I'm an old guy looking into Ebikes - I want to go to town about 10 miles away and there are a couple of serious hills, not mountains - Can anyone recommend or comment on the minimum amount of power I would need to make the trip easier - I don't want to spend $5000.00, just want something reasonable and reliable - Thanks for any help - DBrooker

I have a basic starter kit, which is a Chrytalite 408 motor, or I think its called the Chrytalite Journey in the states, with a 20 amp controller and the SLA or sealed lead acid batteries.
The town I live in is spread across a steep valley with a river running through it.
I had an old 18 speed Sears Mountain bike that I put the kit on. Total investment for the kit was about $835.00 Cdn, I didn't count the original cost of the bike because I had it so long.
Since May 14 I have been commuting to work 5 km each way to work, with a steep hill 5% grade on the return trip. Then once a week, I go up the opposite hill of the valley up a 6.5% grade for 3.5 km to a radio tower I look after, then roll back down into the valley, across the river, then back up the opposite hill to return home. That one-way trip is 11.5 km.

Rolling to work, the battery takes only about 45 minutes to charge, the return home trip, its about 3 hrs to charge. The once a week long trip the battery takes nearly 5 and half hours to charge.

When I hit the smaller hill I have to gear down to the 13th gear, and with me pedalling the the motor doing its thing I get up the hill at about 16 km/hr or 8 miles/hr. The big hill, I go right down to 1st gear, and my first 2 attempts I had to get off the bike and walk beside it, but the last time I tried it I was able to stay on and pedal. It is a joint effort on the hills, but it is way easier. I don't have to bust a gut to get up them, and on the flats I don't have to pedal if I don't feel like it.
If you can find a dealer, try one out and see. Am an old guy too!!

Hello I to am in a hilly area. I am looking for a tricycle for my mother to get back and forth to work does anyone know of a good MFG.

Thansk TJ

1. Buy a Mongoose Crossway 450 disc brake Hybrid bike from Performance bike on sale for 400.

2. Call Justin at www.ebikes.ca and order a Crystalye 5304 rear hub conversion kit (w/disc brake) for climbing hills. Cost, about $1,400.

$1,800.00 total.

The only thing else you'll need, is a Sunrace 8s freewheel for the new hub, to match the 8s shifters on the Mongoose.