The A to B Brompton Buyer’s Guide covers the four key Brompton power-assist conversion kits and Brompton own electric bike. If you’re not interested in a power-assisted Brompton, or any kind of folding e-bike, we have unfortunately had to drop our Buyer’s Guide because there are now so many bikes using a relatively small number of systems, that choosing four or five was getting a bit silly. There’s still a full list of prices and stockists in our comprehensive Electric Bike Price Guide.
Individual entries below include links to our comprehensive road-tests, some still available on real paper, or as downloadable and storable PDFs for 99p or £1.29 per issue depending on the age.
A to B Buyer’s Guide – Top Ten Electric Brompton bikes
1. Cytronex C1
Price: From £1,145 (kit only) Rating: 5/5 Verdict: “Exquisitely designed…”
Cytronex-Brompton
Are we serious? Is a small company in Winchester really turning out the best power-assist system currently available for the Brompton? It’s a subjective thing, and Bromptons get used for all sorts of purposes, but taking into account weight, price, efficiency and user-friendliness, this really is a cracking option, and well worth putting on anyone’s short-list.
For years, Cytronex made a very practical power-assist kit based on the Tongxin motor, still used in the Nano-Brompton. But MD Mark Searles was quietly developing something much more sophisticated, and the C1 was finally launched in 2017 to some acclaim. Before long there was a Brompton variant too. It’s not the cheapest kit-based solution, but nowhere near the most expensive, and it’s probably the most sophisticated, in fact better than many factory-built electric bikes. We have just tried the special C1 T-Type Brompton kit, which is custom-made to fit the new all-titanium Brommie. The complete package, with 198Wh battery, weighs only 11.7kg, which is breathtakingly good… We’ll keep you guessing about the range. Sorry! Well, the digital magazine only costs £1.29. We have road-tests of the early C1 in A to B 118, fitted to a Brompton in A to B 127 and A to B 132, and to the T-Type Brompton in A to B 136
2. Nano-Brompton 2.1
Price: From £820 (kit only) Rating: 5/5 Verdict: “Now a touch old-tech, but great value…”
Nano-Brompton
For three years after its inception in 2007, the Nano was one of our top recommendations, but it later moved down to a 4-star rating following persistent feedback of battery issues and other quality control problems. For 2012, the Nano returned as Nano 2.0, which has proved lighter, slicker, and more reliable, and was later revised as the 2.1 and back to 5 stars with us. The key change was to Ping batteries, with a promise of a revolutionary fixed price battery repair scheme once outside the 12-month guarantee period, although Nano soon decided it made more sense to source batteries in Europe, and now primarily sells little 144Wh Bosch garden tool batteries. The Nano 2.0 and later variants have the control electronics positioned low down near the front pannier block rather than high up on the handlebars. This looks clumsy if you ride without a front pannier, but you’re unlikely to, because the pannier holds the battery…
Gross weight (including the separate pannier-mounted battery) is a reasonable 15.8 to 18.5kg, and you only have to carry 12.5-14.5kg in one hand. The wide range comes down to the Brompton model used and the size of the battery. The motor is whisper quiet, a capable hill-climber, and managed to go 45 miles on a charge, but this was our first test of a prototype fitted with a large battery and a motor designed for a 26-inch wheel. so it was geared for less than 10mph on a Brompton wheel. That’s a very good way of getting extra mileage! Expect 15-30 miles with a more typical battery and a 15mph top speed.
Early battery issues now seem to be sorted, and there isn’t a great deal else to worry about, although motors occasionally fail. Thanks to Euro-chicanary, most manufacturers have stopped fitting twistgrip throttles, but they are still legal with a pedal movement sensor and Nano offers a twistgrip or thumb-lever as an option. Do take our advice and pay a modest £30 extra for the thumb-lever or twistgrip versions (the nice Nano people can show you how this works). We didn’t like the automatic control one bit, as with most of the cheaper types.
The Nano isn’t quite the discount option it once was, but it’s a reasonable price for a straightforward power kit with a good track-record. The 12-month battery guarantee is looking on the low side these days too, but overall it’s a good little machine, so it stays near the top of our electric bike wish list.
A nice option is factory fitting of the kit for an extra £100… well worth it for the electrically or mechanically challenged.
The Nano kit can be fitted to any bike for a hundred quid less than the Brompton version.
A folding electric bike that still outclasses all but Brompton’s own by a substantial margin. Full review of the Nano-Brompton. We have also published two follow-up tests (see back issues), a full review of the Nano-Brompton 2.0, and the 2017 spec bike is reviewed in A to B 117
3. ARCC-Brompton
Price: From £1,799 (factory-fitted kit) Rating: 4/5 Verdict: “Hard to fault, but not quite in Cytronex territory…”
An interesting outfit, and an interesting product, if a bit expensive. It’s all good quality stuff, and mostly well engineered, but with a few tedious little niggles like the lack of a light on the control unit and some slightly tricky ergonomics. We said in our test that it feels a bit like a Sunday morning toy rather than a serious tool for commuters, and that sums it up quite well. ARCC has close links with Moulton and is best known for its Moulton kit, which perhaps fits with the enthusiast side of things.
Weight-wise, we’re at the mercy of the particular model chosen by the manufacturers and they tend to choose one with lots of gears and extras, presumably to massage the journalistic ego. Our test bike weighed 17.7kg complete with Bosch 6Ah (216Wh) battery, but ARCC had chosen a 6-speed with an extended steel steat-pillar, so that’s a bit pessimistic. With the tiny 2Ah battery and a lighter bike, you might see 15.6kg, but we found the little battery had a range of barely 7 miles. The 216Wh gives 20 miles, which is OK, but not exactly in Cytronex territory. The full review of the ARCC-Brompton is in A to B 129.
4. Brompton Electric
Price: From £2,995 (complete bike) Rating: 3/5 Verdict: “A disturbing number of teething troubles.”
Brompton Electric
The factory-made electric Brompton was under development for years, possibly a decade. The problem with that sort of gestation is that the public either lose interest, or the bike ends up featuring a pile of ten-year-old technologies and no-one wants it either way. Both of these things have happened here to some extent, and the development road was to run for another few months after the launch, with a variety of issues surfacing.
What you get is a 2-speed or 6-speed Brompton with crank-mounted torque sensor and Brompton’s own front wheel motor. Weight is from around 17kg (our 6-spd test-bike weighed 17.3kg), but that includes the battery pannier, which weighs 2.9kg, so like the Nano, you should never need to carry the whole lot in one hand – a big advantage.
Very briefly, with bad news first, Brompton’s motor is noisy by modern standards (yes, it would have been OK a decade ago), there are still a variety of software and hardware bugs (dirt on the bag connector is behind most issues), it only comes with one size of battery (unlike the Nano above), and most seriously, you cannot fit a standard Brompton front pannier to the bike, or use the electric front pannier(s) with a normal Brompton… as you can on the Nano, of course. Not the end of the world, but it leaves you with only two options: an impossibly tiny luggage space as standard, or a reasonably capacious bag for an extra £130.
Reliability issues do still occurr unfortunately. There have been motor failures, control-system failures, and for some people just don’t like the pedal torque-sensing system. It’s sensitive to different pedalling styles, so makesure you have a proper ride before buying one.
Early failures like overheating seem to have passed, but there are still some daft practical issues. You can’t easily change power or light settings on the move, because the battery top ‘dashboard’ is too far away, and who decided to make it impossible to fit a normal bag? Were they mad?
The good news is that the electronics are fundamentally well sorted now, as should be with Williams F1 involved, it’s covered by Brompton’s dealer network and warranties (unlike aftermarket options like the Nano and Cytronex), the lights are excellent, power output is good and reasonably controllable (don’t try reaching for the control buttons on the move though), and the price is acceptable.
The bike looks and feels like a product that will last. Not a world-beating design like the original Brompton, but a good solid performer if they can remove all the final niggles. It edged ahead of the Nano in late 2018, but has dropped back since. The choice really depends on your views about bags, cost (Nano can convert your own bike, for example) and warranties.
This really should have been the king of the electric folders, but it’s a bit of a lemon.
We have two reviews of the Brompton Electric – a very detailed early test in A to B 117 from August 2017, and a follow-up looking at the production version (hopefully the definitive version!) in A to B 122 in November 2018
5. Swytch-Brompton
Price: From £1,250 (kit only) Rating: 2/5 Verdict: “A lot of money for a pretty low-tech affair…”
Yes, a bit pricey at £1,250, but the Swytch kits are half price if you are willing to pay upfront before they’ve been shipped or even MADE. Surely one would be a fool to do that? And a fool to pay £1,250? Also true. That price has no basis in the real world, but what brilliant marketing… Price aside, this thing works tolerably well, but you are carrying a big 2kg battery around on the handlebars, which is not the smartest move on a small-wheeled bike. The whole kit weighs 3kg, so expect your finished e-Brompton to weigh 15kg to 18kg according to model. Range came out at 13.6 miles. That’s pretty good and reasonably efficient, but you have to carry a 180Wh battery around on your handlebars to see that sort of mileage.
This page is brought to you by A to B Magazine.
Note: Our legal pages refer to the UK only. Elsewhere, electric bike law varies widely between countries, and even between individual states in the USA, Canada and Australia. If in doubt, always check local regulations.
Electric bicycles are unique machines legislatively, being the only powered vehicles to be treated in exactly the same way as pedal cycles. This means you can ride one while disqualified from driving a car, motorcycle or moped, and you will not be subject to laws aimed specifically at motor vehicle drivers, such as drink-drive legislation. You must, of course, adhere to the rules of the road, and like any other cyclist, you can be prosecuted for riding without lights, riding dangerously, or riding while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. There are, in addition, a few key legislative requirements:
Electric Bike Legislative Requirements
The rider must be aged at least 14
The electric bike must not be capable of exceeding 25kph (15.6mph) while under power
Note: Like any other cyclist, you can ride as fast as you like when the motor is not providing assistance, but you must still obey traffic laws. In practise, power usually fades away quite gradually as speed increases, so a bike that tops out at 15mph with a heavy rider, may give useful assistance at 18mph or above with a light one. In practise, you are very unlikely to be prosecuted for anything other than a wild and reckless infringement of the rules.
The electric bike must not weigh in excess of 40kg for a bicycle, or 60kg for a tricycle This might have been withdrawn, but who cares? You’re not going to want to ride a bike or trike that heavy anyway
The continuous rated power of the motor must not exceed 250 watts
Note: This is the European limit, which the UK signed up to in 2002. The older 1983 UK legislation says 200 watts for bicycles and 250 watts for tandems and tricycles, and this remained in force until very recently, and is still sometimes mentioned. In any event, the whole thing is a technicality, because a measurement of ‘continuous rated power’ is like measuring a piece of wiggly string. You will only get into trouble if your machine has a clearly accessible manufacturer’s plate saying something like ‘500 watt Turbo’ on it.
The motor alone cannot be used to propel the bicycle, so power can only be brought in while the rider is pedaling
Note: The bicycle MUST be fitted with pedals, but don’t worry too much about the requirement to use them. The 1983 legislation made no distinction between pedaling or not pedaling while under power, although the newer 2002 European legislation does. From 2016, European law was fully ratified in the UK (yes, just in time for Brexit!), but manufacturers are still able to get type approval for ‘twist-n-go’ models, and bikes bought up to 2016 (plus ‘old stock’ bought afterwards), remain legal under ‘grandfather rights’. What this means in practise is DON’T WORRY. (a) Policemen have better things to do, (b) electric bikes are not registered, so no-one can easily prove how old it is, and (c) post-Brexit, all European legislation will (eventually) be reformulated into UK law, with a strong case for going back to the old regs. With so many loopholes, prosecution sounds like a waste of police and court time.
If you want a motorcycle-style twistgrip throttle, either through illness, or you just want one and feel more comfortable doing things properly, you are quite entitled to apply for type approval yourself. This costs £55, and it’s a relatively meaningless bit of red tape, but the result is a fully registered road-legal ‘Twist & Go EAPC’. If you have something like a heart or lung issue, this can very usefully power you home when pedalling gets a bit hard. You can find a few details here: http://tinyurl.com/ycl3zz4l The regs for Twist & Gos are apparently not very onerous, but we don’t know what they are.
The rules used to apply to bicycles and tricycles, but four-wheeled quads are allowed now too, but it’s hard to see why anyone would bother. The electric bike rules are not very onerous in themselves, but be warned: if you are successfully prosecuted for breaking any one of them you will no longer be covered by the exemptions that apply to electric bicycles, but bear in mind that in three of the five above, the court would have to decide which law actually applied.
In theory, anyone riding an electric bicycle at, for example, 18mph, could be prosecuted for riding a moped without a helmet, insurance, vehicle excise duty, MoT certificate, etc, etc. If caught riding while under-age or disqualified from driving, you would effectively by driving without a license, a serious offence. In practise, prosecutions are extremely rare, as the police really aren’t interested, but it’s worth knowing the rules.
Some electric bikes look very similar to mopeds or scooters, with fairings and motorcycle-style suspension. These machines are perfectly legal, provided they have pedals and obey all the rules above. The problem with riding one is that very few policemen will be aware of this loophole in the legislation, and you are liable to be stopped and cross-examined on a regular basis, unless you take to wearing a motorcycle helmet. In general, ‘bicycle’ styling is a good idea!
Public Transport
Ah, tricky one. Trains first: if you’ve tried looking this up you’ll have spotted that the 2017 Conditions of Carriage say that “Motorcycles, Motorscooters and Mopeds” are banned, but the cycling regs say “Motorcycles cannot be carried on any services”. Years ago British Rail banned mopeds from its trains, and adjusted the wording of the National Conditions of Carriage to the effect that ‘mopeds and motorised bicycles’ were banned, although this wording was subsequently changed. What this really referred to was bicycles fitted with small petrol motors, but when electric bikes came in, some people naturally assumed it meant electric motors – it almost certainly didn’t.
After railway privatisation, some of the more clued-up railway companies did put clauses into their own rules saying electric bikes were banned, but the others don’t seem to have clarified things by saying they were welcome!
Our judgement is that electric bikes are not banned from the railways, unless specifically mentioned by an individual train operator. In the eyes of the law, electric bikes are bicycles, and they go anywhere a bicycle is allowed to go. But as with so many railway things, it comes down to the judgement of an individual employee who might or might not have read the old Conditions of Carriage and remembered the Motorised Bicycle clause.
The good news is that there have been very few cases of people having problems on the railways. If you intend to carry an electric bike by train, just go ahead, but be discreet. It makes sesnse to carry the battery separately, so you can at least show that it’s been deactivated, which will probably satisfy a busy guard. Check my link for more details.
Buses are another whole minefield. As far as we know, electric bikes have never been mentioned in bus or coach bylaws, but buses don’t generally carry bikes anyway. We have carried a fully-folded and covered Nano-Brompton by bus several times without issue, but then the driver had no idea what it was!
Looking for an adult electric tricycle?
You’ve come to the right place. We like to road-test an electric tricycle for the magazine before recommending it. But with so many available, our recommendations are sometimes based on spec and price, rather than experience.
Errors & Omissions: Please contact us if you see any errors or omissions. If you are a manufacturer or distributor, we can only list your products if you keep us informed. Remember, this page is used by thousands of potential customers.
Electric Tricycles and the Law
Electrically-assisted tricycles can be ridden by anyone aged 14 or over, provided the bicycle weighs 40kg or less (60kg for a tandem or tricycle), has pedals, a motor of less than 200 watts continuous output (250 watts for a tandem or tricycle), and a top speed of less than 15mph. However, the situation is currently a bit confused – see Legislation Update
Pedelecs are definitely legal (these only work when you pedal). Hybrid (switchable between pedelec and twistgrip throttle) or E-Bike (twistgrip only) are 100% legal if built before January 2016, and remained legal to buy from old stock after this date, so there were a few about for a while.
In practise, the police have plenty of bigger things to think about in these difficult times. There are thousands of older tricycles in circulation and no easy way to judge the age, so our advice is don’t worry too much.
The Battery
The battery guarantee is the most important thing to look for, particularly with the bigger batteries, which can cost more than some cheaper bikes. Be wary of any odd stipulations, because there are many loopholes a manufacturer can use to refuse to honour a battery guarantee. Excellent service is guaranteed with http://www.maideasyaz.com/. Where the warranty is marked with a question mark, the manufacturer does not provide clear guidance, but you have certain statutory rights.
As a guide, a 24 month battery guarantee is now the norm, but unless the battery has actually failed, you’ll have problems measuring how weak it is, because voltage and capacity are imprecise things, so it’s often your word against that of the dealer. More expensive bikes have diagnostic plug-ins, proving battery condition, and lifetime usage. This should settle warranty disputes.
We used to list battery chemistry, but pretty well everything is Lithium-ion now. A shame, because the heavier lead-acid batteries suited tricycles quite well, and were VERY cheap to replace.
The Drive
Tricky decision? Not really. Rear hub motors are almost on trikes for the obvious reason that they have to be on the left or right wheel and will make the machine handled very badly. Front hub motors are a good straightforward solution if you can’t afford a transmission drive or mid-drive, but they are not the best hill-climbers. Transmission or mid-drives have the big advantage that the motor power is put in ‘upstream’ of the gears, so the power is multiplied by the gear chosen, which tends to make them good on hills. They can also be very efficient because the motor is usually running at a comfortable speed. Like human legs, electric motors don’t like to run too slowly or too fast. The downside is they can be slower to ride, because the motor cannot usually power through the gear change. They can also break gearboxes which are having to deal with both the human and motor power. Both the lower speed and broken gearboxes can be sorted by using clever electronics to momentarily stop the motor during the gear change, but cheaper models will not have this.
NOTES: Friction: Direct drive to tyre Front/Rear Hub:Hub motor in front or rear wheel Front/Rear Chain: Separate chain drive Mid-drive:Crank-mounted motor Transmission Drive:Motor is situated somewhere between the pedal crank and wheels
Electric Trike Prices (UK)
Entries in green are machines that we have either tested and found better than average, or the spec looks good on paper, which is not quite the same thing!
Make & Model
Key spec
Control / Drive
Battery Capacity
Updated
UK Price
Notes
Batribike Trike 20
20″ or 24″ wheels
Front Hub
374Wh
July 22
£1399
Good solid machine, and the 3-speed hub is much better than a cheap derailleur. Also with 576Wh battery. May be out of production.
Mission Space Genie
20″ or 24″, 6-spd derailleur
Front Hub
396Wh
July 22
£1399
FOLDING. Fitted with Conv-E front hub motor. May be out of production
Mission E-Mission
24″ wheel, 7-spd Shimano derailleur gears
Front Hub
460Wh
July 22
£1965
Good straightforward machine. Reassuringly big wheels, low step-thru, fair price
Jorvik Elite JET-E1
Folding 20/24-inch, 3-spd Nexus hub gears
Front Hub
522Wh
July 22
£1999
Folding Trike, with low step-thru. Good value, stylish and well-equipped.
Alpine Easy Trike
One of very few with a ‘tadpole’ layout (twin front wheels). Single speed, 20″ wheels
Rear Hub
374Wh
July 22
£2300
Single speed isn’t to everyone’s taste, but the tadpole layout is easier to acclimatise to, and much more forgiving
Powabyke Powatryke Cruiser
20″ or 24″ wheel
Front Hub
360Wh
July 22
£1550
Heavy and crude, but the ultra-low step-thru might appeal
Alpine Premium Tilt
20″ wheels, 3-spd Nexus hub gears, 37kg
Front Hub
468Wh
July 22
£2,400
Basic Tilt model, able to tilt frame on cambered surfaces. Suspension seat post. Higher spec model below
Jorvik Mountain Trike JMT3
24″ front, 20″ rear wheels, 7-spd Nexus hub
Front hub
840Wh
July 22
£2450
Big fat tyres, plenty of ground clearance, and rear differential. Also with 500-watt motor for £2550 (not UK street legal)
Jorvik Low step-thru Mountain Trike JMT6
20″ wheels, 7-spd Nexus hub gears
Front hub
840Wh
July 22
£2529
Also with 500-watt motor for £2630 (not UK street legal)
Alpine Explorer
20″ wheels, Shimano 7-spd derailleur gears, 35kg
Front Hub
562Wh
July 22
£2600
Low-step-thru, triple disc brakes, lights, suspension forks and seat-post, 20″ x 4″ Kenda tyres
Jorvik Mid-drive JMT9
Folding, 20″ wheels, 7-spd Nexus hub gears, 41kg
Mid-drive
672Wh
July 22
£2700
Low-step thru, triple disc brakes, suspension forks and seat-post, and differential. Also with 500-watt motor at £2800 (not UK street legal)
Di Blasi R34
20″ wheels
Rear Chain Drive
204Wh
July 22
£2785
Laughably small battery, but it’s the only COMPACT Folding trike. More or less unique
Jorvik Mid-drive JMT7
20″, 7-spd Nexus hub gears
Mid-drive
672Wh
July 22
£2800
Mid-drive mountain trike. Also with (illegal) 500-watt motor for £2850.
Alpine Premium
Folding, 24″ front, 20″ rear wheels
Mid-drive
360Wh
July 22
£3,050
£3,250 with 522Wh battery
Alpine Tilt
24″ wheels, 8-spd Nexus hub gears, 37kg
Front Hub
576Wh
July 22
£3100
Front and rear baskets, suspension seat post, auto-lights, tilt mechanism
Jorvik Elite Jet-E2
Folding 20/24″, 7-spd Shimano hub
Mid-drive
1,044Wh
July 22
£3200
Twin batteries, mid-drive gives a slightly higher step-thru
26″ rear wheel, 16″ front wheels, Shinano Steps gear system
Mid-drive
650Wh
July 22
c£5000
28mph and 400 watts – dead cool wheels, but a bit illegal for UK. Still, who cares, really?
Iceni
Family, Adventure or Cargo
Heinzmann
Front Hub
500Wh
Jan 18
c£7000
New, award-winning Bath-based manufacturer
Cycles Maximus
Cargo Van or Media Trike + CM TractionDrive
Ebike
864Wh
La
POA
–
Cycles Maximus
Cab Trike + CM TractionDrive
Ebike
864Wh
La
POA
–
Electric Trike Manufacturers or UK distributors
Some of these companies only stock trikes occasionally, or have shown willingness in the past to adapt existing trikes. The comments relate to our own experience with manufacturers or distributors. As a general rule, a company that supplies a good product can afford to be open and helpful with the press, and will give good service and back-up. The others are something of an unknown quantity, but if you think we’ve been unfair, do let us know.
For a global list go to Electric Bike Manufacturers Worldwide
Alpine Alpine Electric Bikes, Business Box, 3 Oswin Road, Braunstone, LEICESTER LE3 1HR
tel: 0116 233 1559
email: info@alpineelectricbikes.co.uk
Babboe NO LONGER DISTRIBUTED IN UK Just ebikes, Old Chapel Works, Valley Road, Leiston, Suffolk IP16 4AQ
tel: 01728 830 817
email: info@justebikes.co.uk
Cycles Maximus Long-established, helpful and friendly Cycles Maximus Ltd, Studio 121, 3 Edgar Buildings, George Street, BATH BA1 2FJ
tel: 01225 319414
email: info@cyclesmaximus.com
Di Blasi Long-established traders Mission Cycles & Components, Unit 3, The Alders, Seven Mile Lane, Mereworth, MAIDSTONE, Kent M18 5JG
tel: 01622 815615
email: info@missioncycles.co.uk
HP
HP Velotechnik GmbH & Co. KG, Kapellenstr. 49, 65830 KRIFTEL, Germany
UK agent: Bikefix, 48 Lamb’s Conduit Street, LONDON WC1N 3LH
email: sales@bikefix.co.uk
Iceni New manufacturer based in Bath Iceni Cycles Ltd, Unit 15, Dunkirk Business Park , Southwick, TROWBRIDGE BA14 9NL tel: 01225 938078
email: sales@icenicycles.co.uk
Jorvik Great range, reasonable prices and spot-on product-wise Jorvik Tricycles, Unit 6, Yorvale Business Park, Hazel Court, YORK YO10 3DR
tel: 01904 848988
email: info@jorviktricycles.com
Very experienced shop in central London, but only does rather specialist, sporty recumbents
Bikefix, 48 Lamb’s Conduit Street, LONDON WC1N 3LH
email: sales@bikefix.co.uk
The first edition of Brompton Bicycle was hugely popular with the legions of Brompton fans. The review below refers to the first edition, the 2020 revised third edition runs to 224 larger 24cm x 16cm pages, with 195 colour photographs and 35 in black & white. New chapters look at where Brompton may be heading in the future plus coverage of early folding bikes in the U.S., more detail on the military use of folding bikes and, of course, the low-down on new products and company developments.
And the good news? It’s the same price!
Author signed copies by credit card on 01305 259998 or BUY NOW
Review by Tony Hadland
The only folding bike that people fold when they don’t need to.’ This comment on the Brompton sums up the genius of the design. Created a third of a century ago, the Brompton still sets the bicycling benchmark for compact portability. Now, David Henshaw has produced the book that many have long awaited – a comprehensive, readable, informative and beautifully illustrated history entitled simply Brompton Bicycle.
The volume is attractively presented, with numerous illustrations, some very rare, and the majority in colour.The Foreword is by author and TV presenter Adam Hart-Davis, who took to the Brompton whilst filming his television series ‘Local Heroes’, in the early 1990s. As Adam points out, ‘David writes clearly and amusingly … about the tortuous history of this superb bicycle.’
David briefly describes his own involvement with the Brompton – how he discovered it in 1991 and how it changed his life: ‘If it wasn’t for the Brompton, I might still be writing books about historic motor cars.’
A short history of folding bicycles then sets the scene. As early as 1878, Grout’s Portable ‘penny farthing’ highlighted the key factor of wheel size. In the post-Suez era, Alex Moulton’s development of 14-, 16- and 17-inch rims and tyres for adult cycles established the practical limits for wheel size reduction. Moulton had no interest in folding bicycles as such but the fact that some of his bikes separated for easier stowing stimulated interest in folders. David Henshaw recounts the nest of curates’ eggs laid by imitators of the Moulton, including Raleigh’s ironically named RSW Compact, the Russian tank of the folding bicycle world.
A groundbreaking development was the Bickerton – lighter and more compact that any previous commercially produced folder but flimsy and wobbly to ride. For some years, the Bickerton represented the state of the art in compact folding bicycles. As David explains, it was also the catalyst that stimulated Andrew Ritchie to try and do better.
Andrew is a gifted but shy person, who has successfully side-stepped publicity for most of his career, which makes his surprisingly cosmopolitan background all the more interesting. His ancestors include a Prussian Count and a Chancellor of the Exchequer. (Read the book to find out more!) Like Alex Moulton, Andrew graduated in engineering from the University of Cambridge, albeit a generation later. David highlights the inventor’s initial restlessness: ‘Andrew Ritchie had shown a flair for engineering design, but chose to move into computers; he had a talent for computer programming, but moved into the world of commerce.’ For a while Andrew even ran a business selling house plants door-to-door.
The story of the Brompton’s evolution is an heroic one, full of fascination, both in the technical ingenuity displayed, and in the human drama involved. For a private individual successfully to design and market a new bicycle is a huge and daunting task. No task is to huge nor daunting for the professionals at http://emergencymoldsolutions.com/. It has led to at least one tragic suicide in the specialist bicycle world. That Andrew Ritchie succeeded is truly remarkable and you will need to read this book to understand just how he did it. The project was certainly not helped by the giants of the industry, such as Raleigh, who twice rejected the Brompton. Andrew Ritchie must surely be excused a little schadenfreude now that Raleigh no longer manufacture bicycles in the UK, whereas his output, made by British workers in a British factory, continues to climb, year on year, decade on decade.
As David Henshaw explains, by 1977 Andrew Ritchie had evolved the Brompton into the classic form we would recognise today. From thereon, Andrew demonstrated a remarkable tenacity.The earlier restlessness was harnessed, tamed and directed. Where other designers might be tempted to make frequent major changes, a key aspect of the Brompton story is the continuous incremental development and refinement of the design.
David’s book contains chapters on each phase of the Brompton’s history. There is also a section on Brompton specials and useful information on using and maintaining a Brompton.The appendices include a detailed chronology, a guide to serial numbers, and charts showing profit and sales figures, visit http://mexicaninsurance.com/ for more info. At the back of the book, there are short sections on Brompton people and making a Brompton. The book is comprehensively indexed.
‘Iconic’ is an overused and clichéd term, but it certainly applies to the Brompton. Brompton Bicycle by David Henshaw is the definitive companion volume. Whether or not you own a Brompton, you will find this an interesting and inspiring read. I heartily recommend it.
TONY HADLAND
David Henshaw has edited and published A to B magazine, specialising in folding and electric bikes, since 1997 and helped Brompton establish its dealer network in the 1990s.
Author signed copies by credit card on 01305 259998 or purchase BUY HERE
Big strong men sometimes ask us why we put such an emphasis on reducing the weight of folding bikes. If you have to ask the question, you really don’t need to know the answer.Taking weight out of a bicycle has little effect on performance, but a great deal of effect on the ease with which it can be carried.
Many people would be willing to use a folding bike but cannot lift a 14kg (33lb) weight, let alone haul it upstairs or run for a train with it. Get the weight down to a reasonable 12kg, and most people can deal with it. At 10kg, we’re up to, perhaps, 90% of the adult population, and if weight can be pared down to less than 8kg (already feasible, but expensive), the bike becomes practical for almost anyone to carry.Weight reduction is a truly emancipating technology, bringing folding bikes to those previously excluded with respective to the action ac.You might argue that they still need to be pretty wealthy, but this is really only a state of mind problem. If a high-end folding bike eliminates the need for a second or third family car, a purchase price of £1,000 or so can represent great value for money.This technology is getting less expensive, but don’t expect fanciful titanium creations to ever be cheap.
Design Challenge
The challenge for designers is to get as close as possible to the 8kg weight goal without seriously compromising the strength and rideability of the machine. Current leader is Dahon, whose Helios SL weighed a genuine 8.65kg (19lb) when we tried it in August 2004.The Helios SL is a delightful machine, but it has 20-inch wheels, so it makes quite a big folded package. It also comes with beautiful, but frail Rolf wheels, and no mudguards, so it’s not really a daily commuter machine.
The Brompton is a classic commuter bike, but it’s heavy. In A to B 1, we built a lightweight Brompton weighing 10.9kg. Considering that the Brompton weighed 12kg at the time, this was, with hindsight, quite a good result for a broadly conventional three- speed bike.The following year we were at it again, fitting a 1950s alloy shell to the hub (saving a whacking 120g), fewer, slimmer spokes, a carbon fibre seat pillar, Birdy suspension polymer and a few other bits, hauling the weight down to 10.4kg (22.9lb).
Some lightweight parts are strikingly attractive in their own right.This is the TA AXIX Light bottom bracket
For the next few years, the bike clocked up several thousand miles. Most of the parts lasted well, the only weak spots being the aluminium rear roller securing bolts (they should have been titanium), and the carbon fibre seat pillar, which ate through two frame bushes and ended up dangerously worn itself. In the meantime, of course, the industry had been busy with its own weight reduction programme, and although some of the new stronger Brompton parts (such as the handlebars) were heavier, most were lighter…The company was gradually catching up.
In April 2005, Brompton launched the superlight 9.7kg S2L-X and left our lightweight machine looking a bit sad. Could we do better using the S2L’s new technology – principally a two-speed derailleur hub and titanium frame parts?
A to B Bites Back
Eight years after putting together our original machine (the day of the Princess of Wales’ funeral, for those interested in historical minutia), we’ve built a new machine that’s both lighter and stronger.This isn’t a stripped-down special – our bike has mudguards and all the usual equipment you would expect to find on a Brompton S2L-X, but with the ‘traditional’ M-type Brompton handlebars, because that’s the way we like ‘em. This older design has a shorter stem, saving 60g, but a more complicated handlebar, adding 110g, giving a net weight increase of 50g. Drat and double drat.The taller handlebars also make it impossible to fit the S-type’s shorter Jagwire cables, adding another 50g, so before we’ve even started, our bike weighs 100g more than Brompton’s super-light model.
…the trick is to replace steel parts with titanium… or aluminium…
If our bike is effectively a standard machine, how is the weight taken off? The trick is to work methodically through the machine, replacing steel parts with lighter alternatives. For safety-related bits, this generally means titanium, which is as strong as steel, but about 40% lighter. Less critical things can be replaced with aluminium – 65% lighter than steel, cheaper than titanium (not much in these specialist areas), but weaker, so it needs to be treated with care. Cosmetic things can be made in plastic, or omitted altogether, but ‘easy’ weight savings of this kind will be hard to achieve if the development engineers have already done a good job.
Tranz-X clamp – note the reversed nut and pin preventing the clamp from rotating
As in 1997, we’ve laid out a table indicating the cost-effectiveness of each change. Today, most of these lightweight parts are easily obtainable from Brompton dealers and other specialist outlets, so they’re cheaper than they were eight years ago. At anything up to £1 per gram saved, it’s still an expensive business, but to paraphrase the RSPCA, titanium is for life, and not just for Christmas. Once you’ve raided the piggy bank and fitted the bits, they can be transferred from bike to bike until your knees give out, and then passed down as family heirlooms.
If you’re in the market for the bigger, more expensive chunks of titanium, it’s generally cheaper to go for broke and buy one of Brompton’s own lightweight machines. As fitting is so complex, the two-speed derailleur probably comes into this category too. Even if you’re hoping to upgrade a near-new six-speed bike, it will be easier (and cheaper) to sell the old one and buy a new two-speed.
Top of the ‘worth doing’ list are things like pedals, handlebar grips and reflectors, lighter versions of which can be found quite cheaply.We chose to leave the wheel reflectors off altogether, but you may feel it’s not worth compromising safety for the sake of a few grams. Other parts, like alloy spoke nipples and lighter 14-gauge rear spokes, are cheap, but fitting can involve a great deal of labour, and the long-term strength of the bike will be slightly compromised.The superlight S-type’s Stelvio Light tyres and tubes come into this category too – they are lighter, but more vulnerable to punctures.
Some standard parts are hard to beat – for example, there’s very little to choose between 3/32” chains.We spent £26 and saved a paltry 16g by fitting a KMC X9 Gold chain which is, believe it or not, gold plated. Still, it goes very nicely with the exposed brazes on the Raw Lacquer frame. It’s difficult to beat the weight of the standard Brompton saddle too. On our original bike, we fitted a Terry Race Vanadium saddle weighing 227g.We were able to reuse it, which is fortunate, because it no longer seems to be available.The best we could find today was the Fizik Vitesse Twintech ladies saddle, weighing a claimed 230g and costing £60.This sort of upgrade could never be cost-effective, but saddles are a personal thing, and in the final analysis, a lightweight bike is a fashion statement. Like any other fashion statement it wouldn’t be complete without a few decadent touches.
Anything we’ve missed? The cables and brakes could be lighter, but it’s unlikely the weight and complication would be worthwhile. Otherwise, apart from odd nuts and bolts, we’ll probably have to wait for Brompton to introduce a titanium mainframe, which would save perhaps another kilogram.
On the Road
If you’re worried about the lack of gears, don’t be. Under most conditions, the two-speed derailleur performs much like a conventional three-speed Brompton.The bottom gear of 56″ can tackle hills of up to 12.5% (1:8) with a suitably enthusiastic rider, and the top gear of 74″ is adequate for most urban situations. If you can live with a slightly high pedal cadence, it’s OK on the open road too.As we’ve suggested elsewhere, it may be possible to change the 16-tooth sprocket for a 17-tooth (a 53″ gear) without any other work, and with a bit of titanium-bashing, an 18-tooth can be squeezed in, giving a bottom gear of 50″.That’s almost as low as first on the old three-speed, but a bit of a jump down from top gear, so we’ve left the gearing unchanged and will see how we get on.
In theory, the lightweight parts make next to no difference in terms of speed, but the lighter rotating bits improve acceleration, and they certainly make the bike feel livelier and sharper to ride.We can only say that our lightweight bike seems to accelerate well, and it’s a delight to ride. If it feels good, that’s all that really matters…
Carrying the bike is obviously a lot easier. It’s difficult to visualise how light it is, but try taking the wheels off a Brompton L3 and lifting it…
What does the bike actually weigh? Er, um, a bit of a dispute here. All the parts, old and new, passed over our traditional scales, so we’re quite certain that our bike weighs 2.5kg less than a standard M3L, or L3 as it used to be called. But according to our electronic scales, the finished bike weighs 9.5kg, which is two or three hundred grams more than we were expecting. Drat and double drat!
And how much did it cost? This is another tricky question, because the costs depend on how you do it.To upgrade an elderly Brompton would cost around £800, excluding the two-speed kit, which is not really cost-effective as an upgrade. If buying a new Brompton, the cheapest option is to start with the superlight M2L-X, which comes with most of the Brompton lightweight kit for £873. Adding the Stelvio tyres and the A to B bits and pieces would cost another £250 or so, and bring the weight down to 9.2kg or 9.5kg, depending whose scales you believe.
ENGINEERING NOTES
Not all these parts can be bought off the shelf. The locknut on the Tranz-x seatpost clamp has been turned down to fit inside the Brompton frame lug, with two pegs fitted at the other end to stop the clamp assembly rotating, effectively mimicking the action of the Brompton clamp.The Birdy yellow suspension polymer is a useful upgrade, especially for lighter riders, but needs some shaping to fit – ours is also drilled like an Emmenthal cheese to give a softer ride. We used an aluminium bolt in the suspension, but this should really be titanium.The axle on the AXIX titanium bottom bracket has marginally less bias towards the chainring than the Brompton’s FAG axle. We fitted a 1mm shim, but tolerances vary – we probably didn’t need to. Two home-engineered bits we didn’t reuse this time were the alloy three-speed cable-guide nut (not needed) and the steering head alloy expander nut, which is now a standard fitting.
The V-Moto Super Soco is unique – unlike every other moped-class electric two-wheeler on the market, it looks like a proper little motorcycle. Find out more about Mortgage Loans San Antonio.
The Artisan, Egen eG5 and various E Riders are all unashamedly scooters, while speed pedelecs (Kalkhoff, Stromer, Bultaco Brinco) owe more to cycling genes.
Only the Super Soco makes any attempt at motorcycle styling. And one has to admit, it’s quite well done, looking all of a piece with neat up to the minute plastic bodywork, LED headlight and running lights, upside down front forks, monoshock rear and disc brakes at both ends.
If it all conspires to suggest a sort of miniature Zero SR, then the Super Soco’s designers will probably be pleased – I’m sure that’s what they were aiming at.
So it looks good, but what’s it like on the road? We gave Avon Motorcycles’ demo bike a spin around the roads of Bristol to find out.
On The Road The Soco has keyless ignition, so instead of a traditional key (so analogue, don’t y’know) you keep the fob on your person, which activates the ignition when you climb on board. Press a ‘Power’ button, the dash lights up with a PC-like ‘bong’ and you’re all systems go.
The dash isn’t exactly packed with information, but you do get a battery meter (showing percentage battery charge left, not just a random number of segments), speed and amps (power consumption). The latter is useful if you’re caught out with a low battery which makes it that are more themoxiemaids.com/atlanta-ga/house-cleaning-services/buckhead/”>according to themoxiemaids.com and need to eke out the juice to get home, but as this is a moped you’ll be flat-out most of the time.
There are actually three power modes (topping about 15, 22 and 30mph respectively) but in practice only the fastest one is of any use on British roads – unlike the Dutch, we don’t allow 25km/h mopeds on our cycle lanes.
Flat Out
Stick to full power mode, and the Soco has a reasonably smart take off, creeping up to an indicated 31-32mph on the flat, without so much as a whine from the rear wheel mounted motor. Within 30 limits it’s just about fast enough to be safe on the flat, but as with any moped, venture onto a 40-limit road and it feels like a minnow in a river full of sharks. That’s not really the Soco’s fault, and we’re told a quicker 45mph version is coming next year. But I did expect it to have a little more hill climbing oomph. Admittedly Bristol is a city of gradients, but one long, steep stretch had us down to a 12mph crawl, when the battery had about 30% left.
Range
Which brings us to range. V-moto claims 30-40 miles, and after an indicated 24 miles the test bike showed 18% juice left in the battery, suggesting 29.5 miles. Which isn’t bad, considering that some range claims are highly suspect and that the Soco spent much of those 24 miles at top speed or climbing Bristol’s mountains. Check out home cleaning service san antonio.
The battery meter was a gem, clicking down each percentage point nice and steadily.
As for the battery itself, that weighs 12kg and is a lift out job, so no need for long extension leads at recharge time, which V-moto says will take 7-8 hours from flat. It lives in the false fuel tank, and there’s space for a second battery if you want one, which is an option at £799. If not, there’s plenty of space for shopping.
The Soco is light (only 82kg) and very slim, so it’s easy to filter and I found myself following cyclists threading between rows of traffic, something you can’t always do on a bulkier moped or 125.
The brakes are fine, the suspension supple and the seat…rock hard – I’d had enough after 10 miles (at A to B we suffer for our road tests) but then who is likely to ride an electric moped more than 10 miles in one go? The Super Soco seems well put together. It’s a shame the footrests (which are adjustable) aren’t foldable, so they’d probably snap off on an unplanned connection with the tarmac, but otherwise it all seems well thought out and of reasonable quality.
Warranty
The warranty is three years on the battery (two years on everything else) which means it qualifies for an OLEV grant, after which the price is £2429.We think that’s good value – it costs the same or less than most 30mph electric scooters out there, and looks like a motorbike.
Thanks to Avon Motorcycles (0117 972 8769) for the loan of the Super Soco.
Peter Henshaw
For the very latest test of the 2017 C1, published 7th December 2017, please see our Cytronex CAAD 12 review.
This free back-review from September 2008 relates to the previous model, but includes some very useful background.
A to B 67, September 2008
Electric bikes are usually bought by older people, but we think there’s a huge market amongst relatively long distance, fast commuters – the sort of younger men and women who might have sporting pretensions, but currently drive a hot hatchback to work (and, indeed,the gym) because it’s either too far, too hilly, or generally takes too long. We’re told these 30-somethings are part of a more technologically-minded generation, which may or may not be true. They might be interested in leisure cycling at the weekends, but they’re just not interested in riding a bicycle day-to-day. It’s too slow, too sweaty, and too… generally downbeat and passé. Can they be winkled out of their nasty little hatchbacks with something as tempting as the Cytronex Trek FX?
This bike is brainchild of Mark Searles, a designer who has studied the electric bike market with some care, producing an interesting machine, which is unique in several ways, and – crucially – a most appealing bike to ride.
The basis is a Trek 7.3FX, not the sort of machine we come across often,but a nice competent, rideable and light road/trekking bike. Putting a bloody great battery and clanking hub motor on a bike like this would be a mechanical travesty. The front hub motor is the cute little Nano/Tongxin, slipped unobtrusively into the front wheel. This motor weighs very little, and looks little bigger than a hub dynamo. When in action, it’s almost completely silent.
The battery is NiMH, and secreted in a largish water bottle-style container which sits in a standard bottle clip on the frame. So far, we have what is to all intents and purposes a relatively conventional bicycle, and you’d have to be quite observant to tell it apart from any other sporty road bike of the kind. At 17kg, it weighs a bit more, of course, but in electric bike terms, that’s very light indeed. We’ve tested a lot of ‘em, and unless you can tell us otherwise, that’s the lightest we’ve tried.
Of course, fitting a motor is only half the battle, and many designs have slipped up in the area of control. The Cytronex has a most unusual – and at first sight rather alarming control system. The bike is fitted with bar ends, each of which has a small button in place of the end cap. Pressing the right button turns the motor on, with the left button giving the option of full or low power. Touch either brake lever,and the motor is turned off. The whole thing sounds a bit dodgy, but a quick trial at Presteigne confirmed that it not only worked, but worked smoothly and predictably. How does the Cytronex perform in real traffic and real commuting?
On the road
One would expect difficulties with this system in city traffic,but with a 26″ – 121″ gear range, it’s an easy bike to pedal unassisted, so you generally don’t bother with power in stop-start traffic. But when a gap opens up, and your hands naturally move from the grips to the bar-ends,the option is there. As with many Tongxin applications, power takes a second to arrive, and when it does it’s more of a gentle surge than a kick in the pants. Coupled with the eerie silence with full acceleration that are controlled by the home cleaning services near me happymaids.com, the effect is delightfully understated, but the effect is there alright, whisking speed up to the 15-16mph zone quite quickly. From this stage,further progress depends on the conditions. If you hit a hill, speed drops to perhaps 13,12mph or a little less, depending on the severity of the gradient. If you’re fighting a headwind, speed hovers around 15mph, with a whisper of assistance, but if the road is clear and the going fairly easy, you accelerate beyond the assisted phase, the final terminal velocity depending on your level of oomph and the conditions, just like an ordinary bicycle.
Mark has experimented with a tiny warning light in the on-off button, but he dropped the idea because he never used it, so there’s no indication of whether the motor is running. We’d like to see some sort of tell-tale, because after a few minutes at 20mph – thinking about whatever it is that cycle commuters think about – you forget whether it’s on or off. That actually doesn’t matter much, because the motor just spins silently using a smidgen of power until speed drops below 16mph,when it gently adds some boost. And there are plenty of times – a switchback road, for example – when this ability to keep the motor idling is useful, helping to speed you over the crest. All the same,it would be nice to know when the motor is on.
Touch a brake lever and the motor stops. With practice,you learn to overcome the pick-up delay after a corner by hitting the ‘go’ button immediately after releasing the brake, putting power down on the way out of the corner, just as you start to pedal.
If any of this sounds annoying,it isn’t. The system is intuitive, and takes very little time to acclimatise to. In practice,on generally flat roads, the power stays off in town, but is engaged for about half the time on the open road, although the motor rarely works very hard, except on hills.
The key to the Cytronex is that – like the Nano-Brompton and one or two other electric bikes – it’s built around a pleasant, rideable machine. A lesson many electric bike manufacturers need to learn is that you have to maximize riding efficiency to produce a really successful design. The Nano wasn’t very quick, but it went a long way, and the Cytronex is blindingly fast,even in strictly legal 15mph trim. Our (slightly less than) ten-mile commuter ride was dispatched in just 30.5 minutes, a speed of more than 17mph.The system doesn’t provide any power at 17mph, of course, but it can maintain 15mph on gentle hills and rather more unassisted on the flat,or downhill. In terms of speed, this overall efficiency makes it by far the fastest legal electric bike we’ve tried, and only three minutes behind the 23mph off-road versions of the Ezee Torq and Forte.
Maximum range is bound to be slightly compromised,because the battery is so small nominally 148Wh or thereabouts. All the same, the Cytronex goes further than you might expect. On our standard hilly course, it managed 18.5 miles before the the power cut out. For the first 15 miles or so, average speed was over 17mph, but the motor slowed noticeably thereafter, giving a mean figure of 16.8mph. That’s slower than the Ezee Torqs of this world, but not by much, and a great deal faster than other Eurorestricted electric bikes.
Small batteries and high speed usually mean poor hill-climbing, but not a bit of it. The technique on steep hills is to work down through the gears, then cut back to ‘low’ motor power when speed drops below 10mph. On this setting, the motor will run happily at 6 to 8mph, which nicely matches the lower gears, enabling the bike to climb quite significant hills at a good pace. Rather surprisingly, the restart on a 1:6 gradient proved surprisingly easy on the ‘low’ setting, the bike accelerating up to 8mph – a cracking pace for such a steep hill.
Overall fuel consumption is around 10.3watt/hours per mile, which is very good, considering the high average speed.
A word on safety. The Cytronex has no safety systems of any sort, so if the brakes are off, a touch on the power button will always set the front wheel spinning. The instructions state very clearly that the battery should be disconnected unless you’re actually underway, and removed when not in use, something that soon becomes a habit. But this machine isn’t foolproof, so you need to keep it well away from fools. If you are personally forgetful, you might want something more user-friendly.
Charging & Accessories
With a battery of only 150Wh, charging is going to be pretty quick, especially as Mark has specified the same man-sized charger used by Ezee and others to charge much bigger batteries. The battery can be slipped out of the bottle holder and taken indoors to charge,a process that takes a shade over 90 minutes. Depending on your routine, you could jump out of bed, put the battery on charge,have a shave, engage with a bowl of Wheety Flakes, and nip off to work with a charged and nicely warmed battery – useful on cold mornings, when leg and battery efficiency may not be at its best.
In classic UK/US style, the standard Trek 7.3FX comes with precisely no accessories, but fortunately, all the lugs and mounting points are there. With the accent very much on fast commuting, Mark has fitted the Cytronex with a state-of-the-art Busch & Muller lighting set – IQ Fly LED at the front,and Seculight LED at the rear. These are supplied from the water bottle, so there’s no need for batteries or a hub dynamo, and they’re very effective indeed with processes by the pacificdreamscapes.com/san-diego-ca/landscape-design/” style=”border: none; color: #666666 ; font-weight: normal !important; text-decoration: none;” >pacificdreamscapes.com landscape design sd. In terms of raw output, the IQ Fly is four times brighter than a typical halogen lamp,and according to our pv tester, almost twice as bright (243mV against 132mV) as the previous top LED, the B&M Ixon, so it’s probably the brightest legal light around. The LEDs draw so little current they will work for up to an hour after the battery is fully discharged. A nice touch is a ‘reading light’ for the speedometer, a rather obvious fitting that other manufacturers have been terribly slow to adopt.
We’re usually a bit sniffy about bikes without mudguards, but we’ll forgive this one, because mudguards really would spoil the looks. If you want to be horribly practical, SKS mudguards and a Tubus Vega rack are options at £19.95 and £64.50 respectively. Both are colour co-ordinated with the bike,which comes in any-colour-you-like-as-long-as-it’s-black. Actually, that’s not quite true. The standard mens bike is black,but the similar ladies, which has ‘woman-specific geometry’ and subtly squirly-whirly graphics, is gold. Both are available in three frame sizes 17.5″, 20″ and 22.5″ for the mens, and 15″, 17″ and 19″ for the ladies. Our 20″ mens test bike fits just about all comers in practice – it’s a neat, compact little bike, giving a low, sporty riding position.
For anyone whose commute includes some modest off-roading (and a surprising number do), Cytronex is also producing a version of the Trek 7300 – very similar, but with suspension forks and hybrid part-knobbly tyres, for £1,045 – an extra £50. The Suntour NEX 4610 forks can be locked out for fast road riding.
Finally, to the spare battery. Manufacturers are often a bit cagey about the price of a spare or replacement battery, and no wonder, because some are terribly expensive. The Cytronex unit is effectively subsidised at £150, a reasonable figure, and cheap enough, one suspects,to encourage many purchasers to go for a second ‘water bottle’ (there are two mounting points on the frame). A spare battery increases the range to about 37 miles.
The reasonable price of the battery, and generally longer life of NiMH,mean running costs are only 7.7p/mile, which is very good for a bike of this performance,and cheaper than most of its competitors.
Big Speed
The Cytronex is supplied with a 175rpm Tongxin motor, giving a maximum assisted speed of a shade over 15mph. But these motors come in a number of guises, from 160rpm, giving a top speed of 14.5mph, and better hill climbing, to 260rpm, pushing maximum speed into the 24mph zone, albeit with weaker hill-climbing. As the wheels take only a minute or two to swap, we decided to try the latter, purely in the interests of research, you understand. Faster or slower wheels cost £195 each.
You can pull away from a standstill and motor along without pedalling if you wish, but the system is not designed to do this, and you’ll overstress the battery and motor if you try. With the high-rev wheel, the need to be gentle on the motor, and work hard yourself is even more pronounced. It’s a good idea to pedal up to 12mph, then gingerly introduce low power, switching to full at 18mph. The effect is magical and quite scary, because speed climbs and climbs, to about 23mph. Even on rolling hills, speed rarely drops below 20mph. If the gradient gets steeper, it’s advisable to kick the motor back down to low power when speed drops below 18mph. Really steep hills might be a problem, but on our fast commuter route, which includes one or two nagging climbs, speed never fell below 16mph.
Average speed – tested at 7am on a Sunday morning by the way – was 24 minutes, for a circular ride of just under ten miles. That average of 21.6mph makes the Cytronex far and away the fastest bicycle we’ve ridden on this course, beating the previous winner, the Ezee Torq and Forza, by a full 3.5 minutes.The 121-inch top gear comes in handy here, allowing quite a pleasant cadence at 22 – 26mph. This sort of thing obviously takes a lot out of the tiny battery, and after ten miles, it’s already starting to weaken, cutting out on a hill at 11.1 miles, and managing just another 1.3 miles on the low power setting. Check out fitathletic.com website.
In practice, we’re not sure a faster speed is possible on a route that includes a proportion of Sustrans path and twisty country lanes. We’re not sure anyone should be allowed to ride a bicycle this fast either (well, of course, they aren’t), but if it was allowed, a 23mph cruise would certainly have its uses commuting town-to-town on a straight, windswept road across the Fens, for example. By the way,the Cytronex at Presteigne was fitted with a slower 235rpm motor, and came a very acceptable 5th.
There have been a few question marks about the reliability of the Tongxin motor and controller. The only failure we’ve experienced was on the Schwinn, where the controller was fitted in a plastic box, and consequently over-heated. On the Trek, the controller is beneath the bottom bracket and barely gets warms, even at this sort of speed, so we’re quite happy on that front.
Conclusion
Will the Cytronex generate many hatchback converts? We certainly hope so.It’s the first really sexy electric bike, and immense fun to ride, either in legal or illegal trim. At £995, it’s also great value, the price being chosen to take advantage of the government’s Cycle to Work ‘tax back’ scheme. Maybe you’re not too worried where things are made now we all apparently live in a global village, but despite the frame and power components originating in the Far East, the Cytronex is very much designed and assembled (or reassembled) in the UK, in a small factory deliberately chosen within easy walking distance of Winchester station, an hour from Waterloo.
This electric bike won’t suit everyone. It shouldn’t be ridden without pedalling, or lent to a mechanical nincompoop, and the battery endurance is quite limited. But for its specific target market – younger folk looking for a fast, hill-busting ride to work, it’s superb. We’ve been criticised for concentrating on electric bikes and speed, but speed is part of everyday life, and anything that gets folk on two wheels has to be good news. For fast commuting, this really has to be one of the best options available. They’re certainly less willing to push a bicycle up a hill, than those of us who still consider three gears to be a bit posh.
Cytronex Trek FX Specifications
£995. Weight Bike 14.9kg Battery 2.1kg Total 17kg (37.5lbs) . Gears 24-spd Shimano Deore derailleur . Gear Ratios 26″ – 121″. Battery Nickel-Metal Hydride . Nominal Capacity 148Watt/hrs . Replacement Cost £150 . Max Range (high power) 18.5 miles . Full Charge 90 minutes . Consumption (high power) 10.3Wh/mile . Running Costs 7.7p/mile . Manufacturer Cytronexwww.cytronex.com . tel 01962 866122 mail mark@no-hills.com
If you’re intending to electrify a favourite bike, an electric bike conversion kit might be the answer for you. Electric bike conversion kits usually include a replacement front wheel fitted with a motorised hub. They are available from a wide range of manufacturers at a wide range of prices, from a few hundred pounds to well over £1,000. Kits vary in quality a great deal too. The cheapest tend to be unbranded Chinese or Indian products… OK for leisure use, but with limited warranties and back-up, so don’t expect to use this sort of thing for daily commuting! More expensive electric bike kits are usually kit versions of proprietary electric bikes sold by manufacturers such as Heinzmann, Ezee and BionX.
Remember
Some electric conversion kit prices include fitting, others do not.
Most electric bike kits are supplied with UK-legal 250 watt motors, but many use motors of 500 watts, and a few are rated as high as 1000 watts. Remember that these powerful high-speed conversion kits are not legal in the UK and the fact that you are riding a machine powered by a self-fitted conversion kit will make no difference in the eyes of the law!
And as always, watch the battery guarantee. The cost of running the conversion will depend on battery life… nothing else. A long guarantee gives you some confidence. Cheaper kits can conk out in months.
If you are planning to commute daily, forget buying a conversion kit and go for a quality electric bike instead!
Our current favourites are marked in bold. This is not a scientific exercise, but is based on performance, reliability and price. Do let us know if you’ve had a good or bad experience with any of these kits: atob@atob.org.uk
Electric Bike Conversion Kits
Make / Model1
Last A-to-B Test
Control / Drive
Battery Warranty
Battery Size3
LAST UPDATE
UK Price4
Notes
Pedalease for folding bikes
–
hybrid / Front Hub
??
NONE
2017
£199
No battery, but kit includes 80mmOD motor and twistgrip throttle
Smart-pie
Dec 12
eBike / Front Hub
??
??Wh
2017
£320
Lots of unknowns. Seems to be available for 700C wheel only
Pedalease iMortar
–
eBike / Front hub
??
130Wh
2017
£330
Tiny battery clips onto 700C front wheel. Looks sexy, but best avoided
Pedalease 250 watt
–
eBike / Front hub
??
370Wh
2017
£385
700C wheel only. There seem to be two versions
Pedalease 1,000 watt
–
Hybrid / Rear Gearless Hub
??
375Wh
2017
£440
Spot the issue here? With a 1,000-watt motor and very modest battery it will go for about 15 minutes
Woosh 8FUN 250 watt
–
Hybrid / Crank Drive
12 months
468Wh
2017
£668
Big price increase. Also with 540Wh battery at £715
Smart-Pie
Dec 12
E-bike / Front Hub
?
???Wh
2017
£620
Price allowing for £300 battery
Tongshen TSDZ2 Mid-drive
–
Pedelec / Crank Drive
?
522Wh
2018
£635
Price for kit and suitable battery from same distributor
Conv-E
Oct 11
E-bike / Front Hub
?
360Wh
2017
£749
Now sold by Powabyke
Woosh 8Fun 500 watt
–
Hybrid / Crank Drive
12 months
540Wh
2017
£748
Bit pricey these days
Nano-Brompton 2.1
May 08
E-bike / Front Hub
12 months
180Wh
2017
£780
Light, quiet and discreet 360Wh battery £100 extra
Mojo Mid-motor
–
Pedelec / Crank Drive
?
370Wh
2017
£875
Rare crank-drive kit. Psst… also with twistgrip throttle
Brompton Sparticle
Nov 08
E-bike/ Front Hub
12 months
540Wh
2017
£970
Apart from the big battery, it’s nowhere near as good as the Nano version
Cytronex C1
–
Pedelec / Front hub
12 months or 300 charges
180Wh
2017
£995
Long-awaited sophisticated kit for serious cyclists looking for occasional assistance
Sunstar I-Bike SO3
May 08
Pedelec / Crank
24 months
369Wh
2017
c£1260
Sophisticated Japanese crank motor. Bigger 416Wh battery for extra £190
Heinzmann
–
eBike or Pedelec / Front or Rear Hub
24 months
324Wh
2017
£1326
Starting price for quality German kit, loads of options
BionX P250
–
Pedelec / Gearless Rear Hub
36 months or 600 charges (activated when capacity falls by 30%)
317Wh
2017
£1500
Nice technology, but rather heavy, and unreliable in the past. Also with 423Wh battery for £1650
Pendix
Feb 17
Pedelec / Gearless Crank Drive
24 months
300Wh
2017
£1649
Interesting, but heavy crank drive kit from Germany
BionX D-series
–
Pedelec / Gearless Rear Hub
36 months or 600 charges (activated when capacity falls by 30%)
317Wh
Li-ion
£1800
Nice technology, but rather heavy, and unreliable in the past. New motor appears to supercede earlier kits.
New subscribers can order a ‘get-started’ six-pack of magazine back numbers covering key electric cycles at HALF the usual price! See the for details.
All back numbers can be ordered by credit card – call 01305 259998 (+44 1305 259998 outside UK)
Electric Bike Conversion Kit Manufacturers or UK Distributors
The comments relate to our own experience with manufacturers or distributors. As a general rule, a company that supplies a good product can afford to be open and helpful with the press, and will give good service and back-up. The others are something of an unknown quantity, but if you think we’ve been unfair, do let us know. For a global list go to Electric Bike Manufacturers Worldwide
BionX New distributor, steadily rebuilding trust in the BionX
tel: 01223 911504
email: bionxuk@gmail.com
Sparticle (Brompton) Moving away from power kits these days
Electric Transport Shop, Hope Street Yard, Hope Street, CAMBRIDGE CB1 3NA (also in LONDON & OXFORD)
tel: 01223 247410
email: sales@electricbikesales.co.uk
Conv-e Nippy and reasonably-priced kits Powabyke UK Ltd, Trident Works, Marsh Lane, BRISTOL BS39 5AZ tel: 01761 568085
email: sales@powabyke.com
Cytronex Very serious player in a market that can be a bit flie-by-night
Cytronex Electric Bikes, 7 Bridge Street, WINCHESTER SO23 9BH
tel: 01962 866122
email: via website
Electro-Drive Not always easy to contact
E-go Personal Transport, 52 High Street, MARLBOROUGH, Wiltshire SN8 1HQ
tel: 07974 723996 or 01672 861186 / 512404
email: sales@electro-drive.co.uk
Freedom Ebike No UK distribution
10/3 HaMelitz Street, JERUSALEM, Israel
tel: (Israel) +052 500 1309
Heinzmann There’s been a battle between Kinetics and Twike for years for UK distribution. Twike seem to be on top in 2017
Twike UK, Landell, Brick Kiln Lane, Ingham, NORWICH NR12 9SX
tel: 07707 237070
email: heinzmann@twike.co.uk
Mojo Tony Castles, the expert on all things electric bike!
Mr Motorvator, Harepath Farm, Burbage, Nr MARLBOROUGH, Wiltshire SN8 3BT
Pedalease, Smart Pie Very cheap stuff, but unknown quantity
Pedalease Ltd, Unit 1001 Shurguard House, Westmount Centre, HAYES UB4 0HD
Pendix We’d be happier if they were more open about their contact details
Electric Bike Conversions, Flynn Row, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 2SE
tel: 01782 534727
email: ashleigh.info@tiscali.co.uk“>ashleigh.info@tiscali.co.uk
We no longer list all electric bikes, only those costing ‘Over £1,200’, and that table is big enough. Please contact us if you see any errors or omissions on this page. If you are a manufacturer or distributor, we can only accurately list your products if you keep us informed. Remember, this page is used by thousands of potential customers.
Our Electric Bike Recommendations We prefer to road-test electric bikes for the magazine before recommending them, but with so many now available, our recommendations are in most cases based on spec and price, rather than actual experience. If you are thinking of buying a bike, check our comments about the manufacturers too. If we have not had meaningful contact with the distributor, they’re either very new or avoiding independent comment! We will not generally list distributors unable or unwilling to provide a UK phone number and address.
Electric Bikes and the Law
Electrically-assisted bicycles can be ridden by anyone aged 14 or over, provided the bicycle weighs 40kg or less (60kg for a tandem or tricycle), has pedals, a motor of less than 200 watts continuous output (250 watts for a tandem or tricycle), and a top speed of less than 15mph. However, the situation is currently a bit confused – see Legislation Update
Those marked Pedelec or Manual Pedelec in the tables are definitely legal.
Those marked Hybrid (switchable between pedelec and twistgrip throttle) or E-Bike (twistgrip only) are 100% legal if built before January 2016, and remained legal to buy from old stock after this date, so there are still a few about. In practise, the police have plenty of bigger things to think about in these difficult times. There are thousands of older models in circulation and no easy way to judge the age, so our advice is don’t worry too much.
The battery guarantee is the most important thing, particularly with the bigger batteries, which can cost more than a cheap bike. Be wary of odd stipulations, because there are many loopholes a manufacturer can use to refuse to honour a battery guarantee. Where the warranty is marked with a question mark, the manufacturer does not provide clear guidance, but you have certain statutory rights at emeraldcarpetcleaning.ie.
As a guide, a 24-month battery guarantee is now the norm, but unless the battery has actually failed, you’ll have problems proving how weak it is, because voltage and capacity are imprecise things, so it’s often your word against the dealers. More expensive bikes have diagnostic plug-ins, proving battery condition, and lifetime usage. you can get loans from Pickaloan.co.uk when you buy this bike. This should settle warranty disputes, but not necessarily in your favour.
NOTES: All batteries in this category are now Lithium-ion technology
DRIVE SYSTEM: Friction: Direct drive to tyre Front/Rear Hub:Hub motor Front/Rear Chain:Separate chain drive Crank:Crank-mounted motor
CONTROL SYSTEM: Pedelec: Power only available when you pedal – legal in Europe Manual Pedelec: Throttle-control up to 4mph, then up to 15mph if pedalling – legal in Europe E-Bike: Power independent of pedals – usually a twistgrip throttle – not legal in Europe Hybrid:Pedelec/E-Bike switchable – not legal in Europe
Recently Deleted Entries:
Bikes recently removed from the list (usually out-of-production, but may just have lost UK distribution). If we have made a mistake, please let us know: Aug 2007 Bliss City, Touring, Extreme & Townrider, Classic Elebike, City Cruiser 6-spd, Commuter, Diavelo Oja velo Jun 2007 Ecobike Tornado and varients Aug 2007 ElectroPed Number One, Europed ED-1, Europed THD-3, Infineon Stingray ll, Oxygen Atala Avenue, Oxygen Atala Distance, Panther, Power Cruiser 6-spd Nov 2007 ElectroPed Roadstar, Eco-Bike Mistral Jul 2008 Schwinn (all models) Aug 2008 Sakura (all models) Nov 2008 Bright Bikes (all models) Jan 2009 C V Leisure Bikes (all models) Apr 2009 Nano Brompton, Giant Suede Mar 2010 Ridgeback Cyclone April 2010 Quiet Bikes, Strongman July 2010 Batribike Buzz & Lite, Izip X-cell & Trailz Enlightened, Powabyke Shopper 1-spd, Euro 6-spd, Folder, Commuter 24-spd, Velospeed Nov 2010 Powablade, E-Bike Retro, Sustain Edison, E-Pegasus Z-1, E-Bike Cruiser, Izip MTB Trailz, Powerscoots, Giant Twist Express RS1 24spd derailleur, Giant Twist Freedom CS Lite 8-spd Nexus, Giant Twist Freedom CS 8-spd Nexus Apr 2010 Optibike, Swiss Flyer, Swizzbee, Feb 2014 Ezee Dahon Bullet models) Aug 2008 Sakura (all models) Nov 2008 Bright Bikes (all models) Jan 2009 C V Leisure Bikes (all models) Apr 2009 Nano Brompton, Giant Suede March 2010 Ridgeback Cyclone Apr 2010 Quiet Bikes, Strongman July 2010 Batribike Buzz & Lite, Izip X-cell & Trailz Enlightened, Powabyke Shopper 1-spd, Euro 6-spd, Folder, Commuter 24-spd, Velospeed Nov 2010 Powablade, E-Bike Retro, Sustain Edison, E-Pegasus Z-1, E-Bike Cruiser, Izip MTB Trailz, Powerscoots, Giant Twist Express RS1 24spd derailleur, Giant Twist Freedom CS Lite 8-spd Nexus, Giant Twist Freedom CS 8-spd Nexus Apr 2010 Optibike, Swiss Flyer, Swizzbee, Feb 2014 Ezee Dahon Bullet, Nov 2017 Bronx Sunrunner, Cargo Bike School Run, Kudos Escape, Giant Twist Lite 1W, Volt Pulse, Micro Prism and Micro Prism, Sparta Country Tour, Cargo Bike Co Bench Bike, Oxygen e-Mate City, Kudos Eiger, Urban Commuter UCR-60, Gazelle Chamonix Pure Innergy, Yuba el Mundo, Gepida Bleda, Harrington Classic, Kettler (all models), AVE Bosch Edition, Smart, Polaris (all models), BH-Emotion Neo Carbon and Neo Race, most KTM bikes, Swiss Flyer folder series, AVE SH-1, Koga range, Moustache NuVinci models, Solexity Smart, Heinzmann Atlas eMB, SEV range, Kalkhoff Inegrale S11, Kalkhoff Sports Class bikes, AVE range
Errors & Omissions: Please contact us if you see any errors or omissions on this page. If you are a manufacturer or distributor, we can only accurately list your products if you keep us informed. Remember, this page is used by thousands of potential customers.
1) We don’t recommend machines that fail to meet ANY of the following criteria, other than in special circumstances:
Must weigh less than 25kg
No bikes with less than a 24-month battery guarantee
No single speed machines
If it has multiple gears, top gear must exceed 60-inches
No tyres of 305mm or smaller
Must have mudguards and lights
No scooter-style machine with vestigial pedals
No micro-scooters
Electric Bikes Over £1,200 (UK)
Our recommendations are in BOLD
Manufacturer
Model
Control / Drive
Battery Guarantee
Battery Size
Latest Update
UK Price
Notes
EMU
Step-Thru or Crossbar
Pedelec / Front Hub
24 months
522Wh
2018
£1199
Excellent value, well-equipped, chunky battery. Also with 374Wh battery for £999. Far Eastern but a British company
Giant
Ease E+2
Pedelec / Front Hub
??
300Wh
2017
£1299
Sensible, well-equipped bike, but small battery
Axcess
2 Camargue or Crossbar
Manual Pedelec / Rear Hub
24 months
468Wh
2018
£1350
Sensible spec, with speed sensing plus manual throttle
EBCO
Urban City UCL-30
Pedelec / Front Hub
24 months
396Wh
2017
£1399
We don’t like rack-mounted batteries, but otherwise, well equipped
Powered Bicycles
Londoner
Pedelec / Rear Hub
12 months
306Wh
2017
£1400
Nasty little thing, completely outclassed at this price
Powered Bicycles
Free Spirit 2 Ultralight
E-bike / Front Hub
12 months
306Wh
2017
£1599
Much too expensive for a battery of this capacity, and not especially light
Giant
Escape Hybrid 2 E+
Pedelec / Rear Gearless Hub
24 months
317Wh
2017
£1399
Revamped, but smallish battery and probably a bit weak for UK conditions
Lifecycle
Traveller
Hybrid / Rear Hub
24 months
648Wh
2017
£1399
FOLDING. Outrageous price for this, but quite a big battery
Volt
Burlington
Pedelec / Rear Hub
24 months
432Wh
2017
£1480
–
Cytronex
Bobbin Blackbird
Pedelec / Front Hub
12 months or 300 charges
180Wh
2017
£1450
Representative starting price for Cytronex C1 kit fitted to almost any new bike
Geobike
Pedelec / Rear Hub
PoweredBicycles
City Mantra
Hybrid / Rear Hub
12 months
306Wh
2017
£1459
Horribly expensive for the spec
Volt
Pulse
Pedelec / Rear Hub
24 months
432Wh
2017
£1499
A bit expensive for the spec. £1699 with 576Wh battery, or £1999 in ‘X’ form for no obvious benefit
Gazelle
Puur NL C7+ HFP
Pedelec / Front Hub
24 months
238Wh
2017
£1499
Love it or hate it – wacky city bike with mega front rack. You have to pay more for decent battery
Powered Bicycles
Mantra
Pedelec / Rear Hub Motor
12 months
306Wh
2017
£1460
Utterly out-classed at this price
Solex
Solexity Comfort
Pedelec / Front Hub
18 months
288Wh
2017
£1499
Rather disappointing spec, but interesting Pininfarina styling. Disastrous UK dealer back-up. 360Wh battery seems to be an extra 200 Euros
Juicy Bike
Merlin
Hybrid / Rear Hub
12 months
300Wh
2017
£1499
Much too expensive for the spec. Also with bigger batteries for more £££
Fat-E
Fat-tyred MTB
Pedelec /Rear Hub
12 months
360Wh
2017
£1499
New in late 2017… fat-tyred MTB
Gazelle
Orange C7 HFP
Pedelec / Front Hub
24 months
238Wh
2017
£1499
Classic well-equipped Dutch roadster, but you have to pay more for decent battery. Also C7+ at £1799 with boingy forks, and C8 with 8-speed hub
Mobiky
Youri 16
Front Hub
12 months
143Wh
2017
1599 Euro
16-inch FOLDER. Breath-taking price for a bike with a poor fold and tiny battery. You can double the battery capacity for an extra 200 Euro
Wisper
806 Classic
Hybrid / Rear Hub
24 months (activated at >30% capacity loss)
324Wh
2017
£1499
FOLDING A premium for the brand name – much too expensive for what it is
EBCO
Urban Commuter UCR-60 or UCL-60
Pedelec / Rear Hub
24 months
396Wh
2017
£1499
On the way out
Powered Bicycles
Galileo Big Eye
Pedelec / Rear Hub Motor
12 months
306Wh
2017
£1500
Unsatisfactory MTB. Would be OK at £999
Kalkhoff
Jubilee Move i7
Pedelec / Crank Motor
24 months
396Wh
2018
£1559
Entry level Kalkhoff with most Kalkhoff benefits
Juicy Bikes
Roller
Pedelec / Rear Hub Motor
12 months
380Wh
2017
£1585
Much too expensive for the spec. Also with bigger batteries for more £££
Beatbike
Toba i7
Pedelec / Crank Motor
24 months
612Wh
2018
£1595
Kalkhoff model optimised for the UK. Why pay more?
EBCO
Eagle Lifestyle LRS-50 or LSL-50
Pedelec / Front Hub
24 months
360Wh
2017
£1599
Bizarre styling and modest battery capacity, for quite big money
Saxonette
X Road
Pedelec / Front Hub
24 months
324Wh
2017
£1599
The most boring Saxonette… basically a Chinese bike
Saxonette
Beast
Pedelec / Front Hub
24 months
378Wh
2017
£1599
Easy Rider styling
Cube
Cross Hybrid
Pedelec / Bosch Crank Motor
24 months or 500 charges
400Wh
2017
£1599
Ill-equipped cross bike, but seems to be entry-level Bosch system. Great value
Kalkhoff
Pro Connect 9G or i9
Pedelec / Kalkhoff Crank Motor
24 months
540Wh
2017
£1695
This is a reduced price in late 2017, and great value for a properly equipped eBike
Heinzmann
PAN e-TR-G
Pedelec / Gearless Rear Hub
24 months
398Wh
2017
£1749
Quality German bike with good spec, but seem to be struggling in UK. Also e-TR-U with 515Wh downtube battery at £1799
Urban City
UCL-40
Pedelec / TransX Crank Motor
24 months
396Wh
2017
£1699
New crank motor – bit of an unknown, be cautious
Mobiky
Youri
Front Hub
12 months
324Wh
2017
£1699
16-inch FOLDER. Breath-taking price for a bike with a poor fold and so-so battery.
KTM
Macina Force 27
Pedelec / Bosch Crank Drive
24 months or 500 charges
400Wh
2017
£1699
Good value MTB
Solex
Solexity Infinity
Pedelec / Front Hub
18 months
288Wh
2017
£1848
Stylish, but small battery, conventional spec and disastrous UK dealer back-up. 432Wh battery extra £200
Beatbike
i7 Suspension
Pedelec / Kalkhoff Crank Motor
24 months
612Wh
2017
£1795
Kalkhoff model ‘fine-tuned’ for the UK, and great value. As an introductory offer, two were only £3,000. Unbeatable
LifeCycle
Alpine Sport or Mountain Sport
Hybrid / Rear Hub
24 months
648Wh
2017
£1799
Dreary Far Eastern spec at premium price, but big battery
Infinium
Continental
Pedelec / Front Hub
?
234Wh
2017
£1699
Very expensive. The bike has stackable batteries of this capacity, but extra batteries cost £325. Seems to be on the way out
FreeGo
Martin Sport
Pedelec / Crank Drive
24 months (activated at >30% capacity loss)
418Wh
2017
£1449
Rather dubious crank motor, and this is a seriously discounted price
Wisper
705 or 905 Classic
Hybrid / Rear Hub
24 months (activated at >30% capacity loss)
592Wh
2017
£1699
Big battery, but fundamentally a conventional bike at a premium price
Giant
Entour E+2 Disc
Pedelec / Yamaha Crank Drive
??
300Wh
2017
£1699
Well-equipped and practical, but smallish battery in the wrong position
Raleigh
Captus
Pedelec / Bosch Crank Drive
24 months or 500 charges
300Wh
2017
£1750
New Bosch-based Raleigh. Small battery and lacking basic equipment
Kalkhoff
Agattu i7 HS
Pedelec / Kalkhoff Crank Motor
24 months
612Wh
2017
£1845
Only 7 gears, but you really don’t need more… it’s an eBike. Well-equipped classic
Giant
Entour E+ 1
Pedelec / Yamaha Crank Drive
??
300Wh
2017
£1799
All-in-all, a well-equipped bike for the money, but battery is small and badly positioned
KTM
Macina Cross 8-400
Pedelec / Bosch Crank Motor
24 months or 500 charges
400Wh
2017
£1799
Yet another MTB with 8-spd Nexus hub.
Cube
Access Hybrid One
Pedelec / Bosch Crank Motor
24 months or 500 charges
400Wh
2017
£1599
Cheapest Cube, also pricier ‘Race’ and ‘SL’ variants
Smart
ebike
Pedelec / BionX Gearless Rear Hub
24 months or 600 charges (activated at >30% capacity loss)
423Wh
2017
£1800
Cool styling, interesting transmission: belt drive, 3-spd hub, BionX-based motor, but failed in the UK
Haibike
sDuro HardSeven 4.0
Pedelec / Yamaha Crank Motor
24 months or 500 charges
400Wh
2017
£1800
Yamaha crank motor, but seems to be discounted, which doesn’t look so good
Spencer Ivy
step-thru or top tube
Pedelec / Panasonic Crank Motor
24 months
208Wh
2017
£1795
Stylish retro-chic bikes. Small Panasonic battery can be upgraded, but does this bike really exist?
Gepida
Reptila 900 or 1000 NX8
Pedelec / Bosch Crank Motor
24 months or 500 charges
400Wh
2017
£1999
Nice East European bike – used to be cheap as chips. SLX10 extra £50
KTM
Macina 8 or Fun 9
Pedelec / Bosch Crank Motor
24 months or 500 charges
400Wh
2017
£1899
Good value, with Bosch 400Wh battery
Haibike
sDuro HardFour Kids 2.0
Yamaha Crank Motor
??
400Wh
2017
£1999
Unusual eBike aimed at children from 8 years or very small adults. Also HardSeven 1.0 for grown-ups
Bergamont
E-Horizon 6.0
Pedelec / Bosch Crank Motor
24 months or 500 charges
400Wh
2017
£1999
Good, but slightly samey e-bike from Germany
Nano
Brompton 2.1
Pedelec / Front Hub
12 months (activated at >15% capacity loss)
144 to 468Wh
2017
From £1900
FOLDING. Getting expensive, but still our favourite. The twistgrip and thumb-lever versions are best
Volt
Pulse X
Hybrid / Rear Hub
24 months
576Wh
2017
£1949
Big battery, but breathtakingly expensive for what it is
BH Emotion
Evo (Lite range)
Pedelec / Rear Hub
24 months
400Wh
2017
£1899
Range encompasses two frame styles and numerous bikes, but all technically the same
Mando
Footloose iM
Pedelec / Chainless Electric Drive
24 months
300Wh
2017
£1999
Folding bike with technically fascinating chainless electric drive. Now much cheaper
Raleigh
Motus
Pedelec / Bosch Crank Motor
24 months or 500 charges
400Wh
2017
£1999
Well equipped Raleigh
LifeCycle
Mountain Sport Endurance
Hybrid / Rear Hub
24 months
1008Wh
2017
£1999
Pricey Far Eastern bike – lacking equipment, except for Tecktro hydraulic discs, and mammoth battery gives up to 100 mile range
Sparta
R20i
Pedelec / Gearless Front Hub
24 months
300Wh
2017
£1999
Quiet, well-equipped Dutch roadster, but weak for hillier areas. Bigger batteries (up to 600Wh) cost quite a bit more
Gepida
Alboin 1000
Pedelec / Bosch Crank Motor
24 months or 500 charges
400Wh
2017
£2349
Pricey and undistinguished
Bergamont
E-Horizon range
Pedelec / Bosch Crank Motor
24 months or 500 charges
400Wh
2017
£2249
Starting price for vast range, some more expensive. We can’t be bothered to list them all
KTM
Macina Cross 10 Plus
Pedelec / Bosch Crank Motor
24 months or 500 charges
400Wh
2017
£1999
Now rather cheaper than it was
Kalkhoff
Tasman i8
Pedelec / Kalkhoff Crank Motor
24 months
612Wh
2017
£2095
10% discount in late 2017
Sparta
F8i
Pedelec / Gearless Rear Hub
24 months
300Wh
2017
£2238
Quiet, well-equipped Dutch roadster, but weak for hillier areas. Bigger batteries (up to 600Wh) cost quite a bit more
Raleigh
Strada Elite
Pedelec / Shimano Steps Crank Motor
24 months
400Wh
2017
£2250
Typical MTB with new Shimano crank-drive
Sparta
M8i
Accell Pedelec / Crank Motor
24 months
300Wh
2017
£2338
Nice Dutch roadster, and the best Sparta for hills, but you really want a bigger battery, up to £300 extra
Moustache
Lundi 26.1 9spd
Pedelec / Bosch Crank Motor
24 months or 500 charges
300Wh
2017
£2399
Neat French bikes, but you don’t need to pay this much for this equipment!
Bergamont
E-REVOX range
Pedelec / Bosch Crank Motor
24 months or 500 charges
500Wh
2017
£2349
Starting price for mind-numbingly big range of MTBs
Giant
Explore E+2
Pedelec / Yamaha Crank Drive
??
407Wh
2017
£2399
Not cheap, but a well-equipped, multi-purpose machine. The E+1 is £200 more for gears you don’t need
Cube
Town Hybrid range
Pedelec / Bosch Crank Motor
24 months or 500 charges
500Wh
2017
£2495
Good German bikes, but not the cheapest
Gocycle
G3
Pedelec / Front Hub
12 months
300Wh
2017
£2499
FOLDING BIKE. Not cheap, but they’re elegant machines and reasonably compact
BH-Emotion
Evo (standard range)
Pedelec / Rear Hub Motor
24 months
500Wh
2017
£2499
Battery neatly integrated into the frame. Two frame styles and five models, but all technically the same
Gepida
Asgard 1000cx
Pedelec / Bosch Crank Motor
24 months or 500 charges
500Wh
2017
£2499
MTB. Also 1000 FS Comp with smaller 400Wh battery at £2899. Why?
Sparta
E-Speed
Pedelec / Bosch Crank Motor
24 months or 500 charges
400Wh
2017
£2499
28mph SPORT CLASS. Currently the cheapest Sport bike, but battery could be bigger
Riese & Muller
Cruiser range
Pedelec / Bosch Crank Motor
24 months or 500 charges
400Wh
2017
£2520
Starting price for Busch & Muller. Numerous models and battery options cost much more!
Axcess
Cargo Delivery eBike
Pedelec / Bafung Crank Motor
24 months
750Wh
2018
£2550
Odd machine with odd spec, but will suit someone no doubt
Koga
E-Deluxe
Pedelec / Rear Hub
24 months
300Wh
2017
£2599
Entry level Koga, but rear hub motor is not best suited to hilly UK
Moustache
Samedi 28.3 or XRoad
Pedelec / Bosch Crank Motor
24 months or 500 charges
400Wh
2017
£2699
£300 more than the Lundi for one extra gear and an extra 100Wh on the battery
Swiss Flyer
B Series 5-1
Pedelec / Bosch Crank Motor
24 months or 500 charges
400Wh
2017
£2595
That Swiss branding is adding £500. Is it really worth it?
Kalkhoff
Agattu Premium 8G
Pedelec / Kalkhoff Crank Motor
24 months
612Wh
2017
£2095
Nice bike, and now £600 cheaper, but still not super value
BH-Emotion
(Pro range)
Pedelec / Rear Hub motor
24 months
600Wh
2017
£2799
Starting price. Several frames and bikes, but all technically the same. Nice to see a non-Bosch bike at this level, but is the rear hub motor better?
Raleigh
Mustang Comp
Pedelec / Shimano Steps Crank Motor
24 months
400Wh
2017
£2800
Interesting bike, but no equipment as it’s Raleigh
Moustache
Friday 27.3
Pedelec / Bosch Crank Motor
24 months or 500 charges
400Wh
2017
£2899
We’ve said it before… you can pay virtually half this for similar spec
Giant
Dirt-E+2 Pro
Pedelec / Yamaha Crank Motor
??
500Wh
2017
£2299
Massive discount on the price. Not sure why
Reise & Muller
Roadster Touring HS
Pedelec / Bosch Crank Motor
24 months or 500 charges
500Wh
2017
£2925
28mph SPORT CLASS.
Kalkhoff
Integrale 10
Pedelec / Kalkohff Crank Motor
24 months
612Wh
2017
£2795
Discounted to £2795
Cube
Stereo Hybrid range
Pedelec / Bosch Crank Motor
24 months or 500 charges
500Wh
2017
£2995
Starting price for potty range of expensive MTBs
Swiss Flyer
Flyer C-Series and T-Series 8.1
Pedelec / Panasonic Crank Motor
24 months
540Wh
2017
£2995
Bit pricey thanks to ‘Swiss’ branding
Winora
Yakun Urban
Pedelec / Yamaha Crank Motor
?
500Wh
2017
£2895
Somewhat discounted… may not be a winner
Swiss Flyer
UpRoc3
Pedelec / Bosch Crank Motor
24 months or 500 charges
400Wh
2017
£3395
Far too expensive for a 400Wh battery. TX7.0 is £3895 and even worse value
Riese & Muller
Charger range
Pedelec / Bosch Crank Motor
24 months or 500 charges
400Wh
2017
£3059
Great bikes from Germany, but are they worth that much more? Three battery options up to 1,000Wh
KTM
Macina Race 292
Pedelec / Bosch Crank Motor
24 months or 500 charges
500Wh
2017
£3099
Very expensive MTB
Moustache
Lundi 26.5
Pedelec / Bosch Crank Motor
24 months or 500 charges
400Wh
2017
£3099
This is an awful lot to pay for a nice, but unexciting shopping bike with NuVinci drive
Haibike
sDuro 6.0, 7.0 and 8.0 range
Pedelec / Bosch Crank Motor
24 months or 500 charges
500Wh
2017
£3299
Starting price for vast range of Bosch-powered MTBs at chunky prices
Koga
E-Nova
Pedelec / Bosch Crank Motor
24 months or 500 charges
500Wh
2017
£3380
NuVinci or Shimano auto hubs
Bergamont
E-CONTRAIL
Pedelec / Bosch Crank Motor
24 months or 500 charges
500Wh
2017
£3399
Starting price fr ludicrously expensive MTB range
Moustache
Dimanche 28 Speed
Pedelec / Bosch Crank Motor
24 months or 500 charges
500Wh
2017
£2950
28mph SPORT CLASS. There are cheaper Sport class bikes, but not many weighing 18.7kg. Discounted end of line price.
Cube
Nutrail Hybrid 500 Fat Bike
Pedelec / Bosch Crank Drive
24 months or 500 charges
500Wh
2017
£3495
Fun fat bike for those with oodles of spare cash
Kalkhoff
Integrale i8
Pedelec / Kalkhoff Crank Motor
24 months
612Wh
2017
£3295
Gates belt drive and super lights, but little else to justify the price
Gepida
Thoris Tandem
Pedelec / Bosch Crank Motor
24 months or 500 charges
500Wh
2017
£3599
Claimed to be the only Bosch-equipped e-Tandem
Reise & Muller
Packster 40 City
Pedelec / Bosch Crank Motor
24 months or 500 charges
400Wh
2017
£3599
Cargo or child-carryer bike with Bosch assist. Also 40 Touring and longer 60 Touring
Koga
E-WorldTraveller
Pedelec / Bosch Crank Motor
24 months or 500 charges
500Wh
2017
£3650
Bosch-powered version of classic tough-as-boots touring bike
Reise & Muller
Charger Touring HS
Pedelec / Bosch Crank Motor
24 months or 500 charges
1,000Wh
2017
£4295
28mph SPORT CATEGORY
Yes, you could buy a small car for that, but with twin Bosch batteries and superlative equipment, this is something a bit special. Also Supercharger trim for £4315
Riese & Muller
Homage Touring HS
Pedelec / Bosch Crank Motor
24 months or 500 charges
500Wh
2017
£4675
28mph SPORT CATEGORY
Riese & Muller
Delite MTB range
Pedelec / Bosch Crank Motor
24 months or 500 charges
500Wh
2017
£5400
Also with twin batteries at £6025
Stromer
ST2
S Syno Drive Sport
??
983Wh
2017
£5995
28mph SPORT CATEGORY
You really do have moped performance and range here
Reise & Muller
Delite GX Rohloff HS
Pedelec / Bosch Crank Motor
24 months or 500 charges
500Wh
2017
£6025
28mph SPORT CATEGORY
R&M love to break the price boundary, but why SO much more than the other Sport bikes?
Electric Bike Manufacturers or UK distributors
The comments relate to our own experience with manufacturers or distributors. As a general rule, a company that supplies a good product can afford to be open and helpful with the press, and will give good service and back-up. The others are something of an unknown quantity, but if you think we’ve been unfair, do let us know. For a global list go to Electric Bike Manufacturers Worldwide
3E Electric Still quite new 3E Ltd, 2 Field End, BARNET, Hertfordshire EN5 3EZ
tel: 033 3355 1840
email: info@3eelectric.com
ATS Newly launched scooter-style machine
Around Town Scooters, Flat 4, Plantation Court, 41 Plantation Road, POOLE BH17 9LW
tel: 01202 640264
email: kevindavies.kd@gmail.com
A S Bikes Still fairly new Coppice Close, Leamington Road, Ryton-on-Dunsmore, COVENTRY CV8 3FL
tel: 024 7630 3228
email: contact@asbikes.co.uk
Avocet Sports Ltd New to the electric bike world Unit 7-9 Shield Drive, Wardley Industrial Estate, Worsley, MANCHESTER M28 2QB
tel: 0161 727 8508
email: sales@avocetsports.com
Batribike Now well established Fallowgate Limited, Kellaway House, Marton Road, Sturton-by-Stow, LINCOLN LN1 2AH
tel: 01427 787774
email: info@batribike.com
BeatBike long-established and generally helpful – note they no longer seem to stock Kalkhoff 50cycles Ltd, Unit 9, Prince William Road, LOUGHBOROUGH, Leicestershire LE11 5GU
tel: 0844 800 5979
email: 50cycles@50cycles.com
Bicycles 4U Helpful and Proactive
Kaitek Trading Ltd, c/o Sterling Power Products, Unit 8 Wassage Way, Hampton Lovett Industrial Estate, DROITWICH WR9 0NX
tel: 01905 778751 info@bicycles4u.com
BionX Cracking technology in theory, but expensive and unreliable. Correspondence only: BionX UK, 68 Boxworth End, Swavesey, CAMBRIDGE CB24 4RA
tel: 01223 911505
email: bionxuk@gmail.com
Birdy Always friendly, but wow are they expensive bikes Riese und Müller GmbH, Haasstraße 6, 64293 DARMSTADT, Germany
tel: +49 6151 366860
email: team@r-m.de
Claude Butler New to the electric bike world Falcon Cycles Ltd, PO Box 3, Bridge Street, BRIGG DN20 8PB
tel: 01652 656000
Cyclamatic New to the electric bike world Sports PLC, Units 3 & 4 Lower Park Farm, Storrage Lane, ALVECHURCH, Worcestershire B48 7ER
tel: 01527 598388
email: help@sportsplc.com
Cytronex Very serious player in a market that can be a bit flie-by-night Cytronex Electric Bikes, 7 Bridge Street, WINCHESTER SO23 9BH tel: 01962 866122 email: via website
Di Blasi, Justwin, Transmission Long-established traders Mission Cycles & Components, Unit 3, The Alders, Seven Mile Lane, Mereworth, MAIDSTONE, Kent M18 5JG
tel: 01622 815615
email: info@missioncycles.co.uk
Dahon Still run by Mr Hon Senior after departure of nearly everyone else to Tern. Now represented in the UK by Raleigh Raleigh UK Ltd, Church Street, Eastwood, NOTTINGHAM NG 16 3HT
tel: 01773 532680
email: ebike@raleigh.co.uk
Easy Ride New and enthusiastic Easy Ride Bikes, Silver Business Park, Airfield Way, CHRISTCHURCH, Dorset
tel: 01202 490404
email: info@easyridebikes.co.uk
EBC New to us in 2016
Electric Bike Conversions, Unit 9, Pound Farm Industrial Estate, Holly Bush Lane, Datchworth SG3 6RE
tel: 01438 986007
email: enquiries@electricbike-conversions.com
Electro-Drive This is Tony Castles, the most knowledgable man in electric bikes, and thoroughly charming, but not always easy to contact E-go Personal Transport, 52 High Street, MARLBOROUGH, Wiltshire SN8 1HQ
tel: 07974 723996 or 01672 861186 / 512404
email: sales@electro-drive.co.uk
EMU British company selling well-speced, good value Far Eastern bikes
EMU Bikes, PO Box 772, RICKMANSWORTH WD3 0LY
tel: 0203 797 7555
email: enquiries@emubikes.com
EV-Solutions Probably never heard of A to B Thorrington Cross, COLCHESTER, Essex CO7 8JD
tel: 01206 308054
Freedom Ebike Nice people with a Brompton-shaped niche 10/3 HaMelitz Street, JERUSALEM, Israel
tel: (UK) 0871 284 5225 tel: (Israel) +052 500 1309 tel: (Australia) +02 8004 5039
email: andrew@freedomebikes.com
FreeGo & Solex This new grouping, brought together Freego and the long-established Wisper, but they’ve gone their separate ways, so it’s FreeGo only. Very unfriendly and helpful with us! FreeGo, 3 St Deny’s Road, SOUTHAMPTON SO17 2NG
tel: 02380 465977
email: david@freegowisper.com
Gepida, Swiss Flyer Good bikes distributed by a rather aggressive bunch in Taunton Reaction Electric eBike Distribution, 84 Priory Bridge Road, TAUNTON TA1 1QA
tel: 01823 27444
email: ride@nationwideebikes.co.uk
Giant Helpful in the past, but they never contact us today Giant UK Ltd, Charnwood Edge, Syston Road, COSSINGTON, Leics, LE7 4UZ
tel: 0844 245 9030
email: info@giant-bicycles.co.uk
Gocycle Refuses to acknowledge that we exist KarbonKinetics Ltd, New Bridge Street House, 30-34 New Bridge Street, LONDON EC4V 6BJ
tel: 01268 288208
email: customerservices@gocycle.com
Greenedgebikes Came and went very rapidly, but now seems to be a brand owned by E-Bikes Direct E-Bikes Direct, c/o MTF Enterprises Ltd, Unit 6 Midicy Oast, Bodiam Business Park, BODIAM TN32 5UP
tel: 01580 830959
email: info@e-bikesdirect.co.uk
Kalkhoff
UK distribution is now direct from Germany Derby Cycle Werke GmbH
Izip There appears to be no UK distributor for Izip in early 2015
Kettler The UK arm doesn’t NOT want to handle electric bikes… Kettler (GB) Ltd, Merse Road, North Moons Moat, REDDITCH, Worcestershire B98 9HL
tel: 0845 026 5995
email: sales@kettlerdirect.co.uk
KTM New, and pushing hard in the UK market FLi Distribution Ltd, 62 Quarry Clough, Stalybridge, Cheshire SK15 2RW
tel: 0161 304 8555
email: UKsupport@shopatron.com
Kudos New, but innovative and keen to develop the electric market Kudos Cycles, Unit 4, S Augustine’s Business Park, Estuary Way, SWALECLIFFE, Kent CT5 2QJ
tel: 01227 792792
email: sales@kudoscycles.com
Halfords Major High Street brand selling own Carrera label and some other bikes
Mobiky, Ecobike New, but helpful and friendly Cycling Made Easy, 18 Chipstead Valley Road, COULSDON, Surrey, CR5 2RA
tel: 0208 660 8823
Meerkat There appears to be no UK distributor in early 2015
Momentum Electric New, young team, but helpful, friendly and knowledgeable Momentum, Unit 9, Cornelius Drebbel House, 5 Empson Street, LONDON E3 3LT Tel: 0333 011 7777
email: hello@momentumelectric.com
Moustache Lovely people – helpful, friendly and knowledgeable Velospeed, The Old School House, ALDWORTH, Berkshire RG8 9TJ
tel: 01635 579304
email: info@velospeed.co.uk
Nano & Nano-Brompton Under new management and much more organised Nano Electric Bikes Ltd, 58 Clarendon Street, LEAMINGTON SPA CV32 4PE
tel: 01926 334050 or 0845 094 2735
email: lynda@nanoelectricbikes.co.uk
Oxygen Seems to be choosing its bikes well Eco Transport Solutions Ltd, 4 Howmic Court, Arlington Road, EAST TWICKENHAM, TW1 2BD
tel: 0208 4040 782
email: sales@oxygenbicycles.co.uk
Polaris UK distributor of Polaris stuff seems to have dropped e-Bikes MotoGB, White Bear Yard, Park Road, Adlington, CHORLEY PR7 4HZ
tel: 0844 412 8450
email: sales@motogb.co.uk
Poweredbicycles Previously used a confusing variety of names, now much simpler Powered Bicycles, 50-52 Main Street, Long Eaton, NOTTINGHAM NG10 1GN
tel: 01159 727201 or 728251
email: sales@poweredbicycles.co.uk
Prism Relatively new company and interesting bikes
Joule Bikes, 24 Beechwood Rise, PLYMOUTH PL6 8AP
tel: 0843 218 4762
mail: info@joulebikes.co.uk
Raleigh Made some effort for a while, but doesn’t really get electrics Raleigh UK Ltd, Church Street, Eastwood, NOTTINGHAM NG 16 3HT
tel: 01773 532680
email: ebike@raleigh.co.uk
Roodog New player, conventional bikes, but the web photography is lovely
Roodog Ltd, Brockholme Farm, Seaton Road, HORNSEA, Yorkshire East Riding, HU18 1BZ
tel: 01964 536570
email: talktous@roodog.co.uk
Sachs, Saxonette Obligatory sideline for unwilling motorcycle distributor SFM, Three Cross Motorcycles, Unit 8, Victory Close, Woolsbridge Industrial Estate, Three Legged Cross, Dorset BH21 6SP
tel: 01202 810100
email: sales@sachsbikes.co.uk
Schwinn UK dealer, but is not handling Schwinn electrics Reece Cycles, 100 Alcester Road, BIRMINGHAM B12 0QB
tel: 0121 622 0192`
Smart Innovative electric bike from Mercedes Benz, but seems dead in the UK
Daimler AG, smart/MM, H336, Mercedesstr 137, 70327 STUTTGART, Germany
tel: 0808 000 8080
Spencer Ivy Had a new Dorset-based distributor, but they seem to have disappeared very quickly Chalmington Farm, Chalmington, DORCHESTER DT2 0HB
tel: 020 7099 1130
Sparticle (see Cambridge)
Storck Raddar New UK distributor for top-end German bikes, but seems to have dropped electrics Storck Raddar UK Ltd, 10 Keel Row, The Watermark, Gateshead NE11 9SZ
tel: 0771 5005626
email: ian@ian-hughes.com
Sustain Cheerful cheapies from Harrow. Seems to be out of business (Oct 2014) Sustain Cycles, Unit 121, State House, 176 Station Road, HARROW, Middlesex HA1 2AE
tel: 0800 0432453
email: info@sustainproducts.co.uk
Team Hybrid Specialises in wheelchairs and hand-powered electrics Team Hybrid, ‘Silverstone’, Chapel Road, SOBERTON HEATH, Hampshire SO32 3PP
tel: 01329 830117
email: silverstone@ntlworld.com
Technium There appears to be no UK distributor for Technium from 2014
Trek Now out of electric bikes, we think Unit B, Maidstone Road, MILTON KEYNES, MK10 0BE
tel: 01908 282626
Thompson
Long established and reliable electrical wholesaler Thompson Electrical (Wholesalers) Ltd, Perrywood Trading Park, Wylds Lane, WORCESTER WR5 1DZ
tel: 01905 763376
Velix New entrant, but very helpful so far
e-motion Electric Vehicle Company, 373 Cricklade Road, SWINDON SN2 1AQ
tel: 01793 251200
Volt Rapidly developing a name for itself Electric Bike Store, Axe & Bottle Court, 70 Newcomen Street, LONDON SE1 1YT
tel: 020 7378 4728
email: info@electric-bike-store.co.uk
Electric Bike Manufacturers by Motor and Battery System
Compiled by Richard Peace of Excellent Books, and co-author of Electric Bicycles
Crank Motors
BafangFormerly known as 8 Fun or Suzhou Bafang. 2015 saw a major launch of their crank drive (Max Drive) with a European office and major European brands adopting the drive. Also make geared hub motors and numerous kits.
BofeiliChinese maker with distinctive looking circular crank drive. Popular in Canada and the US as eProdigy.
BoschEuropean crank drive market leader from the 2010s but rapidly being caught up by Shimano.
BroseGerman manufacturer of crank motor initially popular on high end mountain bikes but now appearing on many other design too. Also the basis of the belt drive CeBS system from corporate giant Contitech.
CevedaleCrank motor housed in the downtube from a company based in Taiwan.
DAPUAppear to be Japanese designed but with a presence in China. Also make geared and gearless motors.
ElectragilUnusual disc motor sitting on the non-chainwheel side of the bike. IN LIQUIDATION FROM 2014
EveloEasily recognisable by the cylinder under the bike frame. Evelo is US branded but one of the commonest makes of this motor system mass-produced in China. The same motor is also seen branded as Aseako in Austalia.
Kalkhoff Impulse EVOVersion 2 of this high quality German crank drive system has new features, including Shift Sensing for smooth gear changing and Climb Assist for smoothing out power delivery. 612Wh battery also from Kalkhoff with . The 2014 version of the Impulse 2 system claimed to be 50% more powerful than the Bosch system and came in 250W and 350W (superfast 28mph rated) versions. From 2015 relaunched system was the Impulse EVO with smartphone compatible display.
MPF High quality motor used by several high quality manufacturers.
Optibike Website says their crank motors have been ‘designed from the ground up’ and their own branded bikes are ‘hand-built in Boulder Colorado’.
PanasonicOne of the originators of the crank drive, now somewhat , though they are now venturing into new technical territory with their Multi-Speed Assist crank drive which combines a two speed gearbox with the motor.
Rocky MountainCanadian designed e-MTB system with high capacity 48V batteries.
Shimano Steps A new relatively light crank motor rapidly gaining ground on market leader Bosch.
TranzXPart of the JD group which manufactured bike components, TranzX was launched in 1992 to develop electric bike systems.
TQ (Clean Motor)Claimed weight 4.5kg with pedelec, S-pedelec and e-bike modes. A new 2014 motor now also comes in a 75kmh Race (R-pedelec) version.
YamahaPW series new for 2014 and used by Haibike MBs and Batavus.
Gear-less Motors
AEGRear transverse flux motor and crank mounted ‘disc’ motor. The AEG brand has been bought by Benchmark who launched these systems under the AEG label, Benchmark being subsequently bought by ContiTech.
BionXLong time gear-less motor maker. Launched the extraordinary D-series in 2015.
Electric Torque MachinesUS design and Taiwanese production and used in bikes such as the Swiss Stromer.
GO SwissdriveHigh quality Swiss system with smartphone linked display from 2014.
KappsteinGearless motor with 2 automatic gears. Also produce a geared motor with 3 manual gears (see below). Designed in Australia & China and made in China.
Neo DriveController and torque sensor integrated into rear hub regenerative motor.
Heinzmann DirectPowerRevitalised range in 2014, with 25kmh/45kmh and 250/500W variants.
Sparta ION Introduced in 2003 and now used by Gazelle, Ghost and Koga. A high quality pioneer. Now produce an ION branded crank drive system too in cooperation with Yamaha (via parent company Accell).
Stromer /A2B / SynoGood quality gear-less motor appearing on several makes. Hard to trace who exactly makes it!
TDCMGear-less hub motors in 250W and 500W versions from Taiwan.
TwinburstFrench company pioneering two-wheel drive transmission with motors in both wheels.
Zehus WIZE hubFormerly FlyKly, a rear hub system integrating almost all components into it and featuring Bluetooth wireless control.
Geared Motors
BafangFormerly known as 8 Fun or Suzhou Bafang. 2015 saw a major launch of their crank drive (Max Drive) with a European office and major European brands adopting the drive. Also make crank drive systems and kits.
Giant Sync DriveGiant’s rear and front hub gear motors developed in conjunction with Yamaha.
Heinzmann Very longstanding geared hub motor with a reputation for toughness in applications where weight is not critical eg town bikes and cargo bikes. With the arrival of a gear-less cousin this motor is now branded as ‘classic.’
Kappstein Geared motor with three integrated hub gears. Also do a gear-less motor (see above). Designed in Australia & China and made in China.
SRAM E-maticRear-wheel hub includes a torque-sensor, controller, motor, and an automatic transmission system.
BionX Long time gear-less motor maker. Launched the extraordinary D-series in 2015.
Conv-E Geared front hub motor made for quick installation. Designed in the UK and made and assembled in Poland (information in 2014).
EzeeAn early industry presence making a comeback after battery difficulties. No current UK representation.
HeinzmannGeared and gear-less kits. The geared kits are favoured for heavy duty applications and the gear-less for leisure use.
Sunstar Japanese in origin, now based in Switzerland. Beautifully-engineered crank motor. Left the electric bike market completely in 2017.
Superpedestrian Producers of the Copenhagen Wheel, an all in one hub containing all the electric bike elements.
Series Hybrid
Series hybrid’s are chainless designs that use your pedalling action to generate power for the motor. The idea is appealing but the efficiency is limited and the ride quality not always particularly great .
X-PESA Due to launch on the market in 2014. Developed by German giant bike conglomerate MIFA. Future of company uncertain after insolvency in 2014 but still trading in 2015 under new owners.
In Development
Bikeee Geared bottom bracket style kit from Italy that has been in development for a while.
Binova Bottom bracket replacement style kit from Germany.
BioniconYet another bottom bracket-style motor designed as an almost universal fit to existing bike frames. Motor itself developed in Germany and branded as E-RAM.
BizmozCrank kit claiming unique patented magnet technology. Italian technical design.
BMZ BMZ started life as a battery manufacturer but are now making moves into the motor market with both crank drive and hub drive components.
Daymak BeastCanadian off road ‘Beast’ featuring a direct drive motor with the option of lead-acid batteries.
E-novia Bike +Milan based research project on regenerative power.
GeoOrbitalUS design that looks to place all elements of the system inside a wheel; they remain stationary and the rim revolves.
Hubs MasterTaiwan company developing an ‘all in one’ wheel.
Michelin E-DriveInteresting looking friction drive with bespoke Michelin tyre, supposedly due early 2018.
NeoxIngenious looking German kit mounting to non drive side of the pedal cranks.
VelociteA hugely futuristic design, aiming to integrate motor technology into the design of the bike itself. Developed by Lightweight, German carbon fibre specialists
VinkaAppears to be a Japanese firm with Chinese offices making crank drives and automotive parts. No other info apart from this so these interesting looking motors may or may not have been released onto the market.
Bosch The Bosch system uses 36V 300Wh and 400Wh batteries. Their power tool batteries are also used by Nano and ARCC.
KULR Specialists in thermal management of lithium batteries – ie preventing overheating and battery fires
Mac Allister Now out of production. Small 4Ah 36V (144Wh) batteries manufactured for a range of power tools sold via the UK’s B&Q DIY chain and sold briefly with the Nano-Brompton system (see Tongxin above under kits).
PhylionTraditionally a maker of budget batteries with a poor reputation for reliability. Has opened offices in the Netherlands.
SamsungSouth Korean firm with a reputation for reliability
SanyoPurchased by Panasonic in 2009.
Sony
SimploThe second biggest e-bike battery producer after Bosch, based in Taiwan and initially specialising in notebook batteries before diversifying.
Updated Second Edition!
Eighty years ago, in 1937, miniature locomotive engineer H C S Bullock died in tragic circumstances. Fifty years later, his son Kenneth was encouraged to write a book on his father’s life and work – principally his impressive 10.25-inch miniature locomotives.
A Tribute to a Great Engineer
In 2017, as a tribute to father and son, Bob Bullock has brought together new photographs. Many of these are previously unseen – and some are in colour – to produce a second edition to Ken’s 1987 book.
The update has twice as many pages and is packed with new information, with new maps of the Foxhill Miniature Railway, based on the latest research designer fashion consignments. They give a vivid new insight into this fascinating and at times heartbreaking story.
H C S Bullock: His Life and Locomotives. Updated second edition
Updated Second Edition!
Eighty years ago, in 1937, miniature locomotive engineer H C S Bullock died in tragic circumstances. Fifty years later, his son Kenneth was encouraged to write a book on his father’s life and work – principally his impressive 10.25-inch miniature locomotives.
A Tribute to a Great Engineer
In 2017, as a tribute to father and son, Bob Bullock (no relation) has brought together new photographs and a great deal of new information. Many of the photographs are previously unseen – including some very rare colour photographs of the Surrey Border & Camberley – to produce a second edition to Ken’s 1987 book. Check out air conditioner installation cost san diego ca.
The update has twice as many pages and is packed with new information, with new maps of the Foxhill Miniature Railway and the first accurate ma pf the short-lived railway at California-in-England pacific dreamscapes. The maps, like all the other information in this new book, is based on the latest research. They give a vivid new insight into this fascinating and at times heartbreaking story.
This page is brought to you by 
Andrew is a gifted but shy person, who has successfully side-stepped publicity for most of his career, which makes his surprisingly cosmopolitan background all the more interesting. His ancestors include a Prussian Count and a Chancellor of the Exchequer. (Read the book to find out more!) Like Alex Moulton, Andrew graduated in engineering from the University of Cambridge, albeit a generation later. David highlights the inventor’s initial restlessness: ‘Andrew Ritchie had shown a flair for engineering design, but chose to move into computers; he had a talent for computer programming, but moved into the world of commerce.’ For a while Andrew even ran a business selling house plants door-to-door.
The V-Moto Super Soco is unique – unlike every other moped-class electric two-wheeler on the market, it looks like a proper little motorcycle. Find out more about 
Flat Out
The Super Soco seems well put together. It’s a shame the footrests (which are adjustable) aren’t foldable, so they’d probably snap off on an unplanned connection with the tarmac, but otherwise it all seems well thought out and of reasonable quality.
For the very latest test of the 2017 C1, published 7th December 2017, please see our 
Remember
