We've moved our showroom from Richmond to a larger premises in Hampton Wick, about 3 miles away. As well as a better environment for viewing the bikes, the new shop is more accessible with cheaper (even free) parking, a mainline rail station yards away and a position on one of the main roads in SW London.
Our new address is now 63 High Street, Hampton Wick, KT1 4DG.
We're just over the river from Kingston upon Thames and some great cycle routes converge in the local parks, riverside paths and roads.
Inside the shop we have a wide range of the latest Kalkhoff ebikes, along with the Oxygen Emate City, Transport folding e-bike and a selection of cycling accessories. If you arrive on your own bike, you're welcome to leave it in the shop while you take one of ours for a spin.
50cycles is stocking range of Kalkhoff electric bikes powered by the new Impulse drive. It offers greater efficiency, rideability and introduces a number of other clever new features.
New folding electric bike range - 4th November 2011
We have three new models from Green Zebra - they're all folders, they all look very clean and sophisticated and they all come with a twist-and-go throttle. They also come with a nifty LCD control console, front and rear lights and a free detachable basket. Come and take one for a spin at our Richmond showroom.
We've received reports from three recent customers - together, they really help paint a picture of the most important benefits new Kalkhoff electric bike owners enjoy - a sustainable level of exercise, replacing at least some of their car journeys and last but not least, the sheer enjoyment of powered cycling.
All pros and no cons with this bike. Getting this bike feels like the best thing I have done in years.
"My new Kalkhoff Agattu has exceeded my expectations by some way - I needed a robust bike for a 20-mile round trip commute on moderately hilly terrain and was concerned that an e-bike/pedelec wouldn't actually deliver enough assistance up long/steep hills. I needn't have worried. This bike has completely changed my daily commute. It allows me to get to and from work without getting overtired/hot/sweaty but still offers a good level of sustained (and sustainable!), steady exercise.
"I went for the 8-speed 49 frame and it's good to have the extra gear range and larger frame size for a more secure ride. The commute only takes me 10 to 15 minutes longer on the Agattu than it did in my car, so that's a great result. Overall, it's a great, tough, easy-to-ride bike that gets you from A to B without the sweat. All pros and no cons with this bike. It's a 'no-brainer' for those who want to ditch the car and be way more sustainable and fitter. I think if more people realised they could cycle-commute and cope with hilly British terrain, they would buy a pedelec/ebike tomorrow. Getting this bike feels like the best thing I have done in years - no exaggeration. If you're wondering whether to get one, don't hesitate, get the best you can afford and start e-cycling." Sophie in Berkswell, Agattu C8 owner, August 2011
We enjoy riding them immensely
"I think the bike is beautifully balanced and despite the fact that it is weightier than a non-e-bike it is very flexible. We have recommended them on many occasions to friends and strangers and enjoy riding them immensely. We use the car less and are fitter as a result although haven't yet tackled any of the longer distance rides we have promised ourselves. But that's not the fault of the bike! Well done 50cycles" Alex in Hythe, Pro Connect S owner, August 2011
My friends are impressed
"Love the bike, it has rekindled my cycling and the car and motorbike get used less. Being the wrong side of 60, it is great to know that you have back-up for hills, and for when you get tired. It is still great exercise though, as you have to pedal. The battery range is class leading, build quality great, and it feels solid on the road. My only wish is that it had a higher top gear ratio [this can be done by fitting a smaller rear sprocket, by the way], I'm a bit of a speed freak. Good value when you take into account the top quality kit fitted, and of course, the price of fuel. My friends are impressed." John in Cumbria, Pro Connect Disc owner, August 2011
50cycles is Kalkhoff's Distributor of the Year (again) - 8th August 2011
We were named as Kalkhoff's Distributor of the Year at a ceremony held in Cloppenburg's historic Museumsdorf last Thursday. We last picked this honour up at the end of first year importing Kalkhoff electric bikes, back in 2008 and we were very proud to have our achievements recognised once more.
August sees the meeting of international distributors for all of Derby Cycle's main brands at their home in Cloppenburg, Germany. Proceedings are ended with Distributor of the Year awards being handed our by Derby Cycle's CEO, Matthias Seidler.
We picked up the title this year on the basis that we have made impressive headway with the Kalkhoff brand in a country that is yet to take to electric bikes in the same way as many European countries; where more children's bikes are sold than anything else; where economic and market conditions are challenging. Despite all this, we've seen Kalkhoff electric bike sales grow at a rate close to that enjoyed in Kalkhoff's main market, Germany.
We've worked hard this year, with our work made somewhat easier by Kalkhoff's fantastic range of electric bikes in 2011, but it was unexpected and very welcome. The trophy will soon take pride of place in our Richmond showroom.
Lots of new customer reviews added - 2nd July 2011
We've now added several new customer reviews for a range of our electric bikes - the number of people who believe their Kalkhoff is the best thing they have ever bought grows...
Extended Warranties, National Motorhome Show, Reviews & more - 8th April 2011
Lots of news this week - we can offer extended warranties to Kalkhoff electric bike owners, there are new models to try in our London showroom, new reviews to share, and we'll be at the National Motorhome Show next weekend, Friday April 15th and Saturday April 16th. Please scroll down for the full bulletin.
Kalkhoff electric bike prices are set to increase by up to £100 as our introductory pricing ends on Monday.
However, as a 50cycles subscriber you can continue to order your Kalkhoff at today's prices until the end of April by using promotional code freeze100 from 00:00 on Monday.
2011 Agattu C8 to try in Richmond
We have a 2011 Agattu 8-speed on permanent demonstration duty in our Richmond upon Thames showroom. It's suitable for riders of 5' or taller and joins a 2011 Pro Connect Disc & Agattu C3, BH Emotion Folder, Oxygen Emate and Pro Connect Sport. Nearby Richmond Park is superb in Spring, so come down and see it all in style.
Kalkhoff Extended Warranties
Since we launched them back in 2007, Kalkhoff's electric bikes have proved to be some of the most reliable around.
Many owners consider their Kalkhoff to be their most prized possession, the best thing they have ever bought (we often hear that). So we're pleased to offer a range of extensions to the original 2-year warranty that will cover you up to five years from delivery. Read more on our new extended warranties pages.
2011 Pro Connect Disc reviews
Kalkhoff have really come up with the goods with their latest version of the ever-popular Pro Connect electric bicycle. This time around there's more power, more comfort, awesome disc brakes and a new ultra long-range battery. In electric bike terms, it all adds up to the best you can get.
It's proving a hit with both reviewers and owners. To read the latest reports, please go to our Pro Connect Disc page and click on 'Read Testimonial'.
50cycles new home
At long last, we've found a spacious new home for our showroom, workshop and warehouse in Loughborough. Located near Loughborough's mainline railway station it offers easy access to miles of rolling countryside cycling along the Soar Valley. There's plenty of parking too.
50cycles Ltd
Unit 21
Meadow Lane Industrial Estate
Gordon Road
Loughborough
Leicestershire LE11 1SF
See the full details and a handy map on our updated Contact Us page
You can now extend the two year warranty on your Kalkhoff electric bike for up to five years from the date of delivery.
50cycles have launched an market-leading warranty extension programme for all owners of Kalkhoff electric bikes. With a choice of one, two or three year extensions to Kalkhoff's own two-year warranty, Kalkhoff owners can now enjoy maximum peace of mind when it comes to their electric bicycle investment.
New Wireless Cycle Turn Indicator now available - 17th March 2011
Our latest cycling gadget is a simpler version of the Spooklight we introduced in 2009. It's larger (which helps visibility), simpler and brighter than the original. It's also less expensive.
The Spooklight won many fans for its clever combination of turn indication, rear light, brake light, USB recharging and PowerBank functions. Packing so much into such a small package did bring a high price tag, though still competitive when compared to other cycle indicators.
However, late last year we came across a new unit, which we're calling it the Wireless Cycle Indicator, until we think of a better name (Spooklight Lite doesn't work and besides, it's a little heavier).
OK, it doesn't come with USB recharging, so you'll need to pop a couple of AA batteries into it. Nor will it recharge you iPhone out on the road. But it does a great job of indicating your intention to people following you and it brings some much needed sound into the mix - it emits a beep for as long as the light unit is flashing left or right.
The LEDs are brighter and more widely spaced and the buttons on handlebar-mounted control unit are very easy to use. So, we can recommend it as a less expensive but in some ways superior alternative to the ingenious little Spooklight.
Oxygen went back to the drawing board for the 2011 versions of their popular electric bicycles and came back with an improved specification and a new step-through model.
The Oxygen Emate City closely resembles the 2010 model, with its distinctive wide crossbar and swooping lines but now comes with a 15Ah Lithium polymer battery pack (up from last year's 13Ah pack), front and rear disc brakes, new matt black and white paintwork, improved lights, better handgrips and a new control console.
The Oxygen Diva is a new model with a step-through frame, white and silver paintwork options, a 10Ah battery pack and flip-up saddle for easy battery removal.
Both bikes are fitted with a throttle that operates the rear hub motor as well as pedal assist mode. Out on the road they're both swift and responsive, with a smooth ride and very satisfying handling. We have Oxygen electric bicycles available to test ride at our Richmond and Loughborough showrooms.
50cycles Electric Bikes Reveal 2011 Kalkhoff Range and Their New Website - 7th February 2011
50cycles have launched a new website to showcase the latest electric bikes from the German manufacturer Kalkhoff. These are electric bikes that can assist the rider for up to 100 miles on a single battery charge and are now available in the UK for the first time. This latest Lithium battery technology also offers double the lifetime of previous Lithium battery packs. Test rides on Kalkhoff electric bikes can now be booked at around 70 locations across the UK, as well as at the 50cycles showrooms in Richmond and Loughborough.
As well as an improved range, the 2011 Kalkhoff power assisted bikes bring a number of clever new features to the road, including a bicycle that charges itself as you pedal, a commanding 1:2 assistance ratio that demolishes most hills, even a system that charges up your phone or mp3 player as you ride. Electric bike manufacturers tend towards one-size-fits-all thinking, but each Kalkhoff is available in a range of sizes and frame styles.
50cycles co-founder Tim Snaith says “charging up on Sunday night knowing that you'll be good for a week's worth of riding 5 or 6 miles to work and back, and that every one of those miles will be swift and almost effortless appeals to thousands of people who would otherwise face increased fuel, parking and ticket prices.”
Accessories like the stylish Yakkay and snug Casqu'en Ville cycle helmets with their swappable covers are also winter favorites. On the safety theme, 50cycles have come up with novel ways to light up your bike with USB chargeable gadgets like the Spooklight cycle indicator and brake light, the ultra-intense Nukelight front lamp and general purpose torch. Then there's the jaw-dropping Tunebug Shake no-headphones helmet audio system - a smart way to listen to your favorite music on the road without blocking out the sounds around you. It all adds up to a highly original way to kit out yourself or the cyclist in your life - safety, style and seriously cool sounds to make every ride a treat.
All these products are featured on the new 50cycles.com website which has been designed to be as quick and efficient as the bikes. It's easy to select the model that best fits your size and requirements, you can book free test rides, read customer reviews and recent awards, watch videos, even chat to one of their resident e-bike experts online. Bikes and accessories can be purchased online with free next day delivery, through the Government-backed Cycle to Work Scheme or even through a 12-month Buy Now Pay Later finance package.
50cycles is the UK distributor for the Kalkhoff electric bicycle range. They have showrooms in Richmond, London and Loughborough in Leicestershire.
Kalkhoff bikes won twice the votes of the next nearest competitor, taking 24% of the total vote (and if you count the Raleigh and Technium bikes which are manufactured in the same factory in Germany, a whopping 33% of the total vote went to Panasonic-powered bicycles). We won a similar victory last year, so Kalkhoff bikes supplied by 50cycles are the winning choice for most electric cyclists in the UK.
Our brand new website launches in December with many new bikes, gadgets, reviews and features to make choosing from the best range of electric bikes not just in London, not just in the UK but the whole cycling world easier than it ever was on 50cycles.com Mark 1
More on this story to follow shortly. In the meantime, welcome and please have a good look around. Most of our products and information are now online but you won't be able to order until the site is moved over to www.50cycles.com.
50cycles new home
