Eartha Q
are they worth the price?
bikernoj ,
Gosh ! Maybe I have a reason for asking besides being fat and lazy???
Me too M R ! It's a simple question for goodness sake.
Dear Lime ..did it ever occur to you that I might have my reasons for asking!! Is that OK with you???
Thanks Bob Lahblah ..I was trying to get some informed information..but it seems the bike enthusiasts are not very nice people.
Answer
Legal Low Powered Electric Assist bikes are now becoming a great alternative for tens of thousands of commuters in the US. Use an ebike for commuting and save the price of the ebike in insurance savings and service costs, And still get a workout- no more time on that dreaded treadmill at the spa.
Some young fit folks may never need one, but, if you are one of the folks that really does not want to take their car EVERYWHERE, especially to just get a loaf of bread, Ebikes may be the thing for you.
They all have on/off switches and a way to control the level of assist. People might use maximum assist going to work, but minimum assist going home for a workout. If you have asthma or arthritis, an ebike makes the bicycling world yours again- on good days- minimum assist, on bad days - you still don't have to get in the car- just use more assist.
Fifty percent of households own bicyles but less than 5% of them use them regularly. Over 50% of households with ebikes use them on a regular basis.
Some people use their $2,000 racing bike as a roof ornament and a badge of being a yuppie. Other people take ebikes every where, saving lots of money, helping the environment, and stayiing quite fit. YOU DO HAVE TO PEDAL, other wise your range is really shortened.
Right now you can get an ebike that will go 30 miles, (with your pedal assist) make it up most any hill in most cities, feels like a normal bike, can bring home 40 lbs of groceries and has no more service issues than a normal bicycle -for about $1500. And have local service in MANY US cities.
There are today some really great ebikes, much better than 3 years ago. The Bionx, www.bionx.ca , has the most bicycle like feel, and great range. Cyclone, www.cyclone-usa.com , has the most power.
Crystalyte system kits have pretty good value
http://www.poweridestore.com .
In most US states, Ebikes are legally limited to 20mph under electric power, must have pedals that work, less than 750 watts of power, and 2 or 3 wheels (not 4), and are legal where other bikes are legal. Check your state though.
For reasons of test riding and long term support, it is highly suggested that you buy your first one from a local dealer, unless you like to work on such things your self.
The average ebike rider puts on more miles than the average regular bike rider. Why? Ebikes are more fun, less hassle, and there are just less excuses to take the car.
Many ebikes are also light enough to be put on many city busses and trains- helping with "multi-mode" commuting.
(But be careful, there is some junk out there)
What is the best kind of bicycle? The one you will ride.
Try the following yahoo discussion group for indepth information on specific ebikes:
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/power-assist/
There are great ebike dealers in Texas, Colorado, Seattle, Georgia, New York, California, Kansas, Illinois, Utah, Nevada; the list goes on and on.
Legal Low Powered Electric Assist bikes are now becoming a great alternative for tens of thousands of commuters in the US. Use an ebike for commuting and save the price of the ebike in insurance savings and service costs, And still get a workout- no more time on that dreaded treadmill at the spa.
Some young fit folks may never need one, but, if you are one of the folks that really does not want to take their car EVERYWHERE, especially to just get a loaf of bread, Ebikes may be the thing for you.
They all have on/off switches and a way to control the level of assist. People might use maximum assist going to work, but minimum assist going home for a workout. If you have asthma or arthritis, an ebike makes the bicycling world yours again- on good days- minimum assist, on bad days - you still don't have to get in the car- just use more assist.
Fifty percent of households own bicyles but less than 5% of them use them regularly. Over 50% of households with ebikes use them on a regular basis.
Some people use their $2,000 racing bike as a roof ornament and a badge of being a yuppie. Other people take ebikes every where, saving lots of money, helping the environment, and stayiing quite fit. YOU DO HAVE TO PEDAL, other wise your range is really shortened.
Right now you can get an ebike that will go 30 miles, (with your pedal assist) make it up most any hill in most cities, feels like a normal bike, can bring home 40 lbs of groceries and has no more service issues than a normal bicycle -for about $1500. And have local service in MANY US cities.
There are today some really great ebikes, much better than 3 years ago. The Bionx, www.bionx.ca , has the most bicycle like feel, and great range. Cyclone, www.cyclone-usa.com , has the most power.
Crystalyte system kits have pretty good value
http://www.poweridestore.com .
In most US states, Ebikes are legally limited to 20mph under electric power, must have pedals that work, less than 750 watts of power, and 2 or 3 wheels (not 4), and are legal where other bikes are legal. Check your state though.
For reasons of test riding and long term support, it is highly suggested that you buy your first one from a local dealer, unless you like to work on such things your self.
The average ebike rider puts on more miles than the average regular bike rider. Why? Ebikes are more fun, less hassle, and there are just less excuses to take the car.
Many ebikes are also light enough to be put on many city busses and trains- helping with "multi-mode" commuting.
(But be careful, there is some junk out there)
What is the best kind of bicycle? The one you will ride.
Try the following yahoo discussion group for indepth information on specific ebikes:
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/power-assist/
There are great ebike dealers in Texas, Colorado, Seattle, Georgia, New York, California, Kansas, Illinois, Utah, Nevada; the list goes on and on.
What is your take on the electric assist bikes?
mark_hensl
Giant and Trek are on my radar and I plan to purchase one of the two within the next 6 months. I want to lessen my dependence on my car and stay out of the doctors office. I am looking at two riding options for different purposes. The previous question refers to the low end Raliegh and Trek series bikes. The upper end ride assist is attractive when you are not fat, but a former college athlete and the wear and tear creeps up on you certain days. lol.
Thanks.
Old Hippie,
Lithium Ion batteries power the very laptop you are typing on. They last for 4-5 years based on charge cycles. I will get a regular bike, and not replace the exercise, I have lets say a fondness for bio-mechanics. I certainly respect your knowledge and your view as a purist. You will find, in Europe, and Asia their are high numbers of electrically assisted bikes, even high performance bikes. The US, dumbs down the electrical system to peak at 20 mph, not the case elsewhere. They are "runnin" 30-70 mph electrically assisted bikes out of the box, in some cases added to the existing bike a German company is the lead on this, Pro...tech, I can't pull it, a Canadian company by the name of Bionix, Panasonic and others are much further downstream than given credit. I can't say I am a believer, but I see an alternative solution on the way. Mark my words.
Answer
Mark
I used a similar idea when I retired. I use a bike daily for exercise and a motor scooter for running errands.
I do not like the electric assist bikes. Especially, for healthy riders. Make the effort if you want the health! I see a lot of kids and seemingly healthy adults using them. I can see a time when bike lanes in popular riding areas are clogged, and made unsafe, by these vehicles.
When I retired I bought a Vespa type scooter as my 'green machine' just to run errands instead of using the car. It carries a large bag of groceries in a basket in the rear, and gets well over 75 mpg.
Soccerref
Mark
I used a similar idea when I retired. I use a bike daily for exercise and a motor scooter for running errands.
I do not like the electric assist bikes. Especially, for healthy riders. Make the effort if you want the health! I see a lot of kids and seemingly healthy adults using them. I can see a time when bike lanes in popular riding areas are clogged, and made unsafe, by these vehicles.
When I retired I bought a Vespa type scooter as my 'green machine' just to run errands instead of using the car. It carries a large bag of groceries in a basket in the rear, and gets well over 75 mpg.
Soccerref
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Title Post: What do you think of Electric bicycles?
Rating: 83% based on 9498 ratings. 4 user reviews.
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Rating: 83% based on 9498 ratings. 4 user reviews.
Author: Unknown
Thanks For Coming T0 My Blog
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