The Liv electric bicycle from 50cycles UK, specialists in advanced electric bikes.

Customer reviews

'Received my Liv this morning! I'm now an e-biker.

Setting things up. There's not much to do apart from straighten the handle bars, attach the pedals and then adjust the seat height. I guess this all took 2 minutes. Eventually the bike was charged up and ready to go so I set off to a friend who lives 2 miles away.

First impressions were very good - the bike's well made and feels very solid. It accelerated quite quickly to it's max speed. My friend insisted on a run and came back with a smile on his face. After coffee I headed into central London 8 miles away.

Gears. The gears worked well and I really didn't have to think about them much. My original intention was to not pedal all the way and see when the battery conked out but I quite enjoyed gently pedalling with the throttle at 3/4s and the gearing was just right for this.

The brakes are good - V-brakes in front for quick stops and a roller brake behind for long descents. I just used them both all the time and thought no more about them.

The suspension works fine and the ride feels comfortable. I may change the suspension saddle though to a normal saddle though just to get a lower seat height for my wife (5' 3").

The lighting is operated with a switch on the handlebars so can be turned on and off in an instant.

Other extras were a stand which seems well made and a bicycle rack on the back with an in built reflector. Tyres look good.

I really enjoyed my ride. The bike seems very well made, it has a fair turn of speed, copes well with all the hills we met especially if you gently pedal to help out'.

Mike Robinson, March 2007