E bike recommendations?

[CalG]

I just got back from a "before dinner" ride. Not far, but uphill both ways ;-)

 

[jmc]

Bumping this old thread. Was going to start a new one but didn't think it necessary.

So I bought this Himiway C3 Cruiser yesterday for $800 used. Not a super deal but not bad either because he had some aftermarket stuff on it that helped it's value. I took it out this morning and boy, I'm an eBike fan. The great thing about it is that if it is windy I can still ride. It is still a good workout if you use a low pedal assist or no pedal assist and just use assist on hills or into the wind.

They are now affordable!

Himiway D3 Cruiser Electric Fat Tire Bike – 750W Motor

Explore the Himiway Cruiser Fat Tire eBike: 750W motor, 80Nm torque, 80-mile range, Shimano 7-speed gearing. Ideal for city streets, rugged trails and long-range adventures.

himiwaybike.com

My bike at the sellers house.

View attachment 919330

Glad you dredged this old thread up. Some of our TBN members who were early e-bike adapters might have useful updates!

 

[bdhsfz6]

I've been an e-biker since 2015 and thoroughly enjoy the sport. I'm 77 now and the e-bike allows me to reach remote places on trails I haven't been able to access by bike in over 10 years.

It also relieves some of the anxiety of not being able to get back should a problem occur.

For anyone interested, I highly recommend the EBR forum:

Electric Bike Forums

Connect and discuss ebikes with people from all over the world! Post questions, share news, create reviews, and make new friends.

forums.electricbikereview.com

 

[dodge man]

I forgot about this thread and I’m the OP. I’ve been riding mine pretty steady over the last three years if time allows and decent weather. I’ve got 5600 miles on mine and my wife has about 1500 on hers. We are going to haul them up to a bike trail near Des Moines and Gulf Shores in a couple of months. We are also looking at the Katy Trail in Missouri.

The bikes? We bought aTrek Verve +3. The specs are a 50 n-m torque and 500 wh battery. There is a loss in range on mine but not enough to hurt the distances I ride, it’s maybe a 10% loss. I’ve had to replace the rear rim, it was cracked, the rear tire, the rear cassette, the chain and the front chain ring and the front brake pads. All this is normal wear except the cracked rear rim.

I’m glad to see others are enjoying their e bikes.

 

[Topzide]

I just got a Lectric 2.0 Step thru. Had only 192 miles on it. Barely used! Looking forward to getting some use out of it. Very easy on my back with PAS available when needed for hills. Now that the heat has broken, should be able to get out more.

 

[deserteagle71]

Just a reminder to keep a lock on them when you are not right there with them. Got a call from a friend of mine who is really into these. He lives on the outskirts of a little tiny town and every day he rides it down to the Senior Center for lunch. Late last week he came out after lunch to find the bike missing. It was not locked.

 

[bigtiller]

I forgot about this thread and I’m the OP. I’ve been riding mine pretty steady over the last three years if time allows and decent weather. I’ve got 5600 miles on mine and my wife has about 1500 on hers. We are going to haul them up to a bike trail near Des Moines and Gulf Shores in a couple of months. We are also looking at the Katy Trail in Missouri.

The bikes? We bought aTrek Verve +3. The specs are a 50 n-m torque and 500 wh battery. There is a loss in range on mine but not enough to hurt the distances I ride, it’s maybe a 10% loss. I’ve had to replace the rear rim, it was cracked, the rear tire, the rear cassette, the chain and the front chain ring and the front brake pads. All this is normal wear except the cracked rear rim.

I’m glad to see others are enjoying their e bikes.

Would that be the High Trestle Trail Bridge?
If so, it's a good easy ride.
The bridge is about 130 ft. tall and half a mile long.
I have rode and walked across it dozens of times.
It's very impressive.

High Trestle Trail - Wikipedia

 

[dodge man]

Would that be the High Trestle Trail Bridge?
If so, it's a good easy ride.
The bridge is about 130 ft. tall and half a mile long.
I have rode and walked across it dozens of times.
It's very impressive.

High Trestle Trail - Wikipedia

That would be it.

 

[Quaffer]

always a few out there who ride like idiots and generate all the controversy.

A few teenagers in my area zipping in and out of traffic. One will get seriously injured then the motorist will be in trouble.

 

[CalG]

A few teenagers in my area zipping in and out of traffic. One will get seriously injured then the motorist will be in trouble.

They do this because of electric bikes?

Is it because of the battery? or what?

Seems like something to say that has no relevance to ANYTHING.

I was a teenager once. I would do it again.

 

[Quaffer]

They do this because of electric bikes?

Yes they are much faster than a pedal bike, at least these kids are. And they seem less in tune with traffic. Maybe just showoffs.

 

[Quaffer]

I was a teenager once. I would do it again.

My sister was hit by a car when on her bicycle and lost her leg. I guess I am more sensitive about this than others.

 

[CalG]

My sister was hit by a car when on her bicycle and lost her leg. I guess I am more sensitive about this than others.

was she a teen at the time?

 

[CalG]

Yes they are much faster than a pedal bike, at least these kids are. And they seem less in tune with traffic. Maybe just showoffs.

My e-bike goes no faster than I can pedal. Down hill coasting neither motor nor pedals can keep up. The steepness of the hills is the primary reason I choose to electrify the bicycle.

Those teenage risk takers must have something special.

 

[gsganzer]

I've toyed with the idea of using an e-bike for night hunting hogs and coyotes on my deer lease. QuietKat makes some that are tailored to hunting, but I guess any fat tire ebike with suspension would probably work. Right now, I'll corn the ranch roads in strategic spots and then spend time walking or driving between them at night. The problem with walking is the risk of snakes. Driving, you have the noise and need to stop far enough back, then get out and stalk the remaining distance to see if the pigs showed up.

Seems like you could stealthily work your way around the ranch at night with a thermal scanner and scope and cover lots of ground.

 

[Yander]

Depending on the bike, they do make some motor noise. Most critters would hear my bike anyways. If you buy it for stealth you'll want to note some are louder than others I've read.

 

[RSKY]

I'm still trying to figure out how the two wheel drive bikes work. The rear wheel has different gear ratios but the front doesn't. Hmmmm........

RSKY

 

[gsganzer]

I'm still trying to figure out how the two wheel drive bikes work. The rear wheel has different gear ratios but the front doesn't. Hmmmm........

RSKY

Good question. Maybe the front works off some type of torque converter so it works as an assist, rather then a 1:1 drive with the rear wheel.

 

[CalG]

As to "Two wheel drive", These are "Hub Drive Electric Motors" The chain and sprockets only connect the pedal cranks to the rear wheel via a sprag clutch.
The motors are Direct drive.
RPM, and so speed, is a function of applied current opposed by load. The two motors accommodate one another.

 

[CalG]

Follow on

E-bikes come in one of three motor drive configurations. Front hub, Rear hub, and mid drive.

eta , there are controllers that allow combining drive motors.

Go to the Bafang bicycle motor web pages for additional info/.