Electric bicycles - who buys them?

[mike74]

Amateurish said:

Maxing out the full 750W might not get you to 30mph without pedal assist.

Back of fag packet - your 6ah battery has 0.29 kwh charge. So at max 1000W will last for 17 minutes, roughly 8.7 miles.

Thank you, very informative.

When you say 17 mins/8.7 miles is that with zero pedal assist?

Obviously I don't want to ride with zero pedal assist, quite happy to put some work in!

[Amateurish]

The amount of power you so actually need depends on lots of different factors e.g. your weight, how hilly the route, the wind, how much pedaling you do...

[mike74]

Amateurish said:

The amount of power you so actually need depends on lots of different factors e.g. your weight, how hilly the route, the wind, how much pedaling you do...

Oh yes I realise there are many variables but just assuming we're talking test conditions of flat, no wind, 11 stone rider... you're saying that I'd achieve roughly 17 mins/8.7 miles at full throttle with zero pedal assist?

That's actually more than I thought would be achievable.

I'm thinking it might make more sense to tone down the motor a bit to a 750w if I am limited to a 6ah battery.

How many volts would I need to get the most from a 750w motor? 48v? 36?

I'm guessing there's not much point in having more volts than I need?!

[MaxFromage]

MOBB said:

I have the same bike and box as you, mine seems to top out around 26 also, sometimes a little more

It’s a bit annoying!

My record is 25.2mph on an undulating 20 mile route, with a lovely 15mph tailwind, full attack mode.

That's good to know. My old Haibike did 31mph. I have a feeling you're fitter/quicker than me, but I'm competitive so will give it a go

[Dog Star]

mike74 said:

Oh yes I realise there are many variables but just assuming we're talking test conditions of flat, no wind, 11 stone rider... you're saying that I'd achieve roughly 17 mins/8.7 miles at full throttle with zero pedal assist?

That's actually more than I thought would be achievable.

I'm thinking it might make more sense to tone down the motor a bit to a 750w if I am limited to a 6ah battery.

How many volts would I need to get the most from a 750w motor? 48v? 36?

I'm guessing there's not much point in having more volts than I need?!

What about registering it, getting all the legalities of approval for motorbikes?

[mike74]

Dog Star said:

What about registering it, getting all the legalities of approval for motorbikes?

Why would I need to do that?

[RizzoTheRat]

Because if it's above 250W or provides assistance above 25kph it's an electric motorbike/moped not a e-bike.

Not that that stops the huge amount of people with illegal bikes.

[mike74]

RizzoTheRat said:

Because if it's above 250W or provides assistance above 25kph it's an electric motorbike/moped not a e-bike.

Not that that stops the huge amount of people with illegal bikes.

I still don't understand why I need to get it ''registered'' and insured.

[RedWhiteMonkey]

mike74 said:

RizzoTheRat said:

Because if it's above 250W or provides assistance above 25kph it's an electric motorbike/moped not a e-bike.

Not that that stops the huge amount of people with illegal bikes.

I still don't understand why I need to get it ''registered'' and insured.

What's not to understand, once you go over 250W you are no longer riding a bicycle under UK law, it is then a motorbike.

https://www.gov.uk/electric-bike-rules

[Dog Star]

mike74 said:

RizzoTheRat said:

Because if it's above 250W or provides assistance above 25kph it's an electric motorbike/moped not a e-bike.

Not that that stops the huge amount of people with illegal bikes.

I still don't understand why I need to get it ''registered'' and insured.

If you aren't going to ride it on the public highway and only in places where to ride it would be legal (eg. private land, a motocross track, a bike park that would permit it (never seen one)) then fill your boots. I've an enduro bike (road legal etc) and the number of places that you can legally use one off road is vanishingly rare - see pay-to-play mx tracks basically).

I assume that you will be pushing it, trailering it or otherwise transporting it to and from said venue though.

The use of illegal electric motorcycles is something that is going to end up causing problems for legal ebike riders I fear. It'll be in to form of compulsory registration or similar legislation, and it'll be the result of people on electric motorcycles trying to make out that they're ebikes.

[skinnyman]

I tend to over research purchases, any purchase really.

I'd narrowed my choice of commuter bike down to just two, then thought, "well hang on, what if I got a MTB instead, then I could actually use it as a MTB as well as a commuter". And back to the drawing board we go......

[Dog Star]

skinnyman said:

I tend to over research purchases, any purchase really.

I'd narrowed my choice of commuter bike down to just two, then thought, "well hang on, what if I got a MTB instead, then I could actually use it as a MTB as well as a commuter". And back to the drawing board we go......

Absolutely! Just stick some more road oriented tyres on (Marathons?) if need be.

[skinnyman]

Dog Star said:

Absolutely! Just stick some more road oriented tyres on (Marathons?) if need be.

Tbh my commute is 6 miles, I'm sure MTB type tyres would be fine tbh. Plus the MTB models tend to come with more powerful motors, like the 85nm Bosch performance ones

[Dog Star]

skinnyman said:

Tbh my commute is 6 miles, I'm sure MTB type tyres would be fine tbh. Plus the MTB models tend to come with more powerful motors, like the 85nm Bosch performance ones

Even better. In that case find a gnarly off road track to work

[Barchettaman]

Dog Star said:

skinnyman said:

I tend to over research purchases, any purchase really.

I'd narrowed my choice of commuter bike down to just two, then thought, "well hang on, what if I got a MTB instead, then I could actually use it as a MTB as well as a commuter". And back to the drawing board we go......

Absolutely! Just stick some more road oriented tyres on (Marathons?) if need be.

Yep. Road tyres and mudguards, away you go. Then stick the knobbly tyres back on for holidays (that’s what I do, anyway).

[Ledaig]

skinnyman said:

Tbh my commute is 6 miles, I'm sure MTB type tyres would be fine tbh. Plus the MTB models tend to come with more powerful motors, like the 85nm Bosch performance ones

I use a Scott Strike 940 exactly as it came out the box for a 6 mile each way commute, comfortable and no issues due to the type of tyre fitted.

[Barchettaman]

Just got this for £1200.

2 years old, 850km, 500wH battery. It rides really nicely (Bosch e-drivetrain).

Metal mudguards/rack. The lights are really excellent.

[StressedEric]

Converted my Trek for £535

250w motor

36v 13ah battery

MXUS XF08C rear hub motor

KING METER KM-529 LCD

Restricted to 15.5mph but you can override that in the LCD menu, it maxes out on the road at 18mph

So much fun, I haven't used the bottom four gears since I fitted it. No going back now.

[RedWhiteMonkey]

StressedEric said:

Converted my Trek for £535

250w motor

36v 13ah battery

MXUS XF08C rear hub motor

KING METER KM-529 LCD

Restricted to 15.5mph but you can override that in the LCD menu, it maxes out on the road at 18mph

So much fun, I haven't used the bottom four gears since I fitted it. No going back now.

Cable brakes? Brave.

[Mammasaid]

RedWhiteMonkey said:

StressedEric said:

Converted my Trek for £535

250w motor

36v 13ah battery

MXUS XF08C rear hub motor

KING METER KM-529 LCD

Restricted to 15.5mph but you can override that in the LCD menu, it maxes out on the road at 18mph

So much fun, I haven't used the bottom four gears since I fitted it. No going back now.

Cable brakes? Brave.

Not really, I did similar to mine, and I've not had any issues, btw I'm in Cumbria, not noted for its flatness!!!

Yes, if you were flat out down an alp, otherwise you'll be fine.