What's new at 50cycles electric bikes and motorcycles
July 2010
Gocycle now available in Loughborough & london
Mid-season savings on Kalkhoff Pro Connects and Sahels
£100 off all Gents Kalkhoff Pro Connect Alfine
£100 off Pro Connect S XT Gents 45cm
£200 off Sahel Comfort and Sahel Pro Disc Alfine (pictured left)
First Kalkhoff Pro Connect LX review in
 This was a replacement for my Ezee Torq bike which I'd purchased from 50 Cycles in 2008 and had great fun with. It converted me to electric biking!
The Pro Connect LX is in a different class all together. For a start it is much lighter and I am able to cycle quite happily without any 'power' on if I so desire. I live in Norfolk which is fairly flat which makes cycling easy. It's also great looking and superbly built, getting many an admiring look as I whiz round.
At first I wondered if I would miss the throttle that the Ezee Torq had but I quickly got used to the Pro Connect kicking in when needed and now much prefer this system. The motor is whisper quiet and, apart from the ease of cycling with the 'power' on, you really wouldn't know you were riding an electric bike at all.
The most I managed on a battery charge with the Ezee Torq was about 25 miles but I've already done over 50 on my Pro Connect by using the lowest power setting apart from the odd hill or two! I'm 64 and sold my car a couple of years ago so my bike is used daily. It helps keep me fit and the motor assistance just means I go further. It certainly doesn't make you lazy!
Not the cheapest electric bike but DEFINITELY the best!
Mike Button in Norwich
9th July 2010
We found this great new independent review of the the Oxygen Emate electric bike on one of the forums. This mid-price bike has proved to be the hit of the Summer and is the first twist-and-go bike we've sold since 2007. Nothing good enough has come along to now and Dave Chilvers helps explain why.
1st July 2010
Here's a message we had from Lucy who used one of our Oxygen Emate electric bicycles before, during and after the 40th Glastonbury Festival:
Thank you so much for the bike it's AMAZING, I totally love it. It is a great bike really lovely to ride and as you said perfect for the Worthy Farm terrain. I've been enjoying riding it around the site on my missions today with less people around to dodge and really putting it to the test. People were very impressed when I turned up to do interviews on it and I was riding it when I was being filmed for a feature on Euronews [about the 'greening' of Glastonbury, including a huge solar power project].
June 2010
 Read our latest newsletter
Including details of this weekend's Midsummer Great Escape event at Prestwold Hall, Loughborough where we have a stall and a number of Kalkhoff bikes and the new Oxygen Emate City.
Oxygen Emate City electric bike now available
Safty's 37V 13Ah Lithium Polymer battery = long, long range
Read more about the Oxygen Emate City. Available to test ride in our new London shop now.
Kalkhoff Nostalgie Retro-futuristic Comfort Cruiser
Something different. The Kalkhoff Nostalgie
It isn't electric but it is exceedingly stylish.
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New London electric bike shop now open
 Our new shop in Richmond is now open and You'll find us at 82 Hill Rise, Richmond TW10 6UB and current opening times are 9:00am - 5:30pm Tuesday to Friday, 10am - 2pm Saturday and also Sundays soon.
We're about 10 minutes walk from Richmond railway station, which connects to Waterloo, the London Overground and the District Line. Richmond bus station is 5 minutes away and there's on-street parking near the shop. Bikes can be locked immediately opposite our premises.
Richmond itself is well worth a visit with scores of restaurants, cafés, bars, shops of every description and a superb riverside area. Kew Gardens, Hampton Court Palace and of course Richmond Park are all within easy reach, so you could really make a day of it.
What's in store
 The current line-up includes the 2010 Sahel Comfort, Pro Connect LX & Agattu Step Thru. We also have the 2009 Tasman Gents on special offer, a Pro Connect S & the new Oxygen E-Mate City. There are Casco E.Motion helmets, Nukelights and Spooklights. A selection of Yakkay helmets will join them soon.
And soon, for the first time, we'll have a non-electric bike on display, the gorgeously retro Kalkhoff Nostalgie (pictured left).
Hill Rise: a test ride paradise
The immediate area is perfect for test-riding ebikes, with some serious hills, riverside routes and miles of cycle track in Richmond Park. We'll soon have a number of electric bikes that will be available to hire by the hour (and if you decide to buy one of our bikes, we'll deduct the rental from your purchase price).
We know many of you have been waiting a long time for a proper retail outlet for Kalkhoff electric bikes to arrive in this area, so pay us a visit and you're sure to have a warm welcome and a lot of fun.
 Call free on 0800 0288 116, buy online or order via secure live chat
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50cycles London Shop opening soon in Richmond...
View Larger Map |
New London Electric Bikes showroom
** Opened 1st June **
50cycles
82 Hill Rise
Richmond upon Thames
London TW10 6UB
United Kingdom
Showroom open 9am-5pm
Tuesday - Saturday
10 minute walk from Richmond station (District & Overground)
5 minute walk from bus station
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April 2010
Top Grades for Kalkhoff Electric Bikes
21st April 2010
News of more awards for the Kalkhoff range of electric bikes reached us this afternoon.
 ExtraEnergy - the non-profit organisation which supports the development of personal electric transport and runs annual reviews of electric bicycles - has just awarded two prizes for the best Pedelecs at the Tai Pei Cycling Show (Derby Cycle CEO Matthias Seidler is pictured holding the two awards, in the centre of the photograph, left.)
The Kalkhoff Pro Connect picked up the award for best bike in the 'Easy Pedelec' category, while the Agattu XXL picked up the trophy in the 'Touring Pedelec' category.
The Pro Connect was named as 'the best daily companion' by the judges, who underlined the balanced handling, high-end specification and finely-adjusted motor performance, which they concluded would guarantee mobility in everyday life.
ExtraEnergy also named the Kalkhoff Agattu XXL as the best 'Tour-Pedelec' because of its comfortable handling, the ergonomically optimised seating position and the fact that long distances wouldn’t be a problem. Its robust construction, suitable for even heavier riders, was also recognised as a sign of the promise of this high quality bike.
ExtraEnergy commented that "Kalkhoff has all the right to be proud of this pedelec, because the testers couldn’t find a single aspect to criticize."
Matthias Seidler, CEO of Derby Cycle, the manufactuer of the Kalkhoff bikes, said after the ceremony: “For us, the award is a confirmation of our good work. We are especially happy to be rewarded for our road capability as well as for our qualities in touring. That’s backing for our concept of creating the perfect bike for everyone.”
 The Kalkhoff Agattu XXL has also received the highest marks from ADAC, the German automobile association, in their latest edition of ADAC Motorwelt magazine. The renowned institution, with over 16 million members, called it a "powerful comfort bike”.
In the field of ten bikes tested, Agattu XXL reached the top grade (1,3) for easy handling as well as upright seating position an comfortable driving.
The reviewers also praised its "medium weight, comfortable city and tours Pedelec with sturdy frame and excellent running properties, suitable for high load capacity, easy-to-use, relatively spontaneously engaging drive, good facilities, good acting hydraulic brakes, good ride comfort thanks to fork and seat post suspension. Simple battery handling, good manual with valuable tips. On the whole, good value for money."
Well done to the Kalkhoff development and manufacturing teams. It's more proof for what we've been saying for years - these are simply the best all-round electric bikes you can buy, and great value too.
March 2010
We've had a couple of excellent report back from customers lately
Tasman - "I can't believe how good this bike is " now on special offer
I must say I bought the bike blind, without ever seeing one or trying one, I wanted to get a good bike because of my weight and the 2-mile hill I need to climb everyday. I can't believe just how good this bike is, it's so comfortable and hills are just effortless, people seeing me whizz up the hill must think I am a superfit fatman :)
Mike, Tasman owner in Enfield
Pro Connect - "one of the best things I ever did" also on special offer
 Wow! I just wanted to tell you that one of the best things I ever did was to buy a Pro Connect cycle from you. I use it almost every day around London and now never need to shop by car as it takes all the strain out of carrying loads - however large and heavy they are.
Last weekend I took my bike on the train to Edinburgh for a long weekend. First there was the trip from Barnes to Kings Cross, not more than 40 minutes without any strain. In Edinburgh there was the journey to my friends who live near Colinton, about 6 miles out and mostly uphill. I went in and out every day for three days and it was always a pleasure.
Lastly it might be interesting to people who are hesitating because of losing the exercise benefits, that I find cycling is now more aerobic than on a normal bike because there is something enjoyable about accelerating up to speed quickly and then maintaining speed, come wind or hill - and I cycle much more than before. By the way, I quite enjoy showing a clean pair of heels to people less than half my age, especially getting away from traffic lights!
David, Kalkhoff Pro Connect owner in Barnes, SW London
February 2010
Easy Rider
Leicester Mercury feature
Fellow cyclists, puffing and panting,
gawped in disbelief as they were
effortlessly outpaced by a podgy bloke
who wasn’t even breaking into a sweat.
January 2010
22nd January - Winter sales page updated. Big savings on Nukelight, Winkku and selected Kalkhoff models.
11 January 2010 - Google Checkout payment option added to online shopping system
9 January - Winter Sales page updated - up to £300 off Kalkhoff electric bikes.
8 January - Pro Connect S, Agattu and Agattu XXL pages update in line with 2010 spec. Agattu XXL now comes with hydraulic brakes, Torq XXL saddle and new parallelogram suspension post. Very tough, very cool.
We also added three models which are new for 2010 - the Pro Connect LX (9-speed derailleur gears and suspension forks), plus the Sahel Pro Disc and Sahel Comp.
December 2009
Sting operation sees stolen electric bike returned to owner
December 10, 2009. Staff at 50cycles.com, a national electric bike retailer based in Loughborough, had a customer service dream come true when they were able to find and return a stolen electric bike to its rightful owner.
 Our end-of-season savings continue with up to £500 off one of our folding electric bikes, and up to £300 off our renowned and much loved Kalkhoff electric bicycles. We've also slashed the prices of two IZIP models and the Casco E.Motion helmet.
Any one of these items would make a magnificent Christmas gift, or a thrillingly substantial end-of-year treat for yourself. This offer ends on 17th December (our last date for orders for Christmas delivery) or until we sell out of each model.
November 2009
The Nukelight uses a unique photonic design to produce a tightly focused high intensity beam. Its compact, lightweight design makes it perfect for cycling and it's also great for security, personal safety and other outdoor uses with a beam effective up to 100 metres.
 We have just launched our new Kalkhoff electric bikes spares shop featuring all the products you'll need to keep your Kalkhoff electric bicycle (or, indeed, your Gitane, Giant Lafree, Monark, BH E-Motion, Helkama, Rixe, Focus, Gazelle, Biketech Flyer, or Rixe electric bike) on the road.
There's free delivery for all customers on the UK mainland and different rates elsewhere. Take a look to see what's on offer.
Something completely different... Taga combined stroller and tricycle
More information...
Hire a Kalkhoff Electric Bike in Phuket, Thailand
Go to the Phuket Electric Bike Rental website
October 2009
As well as introducing three new styles for the Autumn/Winter season, Yakkay helmets now come in Small as well as the established Medium and Large sizes for the first time. Go to our Yakkay helmets pages
 The Daily Telegraph features us in their business pages today
Read about how 50cycles started and our plans for expansion.
September 2009
 We're pleased to announce that we've found an excellent new folding electric bike to add to our range. We first sold izip electric bikes a couple of years ago, but this latest model of theirs takes their bicycles to a new level.
The iZip Via Mezza Enlightened is a lightweight, powerful folder with a 36V 9Ah Lithium battery pack, 7-speed gears, throttle twist and go controls as well as pedelec and disc brake.
Read more at our new folder
August 2009
Customer reviews pages updated and reorganised, now it's easier to view reviews for each model separately.
24 August = Gadget Show!
Spooklight!
The Mail on Sunday's Live Magazine has a fashion shoot feature which also manages to be a decent electric bike roundup. Three of our range made the cut - the superb Pro Connect S, the adaptable little Can-Do 3.0 folding electric bike and the Wisper 905se City. The last of these is of course new to 50cycles but we've been watching Wisper's progress and their combination of battery capacity and well-featured bike, plus a reasonable price finally presses our electric cycling buttons.
 Mail on Sunday Live Magazine Review
2 Aug 2009
Pro Connect 5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
This is a beast of a machine - the off-road mode will genuinely haul you up a mountain gradient. It's as light as a proper racer, with pro-grade gears, and easy-to-use modes let you choose your level of assistance.
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 Mail on Sunday Live Magazine
Can-Do 3.0 folder ★ ★ ★ ★
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July 2009
"Just a short note to say how delighted we both are with our two Pro Connect bikes. Simply one of the best purchases I have made." Len in Leicestershire, July 2009
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