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

electric bikes?

free_mark5

Anyone have a electric bike, i want one that looks like a mt. bike, and can also be used without the power on.

Answer
you have several options.

Giant will be coming out with a new model this spring, check out your Giant Ebike Dealer, or
Bird Ebike in Colorado if you don't have one.

Next is the Bionx ebike add on kit, can be added to most bikes.

Also Crystalyte hub motors can be added to most Mountain bikes.

Buy from a good dealer, locally if you can.

we have several ebikes including Giant bionx, Crystalyte and others.

Your best choice will depend on quite a few factors. but first make sure where they are legal in your locality. State of NY doesn't like them.

Legal electric assist Ebikes are generally considered bicycles if they comply with the federal law HR727- Max 750watts, pedals that work, maximum 3 wheels, maximum 20mph under power. but there are exceptions so check locally.

Check http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/power-assist/
for more details

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Power Assist Bikes?

LAL

I am 60 years old, just finished chemo and do not have alot of energy left. I was thinking of getting a power assist bike so I could get some exercise because the bike I have takes more energy then I have. I need a simple bike that will allow me to pedal, but will also assist. I have read alittle bit and probably the electric would be better then gas, for the speed and noise. But any assistance will be appreiated. Thank you.

Answer
There are two ways to go: A purpose built electric/pedal bike or trike or an add-on kit to a regular bike.

Electric is much more useful than gas, since electric assist bikes can still be used on trails (gas, even mopeds are almost always prohibited). Plus they are quieter, lighter, less smelly and, most importantly, more bike-like.

Consider a trike too, especially a recumbent. They are much more comfortable and easy on the butt. More stable (they can't fall over), you can carry a lot more (basket in the back) so they are more useful for errands and they can stop on a dime. The big penalty has always been the extra weight, but if you are planning from the start to use a motor assist, then weight isn't that big a concern is it?

Good luck. Biking is the best exercise in the world!

upgrading an electric scooter any advice?

darkstar11

I drive a 500 watt TaoTao ATE 501 and it only has a top speed of 20 to 21 miles per hour and only drives 10 miles per charge(I think) Is there any upgrade parts I can get for this scooter so that it can drive 30 maybe 35 miles per hour and get better battery life? I'm tired of being on a street legal scooter/moped and not being able to keep up with average city traffic flow. I hate being tailgated because I'm driving slower. I think it runs on 48 volt batteries and uses three of them. Not sure about the control box because its kinda hard to get to.

Answer
First you have to realize that those 500 watt electric scooters are really just heavy cheap electric assisted bikes. The TaoTao ATE 501 weighs about 200 lbs and that's why it's so slow. If you want any reasonable performance, you use the fold out pedals at least for acceleration, it also recharges the batteries slightly.

I suspect you have a 36 volt system with three 12 v lead acid batteries wired in series. It would be a good idea to have each of those batteries checked out separately. Lead acid batteries can be tricky and it only takes one to be in poor shape for the whole bike to suffer.

The most obvious upgrade you could do is wire in another three lead acid batteries in parallel. Nothing else would need changing but you would have to find a location to put the batteries.

The next possible upgrade is to replace the batteries with expensive lithium ion or lithium polymer batteries which are convenient because they are available in similar voltage levels. Their charging procedures are similar but not identical so you may be able to get away with not changing any of the charging mechanisms. The biggest problem with this is the cost.

A larger motor probably won't do you much good and may require custom fabrication of the motor mounts but you may be able to find a more powerful motor in the same form factor. In general, most electric motors can be operated at higher voltages with the only consequence being overheating of the motor and wires, the wires can be increased to thicker wires and you could try to get more cooling to the motor but this would really only allow you to have short bursts with the possibility of burning something out. Of course doing so means changing the battery layout and adding more batteries.

The best solution would be to upgrade to a proper light weight electric assisted bike but they run about $2,000 or more, roughly double what the scooters cost. Maybe find a used bike and put in a 500 watt conversion kit... At least with the bikes, everyone expects you to be slow.

The 500 watt scooters are not what I would call street legal, just exempt from regulations. It takes a 150 cc scooter to be freeway legal and a 250 cc scooter to actually be safe at freeway speeds and any scooter with more than 50 cc's must be licensed and registered as a motor vehicle. Those I would call street legal once licensed. You might be better off with a 50 cc gasoline scooter, those are usually exempt from regulation too. The old smoky two cylinder ones had a lot of power, about double what the new four cylinder ones have but even the new 4 cylinder ones would be four times the power of the 500 watt electric scooter. If you want to be environmentally friendly, make ethanol from rotten fruits that you get from the grocers for free.

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electric bikes?

free_mark5

Anyone have a electric bike, i want one that looks like a mt. bike, and can also be used without the power on.

Answer
you have several options.

Giant will be coming out with a new model this spring, check out your Giant Ebike Dealer, or
Bird Ebike in Colorado if you don't have one.

Next is the Bionx ebike add on kit, can be added to most bikes.

Also Crystalyte hub motors can be added to most Mountain bikes.

Buy from a good dealer, locally if you can.

we have several ebikes including Giant bionx, Crystalyte and others.

Your best choice will depend on quite a few factors. but first make sure where they are legal in your locality. State of NY doesn't like them.

Legal electric assist Ebikes are generally considered bicycles if they comply with the federal law HR727- Max 750watts, pedals that work, maximum 3 wheels, maximum 20mph under power. but there are exceptions so check locally.

Check http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/power-assist/
for more details

what is meaning of " pedal-assisted electric bike "?

Mos Ja

Answer
pedal assisted means there is a battery that makes riding the bike lighter/easier (especially uphill or against the wind). But.. the battery won't work when you are not using the pedals.. it's not like an electric motor that rides the bike for you.

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What do you think of Electric bicycles?

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.

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

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electric bikes?

free_mark5

Anyone have a electric bike, i want one that looks like a mt. bike, and can also be used without the power on.

Answer
you have several options.

Giant will be coming out with a new model this spring, check out your Giant Ebike Dealer, or
Bird Ebike in Colorado if you don't have one.

Next is the Bionx ebike add on kit, can be added to most bikes.

Also Crystalyte hub motors can be added to most Mountain bikes.

Buy from a good dealer, locally if you can.

we have several ebikes including Giant bionx, Crystalyte and others.

Your best choice will depend on quite a few factors. but first make sure where they are legal in your locality. State of NY doesn't like them.

Legal electric assist Ebikes are generally considered bicycles if they comply with the federal law HR727- Max 750watts, pedals that work, maximum 3 wheels, maximum 20mph under power. but there are exceptions so check locally.

Check http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/power-assist/
for more details

what is meaning of " pedal-assisted electric bike "?

Mos Ja

Answer
pedal assisted means there is a battery that makes riding the bike lighter/easier (especially uphill or against the wind). But.. the battery won't work when you are not using the pedals.. it's not like an electric motor that rides the bike for you.

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electric bike???

Q. does an electric bike or motor cycle (please tell me about both) require license to drive on the roads????

Answer
Electric assist only:

Since the passing of HR727, a federal law from 2003, most states have adopted the following:

If a bicycle of 2 or 3 wheels has a small electric helper motor of less than 750 watts ( 1 horsepower) , has working pedals and the motor cuts out at 20mph or less, then it is considered a bicycle, not a motor vehicle.

Most states (other than Hawaii, and New York) honor this, but check your state to be sure.

Some states are even more liberal and allow 1000 watts. Some states add a weight limitation of 100 pounds (Texas). some will add a minimum age, or mandatory helmets.

But the basics are in the first paragraph here and require no license.

electric bike advice?

Eddie

hi guys i was curious about a few things and thought, "well i might as well ask", so here i am. lets say you dont finish your battery, are you still supposed to charge it every night? ar am i supposed ot let the battery drain out? and what type of brake should i have, the regular v brake or the disk? ive been told both ways so im not sure which one is better... last but not least, i was told that the company "Gold Model" was very good but not so known, but i was wondering is mabye someone knew if it is good and what are its bad sides? the more information the better:)

thanks
Eddie

Answer
Batteries in an electric assist bike are similar to those in a cell phone. They will last a LOT longer if you drain them down to near zero & then recharge again.

For general purpose riding, disc brakes are NOT needed. Disc brakes are only needed under the most adverse conditions - such as mud, muck & a LOT of rain.

Good electric assist bicycles cost about 2K or more. For that same amount of money, you could buy 3 or more really good "fitness bikes".
http://www.raleighusa.com/bikes-road-fitness-cadent-cadent-2

I wouldn't own an electric assist bike. What happens if the battery should go down miles from home? You are stuck pedaling a VERY heavy bicycle home again. Meanwhile...a fitness bike or even a road bike is very light & geared to climb hills easily.

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Electric Bike?

Q. Hey I'm going to be moving a ways away from my kung fu school. So I will have to bike there but we are talking like 30 miles away at least. So my question is if anyone knows what that bike adapter kit is where it lets you switch between pedaling and driving?

Answer
there are allot of electric bikes and kits out there, but the problem is weight, performance, and distance per charge, remember, if you use those batteries for 10-20 Miles they are bone dry, and you have to pedal with an additional 80 pounds of weight, so you think, i ll add more batteries, but then you add more weight, then you need a bigger motor, so on and so forth, to have a more efficient setup you would need lighter batteries that last longer, lithium ion, or nickle metal hybrid, but they are very pricey, and you would need allot of them.

electric biking is not yet a transportation alternative, unless your going very short distance.

but if you wait, I'm currently working on a revolutionary concept for power assisted bicycles that will be available on the market for the summer of 2007 and will give you a 250 mile autonomy, and will only add 9.2lbs.

What do you think of Electric bicycles?

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.

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

What do you think of Electric bicycles?

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.

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

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upgrading an electric scooter any advice?

darkstar11

I drive a 500 watt TaoTao ATE 501 and it only has a top speed of 20 to 21 miles per hour and only drives 10 miles per charge(I think) Is there any upgrade parts I can get for this scooter so that it can drive 30 maybe 35 miles per hour and get better battery life? I'm tired of being on a street legal scooter/moped and not being able to keep up with average city traffic flow. I hate being tailgated because I'm driving slower. I think it runs on 48 volt batteries and uses three of them. Not sure about the control box because its kinda hard to get to.

Answer
First you have to realize that those 500 watt electric scooters are really just heavy cheap electric assisted bikes. The TaoTao ATE 501 weighs about 200 lbs and that's why it's so slow. If you want any reasonable performance, you use the fold out pedals at least for acceleration, it also recharges the batteries slightly.

I suspect you have a 36 volt system with three 12 v lead acid batteries wired in series. It would be a good idea to have each of those batteries checked out separately. Lead acid batteries can be tricky and it only takes one to be in poor shape for the whole bike to suffer.

The most obvious upgrade you could do is wire in another three lead acid batteries in parallel. Nothing else would need changing but you would have to find a location to put the batteries.

The next possible upgrade is to replace the batteries with expensive lithium ion or lithium polymer batteries which are convenient because they are available in similar voltage levels. Their charging procedures are similar but not identical so you may be able to get away with not changing any of the charging mechanisms. The biggest problem with this is the cost.

A larger motor probably won't do you much good and may require custom fabrication of the motor mounts but you may be able to find a more powerful motor in the same form factor. In general, most electric motors can be operated at higher voltages with the only consequence being overheating of the motor and wires, the wires can be increased to thicker wires and you could try to get more cooling to the motor but this would really only allow you to have short bursts with the possibility of burning something out. Of course doing so means changing the battery layout and adding more batteries.

The best solution would be to upgrade to a proper light weight electric assisted bike but they run about $2,000 or more, roughly double what the scooters cost. Maybe find a used bike and put in a 500 watt conversion kit... At least with the bikes, everyone expects you to be slow.

The 500 watt scooters are not what I would call street legal, just exempt from regulations. It takes a 150 cc scooter to be freeway legal and a 250 cc scooter to actually be safe at freeway speeds and any scooter with more than 50 cc's must be licensed and registered as a motor vehicle. Those I would call street legal once licensed. You might be better off with a 50 cc gasoline scooter, those are usually exempt from regulation too. The old smoky two cylinder ones had a lot of power, about double what the new four cylinder ones have but even the new 4 cylinder ones would be four times the power of the 500 watt electric scooter. If you want to be environmentally friendly, make ethanol from rotten fruits that you get from the grocers for free.

what is a good electric assist bicycle?

Rambo

Im kinda plump and find it hard to ride a reg bike, makes my legs/back hurt...anysuggestions?

Answer
There are no "good" electric assist bicycles. Th cost is astronomical, the price of battery replacement is also sky high & the charge in the battery may run low or OUT at the wrong time at the wrong place. Then you are stuck pedaling a VERY heavy bicycle home under your own power.

Please don't give me that "I'm kinda plump" routine either. I started out several years ago at 315 lbs. I also have degenerative disc disease in the lower back and arthritic knees. By using the proper cycling posture & "spinning" the pedals at a "cadence" of around 70-90 rpm (if not more) at all times, you can do it too. If I can - anybody can.

Trek Electric Assist Bicycles - lowest priced one - $2,299.99 - http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/collections/electric_assist/models/

My 2011 Raleigh Touring Road Bike - cost - $1,200 - http://www.raleighusa.com/archive/2011-steel-road/sojourn-11/

Started off on a straight hybrid with the upright sitting/riding position. Switched to road bikes about a year ago. Love 'em!!! Today I rode 26 miles! Again...don't give me that "I'm kinda plump" routine. If I can get fit & shed pounds - anyone can. Links below from the late Sheldon Brown. Please read.

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electric bike???

Q. does an electric bike or motor cycle (please tell me about both) require license to drive on the roads????

Answer
Electric assist only:

Since the passing of HR727, a federal law from 2003, most states have adopted the following:

If a bicycle of 2 or 3 wheels has a small electric helper motor of less than 750 watts ( 1 horsepower) , has working pedals and the motor cuts out at 20mph or less, then it is considered a bicycle, not a motor vehicle.

Most states (other than Hawaii, and New York) honor this, but check your state to be sure.

Some states are even more liberal and allow 1000 watts. Some states add a weight limitation of 100 pounds (Texas). some will add a minimum age, or mandatory helmets.

But the basics are in the first paragraph here and require no license.

Electric Bike?

Q. Hey I'm going to be moving a ways away from my kung fu school. So I will have to bike there but we are talking like 30 miles away at least. So my question is if anyone knows what that bike adapter kit is where it lets you switch between pedaling and driving?

Answer
there are allot of electric bikes and kits out there, but the problem is weight, performance, and distance per charge, remember, if you use those batteries for 10-20 Miles they are bone dry, and you have to pedal with an additional 80 pounds of weight, so you think, i ll add more batteries, but then you add more weight, then you need a bigger motor, so on and so forth, to have a more efficient setup you would need lighter batteries that last longer, lithium ion, or nickle metal hybrid, but they are very pricey, and you would need allot of them.

electric biking is not yet a transportation alternative, unless your going very short distance.

but if you wait, I'm currently working on a revolutionary concept for power assisted bicycles that will be available on the market for the summer of 2007 and will give you a 250 mile autonomy, and will only add 9.2lbs.

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electric bike???

Q. does an electric bike or motor cycle (please tell me about both) require license to drive on the roads????

Answer
Electric assist only:

Since the passing of HR727, a federal law from 2003, most states have adopted the following:

If a bicycle of 2 or 3 wheels has a small electric helper motor of less than 750 watts ( 1 horsepower) , has working pedals and the motor cuts out at 20mph or less, then it is considered a bicycle, not a motor vehicle.

Most states (other than Hawaii, and New York) honor this, but check your state to be sure.

Some states are even more liberal and allow 1000 watts. Some states add a weight limitation of 100 pounds (Texas). some will add a minimum age, or mandatory helmets.

But the basics are in the first paragraph here and require no license.

Electric Bike?

Q. Hey I'm going to be moving a ways away from my kung fu school. So I will have to bike there but we are talking like 30 miles away at least. So my question is if anyone knows what that bike adapter kit is where it lets you switch between pedaling and driving?

Answer
there are allot of electric bikes and kits out there, but the problem is weight, performance, and distance per charge, remember, if you use those batteries for 10-20 Miles they are bone dry, and you have to pedal with an additional 80 pounds of weight, so you think, i ll add more batteries, but then you add more weight, then you need a bigger motor, so on and so forth, to have a more efficient setup you would need lighter batteries that last longer, lithium ion, or nickle metal hybrid, but they are very pricey, and you would need allot of them.

electric biking is not yet a transportation alternative, unless your going very short distance.

but if you wait, I'm currently working on a revolutionary concept for power assisted bicycles that will be available on the market for the summer of 2007 and will give you a 250 mile autonomy, and will only add 9.2lbs.

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Is electric bike easy for someone who has never ride on a bike before?

best electric assist bike image

Mark

Is electric bike easy for someone who has never ride on a bike before?

Answer
NO! The extra weight of the battery & motor will just make it more difficult to learn balance. For the price of just one electric assist bicycle - you could buy three to four really good pedal bicycles.

Electric assist bike - http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/collections/electric_assist/t80_plus_gl/#
Fitness bike - http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/road/fitness/fx/7_2_fx/#

$2,099.99 or $549.99? Your choice. I'd take the $550 bike. It'll last longer too.

What is you opinion on electric assist bikes, Trek has one called the Ride Plus?

mark_hensl

I was wondering if the electric motor is speed limited to 15-20 mph with pedal power, should one pedal at a higher rate of speed does the system shut off or are you wasting battery life? Another words, is this system good for all speeds, or slow speeds. I wondering if it is a limiting factor, ultimately.

Answer
From what I see you have to pedal to move. It has 3 levels of assistance and they claim you can go as hard as you want.

http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/rideplus/technology/

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What are the electric scooter laws in California?

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Al Francis

I'm unable to get a licence so the best I can really do is get a scooter. I'd like to at least get around town easier without relying on public transportation. I've done a little bit of research in which people say its possible to ride a scooter that clocks out at a speed of 20 mph and no more without a licence. The kind of scooter i'm talking about looks like a gas powered scooter but is actually just an electric assisted bike. there's so many places on the internet to look but I just want to hear someone from California to confirm what I can ride. I'd greatly appreciate your help`
the type of scooter i'm looking at is electric and does not require gas. it has slip on pedals and has no exhaust.

Answer
http://www.chp.ca.gov/html/motors.html is useless -- does not cover the new electrical scooters. Not to mention that the CHP sometimes ignores the law. It you want to be legal, read the law from the Legislature: http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/calawquery?codesection=veh

A CVC 407.5 "motorized scooter" is a stand-on vehicle, such as a Razor or Go-Ped. Such is legal on the streets, requires a driver's license of some sort. See CVC 21220-21235.

You want something that looks like a motor-scooter, that looks like a Vespa. That will be a CVC 406 "motorized bicycle" or "moped." If electric powered it can do 20 mph if it can also be pedaled, or if no pedals it can do 30 mph. To be legal on the streets you need to have a Class M2 motorcycle driver's license.

You say you cannot get a license? You are up sh*t creek -- there is *NO* motorized vehicle you can legally ride without a driver's license. Why not? Under age or what? If 18-20 years of age you can take the CMSP class, go to the DMV and pass the written and eye tests and walk out with a motorcycle permit. If 21, don't even need the CMSP class.

Otherwise, about all you can do is get a pedal bicycle. Legally. You can buy a bicycle wheel with a motor in the hub and a battery in your panniers and ride in stealth mode, illegally.

Is electric bike easy for someone who has never ride on a bike before?

Mark

Is electric bike easy for someone who has never ride on a bike before?

Answer
NO! The extra weight of the battery & motor will just make it more difficult to learn balance. For the price of just one electric assist bicycle - you could buy three to four really good pedal bicycles.

Electric assist bike - http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/collections/electric_assist/t80_plus_gl/#
Fitness bike - http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/road/fitness/fx/7_2_fx/#

$2,099.99 or $549.99? Your choice. I'd take the $550 bike. It'll last longer too.

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Any one know Gladway electric bike? How can i find an electric bike shop?

best electric assist bike image

Gladway Eb

I want to find someone who are in the field of electric bikes, or a dealer or distribuotr
Macha, Are you a dealer of electric bikes?

Answer
Where are you located? There are several electric bicycle dealers around the country. You can find a good list at http://e-bikedealers.com/ or at electric-bikes.com, or bicycle-power.com. Each dealer will carry a variety of lines and products. Options for electric-assist bicycle products include 1) electric bicycles, 2) do-it-yourself conversion kits to put on your existing bike, or 3) the motorized trailer that attaches to your existing bike when you want propulsion, then remove it in seconds when you just want to pedal. If you're interested in utility biking (using a bicycle for transportation rather than a car), any of these is a good solution.

What do you think about people riding their bikes instead of driving cars?

crystal sp

well i am 21. i dont have my license. i dont want a car unless it doesnt need oil. i dont mind riding my bike, but some places i cant ride my bike. i dont know how to chain up my car when i'm going to the mall, movies, or the grocery store. i feel in ways i am trapped into buying a car. anyone else feel like this? riding my bike helps with saving gas, but i can't ride my bike 30-40 miles. i can't ride my bike to work either.

Answer
At 21 Years old, insurance is going to be real expensive. At a point in your life when its hard to make decent money, Real smart people watch the value they get for their expenditures.

So, here are some tips:

consider bimodal transportation, using mass transit coupled with bike riding, either along with biking or instead of biking.

carpool and pay more than your share.

Make friends at the retailers you frequent, so they are supportive of you riding your bike.

Don't take your bike to the movies or any event schedule for multiple hours.

Join a bike club where people have learned how to overcome some of these obstacles. Tell your bike shop your goal, ask them to put you in touch trying the same things.

Dress nice, keep your hygiene outstanding. Have a little " travel care kit" for emergencies, (handy wipes, deodorant, even some cologne)

Share with your friends what you are trying to do as an experiment. gain their support.
Barter for combined shopping trips with them, maybe buying a lunch or a couple beers.

Make car shopping trips with them for heavy items, or frozen items. Make it easy and entertaining for them to support your efforts.

If this doesn't work take a cab or public transport for big/heavy items.

Learn bike mechanics and work on friends bikes for barter.

consider an electric assist bike, consider a trailer.

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Is electric bike easy for someone who has never ride on a bike before?

best electric assist bike image

Mark

Is electric bike easy for someone who has never ride on a bike before?

Answer
NO! The extra weight of the battery & motor will just make it more difficult to learn balance. For the price of just one electric assist bicycle - you could buy three to four really good pedal bicycles.

Electric assist bike - http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/collections/electric_assist/t80_plus_gl/#
Fitness bike - http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/road/fitness/fx/7_2_fx/#

$2,099.99 or $549.99? Your choice. I'd take the $550 bike. It'll last longer too.

What is you opinion on electric assist bikes, Trek has one called the Ride Plus?

mark_hensl

I was wondering if the electric motor is speed limited to 15-20 mph with pedal power, should one pedal at a higher rate of speed does the system shut off or are you wasting battery life? Another words, is this system good for all speeds, or slow speeds. I wondering if it is a limiting factor, ultimately.

Answer
From what I see you have to pedal to move. It has 3 levels of assistance and they claim you can go as hard as you want.

http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/rideplus/technology/

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Can you have an engine on a bicycle without paying tax insurance etc?

best electric assist bike image

male geek

People drive for free on electric bikes so i'm wondering how about petrol?

Is there a engine size limit? UK ONLY thanks

Answer
It's a bit tricky. I'm no expert by any means, but I know that an ordinary assisted electric bike which does away with the need for pedalling and doesn't go very fast is quite legal. However some forms of powered transport are not legal for use on anything other than private land, like segways (shame, cos I'd love one!) , motorized foot scooters, and I know the speed can make a difference. That is actually going to be the biggest hurdle - whether something is legal to use on the road or not. Maybe checking out the DVLA website might help.

Any one know Gladway electric bike? How can i find an electric bike shop?

Gladway Eb

I want to find someone who are in the field of electric bikes, or a dealer or distribuotr
Macha, Are you a dealer of electric bikes?

Answer
Where are you located? There are several electric bicycle dealers around the country. You can find a good list at http://e-bikedealers.com/ or at electric-bikes.com, or bicycle-power.com. Each dealer will carry a variety of lines and products. Options for electric-assist bicycle products include 1) electric bicycles, 2) do-it-yourself conversion kits to put on your existing bike, or 3) the motorized trailer that attaches to your existing bike when you want propulsion, then remove it in seconds when you just want to pedal. If you're interested in utility biking (using a bicycle for transportation rather than a car), any of these is a good solution.

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