E bikes.. Thoughts?

[Rain Man]

I hate the f#*kers...especially when they pass me on the local trail like I am standing still (might be time to get one).

Yeah, initially I got a lot of dirty looks bombing down our local bike way. I've decided to slow down passing folks- I'm worried there will be a collision and we'll be banned from using them. It's true, an 80 lb bike with a 180 lb rider going by doing 38 km/h could be a bit frightening.

 

[LeoV]

I believe Gazelle is what my local bike shop carries,

Did not know you could get Gazelle in the US. Go for it. Good bikes. Very respected brand. Very old brand, 130 years. Mid engine best for maintenance and uuumpph uphill.

 

[billy backstay]

Did not know you could get Gazelle in the US. Go for it. Good bikes. Very respected brand. Very old brand, 130 years. Mid engine best for maintenance and uuumpph uphill.

The one I briefly test drove was around 35 hundred bucks! I will need to use my currrent $900 e-bike more than I have so far to justify selling it and moving up! The Medeo model you purchased ranges from 2,500 to 3,800, depending upon specs, I imagine.

Gazelle Medeo | Sporty and fast e-bike | Gazelle

The Gazelle Medeo family offers quality, reliability, and affordability. Perfect for commuters and athletic riders looking for a fast and responsive ride.

www.gazellebikes.com

 

[veni vidi vici]

Fad… probably get some great deals on a used one from folks that stop using them. If you are young enough to handle a hybrid bike that is all you need. If you are old or have not ridden a bicycle in years, they are heavy and could be dangerous.
Rent a few times is my advice.

 

[giegs]

Dislike them on trails and don't agree with all the lobbying that's gone into having them classified as non-motorized to retain trail access. A lot of the available options on the lower end are just bicycle shaped objects.

For urban use, they're great. If I had a commute or a need for more of a grocery getter bike I'd consider one. As is, I prefer my real bikes and would rather get an electric motorcycle. A lot of the available options on the lower end for e-bikes are just bicycle shaped objects.

They also exist in a weird middle ground that probably makes them more dangerous. The motor assist lets riders go faster with less effort than they'd otherwise be able and that doesn't mix well with traffic for inattentive folks.

 

[billy backstay]

Dislike them on trails and don't agree with all the lobbying that's gone into having them classified as non-motorized to retain trail access. A lot of the available options on the lower end are just bicycle shaped objects.

For urban use, they're great. If I had a commute or a need for more of a grocery getter bike I'd consider one. As is, I prefer my real bikes and would rather get an electric motorcycle. A lot of the available options on the lower end for e-bikes are just bicycle shaped objects.

They also exist in a weird middle ground that probably makes them more dangerous. The motor assist lets riders go faster with less effort than they'd otherwise be able and that doesn't mix well with traffic for inattentive folks.

Have you tried one yet? I rode a normal bike lots and lots in the past and this one is no more dangerous or traffic averse.

 

[giegs]

Have you tried one yet? I rode a normal bike lots and lots in the past and this one is no more dangerous or traffic averse.

Yup, a few. Demoed one of the Santa Cruz e-mtb options at a festival recently. I think having lots of experience on a normal bike offsets it, but I've seen a lot of people riding in traffic that couldn't hang otherwise and don't seem tuned into keeping themselves safe. Could just be teething issues as everyone gets used to a new thing. Sharing the road gets weirder as more types of vehicles are on it.

 

[LeoV]

The one I briefly test drove was around 35 hundred bucks! I will need to use my currrent $900 e-bike more than I have so far to justify selling it and moving up! The Medeo model you purchased ranges from 2,500 to 3,800, depending upon specs, I imagine.

Yep, mid engine is very expensive. 2500 bucks. Same bike with front hub drive, 1500 buck. Same bike, leg driven, 600 bucks.

 

[USA 007]

I took my 30 year old 21-speed Specialized HardRock and spent $800 on a Bafang 750watt peddle assist drive. I now have a 7 speed e-bike with a 60 mile range. It's great for running around town/regatta wheels, etc.

 

[billy backstay]

Yep, mid engine is very expensive. 2500 bucks. Same bike with front hub drive, 1500 buck. Same bike, leg driven, 600 bucks.

Why is mid-engine better than motor in the rear hub which is more common?

 

[LeoV]

The motor works in synchronicity with the bike’s gears.
Over here hub drive are for flat city environment.

 

[familysailor]

I had no idea there was so much development in this niche!

 

[familysailor]

A couple of retired workmate have various E-Bikes. I still have two mountain bikes, one with a longer wheelbase for downhiller, and one with a much shorter wheelbase for climbing. Been contemplating a E-4-wheeler of late, add a rear rack or wood box with rails, to make a mini-hauler.

Like this one?

Velove - Sustainable Urban Last Mile Delivery

The smarter urban last mile delivery solution. Sustainable, flexible and efficient.

www.velove.se

 

[IStream]

Why is mid-engine better than motor in the rear hub which is more common?

1. Weight distribution is much better
2. It's a lot easier to implement torque sensing to assess how hard the rider is working
3. The motor's power is applied before the gears (if any) so it tends to be more efficient because it can be optimized over a much narrower RPM range

 

[Chris in Santa Cruz CA]

Dislike them on trails and don't agree with all the lobbying that's gone into having them classified as non-motorized to retain trail access. A lot of the available options on the lower end are just bicycle shaped objects.

For urban use, they're great. If I had a commute or a need for more of a grocery getter bike I'd consider one. As is, I prefer my real bikes and would rather get an electric motorcycle. A lot of the available options on the lower end for e-bikes are just bicycle shaped objects.

They also exist in a weird middle ground that probably makes them more dangerous. The motor assist lets riders go faster with less effort than they'd otherwise be able and that doesn't mix well with traffic for inattentive folks.

Totally with you on this on the trails. Buddy and I are 80% V02 max 15 mins into a 20 minute climb and assholes on ebikes were passing us talking too loud and stirring up dust. This place was near well to do neighbor hood and has wonderful vistas.

 

[veni vidi vici]

Totally with you on this on the trails. Buddy and I are 80% V02 max 15 mins into a 20 minute climb and assholes on ebikes were passing us talking too loud and stirring up dust. This place was near well to do neighbor hood and has wonderful vistas.

A lot of older first timers think it is easy and safe, which they are for someone with understanding and awareness. They will start racking up injuries like jet ski for first timers.

 

[Olsonist]

I had to give one my brothers the talk about e-bikes. He had to understand that he was giving his (idiot) wife a fucking motorcycle. E-bikes are only marginally safer than electric scooters.

You should be a really good cyclist before getting an e-bike and then since you're such a good cyclist, you're probably not going to get an e-bike. So the e-bike problem is self correcting.

 

[Max Rockatansky]

e-bikes are everywhere in the Keys, and they ride the fuckers on sidewalks and bike paths instead of the road, and MCSO has nothing to say about that. Why more pax aren’t killed is beyond me

 

[shaggy]

I can handle being passed by an ebike on a climb. I dislike the rider acting like he or she earned the pass. I also dislike them crowding me on a climb.

Do you look like lance when u ride? Curious?

 

[chester]

I had no idea there was so much development in this niche!

thanks. the swin car and wesl are wow!