A cyclist I am not. Just ask @mrprofessor who knows the story of me falling into a hedgerow after cycling after a demijohn of homemade elderberry wine. Or the time I injured the back of my leg pretty badly falling off in really windy weather after being lectured by some anti vaxx friends in the middle of COVID. And the older I get, the less keen I am, even if Jamie tries his best to get me out on the treddly, especially after moving to Angelsea which is FULL of trails and tracks.
After a solid weeks research, I'd narrowed it down. I like to do that online, learning about what might be a good option and the various specs and capabilities. I definitely didn't want a cruiser with fat tyres or a nimble road bike, nor did I want a MTB. I wanted something comfortable that'd get me up hills..
Having decided on an NCM t7s step thru trekking e-bike, I headed to Laverton to Leon Cycles, where I could have a test ride round the carpark. I was already pretty keen just seeing the bike - it looked exactly what I wanted and the spec were great, plus, Leon Cycles has all the spares if something goes wrong. Better than just getting it from an online shop.
Thanks Claude for the bullet points:
- Step-through aluminium 6061 frame
- Upright trekking / commuter geometry for comfort
- Das-Kit 250 W rear hub motor (higher peak output)
- Torque sensor pedal assist
- Pedal assist up to 25 km/h
- 48 V removable lithium battery (~19 Ah / ~912 Wh)
- Long range (up to roughly 150–180 km depending on assist and terrain)
- Das-Kit LCD display with assist levels, speed, battery indicator
- USB charging port for devices
- Integrated tracking capability in the battery system
- Shimano 8-speed drivetrain (Altus/Acera level)
- Hydraulic disc brakes front and rear
- Front suspension fork with lockout
- Suspension seatpost
- Selle Royal comfort saddle
- Ergonomic grips
- 26″ or 28″ wheel options depending on frame size
- Schwalbe puncture-resistant trekking tyres (~2.0″ width)
- Full mudguards
- Rear cargo rack for panniers
- Integrated front and rear lights powered by the battery
- Kickstand included
- Weight roughly 28–29 kg with battery
- Maximum rider + cargo load roughly 125–140 kg
I took it for a spin round the industrial estate and it didn't take me long to whip out my card and say TAKE MY MONEY. It came in a box so sadly I had to wait til I got home for Jamie to assemble it for me.
Straight up though we noticed that the tyres were not the good Schwalbe ones. They were a cheap Chinese brand. I rang Leon Cycles and he pointed me to the specs on the website where it said CNS or Schwalbe. I grumbled it was a bit misleading as it had a pic of the bike with the Schwalbe tyres. Anyway it wasn't worth fighting about. Jamie will find me some better 26 rims with tyres on marketplace before long.
Out riding it was fine anyway. On the grass and gravel I thought better tread would be good but it was fine and the bike handled beautifully.
What I loved was going up hills. We went up the highest point in town.. everyone uses this road as a benchmark and you'd be insane to cycle up it. I absolutely whizzed up with no effort at all.
Then on Saturday Jamie and I went out in the trails in the park just behind us. You're talking hundreds of hectares but we didn't go that far haha. It's a bit of a mecca for bike riders.
I didn't really like going down the dirt single track as I had to concentrate a lot - tree roots and bumps - and I was still getting used to the gears and how they worked with the petal assist. But before long we were on dirt gravel roads which were a lot better. Again, there was some long formidable gradients but the bike handled it easily. I soon learnt that putting it in a higher gear and using the pedal assist meant better assistance up the hill.
Jamie absolutely loved seeing me up ahead zooming along happily. It brought me joy too - I would never have done this if it wasn't to keep him company. I knew he really wanted me on the trails and if an electric motor helped, so be it. I mean look at those bright blue skies and the bush anyway - it's pretty divine here and the trails start less than 1/4 kilometre from my house - you'd be mad not to have a bike!
Jamie rode his cross country bike. He's got a bike packing bike and a road bike and when he got home, he whipped up a gravel bike from parts that'll do him for shop runs. I told you he loves cycling.
After a rest and a sleep and a read, we actually went up the shop for wine with the bikes. I mocked up a basket to carry my jumper and some water. What I don't like is the position of the water bottle on this bike so I think I'll get a handlebar water carrier instead.
Jamie said at one point: 'babe, I think we've made it - living the life!'. Bless. He really is happy I'm cycling with him again, and to be honest I'm really enjoying it too.
Next, cycling down to the beach (uphill all the way back) for a swim. Woo hoo. Saddle me up!
Oh, and I've called her Sandy. I clearly am loving her.
Congrats on welcoming Sandy to your home. I hope you have lots of fun with her
Ha thanks, I've already had a whole weekend of fun. Jamie's convinced I'll be bored in a week and move onto the next thing but bottom line is I never have to ride a bike without a motor again. Yay.
I love it! 🚲
Me tooooooooo
Oh, you have no idea how much I smiled reading this post. So happy that you found your bike. That your hip feels well enough for you to enjoy it and the surf again. I'm with Jamie. I think you guys have made it! Enjoy that ride to the beach.
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH it was so much fun. I've had to break it into two posts, as I have another whole post worth of cycling adventure story to tell after today.
I can't wait to read it!
A great purchase. Now I'm thinking about what to buy for trips to the garden along forest and field paths. A unicycle, an electric scooter, or an electric bicycle. I think a unicycle gives complete freedom; in a big city, I like scooters, but in our small town, unicycles and scooters are almost nonexistent; most people ride electric bicycles.
About 25 years ago, I fell off my regular bike once. I drank a bottle of Armenian cognac, but then I rode home carefully :)
Ha yes 😂 one must be careful with two wheels and a bottle of anything!!! A unicycle sounds fun if you can do it!
This is so cool! I'm glad you can do something with Jamie that he really likes. You guys are truly coming into your own at the new place!
Oh yes we feel like this is the best place to be til we die!
Oh, shes a real beauty. I can see why you are excited about this bicycle. Lovely color too.
Bicycle give you freedom. Nice to see you take those trails where no cars can go.
I wish you many safe kilometers (or miles 😉) with Sandy!
Thanks so much!!! The other colours were lavender blue or black... I like the sand colour. Not that colour matters. I've already explored parts of town you can't in a car and finally understood a little of why people enjoy cycling so much.
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Nice! Glad you were able to find one and are enjoying it already. The tires are a little misleading i agree, but i suppose its a small issue in the grand scheme of things. Have fun!
Yeah definitely and once they wear out I'll just get better ones. Jamie's always on marketplace looking at bikes so it wouldn't surprise me if he found me new wheels and tyres for next to nothing soon enough. But it's fine as it is for now!
Ohhhh, Sandy is an absolute beauty! I’m truly delighted with our new friend whom we’ll be seeing often around here, and with your enthusiasm. What joy, 😃 so many joys! Now it’s time to enjoy her to the fullest, and always put lovely thoughts into your rides. She will become your best friend, you’ll see.
Oh man I'm actually really excited to be finally enjoying cycling world and I am even starting to understand a little of what the cycling community talks about here on Hive!
😅
Very good choice! I like the step through design. I see that becoming the norm for both men and women. An ebike gives you so much freedom and you can dial down the assistance levels don't have to sacrifice exercise if you don't want to. A few of the van-lifers we watch have foldable ebikes in their vans and use them for errands once they get to their destinations. Enjoy!
Oh I kinda though a folding bike would be good to travel ... Jamie's already thinking about how we transport bikes on the Defender. But then I got lost in another minefield of what would work, and ultimately the primary use is around home.
The folding ones are convenient. My wife's Lectric is a folder but it's nearly as big as a motorcycle so even when folded it takes up the entire back of our Subaru on its own. I have a Brompton pedal bike and it folds to the size of a piece of carryon luggage. I lovingly refer to it as my "clown bike". You guys have a Defender? I've always wanted to drive one. If I ever decide to stray from Tesla it would be a Toyota Landcruiser.
We do - it's a 2000 model though, so not the new fancy ones! Let me find a post about it...
Here!
We actually converted the whole thing from a dual cab to a station wagon pop top - a bit crazy.
https://peakd.com/@riverflows/progress-on-the-defender-pop-top-camper
I can't find a hive post with the full run down (such is the search engine) but here's an instagram reel - https://share.google/pUmBPh0mcU8whT22i
So yeah.
If I had the money I'd get a Land Cruiser too - actually no I wouldn't, we are Landy people, so we'd get an Ineos Grenadier, without doubht! Nearly did, but decided it was too much money..
That thing is SWEET! I like the older ones better than the modern ones. The Grenadier's are very nice but the sticker price and maintenance costs wouldn't be worth it for me. I'm partial to this 1958 version of the LC. https://www.toyota.com/configurator/build/step/color/year/2026/series/landcruiser/model/6165/exteriorcolor/04V8/interiorcolor/FB20/packages/FE/?bap_guid=045f89b0-b609-430f-88b1-cf49f6ad0f72
Ooooooh wonderful! I'm a big fan of cycling. The Andes are not the best region for that, I admit, but we found some routes that are just the right mix between training and challenging. And we did our fair share of long rides, too, with steep climbs.
And I did fall into bushes many times. Mostly drunk. Never stopped me.
I'm so happy that you can now make Jamie even more happy and enjoying that precious time yourself, too.
Omfg I'm so happy to find another person who fell into bushes drunk whilst cycling. I AM NOT ALINE.
The Andes must be amazing to cycle through
I had friends that did the length of south America on bikes.
Excellent! I loved your post, wonderful. And a great tour. This bike is fantastic. I hope you enjoy it a lot.
Thankyou!
oh, that's a pretty bike! I'm very happy for you that you found the one you want! 😊
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She's sooo purty! I wuv her!
WeeHOO! 🥳
You have your eBike! 🎶
Happy mucho Happy pleasure with it!