Buying a new e-bike in the U.K.

[J200George]

Hi all, new to the forum and one time MTB nut, however family, jobs yadayadayada took me away from it I’m now itching to get back into the hillls and get the buzz back.

I’m still weighing up the bike for me and reckon I’d be ok in paying about £5-6k I do however want something with at least a 600 battery so it’ll need to be a 2020/21 model.

I live outside Glasgow (uk not Kentucky) and my local bike places are Dales, Alpine Bikes (tiso), Evans (not going near as it is Mike Ashley owned). There are a few other independents specialising in e bikes also.

Assuming the shops ever reopen, and stock starts arriving, should I expect any discount on a new bike?

I do like the Levo, Scott genius and trek rail. I’m kind of nervous about online as I think given the high number of claims/ warranty issues on motors, batteries, forks etc that I’d like dealer support.

any advice about a purchase strategy would be welcomed. I keep reading “I got this great deal“ etc so does everyone, anyone or no one pay sticker price on these bikes?

I’m willing to travel within reason, Berkshire might just be too far though ;-p

 

[MadsB]

I don’t think you’ll get a discount at the present time unless you already have a decent relationship with a LBS, because bike sales have gone through the roof with Covid. Stock is also very low. There simply is no need for them to offer discounts when they sell faster than they can be built.

I have the Whyte e150s, it’s very good. I was originally looking at a Trek Rail 5. But I was told I would have to wait a few months. Possibly end of October. Whyte are based in Hastings so stock was fine and got the bike in a week. It has a 625wh battery and the latest Bosch gen 4 motor.

If you can test the bikes then do so. I couldn’t but am still very happy.

I am sure whichever you go for you will be happy!

 

[MadsB]

Oh and I recommend going to the local shops and speaking to the staff, if they are helpful then they should be a decent shop. So much easier when you have to get it repaired, serviced etc. It’s a lot easier when something goes wrong.

 

[iainc]

I got my Levo SL from Dales about 3 weeks ago. It was one of a handful left in the UK and I think they’d re all gone now. I noticed Keith at Killearn saying on FB that they only had a couple of Cubes left. Sprockets still have quite a few left though. Definitely worth giving Dave a shout :

Electric Mountain Bikes | Electric MTB UK | Sprockets Cycles

Electric mountain bikes by Sprockets Cycles UK | High-Powered E-bikes - Orbea ✓ Trek ✓ Marin ✓ Moustache ✓ | Next Day Delivery Available ✓ | Finance Available ✓-

www.sprocketscycles.com

 

[J200George]

Thanks all, confirmed my suspicions that supply and demand will mean that discounts aren’t readily available.

I’ll take comfort in that fact when I eventually press the button. Surprises me that many bike shop websites won’t allow you to place an order even if they are out of stock, any one else noticed this?

I’m not ready anyway to pull the trigger. Lots to consider, not just which bike, dealer etc I’m considering transport, storage at home. I think that as I might prefer a roof rack I’m going to want a battery I can remove to enable me to get it onto the rack.

also taking the battery out at least limits theft options. I don’t have a garage at home having converted it to a room for swmbo a few years back.

despite dodgy motors in 2019 I’m still headed in the Levo comp direction, though having had an earlier Scott hardtail (bloody lives that bike) headed down the route of a tuned genius.

 

[MadsB]

Thanks all, confirmed my suspicions that supply and demand will mean that discounts aren’t readily available.

I’ll take comfort in that fact when I eventually press the button. Surprises me that many bike shop websites won’t allow you to place an order even if they are out of stock, any one else noticed this?

I’m not ready anyway to pull the trigger. Lots to consider, not just which bike, dealer etc I’m considering transport, storage at home. I think that as I might prefer a roof rack I’m going to want a battery I can remove to enable me to get it onto the rack.

also taking the battery out at least limits theft options. I don’t have a garage at home having converted it to a room for swmbo a few years back.

despite dodgy motors in 2019 I’m still headed in the Levo comp direction, though having had an earlier Scott hardtail (bloody lives that bike) headed down the route of a tuned genius.

If getting the battery out easily and quickly is a priority then the Whyte won’t be as easy as a Trek. I live in a flat so have to keep the bikes in the spare room so don’t really need to remove the battery’s to charge them.

Also, if you are on PAYE then the cycle to work scheme is a great way to get a big discount and not have to pay up front for the bike as your employer does that. You can save up to 42% depending on your tax band. Obviously your employer needs to be in a scheme.

Happy bike hunting!

 

[J200George]

If getting the battery out easily and quickly is a priority then the Whyte won’t be as easy as a Trek. I live in a flat so have to keep the bikes in the spare room so don’t really need to remove the battery’s to charge them.

Also, if you are on PAYE then the cycle to work scheme is a great way to get a big discount and not have to pay up front for the bike as your employer does that. You can save up to 42% depending on your tax band. Obviously your employer needs to be in a scheme.

Happy bike hunting!

They do actually but I thought only certain bikes qualified. I’ll look more into that, thanks for the reminder!

 

[J200George]

Oh and I recommend going to the local shops and speaking to the staff, if they are helpful then they should be a decent shop. So much easier when you have to get it repaired, serviced etc. It’s a lot easier when something goes wrong.

Will definitely do so but sadly in Scotland for now we are still in lockdown.

 

[MadsB]

They do actually but I thought only certain bikes qualified. I’ll look more into that, thanks for the reminder!

Ebikes qualify now and the limit has been raised to £10k, although not all employers have raised the spending limit from £1k. But definitely worth checking out.

 

[Fivetones]

Worth noting that Specialized will be announcing the 2021 models soon. This may or may not help with availability as demand for Specialized is always quite high. Also there seems to be a feeling that the real boom in cycle sales could be tailing off.

 

[CBSTD]

Be brutally honest with yourself about what you going to use it for whether it be chucking yourself down the side of Ben Lomond, or just a pedal along the Forth & Clyde Canal, let's be honest we all have delusions of what we are going to do, and what life actually permits us to do. I don't think there any bad bikes out there in the price bracket you are looking in. The Brose motor clearly has an issue with the sprag bearing (clutch thingy) but Specialized are standing by their customers so be prepared for down time.It then comes down to what's available and how long you want to wait, some of the more boutique brands are more likely to have stock so going down the direct to customer could be an option. As Whyte are built here they appreciate the our weather and riding conditions. Scottish Government do a 4 yr interest free loan for e bikes, so Wee Nippy Nicola ain't all bad ???

eBike Grant Fund

Transport Scotland has committed a further £900,000 towards the eBike Grant Fund in 2020/2021. Round four is available to assist local authorities, public sector agencies, further and higher education institutions, active travel hubs and community groups to adopt ebikes as a sustainable...

energysavingtrust.org.uk

 

[J200George]

Mostly my mountain biking has been big days out in the hills, 40 miles, not really trail blasting. I envisage that I’ll do likewise again, transport the bike (somehow) via car and blast a few hours in the wilderness. forest roads, paths etc. Anywhere with a good coffee stop at the end or mid point.

I do fancy some time at glentress but I’m not that skilled or that technical.

Wasn’t aware that they were still doing the interest free loan scheme. I’ll look into that.

I work for BT but unfortunately their cycle to work scheme seems to be solely Halfords, so I’ll give that a miss.

 

[CBSTD]

Thanks all, confirmed my suspicions that supply and demand will mean that discounts aren’t readily available.

I’ll take comfort in that fact when I eventually press the button. Surprises me that many bike shop websites won’t allow you to place an order even if they are out of stock, any one else noticed this?

I’m not ready anyway to pull the trigger. Lots to consider, not just which bike, dealer etc I’m considering transport, storage at home. I think that as I might prefer a roof rack I’m going to want a battery I can remove to enable me to get it onto the rack.

also taking the battery out at least limits theft options. I don’t have a garage at home having converted it to a room for swmbo a few years back.

despite dodgy motors in 2019 I’m still headed in the Levo comp direction, though having had an earlier Scott hardtail (bloody lives that bike) headed down the route of a tuned genius.

Mostly my mountain biking has been big days out in the hills, 40 miles, not really trail blasting. I envisage that I’ll do likewise again, transport the bike (somehow) via car and blast a few hours in the wilderness. forest roads, paths etc. Anywhere with a good coffee stop at the end or mid point.

I do fancy some time at glentress but I’m not that skilled or that technical.

Wasn’t aware that they were still doing the interest free loan scheme. I’ll look into that.

I work for BT but unfortunately their cycle to work scheme seems to be solely Halfords, so I’ll give that a miss.

I meant to say what about a tow bar mount rack as lifting 20kg plus on to the roof of your car after a big day in the hills might be a chew unless you’ve got a hack for BT’s van tracker system ???

 

[J200George]

Haha not got a works van or anything remotely useful. My wife has an xtrail but it’s 4 years in now so will be changing that out soon. Hopefully for something that a towbar can be fitted or will take a bike inside.
Else I’ll be looking for a bike that you can whip the battery out of and lift onto the roof.

although where I live is not short of countryside to blast, interesting views and big runs are 15-20 miles away. I wouldn’t want to get range anxiety before I hit the trails.

 

[GrahamPaul]

I wouldn’t want to get range anxiety before I hit the trails.

Yeah. I hear you. That range anxiety thing can be a real bummer: How was your ride, in one picture and one line? - EMTB Forums

 

[steve_sordy]

@J200George as long as you don't hurt yourself your roof rack strategy will be fine. Try hefting the bike onto a roof rack when you can't raise one arm above elbow height! Tow bar racks are more expensive than a roof rack, but waaaaaayy more convenient.
And expensive of course!

 

[Rotwilder]

The Rotwild range are outstanding, I took nearly a year before I went and purchased one. Here is a link: Ultra

 

[GMLS]

I'm also in the market for 2nr EMTB'S and had a my first ride on a Whyte e150 this morning which confirmed my need for one in my life!
I don't know whether the stortage of stock is to keep prices up or restricted supply due to covid but rather than compromising on what I really want, I'm going to pre order a 2021 model (Focus, Cube or Whyte) and have been offered 10% discount on 2 different makes. Orbea must be selling as many as they need to and offering nothing so off the list. There is clearly more uncertainty about and some are clearly keen to secure sales for the future.

 

[StilusBoy79]

Mostly my mountain biking has been big days out in the hills, 40 miles, not really trail blasting. I envisage that I’ll do likewise again, transport the bike (somehow) via car and blast a few hours in the wilderness. forest roads, paths etc. Anywhere with a good coffee stop at the end or mid point.

I do fancy some time at glentress but I’m not that skilled or that technical.

Wasn’t aware that they were still doing the interest free loan scheme. I’ll look into that.

I work for BT but unfortunately their cycle to work scheme seems to be solely Halfords, so I’ll give that a miss.

Sounds like lockdown is ending for you or has already.

Get yourself to Mugdock and the West Highland way. Glentress and Innerleithen are very accessible to noobs and non-gnarly riders, self included.

I dream of being able to visit 7 Staines this summer. Based on Yorkshire.

I bought the decathalon stilus and I’m planning on taking it to trail centres soon, I’m not finding it as easy to jump on as my old 26er (I’m not that good a rider anyway) but for everything else it’s been very good. For £2699 when in stock it will be priced well below it’s competition for equivalent specs.

 

[J200George]

Sounds like lockdown is ending for you or has already.

Get yourself to Mugdock and the West Highland way. Glentress and Innerleithen are very accessible to noobs and non-gnarly riders, self included.

I dream of being able to visit 7 Staines this summer. Based on Yorkshire.

I bought the decathalon stilus and I’m planning on taking it to trail centres soon, I’m not finding it as easy to jump on as my old 26er (I’m not that good a rider anyway) but for everything else it’s been very good. For £2699 when in stock it will be priced well below it’s competition for equivalent specs.

Yes I know mugdock very well. Live close by and walk the dogs there a couple of times a week. Beyond on the west highland way or to strathblane. One thing we are not short of in Scotland is trails plus of course we have no laws of trespass either.

 

[TheRealPoMo]

If I may ask - so the UK government give you up to about 40% of the purchase price of a new eMTB up to 10K GBP because you tell them you will ride it to work sometimes....when it's not snowing or raining or in fog ? (like that ever happens based on what wife from West Yorkshire tells me)
I see now why so many over there have such deep pockets for emtb toys.
Not being critical - definately jealous.

 

[StilusBoy79]

Yes I know mugdock very well. Live close by and walk the dogs there a couple of times a week. Beyond on the west highland way or to strathblane. One thing we are not short of in Scotland is trails plus of course we have no laws of trespass either.

Oh man what a lovely place to have on your doorstep. I stayed in Hillfoot many moons ago, for a year or so. I used to love blasting round the trails up there.

I can’t wait to try Innerleithen without having to earn the initial climb.

 

[MadsB]

If I may ask - so the UK government give you up to about 40% of the purchase price of a new eMTB up to 10K GBP because you tell them you will ride it to work sometimes....when it's not snowing or raining or in fog ? (like that ever happens based on what wife from West Yorkshire tells me)
I see now why so many over there have such deep pockets for emtb toys.
Not being critical - definately jealous.

It’s a scheme that’s been around for years, initially it was limited to £1000, but if your employer has a consumer credit license it’s now £10,000. It’s meant to encourage cycling to work, and cycling in general. No one checks to actually see if you use it to commute to work at all.
It’s a great scheme, and if you want, you can buy a brand new bike every year once the other one is paid off.

 

[J200George]

Sadly my cycle to work scheme is only with Halfords.

 

[TheRealPoMo]

It’s a scheme that’s been around for years, initially it was limited to £1000, but if your employer has a consumer credit license it’s now £10,000. It’s meant to encourage cycling to work, and cycling in general. No one checks to actually see if you use it to commute to work at all.
It’s a great scheme, and if you want, you can buy a brand new bike every year once the other one is paid off.

Unbelievable....so you buy a 10K GBP All mountain eMTB (sorry i don't have a pound sterling on my keyboard) and the British Governemnt pays for 40%
....lovely.

I'm really jealous. I commuted 10 km to work on a road bike for years in Australia and was offered bugger all (zero).
That was every day, rain or shine (no snow tho).

But thanks, I finally get how you guys spend so much on pushbikes - Government pays for 40 %
Good luck to you.
...I hate you guys...so very, very much....

 

[MadsB]

You save whatever is the income tax band you’re in, this highest is 42%. Unfortunately it discriminates against lower wage earners, but it was great for me so cent complain!

 

[MadsB]

Sadly my cycle to work scheme is only with Halfords.

That must be gutting.

 

[J200George]

That must be gutting.

Not half. It’s BT was well ffs so not like we are a small employer!

 

[TheRealPoMo]

You save whatever is the income tax band you’re in, this highest is 42%. Unfortunately it discriminates against lower wage earners, but it was great for me so cent complain!

Yep, Thanks MadsB, and I would be in the same bracket if I was in the home counties.
I'm in two minds on this.
On one hand we have working people on minimun wage that can get a cheap bike to trundle to work and back.
Or we have people who get a 40% subsidy on a 10K GBP bike that they MIGHT use to get to work.
?
While I'd love the Governent to upgrade my Cube HT to a Levo FS, it's not gunna get me (or anyone else) to work any quicker.
It sounds like a rort - but I am half a world away so, what do I care.....

 

[Jamze]

I don't know whether the stortage of stock is to keep prices up or restricted supply due to covid but rather than compromising on what I really want, I'm going to pre order a 2021 model

Think this is my plan now. There are still a few places that have stock of the Whyte E-150 I want, but decided to get an early order in for a V2 bike from my preferred shop rather than online/mail order.