I'm starting to love my electric bike

Denny

After working at the same location for 21 years, I started commuting with an electric bike, have done it five times now. The bike is starting to feel like an extension of my body now, I am familiar with its nuances.

Its a 17 km trip, and it takes me an hour. So, I am not pushing it, but a big drag is all the stop lights. Second is having to be vigilant for cars turning and the like. But, the electric motor keeps it moving up smartly on hills with my assistance, I pedal but not the heavy effort, sweaty kind of pedalling.

After 21 years of this same commute, I am now seeing parts of the community I never noticed before in the car (or the bus). And, though its an hour, its just 20-25 minutes longer than by car, due to the traffic. So, I am getting a 60 minute exercise session in just 20 extra minutes.

Its so cool to go to work and back for less than a nickel. Its actually kind of fun to see the big gas station signs reminding me that gas is $1.22 a liter now.

Moped

What kind of bike did you buy? I've been thinking of getting one, could be a useful to compare.
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Moped

Denny

cube · Fusion Joined: Mar 12, 2005 Posts: 3588

double post - oops

cube · Fusion Joined: Mar 12, 2005 Posts: 3588

I had a friend that rode an "e-bike" back in college.
I was very skeptical and asked him how good is it?
He insisted that I give it a try and woah the acceleration was pretty amazing---> totally surprised me.

I think e-bikes have a lot of good potential in a post PO world.
BTW I'm not a fan of EV cars....they're nothing but just overpriced toys for rich yuppies.
e-bikes - yes
EV cars - no

$300 at Walmart

vision-master

I'm waiting for this one to hit production.

http://cleverchimp.com/products/stokemonkey/

cube · Fusion Joined: Mar 12, 2005 Posts: 3588

here's a good story about e bikes in China
http://www.321energy.com/editorials/dubyne/dubyne090407.html

BigTex

I had one of these for a while and really liked it.

The lead acid battery didn't last as long as I would like, but it was a great tool for trips under about five miles or so.

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Micki

I was also considering getting one. What stopped me for time being was the thought that when I really need to start using it is when TSHTF and I then wondered if the manufacturers of the batteries would still be around.
If we have a nice and gentle slope, demand would be increasing over time. If we however have a fast crash or economical depression, I might not be able to get anymore batteries for it.

How easy is it to refurbish existing old batteries and what kind of life expectancy can a battery deliver if it is refurbished several times?
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vision-master

Stokemonkey

Ayame

I was wondering if anyone who has an electric bike could give me some advice. I am thinking of buying one to commute to work (6.4 miles there and back). In the UK, by law, I believe we are restricted to eletric bikes with batteries at 200w and speeds of 15mph.

My first question is: Are the bikes heavy? Being a woman would it take a lot of effort for me to pedal one of these? I can't help thinking that pedaling one, especially uphill would take a lot of energy. I have a aluminium bike and I'm not sure how much it weighs but the weight of some electric bikes is as high as 26kg!

Also with pedal assist does it accelerate you as you pedal? Would this counteract the effort needed when pedalling?

bonner · Tar Sands Joined: May 25, 2008 Posts: 52

here in nyc you look like a retart in an a bike first. and if they found out it was electric it get swiped. but i am dieing to use it. but it just don'st look that great in nyc. To many people hanging around. especially in jersey.

In ft luad. There is a rack on the buses where you can put a bike. When you get tired of rideing it.

mos6507

Denny

Starvid