Electric bicycles - who buys them?

[vindaloo79]

Garemberg said:

Have one of these on order via a cycle to work scheme, can't wait.

https://www.specializedconceptstore.co.uk/product/...

Nice

"Max Top Speed: 20 mph / 32 km/h" - Not sure that's correct!

[RedWhiteMonkey]

vindaloo79 said:

Garemberg said:

Have one of these on order via a cycle to work scheme, can't wait.

https://www.specializedconceptstore.co.uk/product/...

Nice

"Max Top Speed: 20 mph / 32 km/h" - Not sure that's correct!

Pretty sure that's the US limits, perhaps they cut and pasted the text from a US website.

[Garemberg]

vindaloo79 said:

Nice

"Max Top Speed: 20 mph / 32 km/h" - Not sure that's correct!

Presume cut and pasted from the US site, first mountain bike since my 1993 Orange clockwork so am expecting to see some improvements.

[OssAndy]

Garemberg said:

Have one of these on order via a cycle to work scheme, can't wait.

https://www.specializedconceptstore.co.uk/product/...

I've ridden one of these a couple of times now, borrowed from a friend. It was enough for me to immediately go home and order my own ebike which should arrive in the next couple of weeks. I'd suggest if you are going to take it off road, look at a dropper post and some better forks. But it's a very quick bike, plenty powerful.

[Bathroom_Security]

Garemberg said:

Have one of these on order via a cycle to work scheme, can't wait.

https://www.specializedconceptstore.co.uk/product/...

First E Bike I ever rode on, very cool

[Garemberg]

OssAndy said:

Garemberg said:

Have one of these on order via a cycle to work scheme, can't wait.

https://www.specializedconceptstore.co.uk/product/...

I've ridden one of these a couple of times now, borrowed from a friend. It was enough for me to immediately go home and order my own ebike which should arrive in the next couple of weeks. I'd suggest if you are going to take it off road, look at a dropper post and some better forks. But it's a very quick bike, plenty powerful.

Thanks for the feedback guys, I figured I'd go for the best frame and motor combo I could and then upgrade later, did you opt for the same hardtail? Any suggestion on dropper posts?

[OssAndy]

Garemberg said:

Thanks for the feedback guys, I figured I'd go for the best frame and motor combo I could and then upgrade later, did you opt for the same hardtail? Any suggestion on dropper posts?

I'm all about the comfy full suspension life! I ordered an orbea rise. I found the weight of the big full sus e-bikes is more than I like from a riding and maneuvering perspective.

I cannot believe how much fun a mountain ebike is though. My recommendation for anyone who hasn't tried one yet is simple - don't, unless you can afford to buy one. It will most likely ruin normal mountain biking for you.

Edited by OssAndy on Wednesday 21st April 16:15

[PushedDover]

I was for the Levi originally - and then swerved to the Cube.
I’d be happy with I am sure

If comfort is your friend (over a dropper post) the sun tour suspension seat post is highly recommended

[nickfrog]

OssAndy said:

I'm all about the comfy full suspension life! I ordered an orbea rise. I found the weight of the big full sus e-bikes is more than I like from a riding and maneuvering perspective.

I cannot believe how much fun a mountain ebike is though. My recommendation for anyone who hasn't tried one yet is simple - don't, unless you can afford to buy one. It will most likely ruin normal mountain biking for you.

Absolutely. Doing 10 loops instead of 3 or 4 is just brilliant. And I assumed it wouldn't be as much fun DH. I was wrong.

Emtbs are quite literally taking over. Sometimes I feel that it's already 50/50.

[DailyHack]

nickfrog said:

Absolutely. Doing 10 loops instead of 3 or 4 is just brilliant. And I assumed it wouldn't be as much fun DH. I was wrong.

Emtbs are quite literally taking over. Sometimes I feel that it's already 50/50.

I hope so, as it will make "analogue" bikes alot cheaper

[MaxFromage]

All bases covered now with the new arrival. Talk about chalk and cheese compared to the Giant road bike... My last mountain bike was from 2005. It's huge

[nickfrog]

DailyHack said:

I hope so, as it will make "analogue" bikes alot cheaper

Yes probably but it's not exactly happening quite yet, for unrelated reasons. The risk is that analogue bike production may be reduced down to actual demand.

[gangzoom]

DailyHack said:

I hope so, as it will make "analogue" bikes alot cheaper

I wouldn't bet on that. The strange thing is after spending a week commuting to work on my eBike, when I jump on my analogue road bike at the weekend I really appreciate the lack of weight, the increased responsiveness, and bizarrely the burn in the legs when you are trying to smash it up a big hill - out of saddle climbing just isn't 'fun' on my eBike, but its one of the best bits of the road bike, as you know there will be a 30mph+ decent at the end of the effort.

The analogue road bike is a totally different experience to my eBike, they complement each other than compete with each other.

Am still trying to decide what bike to get next, honestly speaking am fine with spending £5k on either another eBike or analogue road bike. If I could get a sub 7kg analogue road bike that would probably be my first choice, but current bike price mean my budget isn't high enough for that!!

The ideal situation ofcourse is to get one of each, but pigs will fly before I get the OK for that.

Edited by gangzoom on Thursday 22 April 05:50

[Janluke]

DailyHack said:

I hope so, as it will make "analogue" bikes alot cheaper

Not a chance. Ebikes are showing the manufacturers that the average punter will spend 5k plus on a bike

[ddom]

I struggle with the term ‘analogue’ bike, it’s just a bike or ebike surely. Having looked at the data there’s no doubt the biggest gains are from a bike, big climbs make you work hard. The ebike flies up them and there’s little incentive to turn them down as it’s their USP. It took me 1 hour to do a gnarly route on the bike, with a relatively large effort. It was double that on the ebike and i spent significantly less time at threshold. I’ll likely still buy a Whyte but the desire isn’t as strong as it was a few weeks back.

Edit to add, I can’t see any point in an ebike for the road. You can build up a 7-8kg bike spending around 2K. It’ll have an older group set etc but it’ll be still be more bike than you’ll ever need. For me, climbing on the road is just a war of attrition. The mtb is different as it can be very technical. The ebike then opens up trails which you’d not bother with, on the road it’s definitely more basic.

Edited by ddom on Thursday 22 April 08:53

[Barchettaman]

^absolutely.

A pure e-road bike makes sense for someone perhaps a little advanced in years, who still wants to keep up with the weekend club group ride on the hills.

Otherwise go for an e-hardtail or an e-fully and hit the trails. It’s the best laugh ever.

[nickfrog]

ddom said:

I struggle with the term ‘analogue’ bike, it’s just a bike or ebike surely. Having looked at the data there’s no doubt the biggest gains are from a bike, big climbs make you work hard. The ebike flies up them and there’s little incentive to turn them down as it’s their USP. It took me 1 hour to do a gnarly route on the bike, with a relatively large effort. It was double that on the ebike and i spent significantly less time at threshold. I’ll likely still buy a Whyte but the desire isn’t as strong as it was a few weeks back.

You can modulate the assistance so that total effort is the same. Cutting the heart rate spikes is the main USP for me. I probably work as hard on my e bike than on my bike but in a slightly different manner, a smoother one.

[take-good-care-of-the-forest-dewey]

nickfrog said:

ddom said:

I struggle with the term ‘analogue’ bike, it’s just a bike or ebike surely. Having looked at the data there’s no doubt the biggest gains are from a bike, big climbs make you work hard. The ebike flies up them and there’s little incentive to turn them down as it’s their USP. It took me 1 hour to do a gnarly route on the bike, with a relatively large effort. It was double that on the ebike and i spent significantly less time at threshold. I’ll likely still buy a Whyte but the desire isn’t as strong as it was a few weeks back.

You can modulate the assistance so that total effort is the same. Cutting the heart rate spikes is the main USP for me. I probably work as hard on my e bike than on my bike but in a slightly different manner, a smoother one.

It's been discussed before, but dom is missing the t
USPs. .

You have completely new uphill trails to play on that are simply not rideable on a normal bike.

Your ride is extended. A 10mile loop becomes, 20,30 or 40. If you enjoy riding, you're out for longer. Or If you're time limited, it makes your loop doable within the small window of opptunity.

It tips CBA days into can be arsed. You can whack the power up if you're not feeling the love until you do.

Reliability isn't good enough yet though.

[Newton472]

take-good-care-of-the-forest-dewey said:

It's been discussed before, but dom is missing the t
USPs. .

You have completely new uphill trails to play on that are simply not rideable on a normal bike.

Your ride is extended. A 10mile loop becomes, 20,30 or 40. If you enjoy riding, you're out for longer. Or If you're time limited, it makes your loop doable within the small window of opptunity.

It tips CBA days into can be arsed. You can whack the power up if you're not feeling the love until you do.

Reliability isn't good enough yet though.

I find there is also a good case for day to day usage too as it is quite nice to arrive somewhere and not be absolutely drenched in sweat- that's fine for a workout but not ideal if you're just going to the office or something.

In terms of reliability I've only covered 1,000km but it's really been faultless so far. I can thoroughly recommend the Yamaha motor.

[ddom]

take-good-care-of-the-forest-dewey said:

It's been discussed before, but dom is missing the t
USPs. .

You have completely new uphill trails to play on that are simply not rideable on a normal bike.

Your ride is extended. A 10mile loop becomes, 20,30 or 40. If you enjoy riding, you're out for longer. Or If you're time limited, it makes your loop doable within the small window of opptunity.

It tips CBA days into can be arsed. You can whack the power up if you're not feeling the love until you do.

Reliability isn't good enough yet though.

I said that for the emtb, definitely you approach different trails to use the motor and challenge yourself. But on the road, I can't see it. I like mtb for going fast, jumps (not that I am any good) and generally pissing about. The emtb would definitely let me do more of that.