Thinking about getting an ebike

Discussion in 'Environmental Discussion' started by PriuStorm, Aug 18, 2009.

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  1. PriuStorm

    PriuStorm Senior Member

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    So, I've been thinking about getting an ebike. Yesterday I took a ride on a Torker (Boardwalk 3, ladies) and had a blast! I started out for a short test drive around the block, then continued further for a mile or so and just had a great time. I was almost sold on it but decided to walk away and do a little more research.

    I read the thread where efusco shares his story with his ebike. I'm hoping to find something that is less moped-like, also geared to encourage pedaling even at higher speeds, and relatively light-weight (~50-60 lbs).

    Does anyone here ride an ebike or have thoughts on them. My impression of the Torker was that it was fun! But at $1,400, I was a little surprised it didn't even have an easy-adjust seat (you needed an allen wrench).

    Trying to do some research, there aren't many reviews around. Seems like there are a lot of similar looking bikes available at various distributors and on ebay. Some that I've looked at:

    The Euro
    The Liberty 629
    The R12

    All three of these, very similar in design, frame, amenities, specs... Undoubtedly made in China. I chatted with one ebay buyer from July who was very happy with her Euro. But no real reviews out there. Any thoughts? Any experiences out there?

    Thanks in advance!
     
    #1 PriuStorm, Aug 18, 2009
  2. blippo

    blippo New Member

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    You pretty much get what you pay for with electric bikes. What I did was buy a cruiser type bike that had a rigid wide front fork and bought a Crystalyte electric bike kit for it and installed it myself. That's what I found to be the best.
     
    #2 blippo, Aug 18, 2009
  3. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    Ugh! I saw one the other day that is exactly what you want. 300-400W hub motor, traditional bike appearance with 12-speed gearing. Heavy, of course but much more traditional look like you suggest.

    That said, while the moped look is a little...gay, it sure is more versatile. I can wear a small backpack to put stuff in, it has the cargo thing on the back that holds quite a bit, and the basket on the front for even more storage. It makes it great for grabbing a few groceries or whatever. Whereas a regular bike your cargo capacity is going to be a bit less I think...and thus the opportunities to use it diminish.
    [​IMG]
     
    #3 efusco, Aug 18, 2009
  4. Utah eBikes

    Utah eBikes New Member

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    Disclosure notice: I sell ebikes so I'm biased!

    I became interested in the scooter-style ebikes, which eventually led to me being the Veloteq distributor for Utah (Google Utah eBikes or Veloteq if interested).

    While I am convinced Veloteq has the best scooter-style ebikes, I have not found their pedal-assist to be any better than the many comparable ones available. If you are looking for a kit I would recommend the "E-Bike Kit" (ebikekit.com) or, if you really want to get the most use of your bike I would recommend eLation eBikes (elationebikes.com.au).

    The elation ebike kit is more expensive, but instead of a hub motor the motor actually connects through the gears, giving you full torque and the ability to make a difference with pedaling at any speed.

    I currently don't carry either of these kits (or any others for that matter) but hope to someday.

    I'm glad you mentioned having FUN on your ebike test ride--fun is a big part of the equation for me. Of course, spending less than $2/month in electricity to cruise around town is also nice!

    ~Kevin

    P.S. Sorry to not post links--I had them in but got a message that I am not allowed to include links since I have not posted 5 times.
     
    #4 Utah eBikes, Aug 18, 2009
  5. EZW1

    EZW1 Active Member

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    I have one: the first model offered. Might sell it. PM me if interested.
     
    #5 EZW1, Aug 18, 2009
  6. edward1956

    edward1956 New Member

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    Got the perfect bike for you. Check out the Pedego Comfort Cruiser at pedego.com.
     
    #6 edward1956, Aug 19, 2009
  7. PriuStorm

    PriuStorm Senior Member

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    You know, I actually have a maxi-scooter myself (the big Burger, 650cc Suzuki), but it's just kind of cumbersome to take in and out especially for short jaunts. Don't get me wrong... I love the eCVT and the thrill of riding it, but for everyday practicality, it loses.

    I'm curious, if you were to pedal only, how quickly would you go? Is it anywhere near what a regular bike would go? Yes, the scooter style is practical in many respects, but if you need to get to any guts of the bike, you have to remove tupperware, another hassle of a scooter.

    BTW, have you needed to have it serviced for any reason? Any tire changes?
     
    #7 PriuStorm, Aug 19, 2009
  8. PriuStorm

    PriuStorm Senior Member

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    Hi Kevin,
    Thanks for being up front with your disclosure. I can see from your website that the one model (the Osprey) is pretty identical to two of the three models I listed above which is what I would consider if I were to buy from you. I had suspected that these were basically the same bikes, just rebadged for different distributors.

    When you say these bikes are not better than the comparable ones, how do you mean? Speed/performance? How long it lasts before breaking down? Fit and finish?
     
    #8 PriuStorm, Aug 19, 2009
  9. PriuStorm

    PriuStorm Senior Member

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    I'm afraid you're too far from me, but I am interested in your experience of ownership and why you'd be selling? And also, what do you own? 'First model' of what?
     
    #9 PriuStorm, Aug 19, 2009
  10. bluetwo

    bluetwo Relevance is irrelevant

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    Personally I think this is the way to go: Electric Hub Motor Kits - Eco Moto

    And perhaps not that kit exactly but there's one out there that will fit your existing bike or other needs. I recommend this type and this is how I would go personally because I feel like you can come out way cheaper in the long run plus you can use a more rugged bike that looks exactly like you want it to. I know mine would have to be a mountain bike for example.
     
    #10 bluetwo, Aug 19, 2009
  11. hyo silver

    hyo silver Awaaaaay

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    Something to consider is the traffic law in your area. Bicycles with hub motors may be treated differently than electric no-peds, especially with respect to speed limits. Faster commuting and/or speeding tickets are always a balancing act.
     
    #11 hyo silver, Aug 19, 2009
  12. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    This is easy to move in and out...it weighs <100lbs (haven't put it on a scale).
    It is very impractical to pedal only. It has a single gear and it really is not made to pedal along. It's much more of an electric scooter and the pedals pretty much just assist for hill climbs and such.

    Top speed is around 20mph and it claims a 30 mile range...it could probably get close to that on flat terrain in real life on a full charge.

    I've never had any service done. I have had some problems with the chain coming off when I was pedaling hard, but I think I fixed that by tightening it up.
     
    #12 efusco, Aug 19, 2009
  13. a_gray_prius

    a_gray_prius Rare Non-Old-Blowhard Priuschat Member

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    Given the seemingly very limited power and relatively low top speed, why isn't a nice carbon fiber trek (or Felt, or Cannondale, or Fuji, or wahtver) road bike a reasonable option? I average 17mph on my way to work, which isn't far from what sounds like the ebike's top speed, and I can certainly (with not too much effort, I would add) exceed the 20mph top speed for decent stretches.

    I'm probably missing something, because electric bikes always struck me as adding unnecessary complexity to a beautifully simple, efficient machine.
     
    #13 a_gray_prius, Aug 19, 2009
  14. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    I'm gonna assume you're not as fat and old as I am!:D

    A bike would probably be a good option for a lot of people...myself included. But there is no way I could average 17mph...or even the 12-15 I probably average on the e-bike...where I live. There are a lot of hills and such.

    The e-bike is much more comfortable to ride, it has a lot of storage, it's easy and relaxing. I exert little or no energy and thus don't sweat like I would on a bicycle. My work is too far away for bike or e-bike, but if it were closer I would ride the e-bike over bicycling simple b/c I wouldn't want to be sweaty and stinky at work and again when I got home.

    Simply put, there are times where I would be hesitant to ride a bike b/c of the effort required, the sweating, and the lack of carrying capacity and I don't have the same hesitation with the e-bike.
     
    #14 efusco, Aug 19, 2009
  15. PriuStorm

    PriuStorm Senior Member

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    I thought about this (not that kit exactly... I don't want to go with lead acid batteries), but a good/recommended kit seems to be BionX and the cheapest I've found on that is over $1,000. Then I still need to find a bike. I know you get what you pay for , but it's hard to test-drive a kit... :(
     
    #15 PriuStorm, Aug 19, 2009
  16. icarus

    icarus Senior Member

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    The reality is for this application, there are few battery alternatives to Lead/Acid. FLA (flooded lead/acid) batteries have been around a long time, and $$ are a very reliable storehouse of energy. Recycling is very important, but I don't think you are going to find another battery chemistry in the kind of amp/hour range you need to be useful at a price that makes much sense.

    Exotic (Li/Nimh) and other all come with certain environmental trade offs. In fact, all batteries have manufacturing and recycling issues. Don't write off FLA just because lead has a bad rep.

    Icarus

    Take a peak at these:Deep Cycle Battery FAQ
    ttp://www.batteryfaq.org/

    Probably the best battery information for the layperson out there! Geared a bit toward solar applications, but the technology is the same.
     
    #16 icarus, Aug 19, 2009
  17. PriuStorm

    PriuStorm Senior Member

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    I actually found a forum last night where one of the members has one such bike and put a hub motor on it. He had made several videos of his commute to work (and a speedy commute at that). That guy sounds like he's in shape... his time to work whether on the ebike or on his regular bike only varies by minutes and he regularly reaches top speeds around 25mph. Seeing the videos of the commute was exhilerating!

    Unfortunately, I'm not that guy. I'm middle-aged, out of shape, have hip replacements and want a way to get out of the car onto the road, get places without getting sweaty, too winded, sore, etc. I am hoping the ebike will allow me to do that, allow me to rely on it to do maybe 50-60% of the work in the beginning and then scale that back as I ride more and get in shape.

    I need the bike to be comfortable, upright posture, and not allow my hip to bend too much so a hunched over 'racing' bike will not work, much as I may long for those days when I did do treks on a bike like that.

    Probably these aren't issues for you but they are for me. I did buy a Giant Revive DX and that is good for short jaunts, but with the smaller wheels, I have a hard time keeping up with my pals who ride 'regular' bikes and aren't limited by hip replacements, etc. The ebike ride I took yesterday made me feel like I had legs like Lance Armstrong as I took off from lights and sped past other cyclists. :)
     
    #17 PriuStorm, Aug 19, 2009
  18. PriuStorm

    PriuStorm Senior Member

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    Thanks, I will look at that in more detail later. But my question to you is, why are all the new ebikes out there coming with Lithion-ion batteries?
     
    #18 PriuStorm, Aug 19, 2009
  19. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    #19 efusco, Aug 19, 2009
    2 people like this.
  20. Johnbear

    Johnbear New Member

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    I can wear a small backpack to put stuff in, it has the cargo thing on the back that holds quite a bit, and the basket on the front for even more storage.









    -
     
    #20 Johnbear, Aug 25, 2009
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