What else is new?

[darucla]

Hi. I am 69 and have been riding a Kalkhoff Pro Connect 8 for the last 6 years. This is a touring hardtail, but I use it on many off-road paths near here, which is a very flat part of the country. I am now looking at getting a newer bike. I no longer drive a car, because I have so little need of it, so I use bikes for everything. i even have a folding ebike so I can get it upstairs. I am considering a bike that would do everything, maybe a Riese and Muller Delite for instance. Or, just go mad and get a new touring bike and an all-out EMTB. Just pondering currently, as I can't really try out bikes due to all the current issues. I don't really have an LBS nearby with the brands (Haibike, Trek, Specialized, R&M) I am looking at, so would have to take a train. Probably not essential travel.

 

[OldGoatMTB]

I didn't really see a question, but good luck!

 

[darucla]

Probably because there is no question; just asked to do an introduction. I am just so bored at the moment, so thinking about new bikes is a nice distraction. Can't do anything until the lockdown is safely lifted (I am in the at-risk-group from several directions ).

My main sport activity is table tennis, but that's out of the question except on outdoor tables at the moment. That's about as appealing, for me, as only biking on a velodrome, so not happening for the time being. As for bikes, I know that I really want a long range bike, which can hold luggage. I only do off-roading for short periods, so a full suspension EMTB is overkill. But maybe, if I had the full deal, I would do more (and more extreme) off-roading.

I feel that the R and M Super Delite would do the job, with luggage carrying capacity and full suspension. But don't see a lot of reviews of it for off-road. And it's not cheap. My Kalkhoff still runs well, and I used to get up to 85 miles out of it on a charge, but the battery needs replacing.

So I'm willing to listen to any suggestions for a dual battery bike with full suspension which can handle a lot of luggage, and has a good high torque motor to get up hills. Easy, right?

 

[OldGoatMTB]

Probably because there is no question; just asked to do an introduction. I am just so bored at the moment, so thinking about new bikes is a nice distraction. Can't do anything until the lockdown is safely lifted (I am in the at-risk-group from several directions ).

My main sport activity is table tennis, but that's out of the question except on outdoor tables at the moment. That's about as appealing, for me, as only biking on a velodrome, so not happening for the time being. As for bikes, I know that I really want a long range bike, which can hold luggage. I only do off-roading for short periods, so a full suspension EMTB is overkill. But maybe, if I had the full deal, I would do more (and more extreme) off-roading.

I feel that the R and M Super Delite would do the job, with luggage carrying capacity and full suspension. But don't see a lot of reviews of it for off-road. And it's not cheap. My Kalkhoff still runs well, and I used to get up to 85 miles out of it on a charge, but the battery needs replacing.

So I'm willing to listen to any suggestions for a dual battery bike with full suspension which can handle a lot of luggage, and has a good high torque motor to get up hills. Easy, right?

 

[GrandPaBrogan]

Have a look for eBikes that are a hybrid between a commuter bike and a trail bike... they seem to be getting more popular. They could be the master of none, but a jack of all trades is maybe what you're looking for.

Not suggesting you go for this, or any other specific brand... but perhaps just use this as a starting point:

Samedi 27 Off - Moustache Bikes

 

[darucla]

Thanks for the ideas. I am well aware that I may have a tendency to ramble as I enter my 10th week on solitary lockdown, so please forgive me for that.

I have seen the Bolton Bikes video before, and it seems a capable bike, but ugly and thousands of miles away. I think I would prefer the Super Delite. Which has the advantage of being in a bike shop 25 miles away, but the disadvantage of a very serious price tag...

Moustache is a brand that used to be available in Cycle Republic, who had a branch very near to me, but they have now shut down all branches permanently. It's annoying, but bike shops keep shutting down and then a new one opens, which makes it hard to build a relationship with the staff. Possibly everything moved over to Halford's which I can check out. The top model looks very good, just need to check its luggage carrying possibilities.

There is a Giant store very close to me. The guys seem very friendly, but they have a quite limited range of services for other makes of bike, so I haven't spent a lot of time there. Giant doesn't seem to get a lot of mention on the net, at least not when compared to say Specialized. But they are an option, probably for the 2 bike solution, and I can walk there in 15 minutes. On the other hand, the Trek Allant range may be better model for model than the Giant Explore, and have a dual battery option.The longest one-way trip I plan to make is about 169 miles, which will probably (!) need to be broken down with an overnight stop, so I'm looking at 85-90 battery range.

Had to stop there and go for a ride. That's better.

 

[darucla]

Took me a long time, but finally bought a Moustache Samedi Xroad 27 FS 7, which I talk about in the Samedi thread started by Rob under other manufacturers. Basically, I love it.