Cyclist's and their steeds

[ferrari99]

I know asking this question will get me ex-communicated or at the very least someone will be around to let all the air out of my tyres, but, has anyone had any experience with electric bikes ??? My neighbour has been looking at them and asked if I knew anything about them. I've told him what a wuss I think he is (he's 64, I'm 78) but he has a dicky knee and a weak back and I think he likes the "Push to Pass" option. I would imagine, being heavier. they would harder to peddle and more suited to on-road riding. Do they use regular braking or regenerative braking?? how long would a charge last??

Kudos to you for still riding at 78 :thumbsup: I don't know much about them but I think most 'help' you peddle up to about 25kmh (15mi), so weight is probably not a big thing. E-MTB's have just started getting off the ground. As far as I know it's just normal braking. This one looks neat and maybe there is some info there. Review ? Gepida Alboin 1000 electric sports bike | Bicycles Network Australia

 

[sseelhoff]

I know asking this question will get me ex-communicated or at the very least someone will be around to let all the air out of my tyres, but, has anyone had any experience with electric bikes ??? My neighbour has been looking at them and asked if I knew anything about them. I've told him what a wuss I think he is (he's 64, I'm 78) but he has a dicky knee and a weak back and I think he likes the "Push to Pass" option. I would imagine, being heavier. they would harder to peddle and more suited to on-road riding. Do they use regular braking or regenerative braking?? how long would a charge last??

Has he thought about a Copenhagen Wheel?

https://superpedestrian.com/

There are several similar products available that let you convert your existing ride into an e-bike with electric assist at the rear wheel. This is just the first one that came to mind.

 

[Jim Shooz]

Thanks for the links. I will pass them on to my neighbour along with some appropriate comments :laughing: . Our local Posties have had electric assist for some months now but apart from that there are not many around. I don't think the Copenhagen Wheel has got this far downunder yet.

 

[RobS]

I know asking this question will get me ex-communicated or at the very least someone will be around to let all the air out of my tyres, but, has anyone had any experience with electric bikes ??? My neighbour has been looking at them and asked if I knew anything about them. I've told him what a wuss I think he is (he's 64, I'm 78) but he has a dicky knee and a weak back and I think he likes the "Push to Pass" option. I would imagine, being heavier. they would harder to peddle and more suited to on-road riding. Do they use regular braking or regenerative braking?? how long would a charge last??

A friend of mine won one recently. He's an avid cyclist and doesn't really care for it but his kids enjoy it. Still have to pedal but the motor lets you use much less effort. Apparently, it has a governor of some sort to prevent excessive speed.

 

[Garandman]

I know asking this question will get me ex-communicated or at the very least someone will be around to let all the air out of my tyres, but, has anyone had any experience with electric bikes ??? My neighbour has been looking at them and asked if I knew anything about them. I've told him what a wuss I think he is (he's 64, I'm 78) but he has a dicky knee and a weak back and I think he likes the "Push to Pass" option. I would imagine, being heavier. they would harder to peddle and more suited to on-road riding. Do they use regular braking or regenerative braking?? how long would a charge last??

I have an eBike, for the same reason. My left knee could not bend enough to pedal. It is a 48V hub motor system upgraded with a LiFeP04 battery pack. They are the fastest way to get around a city without sweating. Nowadays they are mounting a motor under the chain wheel and with the new battery packs are lighter and more efficient.

You find a lot of kits and there is an unspoken reason for them. By federal law ebikes cannot be classified as a "vehicle." But they cannot sustain over 20mph. If you build a kit speeds of 25-30 are pretty typical. A front suspension and disk brakes are preferred for conversions, and they are usually hard tails.

Ironically I just bought a 2012. Specialized Rockhopper Expert on CL. Eight weeks ago I had bilateral knee replacement and I can now bend my knees over 110 degrees so I can ride a bike for the first time in five years. It just so happens to have hydraulic disk brakes and front suspension....

 

[PILOON]

Have a question.
Are all riders the same everywhere?
Here in Quebec, most riders do not seem to respect rules of the road.
Stops and red lights do not seem to apply to them and they make turns where prohibited for cars etc etc.
For instance I daily cross a bike trail that I know has stops for the riders but they NEVER respect them.
Naturally whenever an accident does occur the motorist is blamed.
Then on a small side paved (very hilly) road they weave and wobble 2 x 2 taking up all the road, if I give a little toot on the horn to indicate I'd like to pass they give you the thumb.
To be honest I am getting very frustrated with it all.
At intersections they blast by you on the right blind side just as you are about to make a right turn.
My turn indicators seem ignored.
Then , here, lights are not mandatory for night riding so dooring is always a constant worry.

Making things worst helmets are optional.
Are bikes licensed anywhere these days as in the past in my youth or is that a dead issue.
Is 'dooring' only a fine and demerit issue here? or is it common practice in most states?

 

[ferrari99]

Have a question.
Are all riders the same everywhere?
Here in Quebec, most riders do not seem to respect rules of the road.
Stops and red lights do not seem to apply to them and they make turns where prohibited for cars etc etc.
For instance I daily cross a bike trail that I know has stops for the riders but they NEVER respect them.
Naturally whenever an accident does occur the motorist is blamed.
Then on a small side paved (very hilly) road they weave and wobble 2 x 2 taking up all the road, if I give a little toot on the horn to indicate I'd like to pass they give you the thumb.
To be honest I am getting very frustrated with it all.
At intersections they blast by you on the right blind side just as you are about to make a right turn.
My turn indicators seem ignored.
Then , here, lights are not mandatory for night riding so dooring is always a constant worry.

Making things worst helmets are optional.
Are bikes licensed anywhere these days as in the past in my youth or is that a dead issue.
Is 'dooring' only a fine and demerit issue here? or is it common practice in most states?

Well from what i've heard a lot of cyclists here are basically like that.

 

[Garandman]

Yesterday in Boston while driving I saw a cyclist and could either speed up and turn in front of him, or wait for him to cross the intersection. I waited for him which took all of two seconds.

And there's the issue. Car drivers are so impatient that they insist on defending their right of way even though it would make life easier for a cyclist. If I can safely do so I always blow stop signs because otherwise I'd have to slow down, then pedal myself back up to speed. So I don't expect a cyclist to stop for me, either. I consider he's doing me a favor because if he was in a car there'd be even more traffic.

Do I have any sympathy for overweight spandex-clad dudes riding two or three abreast on a twisty road? No. Thankfully they are rare, just as rare as the lady who tailgates me while talking on her phone.

I wanted to pick up a couple of "real" mountain bikes for our place in NH but was sticker shocked by new bikes.

Picked up a little-used 2012 Specialized Rockhopper Expert Disc off CL. Nice bike.

The bike has Shimano pedals and shoes. I want to get some plain-old pedals that are wider (my feet are 12EE).

 

[sseelhoff]

Have a question.
Are all riders the same everywhere?
Here in Quebec, most riders do not seem to respect rules of the road.
Stops and red lights do not seem to apply to them and they make turns where prohibited for cars etc etc.
For instance I daily cross a bike trail that I know has stops for the riders but they NEVER respect them.
Naturally whenever an accident does occur the motorist is blamed.
Then on a small side paved (very hilly) road they weave and wobble 2 x 2 taking up all the road, if I give a little toot on the horn to indicate I'd like to pass they give you the thumb.
To be honest I am getting very frustrated with it all.
At intersections they blast by you on the right blind side just as you are about to make a right turn.
My turn indicators seem ignored.
Then , here, lights are not mandatory for night riding so dooring is always a constant worry.

Making things worst helmets are optional.
Are bikes licensed anywhere these days as in the past in my youth or is that a dead issue.
Is 'dooring' only a fine and demerit issue here? or is it common practice in most states?

There is a faction within the cycling community that behaves poorly on the road, just like there is a faction in vehicles who are averse to cyclists and will harass, threaten, etc... anyone on a bike. Neither is a majority within their respective groups.

Bicycles are considered vehicles, and subject to the rules of the road. That means obeying traffic signs, signals and the like. If it is clear, I might, on occassion, slow but not stop for a stop sign on the rural roads. But I understand I do that at my own peril. If a vehicle is coming, I stop. Wish I could say the same for some vehicles. I went down HARD last November avoiding a car that blew a stop sign directly in front of me. Options were to hit the deck or become a hood ornament. So it cuts both ways.

I drive a lot, too, so it's not like I am anti-auto. and I always wear a helmet. Cannot afford to lose any more IQ points. I'm already running a defecit.

 

[RobS]

There is a faction within the cycling community that behaves poorly on the road, just like there is a faction in vehicles who are averse to cyclists and will harass, threaten, etc... anyone on a bike. Neither is a majority within their respective groups.

Bicycles are considered vehicles, and subject to the rules of the road. That means obeying traffic signs, signals and the like. If it is clear, I might, on occassion, slow but not stop for a stop sign on the rural roads. But I understand I do that at my own peril. If a vehicle is coming, I stop. Wish I could say the same for some vehicles. I went down HARD last November avoiding a car that blew a stop sign directly in front of me. Options were to hit the deck or become a hood ornament. So it cuts both ways.

I drive a lot, too, so it's not like I am anti-auto. and I always wear a helmet. Cannot afford to lose any more IQ points. I'm already running a defecit.

This ^^^

 

[ferrari99]

Picked up a little-used 2012 Specialized Rockhopper Expert Disc off CL. Nice bike.

The bike has Shimano pedals and shoes. I want to get some plain-old pedals that are wider (my feet are 12EE).

Nice one! :thumbsup:

 

[Jim Shooz]

Nice bike. :cool2:
I'd be a bit wary of those horns on the handlebars. Had them on an earlier bike, pulled over to let someone past and the horn caught in the bush beside the path. (bush is known locally as a 'wire netting' bush) flipped the wheel and I went base over apex.

 

[Egon]

Finally got around to taking a picture of my bike. If I get on a different computer I'll try and find a picture of it being used.

 

[RobS]

Finally got around to taking a picture of my bike. If I get on a different computer I'll try and find a picture of it being used.

View attachment 437987

Nice ride Egon!

 

[PILOON]

There is a faction within the cycling community that behaves poorly on the road, just like there is a faction in vehicles who are averse to cyclists and will harass, threaten, etc... anyone on a bike. Neither is a majority within their respective groups.

Bicycles are considered vehicles, and subject to the rules of the road. That means obeying traffic signs, signals and the like. If it is clear, I might, on occassion, slow but not stop for a stop sign on the rural roads. But I understand I do that at my own peril. If a vehicle is coming, I stop. Wish I could say the same for some vehicles. I went down HARD last November avoiding a car that blew a stop sign directly in front of me. Options were to hit the deck or become a hood ornament. So it cuts both ways.

I drive a lot, too, so it's not like I am anti-auto. and I always wear a helmet. Cannot afford to lose any more IQ points. I'm already running a defecit.

Re behavior; Sure I understand but what really irks me is that they get away with all sorts of stuff that would cost me a fine and or demerit points.

We spend mega $$ creating bike paths, snow removal in winter for them to ride but about the only offset is the sales tax on the initial purchase.
A car pays about 20% at sale time and $100-250 annually for plates plus big %$ on the fuel sales.
We also fork out $$$$ for insurance but the cyclist has none of those costs.
Then if a cyclist passes on the right and hits your door you are at fault and get fined. (and at night w/o lights and no helmet)

Guess I just don't understand.
I enjoy many other outdoor healthy sports none of which are subsidized as much as cycling is.
To hunt or fish = a permit
Skiing= fees
Camping= fees
Swimming= fees quite often
Boating= reg and ins
etc, etc

Cycling= no fees, no helmet, no insurance.

 

[Egon]

Nice ride Egon!

Back twenty years ago it surely was. Would have liked the carbon frame though.
Still remember hitting a double fist sized rock with the rear wheel at 75kil/hr on a fire road curve. Had the wrong foot down too. Didn't lift the left arm above my shoulder for a few months!

Today it's well past it's prime. Just like myself!

 

[ferrari99]

Finally got around to taking a picture of my bike. If I get on a different computer I'll try and find a picture of it being used.

View attachment 437987

An oldie but a goodie.

 

[Egon]

Back then that was one of the nicest suspension setups on the market. Prior to it there was a Kona Cindercone, kuhari? And a canadian tire model. Also got a Nishicki? Touring bike that has seen a lot of use. It's been between Banf and Jasper numerous times.

Anyone remember those bikes with the long swing arm to the back wheels?

 

[mostly_gas]

My two bikes, trek 7200 and old early 80's Schwinn

 

[ruffdog]

Two bikes...a Schwinn Suburban all around easy riding bike and a Trek Madone 5.1. I mostly ride the Schwinn unless I feel the need for speed.