally more fun.

[MingtheMerciless]

She's had a look at the Yamaha ones, I think it's called the Booster Easy, they're quite funky looking things, aimed at commuters rather than speed merchants or proper off-road MTb'ers.

She had a try and as I said they seem good - but you can get a decent proper 125cc (or electric equivalent) scooter/motorcycle for the same sort of money. They're £3k and a decent motorcycle/scooter is about the same, she really liked her Honda Grom that she commuted on when she worked at the hospital and they're £3.5k new.

I said I'd buy her one for Christmas and it's her choice but it feels like you're getting more for your money with a motorcycle than a bicycle. Although with a bicycle there is no tax, insurance, etc.

Make sure you get a decent lock for it, an air tag and she has somewhere very secure to stash it at home and work.

[Mussels]

I found the ebike was more comfy whatever the weather as I could increase or decrease my effort and layers to keep warm or cool. The big downside was in order to be comfy I had to accept getting soaking wet, I got a shower at work so it was never much of a problem.
I'd arrive some days with snow packed between my shoes and the covers but my feet were still plenty warm enough.

[Count Steer]

The £500 target has increased a tad.

[Mr Moofo]

I don't know how I feel about the looks, but it looks like this is the one she wants...
(it's bust the budget obviously but as people pointed out there is nothing in the initial price range)

I guess no self respecting Bolton drug seller is going to nick that

[Count Steer]

I don't know how I feel about the looks, but it looks like this is the one she wants...
(it's bust the budget obviously but as people pointed out there is nothing in the initial price range)

I guess no self respecting Bolton drug seller is going to nick that

Self respecting/Bolton drug seller....we have something of a non sequiteur going on.

(I think it looks though, it has something of a Honda 90 vibe but with a manga twist. I'll take it).

[weeksy]

I don't know how I feel about the looks, but it looks like this is the one she wants...
(it's bust the budget obviously but as people pointed out there is nothing in the initial price range)

https://www.yamaha-motor.eu/gb/en/ebike ... easy-2023/

Wow, that's somewhat challenging to me

With a 75nm motor it'll get up to speed quickly. 25kmh top end, it's still a bicycle obviously. But a weird version of one to me

I'd want something very very strong to lock it to, I can see that lasting a week

[Count Steer]

I don't know how I feel about the looks, but it looks like this is the one she wants...
(it's bust the budget obviously but as people pointed out there is nothing in the initial price range)

https://www.yamaha-motor.eu/gb/en/ebike ... easy-2023/

Wow, that's somewhat challenging to me

Oh c'mon. 'Space frame', luggage capacity, chunky tyres. I actually like it. I'd have one.

[weeksy]

Hold on a second, 35kg!!!!

[Count Steer]

Hold on a second, 35kg!!!!

Oh yeah. 35 of your English kilograms. Got your attention now eh?

[weeksy]

Yeah but not in a good way I must say. That's a lump even with power.

I think it depends on your use for it. But we don't live in Amsterdam which I'd bet it was more designed for

[Count Steer]

Yeah but not in a good way I must say. That's a lump even with power.

I think it depends on your use for it. But we don't live in Amsterdam which I'd bet it was more designed for

Ah well it's a commuter, with chunky (heavy) tyres, so will suit English roads and can cope with the shopping etc. I think they're onto something with the design tbh. You don't want/need one but sooner or later somebody is going to come up with the 21st century Honda 50/90 and I think Yamaha may just have poked their cute little noses in front with this.

[Mr Moofo]

It's not really my cup of tea either but she's a girl and she likes the look and the way it rides, plus it's financed from the bank of mum & dad, so at the moment it's looking like it's high up on her list.

If I were a girl looking for a commuter then I'd go for a small electric scooter,

Not that it will hold any sway as she's not paying for it, but you could get a more purposeful , and not so "groovy so desirable" e-bike for a lot less