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resolvedHi,
One of my friends is considering an e-bike, as their commute is quite hilly. I said I'd ask on here if there was anywhere he could loan/hire one from before committing to purchasing one. So just wondering if anyone is aware of any options. Unfortunately he is not a university of Edinburgh employee, as I know they have a hire scheme, and as he works for a start-up then won't have anything through his employer.
Thanks, Donald
Harts at Corstorphine will oblige. I think. Graeme will confirm I am sure.
Tell your friend not to do what I did and hire an eMTB for the day from Alpine Bikes at Glentress. Too many £££s later...
Seriously though, EAPCs can be very addictive. Your brain says you're cheating, but you still have to put effort in to make the thing move, and once it's moving you don't want it to stop so...you keep pedalling. That's one of the main differences I find: on a normal bike I'd stop for a breather every so often. An ebike just seems to egg you on. You might use fewer calories overall, but the workout is arguably more intense (unless you really are the sort of person who actually enjoys suffering - I'm not).
To answer the actual question: I believe Halfords used to offer demos of their ebikes but they seem to have given up since I last looked. Maybe they've become so easy to sell that they don't feel they need to any more?
As Gembo says, Harts are probably one of the better bets for a try-out in this locale.
I'm happy to let someone try our demo for a day free if they consider purchasing. (Otherwise £25 per day)
We only have our commutable Nihola (Denmark) model. As advertised in new Scottish Cycling and by EBC on Instagram.
£1595 - Steps, Discs, Rack, 700c wheels, built in lights. Mudguards, kickstand, frame lock, 400Wh battery.
400 watts is good battery. Anyone buying annebike just now is still,paying the start up. I want one just not at the price. However.. Very tempting?..
You can apply for a 10 day trial from the energy saving trust
https://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/scotland/grants-loans/ebike-loan
The bikes they have are horrendously heavy - 25Kgs but you definitely get a feel of what owning an ebike would be > generally tremendous fun getting a boost up hills or into wind and a 'normal' bike at other times.
Halfords will do you a 48hr trial, I'm tempted for the day's after my next half marathon.
https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/electric-bikes/free-48-hour-electric-bike-trial
Mrs ECT had a weeks loan from the energy saving trust.
They are a bit frustrating to deal with but if you are keen, probably worth it.
They also offer interest free loans of up to £3k, so giving better options than the cycle to work scheme.
The Halfords 48hr trial is only at a few places - Stirling being the nearest to Edinburgh. Other Halfords do a half-hour trial, although when I asked at Straiton they said it could stretch to an hour or two. I had a 4 day trial from EST through Changeworks (and they were easy to deal with). The ebikes I've tried are bigger, heavier, harder to maneouvre, and noisier than usual bikes so can take a bit of getting used to, but so muuch easier to get up hills or into strong wind.
Thanks for the feedback, I'll pass that on, and will report back
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