Electric bikes - ready for primetime?
Discussion
I've ridden one at the in-laws place in France.
I liked it. Took the hard work out of it. Still a bit of energy required but never really feels hard work.
Looked at buying one for my commute but I can still manage 14 miles twice a day under my own steam so thought best to do that for now.
I liked it. Took the hard work out of it. Still a bit of energy required but never really feels hard work.
Looked at buying one for my commute but I can still manage 14 miles twice a day under my own steam so thought best to do that for now.
Bought a 1000watt conversion kit. Switchable for legal mode.
Bit of a pain to fit, seem to be more designed for budget bikes. A bit more fine tuning to go but quite impressed. Certainly makes life easier. 20 miles and indicated half power left. Still ached after.
Top speed seems to be 35 ish in full power.
Need to purchase and puncture proof tire and tube, getting the wheel out isn't a 5 minute job with rack, torque bracket, wiring etc.
Probably a larger chain ring too, will be trying a road bike chainset. With assist a higher ratio is needed.
Bit of a pain to fit, seem to be more designed for budget bikes. A bit more fine tuning to go but quite impressed. Certainly makes life easier. 20 miles and indicated half power left. Still ached after.
Top speed seems to be 35 ish in full power.
Need to purchase and puncture proof tire and tube, getting the wheel out isn't a 5 minute job with rack, torque bracket, wiring etc.
Probably a larger chain ring too, will be trying a road bike chainset. With assist a higher ratio is needed.
ewenm said:
So, an electric moped then... No problem with that if it's what you want, but to me that is motorised transport, not cycling.
Kind of. Due to health issues I've been able to do a lot and have put on a lot of weightYou can of course run battery only. I see it as an easy start to getting fitter.
Using pedal assist means you share the load. Experimenting today, using the assist as a form a gear change. Lowest level is fine on a flat, building up to full power on steep gradients. It's pretty hilly here, return journey from just about anywhere is up hill. Exactly what you don't want.
The_Burg said:
ewenm said:
So, an electric moped then... No problem with that if it's what you want, but to me that is motorised transport, not cycling.
Kind of. Due to health issues I've been able to do a lot and have put on a lot of weightYou can of course run battery only. I see it as an easy start to getting fitter.
Using pedal assist means you share the load. Experimenting today, using the assist as a form a gear change. Lowest level is fine on a flat, building up to full power on steep gradients. It's pretty hilly here, return journey from just about anywhere is up hill. Exactly what you don't want.
I tested the route before I converted mine and pedalled the bike normally, I only did half the journey and I was dead by the end.
Fast forward to now after covering just over 800 miles, my motor packed up the other day (pannier bags were rubbing the motor wire run and it went through one of the cables) so I had to pedal the rest of the way in but also couldn't get the bike into any lower gears due to a different problem so I was stuck in 27th with an extra 20kg to move along than the standard bike.
Wasn't fast but managed it fine and wasn't anywhere near as worn out as I would have been before so its definitely made a difference to my fitness.
The other reason for me is that my wife works evenings so I've got to be back quite quickly, so being able to maintain 15mph even with gale force winds like we've had in previous weeks is worth it alone, plus the issue of not having shower facilities at work meaning I can't turn up in a mess!
I'm not into cycling as such but I do enjoy riding it, for me its mainly just a tool for commuting.
Why do they always seem to have such huge and fat wheels?
Why can't they just be like a normal fast hybrid with a motor?
I can understand the motor and battery adding a few extra kgs, but I always get the impression they're targetting a market that likes, big gel seats, fat tyres and sit-up and beg geometry.
Why can't they just be like a normal fast hybrid with a motor?
I can understand the motor and battery adding a few extra kgs, but I always get the impression they're targetting a market that likes, big gel seats, fat tyres and sit-up and beg geometry.
Hi,
So I never got an electric bike this summer, but many miles were put on the regular bike!
I am now back looking at this and after taking a spin on a demo modern electric bike very impressed.
For those who have an e-bike - did you get a mountain bike style one and do you use it for commuting with mudguards and rack? How has the experience been?
I have been looking at electric "cycle cross" style but after a bit of thought think it would be better to get a mountain bike style one as that's probably going to benefit the most from the pedal assist given that 700cc wheel bike are normally fairly fast already. Also means it would be better for rough roads and means I can mix up the comute a bit by hopping kerbs and using rougher tracks.
Any regular e-bike commuters on a mountain bike style, and if so would you choose the same model again?
Many thanks,
So I never got an electric bike this summer, but many miles were put on the regular bike!
I am now back looking at this and after taking a spin on a demo modern electric bike very impressed.
For those who have an e-bike - did you get a mountain bike style one and do you use it for commuting with mudguards and rack? How has the experience been?
I have been looking at electric "cycle cross" style but after a bit of thought think it would be better to get a mountain bike style one as that's probably going to benefit the most from the pedal assist given that 700cc wheel bike are normally fairly fast already. Also means it would be better for rough roads and means I can mix up the comute a bit by hopping kerbs and using rougher tracks.
Any regular e-bike commuters on a mountain bike style, and if so would you choose the same model again?
Many thanks,
Just looking through this thread and it has my mind wandering. I've dreamt of somehow being able to cyclo commute to work but there are a few quite major stumbling blocks, for one it's over 20 miles each way, secondly we don't have any showers at work and finally another solution would be public transport in, ride home but the transport links round here are dire. I could get a train in but I'd arrive at work half an hour before anyone has opened up.
Now if somehow I could take an easy, electrically assisted and hopefully fairly fast ride into work in the morning and not arrive in a mass of sweat then I'd be happy to ride the bike back home again in the evening putting in a lot more effort myself. The ride home would rely on the bike not weighing two tons.
I'm guessing things aren't far off this as lithium batteries are quite lightweight and motors are getting smaller and more efficient. Maybe in a few years?
Now if somehow I could take an easy, electrically assisted and hopefully fairly fast ride into work in the morning and not arrive in a mass of sweat then I'd be happy to ride the bike back home again in the evening putting in a lot more effort myself. The ride home would rely on the bike not weighing two tons.
I'm guessing things aren't far off this as lithium batteries are quite lightweight and motors are getting smaller and more efficient. Maybe in a few years?
The arguments against the MTB or XC bike for a commute are mainly about weight. For an e bike you can largely disregard that. They all have the same limited top (assisted) speed and skinny tyres or drop bars won't help that.
I thought a hybrid might be good and I test rode a few Scotts. The hybrid had the mudguards and built-in lights and should have been the best. In reality the FS bike, more XC than MTB, beat the hardtail and hybrid, for me at least. You can lock out the suspension in a couple of steps if you feel the need.
Mudguards are adequate, rather than good, due to the design of the bike. Likewise you can only fit a seatpost mounted 'rack' and you have to keep it up high to avoid the rear wheel.
You can change modes to vary the assist level and this will govern range, as will speed. It reassesses this as you ride, like most cars do.
I thought a hybrid might be good and I test rode a few Scotts. The hybrid had the mudguards and built-in lights and should have been the best. In reality the FS bike, more XC than MTB, beat the hardtail and hybrid, for me at least. You can lock out the suspension in a couple of steps if you feel the need.
Mudguards are adequate, rather than good, due to the design of the bike. Likewise you can only fit a seatpost mounted 'rack' and you have to keep it up high to avoid the rear wheel.
You can change modes to vary the assist level and this will govern range, as will speed. It reassesses this as you ride, like most cars do.
I'm thinking about getting one, but planning on waiting a few more years until battery technology improves further and the pricing comes down as ebikes become more mainstream in the UK.
I'd get a Dutch-bike style one as it would be used for utility purposes rather than fitness/sport. Make sure it has a rack, mudguards, a stand, chain cover, maybe even a built-in lock.
I'd get a Dutch-bike style one as it would be used for utility purposes rather than fitness/sport. Make sure it has a rack, mudguards, a stand, chain cover, maybe even a built-in lock.
Hello,
magic919 care to provide a link to the model you went for? Would you get the same one again?
I am thinking about:
https://www.cube.eu/uk/2017/e-bike-trekking/cross-...
but wonder if:
https://www.cube.eu/uk/2017/e-bike-hardtail/reacti...
with racks and mudguards would be a better option for reasons stated above.
Many thanks,
magic919 care to provide a link to the model you went for? Would you get the same one again?
I am thinking about:
https://www.cube.eu/uk/2017/e-bike-trekking/cross-...
but wonder if:
https://www.cube.eu/uk/2017/e-bike-hardtail/reacti...
with racks and mudguards would be a better option for reasons stated above.
Many thanks,
This is the one http://www.pedalon.co.uk/acatalog/scott-e-spark-71...
Any of the ones you linked to have the same Bosch CX motor and battery. I think I was a bit more swayed by trying it off road, but I think I'd stick with the FS. It's quite a personal thing and I'm sure I wouldn't be complaining on a hard team if I'm completely honest.
Better rack and mudguards would be a good reason. I only commute once a week and might do a second day. I can leave it and take the 'metal umbrella' if it looks too bad.
Any of the ones you linked to have the same Bosch CX motor and battery. I think I was a bit more swayed by trying it off road, but I think I'd stick with the FS. It's quite a personal thing and I'm sure I wouldn't be complaining on a hard team if I'm completely honest.
Better rack and mudguards would be a good reason. I only commute once a week and might do a second day. I can leave it and take the 'metal umbrella' if it looks too bad.
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff