An e-bike is going to happen eventually
 

I know that a pedal-assist e-bike is in my future. I'm delaying this day by increasing the regularity of my training by using an indoor trainer. I've also added a lightweight carbon bike with a 46 & 30 chainrings and a 11-32 cassette. But an e-bike is going to happen eventually.

Being active will always be superior to being sedentary. An e-bike keeps a cyclist active, pure and simple. Especially if you enjoy scenic, hilly routes, an e-bike will increase your overall health and happiness.

When I pull the trigger for an e-bike I won't worry what anyone else thinks or says. I'll still be pedaling and enjoying the great outdoors, that's all that matters.

I use my e-bike for commuting and errands. I am still getting my heart rate up to, but not beyond, where it should be. It is great fun and adds a lot to my enjoyment when riding.

@Barrettscv,

Wonderful for you. Are any of your regular bikes size 54 cm?

It's a beautiful thing, watching marketing go from outside one's mind to inside one's mind. Even more so when it starts coming out of one's own mouth into the ears of others.

I will likely also do so at some point, but not yet. The thing is, my house is at the top of a 1,000' climb from just about anywhere I might ride. At some point returning the last mile of my rides will go from being a chore to being a serious problem. I find it odd that ebikes are totally accepted throughout Europe but over here there is this odd macho cyclist sentiment that anyone who needs to use an ebike is not a "real" cyclist. I just can't understand this.

Sorry, no 54's. I could never sell them anyway.

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/l...psab71db9e.jpg

Embrace the dark side, Luke

Yes, I can avoid hills, but I don't want to.

That's probably because over here in N. America the standards are 750 watts instead of 250 or 350 watts and no throttle, a huge difference in what "assist" is "available"... JMO

Hard to say what the future will bring.

At the moment, I'm a pretty hardcore bike commuter (mainly utilities, errands, etc). But, my circle can easily be 20 to 50 miles RT in a day. And, sometimes longer... much longer.

This year, I'll probably work on an E-Trike for the heavy hauling. But, really, it is only < 1% of my current loads that fall into the category that I really NEED assist.

I also should think about distance.

In particular, those 100+ mile "commutes". It becomes a pretty Herculean ride to do a double century pulling a trailer.

An E-Bike could well work as a range extender (and time saver). While continuing to do local rides which should help with overall fitness.

But, I'm not ready to take a ride down EASY STREET just yet. :innocent:

My future was yesterday. I've had an ebike or two since 2015. Today I went to roll it out and my legs felt like rubber bands. Low sugar.

That wasn't the point I was making. I constantly ride hills because that's the terrain I live in (my typical rides are 5,000' and 50 miles and I recently completed the Death Ride [130 miles, 16,000']). However, as I move towards my sunset years I expect that pulling off such rides without power assist will become more and more difficult. I see no reason to curtail riding because of some silly purity argument regarding motor assist.

That's only partially correct. There is no Federal regulation of ebikes AFAIK. The states regulate ebikes. Some states have virtually no regulation (yet). Other states have ratings and use restrictions based on the ratings.

Yes, there are different regs in different states... BUT my point was, was trying to be, that it is easier to except a 350 watt E-Assist bike without a throttle that you MUST pedal, as a bicycle to actually get anywhere, ( to be a bicycle) than a 750 watt E-Bike with a throttle as a bicycle considering it can make it up most hills without actually pedaling, (if one chooses) like you MUST do for most/all bicycles…. It certainly IS easier to except a lower level of assist to be closer to be a bicycle than such high levels to be a bicycle, for it is me anyways... ;)

Yeah, I hear you but I don't think I'll ever get an e bike . . .

I too view ebikes as a possible solution for future needs. I turned 70 this year and don't see a need soon but like the concept of e-assist for hills if I get weaker later in the decade. My city has an extensive bike share system and are rapidly adding e-assist bikes to the fleet. I talked to a younger guy on one the yesterday and he was enthusiastic, Great for a fast trip around the city including hills without sweat. I plan to check one out soon and see how it feels,

I ride because I like it and have little ego involved. I will jump right on an e-bike when it makes a difference as to whether I will be eager to ride.

Anyone who can complete 130miles with 16,000 cumulative of climbing will always have my admiration.

+1
We have a dedicated etandem with Shimano STEPS and I have just added a Cytronex system to our Comotion tandem. At combined ages of 157, we are limited in our climbing ability (not here in SW FL - yet!), even with very low gearing, so adding PAS opens horizons which were only achievable in our youth. We have nothing to prove - been there, done that, - so why suffer?

If I ever get an e-bike, it will be the type with the motor hidden inside the bottom bracket. I wouldn't want to advertise the fact that I'm riding an e-bike.

I don't see it. If I should become so feeble that I can't pedal, I won't be able to ride safely. My view is that it's not necessary to be able to climb 10% grades for the rest of one's life. For sure, e-bikes are not welcome on local group rides. Not forbidden, just no one wants to be near them. Meanwhile I do the same rides I've always done, just in smaller gears. There's one pass I used to climb in 30 X 23. Now I'm down to 26 X 27. I'm thinking of getting a 30T cassette! OMG. Maybe that's not necessary yet. The summer's training rides will tell the tale. I redid my metric for weekly exertion, using climbing gain instead of hours this year, more climbing IOW. I'll see how that works out. Denial is not just a river in Egypt, it's a lifestyle.

10% is an easy hill around here. All of the hills leading back to my house have sustained 10% grades with some having significant 15% to 18% pitches. Unless I decide to move far away it will be necessary to climb 10% grades for the rest of my life.

Getting an E-Assist bike is not necessarily about not being able to climb hills, at least not for me. It's about having fun while climbing the hills and riding a bike normally when you can... :thumb: