patentcad

Resistance is futile.

Regardless, it's great news for the retail bicycle industry, I think these rigs are going to create a lotta business for them. Makes it more fun to ride actually, I still get a good workout. More importantly I enjoy it a lot more.

patentcad

I might take it on a group ride, but not a competitive ride.

Before all you guys dismiss it, you might try and ride one. And not a big 50lb. clunker, something like the 27 lb. Willier.

Note: although the Competitive Cyclist website claims the rear e-hub motor only provides assistance @ speeds up to 25 kph (16 mph), that turns out to be incorrect. That's for the Euro version. The U.S. version seemed to offer assistance up to 20mph to me, and now I read something on the hub maker's website confirming that.

LesterOfPuppets

20mph is REALLY common in the US. Presumably to meet some regulations defining the line between ebike and motorcycle.

Maybe you could program your own controller with a raspberry pi...

seedsbelize 

Vochorno. Rhymes with buongiorno. The word that's on everybody's lips these days. Out in the countryside; it doesn't apply in the city. It refers to the extreme humidity radiated from the ground, early in the day, as a result of hot days and daily evening showers. My glasses fog up when I ride into the shade at 80A. It significantly shortens bike rides.

WhyFi

Oh, there will definitely be a cottage industry for hacking the regulated top speed.

WhyFi

The rain held out long enough for me to get in a ~30 mile ride - only got wet the last 2 miles or so. The Varia is... good. I'm not ready to declare it the best money that I've spend on cycling crap this year, but I might with a few more rides. One thing that I really like is that, particularly on ****ty roads, I don't feel that I need to be as conservative with picking a clean line through the cracks and potholes. One thing that I'm not so fond of is that it will occasionally drop a car from the warning track when it shadows long enough. In fairness, this typically happens when the car is close enough that it'll be on your personal radar, but still.

sbxx1985 

Rides are going to need rules about this now. That's pretty funny.

rjones28 

CX bike with 40mm tires.

rjones28 

rjones28 

rjones28 

It's a Class 1 ebike, assist up to 20 mph. Class 2 has a throttle. Class 3 has assist up to 28 mph.

rjones28 

kudos

sbxx1985 

pcad's next bike will be a Class 3.

LAJ

Yet still have the audacity to call people Fredly.

datlas 

It's part of his charm.

datlas 

I can do that. Was hiking some grassy trails with mrs datlas yesterday, and was thinking that would be great to try on the CX bike. Must find time.

WhyFi

For me, it would really depend on how long I'd be on that surface and whether or not I'd spend significant time on pavement, too. If it were less than a quarter of the ride, I'd stick with the skinnies. If it were more than half, CX all the way. In between? Flip a coin, maybe.

WhyFi

I have no doubt that it would be a blast, and I would seriously consider something with assist for utilitarian purposes (commuting, errands, family outings, etc), but I'm still too young and prideful to bring a motor to a group ride.

patentcad

I'm really not sure I'd ever take this on a group ride.

Not that I ever DO group rides anymore. Pcad rides solo. Also I would never want to participate on a ride that would allow me in the pace line.

patentcad

Blow me fredly.

patentcad

Attraction through trash talk: there's an art to it that few master.

datlas 

You will NEVER score some chicks with that solo attitude. Sad!

patentcad

That speed limit is software controlled, that means it's hackable. That's ok, that's perfect for me. Really flattens out the hills. What will be interesting is hopping back on my regular bicycles after riding this one. It's just another incentive to ride. My life is such a cluster fark right now since my wife left me that if I don't ride I'll really go nuts. I have all these AARP hotties lined up to date me and I keep ghosting them. Not into it yet, and I don't know why. My shrink said it would take a year, and I'm starting to think he was right.

Hey, I'm not drinking over it. THAT's the part that amazes me.

patentcad

If only I cared. THAT's the problem. No interest in dating now.

patentcad

And trust me boys, I am quite the AARP catch, I have my hair, I'm not obese, I have some financial security and I'm not crazy. What's amazing is the quality of the women available to me in my age bracket. AARP Dating Advantage: men. But dating still sucks. Until it doesn't (you meet the right person). So far it's been a pretty negative experience. So I'm letting it slide for a while. If I keep active on the bike I won't slide into depression.

Not gigging now, I tried a few solo gigs, they went fine, I could re-book, but I just didn't enjoy playing solo very much. THAT's how I could meet women. Not into it.