See what we’re up to here!

This month every electric bike sold will come with free Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyre upgrade worth over £70.
Schwalbe’s best selling model. The most puncture resistant pneumatic tire there is. In addition to the superior puncture protection it features many inner values:
Rolling resistance. The patented, 5 mm thick SmartGuard layer, when compared to all generic products, has a significant advantage in rolling resistance.
“Anti-aging” side wall. It now lasts much longer before developing unsightly cracks when subjected to use with too low air pressure.

We are enjoying our role within the growing eBike industry in the UK and we hope to see the industry continue to flourish, as the positive impact it has on people’s lives is something that can’t be measured.

There is however one thing we’d really like to talk about, and state our position on as we see this as a potentially serious problem.

Our major concern is the use of dongles on eMTBs. Currently Pedelec electric mountain bikes benefit from the same access rights as normal bicycles, and eBike customers can ride their bikes in the forests and at trail centres all over the UK. As we’re sure you’ll appreciate “dongl’ing” these bikes removes the speed restriction and in the eyes of the law turns the bicycles into a moped, thus meaning they are not allowed to be used anywhere where there is public access (on or off road).

The issue we’d like discussed now, is the fact that some dealers are selling bikes with dongles supplied. You must appreciate that there is no where in the UK these bikes can be used legally, and therefore any dealers selling them are promoting the illegal use of eBikes, and in many cases miss-selling products to customers who don’t know the risks they are taking. The situation we’re looking to prevent is one whereby an accident happens on Forestry Commission land, in a National Park or at a Trail Centre involving a dongle’d ebike. The automatic reaction of the decision makers will be to ban all eBikes, because they can’t simply ban the illegal ones, because by definition they are already banned.

An eBike ban at these venues would kill the off road eBike industry before it’s even really got started, so it’s in our interest to take a responsible stance to ensure the sustainable future.

Dealers selling dongles in the UK are looking to make a quick buck and we should be doing more to stop this bad practice. The customers do not understand the risks they are taking riding a dongle’d bike, because the retailers do not make it clear, these include, but are not limited to:

* Points on license for using an uninsured, untaxed, unMOT’d vehicle.
* Liability in the event of any accident, because any insurance will be invalid because of above.
* The actions of an individual could result on serious impacts on the whole industry, as a high profile case will result in access being restricted.

By dongling the bike it also removes the CE certification so there are issues that Trading Standards could take issue with.

Individual’s using their illegal bikes on the road take on these risks and having spoken to many, they don’t understand or appreciate them because the dealers are too keen to sell the bikes, regardless of the potential impact on the customer in the longer term.

However, as I’ve said above our main concern is that the actions of a small minority of irresponsible owners will result in eBikes being banned from all Forestry Commission land and trail centres.

Currently eBikes are having a huge beneficial impact on the cycle trade and the lives of countless individuals who are enjoying the access owning an eBike brings.

(This post is adapted from a letter from one of our suppliers that appeared online and in various UK Cycling websites recently)

We’ve recently taken delivery of a demo Gocycle G2 electric bike.

The second generation of the popular Go Cycle, this folding electric design is perfect for weaving your way around the city, emission-free.

• PitstopWheel®
• Torque-sensing pedals
• Smart Device Connectivity Bluetooth®
• Multiple riding modes, programmable through interactive dashboard functions
• Speeds up to 25km/h (15.5 mph)
• Range up to 64km (40 miles), depending on pedal input
• Gocycle G2 proprietary motor gear drive 250 watt continuous
• Lithium, 10.75Ah, 22V battery
• 5.5-hour full recharge
• Integrated dashboard display with fuel gauge
• GoCycle electronic Predictive Shifting™
• Patented Cleandrive® Shimano Nexus 3-speed transmission
• Gear Development: 1st=35 in, 2nd=53 in, 3rd=71in
• Hydraulic disc brakes, front and rear
• GoCycle Performance tyres (406-50, 20 x 1.75 in/BMX)
• Front Motor Fork Gocycle G2 proprietary, single-sided, fixed
• GoCycle Lockshock™ 25mm (1 in) travel rear suspension
• Velo D2 Comfort saddle
• Universal Vgonomic™
• Quick-folding handlebar stem
• 70° head angle
• 68° seat tube angle
• 1065mm (42 in) wheelbase
• 275mm (11.5 in) bottom bracket height
• Kickstand fitted as standard
• Stowable Dimensions: 600mm x 760mm x 300mm (with folding pedals)

With its new 27.5-inch wheel platform, this composite Trance Advance SX 27.5 is light, agile and born to go fast on technical trails. Developed with input from Giant’s champion enduro pros, the Advanced-grade composite frame is engineered specifically for 27.5, the ideal wheel size for all-around trail capabilities. With 5.5 inches of smooth Maestro rear suspension, as well as an OverDrive 2 steerer tube and PowerCore bottom bracket for steering and pedalling stiffness, it’s an all-around trail slayer that climbs as well as it descends. Frame details include internal cable routing, integrated downtube protection and ISCG-05 chain guide compatibility.

You only have until October 8th to place your one time order for this very limited edition Trance Advanced SX 27.5 – following which we will not be able to get any additional stock.

Due to incredible demand for Giant’s new 2014 Trance 27.5 ALUXX and Advanced models Giant are bringing in one shipment of this 140-160mm travel Advanced-grade composite enduro beast, featuring Fox 34 CTD Talas Factory fork with Kashima coating and Fox Float-X CTD Factory shock with Kashima coating.

Available in Small, Medium and Large and retailing at GBP4749 – place your order now to avoid disappointment. Call us on 0131 552 0999 to place your order.

We are now able to offer 12 – 36 months finance on all new Giant Bikes. From as little as 10% deposit and rates as low as 4.9% APR owning a new Giant bike has never been easier.

Example: Giant Trance X1

• Cash Price : £2,499.00
• 10% Deposit: £250
• Amount of credit : £2,249.10
• Duration of agreement : 12 months
• Total repayable : £2,307.83
• Payment Per Month : £192.32
• Rate of interest : 4.9 %