I took the Freego Folding Electric Bike, the latest model to go on display in Richmond, out for a test ride in the streets around our shop, here in Richmond. Well, I was immediately impressed – very positive, powerful assistance on throttle alone, which soon had me scooting along at top speed.

With light pedalling and throttle power combined, the Freego carried all 15 stone of me up the hill that runs outside our shop easily, and then up the steeper one (Compass Hill) across the road. UPDATE it also managed to climb the steepest part of the steepest hill in Richmond, Nightingale Lane, which used to defeat an eZee Torq and was hard on the original Quando (a renowned hill climber).

Next, I rode it through the maze of residential back streets behind the shop and was pleased by how quiet the motor was and how responsive the Freego was. Sharp corners, potholed roads and dozens of speed bumps were all tackled easily.

The three-level power assist mode is a good feature too and should really extend range into the dozens of miles. But this bike is all about the throttle mode for me – it makes the Freego a very nippy little bike indeed. You can switch between pedal assist and throttle modes with the red button mounted on the handlebars.

It’s a smooth ride with a generous saddle, decent sprung front forks and fat tyres. There are built in lights, front and rear. The front light operates through a switch on the handlebar console, but the rear light has a separate switch. Both lights run off the battery.

Conclusion This Freego Electric Folder is a very cheeky little gadabout that will fit into the boot of your car, the confines of your hallway or the depths of your motorhome. With the optional 17.5Ah battery pack installed, you’re more likely to run out of places to go before it runs out of power. It’s in the Richmond shop now, charged and ready to ride. £999 with 10Ah battery pack, £1299 with the ultra long-range 17.5Ah Lithium polymer pack.

Ok! First impressions straight out of the box. Quality is the word that springs to mind which, to be quite honest, is what I would have expected from a range of bikes that start at around £1200 and go up to £1450, and I wasn`t disappointed on that score. What was very apparent lifting the bike from the box was the weight (or lack of it).

On my electronic scales the bike weighs in at 20.5kg without the battery and 24kg with the battery in place, but for some reason it feels a lot lighter once assembled. The battery is the latest Lithium Polymer of 37V 13Amp and is very light as you can see by the weight figures.

I always run a bike when new or after service suspended from my bike workshop roof to test the running gear and found the free running of the wheels to be very good indeed considering the rear wheel has a Bafang hub built in. Gear changing was positive, quiet and smooth and the motor fired up first time with a quiet hum.

Just now and then something a little bit special pops up into your life and this bike is it. Hard to determine just what separates this bike from my others (that I love btw), but I think it`s the sheer positive steering and build quality that sets it apart from the run of the mill. Push bikes are like motorcycles and cars in as much as when the manufacturers get it right then it all falls in line, and so it is with the Oxygen E bike.

The power delivery from the pedal assist is just about right in my opinion, (not too powerful that it forces you along faster than you want to go, but powerful enough that your legs don`t ache). Need a bit more power to climb a hill or pull away from a junction? Then just switch over to twist throttle and that bit of extra power fills the gap.

For sure none of my other bikes free wheel as nice as this bike does, there just seems to be zero drag from the rear hub and pushing the bike along by hand without looking down you would be hard pressed to tell it from a good quality non electric bike.

The nearest bike I own to the Oxygen is my Evans MTB that I converted to an E bike six months ago and I just love it but for sure it does not have the finesse of the Oxygen.

As far as range goes, well I hesitate to run any E bike down to nothing for fear of being stranded out in the sticks where I live but, judging by the mileage I was getting without recharging, I would say that 50 to 60 miles should well be within the bike’s capability when used on pedelec, and remember the battery has not had the suggested three low discharges yet…

What amazed me about this bike in particular was the ability to be able to ride it as an out-and-out sports type bike and really push it along at a decent pace or pootle around the country lanes taking in the scenery during this fine spell of late June weather.

A note on the brakes: Rear V brake and Front Disk. I`m a bit touchy on brakes, they either throw you over the handle bars or you need to put a foot out to stop yourself but what I like about the choice on the E mate is just how progressive they are with plenty of stopping power should you need it but silky smooth gradual normal braking. I like them.

I have no connection whatsoever to Oxygen bikes and gain nothing financially from this article, just wanting to spread the word to fellow users of a decent product.
Dave Chilvers – this article is also available on Dave’s own website

Taga Combined Baby Stroller and Trike

Taga is a multifunction urban vehicle, uniquely designed to suit the needs of today’s parents and children. Taga combines the benefits of a premium stroller and a carrier bicycle to create a new form of transport.

Taga lets you both move around easily, turning a typical day into an exciting adventure. On arrival, Taga converts in seconds into a stroller, allowing parent and child to carry on their day. There’s no need to lock Taga outside and nothing is left behind. Taga can also be taken on the tube, train, bus or any other means of public transportation, offering continuous riding to and from any destination.

New bikes to try in Richmond

We took delivery of some new demonstrator bikes at our shop in Richmond yesterday. The 2010 Pro Connect S is available to test ride in London for the very first time, the Sahel Comfort makes a return to our shop window and there’s a new-look 2010 Agattu Crossbar to join its Step-Thru sister.

We also have a very slick-looking Oxygen Emate City in gleaming white, a rugged-looking Sahel Pro Disc (subject of my Riding Notes earlier this week), an X-Small Pro Connect Stepthru and the non-electric but very eye-catching Mint Green Kalkhoff Nostalgie.

All are available to test ride free of charge today in our new London electric bike shop at 82 Hill Rise, Richmond TW10 6UB.

2010 Kalkhoff Sahel Pro Disc Alfine electric bike

This week I had an opportunity to take the Sahel Pro for a long ride for the first time.

Kalkhoff introduced the Sahel range this season because… actually, I’m not sure why, but I can say why it’s great fun to ride.

First thing you notice when sitting on the Sahel Pro is how the very posh-looking saddle moves down and back a little. Hmm, that feels rather good, you think, and you’re not even moving yet. It really makes sense when you encounter your first pothole.

The usual ‘Gdunk-UNGH!’ sensation is missing. It’s more of a ‘GDunk-aah’ as both the initial bump and the brief deceleration from slowing down on impact are damped by an ingenious two-way spring mechanism supporting the seat. It’s quite unlike other suspension seatposts I’ve tried and makes the Sahel Pro a memorably comfortable ride. Generously yielding, expensive-feeling hand grips help mop up any vibration from the front wheel. The overall effect is magnificent.

As do the balloon tyres. They’re awesomely chunky and contribute a lot towards the Sahel Pro’s macho looks. Along with its brooding, dark, matt olive paintjob, twin disk brakes and wafer-thin composite mudguards, it looks like no other electric bike in the Kalkhoff range.

So there you go, racing down the road in a great deal of comfort, looking very good indeed. But where best to ride it?

Well, my first ride was a brief tour of the streets surrounding our new electric bike shop in Richmond. Very hill in parts, particularly Nightingale Lane, it tackled all available gradients with ease in high power mode in the middle gears. Unusually for Kalkhoff, the Sahels come with 26-inch wheels, so they’re not the best bikes for long-distance, high speed commutes through well-surfaced roads. Where the Sahel Pro feels best is on trails and tracks, parkland and open countryside. It looks like it wouldn’t mind getting dirty.

Like all the 2010 range, it packs the new spec 250 Watt Panasonic motor which provides extra assistance in the high power mode, the superb Alfine 8-speed hub and a great set of lights. Come and take it for a spin at either our newly-opened Richmond shop in London or at our premises in Loughborough, Leics.

50cycles Electric Bikes is now open for business at 82 Hill Rise, Richmond TW10 6UB

This is our first shop, stocking cycles and accessories that have, until now, only been available through the  50cycles electric bikes website.

We have a number of Kalkhoff and Oxygen electric bicycles on display and available to test ride, along with a non-electric model, the classic style Nostalgie which is a real head-turner.

We’ll be updating this blog with news of events, new models, special offers and whatever else comes to mind. We also welcome your comments, questions and feedback.