Electric Bike

Whatever next. I always thought that cycling was an exercise to try and get fit. Given the 'look good feel good' blurb from Q you wouldn't therefore think that they wouldn't sell an electric bike. But yep this is the latest thing that QVC is selling. It goes at 15mph without having to do anything. It is already a massive bug bear of mine that there are too many 'wheels' on the pavement, what with 'ordinary' pedal bikes, supposed 'disabled' scooters (I say that because I am convinced that more and more are using these who are not exactly fully needing to use them). I am deaf, I can't hear things around me, thus I am getting more and more agoraphobic due to all the 'wheels on the road'. Give me strength!

There are still some folks around who cycle, primarily, as a means of transport, and not as a form of exercise. Horses for courses. This is around the norm for an electric cycle, but I have seen them for quite a bit less.
I feel obliged to commend QVC, for including postage in the cost. And they will collect it if - unlikely as it is - you decide to return it. At no cost to you.
All considered, it's a no brainer.

Had an email from Gtech the other day, they are doing electric bikes. Haven't looked at their site to see price or anything, might be worth comparing with QVC.

Given the bike is by a company called Emu I hope warehouse don't make a mistake as someone expecting a pair of boots might get a shock when a bike turns up!!

It was the utterly corporate woman who was presenting it who I objected to. Had she been programmed by EMU bikes for that presentation? As for 'I can go to the theatre (in Notting Hill, doubtless) on this bike and still arrive perfectly dressed", well....

Stupid ****** London-centric crap. And I'm a Londoner!

I've had electric bikes for 7 years now - over that time I've has a Wisper 805fe, A Volt Metro, a cheap Chinese bike (from BuyBuyBicyles) and a small compact 12" wheel folding bike. With electric bikes you really do get what you pay for and anything under a grand will likely prove a false economy. My first bike - the Wisper - I absolutely LOVED. I rode it everywhere and must have clocked up thousands of miles on it. It never let me down, and I was gutted when it got stolen from outside Brentford Fountain Leisure Centre. The Volt Metro was amazing too and last me three years - before it too was stolen from outside my workplace. I got that from a specialist supplier in London. Run by 2 brothers = Lyle and James - they offer a superb service. Nothing is too much trouble for them. They really believe in their product and have sold bikes to 2 centenarians, amongst others. The cheap Chinese bike however was a different story. I took a chance on it, seeing that electric bikes are hugely popular in China, however the ones they export are often poorly made and not suitable for British roads. It spent more time off the road than on and I eventually sold the battery and just abandoned the bike in Kilburn High Street. I couldn't be bothered with chucking good money after bad.
I am a MASSIVE fan of electric bikes and wouldn't hesitate in recommending. They are amazing and not "for lazy people." There are so many advantages to an electric bike, however it's quite a considered purchase. Knowing QVC - in it only for the money - they simply won't have the support, knowledge and acumen to look after the bikes in th longer term. People like Lyle and James live and breathe electric bikes. They source them, build them, ride them, fix them. It's their livelihood. Take it from someone who knows, don't touch anything flogged by QVC or Halfords with a barge pole.

Oh what a surprise! Ideal World have been selling electronic bikes for years, not £1000 though, they're £350. Difference between them is IW have all the safety gear you can buy that goes with your new electric bike, you can also pop them in your flexi basket and spread the cost.

QVC's bike is not bad. I wonder what the battery capacity is though, and how replaceable it is, and how much the bike weighs, and what guarantee it has. It will most likely be an electrically-assisted bike as the EU banned throttle controls (mine has twist grip throttles). Don't know much about Emu but it looks as though they are targeting this at older, affluent people, probably "baby-boomers" who want to get out and about on a bike.

Sazza said:

Given the bike is by a company called Emu I hope warehouse don't make a mistake as someone expecting a pair of boots might get a shock when a bike turns up!!

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You'd get even more of a shock if you'd forked out for the bike and got a pair of boots!

Julius said:

QVC's bike is not bad. I wonder what the battery capacity is though, and how replaceable it is, and how much the bike weighs, and what guarantee it has. It will most likely be an electrically-assisted bike as the EU banned throttle controls (mine has twist grip throttles). Don't know much about Emu but it looks as though they are targeting this at older, affluent people, probably "baby-boomers" who want to get out and about on a bike.

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What do you think Julius?

The 36 volt SDI battery powered with Samsung battery cells has a ‘smart battery management system’ built-in to achieve the lowest self-discharge rate. Coupled with its powerful 250 watt electric motor, it will produce all the power you need to tackle those steep slopes. And you won’t have to worry about those sudden stops, as the top-quality Shimano brakes and gears will ensure you remain in control.

Loveinamist said:

What do you think Julius?

The 36 volt SDI battery powered with Samsung battery cells has a ‘smart battery management system’ built-in to achieve the lowest self-discharge rate. Coupled with its powerful 250 watt electric motor, it will produce all the power you need to tackle those steep slopes. And you won’t have to worry about those sudden stops, as the top-quality Shimano brakes and gears will ensure you remain in control.

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Yes, it's not bad. Samsung produce excellent batteries. It will likely be a 36v 8ah battery. I think the 36 10 or 36 16 would be too heavy and costly. Should be good for at least 500 charge cycles or about 2-3 years. I think the quality of the components will be good - well above average. I don't know about the Emu brand and would strongly advocate that people look into the backup / support. If a controller goes wrong - does it take 8 weeks to get one from China? I know also about the Electric Bike Shop in Camden. They are not too bad - although one of their shops is managed by a dodgy Romanian who calls himself "Claud." I think you could do worse than get this bike, however I would say try out a few different ones. The acid test is how it rides without the power, how nimble it is. I cannot recommend Volt Bikes enough. Lyle and James know exactly who I am. Have known them for years and they are top blokes.

Elec bikes are in some ways like cars - 2 bikes can have the same specs but drive differently. Some elec bikes are very gentle. Others take off very quickly off the mark. Some are loud, some are quiet. What is really interesting though is that nobody looks down on them. If someone had a mobility scooter they would be, yet people treat elec bikes much the same as any other bike. People who own them tend to use them more, too, and ultimately get more exercise as there is an inclination to pedal, plus people cycle somewhere and then do something at the end of their journey - walking - shopping - gym etc. Electric bikes have brought so much joy and convenience into my life. When it warms up I will start using mine to get to work / gym / uni and will post pics up!

I have an electric bike, and they are great! You do get fitter, because you do still have to pedal them, it's just easier to get up hills. I can put my basket on and cycle to our local shops which are too far to walk to.
They can be expensive to buy though. Mine has quite a powerful motor because I live in an area with many steep hills. I did a lot of research before buying.

Why the heck didn't they head out into the QVC garden to demonstrate it?

maymorganlondon said:

Why the heck didn't they head out into the QVC garden to demonstrate it?

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Guest with Simon Biagi done one lap of the studio floor, not wall to wall mind!

They should have gone to Gunnersbury Park or anywhere near Chiswick High School. I used to live just up the road from Chiswick - on the Souf Acton Estate! I actually really liked living there. I drove through it the other week and felt sad that they're pulling down all the tower blocks to build bland, expensive flats. They're erasing all the character of the area. I lived in Meredith Tower and never once felt threatened. I used to zip around the area on my electric bike! My favourite journey was going down Bollo Lane to Chiswick High Road on a Sunday morning. The first Sunday of each month they have a car boot sale at Chiswick High. In the morning I would go there and then in the afternoon I would walk around the grounds of Chiswick House and have something to eat in the café. It's the most beautiful park and is almost totally hidden away - one of London's best-kept secrets! In fact I've just realised that tomorrow is the first Sunday of the month so I might drive over there and get out and about for a bit. I'm sick of being stuck indoors.

Julius said:

They should have gone to Gunnersbury Park or anywhere near Chiswick High School. I used to live just up the road from Chiswick - on the Souf Acton Estate! I actually really liked living there. I drove through it the other week and felt sad that they're pulling down all the tower blocks to build bland, expensive flats. They're erasing all the character of the area. I lived in Meredith Tower and never once felt threatened. I used to zip around the area on my electric bike! My favourite journey was going down Bollo Lane to Chiswick High Road on a Sunday morning. The first Sunday of each month they have a car boot sale at Chiswick High. In the morning I would go there and then in the afternoon I would walk around the grounds of Chiswick House and have something to eat in the café. It's the most beautiful park and is almost totally hidden away - one of London's best-kept secrets! In fact I've just realised that tomorrow is the first Sunday of the month so I might drive over there and get out and about for a bit. I'm sick of being stuck indoors.

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Chiswick House Grounds may look a little different then you may remember it though
due to the Chinese Magic Lantern Festival
it may have just finished or finishing this week end
but it took month to place the giant animal, flower and other type of very colourful silk lantern there
so i guess it wil take a few days to take them back down too

p.s, i checked, lantern still there tomorrow
you can see them for free and unlit until 4pm
ticket needed to see them lit from 5pm
the Chiswick House Camelia show in the Orangerie is still on
and has been free since last year
well worth a visit and an amble around in too

lilith said:

Chiswick House Grounds may look a little different then you may remember it though
due to the Chinese Magic Lantern Festival
it may have just finished or finishing this week end
but it took month to place the giant animal, flower and other type of very colourful silk lantern there
so i guess it wil take a few days to take them back down too

p.s, i checked, lantern still there tomorrow
you can see them for free and unlit until 4pm
ticket needed to see them lit from 5pm
the Chiswick House Camelia show in the Orangerie is still on
and has been free since last year
well worth a visit and an amble around in too

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Thanks. I will take a look. I normally visit the boot sale early however I've a feeling it will be freezing cold so I think I will set out after 9am. I hope they haven't ruined Chiswick House with all these lanterns and dragons and things. I like it just as it is.

Julius said:

Thanks. I will take a look. I normally visit the boot sale early however I've a feeling it will be freezing cold so I think I will set out after 9am. I hope they haven't ruined Chiswick House with all these lanterns and dragons and things. I like it just as it is.

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ruined ?
it is just temporary, last day tomorrow
unless you mean 'ruined' for your planned trip tomorrow

lilith said:

ruined ?
it is just temporary, last day tomorrow
unless you mean 'ruined' for your planned trip tomorrow

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Lanterns might look nice. I will go to see them. I can't have another day stuck in this flat. I will go mad if I don't get out. Will be nice to see something different.

Julius said:

Lanterns might look nice. I will go to see them. I can't have another day stuck in this flat. I will go mad if I don't get out. Will be nice to see something different.

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and if the lantern are too 'in yer face' (you can't miss them, they are mot meant to be subtle)
then you can escape to the Camelia's

p.s. Hogarth House just down the road too
if you haven't been
something tells me that Hogarth's type of satire and social commentary
may well be your kind of thing
free too