Discussion
Whats the consensus on these? I'm not interested in buying one yet, but interested to hear whether people think theyre great, good or a gimmick.
I personally fancy trying one, not to be lazy and turn the pedals less, but to go bigger distance with a similar amount of expended energy. That 30 mile ride could easily be a 60 mile ride, and a 50 miler could be a regular 100 miler. Although i'm predominantly roadie, i'd probably look to a hardtail so it could be used on all terrains.
I've got a motorbike which sees less and less use each year, (I generally choose to take the cycle out instead) so could see this being a genuine way to adventure as a cross over between the two.
I personally fancy trying one, not to be lazy and turn the pedals less, but to go bigger distance with a similar amount of expended energy. That 30 mile ride could easily be a 60 mile ride, and a 50 miler could be a regular 100 miler. Although i'm predominantly roadie, i'd probably look to a hardtail so it could be used on all terrains.
I've got a motorbike which sees less and less use each year, (I generally choose to take the cycle out instead) so could see this being a genuine way to adventure as a cross over between the two.
If YOU want one, try one. If you're happy when you've tried it, buy it.
I met three blokes MTBing on 'leccy bikes in Peaslake a while back. All in their late 60s or early 70s. All three of them said that without the motor to assist them, they'd have given up riding by now. The motor assisted bikes (and they were very nice looking machines - I just can't recall what brand they were) had given them a new lease of life, and were actively keeping them fit as you still have to pedal them to get the assistance.
Also, quite a few years ago I was passed up a hill by a bloke in a full length camel coat with a briefcase on the rear rack of his step-through commute bike. I was in full Lycra and trying my hardest at the time. Well, no sooner had we started to descend the other side than I caught him again. The assist runs out above certain MPH, and I had a chat with the chap. He was a 'proper' cyclist too, but his reasoning behind the electric bike was that hill, and a couple of others, between his home and the station. He couldn't afford to arrive looking like a sweaty bag of rags, and there were no changing facilities at the office. Fair play.
It only really becomes an issue if you start offending the purists on club rides, or "cheating at Strava". I imagine if you were doing the latter you might well end up burned at the stake!
In truth, electric bikes might encourage more non-cyclists to cycle. Which means a bigger "safety in numbers" effect, and greater legitimacy for increased spending on cycling infrastructure. They're certainly not "the work of the devil" as far as I'm concerned. Sorry I can't help with advice on the particulars of owning one though - I've not got around to considering one just yet!
I met three blokes MTBing on 'leccy bikes in Peaslake a while back. All in their late 60s or early 70s. All three of them said that without the motor to assist them, they'd have given up riding by now. The motor assisted bikes (and they were very nice looking machines - I just can't recall what brand they were) had given them a new lease of life, and were actively keeping them fit as you still have to pedal them to get the assistance.
Also, quite a few years ago I was passed up a hill by a bloke in a full length camel coat with a briefcase on the rear rack of his step-through commute bike. I was in full Lycra and trying my hardest at the time. Well, no sooner had we started to descend the other side than I caught him again. The assist runs out above certain MPH, and I had a chat with the chap. He was a 'proper' cyclist too, but his reasoning behind the electric bike was that hill, and a couple of others, between his home and the station. He couldn't afford to arrive looking like a sweaty bag of rags, and there were no changing facilities at the office. Fair play.
It only really becomes an issue if you start offending the purists on club rides, or "cheating at Strava". I imagine if you were doing the latter you might well end up burned at the stake!
In truth, electric bikes might encourage more non-cyclists to cycle. Which means a bigger "safety in numbers" effect, and greater legitimacy for increased spending on cycling infrastructure. They're certainly not "the work of the devil" as far as I'm concerned. Sorry I can't help with advice on the particulars of owning one though - I've not got around to considering one just yet!
I bought one last Feb.
It cost £1600 and has already paid for itself and clocked up nearly 3k miles.
Huge improvement in my quality of life as I live in London and an ebike is the quickest and most reliable transport as well as costing nothing.
My commute is about 25 miles a day, no problems with the battery and it's possible to not sweat at all. Having cycled the same journey for years taking the ebike is quite enjoyable and simply better in bad weather.
To be legal in U.K. They have to be maximum 250 watts and top speed of 15.6 mph a lot of people derestrict them (meaning they're illegal to use on the road) moving the top speed to nearly 30 mph with no effort.
It cost £1600 and has already paid for itself and clocked up nearly 3k miles.
Huge improvement in my quality of life as I live in London and an ebike is the quickest and most reliable transport as well as costing nothing.
My commute is about 25 miles a day, no problems with the battery and it's possible to not sweat at all. Having cycled the same journey for years taking the ebike is quite enjoyable and simply better in bad weather.
To be legal in U.K. They have to be maximum 250 watts and top speed of 15.6 mph a lot of people derestrict them (meaning they're illegal to use on the road) moving the top speed to nearly 30 mph with no effort.
ds, there's one who I often pick up sixteen miles into my commute, he can crack 25 while smoking a rollie 
AndrewH7 said:
Using 200 or 250 watt motor, not fast enough on level & up hill = not enough to lift the extra weight, so almost useless.
So 250w is "almost useless", that kind of writes of 95% of most recreational cyclists 
Purists hate them, but I reckon go for it, if it enables someone to go out riding that can't be bad. Just don't go entering any cycle cross races.....
My main reason for cycling is that I need to lose some weight, so no electical assistance for me. I can see how it does open up the sport to more people - Martyn Ashton's video at Fort William is a classic example of how e-bikes can open up cycling to people who may not be able to ride a normal bike.
I can only speak from an MTB perspective, but this last 12 months they have exploded in some of the areas I ride, so someone thinks they are a good idea.
I think they are great, are they for me at age 34? No, unless something unfortunate happens to me and I'm lucky enough to enjoy good fitness and can get out and do pretty much what I want when I want. But for a chap I rode with briefly a few weeks ago, just about to head into his 60's, it was perfect.
If I needed one, I'd get one, no question.
I think they are great, are they for me at age 34? No, unless something unfortunate happens to me and I'm lucky enough to enjoy good fitness and can get out and do pretty much what I want when I want. But for a chap I rode with briefly a few weeks ago, just about to head into his 60's, it was perfect.
If I needed one, I'd get one, no question.
Interesting responses, to profile, I'm 35 with a reasonable standard of fitness. Would probably hang around the back of a cat 3/4 race but can quite comfortably go for a 50 mile spin on a morning. The interest in e-bikes isnt a case of looking to get about with minimal effort, although it does appear that with a restrictive top speed, if i'm cracking on at 18mph average, its not going to be much, if any use.
Off-road, I see the likes of Trek/Giant/Scott etc pushing out what I would consider to be fairly serious bits of kit, with a Bosch motor attached. These are several thousands of pounds. Are these still not appealing to those who are fit enough, but just want to be able to go further during the same ride? Off-roading is obviously slower and harder going so could see that this just helps extend the ride further? Or are they looking to appeal to the seriously unfit who just have deep pockets?
Off-road, I see the likes of Trek/Giant/Scott etc pushing out what I would consider to be fairly serious bits of kit, with a Bosch motor attached. These are several thousands of pounds. Are these still not appealing to those who are fit enough, but just want to be able to go further during the same ride? Off-roading is obviously slower and harder going so could see that this just helps extend the ride further? Or are they looking to appeal to the seriously unfit who just have deep pockets?
I'd turned my nose up at these for some years as I just thought they were for people who were either just too lazy to cycle or pensioners. However looking at the technology now - wow! I can really see the attraction for slightly less fit folk like myself whereby I could go and ride a 20 mile mountain bike route without killing myself. It's also of interest to me for commuting, if I could do the 20 odd miles into work without turning up a dripping sweaty mess (no showers) this would be amazing and would still have burnt off some calories on the way. I could turn down the assitance on the return route for even greater gain. I think they've still got a way to come yet in terms of weight, efficiency etc. but I'm definitely interested.
The derestricted ones are brilliant for drafting. I got some of my best times down down to Chelsea Bridge between what was either an E-bike or Chris Froome's older, fitter, much more causal cousin.
ETA - not so brilliant for drafting is the chap who I spotted around Fulham - okgo you might have seen the same bloke around - who has fitted a chainsaw engine to his old clunker. Subtle it is not.
ETA - not so brilliant for drafting is the chap who I spotted around Fulham - okgo you might have seen the same bloke around - who has fitted a chainsaw engine to his old clunker. Subtle it is not.
louiebaby said:
More bikes on the road = Good thing as far as I'm concerned.
It will annoy me getting overtaken by one on a hill, but only so that it inspires me to work / train harder.
Not for me, currently, but maybe in about 30 years, who knows.
Exactly this.It will annoy me getting overtaken by one on a hill, but only so that it inspires me to work / train harder.
Not for me, currently, but maybe in about 30 years, who knows.
I used to think they were the work of the devil.. however two experiences this year:
Firstly:
Group trail ride in a forest, the guys on a couple of E-Bikes were slightly older and carrying injuries but it meant we all stayed together as a pack better.
Also it gave those of us on 'Dumb' bikes another target to race against up the hills, and as a few were Yamaha powered and the other Bosche they had their own inter-competition. If someone on a dumb-bike starts flagging a bit they can always have a breather if they are lent an ebike for a few miles.
Have to say I was surprised how 'chuckable' they are in full suspension guise - just a bit of a bugger to lift over fences.
Secondly:
Club ride - a chap in his late 60's joins in no problem with the social rides. Thats a great thing.
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