Electric bicycles - who buys them?

[DonkeyApple]

Hoofy said:

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...

I bet you're a barrel of laughs at a dinner party.

Don't worry, I have no desire to get on a bicycle. I was just teasing.

Besides, it’s cheaper and easier to just jab them in the ribs with an umbrella from your car.

[Maxf]

I thought I'd never buy one, and havent yet - but I might think about one next winter for my commute, which will be about 14 miles each way. I'd still use my road bike in the dry, but for those days when it's all a bit too much hassle and the weather isnt great some assistance would be welcomed.

[Buster73]

Hired one in Palma last year , had a good ride round the bay and back including going up a steep hill to a castle .

Ended up doing 60km which was a piece of cake. Helped no doubt by the cycle path rather than the roads.

€20 , thought it was great vfm.

Saw loads of folk using them when I was out .

[unpc]

My next MTB is going to be electric. I thought it was a cop out until I rode one then I realised you just go further and harder than you would normally and it's loads more fun. You can attack the ascents as hard as the descents. The price of entry is pretty steep for a good one though.

[RobM77]

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...

This is something I've never understood. People frequently take the piss out of cyclists for being 'wiggins wannabes'. I was even hounded for months by internet trolls who were telling me I'd 'never be a pro racing driver' That wasn't a surprise to me! Are some people just incapable of understanding the notion of doing sport for fun? Because I go running twice a week, do people think I'm a 'Mo Farah wannabe'?!!

[Hoofy]

RobM77 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...

This is something I've never understood. People frequently take the piss out of cyclists for being 'wiggins wannabes'. I was even hounded for months by internet trolls who were telling me I'd 'never be a pro racing driver' That wasn't a surprise to me! Are some people just incapable of understanding the notion of doing sport for fun? Because I go running twice a week, do people think I'm a 'Mo Farah wannabe'?!!

Dunno about that. Cycling... fun?

Edit: well, ok, mountain biking and BMXing is fun.

Edited by Hoofy on Monday 26th March 12:49

[Hoofy]

DonkeyApple said:

Hoofy said:

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...

I bet you're a barrel of laughs at a dinner party.

Don't worry, I have no desire to get on a bicycle. I was just teasing.

Besides, it’s cheaper and easier to just jab them in the ribs with an umbrella from your car.

Car jousting. A new sport?

[Konan]

P700DEE said:

From the only owner of one I have met , reason for purchase was drink drive ban!!

I used to sell EPCs over 10 years ago, when they still weighed as much as a milk float and did about 5 miles. They were also a lot cheaper, they might still be around as a budget offering.

It was really nice to sell them to people who wanted to continue to ride a bike but where less able to manage without a little assitance.

Sadly, a large part of the market was selling to people on a drink/drive ban that just wanted to sit on them as far as the pub.

[Riley Blue]

wolfie1978 said:

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 turning

I can still walk when my joints let me down, just not very well and in some discomfort; I would hope that pushing pedals round with assistance would be much less of a strain.

[GSE]

Considering getting an e-bike. Last summer I dug my (old) mountain bike out of the shed, and started using it every other day to commute to work and back, about 8 miles each way, mainly off road and through forest paths. I have carried on through the winter and the cold and dark mornings, and I absolutely love it! I've come to really dislike driving now, as the roads, potholes, congestion, parking restrictions and speed cameras all over the place are all so bad now. If I park the car on the driveway on a Thursday, and it doesn't move again until Tuesday, that's a result. An e-bike will make a perfect upgrade.

[superlightr]

Riley Blue said:

wolfie1978 said:

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 turning

I can still walk when my joints let me down, just not very well and in some discomfort; I would hope that pushing pedals round with assistance would be much less of a strain.

some bike shops with an elec MTB will hire them out for a few hrs. Try one. I'm certain you will be grinning from ear to ear and come back on here to say that was one of the most fun things you have done for years !

[seastorm]

I bought a Stromer ST1. It is absolutely awesome. Does 30 mph (with it's unrestricted 500W motor), looks like a regular bike, and flies past any and every road bike. I learned about the speed the hard way last year when I came off with no helmet and spent 6 days in a major trauma ward. Still, managed to get back onto it with helmet a month later. For a commute when you dont want to wear lycra and sweat - its a no brainer. Highly recommend this bike too.

[DoubleD]

I would imagine that an electric bike is the perfect companion on a pub crawl

[skilly1]

Cupramax said:

Battery was just over £300, ordered direct from one of the biggest ebike battery manufacturers in China on AliExpress, battery arrived in 10 days. Mid drive Motor kit (replaces the existing crank) was around £340 from a UK importer. You need a modicum of mechanical knowledge and a soldering iron, I bought a cheap bike tool kit and it was easy but I am fairly mechanically minded. The kit fitted my Specialized Crosstrail without issue.

Can you link to the one you bought on ali express?

[Dog Star]

seastorm said:

I bought a Stromer ST1. It is absolutely awesome. Does 30 mph (with it's unrestricted 500W motor), looks like a regular bike, and flies past any and every road bike. I learned about the speed the hard way last year when I came off with no helmet and spent 6 days in a major trauma ward. Still, managed to get back onto it with helmet a month later. For a commute when you dont want to wear lycra and sweat - its a no brainer. Highly recommend this bike too.

I'm looking at these now. If I get one I may as well get the off-road illegal 500W jobbie as most of my riding is on trails - and who is to tell it's a 500W motor? Just remove any rating related stickers (and put a 250W replica there if you're so inclined).

Are these things all pedal assist? I've noticed some of these have a throttle arrangement; I have no interest in this as I'd rather have the pedal assist, otherwise I may as well ride a motorbike as there'd be no exercise benefit. Or can you choose?

[Dog Star]

superlightr said:

That's really nice - looks really trick
Roll-on cycle to work scheme month (September )

[Cupramax]

skilly1 said:

Can you link to the one you bought on ali express?

The exact battery I bought isn’t on there now as its over a year ago, but I bought a Hailong “shark” type similar to the ones Bosch make, only way higher capacity. The company is Unit Pack Power, they make batteries for several of the Ebike companies.

https://m.aliexpress.com/store/storeHome.htm?selle...

Battery similar to this one.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32741299208/327412...

[seastorm]

Dog Star said:

I'm looking at these now. If I get one I may as well get the off-road illegal 500W jobbie as most of my riding is on trails - and who is to tell it's a 500W motor? Just remove any rating related stickers (and put a 250W replica there if you're so inclined).

Are these things all pedal assist? I've noticed some of these have a throttle arrangement; I have no interest in this as I'd rather have the pedal assist, otherwise I may as well ride a motorbike as there'd be no exercise benefit. Or can you choose?

Re Stromer ST! -- It's pedal assist, and different levels of assist. The bike is heavy (25kg) so its a real challenge unless you have it on level 3 or 4 power. You can push a button which gives you all the power without peddling, but its not really a throttle - but does allow you to go 25mph with pedal power. As mentioned, a very good bike.

[Cupramax]

Here’s mine, Bafang motor kit.

[RizzoTheRat]

I'm seriously tempted. My commute is only about 8 or 9 miles but we don't have showers in the office so I don't cycle it. An e-bike would mean a much more gentle ride without working up a sweat.

Battery life, as in how long before it needs replacing, bothers me a little bit though.

Finlandia said:

There are e-bikes that look just like normal e-bikes, but are in fact e-mopeds, with a top speed of 45kph and a range of up to 80km

But in the UK presumably you need a number plate, licence, insurance, mot, etc as it's classed as a moped rather than an electric assisted bicycle?

Edited by RizzoTheRat on Monday 26th March 14:02

Edited by RizzoTheRat on Monday 26th March 14:03