Popular Post Dottleshead ★ Posted April 19, 2019 Popular Post Share #1 Posted April 19, 2019 So I was asked by another forumite to share with folks my experience with my e-bike I bought back in December. I sill haven't started commuting to work with it yet but I have ridden it probably 10 times since purchase with about half of those over 20 miles. I have a Class 1 pedal assist bike with a 350W Bosch motor. Class 1 e-bikes typically are limited to providing pedal assist up to 20 mph and then you're all manual. I'm happy to report that my bike doesn't have throttle mode. If I wanted that, I would have bought an electric scooter. Here's my slimmed down report. In short, e-bikes are hill busters. This is their great advantage. If you're going down hill, then you're probably coasting most of it and you're probably not getting any pedal assist. The 20 mph limitation doesn't come into play. When you're riding on the flats, you're probably riding in a gear where the resistance feels familiar to what you've been riding in on your non-PDA bike -- so you're in the same cadence -- and therefore getting the same exercise. I know I am. The difference is I'm averaging about 2 mph faster. That still puts me below the 20 mph line. Close but still below. So far I've just gained only a small improvement in travel time when traveling downhill or on the flats -- while getting the same workout. But as mentioned, the big advantage is the hills. I scale those bad boys with relative ease now -- though I still get a workout. But I'm no longer straining -- and when I reach my destination -- I'm not gassed. Here is where I really get a big gain in both average mph and time. I mentioned in another thread sometime ago that my 10 gear shifter is on the right, and my 4 level power button is on the left. I find that I'm able to pretty much ride in gears 6-8 almost 95% of the time and simply boost the power on the left when I need it to tackle hills. My bike comes with 4 levels of power and I almost always am in power levels 1 and 2. Mostly 1. On rare occasions when I've got a steep hill or I need to literally power through a stretch of roadway that is heavily trafficked by cars and/or contains hills and/or has no shoulder, I'll kick it up to level 3 just to get through the zone. But that's rare. And on the steepest of hills -- like right outside my house -- I've put it into power level 4 before but it it really wasn't necessary. Sometimes I'll ride w/ no power at all -- one does have that option -- but it doesn't take long before I realize the extra 20 pounds my bike has over my other bikes. It's like kicking up the resistance on a stationary bike. In fact, riding without power I feel seems to defeat the whole purpose of an electrical bike. I might as well be on my touring bike. So -- in short -- I'm quite happy with my purchase. I don't see myself as a lazy rider at all -- because I now ride in an area I would not normally ride in. That doesn't make me lazy, it makes me less lazy. While it is true I'm obviously not working my legs as hard as my non-PDA bikes -- particularly on the hills -- I feel my cardiovascular system isn't taking a hit at all -- and quite frankly that's the most important measurement I care about. I love the fact that many routes I avoided like the plague are now open. My options certainly have opened up. And I can still throw it on a bus rack as long as I remove the 8 lb battery before I put it on. It's not all roses though. I now have to watch my battery indicator and tinker with charging the battery. I have to plan for the longest ride in advance or be prepared to return home w/o assistance -- and riding a 52lb bike up hill doesn't sound fun at all if it's even possible. And I can't just park it in the garage and leave it now. I need to charge the batter.y And because they are heavier, you might have to upgrade your other bike equipment like a car rack to support the new weight you're hoisting up there. It'd be a real bummer watching your $3000-$4000 toy separate from your rack and smash into pieces while driving down the highway or watch a truck run over it. If you don't live in an area with a lot of hills, an e-bike may not be for you. 3 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dottleshead ★ Posted April 19, 2019 Author Share #2 Posted April 19, 2019 Here's the bike I purchased from the same shop in Portland, OR. https://www.cynergyebikes.com/Haibike-SDuro-Trekking-7-0-High-Step-2018-p/hb_sduro_trek_7_hs_2018.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dottleshead ★ Posted April 19, 2019 Author Share #3 Posted April 19, 2019 @Razors Edge this post is for you, big guy. ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donkpow Posted April 19, 2019 Share #4 Posted April 19, 2019 I think I would not like to need to charge the battery all the time. I have plenty of trouble getting around to charging my camera battery. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralphie ★ Posted April 19, 2019 Share #5 Posted April 19, 2019 8 hours ago, Dottie said: If you don't live in an area with a lot of hills, an e-bike may not be for you. My area is very flat - most of the hills are creek valleys or overpasses, with the very infrequent rolling hill. Actually we do have some nice series of rollers but I need the exercise the uphills provide. Just across the Delaware River in PA the hills are more severe. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maddmaxx ★ Posted April 19, 2019 Share #6 Posted April 19, 2019 I want a catrike more than I want an e bike. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralphie ★ Posted April 19, 2019 Share #7 Posted April 19, 2019 1 minute ago, maddmaxx said: I want a catrike more than I want an e bike. Why do you hate diamond-frame bikes? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longjohn ★ Posted April 19, 2019 Share #8 Posted April 19, 2019 4 minutes ago, maddmaxx said: I want a catrike more than I want an e bike. You can do both, get an electric trike. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maddmaxx ★ Posted April 19, 2019 Share #9 Posted April 19, 2019 9 minutes ago, RalphWaldoMooseworth said: Why do you hate diamond-frame bikes? I feel like laying down on the job. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralphie ★ Posted April 19, 2019 Share #10 Posted April 19, 2019 6 minutes ago, maddmaxx said: I feel like laying down on the job. I would fall asleep! Actually years ago I was sort of smitten with how recumbents have many design advantages over diamond frames, but I can never get over the perceived lack of visibility from being such a low rider. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razors Edge ★ Posted April 19, 2019 Share #11 Posted April 19, 2019 8 hours ago, Dottie said: @Razors Edge this post is for you, big guy. ? THANKS! Great write up! Now just need pics. If I ride into work, it is a 22mile each direction commute with some short punchy climbs toward the city and then the mad scramble through Georgetown. I think an ebike would be a great solution to the "riding to work but arriving sopping wet sweaty" issue. Justifying several thousand dollars, though, would be tough as that is the only use I would have for it. Factor in my normal commute - bike-to-Metro/Metro-to-bike - is subsidized almost completely, while the bike commuting option alone is less subsidized than a bag of good coffee beans If the $3,000/yr could be used for any "alternative" commuting costs, I'd buy the ebike tomorrow! Commute, carpool, and PARKING are fine: 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Parr8hed Posted April 19, 2019 Popular Post Share #12 Posted April 19, 2019 Thanks for the read. I appreciate it. Let me offer another perspective.... When I accompanied G's race team to Chattanooga for training camp one of the dads went. This dude looked fit as hell. Used to race. Doesn't look like he ever took any time off the bike. His kid was one of the faster kids there. They were in the 15-17 year old range and several were being recruited to ride for colleges (2 have since signed). This dude was fit as hell and could not keep up with his son on climbs. He bought an e bike, It was a drop bar roadie. Completely freaking built. Zipp bars, King hubs, etc.. I think it was a Giant? Anyways, he bought it because it allowed him to still be able to ride with his son. That settled any debate for me. 3 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maddmaxx ★ Posted April 19, 2019 Share #13 Posted April 19, 2019 55 minutes ago, RalphWaldoMooseworth said: I would fall asleep! Actually years ago I was sort of smitten with how recumbents have many design advantages over diamond frames, but I can never get over the perceived lack of visibility from being such a low rider. I don't ride on the road anymore unless I have to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dinneR ★ Posted April 19, 2019 Share #14 Posted April 19, 2019 They aren't for everyone. A friend of mine bought one around 2014. He is in his 70s and couldn't climb hills any longer. It kept him riding. My GF just bought one. It allows us to ride together. I see elderly people riding them in the NP. The park is already too crowded with cars, this reduces traffic. Another friend bought one for his wife. She hauls their daughter in a trailer to daycare, then heads to work. Every commuter on an e-bike is one less car. I think the ebikemotion is a game changer. 25-30 lb bikes. $2500 for this one. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dinneR ★ Posted April 19, 2019 Share #15 Posted April 19, 2019 Good arguments here. More people on bikes is a good thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dottleshead ★ Posted April 19, 2019 Author Share #16 Posted April 19, 2019 7 minutes ago, dennis said: Good arguments here. More people on bikes is a good thing. Yep. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisL Posted April 19, 2019 Share #17 Posted April 19, 2019 21 minutes ago, dennis said: They aren't for everyone. A friend of mine bought one around 2014. He is in his 70s and couldn't climb hills any longer. It kept him riding. My GF just bought one. It allows us to ride together. I see elderly people riding them in the NP. The park is already too crowded with cars, this reduces traffic. Another friend bought one for his wife. She hauls their daughter in a trailer to daycare, then heads to work. Every commuter on an e-bike is one less car. I think the ebikemotion is a game changer. 25-30 lb bikes. $2500 for this one. Agree on all points, I just don’t want to see them on MUP’s or riding dangerously on my MTB trails but that’s more the rider than the bike. I’m like Tom in that my commute is 20 miles one way. Doable a couple of times a week but I would get to work a sweaty mess. Much prefer to ride an E bike and get there faster and less sweaty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razors Edge ★ Posted April 19, 2019 Share #18 Posted April 19, 2019 27 minutes ago, dennis said: Every commuter on an e-bike is one less car. +1 On the flip side, every commuter on an ebike is one more bike on the trail - and often a fast one. That's a downside. On the upside of that, though, is each new cyclist - regular or ebike - is a new voice & advocate for cycling infrastructure. The upside outweighs the downside. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dottleshead ★ Posted April 19, 2019 Author Share #19 Posted April 19, 2019 Definitely faster and less sweaty. I think e-bikes make all kinds of sense for commuting. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisL Posted April 19, 2019 Share #20 Posted April 19, 2019 My wife’s car lease ends in August and we are still kicking the one car 2 E bike option. She works about 2 miles away and it’s a real easy commute. I need my car for work a couple of times a week but can bike in a few times a week. We are generally together 80% of the time on weekends and I could ride to my barber shop or bike shops which is what I generally do on my own. Then there is Lyft... Decisions... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dinneR ★ Posted April 19, 2019 Share #21 Posted April 19, 2019 8 minutes ago, Razors Edge said: +1 On the flip side, every commuter on an ebike is one more bike on the trail - and often a fast one. That's a downside. On the upside of that, though, is each new cyclist - regular or ebike - is a new voice & advocate for cycling infrastructure. The upside outweighs the downside. They are legal on bike paths here. In town and the neighborhood parks, everyone needs to slow down. Once you get out of the congested area, we currently don't need a limit and e-bikes are a great idea on the bike paths. You can ride from town to the park on a path. The road is not safe for bikes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dottleshead ★ Posted April 19, 2019 Author Share #22 Posted April 19, 2019 Basically the e-bike debate on bike paths is moot once you're outside the congested areas as @dennis mentions. But here in Washington, trails are miltiuse and are used by peds and available to horses on some. I can see the need for controls in the city -- mainly enforcement of speeds because it doesn't matter what kind of engine you have but that you are obeying laws. If a bike lane has a 15 mph posting, what difference does it make if I'm seated on a Class 1, 2, or 3 bike? Honestly, I was going to opt for a class 3 bike and ride it responsibly on my bike paths. Who the hell is going to notice and better yet, who is going to enforce it? Nobody if I am following the rules of the path -- particularly in congested areas. What you do outside the congestion, lots of folks don't care. I chose not too after deciding the price increase wasn't justified especially riding my current bike. It did everything I hoped it would. Say what you want, if you don't speed in the metro areas, anything outside the city is de facto fair game. You know it and I know it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dottleshead ★ Posted April 19, 2019 Author Share #23 Posted April 19, 2019 2 hours ago, Razors Edge said: THANKS! Great write up! Now just need pics. Naw, brah. I will give you this one though. It's a great controller for Bosch systems. One of the easiest, simplest, and most useful control panels I've ever used. The cool thing with e-bikes is that you're riding on battery so accessories like tail lights and head lights are always on. With a click of the power button in the lower left, I get all those things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dottleshead ★ Posted April 19, 2019 Author Share #24 Posted April 19, 2019 55 minutes ago, ChrisL said: My wife’s car lease ends in August and we are still kicking the one car 2 E bike option. She works about 2 miles away and it’s a real easy commute. I need my car for work a couple of times a week but can bike in a few times a week. We are generally together 80% of the time on weekends and I could ride to my barber shop or bike shops which is what I generally do on my own. Then there is Lyft... Decisions... I got a DUI sometime back and honestly that was just the motivator I needed to get off my ass and get out there riding. Since then, my wife and I have incorporated a new lifestyle that is dependent upon one car. No car payments, no insurance payments (thanks to me they skyrocketed), no maintenance fees, no car tab fees, no gas costs. Throw in the fact my company pays for free transit anywhere in the greater Seattle area, and there's a lot I can do w/o one. I have no problem parting with $3K when I know owning another automobile probably comprehensively would cost us over $20K. Plus I get more exercise. I too spend about 80% of my time with my wife and the one car thing works for us. There are times I miss having a truck like this weekend -- when I need to purchase 20 bags of cement and another 10 concrete piers -- but I'm going to rent a truck from Home Depot that will cost us $20 for an hour. A little less freedom, a little more work, a little more hassle, but certainly far less cost when viewing the overall cost of a second vehicle. And now that I own an e-bike, I don't have the 'hill' excuse anymore. Now that I'm rich (wife just got a job) though, I may buy a used truck down the road -- but it's not needed at the moment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dottleshead ★ Posted May 5, 2019 Author Share #25 Posted May 5, 2019 Rode another 33 miles today on e-bike. The ride out was a common one I used to do on my touring bike. But I lived in another area and didn't tackle these hills. But another advantage of the e-bike just hit me in the face today. Ride out was a breeze. But coming.back was straight into head wind for about 15 miles. Instead of slowing me down, I blazed right through it. Good for me too because I didn't have another 30 minutes of my day to give up. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kzoo Posted May 5, 2019 Share #26 Posted May 5, 2019 Why? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dottleshead ★ Posted May 5, 2019 Author Share #27 Posted May 5, 2019 5 minutes ago, Kzoo said: Why? What? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kzoo Posted May 5, 2019 Share #28 Posted May 5, 2019 16 minutes ago, Dottie said: What? It was a simple question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dottleshead ★ Posted May 5, 2019 Author Share #29 Posted May 5, 2019 3 minutes ago, Kzoo said: It was a simple question. About? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
late Posted May 6, 2019 Share #30 Posted May 6, 2019 On 4/19/2019 at 7:47 AM, donkpow said: I think I would not like to need to charge the battery all the time. I have plenty of trouble getting around to charging my camera battery. Sure, if you don't need it. But if you do need it, then it's no biggie. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
late Posted May 6, 2019 Share #31 Posted May 6, 2019 4 hours ago, Kzoo said: Why? I wasn't riding, now I am. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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