I know that quite a few of you have electric assisted bicycles. I think it's time I got one of these, and would appreciate the benefit of your experience and knowledge in this matter.

I'd aim to use it most days for the commute to and from work (so a commuter bike) unless I need to cart stuff about or the weather is bad. It's not far, only about 2.5 miles, but there is a ferocious hill to climb both directions (valley in the middle; very badly designed topography).

What should I be looking for/seeking to avoid ?

Go to a decent shop and ask for recommendations.
The bicycle should fit your size, have a proper seat and a high quality locker.
For a 2.5 miles distance any e-bike will do it. According to your description a city-bike will fit better than a sports or mountain bike.

e.g ask Google for: Turbo Vado from Specialized - I am quite satisfied for two years now

I bought a simple gtech one Giles. Nice and light. Looks like an ordinary bike. Range about 15 miles. No gears, no need. I potter about locally on it. It's great. It still provides exercise on steep hills so I don't feel too much of a cheat.
Nick

I have a Haibike and would recommend that brand. Riese & Mueller is also a very good make. However the most important thing is to have a good local dealer who you can rely on if anything goes wrong. Mind you, I have done just over 12000 Kms on mine over the past 5 years and have had no problems with the Haibike. Good luck, you will not regret it - gives almost as many smiles as the Morgan!!!!

Cheers!

Giles, I test drove a Brompton ebike last week which I found very impressive. One would be ideal for the commute you describe. Your local dealer can be found here. Worth giving a try as they’re a super city bike.

Thanks for the feedback chaps. I'm rather taken with the Reise & Müller cruiser city; looks just the sort of thing I'm after. I'll organize a test ride.

A chap I was sailing with at the beginning of last month has an electric Brompton, which he absolutely loves. His only reproach was that on Paris cobbles the small diameter wheels can be a bit scary sometimes. Much though I appreciate the excellent engineering and build quality of Bromptons, I don't have any constraints about where to put the thing, I'll go with a standard non-foldy bike.

Not much to add to the good advice. I'd go for a German or Dutch brand, city/commuter type thing with full mudguards, a decent rack, and hydraulic disc brakes. Built in lights are handly too, and of course a decent lock.

I have a Kalkhoff that I'm very happy with, but if I was going to purchase again I'd probably go for a Reise &Müller simply because there's a local shop that sells and supports them.

+1 buy Dutch, quality products!

Btw, I dislike these-bikes. In my home country, I see too many e-bikes operated at too high speeds by elderly people that have less control. One of the reasons it seems that fatalities in traffic went up in bike ridden NL. I think it is food for thought when using these bikes without a helmet...

Yes, I wouldn't dream of riding without a helmet. On the flat you are usually zipping along around 15-20mph and downhill the extra weight means you can get up a comparatively huge speed - I clocked 37mph coming down one hill, which was distinctly unnerving. This is why I very much recommend something with hydraulic discs, they need a lot of stopping.

But when it comes to climbing hills, or carrying heavy loads, pedelecs are just awesome. Being able to climb pretty much any gradient at a nice steady 7mph is flippin' fantastic.

The brand is less important as further details.
There is good advice in the recent posts - I would just add a couple of questions:

- how much work are you willing to put in maintaining the bike? (Hub shift v.s. Chain shift)
- what weather conditions are relevant? (Fenders, lights, chain drive v.s. Belt drive)
- where will it be parked? Do you have to carry it somewhere? (Weight and wheel size)
- can you imagine taking it anywhere by car, bus or train? (Foldable v.s. Packing solution)
- what will you carry around? (Rack and luggage solution)
- who else might ride the bike (universal frame v.s. Made measure)
- will it be parked in public? (Common bikes are more likely to be stolen. Individual seldom ones stay in place.)
- select a drive train hub drive v.s. Bottom bracket drive

In my personal opinion a bike has to match your style.
Are you going to the office, to the opera house, for shopping,.... What are going to wear.
Go for a classic for suiting the suit;-)

Maybe Ím too complicated and that is why I run more than 20 cycles at the time;-)

Miklos