Disappointed with 2nd hand electric bike - any advice?

I bought an electric bike 2nd hand, it's pedal assisted, no throttle, it's about 3 years old and it's quite heavy, about 28kg with a 24V battery. I had bought it hoping I'd be able to cycle uphill to work on it and I am really disappointed that it doesn't make much of a difference and I still struggle uphill.

I am wondering whether it's the battery that is knackered (how could I find out?) or whether I should have gone for a more powerful or less heavy bike?

I deliberately wanted to go for a pedal assisted rather than a moped-style one to make sure I am still cycling and exercising, but this is simply not working for me.

Has someone got experience with electric bikes and can advise me?

Yes they don't work and tried to encourage the usage of them in London but very few commuters now use them, riddled with problems and faults, even the expensive ones.

like a lot of things, great in theory, naff in practice.

Yes they're rubbish really, that's the reason the other person was selling it. You should be able to sell it on quite easily though.

If these gadgets were any good I would have one tomorrow. I am not fit enough to cycle normally anymore so one of these would be the answer to my prayers. I could ride in country parks etc, these are all places where motorbikes are banned. Why cant disabled guys use low power quad bikes ?? It would give us back our access to the outdoors and to rough terrain. As long as they were low power, 7 mph gadgets then they wouldn't pose any annoyance to anyone. The current range of electric scooters are totally unsuitable for use in woodlands etc. I envy the mountainbikers but I cant afford a horse....which is legal.

A 3 year old battery is probably knackered. There is a battery place down near Shoreham Street, if you take it in they can probably test it, and will sell suitable replacements..

Hm, that's a shame, your replies reflect what I was worried about all along, that an electric bike might not be the solution to cycling uphill after all!

Hi Neeeeeeeeeek,

whereabout on Shoreham Street is this battery place? I'd surely like to have it tested first before investing any more!

From reviews I have read electric bikes seem to get positive feedback. Maybe it is just the battery as suggested? 28kg is a lot of weight to be lugging up hill though. Road / racing bikes weigh ~8kg or less!

Yes they're rubbish really, that's the reason the other person was selling it. You should be able to sell it on quite easily though.

Here is one that i am building!

I'm going for full electric and style!

To the OP

There are only three things that can go wrong.

Batteries

Controller

Magnetic motor

minor problems

wiring

fuses

Do you get any power assist at all?

Do you dabble with electronics?

Check out Stealthelectricbikes.com

 

 

Here is one that i am building!

 

 

 

I'm going for full electric and style!

 

 

 

To the OP

 

There are only three things that can go wrong.

 

Batteries

Controller

Magnetic motor

 

minor problems

 

wiring

fuses

 

Do you get any power assist at all?

 

Do you dabble with electronics?

Hi,

thanks for your reply. The power assist is working, I can feel it kicking in when I pedal. My partner was tryring the bike out too and he said he thought the back wheel was dragging.

No, I don't dabble with electronics, not a clue, to be honest. Have you got a suggestion what I could try?

Just looked at the chopper, lookin' good!