E-bikes

[Code54]

Was wondering if anyone else rides or has E-bikes?
I been running for almost 25 years and notice that my knees bother me a bit more than before so I been kicking around biking again. Well, I have to admit some of the hills WV are tough on a bike, and my wife who loves biking hated big hills. About a month ago we purchases 2 mid-drive Specialized E-bikes. WOW - they are awesome. We been riding weekly and she is loving it. The bike feels like a normal bike except a bit heavier. The handling is excellent and normal riding is great. When you hit a hill and think "this looks like a bit much", I hit the assist button and add a little more electric motor power and just keep pedaling at the same rate I was on the flat. it is AMAZING - We have rode some steep hills where I see normal serious bike guys pushing their road bikes up or standing and killing themselves to make it to the top. We kick the assist up, stay seated and just pedal at around 70 rpm (cadence) and cruise right up. At the top, kick the assist way back down and go about your ride. When I want more exercise I can just shut off the asset and ride it like a normal bike.
If you enjoy biking and haven't tried an E-bike you need to, they are really a lot of fun and open up some great rides to non-super athletes like myself.

 

[tallyho8]

I have always loved bike riding. Arthritis in my knees was keeping me from riding for a while so I got an ebike. Now I can pedal it for a while then use the power and rest my knees for a while. I can now take 20 mile trips pedaling half the time and cruising half the time. I was unable to pedal over a mile before I got the ebike.

 

[Mat4644]

I've been looking but unsure what to buy. Want to stay under $2,000. I'm an older casual non competitive rider.

Is this a good one for price?

 

[Jim Shooz]

I've been looking but unsure what to buy. Want to stay under $2,000. I'm an older casual non competitive rider.

Is this a good one for price?

View attachment 672241

It all depends on what you want to use the bike for. If you just want a grocery-getter and occasional tourer that would probably do. If you wanter to replace the car for commuting you would need to check the battery capacity and the range on a full charge. If you wanted to ride the trails you would need to check the tire width. Also you guys have a grading system and Class 1.2 and 3. Some are allowed in forest parks and some are not.
You should also get a helmet and a flouro jacket.

It's a whole load of fun. I bought my electric mountain bike at 79, four years ago. 22 gears (2x11) and ride twice or three times a week. there's a mountain bike park an hour away with 58 single lane tracks and I'm comfortable riding up Grade 3 (of 6)

 

[kcflhrc]

We found an excellent condition used one for my wife for $600. She works at a Day Camp for kids during the summer and they do lots of bike rides. Previous owner bought it for his wife but she rode it once and fell over and never got back on it. It's a Spark Brand and works very well. It's a step through model with a front wire basket and rear rack. It looks brand new. We just got it a few months ago. Very similar to this one

White Spark eBike for Women, 26" - Walmart.com - Walmart.com

Here's a Men's version

26 Inch 35W 21 Speeds Electric Mountain Bike Electric Bicycle for Adult, Newest Ebike with Removable 36V 7.8Ah Lithium-Ion Battery for Adults, Professional 21 Speed Gears - Walmart.com - Walmart.com

 

[Paddy]

we ride regular bikes on rail trails. But we do hit some hilly trails that really ware me out, so yes, we have looked at getting E-bikes. They are so pricey. Also, the added weight makes it such you just about need the assist. With the most expensive types you can dial back the assist to offset the bike weight.

So we will wait for now. My son has a dulux version that I will try the next time I'm visiting

 

[PILOON]

I'm OK with all bikes, man powered and or electric as long as they respect traffic laws on the roads they share and motorists pay for.

 

[cdaigle430]

I like them,
First rode one in Bento Gonçalves Brazil through the vineyards. Was very hilly and me and the wife rode through the hills with ease. That was May 2016-they were very expensive then.

 

[Valveman]

Always had back and knee problems. Can't walk or jog enough for good exercise. Started biking at about 40. Over 60 now and ride 4-5 times a week. Have two E-bikes and love them, but rarely ride them myself. I like them because I can get my wife and/or friends to go mountain biking with me. Some peddle, some just ride it like a motorcycle, but I get some company for a change. I do all the maintenance and stuff so I still like them to work well and be dependable. Rad Power E-bikes. I'll give them a plug here. I have one step through and one not. Step through is best.

 

[kcflhrc]

You can sure spend crazy money on them for sure. It's all about what you are going to use it for. So many variations of these things it isn't even funny.

 

[sd455dan]

My kid has built a couple, and I get to ride his newest one once in a while.


Attached is his old bike which also has front/ rear suspension.



His new bike is built on a 1960s Schwinn Typhoon frame. it has enough battery to travel over 30 miles

View attachment DSCF0131 (2).JPG
View attachment DSCF0130.JPG
E bikes are Definitely Fun

It is a great feeling cruising in near silence and if your legs are done... cruising up a hill with ease.

 

[Code54]

We enjoy the Rails to Trails paths - wish we had more in the area. The lack of cars is the part I really like.

I went with mid drives on both of our bikes, a little more expensive but with the gearing combos pretty much any hill is easy to handle.
I really see these bikes opening up the sport to a lot more people that maybe couldn't use a regular bike or at least not enjoy riding as much. I have to admit I am now wanting a 2nd E-bike, this time a mountain bike for some trail riding when my wife is unable to go.

As for pricey - yep. basically $1000-$12,000 is the normal range. Then again we been into riding SxS's for years and in comparison the bikes are cheap. I laugh a lot when I read biking sites, people complaining about fixing a bike and the part was $50 dollars. In the UTV/SxS world we can easily catch a rock, bend a tie rod, tearing up a rim and tire and be out $300-$400 bucks on a ride so bike repairs at least are normally fairly cheap.

 

[HCJtractor]

I would recommend the e bikes built by Specialized. They are a great company, with excellent innovation and support. They have a full line of great bikes, including e bikes. They have various models, from city commuters, to hybrids, to mountain bikes to road bikes, at various price points. Their dealers are competent to offer advice on what models would suit your needs and budget.

E bikes are great for those who need some “assist” especially on hills, for someone wanting to ride with others who are stronger, or for those who aren’t fit or strong enough to ride distance. The technology is amazing. The price is based on the amount of power it provides, the battery life, the weight (less is more) and the style.

But beware, as with any bike, crashes can happen. An E bike lets one with less experience go faster, so it can add to the danger. Wear your helmet!

 

[CalG]

Last winter I built up a mid drive e-bike on my old (hardly used) GT Richter steel frame hard tail mountain bike.
V brakes and 21 speeds.

I used a kit under the Befang label. The kit of motor and controls cost only a bit more than the battery pack. All told, it was about 1300 bucks. The installation and conversion took me a couple of hours. Lots of fiddling with where the controls etc. mount and where the wires go.

I couldn't be more satisfied!

I live in a hilly area, and "it's up hill both coming and going" for any ride. As mentioned, the old mountain bike didn't see much riding time. It was just no fun pushing a stupid bicycle up these hills.

Though the motor only carries a single front sprocket, so the bike is now a 7 speed, There is a gear for every need up to about 30 mph.

I get out almost every day it's not raining. Over 3000 miles this summer. I have several five mile loops that are gravel roads for the out, and abandoned or logging roads for the return. Of course, they can be run backwards, but I enjoy going downhill through the forest more than going up hill. Dirt roads are fine either way.

So good clean fun, get out, breath hard, break a sweat and really feel good about riding. Plus, on those twenty mile days, there is the comfort that comes from knowing as I sag, I can just push a button and get a bit more "assist". ;-) And that last hill to the house? When I'm beat, There is the throttle to just motor up the steep part. Or the assist can be set high, and ghost pedaling takes the load off.

About 90 miles per charge... I pedal A LOT. ;-)

Get one! Way better than not riding.

OH! As reference. I'm pushing 70 yrs. Not too bad a shape, but no kid. I find riding the back paths really helps me keep agile.

 

[kf4uda]

My Wife and I just ordered one each of these: eBikes – Lectric eBikes


My bike came in but her’s has not yet. We have both been riding my bike around and so I must say that I am impressed with it.