Help choosing needed

[Paul E]

I'm 6 ft 5in (1.93 m) 115 kegs (18st) - reasonably fit. Based in the UK
I'm looking for recommendations for a suitable electric bike.
I need a large one but don't want to pay a bespoke price, I find the problem for me is the distance from saddle to handlebar is too short, I need a slightly longer stretch.
Any suggestions please

 

[rich c]

What's a bespoke price?

 

[Dewey]

Carrera Crossfire-E (road) or Vulcan-E (road and light off-road) from Halfords might fit the bill. Both are available in a 22" frame size that Halfords claims is good up to 6'6". Both use the same Suntour ATS 36v rear hub motor and 11ah battery, real world 35 mile range before recharging. Both are on January sale for 960 pounds, price includes assembly and a 6-week tune-up, take off another 10% if you join British Cycling for 25 quid and show your membership card when paying. Count on paying 400 pounds every 2-3 years for a replacement battery if you're using it for a daily commuter, and maybe another 100 quid to replace the Kenda tires with Schwalbe puncture-resistant tires (although I've read you can try asking Halfords to fit those free before you commit to buy), and mudguards if you get the Vulcan. Loads of Halfords where you can try before you buy and wheel it in when it needs servicing or warranty work. Should qualify for the Cycle to Work scheme if your employer participates.

Otherwise if you already own a bicycle that fits you with a standard width English 68mm bottom bracket shell you might consider converting it to an ebike with a Bafang BBS01 36v mid-drive motor and battery from Woosh or Panda (who rebrand it as M-drive) for about 700 quid and pay a local bike shop to help remove the bottom bracket and/or check the chain line works as you might want to consider replacing the stock 46t Bafang front chain ring with a Lekkie 42t or smaller, plus a new chain. I moved to the US and fitted this motor & chain ring to my old Dawes hybrid I brought over, didn't fit the throttle I only ride it with the pedal assist cadence sensor, use the walk assist to help me push it up steps, it's fine helping to pull me up hills since I reprogrammed the current to 18a, I don't use a gear-sensor (too fiddly for me to fit) but used one of the e-brake hi-go connectors to fit a big green button I use like a clutch to cut the power before I change gear.

For other suggestions try http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/

 

[Dewey]

What's a bespoke price?

He means he wants to pay the price for an off the shelf frame, not the price of a hand-made frame designed for a 6' 6" tall man.

 

[Paul E]

Excellent feedback Dewey, many thanks. I'll try Halfords when I'm home next.

 

[Ken M]

I'm 6 ft 5in (1.93 m) 115 kegs (18st) - reasonably fit. Based in the UK
I'm looking for recommendations for a suitable electric bike.
I need a large one but don't want to pay a bespoke price, I find the problem for me is the distance from saddle to handlebar is too short, I need a slightly longer stretch.
Any suggestions please

The largest of the Haibike Trekking models is really big (60cm by their sizing) with plenty of stretch for someone your size. Nice bikes if you are doing 95% or more urban riding. The largest of the Sduro hardtail and full suspension is also a very large bike.