Electric bicycles - who buys them?
Discussion
I used to cycle 250+ miles a week and do 24hr mtb events. My knee is now knackered, so a full suss emtb has allowed me to get back on the dirt. It's fun and I grin after a ride. So as far as I am concerned, its job is done!
Anyone who has an issue with these, really needs to enjoy their rides more.
Anyone who has an issue with these, really needs to enjoy their rides more.
As stated above regarding Germany. We were there in April and that go me thinking.
I was often doing 200 miles a week but started struggling due to undiagnosed diabetes and gave up for a year as a result - and the even bigger implications o health. Got back on a hybid earlier in summer but was not enjoying it - hills or even slopes (yes - they help you get fit).
Getting an e-bike has put some of the enjoyment back in it. Different assist settings and 99% of the time i only use the basic Eco mode (plus 50% assist) - that's enough to take the edge off the effort - and make hills a possibility without putting my heart at serious risk.
Back up to 120 miles a week - mix of e-bike and old hybrid. Whichever bike I put in maximum !! effort for over 2 hours per ride - my heart rate has dropped already
And, part of the deciding factor, my wife fits the same bike - just. Before she wouldn't have come out on a bike but now we do rides together, albeit a bit slower than I would normally ride (but extremely frustrated when she leaves me for dead on the hills). Get this bike paid off and get another - possibly when the next generation battery capacity comes in at a better price.
There are still some 2018 model Hiabike models left - reduced nationally by 20% to clear. Try one !
Look for a Youtube video of an old bloke cycling up Rosedale Chimney - its almost vertical ! The impossible is within your reach.
I was often doing 200 miles a week but started struggling due to undiagnosed diabetes and gave up for a year as a result - and the even bigger implications o health. Got back on a hybid earlier in summer but was not enjoying it - hills or even slopes (yes - they help you get fit).
Getting an e-bike has put some of the enjoyment back in it. Different assist settings and 99% of the time i only use the basic Eco mode (plus 50% assist) - that's enough to take the edge off the effort - and make hills a possibility without putting my heart at serious risk.
Back up to 120 miles a week - mix of e-bike and old hybrid. Whichever bike I put in maximum !! effort for over 2 hours per ride - my heart rate has dropped already
And, part of the deciding factor, my wife fits the same bike - just. Before she wouldn't have come out on a bike but now we do rides together, albeit a bit slower than I would normally ride (but extremely frustrated when she leaves me for dead on the hills). Get this bike paid off and get another - possibly when the next generation battery capacity comes in at a better price.
There are still some 2018 model Hiabike models left - reduced nationally by 20% to clear. Try one !
Look for a Youtube video of an old bloke cycling up Rosedale Chimney - its almost vertical ! The impossible is within your reach.
Last week I was in a bar in Berchesgaden and I’d had a few pints of nice dark German “dunkel”, Mrs DS wanted a long bath, so I decided to take the opportunity to whiz up to Hitler’s ruined Berghof.
I did this wearing jeans and normal shoes. I’m not a keep fit cyclist, I do it for fun, however I sailed up thisat a fair old rate....
I did this wearing jeans and normal shoes. I’m not a keep fit cyclist, I do it for fun, however I sailed up thisat a fair old rate....
Dog Star said:
Last week I was in a bar in Berchesgaden and I’d had a few pints of nice dark German “dunkel”, Mrs DS wanted a long bath, so I decided to take the opportunity to whiz up to Hitler’s ruined Berghof.
I did this wearing jeans and normal shoes. I’m not a keep fit cyclist, I do it for fun, however I sailed up thisat a fair old rate....
How were your legs afterwards?I did this wearing jeans and normal shoes. I’m not a keep fit cyclist, I do it for fun, however I sailed up thisat a fair old rate....
Hoofy said:
How were your legs afterwards?
Fine, and I'm 50 and never been in a gym since I left school. I love my e-bike; best thing I've bought in years. I think take-up of these would be massive in the UK if we had proper, segregated bike paths (not just some line painted on the road); I won't ride on the roads in the UK because I don't want to share road space with angry drivers or yobs. Germany and Austria were just revelations to me.
Dog Star said:
Hoofy said:
How were your legs afterwards?
Fine, and I'm 50 and never been in a gym since I left school. I love my e-bike; best thing I've bought in years. I think take-up of these would be massive in the UK if we had proper, segregated bike paths (not just some line painted on the road); I won't ride on the roads in the UK because I don't want to share road space with angry drivers or yobs. Germany and Austria were just revelations to me.
We do have proper segregated bike paths (well, around here). And we have cyclists complaining that they're not well-maintained so they cycle on the roads. Although, I do see many people still using said paths so who knows.
Surely very few people who aren't keen regular cyclists get much over 15mph on a normal bike, so it seems a pretty sensible limit to me. On the flat I cruise at about 20kph (12.5 mph) on a normal bike, and few people who aren't lycra clad road racing types come past me at more than a few mph difference. Putting people who don't cycle that often on e-bikes that do double the average cyclists speeds might not be the best idea IMO.
zubzob said:
I can definitely see how 15mph is better for cycle paths shared with slower cyclists etc.
But roads? Seems rather arbitrary to cap it at 15. Some inner city roads have 20mph limits for cars now. It would be good for flow if ebikes can match this. Once the majority of bikes are ebikes, it will make even more sense.
When I first got my ebike I thought that 15mph assistance cut out was too low for road use, but when it comes to it that is a fair pace up some hills and there is nothing to stop you going faster on the flat* if you are fit enough. I do think it would be good if the assist tapered out up to 20mph rather than cut off, but that may just be too difficult to define legally.But roads? Seems rather arbitrary to cap it at 15. Some inner city roads have 20mph limits for cars now. It would be good for flow if ebikes can match this. Once the majority of bikes are ebikes, it will make even more sense.
* Assuming you don't have a bike with the Bosch system.
zubzob said:
Can you expand on this. I have a Bosch system, but don't get your point. Are you saying it's harder to pedal over 15 on a bosch? Or do you mean they are hackable?
The Bosch system has noticeable drag when the motor is not being used, I've seen figures that suggest around 17%, it is one of the reasons I went for a Shimano system. The Shimano drag was 3% and Brose <1% iirc. You have to look at the whole system though and which you prefer is down to what features are most important to you.Toltec said:
The Bosch system has noticeable drag when the motor is not being used, I've seen figures that suggest around 17%, it is one of the reasons I went for a Shimano system. The Shimano drag was 3% and Brose <1% iirc. You have to look at the whole system though and which you prefer is down to what features are most important to you.
Wow, I’m really surprised at that figure. I haven’t perceived any drag on Mrs B’s Bosch e-bike when pedalling it around sans assistance.Not doubting you, BTW.
Barchettaman said:
Wow, I’m really surprised at that figure. I haven’t perceived any drag on Mrs B’s Bosch e-bike when pedalling it around sans assistance.
Not doubting you, BTW.
I haven't done measured tests myself, the figures are based on what I found researching what bikes to look at before buying, most reviews mentioned the drag though. Given the Bosch system multiplies the rider crank speed by a factor of 2.5 times there has to be some drag, however they are known for a punchy power delivery at lower cadence so there is a trade off. I'm not very fit, but I am quite strong so I can generate a lot of torque at low cadence myself, for me the assist helps me maintain cadence/speed on longer climbs which I have not built up the fitness for yet so the Shimano system suits what I want from the bike.Not doubting you, BTW.
Edited by Toltec on Monday 10th September 16:58
Me and her have carbon Moustache E bikes and can well believe the 17% figure - its hard work if you ride over 15mph for a long distance.
Seem to be lots of people hacking these - bit worrying as it wont be long before someone has an accident with a hacked bike and legislation has a knee jerk.
Seem to be lots of people hacking these - bit worrying as it wont be long before someone has an accident with a hacked bike and legislation has a knee jerk.
Regarding regeneration, the answer is no. That's a very expensive proposal. I have a great e-bike that allows me to do 30 miles in a trip, although I've come close to zero battery with more miles than the 'computer' says!
As a fitness proposal they are fantastic!
I'm 51 years old and could never go to the places I now go without the help. I had a great run out on Sunday including some of the red trails on the Marin trails around Trefriw where I live. Great buzz, absolutely fantastic. Although I do feel a smidge of embarrassment passing serious youngsters on what they perceive to be serious bits of kit!!
There are many naysayers and that is fine. Youth and all that!?!
For perspective. The Sunday run was 15 miles and elevation was 380 metres positive, some stone laid trails, others woodland. I was knackered when I got home but I wasn't dead!
I bought the bike in February. Since then I've done nearly 1000 miles according to the odometer on the bike.
What's not to like??
My bike cost £950 more than the none assist version.
As a fitness proposal they are fantastic!
I'm 51 years old and could never go to the places I now go without the help. I had a great run out on Sunday including some of the red trails on the Marin trails around Trefriw where I live. Great buzz, absolutely fantastic. Although I do feel a smidge of embarrassment passing serious youngsters on what they perceive to be serious bits of kit!!
There are many naysayers and that is fine. Youth and all that!?!
For perspective. The Sunday run was 15 miles and elevation was 380 metres positive, some stone laid trails, others woodland. I was knackered when I got home but I wasn't dead!
I bought the bike in February. Since then I've done nearly 1000 miles according to the odometer on the bike.
What's not to like??
My bike cost £950 more than the none assist version.
Barchettaman said:
Toltec said:
The Bosch system has noticeable drag when the motor is not being used, I've seen figures that suggest around 17%, it is one of the reasons I went for a Shimano system. The Shimano drag was 3% and Brose <1% iirc. You have to look at the whole system though and which you prefer is down to what features are most important to you.
Wow, I’m really surprised at that figure. I haven’t perceived any drag on Mrs B’s Bosch e-bike when pedalling it around sans assistance.Not doubting you, BTW.
No doubt - ours were £6k each (ish) and in a few years we will look back and laugh at how insane that is for something with a battery the size it is bolted on - price of early adoption. We sold two Santa Cruz when we got these and the bikes were better spec (a bit) but £4k each.
There is now way the battery/motor is £2k + of worth
There is now way the battery/motor is £2k + of worth
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