Electric bicycles - who buys them?
Discussion
As a commuting bike in cities like Amsterdam they make sense.
I don't see many about but there are some, especially good of course for older people who want to do some pedalling exercise but with sore joints can't do too much.
My wife and I own an apartment in Amsterdam but no car, not needed. We rent one if we have a distance to travel that requires it. I have considered getting a couple of scooters for when I am there but think if I wanted assisted power, an electric bike would be the way to go.
I don't see many about but there are some, especially good of course for older people who want to do some pedalling exercise but with sore joints can't do too much.
My wife and I own an apartment in Amsterdam but no car, not needed. We rent one if we have a distance to travel that requires it. I have considered getting a couple of scooters for when I am there but think if I wanted assisted power, an electric bike would be the way to go.
I think they're fantastic - electric bikes are the future.
You can get around in urban areas faster than a car, you can get through "snickets" and bollards, use bike paths, get kegged up, free parking. There are absolutely no disadvantages except getting wet (but you get wet walking). Give it another ten years (probably less) when most cities and big towns are really cranking up the restrictions on cars then they will make even more sense.
My parents who are both in their 70s have some "Hopper" ebikes, they're quite cheap shopper style things and they regularly go on 60 mile bike rides (they take them in their motorhome). I've borrowed one for getting to work in Leeds when dropping my car in for a service and they (feel like they) bomb along.
They'll encourage the uptake of cycling in urban areas with hills - in my local town which is full of hills the only sort of person that cycles to work is an enthusiast - you need a shower as it's all hills and you'd be a sweaty mess. Ebikes = arriving relatively refreshed.
So it's a bit thumbsup from me. A genuine and worthwhile alternative to public transport and I can see one being how I and Mrs DS will get around in our dotage - one small car and ebikes.
Incidentally - check out your cycle to work scheme if your employer does one. Mine allows eBikes and this year I will be adding to my collection of cycle to work mountain bikes by getting an electric mountain bike - if you're a higher rate tax payer they're well nigh half price.
You can get around in urban areas faster than a car, you can get through "snickets" and bollards, use bike paths, get kegged up, free parking. There are absolutely no disadvantages except getting wet (but you get wet walking). Give it another ten years (probably less) when most cities and big towns are really cranking up the restrictions on cars then they will make even more sense.
My parents who are both in their 70s have some "Hopper" ebikes, they're quite cheap shopper style things and they regularly go on 60 mile bike rides (they take them in their motorhome). I've borrowed one for getting to work in Leeds when dropping my car in for a service and they (feel like they) bomb along.
They'll encourage the uptake of cycling in urban areas with hills - in my local town which is full of hills the only sort of person that cycles to work is an enthusiast - you need a shower as it's all hills and you'd be a sweaty mess. Ebikes = arriving relatively refreshed.
So it's a bit thumbsup from me. A genuine and worthwhile alternative to public transport and I can see one being how I and Mrs DS will get around in our dotage - one small car and ebikes.
Incidentally - check out your cycle to work scheme if your employer does one. Mine allows eBikes and this year I will be adding to my collection of cycle to work mountain bikes by getting an electric mountain bike - if you're a higher rate tax payer they're well nigh half price.
They're very useful for people who like cycling and want to keep fit, but are worried about being too far from home if and when they get worn out, or a medical problem such as a knee or hip joint flares up. They're also good for people living in very hilly areas who don't have the fitness to cycle up the steeper hills. I think they're a great idea - more people keeping fit and easing congestion and pollution is always a good thing isn't it?
I have one, purchased through my works cycle2work scheme. Mines a carrera and only £1,250 so at the lower end, i got it because i'm a fat b
d and a regular cycle gave me back ache when going up the steep hill on my commute home. The 2 miles each way wasn't doing my car any good so to me the e-bike was a good option
d and a regular cycle gave me back ache when going up the steep hill on my commute home. The 2 miles each way wasn't doing my car any good so to me the e-bike was a good optionHoofy said:
I'd get one to troll Wiggins Wannabes around Richmond Park. Just set it to 1mph faster and watch them try to overtake to prove a point (whatever the point is?). 
Clue: At that level of assistance, your 'leccy' bike will likely run out of juice before some "Wiggins Wannabe's" legs do... ...and that's before you get to the issue of it being illegal to have electrical assistance that operates above <either 15 mph or 20 mph, I can't recall, but it's definitely a lot lower speed than a decent cyclist can maintain around Richmond Park > so you'd need to de-restrict the motor, or build one yourself.
Weird the lengths people will go to to "troll" cyclists...
yellowjack said:
Hoofy said:
I'd get one to troll Wiggins Wannabes around Richmond Park. Just set it to 1mph faster and watch them try to overtake to prove a point (whatever the point is?).
Clue: At that level of assistance, your 'leccy' bike will likely run out of juice before some "Wiggins Wannabe's" legs do... ...and that's before you get to the issue of it being illegal to have electrical assistance that operates above <either 15 mph or 20 mph, I can't recall, but it's definitely a lot lower speed than a decent cyclist can maintain around Richmond Park > so you'd need to de-restrict the motor, or build one yourself.
Weird the lengths people will go to to "troll" cyclists...
RobM77 said:
They're very useful for people who like cycling and want to keep fit, but are worried about being too far from home if and when they get worn out, or a medical problem such as a knee or hip joint flares up. They're also good for people living in very hilly areas who don't have the fitness to cycle up the steeper hills. I think they're a great idea - more people keeping fit and easing congestion and pollution is always a good thing isn't it?
That's exactly the reason I'd get one. I have iffy knees and hips and much as I'd like to go cycling, if they give out when I'm miles from home I'd be stuck, unable to ride or walk back. An electric bike would overcome that risk.yellowjack said:
Hoofy said:
I'd get one to troll Wiggins Wannabes around Richmond Park. Just set it to 1mph faster and watch them try to overtake to prove a point (whatever the point is?).
Clue: At that level of assistance, your 'leccy' bike will likely run out of juice before some "Wiggins Wannabe's" legs do... ...and that's before you get to the issue of it being illegal to have electrical assistance that operates above <either 15 mph or 20 mph, I can't recall, but it's definitely a lot lower speed than a decent cyclist can maintain around Richmond Park > so you'd need to de-restrict the motor, or build one yourself.
Weird the lengths people will go to to "troll" cyclists...
Riley Blue said:
That's exactly the reason I'd get one. I have iffy knees and hips and much as I'd like to go cycling, if they give out when I'm miles from home I'd be stuck, unable to ride or walk back. An electric bike would overcome that risk.
You still have to cycle, the motor won't assist you if the pedals aren't turningI bought a chinese hub drive kit on ebay when they had a 20% off day for £160.
Mine was for commuting, already had enough batteries from my drones so wired those in, covered nearly 3000 miles on it riding down muddy canal paths, leaving it outside all through winter and it still works perfectly every time.
Mine was for commuting, already had enough batteries from my drones so wired those in, covered nearly 3000 miles on it riding down muddy canal paths, leaving it outside all through winter and it still works perfectly every time.
P700DEE said:
From the only owner of one I have met , reason for purchase was drink drive ban!!
Some boring tt will be along any second to tell you that it's still illegal (yes, we all know. Nobody cares) and possibly even try to tell us we will lose our car licences.One of the reasons I got my cycle to work bike was for going to the pub and for Sunday afternoon beer-cycling. (Although I must admit I tend to only ride on the pavements as it's too dangerous on the road).
C70R said:
yellowjack said:
Hoofy said:
I'd get one to troll Wiggins Wannabes around Richmond Park. Just set it to 1mph faster and watch them try to overtake to prove a point (whatever the point is?).
Clue: At that level of assistance, your 'leccy' bike will likely run out of juice before some "Wiggins Wannabe's" legs do... ...and that's before you get to the issue of it being illegal to have electrical assistance that operates above <either 15 mph or 20 mph, I can't recall, but it's definitely a lot lower speed than a decent cyclist can maintain around Richmond Park > so you'd need to de-restrict the motor, or build one yourself.
Weird the lengths people will go to to "troll" cyclists...
Don't worry, I have no desire to get on a bicycle. I was just teasing.
P700DEE said:
From the only owner of one I have met , reason for purchase was drink drive ban!!
I met three more "mature" gentlemen in Peaslake village. Their combined age was "more than 210 years" and all three were on electric assist MTBs. In their own words, they were "well past it" if they had to pedal their way up to get to the downs. But with pedal assist, they were able to keep on riding "well into their 70s". Still getting out, still getting some exercise,and still keeping their minds sharp dodging trees and roots in the Surrey Hills.Oh, and the only other e-bike rider I've spoken to was one that flew past me up a hill in Essex. He was dressed in pin-stripe suit, woolen full length coat, and shiny leather shoes, with a large briefcase strapped to the rear rack. I was in full Lycra, slogging myself into a puddle of sweat. I soon caught him on the downhill, and the subsequent flat section. He was a "serious cyclist" too, but just wanted to commute into London in 'normal' work clothes without getting himself sweaty. It was working too.
There are so many different reasons to own and ride an electric bike...
yellowjack said:
P700DEE said:
From the only owner of one I have met , reason for purchase was drink drive ban!!
I met three more "mature" gentlemen in Peaslake village. Their combined age was "more than 210 years" and all three were on electric assist MTBs. In their own words, they were "well past it" if they had to pedal their way up to get to the downs. But with pedal assist, they were able to keep on riding "well into their 70s". Still getting out, still getting some exercise,and still keeping their minds sharp dodging trees and roots in the Surrey Hills.Oh, and the only other e-bike rider I've spoken to was one that flew past me up a hill in Essex. He was dressed in pin-stripe suit, woolen full length coat, and shiny leather shoes, with a large briefcase strapped to the rear rack. I was in full Lycra, slogging myself into a puddle of sweat. I soon caught him on the downhill, and the subsequent flat section. He was a "serious cyclist" too, but just wanted to commute into London in 'normal' work clothes without getting himself sweaty. It was working too.
There are so many different reasons to own and ride an electric bike...
giantdefy said:
daddy cool said:
I'll get an electric bike when I'm too infirm to ride a standard one...
Yep, but at 65 I may well have got there. Thinking of converting my winter hack to electric, lot cheaper at ~£6/700Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff