e-Bikes...thoughts?

[BobbyJones]

Mechanical Doping and Food Delivery jokes aside, what're your thoughts on e-Bikes?

Good? Bad? Downright Silly?

[bicycletricycle]

Well, I commute on a bike very day.

When I get old I may want one of those electric bikes.

Better than. A f######g car

They gotta make sure to keep the speed down on those things on the bike paths.

[rkhatibi]

I've been considering building one as a fun project. Used hardtail MTB donor bike, battery, and a 750w mid engine kit. Looked like it could be done for less than $2k all in if based on the Bafang BBS02.

Example

[moose8]

They're pretty awesome if you want to get somewhere without breaking a sweat - definitely more of a utilitarian type thing. For fun for me a regular bike is better. But an e-bike makes you feel like a hero going uphill.

[p nut]

I'm fine with them, but--Keep them on the road. Don't want them on MUP/bike paths or MTB trails.

[carpediemracing]

To combine the worst of the comments/requests above...

We live at the top of a kind of a steep hill, 1/2 mile long. It's an artery road - very busy because it's one of a few ways to get over this ridge. Virtually no shoulder.

We live 1 mile away from daycare. Missus works 3 something miles away. Small grocery store 1.5 miles away, large one about 4 miles away. All of these sit along the MUP. If we could ride along the MUP I think I'd be on bikes much more.

However, with the 1/2 mile hill on the somewhat unsafe road...

If they built the proposed MUP from the top of the ridge down to the MUP system that runs the height of CT and into MA, I'd get an e-bike for doing errands. With our trailer (and a cooler in the trailer?) I could even do big grocery runs, meaning carrying 30 or 40 lbs of stuff, refrigerated or frozen stuff.

I rode an e-bike a while back, at the end of an Interbike outdoor demo day. THe battery went dead when I got to the "turnaround" portion of the ride, which happened to be at the bottom of a long hill (to Lake Mead). I had to climb back up on the dead e-bike, which had to have weighed 60 or 70 lbs, had soft suspension, 26x2" tires, etc. It was... illuminating, so to speak. A spare battery is a must have.

[ofcounsel]

I know this is marketing hype, but looking at this video makes me want to try Specialized Levo.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDNxNnhM6Nk

[protorio]

I think motorized bicycles (the electric kind, preferably) are a good choice for some people. Its not my choice now, but it may be when I'm old.

[false_Aest]

The more people on bikes, the better.

I certainly prefer e-bikes to the cruisers I see what 2 stroke engines attached.

[dancinkozmo]

e-bikes are stupid
im going to go yell at a cloud now

[KidWok]

I bought a Stromer ST1 limited edition a month ago and have been using it as my main transportation during the work week. Between parking and gas, it probably saves me $250/mo. It's faster than using a car in Seattle. I am a commercial real estate broker and need to show up at meetings not soaked in sweat...this does the trick. I have a $#!+-eating grin every time I get on it because it flies along at 20-25 mph. I still ride my road bikes just as much as I did before because this thing replaced my car, not my bike.

Tai

[biker72]

I work at a bike shop where management keeps trying to put me on a e-bike.
I'm almost 78 which certainly classifies as old but I'm really not interested in any "pedal assist". I do this for health, exercise and commute to work most days.

Even if I get to the point where 10 mph is my top speed I'll be doing it on my own with no assistance. I ride solo most of the time so I can decide on the route and speed.

Problem is that these bikes aren't selling as well as the manufacturers would like. Europe is another story.

[christian]

Fine with them for commuters, but if I see a Specialized Levo on my local mtb trails, you won't find the bike or the body.

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by biker72

I work at a bike shop where management keeps trying to put me on a e-bike.
I'm almost 78 which certainly classifies as old but I'm really not interested in any "pedal assist". I do this for health, exercise and commute to work most days.

Even if I get to the point where 10 mph is my top speed I'll be doing it on my own with no assistance. I ride solo most of the time so I can decide on the route and speed.

Problem is that these bikes aren't selling as well as the manufacturers would like. Europe is another story.

Cheap gas still.

[rzthomas]

They look super fun. If I ride to work, it's a one-way trip of 26 miles with no showers available at the office. Could be nice to ride in without busting a sweat and then push it hard on the way home.

But on the singletrack? Eh.