How & why e-bike? (power vs. muscles)
#1
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How & why e-bike? (power vs. muscles)
I was wondering how you commute, having an e-bike. What’s your style and why did you choose electric assistance?
Me, I don’t make constant use of my pack because I love to exercice too.
An e-bike really is a joy in severe windy conditions!
Me, I don’t make constant use of my pack because I love to exercice too.
An e-bike really is a joy in severe windy conditions!
#2
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When I started, I had only a 7 mile 1-way commute, but it was quite hilly and I have fairly extensive knee damage dating back to college. In addition, I had family commitments, so adding a lot of time to my commute wasn't an option. By car, it was a 15-30 minute commute (good weather, traffic variability ... bad weather, could be an hour). With an ebike (Stromer ST-1) it was a consistent 20min, which made daily commuting viable.
Since, my commute has grown to 13miles (1 way) and I've ditched my car entirely.
Since, my commute has grown to 13miles (1 way) and I've ditched my car entirely.
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I live in the Ozarks in Arkansas, I can't go but a few miles and hit a lot of hills. I'd like to devote more time to riding and get to the point I can handle them on my own again, but work and everything else don't allow me to. Truth is, even when I was in my prime a few years ago I sucked on hills, always have and I probably always will. It got to the point where I would be planning where to go and would dismiss wonderful rides because I didn't want to tackle the hills. So it was either an ebike or dial back on my biking. So I go an ebike.
The hills just melt away. If the soreness of my thighs after 3 weeks of ebiking is any indication I am getting a BETTER workout on the ebike. I am not spinning up hills and being forced to coast to recover. While I didn't get it for speed, with the days waning shorter and shorter this fall I really like the time saved so I can take longer riders and still get back before dusk. I don't like riding at night. With m regular bike a group of guys I rode with would never drop me - and I appreciate that - I couldn't help but feel guilty that I was holding the entire group back.
I took a 62 mile ride last week and took off 3 hours off the total time. On the regular bike most of that time was walking up hills and sitting and recovering for 10 to 15 minutes ever group of hills. This time I made it all the way out only using the electric assist going up the hills. I made it all the way out and had like 95% left when I got to the end point. I used it more going home and had nearly 30% left when I got home.
So an ebike just made perfect sense for me.
The hills just melt away. If the soreness of my thighs after 3 weeks of ebiking is any indication I am getting a BETTER workout on the ebike. I am not spinning up hills and being forced to coast to recover. While I didn't get it for speed, with the days waning shorter and shorter this fall I really like the time saved so I can take longer riders and still get back before dusk. I don't like riding at night. With m regular bike a group of guys I rode with would never drop me - and I appreciate that - I couldn't help but feel guilty that I was holding the entire group back.
I took a 62 mile ride last week and took off 3 hours off the total time. On the regular bike most of that time was walking up hills and sitting and recovering for 10 to 15 minutes ever group of hills. This time I made it all the way out only using the electric assist going up the hills. I made it all the way out and had like 95% left when I got to the end point. I used it more going home and had nearly 30% left when I got home.
So an ebike just made perfect sense for me.
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I live in the Ozarks in Arkansas, I can't go but a few miles and hit a lot of hills. I'd like to devote more time to riding and get to the point I can handle them on my own again, but work and everything else don't allow me to. Truth is, even when I was in my prime a few years ago I sucked on hills, always have and I probably always will. It got to the point where I would be planning where to go and would dismiss wonderful rides because I didn't want to tackle the hills. So it was either an ebike or dial back on my biking. So I go an ebike.
The hills just melt away. If the soreness of my thighs after 3 weeks of ebiking is any indication I am getting a BETTER workout on the ebike. I am not spinning up hills and being forced to coast to recover. While I didn't get it for speed, with the days waning shorter and shorter this fall I really like the time saved so I can take longer riders and still get back before dusk. I don't like riding at night. With m regular bike a group of guys I rode with would never drop me - and I appreciate that - I couldn't help but feel guilty that I was holding the entire group back.
I took a 62 mile ride last week and took off 3 hours off the total time. On the regular bike most of that time was walking up hills and sitting and recovering for 10 to 15 minutes ever group of hills. This time I made it all the way out only using the electric assist going up the hills. I made it all the way out and had like 95% left when I got to the end point. I used it more going home and had nearly 30% left when I got home.
So an ebike just made perfect sense for me.
The hills just melt away. If the soreness of my thighs after 3 weeks of ebiking is any indication I am getting a BETTER workout on the ebike. I am not spinning up hills and being forced to coast to recover. While I didn't get it for speed, with the days waning shorter and shorter this fall I really like the time saved so I can take longer riders and still get back before dusk. I don't like riding at night. With m regular bike a group of guys I rode with would never drop me - and I appreciate that - I couldn't help but feel guilty that I was holding the entire group back.
I took a 62 mile ride last week and took off 3 hours off the total time. On the regular bike most of that time was walking up hills and sitting and recovering for 10 to 15 minutes ever group of hills. This time I made it all the way out only using the electric assist going up the hills. I made it all the way out and had like 95% left when I got to the end point. I used it more going home and had nearly 30% left when I got home.
So an ebike just made perfect sense for me.
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I use the lowest power setting on the flats, which is zero. There is enough power to assist. In headwinds I use One. For grades, I use Two and hills I use Three, the max. I have seven internal gearing speeds as well. The power settings compensate for not needing 21 speeds. I can go up to 20 mph with no sweat safely with 2.125" tires on my Tern eLink D7i.
Last edited by lkoyanagi; 10-12-18 at 10:32 PM.
#7
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I have a copenhagen wheel which I use on occasion while commuting. It cuts my commute time by 7-10 min and flattens the hills so my effort is steadier. I put out the same effort while riding, but it takes less time so I end up expending a little less energy. I usually will use it at the end of the week (Fri) when I'm getting tired. I still get a decent workout with the electric wheel but lose some of the intensity when going up hills.
#8
Cycleway town
I've always cycled for the enjoyment of it. Since I was about 3yo. I don't know at what point people feel the need to bring fitness into the equasion.
If there's one thing I always disliked, it was spending ten mins struggling up a long hill, only to have to drag the brakes down the other side. It's terribly inefficient, and quite disheartening.
When I was younger, before ever hearing about electric bikes, tinkering with old cars and learning about alternators, i wondered about an electric skateboard or scooter that'd give assistance up a hill and then recharge going back down. I drew one with a 12v motorbike battery and a heavily-geared car alternator with a clutch. But I didn't build it, and I promptly dismissed any ideas of fusion or perpetual motion.. but I went through a phase of it.
A couple of years ago I was hurt in a car crash, and cycling became an issue. That's where I found the e-bike. Experiencing it reminded me of my old ideas back in the day, so I looked into it. And last year I built one with regeneration and pedal charging.
Here in Milton Keynes our cycleways are shared with pavements, not roads. This means they work around the roads, and use underpasses and bridges instead of junctions. Whilst this is far safer and more enjoyable as a result, it does mean we're always cycling up or down hill here, as a result.
This bike spreads my energy out, much as I always imagined. Instead of struggling up hills, then coasting down them, I now just pedal a stable, consistent resistance whether i'm going up hill or down.
It does have losses under normal use, but it extends the range nicely. If i wish, i can actually ride it infinately, though that would make for a slower journey than a manual bike... It makes my riding more sociable, as I don't need a run-up for hills, and i'm slower down them. It makes it more enjoyable. More efficient use of my energy means it goes further, and my ventures are more rewarding.
And that's good for me, because I ride every day. It's so good I never leave home without it, and I still don't plan to get another car.
If there's one thing I always disliked, it was spending ten mins struggling up a long hill, only to have to drag the brakes down the other side. It's terribly inefficient, and quite disheartening.
When I was younger, before ever hearing about electric bikes, tinkering with old cars and learning about alternators, i wondered about an electric skateboard or scooter that'd give assistance up a hill and then recharge going back down. I drew one with a 12v motorbike battery and a heavily-geared car alternator with a clutch. But I didn't build it, and I promptly dismissed any ideas of fusion or perpetual motion.. but I went through a phase of it.
A couple of years ago I was hurt in a car crash, and cycling became an issue. That's where I found the e-bike. Experiencing it reminded me of my old ideas back in the day, so I looked into it. And last year I built one with regeneration and pedal charging.
Here in Milton Keynes our cycleways are shared with pavements, not roads. This means they work around the roads, and use underpasses and bridges instead of junctions. Whilst this is far safer and more enjoyable as a result, it does mean we're always cycling up or down hill here, as a result.
This bike spreads my energy out, much as I always imagined. Instead of struggling up hills, then coasting down them, I now just pedal a stable, consistent resistance whether i'm going up hill or down.
It does have losses under normal use, but it extends the range nicely. If i wish, i can actually ride it infinately, though that would make for a slower journey than a manual bike... It makes my riding more sociable, as I don't need a run-up for hills, and i'm slower down them. It makes it more enjoyable. More efficient use of my energy means it goes further, and my ventures are more rewarding.
And that's good for me, because I ride every day. It's so good I never leave home without it, and I still don't plan to get another car.
#10
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I’ve got a 16 mile commute, and laws over here calls for a 16 mph assist cutoff on the basic ebike versions. My ”open road” average is about 18 mph. So wherever the going is ”easy”, I’m all under my own power. The ebike gives me a little boost after every stop, and it lets me climb at 15-16 mph instead of grinding it out at 8-10 mph.
The morning rides I might as well do unassisted, at least at the start of the week. But the return trip, particularly later in the week, the ebike cuts 10-20% off my travel time.
When the studded tires go on, the ebike lets me stick to the summer schedule.
according to my HRM, the only fitness benefit I’m losing is proportional to the reduced travel time.
And since I’m still at 2+ hours daily, I’m not concerned about that.
The morning rides I might as well do unassisted, at least at the start of the week. But the return trip, particularly later in the week, the ebike cuts 10-20% off my travel time.
When the studded tires go on, the ebike lets me stick to the summer schedule.
according to my HRM, the only fitness benefit I’m losing is proportional to the reduced travel time.
And since I’m still at 2+ hours daily, I’m not concerned about that.
#11
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I bike to exercise and for all transportation. I use a motor to allow me to continue doing that - I turn it on for hills I can't climb because I know my knee will blow up afterwards, I turn it on if the headwinds are really bad (20mph+), I turn it on if I am riding with my adult son and he gets tired of waiting for me, and I turn it on if I am hauling 40 lbs of dog food on my trailer. Mostly I prefer to ride without.
#12
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Local How, is often; Mid drive conversions of MTB, (& fat bikes)
because the why is Hunting Elk & Deer on timber company property..
because the why is Hunting Elk & Deer on timber company property..
#13
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It is perfectly fine to enjoy eBiking. I don't know why people get defensive about it. eBikes allow you to enjoy it without putting in the considerable time and effort it takes to become fit enough to handle whatever hills you typically come across enjoyably (or at least not to the detriment of enjoying the ride). And at the same time, eBikes do encourage exercise even if it is not as strenuous as unassisted. And eBiking remains accessible even to people who cannot ever achieve the level of fitness necessary to conquer big hills unassisted.
There is nothing wrong with this. People also get enjoyment from watching a good movie or taking a scenic drive in the car. I would say that riding an eBike is a more worthwhile pursuit than either of those things. But it is different from general cycling, where some of the enjoyment and satisfaction can be derived from the accomplishment of overcoming physically difficult challenges, as well as from the scenery.
I have a good friend who used to road race. He raced until his physician discovered a heart problem that put him on the sidelines -- he's not allowed to go into those high heart rate zones. He has an eBike now, and loves it. I have another good friend who has a medical condition that prevents him operating a motor vehicle. But it does not prevent him from riding an eBike, and so that has become his primary mode of transportation. I admire both of these individuals' resourcefulness. And frankly, I wouldn't mind having an eBike myself just for fun and utility (my Cannondale Quick is my unassisted fun/utility bike). But for many people, fitness can and should be part of the enjoyment equation.
Last edited by daoswald; 11-17-18 at 11:50 AM.
#14
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I have 20 miles commute to work, one way. I used to do it on a high end road bike, it would always result in me sweating buckets. We do not have shower at work. So I used to need a lengthy cooldown period (if you clean up and change to office clothes right away, you will keep sweating in your office clothes for a while), using baby wipes to clean up before change (it really gets old fast), and last but not least - hanging up your soaked gear to dry all over the office.
E-bike allows me to skip the cooldown and clean up, I can commute in my work pants and shoes. I still use cycling jersey and wind breaker, because it’s more comfortable than working attire, but changing to working clothes is no longer a big deal.
E-bike allows me to skip the cooldown and clean up, I can commute in my work pants and shoes. I still use cycling jersey and wind breaker, because it’s more comfortable than working attire, but changing to working clothes is no longer a big deal.
#15
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Exercise and fitness are part of biking as well as e-biking. The difference is that traditional cyclists let the terrain determine the degree of physical challenge whereas e-bikers let the motor determine the degree of physical challenge. A motor ameliorates the difficulty to the amount determined by the rider's selection of power, but it is still exercise. Much like a rider using gearing to help them get up a steep hill, the ebiker uses the motor to assist. Yes, it is assist at a much higher level, but one can still get some decent exercise if one wants. And both traditional bike riders and e-bikers can pootle around if they want to just enjoy the scenery. Over the past year and a half, I have watched this guy (who was very large, had to be 300+ lbs) ride daily on an ebike. He started out wearing a ginormous tee shirt because that was all that fit him. I'm assuming he also was eating a better diet, but now he can fit into a visibility vest with just a single "roll" underneath. He's been out there every day regardless of weather and he pumps that ebike hard! Who knows, maybe once he gets in great shape, maybe he will just become another lycra roadie, lol.
#16
Cycleway town
You answered your own wonder as to why (historically) fitness has been part of the equation for enjoying the ride.
It is perfectly fine to enjoy eBiking. I don't know why people get defensive about it. eBikes allow you to enjoy it without putting in the considerable time and effort it takes to become fit enough to handle whatever hills you typically come across enjoyably (or at least not to the detriment of enjoying the ride). And at the same time, eBikes do encourage exercise even if it is not as strenuous as unassisted. And eBiking remains accessible even to people who cannot ever achieve the level of fitness necessary to conquer big hills unassisted.
There is nothing wrong with this. People also get enjoyment from watching a good movie or taking a scenic drive in the car. I would say that riding an eBike is a more worthwhile pursuit than either of those things. But it is different from general cycling, where some of the enjoyment and satisfaction can be derived from the accomplishment of overcoming physically difficult challenges, as well as from the scenery.
I have a good friend who used to road race. He raced until his physician discovered a heart problem that put him on the sidelines -- he's not allowed to go into those high heart rate zones. He has an eBike now, and loves it. I have another good friend who has a medical condition that prevents him operating a motor vehicle. But it does not prevent him from riding an eBike, and so that has become his primary mode of transportation. I admire both of these individuals' resourcefulness. And frankly, I wouldn't mind having an eBike myself just for fun and utility (my Cannondale Quick is my unassisted fun/utility bike). But for many people, fitness can and should be part of the enjoyment equation.
It is perfectly fine to enjoy eBiking. I don't know why people get defensive about it. eBikes allow you to enjoy it without putting in the considerable time and effort it takes to become fit enough to handle whatever hills you typically come across enjoyably (or at least not to the detriment of enjoying the ride). And at the same time, eBikes do encourage exercise even if it is not as strenuous as unassisted. And eBiking remains accessible even to people who cannot ever achieve the level of fitness necessary to conquer big hills unassisted.
There is nothing wrong with this. People also get enjoyment from watching a good movie or taking a scenic drive in the car. I would say that riding an eBike is a more worthwhile pursuit than either of those things. But it is different from general cycling, where some of the enjoyment and satisfaction can be derived from the accomplishment of overcoming physically difficult challenges, as well as from the scenery.
I have a good friend who used to road race. He raced until his physician discovered a heart problem that put him on the sidelines -- he's not allowed to go into those high heart rate zones. He has an eBike now, and loves it. I have another good friend who has a medical condition that prevents him operating a motor vehicle. But it does not prevent him from riding an eBike, and so that has become his primary mode of transportation. I admire both of these individuals' resourcefulness. And frankly, I wouldn't mind having an eBike myself just for fun and utility (my Cannondale Quick is my unassisted fun/utility bike). But for many people, fitness can and should be part of the enjoyment equation.
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I live in the Ozarks in Arkansas, I can't go but a few miles and hit a lot of hills. I'd like to devote more time to riding and get to the point I can handle them on my own again, but work and everything else don't allow me to. Truth is, even when I was in my prime a few years ago I sucked on hills, always have and I probably always will. It got to the point where I would be planning where to go and would dismiss wonderful rides because I didn't want to tackle the hills. So it was either an ebike or dial back on my biking. So I go an ebike.
The hills just melt away. If the soreness of my thighs after 3 weeks of ebiking is any indication I am getting a BETTER workout on the ebike. I am not spinning up hills and being forced to coast to recover. While I didn't get it for speed, with the days waning shorter and shorter this fall I really like the time saved so I can take longer riders and still get back before dusk. I don't like riding at night. With m regular bike a group of guys I rode with would never drop me - and I appreciate that - I couldn't help but feel guilty that I was holding the entire group back.
I took a 62 mile ride last week and took off 3 hours off the total time. On the regular bike most of that time was walking up hills and sitting and recovering for 10 to 15 minutes ever group of hills. This time I made it all the way out only using the electric assist going up the hills. I made it all the way out and had like 95% left when I got to the end point. I used it more going home and had nearly 30% left when I got home.
So an ebike just made perfect sense for me.
The hills just melt away. If the soreness of my thighs after 3 weeks of ebiking is any indication I am getting a BETTER workout on the ebike. I am not spinning up hills and being forced to coast to recover. While I didn't get it for speed, with the days waning shorter and shorter this fall I really like the time saved so I can take longer riders and still get back before dusk. I don't like riding at night. With m regular bike a group of guys I rode with would never drop me - and I appreciate that - I couldn't help but feel guilty that I was holding the entire group back.
I took a 62 mile ride last week and took off 3 hours off the total time. On the regular bike most of that time was walking up hills and sitting and recovering for 10 to 15 minutes ever group of hills. This time I made it all the way out only using the electric assist going up the hills. I made it all the way out and had like 95% left when I got to the end point. I used it more going home and had nearly 30% left when I got home.
So an ebike just made perfect sense for me.
#18
Senior Member
I live in the Ozarks in Arkansas, I can't go but a few miles and hit a lot of hills. I'd like to devote more time to riding and get to the point I can handle them on my own again, but work and everything else don't allow me to. Truth is, even when I was in my prime a few years ago I sucked on hills, always have and I probably always will. It got to the point where I would be planning where to go and would dismiss wonderful rides because I didn't want to tackle the hills. So it was either an ebike or dial back on my biking. So I go an ebike.
The hills just melt away. If the soreness of my thighs after 3 weeks of ebiking is any indication I am getting a BETTER workout on the ebike. I am not spinning up hills and being forced to coast to recover. While I didn't get it for speed, with the days waning shorter and shorter this fall I really like the time saved so I can take longer riders and still get back before dusk. I don't like riding at night. With m regular bike a group of guys I rode with would never drop me - and I appreciate that - I couldn't help but feel guilty that I was holding the entire group back.
I took a 62 mile ride last week and took off 3 hours off the total time. On the regular bike most of that time was walking up hills and sitting and recovering for 10 to 15 minutes ever group of hills. This time I made it all the way out only using the electric assist going up the hills. I made it all the way out and had like 95% left when I got to the end point. I used it more going home and had nearly 30% left when I got home.
So an ebike just made perfect sense for me.
The hills just melt away. If the soreness of my thighs after 3 weeks of ebiking is any indication I am getting a BETTER workout on the ebike. I am not spinning up hills and being forced to coast to recover. While I didn't get it for speed, with the days waning shorter and shorter this fall I really like the time saved so I can take longer riders and still get back before dusk. I don't like riding at night. With m regular bike a group of guys I rode with would never drop me - and I appreciate that - I couldn't help but feel guilty that I was holding the entire group back.
I took a 62 mile ride last week and took off 3 hours off the total time. On the regular bike most of that time was walking up hills and sitting and recovering for 10 to 15 minutes ever group of hills. This time I made it all the way out only using the electric assist going up the hills. I made it all the way out and had like 95% left when I got to the end point. I used it more going home and had nearly 30% left when I got home.
So an ebike just made perfect sense for me.
#19
Banned
They sold well in Holland , because after a full working day, confronting a 20 to 30 knot headwind on the way home , blowing off the North Sea..
is not something to look forward to doing many days in the year..
is not something to look forward to doing many days in the year..
#20
Senior Member
I test rode an e-bike in August, and bought it a week later. I have ridden it every day, including this morning when it was -16C (BRRR), and because I can choose the level of assistance, I've been able to regulate my effort to match the level of fatigue; this means I am not overdoing it and exhausting myself, but I *am* able to get the benefit of movement, and I am gradually regaining fitness. I usually have the assistance level set to be similar to a brisk walk.
LOVE MY E-BIKE. Her name is Dory because she is blues and helps me "just keep swimming".
#21
Full Member
Thread Starter
@Buglady: Thank you for sharing.
Sometimes I get sick, or don’t have the energy / muscle pain ..., and that’s when an e-bike keeps me rollin’.
However, my e-bike doesn’t have spikes, so on snowy or icy days I go with a regular bike.
So I’m definitely not shying away from exercice :-)
On those days I simply take short breaks.
Q: Never got to –16°C myself. How does that feel? I imagine it is quite different than –5°C. Any advice for cycling at that temperature?
Sometimes I get sick, or don’t have the energy / muscle pain ..., and that’s when an e-bike keeps me rollin’.
However, my e-bike doesn’t have spikes, so on snowy or icy days I go with a regular bike.
So I’m definitely not shying away from exercice :-)
On those days I simply take short breaks.
Q: Never got to –16°C myself. How does that feel? I imagine it is quite different than –5°C. Any advice for cycling at that temperature?
#22
Senior Member
Generally you want to dress with slightly less insulation than you think you need on your body (because you will generate heat by moving; how much heat is pretty variable between people, terrain, and riding styles), and a LOT more insulation than you think on your hands, feet, neck, and head. Something to cover your mouth and nose, warming the air a bit before you pull it into your lungs, makes a big difference as well.
I wear merino wool base layers, a wool sweater, and windproof softshell nylon jacket and pants. Flat pedals and Columbia Omniheat boots for my feet, merino wool gloves and softshell over-mittens for my hands, Buff neck tube that also functions as a breathing mask, windproof skullcap, wool hat.
On the bike I have a Schwalbe Winter Marathon tire on the front; I haven't needed studs on the rear because the weight and long wheelbase of the bike make it very stable. I slipped around a bit in 20cm of fresh snow, but that would have happened with any tire on any bike.
Lots of good suggestions to be found in the Winter Cycling subforum here!
#23
Senior Member
And now it is +3C, the barometric pressure took a dive, and I have a 50kph head wind to contend with on the way home WOOOOOOO CHINOOK!!!!!! (Ow. About half the city now has a headache, including me)
Oh, man, I am SO glad I have the e-bike. Uphill and into a headwind, with a developing migraine, would about kill me on an unpowered bike.
Oh, man, I am SO glad I have the e-bike. Uphill and into a headwind, with a developing migraine, would about kill me on an unpowered bike.
#24
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Yaeh, it's a headwind fighter, hill tamer, and distance improver
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Central PA (USA)
Posts: 1,448
Bikes: 2014 Carbon Quest XS (Velomobile), 2014 Catrike Road (Trike), 2013 Easy Motion Max 700+ PCS (E-bike), 2011 Lynskey R340 (Road), 2011 Surly Moonlander (Fatty), 2010 Santa Cruise Tallboy (Full Suspension)
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i got my ebike when I started commuting regularly almost 6 years ago. I thought it would be a little faster than a non ebike for my 12.5 mi one way commute, and coming home at 3:00 am the extra assist may be nice to have. Like you, I don't use the motor more than I have to because I use it for exercise too. I have a Velomobile now and my commute is 18 mi one way as there are less hills on that route. My ebike is my winter commuter when the roads are snowy and icy with studded tires on all year long.