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50cycles has been twittering

We're having a play around with Twitter. Relatively sparse right now, but should pick up the tweet pace once the cycling season really gets into gear.

We're at twitter.com/50cycles

Latest news and offers from 50cycles electric bikes

To sign up for our email newsletter, go to 50cycles electric bikes home page Hello again from the 50cycles team, It's been a few weeks and we've built up a backlog of newsbits, covering a new Winkku option, the Panasonic throttle kit, good news on 2009 Kalkhoff availability, £100 off the new Agattu F for subscribers, national recognition for one of our team and reviews of our Univega range. Left hand Winkku coming soon The Winkku cycle safety mirror, with its built-in lights and clever design, proved to be more popular than we expected after revealing it in the previous newsletter. If you've held out for the left-hand version, we have good news. Winkku will literally come up with the goods at the end of this month and we're taking orders for left hand units now. Order yours from 50cycles and we'll throw in postage and the 3 Duracell batteries you'll need free of charge. Read more on our site at Winkku Cycle Safety Mirror, Indicator and Lights Panasonic throttle kit Did you know it's possible to fit a throttle on your Kalkhoff pedelec bicycle? OK, it won't quite let you whizz along at the top speed of 15mph, but it will propel the bike at a brisk walking pace without any pedalling. The idea is to help you wheel the bike along, perhaps when walking the bike uphill. But of course, it can also scoot you along at a leisurely pace if you wish. Price will be £49.50 pre-fitted to a new bike or £44.50 for a DIY kit, including P&P and photo-illustrated printed fitting instructions. We want to check how popular this option is likely to be before we place an order, so just send us an email if you're interested. 2009 Kalkhoff electric bike availability Many 2009 Kalkhoff electric models are either in stock now for next day delivery or available within 7-10 days of your order. The latest news we've had from Kalkhoff is that all model and size variations are scheduled to be available by the end of April, with most bikes in production now or in the next couple of weeks. Early demand for 2009 versions of 'simply the best all-round electric bikes you can buy' (according to the current issue of A to B magazine) has been very strong. We expect to sell out of some bikes (notably the newTasman crossbar (left) and Agattu XXL) in the next couple of months. Any orders placed now will secure against any future price rises if the Euro continues to strengthen against the pound. Agattu F with Panasonic's hub motor system Kalkhoff's Agattu F is the first electric bike in the world to feature Panasonic's new hub motor system. The Agattu F looks like an Agattu pedelec, rides like an Agattu pedelec and comes with everything you get - lights, mudguards, rack, suspension, built-in lock - you get with an Agattu pedelec. And it also comes with a European-style coaster brake as well as the usual excellent V-brakes. This means you can apply the rear brake simply by back-pedalling, which is how most cyclists get on in Germany, the Netherlands and elsewhere. Coaster brakes are not possible with the standard Agattu crank motor set up. We have a small number of these bikes earmarked for UK customers at the introductory price of £1395 - that's £100 off the current web price and £500 off the manufacturer's recommended price! There are only about three dozen of these bikes coming to these shores. At this price, it's the least expensive Kalkhoff pedelec you'll see this year. Use promotion code agattuf100 when calling 0844 800 5979 or when checking out online. This offer is valid until midnight on 31 March 2009, or until we sell out of them! 50cycles' Lloyd Clarkson selected as a rising star in cycling We're proud to announce that this month's Bike Biz magazine features our own Lloyd 'Eco Knievel' Clarkson (left) as one of its 30 rising stars under 30 years of age. If you call 50cycles, more often than not it'll be Lloyd who picks up the phone. The photo to the left shows Lloyd competing in last Summer's Brompton World Championship Race at Blenheim Palace. He completed most of the course on one wheel for some reason. But though he likes to make some things difficult for himself, he's good at making things easy for our customers. He doesn't wear that outfit all of the time, by the way. Did you know Univega mountain and road bikes are made in the same factory as Kalkhoff electric bikes? Kalkhoff bikes roll out of the same German factory as well known quality cycle brands like Focus, Diamondback, Raleigh and Univega. What they all have in common are high quality components, attractive design and competitive pricing. They ride like a dream and that's why we jumped at the chance to offer a selection of Univega's 2009 range through 50cycles' sister site, Univega.co.uk. We knew the Kalkhoff bikes were great and it turns out the Univegas are too. A recent review called the Univega Ram ES-970 (left) 'the dog's danglers' (that's a very good thing apparently!), impressing the reviewers with its 'spec sheet to die for' and a 'not-so-alarming price tag'. Like our Kalkhoff bikes, all Univega models are eligible for our interest-free credit and classic finance options. More and more highly positive reviews are coming in, so if you know any mountain bikers or road racers, a Univega bike is something they should seriously consider. Hold on... is that Spring in the air? The 50cycles Team

This email sent by 50cycles Ltd, 9 Prince William Road, Loughborough,  Leicestershire, LE11 5GU, United Kingdom Tel: 0844 800 5979 Web: www.50cycles.com

Start exercising at 50 and feel the benefits

Beginning exercise later in life, in your fifties for example, has huge health benefits. Those who increased activity levels from 50 to 60 ended up living as long as those who were already exercising regularly by middle age. In other words, it's never to late to start exercising and the benefits are comparable to giving up smoking.

We regularly hear from new electric bike owners who tell us that getting out and enjoying long cycle rides has all sorts of benefits for their health, mental wellbeing and sense of independence. An unpublished Australian study we came across several years ago suggested that assisted pedal cycling increases the heart rate without placing the sort of strain on the cardiac muscles that more vigorous exercise would bring, strain which can be risky in some people. Assisted cycling offers aerobic exercise without the need for a change of clothes or a towel to mop up perspirtion, something you can do every day.

So if you're over 50 and keen to start exercising regularly again, we have just the thing to help you.

BBC's report

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7924615.stm

The British Medical Journal's report

http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/338/mar05_2/b688

30% tax break for Italian electric bikes?

ROME, Italy – The Italian Government is currently examining a proposal by the industry organization ANCMA for a major tax incentive on e-Bikes. Like in all EU countries, the Italians are looking for new means to cut emission rates in their urban areas. In order to stimulate the use of sustainable forms of mobility as alternatives of motor vehicles the Italian Government wants to grant 30% restitution on all e-Bikes.

It is generally expected that this incentive will boost the sale of e-Bikes tremendously. When successful it might even be a good example for other national Governments within the Euroepan Union as a means to reduce emission rates.

The e-Bike meant in the proposal is limited to a “pedal assisted bicycle equipped with an auxiliary electric motor with a maximum power output of 250 Watt whose power is gradually reduced and stopped at 25 km/h or when the cyclist stops cycling.”

The 30% restitution is limited up to € 700 of the retail price including VAT. This tax incentive is only granted if the manufacturer or importer is associated with industry organizations ANCMA or ICE-CIVES (Italians organization for electric road vehicles). All applicable e-Bikes will be specified by the Ministry of Environment in advance and updated annually.

From Bike Europe News

And the chances of the British Government doing something like this? Somewhere between winning the lottery and being struck by an asteroid.