Hit Counter

A to B Magazine
UK Electric Bike & Trike prices
Updated July 2008


Trends:
Bottom end -The availability of electric bikes in the £300 - £600 range has exploded with the arrival of a number of cheap, and mostly rather ineffective Chinese machines. This means our listings can go out of date almost before they're posted, and some of the companies selling these bikes are literally selling out of containers, so be very wary. However, there are one or two very good new machines at this price - notably Powacycle Windsor and Ezee Liv, both offering sophisitcated batteries at a discount price. This page aims to list every machine on the UK market, but the only bikes we would definitely recommend are those marked (1) meaning that we have tested the machine and are happy with the performance and UK back-up.
A second pointer can be found in our Bike Distributor section below. If we have not had meaningful contact with the distributor, they're either very new or avoiding an independent test! Finally, we have decided not to test machines that fail ANY of the following criteria, except in special circumstances:

1. Must weigh less than 30kg (the legal limit is 40kg and some cheap machines actually weigh more than this)
2. No lead-acid batteries
3. No single speed machines
4. With multiple gears, top gear must exceed 60-inches
5. No tyres of 305mm or smaller
6. Must have mudguards and lights
7. No scooter-style machine with vestigial pedals
8. No micro-scooters

Prices and specifications relate only to the British market and may change at short notice.
Prices are either the recommended retail price or a discounted price if regularly available.

Electrically-assisted bicycles can be ridden by anyone aged 14 or over, provided the bicycle weighs 40kg or less (60kg for a tandem or tricycle), has pedals, a motor of less than 200 watts continuous output (250 watts for a tandem or tricycle), and a top speed of less than 15mph. However, the situation is currently a bit confused - see Legal Clarification for the latest information

Those marked Pedelec in the tables are definitely legal. Those marked Hybrid are almost certainly fully legal. Those marked E-Bike remain slightly in doubt, but no one has yet been prosecut ed for riding one. Our advice is to buy any machine you wish, but check that the retailer is willing to make any necessary changes to the specification should these be required by law within a reasonable period.

 

Key:

La

Lead-acid battery

NiCd

Nickel-cadmium battery

NiMH

Nickel-metal Hydride battery

Li-ion

Lithium-ion battery

Li-pol

Lithium-polymer battery

Friction

Direct drive to tyre

Front/Rear Hub

Hub motor

Front/Rear Chain

Separate chain drive

Crank

Crank-mounted motor

Pedelec

Power only available when you pedal

E-Bike

Power independent of pedals - usually a twistgrip throttle

Hybrid

Pedelec/E-Bike switchable

 

New Product


Power Kits:
Note: Some prices include fitting, other do not. Not all kits are legal for road use in the UK. Always check before purchasing. All prices include UK Value Added Tax at 17.5%

Make/model

Last A to B test
Control/Drive

Battery
Size
(b)

Battery
Price

Electric Wheel KB24SLAPFPS (8) (12)

 

Hybrid / Front Hub

 

La

£299

Cambridge 250W

 

E-Bike / Front Hub

108wh

Li-ion

£325

Oriental

.

Hybrid / Front Hub

270wh

La

£350

Zap SX

June 99 . June 04

E-Bike / Friction

216wh

La

£350

Electro-Drive (also known as Currie Drive or ElectroPed) (1)

April 01

E-Bike / Rear Chain

288wh

La

£365

Bikit

June 01

E-Bike / Friction

173wh

La

£399

Cambridge 400W

 

E-Bike / Front Hub

108wh

Li-ion

£400

Gemini

.

E-Bike / Front Hub

252wh

La

£415

E-Go 250W (6) (8)

.

E-Bike / Front Hub

288wh

La

£475

Schachner S-Drive

June 01 (9)

E-Bike / Front Hub

162wh

NiCd

£530

E-Go 500W (6) (8)

.

E-Bike / Front Hub

432wh

La

£550

Team Hybrid (Ezee Quando motor) (1)

 

E-Bike / Front Hub

324wh

NiMH

£599

Nano Brompton (1**)

June 07 . Aug 07

E-Bike / Front Hub

266wh

Li-ion

£599

SRAM Sparc

April 02

E-Bike / Rear Hub

84wh

La

£600

Sunstar I-Bike

May 08

Pedelec / Crank

80wh

Li-ion

£715

Schachner S-Drive (long range option)

June 01

E-Bike / Front Hub

288wh

NiCd

POA

Heinzmann E-Bike PowerHub 200W (1)

 

E-Bike / Front Hub

180wh

NiCd

£775

Heinzmann Pedelec PowerHub 200W (1)

Dec 98 . June 02

Pedelec / Front Hub

168wh

NiCd

£845

BionX (1)

Dec 05

Pedelec / Rear Hub

192wh

NiMH

£845

Heinzmann E-Bike PowerHub 200W (1)

 

E-Bike / Front Hub

288wh

NiMH

£890

Heinzmann Pedelec PowerHub 200W (1)

 

Pedelec / Front Hub

288wh

NiMH

£960


Complete Bicycles: 

Make/model

A to B test
Drive
Running Costs (a)
Battery
Size
(b)
Battery
Price

Powablade

 

 

 

 

La

£199

Powacycle Fold-E F OLDER

 

 

 

 

La

£299

Thompson Euro-Classic Heavily discounted!

Oct 03

Hybrid / Rear Hub

5.0p(4)

432wh

La

£300

C V Leisure Rascal FOLDER

Pedelec / Rear Hub

La

£325

Bright Bike Fold-E FOLDER

.

Hybrid / Frame Motor

.

288wh

La

£349(11)

Powacycle Milan 2 NEW MODEL

 

 

 

 

La

£349

Izip XCell Cruiser & Trailz ST NEW MODEL (formerly known as Currie)

 

Hybrid / Rear Chain Drive

 

288wh

La

£359

Izip CU24, CU26, CM26 NEW MODEL (formerly known as Currie)

 

Hybrid / Rear Chain Drive

 

288wh

La

£350

Meerkat Metro NEW MODEL (similar to the Izip)

 

 

 

 

 

£350

E-Bike Retro

Oct 03

.

5.2p(4)

.

La

£399

Sustain Edison FOLDER NEW MODEL

 

Hybrid / Rear hub

 

240wh

Li-ion

£399

Thompson Euro-City

 

 

 

 

 

£400

Izip MTB Trailz NEW MODEL (formerly known as Currie)

 

 

 

 

 

£409

Little Rascal

.

Hybrid / Rear Hub

.

.

La

£425

C V Leisure Ranger

Rear Hub

La

£435

Commutabike Cruiser

.

Hybrid / Rear Hub

.

.

La

£449

Thompson Euro-Tourer

Oct 03

Hybrid / Rear Hub

5.4p(4)

432wh

La

£400

A S Bikes Electobike NEW MODEL FOLDER

 

Hybrid / Rear hub

 

204wh

NiMH

£450

E-Pegasus Z1

..

Rear Hub

..

432wh

La

£450

Sakura Cruiser S314/S315 1-spd

 

Hybrid / Rear Hub

 

252wh

La

£470

C V Leisure Romany

Rear Hub

La

£495

Powacycle Salisbury & Windsor

Oct 06

Hybrid / Rear hub

4.8p

192wh

NiMH

£499

E-Bike Cruiser

Oct 03

.

5.6p(4)

.

La

£499

Powacycle Coaster, Oxford & Cambridge

 

Hybrid / Rear hub

 

192wh

NiMH

£499

Sustain Newton NEW MODEL

 

Hybrid / Rear hub

 

360wh

Li-ion

£499

C V Leisure Silver Star

Rear hub

NiMH

£525

Powabyke Shopper 1-spd

.

Hybrid / Front Hub

.

504wh

La

£539

C V Leisure Cycle Star

Pedelec / Rear Hub

NiMH

£545

Koolgachet FOLDER

.

Hybrid / Rear Hub

.

432wh

La

£550

Powabyke Euro 6-spd (24-inch wheel) (1)

Feb 03

Hybrid / Front Hub

5.6p

504wh

La

£595

Powabyke Shopper 6-spd

Oct 99 (9)

Hybrid / Front Hub

5.6p (9)

504wh

La

£595

Sakura S300 6-spd (10)

Oct 99 (9)

Hybrid / Front Hub

5.6p (9)

504wh

La

£599

Giant Suede 7-spd (1)

Dec 05

Pedelec / Front Hub

.5.4p

324wh

NiMH

£599

Powacycle Lynx & Puma FOLDER

 

Hybrid / Rear Hub

 

192wh

Li-ion

£599

Powacycle Salisbury & Windsor LPX NEW MODEL (1)

Oct 06 (battery in April 07)

Hybrid / Rear hub

 

273wh

Li-Pol

£599

Synergie Mistral NEW MODEL

 

Hybrid / Rear hub

 

360wh

Li-ion

£599

Sustain Newton NEW MODEL

Hybrid / Rear hub

240wh

Li-ion

£599

Thompson K2

 

Hybrid / Rear hub

 

180wh

NiMH

£600

Sakura Cruiser S305

 

Hybrid / FrontHub

 

504wh

La

£639

Cambridge Pack-a-Bike 6-spd FOLDER

 

 

 

192wh

NiMH

£649

Powabyke Euro 6-spd (alloy frame, 26-inch wheel)

 

Pedelec / FrontHub

 

432wh

La

£645

Powabyke City Bike 5-spd

 

Pedelec / Rear Hub

 

 

La

£645

Powabyke Folding Bike FOLDER

Oct 00 (9)

Hybrid / Front Hub

.

252wh

La

£695

Greenedgebikes Blackstar FOLDER / NEW MODEL

 

Hybrid / Rear Hub

 

360wh

Li-ion

£699

Bronx Folder FOLDER / NEW MODEL

 

Hybrid / Front Hub

 

 

Li-ion

£699

Urban UM44 or UM55

 

Hybrid / Rear Hub

 

192wh

NiMH

£700

Urban UM24 FOLDER

 

Hybrid / Rear Hub

 

192wh

NiMH

£730

Bright Bikes GR-8 FOLDER

.

Hybrid / Rear Hub

.

312wh

NiMH

£749

Euro Ebike Enviro (3)

.

E-Bike / Rear Hub

.

200wh

La

£749

Hallfords Carrera Sparc

 

Pedelec / Rear Hub

 

134wh

NiMH

£750

TGA Electrobike 212

.

Crank

.

204wh

La

£765

Urban UM36

 

Hybrid / Rear Hub

 

192wh

NiMH

£770

Ezee Liv Plus 3-speed (1**)

April 07

Hybrid / Front Hub

324wh

NiMH

£775

Greenedgebikes Silverado FOLDER / NEW MODEL

 

Hybrid / Rear Hub

 

288wh

Li-ion

£799

Bronx Ladies or Gents frames NEW MODEL

 

Hybrid / Front Hub

 

 

Li-ion

£799

Powabyke Commuter 24-spd

Aug 02

Hybrid / Front Hub

6.4p

504wh

La

£845

Urban UM36 Glider Li-Pol

 

Hybrid / Rear Hub

 

312wh

Li-ion

£829

Wisper Works 905e

 

Hybrid / Rear Hub

 

380wh

Li-ion

£849

Dahon Ciao P5 FOLDER

 

E-bike / Front Hub

 

204Wh

NiMH

£880

TGA Electrobike 224

.

Crank

.

432wh

La

£895

Claude Butler Urban Electric (similar to the Schwinn Transit which failed on test)
NEW MODEL

Nov 07

FrontHub

 

290wh

Li-ion

£900

SLB-2000MB-D

.

Rear hub

.

432wh

La

£925

Dahon Mu P8 FOLDER

E-bike / Front Hub

204Wh

NiMH

£930

Dahon Impulse FOLDER

E-bike / Front Hub

204Wh

NiMH

£980

Ezee Quando FOLDER

June 04

E-Bike / Rear Hub

11.9p

380wh

Li-ion

£995

Izip Trailz Enlightened & Urban Cruiser (formerly known as Currie)

 

 

 

 

 

£999

Euro Mini Ebike (3)
FOLDER

..

E-Bike / Rear Hub

.

200wh

NiMH

£1,049

Schwinn Continental Nexus 7-spd

 

FrontHub

 

290wh

Li-ion

£1,099

Giant Twist 2.0

 

Pedelec / Front Hub

 

 

NiMH

£1,100

Euro Ebike LE (3)

.

E-Bike / Rear Hub

.

200wh

La

£1,149

Schwinn Transit Euro Nexus 8-spd NEW MODEL

Nov 07

Front Hub

Failed on test

290wh

Li-ion

£1,150

Ezee Sprint 7-spd (1)

June 05

E-bike / FrontHub

10.1p

380wh

Li-ion

£1,195

Dahon Roo EL (SRAM Sparc 2 power)
FOLDER / NEW LISTING

April 02 . June 05

Pedelec / Rear Hub

7.8p

134wh

NiMH

£1,199

Monark Eco 3-spd (1)

Sept 08

Pedelec / Crank motor

260wh

Li-ion

£1,250

Ezee Torq 8-spd (1)

Dec 05

E-Bike / Front Hub

10.1p

380wh

Li-ion

£1,295

Euro Ebike SX (3)

.

E-Bike / Rear Hub

.

200wh

La

£1,299

Schwinn Streamline Nexus 7spd NEW MODEL

 

FrontHub

 

260wh

Li-ion

£1,300

Kalkhoff Agattu Wave Nexus 7-spd NEW MODEL (1**)

Jan 08

Pedelec / Crank motor

8.7-10.2p

260wh

Li-ion

£1,325 (13)

Ezee Forza 8-spd

 

E-Bike / Front Hub

 

380wh

Li-ion

£1,395

Izip Treckiing LI (formerly known as Currie)

 

 

 

 

Li-ion

£1,399

Giant Twist 1.0

Feb 07

Pedelec / Front Hub

12.1p

540wh

Li-ion

£1,400

Sparta Ion M-Gear (8) NEW IN UK

Feb 07

Pedelec / Crank motor

9.6p

240wh

NiMH

£1,429

Kalkhoff Pro-Connect Nexus 8-spd NEW MODEL (1**)

July 08

Pedelec / Crank motor

9-9.7p

260wh

Li-ion

£1,450

Kalkhoff Tasman Nexus 8-spd NEW MODEL (1**)

Pedelec / Crank motor

260wh

Li-ion

£1,450

Heinzmann Estelle Tour (8)

Hybrid / Front Hub

8.6p(9)

187wh

Li-ion

£1,495

Gazelle Innergy NEW MODEL (1)

 

 

 

260wh

Li-ion

£1,500

Flyder (custom-made range, including a folder)

 

Pedelec / Crank motor

 

 

Li-ionMg

from £1,500

Gazelle Easy Glider 8-spd Shimano NEW MODEL

 

Pedelec / Crank motor

 

260wh

Li-ion

£1,600

Heinzmann Estelle Comfort (8)

Hybrid / Front Hub

187wh

Li-ion

£1,650

Heinzmann Estelle Elegance

 

Hybrid / Front Hub

 

187wh

Li-ion

£1,945

Heinzmann Estelle Sport

 

Pedelec / Front Hub

 

288wh

Li-ion

£1,795

Heinzmann Estelle Speed

Hybrid / Front Hub

346wh

Li-ion

£1,985

Heinzmann Estelle Elegance Speed

Hybrid / Front Hub

346wh

Li-ion

£2,225

Swizzbee NEW MODEL

 

 

 

 

NiMH or Li-ion

£2,225

Optibike 800Li NEW MODEL

E-Bike / Crank motor

720wh

Li-ion

£5,875

Bikes recently removed from the list (usually out-of-production). If we have made a mistake, please let us know:

Bliss City, Touring, Extreme & Townrider
(Aug 2007)
Classic Elebike (Aug 2007)
City Cruiser 6-spd
(Aug 2007)
Commuter
(Aug 2007)
Diavelo O(ja)velo (Aug 2007)
Ecobike Tornado and varients (June 2007)
ElectroPed Number One (Aug 2007)
Europed ED-1
(Aug 2007)
Europed THD-3
(Aug 2007)
Infineon Stingray ll
(Aug 2007)
Oxygen Atala Avenue
(Aug 2007)
Oxygen Atala Distance
(Aug 2007)
Panther (Aug 2007)
Power Cruiser 6-spd (Aug 2007)
Viking E-bike
(Aug 2007)
ElectroPed Roadstar (Nov 2007)
Eco-Bike Mistral (Nov 2007)



(a) Running costs are an approximate guide per mile, and are based on a number of assumptions (please note that extras such as insurance are not included). Note also that the actual energy costs are very much lower - typically 0.05p per mile! Most of the cost of running an electric bike is depreciation:
(i) Depreciation of purchase price over ten years
(ii) Depreciation of battery, assuming a battery life of 500 charge cycles (nickel-cadmium or nickel-metal-hydride), or 250 cycles per guarantee year (lead-acid or lithium-ion)
(iii) Consumables, such as tyres and chains @ 2p per mile (annual mileage of 2,500 miles)
(iv) Electricity cost @ 8p per Kwh
NOTES: Annual mileage of 2,500 miles. Mileage per full charge is based on the A to B test performance. All bikes are ridden at maximum speed. Economy will benefit from more gentle use!


(b) This is the capacity of the battery measured in watt/hours. Please note that the three main types of battery are graded in slightly different ways, so capacities are not directly comparable. For example, a lead-acid battery of 400watt/hours would give similar performance to a nickel-metal hydride battery of 250watt/hours, or nickel-cadmium battery of 225 watt/hours.


(1) Recommended
(1**) Highly Recommended!
(2) No UK distributor at present
(3) The Euro Ebikes are export versions of the USA EV Global range
(4) Estimated cost based on assumed range and battery replacement cost
(5) ETC has ceased trading. This reduced price will last until all remaining units have been sold
(6) Lead-acid battery version of the Heinzmann
(7) Production has ceased, but may still be on sale
(8) Other derivatives are available
(9) Test of a similar model
(10) Very similar to the Powabyke Shopper
(11) Also available for £260 from Jawel on 0121 558 6191
(12) Despite much promise and an exciting website, this company has yet to come up with any hardware as far as we know
(13) The Medium frame is currently on offer at #1,250 (early July)

Complete Tricycles: 
Electric tricycles are rare. It's worth mentioning that Parker products produce a tricycle kit that will convert any bicycle (electric or otherwise) into a tricycle. Please note that electric donor bicycles must have a front hub or crank-mounted motor. The cost of the conversion kit is £299 - full contact details below:

Make/model

Ato B test

Drive

Running
Costs
(a)

Capacity

Battery

Price

Electrike 24" wheel

.

Rear belt drive

.

480wh

La

£650

Izip Tricruiser

 

Rear Chain Drive

 

432wh

La

£670

Tricruiser 24" wheel

 

Hybrid / Rear Chain Drive

 

432wh

La

£699

Powatryke 20" wheel

.

Front hub

8.1p

504wh

La

£839

Powatryke 24" wheel

.

Front Hub

..

504wh

La

£939

Pashley Picador

.

.

..

 

.

£930

Euro Etrike (3)

..

Ebike Chain

.

380wh

La

£999

TGA Tri-Pacer

.

Crank

.

576wh

La

£1,395

Ezee Carro 20" wheel

 

Ebike/front hub

11.5p

324wh

NiMH

£1,495

TGA Tri-Shopper

.

Crank

.

960wh

La

£1,595

Di Blasi 20" wheel Folder

 

 

 

 

 

£1,795

Cycles Maximus Pedicab/Cargo
Heinzmann Motor

Dec 03

Front Hub

.

984wh

La

£4,118

Cycles Maximus Pedicab/Cargo
Lynch Motor

Dec 03

Crank

..

828wh

La

£5,869

New subscribers can order a 'get-started' six-pack of magazine back numbers covering key electric cycles at HALF the usual price! See the subscription page for details.

All back numbers can be ordered by credit card - call 01305 259998 (+44 1305 259998 outside UK)

 

Manufacturers or UK distributors:
The comments relate to our own experience with manufacturers or distributors. As a general rule, a company that supplies a good product can afford to be open and helpful with the press, and will give good service and back-up. The others are something of an unknown quantity, but if you think we've been unfair, do let us know...