Notices
General Cycling Discussion Have a cycling related question or comment that doesn't fit in one of the other specialty forums? Drop on in and post in here! When possible, please select the forum above that most fits your post!

E/bicycle or not?

Old 01-22-20, 10:30 PM
  #1  
Steve06119
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Steve06119's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Hartford, CT
Posts: 19

Bikes: Cannondale Quick + Trek 720

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 14 Post(s)
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
E/bicycle or not?

I’m tempted to buy an e/bicycle but I’m a real traditionalist.

Thoughts/opinions? Thanks - Steve
Steve06119 is offline  
Old 01-22-20, 10:43 PM
  #2  
Bmach
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,082
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 439 Post(s)
Liked 263 Times in 161 Posts
Go for it my wife has one she gets a good work out. I have tried it around the neighborhood, it is fun.
Bmach is offline  
Likes For Bmach:
Old 01-22-20, 10:49 PM
  #3  
CAT7RDR
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Hacienda Hgts
Posts: 2,083

Bikes: 1999 Schwinn Peloton Ultegra 10, Kestrel RT-1000 Ultegra, Trek Marlin 6 Deore 29'er

Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 811 Post(s)
Liked 1,946 Times in 936 Posts
Just one: What do you hope to get out of an e-bike that you cannot get out of a traditional bike?

In other words, Do you have to justify the purchase?
CAT7RDR is offline  
Likes For CAT7RDR:
Old 01-22-20, 10:51 PM
  #4  
MarcusT
Senior Member
 
MarcusT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: NE Italy
Posts: 1,617
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 759 Post(s)
Liked 599 Times in 340 Posts
The question is; why?
I have an EMTB and I use it to ride climbs that I could never do.
MarcusT is offline  
Likes For MarcusT:
Old 01-22-20, 10:53 PM
  #5  
veganbikes
Clark W. Griswold
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: ,location, location
Posts: 13,278

Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26

Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4252 Post(s)
Liked 3,865 Times in 2,578 Posts
Originally Posted by Steve06119
I’m tempted to buy an e/bicycle but I’m a real traditionalist.

Thoughts/opinions? Thanks - Steve
Go out and try a quality one with a Bosch, Brose or Shimano STEPs system. They are awesome, I have a whole bunch of bikes which are all non-electric but I am planning on getting a custom one built (with Bosch Cargo Speed motor and Ti frame). Having ridden a lot of e-bikes in the past 5 years now I can say I love them. I will still keep riding non-e-bikes and do not believe one should replace the other but they are fantastic. It is fun to be able to go up a hill like it was nothing or for some people just get riding again. One test ride and it is easy to get hooked.

People are going to hate on e-bikes but most of those people have never ridden one or have ridden the garbage stuff. They want to sit there and roll backwards because this new technology scares them or something but honestly it is a game changer. I can certainly appreciate those against e-bikes in non-e-bike competition and the crappy throttled stuff that would make better scrap than bike but a good quality one is nothing to scoff at.

Here is a favorite article from Lennard Zinn (and the art of bike maintenance and of Zinn Cycles and the VeloNews tech question column):
https://www.velonews.com/2018/06/bik...cyclist_470738

For him it was a necessity to continue riding and you cannot hate for that especially looking at his bike. Titanium is just sexy and the hints of red set it off nicely. If the money comes in right I will also have a Zinn-E but a slightly different spec (as alluded to above).
veganbikes is offline  
Likes For veganbikes:
Old 01-22-20, 11:07 PM
  #6  
Steve06119
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Steve06119's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Hartford, CT
Posts: 19

Bikes: Cannondale Quick + Trek 720

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 14 Post(s)
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
You literally are my conscious or thoughts in my head!

Thank you and all the best! Steve
Steve06119 is offline  
Old 01-22-20, 11:09 PM
  #7  
Steve06119
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Steve06119's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Hartford, CT
Posts: 19

Bikes: Cannondale Quick + Trek 720

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 14 Post(s)
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
Thank you for this information! Very helpful!

Thank you and all the best! Steve
Steve06119 is offline  
Old 01-22-20, 11:11 PM
  #8  
Steve06119
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Steve06119's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Hartford, CT
Posts: 19

Bikes: Cannondale Quick + Trek 720

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 14 Post(s)
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
Originally Posted by MarcusT
The question is; why?
I have an EMTB and I use it to ride climbs that I could never do.
what brand do you have?

Thank you and all the best! Steve
Steve06119 is offline  
Old 01-22-20, 11:53 PM
  #9  
MarcusT
Senior Member
 
MarcusT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: NE Italy
Posts: 1,617
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 759 Post(s)
Liked 599 Times in 340 Posts
Originally Posted by Steve06119
what brand do you have?

Thank you and all the best! Steve
I have Cube Stero Hybrid. Full suspension.
I never thought I would do such rides again, meaning serious uphill with some teeth chattering downhill, but here I am.
I am not at the point where I need an ebike for the road, but If I am lucky, I will still be around for that time
MarcusT is offline  
Likes For MarcusT:
Old 01-23-20, 05:44 AM
  #10  
Steve06119
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Steve06119's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Hartford, CT
Posts: 19

Bikes: Cannondale Quick + Trek 720

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 14 Post(s)
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
Hi Marcus -

I agree. I’m over 55 and I still ride strong even up fairly steep hills. I just think having “peddle assist” will be counter productive for me at this point in my life.

Thank Again and All the Best! Steve
Steve06119 is offline  
Old 01-23-20, 05:49 AM
  #11  
Steve06119
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Steve06119's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Hartford, CT
Posts: 19

Bikes: Cannondale Quick + Trek 720

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 14 Post(s)
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
Originally Posted by Bmach
Go for it my wife has one she gets a good work out. I have tried it around the neighborhood, it is fun.
It’s great your wife is enjoying an e/bike experience. If I were to get one it would be set up for urban bike commuting. I really enjoy cycling for a regular mode of transportation.

Thanks Again for your perspective. Steve
Steve06119 is offline  
Old 01-23-20, 05:53 AM
  #12  
shelbyfv
Expired Member
 
shelbyfv's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: TN
Posts: 11,455
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3637 Post(s)
Liked 5,314 Times in 2,700 Posts
Originally Posted by Steve06119
Hi Marcus -

I agree. I’m over 55 and I still ride strong even up fairly steep hills. I just think having “peddle assist” will be counter productive for me at this point in my life.

Thank Again and All the Best! Steve
If you don't want/need one, why start the thread? If you change your mind and want one, ask in the ebike section for recommendations.
shelbyfv is offline  
Likes For shelbyfv:
Old 01-23-20, 06:07 AM
  #13  
rydabent
Banned
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Lincoln Ne
Posts: 9,924

Bikes: RANS Stratus TerraTrike Tour II

Mentioned: 46 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3352 Post(s)
Liked 1,054 Times in 634 Posts
It absolutely depends on your circumstance. If because of age or physical needs, why not.

Or------------ if you think you would like one, get it. Ignore the nay sayers.
rydabent is offline  
Likes For rydabent:
Old 01-23-20, 07:15 AM
  #14  
Phil_gretz
Zip tie Karen
 
Phil_gretz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Fair Oaks Ranch, TX
Posts: 7,006

Bikes: '13 Motobecane Fantom29 HT, '16 Motobecane Turino Pro Disc, '18 Velobuild VB-R-022, '21 Tsunami SNM-100

Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1465 Post(s)
Liked 1,542 Times in 806 Posts
Originally Posted by rydabent
It absolutely depends on your circumstance. If because of age or physical needs, why not...
^this is sound logic. However, if your reasons are simply that you'd like to try it out, or that a new shiny thing might be fun, or some other reason, then think hard about it.

1) Expense. The true cost of ownership includes not just the substantial entry fee, but also any replacement parts that you might foresee over, say, 5 years. Are there components that are unproved, or that might be prone to failure? Consider the full costs.

2) Complexity. Are you a do-it-yourselfer? So, you'll be taking on the troubleshooting, maintenance and repair of these additional component parts, too? Is that what you want? Have a voltmeter, continuity checker, and troubleshooting skills? If not, you'll pay. See #1 .

Those would be two reasons to consider. Me, I'm 60, fit and a pretty strong rider. I have no immediate need for help. I like my bikes as they are. But, things always change, don't they?
Phil_gretz is offline  
Likes For Phil_gretz:
Old 01-23-20, 08:28 AM
  #15  
honcho
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 196
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 76 Post(s)
Liked 41 Times in 30 Posts
If you're healthy enough to ride without assistance and you don't have some other requirement that an e-bike would help meet like avoiding arriving at work sweaty after commuting by bike, then my two cents is put off acquiring an e-bike.

Two reasons I say wait:
1. Use your ability to ride or risk having it diminish. Perhaps not much of a concern if you're young but as we age, a real threat.
2. E-Bike technology and options will likely continue to improve over time so if you're not 100% sure you're ready now, waiting will likely result in you getting improved performance, perhaps also at lower cost.

I do own an e-bike, purchased solely because it was a bargain at the time. It can be fun to ride but it doesn't give me the personal satisfaction that riding a regular bike does. The bike, purchased used, now has very little battery capacity due to neglect on my part and I will not be paying $400-500 to replace the battery. When I can no longer pedal up hills unassisted on the routes I regularly ride, I will transition to an e-bike.
honcho is offline  
Likes For honcho:
Old 01-23-20, 09:39 AM
  #16  
5teve
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 212
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 69 Post(s)
Liked 65 Times in 29 Posts
Not. The "self-powered motion" aspect of cycling is a big part of the experience for me. I'd rather go slower for shorter distances than use a boost. I'm 57, if it matter.
5teve is offline  
Likes For 5teve:
Old 01-23-20, 10:04 AM
  #17  
john m flores 
Rider. Wanderer. Creator.
 
john m flores's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 714

Bikes: Bike Friday Pocket Rocket, Cinelli Hobootleg, Zizzo Liberte

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 358 Post(s)
Liked 713 Times in 341 Posts
Originally Posted by Steve06119
It’s great your wife is enjoying an e/bike experience. If I were to get one it would be set up for urban bike commuting. I really enjoy cycling for a regular mode of transportation.

Thanks Again for your perspective. Steve
At the REI in Washington DC, A guy came out of the store with his two toddler daughters and a large package in his arms. He strapped the package to his pedal-assist cargo bike, got his daughters to climb onboard, and away they went.

My girlfriend used to live 13 miles from work. Hilly roads. She'd bicycle from time to time but said that she would have done it more often if she had an ebike.

These are the kinds of trip that only the most dedicated of cyclist would normally do. If ebikes make these kind of trips more doable for a larger number of folks, I'm all for it.
john m flores is offline  
Likes For john m flores:
Old 01-23-20, 10:09 AM
  #18  
Wilfred Laurier
Señor Member
 
Wilfred Laurier's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 5,065
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 648 Post(s)
Liked 291 Times in 215 Posts
I have tried them and they seem like a tonne of fun. I've also been in cities where they are starting to really catch on, and the more people on the bike paths the better! I rode with all sorts of people who may not have felt able to five years ago without eBikes.

I would think they are a great option for anyone who wants to ride a bit faster or further, or over more aggressive terrain or bigger hills than they currently feel able, or want to ride with someone who has better fitness.

edited: removed a word
Wilfred Laurier is offline  
Likes For Wilfred Laurier:
Old 01-23-20, 10:35 AM
  #19  
Rajflyboy
Banned.
 
Rajflyboy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Carolinas
Posts: 1,293

Bikes: Orbea

Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 917 Post(s)
Liked 205 Times in 170 Posts
Buy it 👍

for fun and to try something new and modern

keep old bicycles for hard Core exercise
Rajflyboy is offline  
Likes For Rajflyboy:
Old 01-23-20, 12:32 PM
  #20  
TiHabanero
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,435
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1726 Post(s)
Liked 1,350 Times in 705 Posts
When Giant released the LeFree somewhere around 1998, our shop picked up a bunch of them and they quickly sold. I really liked the mid drive layout and could go quite fast without a ton of effort. However, being a young buck and and racing at the time, I poo-poo'd them and did not pursue one. This past summer I rode a Cannondale mid-drive bike and lost my mind! Cruising with traffic at 25mph and not breathing hard. Absolutely will have one in the future, and it will be mid-drive.

I see the best use is for commuting. When battery tech gets better and a full charge will go 100 miles, then perhaps for riding in the hills. Either way, the ebike is in my future.
TiHabanero is offline  
Likes For TiHabanero:
Old 01-23-20, 08:21 PM
  #21  
Steve06119
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Steve06119's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Hartford, CT
Posts: 19

Bikes: Cannondale Quick + Trek 720

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 14 Post(s)
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
Is he actually peddling?!?!
Steve06119 is offline  
Old 01-23-20, 08:30 PM
  #22  
katsup
Senior Member
 
katsup's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Southern California
Posts: 1,775

Bikes: 1995 ParkPre Pro 825 2021 Soma Fog Cutter v2 and 2021 Cotic SolarisMax

Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 606 Post(s)
Liked 557 Times in 317 Posts
Originally Posted by Cheez
Wow. I am inspired by this E-bike. Check this video out!

Can I turn my mountain bike to E-bike by adding parts? This is so inspiring.
At what point is it a scooter / motorcycle? Having to stop and charge a bike after less than 16 miles would be annoying.
katsup is offline  
Likes For katsup:
Old 01-23-20, 08:37 PM
  #23  
UniChris
Senior Member
 
UniChris's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Northampton, MA
Posts: 1,909

Bikes: 36" Unicycle, winter knock-around hybrid bike

Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 930 Post(s)
Liked 393 Times in 282 Posts
Originally Posted by katsup
At what point is it a scooter / motorcycle
If I might adapt my grandfather's passed down driving instructions:

when it's passing more pedal bikes than pass it.

It's really that simple - if the motor is letting someone fit in, it's a good thing. But once it's leading them to stand out, it's a negative for society to continue to pretend that it is any sort of "bicycle".

Such motorcycles belong on the ordinary motor vehicular infrastructure and the ordinary motor vehicle regulations, if they displace internal combustion versions there, all the better.

Last edited by UniChris; 01-23-20 at 08:48 PM.
UniChris is offline  
Likes For UniChris:
Old 01-23-20, 11:11 PM
  #24  
TheDudeIsHere
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2019
Posts: 467
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 188 Post(s)
Liked 276 Times in 161 Posts
Originally Posted by Steve06119
Is he actually peddling?!?!

No, these people are peddling.

Keep with the non e bike till you learn the proper use of "pedaling".
TheDudeIsHere is offline  
Likes For TheDudeIsHere:
Old 01-24-20, 06:19 AM
  #25  
rydabent
Banned
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Lincoln Ne
Posts: 9,924

Bikes: RANS Stratus TerraTrike Tour II

Mentioned: 46 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3352 Post(s)
Liked 1,054 Times in 634 Posts
The best reason of course is that it allows some people to get out on a bike or trike, that couldnt if they didnt have E-assist. Encourage cycling for everyone.
rydabent is offline  
Likes For rydabent:

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.