Ebikes anyone
 

I'm thinking of buying a new bike, I have three now, an Ebike possibly.
I've read good and bad thing about them so I thought I'd ask you folk your thoughts on them.
As most of you, I'm a big guy, and was thinking I'd most likely ride more on an Ebike.
Any recommendations would be great.
The Ebike section is mostly full of thin folks.
Thank you.

My wife got one so she could ride with me. She loves it, I do too except going up hills, she tends to give crap about being slow. Don’t get one with a throttle that way you will have to pedal.

I got a Giant Explore E+3 because it was very close to my normal bikes geometry, that is a normal hybrid bike. I use the assist on long rides mainly for ascents, and being in the Ozark's there are a lot of them around here. On my standard bike I was spinning up hills, wearing myself out, then taking the next 15 minutes riding slow to recover. That is when I didn't have to fully stop to recover.

I work 50-60 hours a week, as well as take care of the house and other duties. So, my ride times are limited. I could never get in better shape o I needed help. I got the ebike and not I ride more frequently, further, faster and with more confidence. Before the ebike I would plan on a ride, then decide "Can't go that way, have to go up those hills", "Can't go THAT way because of THOSE hills", so I either took a short boring ride or stayed home. Now I ride wherever and whenever I want. I get a better workout too, as spinning furiously did nothing for me, I can pump up a hill in a higher gear and keep going.

It's been one of the best investments I've ever made.

Just remember that when the battery runs out of juice, you'll be pedaling about 50 pounds of extra dead-weight besides your own.
Jon

did you see pictures?

Out here my rural LBS has been doing mid drive retrofits , on mountain and fat-bikes for hunters ,

for a few years.. surrounded by timber company forest land with Elk & Deer seasons ..


Now there are bikes built around the Bosch and Shimano STEPS motors
which require the frame to be made around the motor..


Otherwise motors go in as substitute wheels .. flat lands not much climbing,


broad brush .. go to your duplex town's shops & ask.. take test rides..
I could talk about brand names Trek is big on eBikes, this year,
they sell here , dealer sold trek since 88..





..../

I've only ridden an e-bike once and it was in Santa Cruz - had to get from the boardwalk back to the high school for some water polo tournament and traffic was horrible.
Hopped on a Jump bike ($1.73 for the ride) and I have to tell you it was a blast. Especially uphill.

I don't think I'd get one to replace my road bike(s) because that's not why I ride them but I'm sorely tempted to get one to scoot around my very hilly town. Maybe an e cargo bike. :)

When I get older and my knees get creakier I may change my tune. I've ridden plenty with 70 yr old riders.. if I get to that age and need an ebike to keep up then I'll get an ebike.

70 years old, 240# - have a TREK Lift E-bike, pedal assist with Shimano STEPS motor. I ride 12-20 miles most days and use the pedal assist for topping hills and out running dogs. I have to charge the battery every 5 - 7 days. Bike is tough and rides tough. I changed the tires from 2" wide to 1.5" and installed a suspension seat post - now it rides much better.
The pedal assist really helped my attitude. I have several regular routes and some days I would think to myself, "that one is too hilly" or "the wind is blowing too hard" or "I may not be able to make it back" - now, I just hop on and ride!

If I ever get to the point where I need an ebike, or worse, a recumbent, I hope some one just shoots me.
Jon

I have 3 bikes...a Brompton, a Euro Mini, and a Magnum Premium 48 electric folder. My wife has an identical selection of bicycles.

I like them all, but frankly the ebike is my least favorite of the three. Why? I can’t really put my finger on it, except to say I feel like it really moves me from the intrinsic simplicity a good ol’ bicycle provides. Are they fun? YES.

That said, I’m 60, and have an artificial hip which isnt always “in the mood” for riding a traditional bicycle, at which point the ebike is a welcome member of my bicycle stable.

At the end of the day, the Missus and I have discussed thinning the herd and selling these, but we aren’t convinced we won’t be relying on these more and more as time marches on so we’ll keep them.

Regardless, ebikes are here to stay and put people BACK on two wheels that haven’t been on for a long time, and likely will keep people on two wheels longer than they would be without ebikes so thats a plus.

E-bike?

Sure, why not?

But get the right one.

https://www.theverge.com/2019/6/26/1...ision-roadster

Harsh, but a commonly shared sentiment.

I would just get a Vespa, in celeste of course. Or one of these:

https://www.theverge.com/2019/6/26/1...ision-roadster

when I get to point/age where I can no longer ride without some help I WILL have an ebike. If it gets people riding longer or more people on bikes its a good thing!

Go for it if you want one.

Go to a dealer that will let you try as many as possible. You don't know what kind you want until you ride them.

Vespa or Honda Cub.