E-Bikes in NZ

Forums › Transport (cars, bikes and boats) › E-Bikes in NZ

Disrespective

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#191704 13-Feb-2016 12:42

I'm possibly in the market for a commuting machine and am investigating e-bike options but my options seem somewhat limited compared to the EU/US regions.

Who has one? What did you buy? Why did you buy it?

I really like the look of the Specialized Turbo as it's not obviously different but can't find anything similar to try and compare it to.

My budget has allowance for something decent, but i'm not looking to spend more than $5k or so if I can help it.

Dairyxox

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#1491599 13-Feb-2016 14:18

There's already a good thread on this.

siyuan

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#1491617 13-Feb-2016 15:32

I bought a Smartmotion eUrban recently and I'm very happy with it. Bought it because traffic is just getting busier and busier as years go by, commuting to work is becoming a frustrating experience by car. Smartmotion is a NZ brand, NZ designed, manufactured in China. The build quality is very good, I recommend going to one of their retail shops to test one out.

jeffnz

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#1491635 13-Feb-2016 17:05

ok well I don't own one and do cycle a bit so if I went electric I'd get a decent MTB and a conversion kit reason being most of the bikes are rubbish and not able to be used for anything other than urban riding where as a decent MTB you have more options. (you can spend a lot of money getting a decent Ebike, check out the B52 )

An older guy I cycle with has one of these kits and managed to get 80km's around Taupo on 1 battery but he can also do a bit of off roading.

Another plus is if you want to upgrade bike you can remove kit.

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1eStar

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#1491808 13-Feb-2016 22:47

Haibike. German quality. Bosch or Yamaha centre drive. Mmmmm

floydbloke

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#1492389 15-Feb-2016 07:59

Dairyxox:

There's already a good thread on this.

Your post would add a lot more value if you included the link.

Sometimes I use big words I don't always fully understand in an effort to make myself sound more photosynthesis.

1eStar

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#1492642 15-Feb-2016 14:16

And the link would be even more useful if it worked on the mobile site.

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Batman

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#1492646 15-Feb-2016 14:22

Disrespective:

I'm possibly in the market for a commuting machine and am investigating e-bike options but my options seem somewhat limited compared to the EU/US regions.

Who has one? What did you buy? Why did you buy it?

I really like the look of the Specialized Turbo as it's not obviously different but can't find anything similar to try and compare it to.

My budget has allowance for something decent, but i'm not looking to spend more than $5k or so if I can help it.

Just ask any pro cyclists where they get theirs

tieke

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#1492661 15-Feb-2016 14:41

I'm not sure where you live, but probably best to try out a couple of options first to see which style you prefer (eg motor in wheelhub/crank etc). I'm sure the ebike sellers would let you try out the different options, or you could hire one for a day and see if it does what you want. In Wellington for instance http://switchedonbikes.co.nz/ can rent you a couple of different models for a few hours or an entire day.

Dairyxox

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#1492673 15-Feb-2016 14:57

floydbloke:

Dairyxox:

There's already a good thread on this.

Your post would add a lot more value if you included the link.

That is true, but I didn't have the time to go and find it, I figured it would be helpful to at least let the OP know there was a good resource already here somewhere, so they could check it out.

Now I've gone and had a look (it wasn't the easiest to find), here you go...

Electric Bike (bicycle)

After reading through, the volto.co.nz bikes looked like a good compromise between price, quality, practicability.

I've been talking the Mrs into getting us one for my commute to work (22kms, 11 each way)

kotuku4

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#1493020 16-Feb-2016 08:45

Hi I had an electric bike discussion recently; http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=162&topicid=181171

I'm 4 months in with a Volto TDE03Z, using it to get to work during the week. It is not as pretty as the Smart motion bikes and the other much more expensive options.

I changed the saddle seat for a narrower one, and changed the hand grips for softer motorcycle grips as I found one of them uncomfortable. Fitted a tail bag on the carrier, and a speedo, as mine did not come with one. All up about $2000, which is fine if I get a few years out of it.

The shop may not have checked and adjusted the rear wheel spokes at first service, and I broke one latter. I am overweight for the bike and now carry a spare and adjusting tool.

The front fork is budget but works ok, overall the bike seems simple and robust. The battery is best topped up each night.

Dairyxox

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#1493024 16-Feb-2016 09:01

@kotuku4: not to be rude, but how much do you weigh?

What kind of speeds do you average?

How is the weight of the bike? Volto claim it is quite light, and list a weight, but subjectively how do you find it?

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kotuku4

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#1493030 16-Feb-2016 09:11

Dairyxox:

@kotuku4: not to be rude, but how much do you weigh?

What kind of speeds do you average?

How is the weight of the bike? Volto claim it is quite light, and list a weight, but subjectively how do you find it?

I weigh considerably more than than the 110kg carrying weight, I'm 140kg but reducing now I'm not driving every day, and taking more care over diet.

I can pedal it along at 35km/h when freshly charged, drops down to about 30-32 when battery starts to drain a little.

The bike really does feel heavy to move around and starting stopping at first, but after a few rides to hardly notice it. You notice if you pedal without power assist.

The big issue for me for planning ahead and slowing down, you don't realise how fast you are going and the time and distance needed to stop.

I like riding my bike and use it whenever I can.

daringpeter

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#1553289 15-May-2016 19:49

I would like to add my comments on E-bikes. I bought a Volto (good value if not flashy) a while ago, after having commuted to work daily for 30 years on a 'commuter' style push bike. Pretty flat, about 7 km. each leg. Now, I retired at 75 by which time I was getting tired by the time I got to work, or home. I wish I had had an E-bike several years ago, but...

I didn't realise that an E-bike is not at all like a push bike. Sure, it has pedals, but you really can't use them like a push bike. It's really an electric 'mo-ped', a power bike, no surprise? It was to me. If you use one after years of riding push bikes you cannot ride it like push bike- forget all that!! Not easy for me.

I found quickly that if you adjust the seat height as for a push bike you get into trouble quickly. Look at any motor bike, you must be able to put your foot on the ground while still seated. That means that the seat is badly positioned for pedaling.

They are also heavy! Just like a motor bike. A whole new learning curve for me. And now, I really do not have any use for it. Very likely quite different circumstances to other posters.

Batman

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#1553297 15-May-2016 20:03

daringpeter:
I would like to add my comments on E-bikes. I bought a Volto (good value if not flashy) a while ago, after having commuted to work daily for 30 years on a 'commuter' style push bike. Pretty flat, about 7 km. each leg. Now, I retired at 75 by which time I was getting tired by the time I got to work, or home. I wish I had had an E-bike several years ago, but...

I didn't realise that an E-bike is not at all like a push bike. Sure, it has pedals, but you really can't use them like a push bike. It's really an electric 'mo-ped', a power bike, no surprise? It was to me. If you use one after years of riding push bikes you cannot ride it like push bike- forget all that!! Not easy for me.

I found quickly that if you adjust the seat height as for a push bike you get into trouble quickly. Look at any motor bike, you must be able to put your foot on the ground while still seated. That means that the seat is badly positioned for pedaling.

They are also heavy! Just like a motor bike. A whole new learning curve for me. And now, I really do not have any use for it. Very likely quite different circumstances to other posters.

A few months ago I found my ego shattered trying to chase a chubby guy uphill in a forest while mountain biking. I was perplexed as he was barely pedalling! Then I heard a purr .... Wtf!