Having given the dust (and Mrs Avus) time to settle I looked around once more to replace my Freego bike as that firm went into administration. They had three containers of ebikes on the high seas from China when the EU slapped a 38% import tariff on stuff from there, resulting in bankruptcy.
The result was a Wisper bike - the nearest in spec. to my original Freego, in "Stealth Black".
After experiencing a couple of road test rides I can report that I am pleased with it. It is well equipped and of good quality. I specified the optional 700 watt, long range battery which , the way I ride, should give about 75 miles before a recharge is needed. Since my maximum day ride, in my senility, is no more than 40 miles that will do nicely.
The motor, located in the rear wheel is very powerful. Although rated at the maximum legally permissible 250 Watts it will power the bike along on pedal assist to about 18 mph. (legal limit for ebikes in the EU is 15.5 mph). Having a weak left leg since a stroke I need an independent throttle to give me a push off. Again, these have been made illegal in the EU, but a 4 mph "walk assist" mode to help with pushing a heavily laden bike is acceptable. Wisper have circumvented the throttle legislation by making the twist grip work to 4mph, pedal free, but as soon as the pedals are turned the full throttle takes over. Apparently it's legal as long as the pedals need to be turning. What a ridiculous situation!
Once I am under way I never use the throttle, preferring the exercise and leg movement of the pedal assistance. Again, the power of the unaided throttle is strictly illegal since it will waft the bike up to 20 mph!
My only bleat, and this applies to all ebikes, is the ridiculously high overall gearing caused by the 52 tooth front chainring. I shall do my usual conversion and fit a 42 tooth one asap. To see what I am on about see my previous post about cycle gearing.
