Electric bicycle experiences?

Dana1981

I recently ordered an electric bicycle:

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200333249_200333249?cm_sp=Customer%20driven-_-Recently%20Viewed-_-Product%20Page

for my commute to and from work. It's about 13 miles each way and takes me about an hour on my regular hybrid bike. Making this ride twice a day can wear me out by the end of the week, particularly since I often have to go against a stiff headwind. Plus it's gotten as hot as 108°F this summer during my ride home.

Basically I'd like to cut down on the time and work it takes to make this trip, while still getting exercise and minimizing my greenhouse gas emissions. I should be able to recharge the batteries at work, so that will prevent them from getting discharged much more than halfway. I did some research, and this particular bike seemed fine and is relatively very cheap.

So I was wondering if anyone with some electric bike experiences had any tips about electric bikes and biking.
Yes I'm planning on pedalling essentially the whole route. The electric motor is simply to make the pedalling easier and make the trip quicker.
Good tips 1x1, thanks.

Answer
I've sold many different kinds of electric bikes in the shop, and some are good and others are not so good. The batteries don't last long on the inexpensive ones, so take good care of it. Charge it exactly as long as they recommend, exactly as often as they recommend. The motors are usually pretty good, you probably won't have any problems with it. I'd try to get different tires, something like the Kenda Kwest, 26x1.5 would be good. It'll make the whole thing a little easier and faster than the inexpensive tires that come on the bike, and that's the whole point, right? Unless you're a pretty good mechanic, I'd also have a shop assemble the bike. If everything gets adjusted properly from the beginning, it'll last a lot longer.

Advice on biking to work: too dangerous? Worth it?

J. Jaeger

It's always been a dream of mine to bike to work, but I'm apprehensive. I've biked all my life on greenways, trails, etc. and regularly (>3x/week) go out for 6-10 mile rides. Riding on the road is a bit frightening.

The ride is 2 miles on one road, right turn into work. There are only two major turn-off routes (only a small chance of faceplanting into a right-turning car) and no curbside parking (no chance of getting "doored"). The street is a "backroad" but is moderately used during the morning and night commute. No shoulder. No sidewalks.

Major downsides are: speed limit is 45 mph and cars typically go in excess of 50mph. The road is also very hilly so it might make for a tough ride.

This is the *only* way to get to work. Trust me, I've explored every alternative, including off-roading.

I have roughly $500 for this. My choices are to walk (takes about 40 minutes and is exhausting), get an inexpensive electric bike or buy a decent hybrid. I always wear a helmet and use a rearview.

Answer
I ride my bike to work its about 1.4 miles from my home it takes 10 Min's. I have been doored once on the way to work and fallen off my bike a few times in the last two years but I think it changed my life for the better.

A few things I have noticed about biking to work it really really cheap my hybrid bike has disk brakes and costs $500.00 and good set of rain gear cost $150. Plus I have spent about $100 on repairs and accessories. I roded my bike to work about 4 days week for the last 20 months.

So I spent $720 to Commute to work for 320 work days it comes out to about 2.25 dollars a day.

If I compare that to cost of the bus which is 60 dollars a month for 20 months would have been $1200.00. The Bus Trip Takes 20 Min's compared to about 10 Min's for the bike ride. I have also lost about 5 lbs biking to work.

So all I can suggest is buy you self a bike with good disk brakes that can be done for $500.00 get yourself some good all weather gear and start cycling. My life has changed for better and I hope yours will to. I have even saved money on my shoes because there is less wear on them when you pedel the bike as opposed to walking.

PS I wear a dress shirt and tie work and I never sweat enough to need a shower in my 10 min ride. Some you have check you hair after you take you helmet off but it no big deal

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