merckx_rider

A year ago I would have thought I was crazy for what I'm about to say...

The standard pedal bicycle has seen it's day. Electric bicycles are going to take over. NOT just any electric bicycle but ELECTRIC FAT TIRE BIKES.

If you have never tried one yet... YOU have no idea of what fun they are. The fat tires make it!! The motor compensates for the added weight and drag. Handling, balance & fun factor are all multiplied by a factor of 4. Yes, it handles 4 time better than my very expensive road bike. It balances 4 times better. It is at least 4 times more fun!!

I ride with some very elite old riders - we've been friends for over 25 years now, all of us former racers, all of us more gray but much wiser. I have a back problem so I've been riding beach cruisers and touring bikes for the last few years. Needless to say I can't keep up with my old buddies on their super slick, light and fast state of the art road bikes. So we'd only see each other is passing and we'd stop for a few minutes to catch up and then go our separate ways...

I found out about electric bikes years ago but was never interested in them... who needs a motor on a bicycle? duh?

I saw some guys on these fat tire bikes at the beach - riding on the sand dunes - looks like a lot of work to me!!

I came across a bike shop that had electric bikes last year. He had some customers test riding them while I was there. They came back laughing and smiling so I asked if I could try one out. These were just basic beach cruisers that had a motor. WHAT FUN!!!

I can tell ya, I'm hard a core cyclist. I love my 2 wheels. I do have a motorcycle also. I love the road and I love nature. After my test ride on the ebike I had stirrings for one but still wasn't convinced that ebikes were for me. That was until my brother sent me a link to a fat tire ebike. I thought it looked so cool, and imaging riding it on the sand dunes or trials would be a blast. Took a while till I found the one I wanted but when I did - I didn't hesitate to get one. Was the best decision in a long time. I have to admit, I was a staunch critic of ebikes, but, electric fat tire bikes are a whole new animal in the bike jungle and they are the top dog.

So, I now see my road bike buddies and ride along side of them. I can put in the work and get my exercise - be upright riding position and still keep up and enjoy the comradery I've been missing. Win - Win - Win!!!

BTW - several have expressed interest in these bikes and one has already purchased. His words were "You'll never get me off my road bike"... until he rode my fat ebike, 2 weeks later he owned the same bike I have... LOL

It's like nothing you've every rode - don't try it - you'll be instantly addicted!!

You all have been warned!! LOL!!!!

DustDriver

no.

sostoked

no.

RPK79

@sostoked disagreed with this so much they created an account just to say no. I will also say no.

No.

Maelochs

Shocking how much one's mind can deteriorate in just a year.

bmthom.gis

nope...a fat bike and ebikes are both niche markets separately. I don't wantto own a niche niche bike.

bgraham111

Ha ha...

Electric fat tire bikes have seen their day. Gasoline powered dirt bikes will take over. More power, less pedaling... you can go faster.... they have suspension and grippy tires...

Walking and running has also seen it's day. You can get a Segway that is so much fun to ride, it's crazy. Plus they are faster. No one will want to do a marathon ever again unless it's on a Segway.

Hey - I think there is a HUGE market for E-bikes. They ARE awesome. They ARE fun to ride. I think they will be an important part of the future of bikes, especially the commuter, utility, and senior markets. But it's different than bicycles for fun, exercise, and adventure. They aren't going to ride E-bikes in the Tour de France, I don't want to cross the county on an E-Bike, etc...

indyfabz

Well then please ship your antiquated pedal bikes to me, postage pre-paid, for proper "disposal. "BTW, and Ebikes are really just mopeds. I still believe the comparison between riding a moped and sleeping with a....Never mind.

70sSanO

I found a couple of complementary products to complete your world...

Murata's Self Balancing Powered Walker is Perfect For the Elderly and Super Lazy

- I N C I N O L E T -

Pretty soon there will nothing you can without some assistance.

John

1983

Meh/no.

SloButWide 

I wonder if licensing is the reason low end motorbikes and scooters aren't more popular? In Ohio, a scooter requires the same training and license as a Harley. Even a moped requires a motorized bicycle license, and they're limited to 50 cc / 1 HP / 20 MPH.

RPK79

I want to know why "Times" is in quotes.

Doctor Morbius

Wah ah ah ah! Get up, come on, get down with the sickness!

TenSpeedV2

I will co-sign this. I had a fat bike. I traded it. They are fun to ride for their intended use which is limited. I won't own an e-bike of any type, ever. I see those as modified scooters and if I wanted a scooter, I would just buy one.

andr0id

bakes1

half-assed moped?
No thanks!
Just like that broad at last call...
Lotsa fun to ride til your friends see you doing it

smarkinson

I was going to buy an ebike but then I thought why not get a motorbike as I can go even faster and farther with comfy suspension and then I thought all that getup you need to wear when on a motorbike would be too much bother so I got a car instead because now I can go really fast, far and all in air conditioned comfort. The only problem is now people keep flagging my Strava activities.

ramzilla

I think it would work for my house down in Florida. It would have to have a rack that would hold baskets. Grocery store is only two miles away.

GravelMN

I will get an eBike only as an adaptive mobility device if I become disabled. People laughed at Wall E but it's happening.

jimmie65

Fat bike, maybe. E-bike, perhaps when I'm 80. E-fat bike? Never.

canadian deacon

I also vote no....and yes I realize there was no vote.

PepeM

E-bikes do look like fun to me. But for the stupidly high price I rather just get a motorcycle.

ltxi

E-bikes are for sissys that can't handle a 49cc moped.

Ajenkins

I bet you can't smell peanut butter.

BlazingPedals

Adding a motor to a pedal bike makes it a moped. (MOtor + PEDals) Mopeds are fine for what they are; but they're not pure bicycles.