A cyclist I am not. Just ask 
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.