Hybrid with torque sensor under £1500 or convert existing bike?

[ade towell]

Hello am looking for the above for my 81 year old dad who still rides a Whyte Shoreditch hybrid bike with no motor on 10-15 mile journeys.
He’d like to extend his adventures to about 30-40 miles and was wondering about an electric bike. Ideally a hybrid style, no need for front suspension, would like the same feel as his analogue bike so torque sensor, and as light as possible as would like to be able to put it on the Thule bike rack occasionally.
Mid drive seem to be the most common torque sensors but also come at a price - are there any bikes under £1500 although happy to buy a lightly used one if necessary?
Also open to converting the Whyte bike if that’s a better value at this budget - the CYC Photon looks great and would be about on budget with a decent battery - any recommendations? There is also the cheaper TSDZ2B torque sensor motor although it seems to be less reliable and a lot more fiddling than the Photon - is that fair/true?
Any help would be appreciated
Thanks

 

[Vantage]

I'm thinking your dad would be better off with a hub motor. I have a bafang mid drive motor.
Mid drives are particularly heavy, more so when combined with the battery so might be a problem lifting onto a rack.
Due to the motors resistance, they really need to be running full time. Riding one without it being powered is like riding a constant uphill.
I'd also say that whilst there are a few reports of the TSDZ2B being a bit temperamental in it's reliability stakes, people generally find it easier the moan than to praise. I'm aware of a few users who love their TSDZ2B's. I'm personally considering one myself

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

I'm thinking your dad would be better off with a hub motor. I have a bafang mid drive motor.
Mid drives are particularly heavy, more so when combined with the battery so might be a problem lifting onto a rack.
Due to the motors resistance, they really need to be running full time. Riding one without it being powered is like riding a constant uphill.
I'd also say that whilst there are a few reports of the TSDZ2B being a bit temperamental in it's reliability stakes, people generally find it easier the moan than to praise. I'm aware of a few users who love their TSDZ2B's. I'm personally considering one myself

I should say that my Bosch motor really adds very little resistance when it is not being used
It is the lower power model (Raleigh Motus) and maybe the more powerful version is different - but it seems to me (based on naff all experience except for my own Raleigh Motus) then mid drive motors vary a lot in how the connect to the chain

 

[Drago]

Hybrid with torque sensor, on a keen budget, not needlessly heavy, up to 40 miles of battery assist, no front suspension, something no nonsense that rides well with sensible finishing kit, something with near universal decent refiews, for a senior rider?

That'll be the Carrera Subway E then. A small but keen fan base on these forums.

https://www.halfords.com/bikes/electric-bikes/carrera-subway-e-mens-electric-hybrid-bike-2.0---16in-18in-20in-frames-445934.html

Owning both mid and hub drive bikes, my view is there is no benefit to mid unless seriously off roading, and some potential downsides. Mid brings nothing to the party for your old Dad beyond a bigger purchase price.

 

[albion]

Do not think that the subway has a torque sensor now. Link fails.
Modern wise, the Fiido C21 and C22 fit the bill at £1100. The C22 weighs 17.5kg and the c21 18kg. Torque sensors are the bottom bracket type.
There is also the Fiido Titan Cargo but it is very weighty. Their ultra light carbon hybrid is single speed so maybe best ignored, in my opinion it being for flat terrain only

 

[Dadam]

If your Dad will fit a L or XL frame, Specialized stores are discounting last model Vado SL bikes to £1500. Mid drive, lightweight, light assist, torque sensor. https://www.specializedconceptstore...s/hybrid/2022-vado-sl-4-0-step-through-19129/

 

[ade towell]

I'm thinking your dad would be better off with a hub motor. I have a bafang mid drive motor.
Mid drives are particularly heavy, more so when combined with the battery so might be a problem lifting onto a rack.
Due to the motors resistance, they really need to be running full time. Riding one without it being powered is like riding a constant uphill.
I'd also say that whilst there are a few reports of the TSDZ2B being a bit temperamental in it's reliability stakes, people generally find it easier the moan than to praise. I'm aware of a few users who love their TSDZ2B's. I'm personally considering one myself

Thanks I think most of the negative has come from reading folks giddy with the excitement over the CYC Photon (which to be fair has also had its issues) and wanting something fairly hassle free - my dad was a car design engineer so am sure would enjoy the DIY nature of fitting his own motor but would also then want something reliable. Will look into the TSDZ2B it is half the price of the Photon and definitely a contender.
Batteries seems to be another rabbit hole of research though - anyone know a reliable source for these and a sensible size that could fit on his existing Whyte Shoreditch

https://whytebikes.com/pages/wshv1

 

[ade towell]

I should say that my Bosch motor really adds very little resistance when it is not being used
It is the lower power model (Raleigh Motus) and maybe the more powerful version is different - but it seems to me (based on naff all experience except for my own Raleigh Motus) then mid drive motors vary a lot in how the connect to the chain

Thanks good to know about lack of resistance with Bosch mid drive

 

[ade towell]

Hybrid with torque sensor, on a keen budget, not needlessly heavy, up to 40 miles of battery assist, no front suspension, something no nonsense that rides well with sensible finishing kit, something with near universal decent refiews, for a senior rider?

That'll be the Carrera Subway E then. A small but keen fan base on these forums.

https://www.halfords.com/bikes/electric-bikes/carrera-subway-e-mens-electric-hybrid-bike-2.0---16in-18in-20in-frames-445934.html

Owning both mid and hub drive bikes, my view is there is no benefit to mid unless seriously off roading, and some potential downsides. Mid brings nothing to the party for your old Dad beyond a bigger purchase price.

Thank you this is definitely a contender and great info about hub drives which also offer some torque sensors. Have read that mid drive are best for mtb and other off road stuff which is not what my dad is after - have already started reading the long thread about the Carrera, like that the battery seems easy to detach for charging and also getting the bike on a rack

 

[ade towell]

Do not think that the subway has a torque sensor now. Link fails.
Modern wise, the Fiido C21 and C22 fit the bill at £1100. The C22 weighs 17.5kg and the c21 18kg. Torque sensors are the bottom bracket type.
There is also the Fiido Titan Cargo but it is very weighty. Their ultra light carbon hybrid is single speed so maybe best ignored, in my opinion it being for flat terrain only

Thanks these look really interesting and nicely integrated and at a great price. My only worry is that it is all so integrated are you completely reliant on an app and how do you access to make repairs? Perhaps I am over thinking it.
Regarding the Subway not having a torque sensor now - is that just the latest model, hard to find info on the Halfords link?

 

[ade towell]

If your Dad will fit a L or XL frame, Specialized stores are discounting last model Vado SL bikes to £1500. Mid drive, lightweight, light assist, torque sensor. https://www.specializedconceptstore...s/hybrid/2022-vado-sl-4-0-step-through-19129/

Thanks I should have mentioned my dad is 5'6" so would be after a smaller bike

 

[Punkawallah]

Swytch (?) will send you a replacement front wheel/motor with sensors, battery pack etc. They seem the sensible way forward for trying electric bikes. Not cheap, though - but not £1500 lat I heard.

 

[Drago]

Do not think that the subway has a torque sensor now. Link fails.
Modern wise, the Fiido C21 and C22 fit the bill at £1100. The C22 weighs 17.5kg and the c21 18kg. Torque sensors are the bottom bracket type.
There is also the Fiido Titan Cargo but it is very weighty. Their ultra light carbon hybrid is single speed so maybe best ignored, in my opinion it being for flat terrain only

It does have a torque sensor, still uses Suntour HESC+, but the arrangement is different (it might be in the motor now, rather than vulnerable behind the BB as before?)

 

[ade towell]

Swytch (?) will send you a replacement front wheel/motor with sensors, battery pack etc. They seem the sensible way forward for trying electric bikes. Not cheap, though - but not £1500 lat I heard.

Thanks have looked at Swytch but not sure about the front wheel motor feel and what seems tiny battery. Also are they torque sensor? But having had another look I came across Whoosh which seems to be a UK company with rear hub motors with torque sensors and a fairly decent reputation - does anyone have any experience of these, look decent with motor and battery kits for £500-600?

https://wooshbikes.co.uk/?hubkits

 

[Dadam]

Woosh kits are very good value and great after-sales support. Only torque sensor though, and I wouldn't call it a natural feel ride. It would be one of the cheaper ways to extend your Dad's range though.