Hello from Brad & Marion keen electric bike riders

Electric bike couple replied on 20/02/2021 12:08

Posted on 20/02/2021 12:08

Hello eveyone.

We have been campers for many years and just moved over to caravaning. We hired a couple of motorhomes but felt that the added flexibility with caravans outweighed the faff of towing.

So we have invested in a new Swift and now (Feb 21) have it on our storeage site in lockdown. One thing we found during research was that carrying cycles does not seem to be widly addressed by manufacturers, except Swift. Which we found really surprising.

We moved into electric bikes in 2018 and found that they bring back all the joy of cycling we had in our youth. Hills - bring them on - we power up them aot eve puffed at the top.

Just as with caravaning there are many pitfalls in buying an electric bike and we have benefited by listening to experienced caravanners so if you are think about an electic bike and have any questions let us know we will be happy to help. Its what we can give back for all the great help we have had.

We hope to link up with other cyclists, electric or not, as we travel round this year and start more discussions with other cyclists who are in the Club.

So if you see a Swift 560 with 2 electic bikes on the back when you are on a site wave to us or come over and meet us, We look forward to meeting you all over the coming years.

allanandjean replied on 23/02/2021 11:32

Posted on 23/02/2021 09:13 by Porkpielander

Hi CS,

We love taking our ebikes with us too - yes 50 Kg :(

Pendle Engineering have a really good way that can take bikes and a  caravan - assuming your towbar can take the weight. We take both mechanisms. A 'low down one' for traveling without the van and high up one with the van. I've used pendle for some years now and they are good sturdy quality....not a bit of plastic in sight.

BTW the towcar's maximum noseweight will be found in the owner's manual, whilst the maximum noseweight on the towbar will be found on the towbar plate. Whichever is the lowest is the one you have to work to.

 

Posted on 23/02/2021 11:32

Hi, The rack that you have mentioned does indeed allow towing, but only if you have a bolt on tow bar.

I, and I presume lots of others, don't have a bolt on bar so need to look elsewhere.

The only solution that I have found, that is readily available, is the MaxxRaxx.

I have considered , I believe, all the other options including a rack that allows you to load at the side of the car and then cantilevers up onto the roof, A frame racks, roof mounted racks and putting the bike in the car and every option has drawbacks.

replied on 23/02/2021 12:20

Posted on 23/02/2021 12:20

The user and all related content has been Deleted User

suf replied on 23/02/2021 19:31

Posted on 23/02/2021 19:31

What make of e-bikes do you have as we're considering  maybe a Cube.

Porkpielander replied on 24/02/2021 07:59

Posted on 23/02/2021 19:31 by suf

What make of e-bikes do you have as we're considering  maybe a Cube.

Posted on 24/02/2021 07:59

Hi Suf

We have a two Scott Hybrids with Bosch motors - very very pleased with them. Bought them Nov. 2019 and done over 2000 miles, her in the UK and in France. We bought them for leisure. no time trials, strava records or lycra, just 20/30 miles with a coffee/cake some where on route.

Two useful additions are OS survey app and beeline.

Enjoy.

replied on 24/02/2021 08:33

Posted on 24/02/2021 07:59 by Porkpielander

Hi Suf

We have a two Scott Hybrids with Bosch motors - very very pleased with them. Bought them Nov. 2019 and done over 2000 miles, her in the UK and in France. We bought them for leisure. no time trials, strava records or lycra, just 20/30 miles with a coffee/cake some where on route.

Two useful additions are OS survey app and beeline.

Enjoy.

Posted on 24/02/2021 08:33

The user and all related content has been Deleted User

suf replied on 24/02/2021 17:16

Posted on 24/02/2021 07:59 by Porkpielander

Hi Suf

We have a two Scott Hybrids with Bosch motors - very very pleased with them. Bought them Nov. 2019 and done over 2000 miles, her in the UK and in France. We bought them for leisure. no time trials, strava records or lycra, just 20/30 miles with a coffee/cake some where on route.

Two useful additions are OS survey app and beeline.

Enjoy.

Posted on 24/02/2021 17:16

Many thanks for the reply, we'll have a look at those bikes and bear in mind the useful additions!

allanandjean replied on 24/02/2021 17:28

Posted on 23/02/2021 19:31 by suf

What make of e-bikes do you have as we're considering  maybe a Cube.

Posted on 24/02/2021 17:28

Hi, I narrowed down my choice to a Cube or Specialised. The Cube has the Bosch motor, and the Specialised the Brose.

I had a short ride on both but a ver long chat with the staff. They all ride the Brose, albeit more expensive ones than mine, and that was the one I preferred.

I walked away at first, as I was uneasy with spending so much, but went back for a second look and staff advised me to wait a few days as the model I wanted, Turbo Levo, would be in the Black Friday sale.

I know prices tend to be inflated before sales but I got 30% off so happy!

Takethedogalong replied on 24/02/2021 21:59

Posted on 23/02/2021 19:31 by suf

What make of e-bikes do you have as we're considering  maybe a Cube.

Posted on 24/02/2021 21:59

I have a Cube. It was bought as an ordinary bike, no electrics, but it’s very well made, comfortable, and has lovely gear shift. I realised I needed a bit of help nowadays up hills, but was reluctant to part with my Cube, as it’s such a perfect ride for me. OH is a bit of a whizz with bikes, so he sourced a motor kit for around £300, and with a bit of work set about fitting it to my Cube. Brilliant job, I don’t use the motor a great deal, but it’s there when I do need it. A good compromise for me. I wouldn’t hesitate to have a Cube ebike when I come to replace it. OH currently has five bikes, fitted a similar motor to his Planet X mountain bike, and his Planet X racer. Had to due to a health issue which means he cannot let his heart rate get above a certain level. He still uses a couple of other non electric bikes, but has a serious road ebike, a Cannondale. Fabulous bike, serious money, but he really really loves cycling. Some fantastic stuff out there now.😁

allanandjean replied on 25/02/2021 08:48

Posted on 25/02/2021 08:48

I looked at converting my Voodoo Bizango to electric but the price was way above what you mention.

In the end decided that a new, purposed designed bike would be a better long term bet and adding in that Grandson had outgrown his bike, so would graduate to the Voodoo, made it an easy choice. 

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