Thinking about getting an ebike

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

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  1. blippo

    blippo New Member

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    Lithium-ion batteries are lighter and you can go further distances with them. I have Lithium-ion on one of my bikes and I can go twice the distance and it's half the weight than a lead/acid
     
    #21 blippo, Aug 25, 2009
  2. a_gray_prius

    a_gray_prius Rare Non-Old-Blowhard Priuschat Member

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    It has been my experience that the effort and sweating become continuously smaller factors as you become more fit from increasing your activity level. I used to hate being sweaty more than anything else - after a few months of riding my bike, it was barely a consideration.

    Hey, whatever gets you active, right???
     
    #22 a_gray_prius, Aug 26, 2009
  3. DickPhillips

    DickPhillips Member

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    It has been awhile since anyone posted here but I just found this site and I just ordered an eBike. I did quite a bit of Internet searching and settled on an e-Moto Velocity 2.0 from REI. It uses pedal actuation of the motor rather than a hand throttle so you are always "riding" the bike, has 6-speeds from the pedals through a Shimano derailer gear set, uses a 37v Panasonic Lithium Ion battery to give an assisted range of about 35 miles, etc. I thought about the pedal actuated VS throttle bikes but decided that if I want exercise (and I am an old guy of 66) I'd be better off with the pedal actuated system so that I don't just coast along in electric mode. It's electric assist cuts out at 15mph but the bike can go faster under pedal power and it only weighs about 47 pounds with the battery so is light enough to be practical under pedal power. It is built in England by Urban Mover company.

    I should have it about the end of next week (Jan 8th) and will try to find this thread to say more after I have tried it out. And I'll go check out efusco's interesting sounding Yahoo site on ebikes.
     
    #23 DickPhillips, Dec 31, 2009
  4. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    Yeah! it's the razorback graphic on the container on the back that sells this baby to me.

    Once in Ireland I saw a moped someone had painted with the same graphics as The Dukes of Hazards' General Lee.

    There's just no way you can make anything like a moped look too masculine. But I think it's funny when people try. At best go for sporty and utilitarian.
     
    #24 The Electric Me, Dec 31, 2009
  5. PriuStorm

    PriuStorm Senior Member

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    I hope you do come back and report on your experience. I haven't made a purchase yet, but as soon as the weather gets a bit nicer, I think I will. I will check out the REI, too.
     
    #25 PriuStorm, Dec 31, 2009
  6. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    My e-bike has both pedal and throttle actuation of the electric motor. I use both depending upon the situation. I like the throttle b/c you can attenuate the output much more easily whereas with the pedal you get more of an all or nothing response that can be tricky when you're easing behind another vehicle or to a stop sign or something. But I'm sure you'll adjust fine to what you get.
     
    #26 efusco, Dec 31, 2009
  7. Mjolinor

    Mjolinor New Member

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    #27 Mjolinor, Jan 1, 2010
  8. Airbalancer

    Airbalancer Active Member

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    #28 Airbalancer, Jan 1, 2010
  9. bighouse

    bighouse Active Member

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    #29 bighouse, Jan 1, 2010
  10. icarus

    icarus Senior Member

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    I may have to look into one of these! My wife has been pining for one for years!
     
    #30 icarus, Jan 1, 2010
  11. rpatterman

    rpatterman Thinking Progressive

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    Two questions about ebikes:

    Are they legal on bike paths or only on streets?

    Has anyone calculated miles/kWh?
     
    #31 rpatterman, Jan 2, 2010
  12. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    That'll vary by local ordinance. I know there are areas here that specify "no motorized vehicles"...and thus would assume that includes ebikes. But, otherwise, they fall under the same laws as regular bicycles for purposes of license and helmet requirements.

    I haven't done the math, but would think that, too, would vary a lot depending upon the bike, the terrain, the amount of pedaling done, etc. But I can tell you they don't use much.
     
    #32 efusco, Jan 2, 2010
  13. Eoin

    Eoin Active Member

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    Last time I was in China, they were everywhere. At least 100 million electric bikes and scooters. But they have special lanes between the main road and the sidewalk for them. They are not practical or safe here.
     
    #33 Eoin, Jan 2, 2010
  14. DaveinOlyWA

    DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!!

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    i had one of those electric scooter things that i did bomb around in for work and such (back when my work was only a few miles away thru god aweful traffic. (yep, twice got warning from cops for riding it on the sidewalks!!) but this was no more than one of those electric skateboard things. i parked it right next to the coat rack at work. it did like 15 mph.

    but i ride a regular bike but only for transportation one day a YEAR and that is on the national car pool day or whatever its called. the rest of the time its for exercise and entertainment for my son. (we have a seat for him right up front and he loves riding around on it)
     
    #34 DaveinOlyWA, Jan 2, 2010
  15. icarus

    icarus Senior Member

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    Why are they any less safe here with 300 million of us as opposed to China with over a Billion people? What is the problem with designated bike lanes?
     
    #35 icarus, Jan 2, 2010
  16. DaveinOlyWA

    DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!!

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    wouldnt be a problem at all if we had the bike lanes!!
     
    #36 DaveinOlyWA, Jan 2, 2010
  17. hyo silver

    hyo silver Awaaaaay

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    I'm sure laws vary, but around here, motorised vehicles are not permitted on designated bike paths. (I should say 'multi-use paths' because there's no such thing as paths for bikes only.) Ebikes are restricted to a maximum of 30kmh, which ironically makes them slower than pedal bikes in some situations! They're also prohibited from freeways because they can't maintain 40kmh.
     
    #37 hyo silver, Jan 2, 2010
  18. rpatterman

    rpatterman Thinking Progressive

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    Yeh, I checked. Not on bike paths in Boulder. They are limited to streets and bike lanes, no highways or bike paths. Makes them somewhat limited in an area with a great bike path system, guess I will just pedal!
     
    #38 rpatterman, Jan 4, 2010
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