Hi
Any idea where to get an electric bike, just to ride from home to work (like 10km a day)?
I had a look at Kogan and catch of the day and a few other websites. What do you think of their price/quality?
Thanks
Where to Get an Electric Bike?
bennarra on 20/09/2020 - 12:30
Last edited 20/09/2020 - 13:16 by 1 other user
Last edited 20/09/2020 - 13:16 by 1 other user
Comments
Cheap e-bikes aren't very good based on my experience, was slower than commuting with my road bike and only really for making trips on hills only slightly easier (probably because mine had a weak motor). I would recommend just commuting on a road bike - it will make you fit - as long as your commute is relatively flat and your fitness is reasonably good. Note that you will need to spend at least $2000-2500 for a remotely decent e-bike.
Are you riding that commute distance now on a conventional bike?
If not, get a normal non-e-bike as 10km is quite a short distance on bike. A non-e-bike will generally be cheaper too.
I recently purchased from Leon Cycle Victoria an NCM Munich for about $1350 with free delivery to North Queensland. Bike is very well put together and terrific to ride for this 70 year old. Highly recommended.
https://www.leoncycle.com.au/e-folding/ncm-munich/
I have the NCM Moscow plus, and the NCM Milano plus for the partner can’t recommend ncm enough.
The Milano is noticeably quicker on the road with the schwalbe marathons on the downhill but both bikes are great.
I recommend the plus models of the ncm you get a larger battery and hydraulic breaks.
After 2 years of near daily use the Moscow has lost a small amount of battery so I’d start bigger than you need. I really want to steal the newer battery from the Milano but I still easily get 30km a day out of the old battery with some significant hills.
For commuting I recommend the op get one of the bikes with marathon tyres , lights and a rack. They cost a fair bit extra if you add them later like I did to the Moscow.
The rear tyre is a pain in the butt to replace. I’ve done it twice and would seriously pay someone to do it in future.
OP Consider getting puncture proof tubes with goo for the rear. You need two shifters , and pliers to replace the rear tube.. definitely get marathon tyres for commute.
Both bikes have been surprisingly low maintenance. The Moscow is 2 years old and has had almost no maintenance has done over 5k kms. The closest I’ve done to maintenance is put bit of chainsaw oil on the chain after it’s gotten muddy.
I would have normally done a chain atleast on the Moscow by now and probably the cassette but the 8 speed chain seems to last surprisingly long compared to my non electric 10 speed road. I’m guessing the electric hub takes a lot of strain off the running gear.
Absolutely impressed with NCM normally cheaper Chinese ebikes have really shoddy wheels and spokes that break, but I’ve yet to break one spoke despite a fair bit of trail riding with heavy panniers.
If you feel like it, you can get a pretty decently strong kit shipped from China. The actual motor and wheel attachments are about 200, but the battery is 400+, which is the most expensive part of an ebike.
I agree the NCM bikes are great value. I too have a Moscow.
I would buy from a local dealer if possible, as I bought from the distributor in Vic, which made warranty(minor) claims a tad hard.
Good to hear that. Been waiting for the NCM Aspen+ to come back into stock.
Did you get the off-road throttle control pack?
Depends on what U looking for and how much you want to spend. For something like an electric bike I would buy locally in store. The maintainence, servicing, replacement parts etc etc though a physical store would be easier than trying your luck online.