Riding without the motor

[Chazmo]

So interesting to see how people use and not use the assist available to them. I started out with a 'lowest possible assist at all times' policy, but OFF wasn't really an option with the 70 lb torque-sensing hub-drive commuter I was riding at the time.

That policy got me back in shape as hoped, but finally realized how silly it was. I could layer as much exertion as I wanted on any assist level, and I was missing out on a lot of fun and saved time at higher levels.

OFF first became a good option with the 38 lb power-sensing mid-drive gravel bike I ride now. And the policy now is to have no policy. If I have the time and battery for it, I use the level that seems right in the moment. Always exerting myself to some extent, and 30-40% of the time in my mix of hills and flats, the right level is OFF.

Totally hear that, Jeremy. On my bike (75lb fat-tire ebike) it’s just not feasible for me to ride without power if there’s any uphill incline at all. Basically, I only turn the motor off on level trail or slight downgrade where I can pedal to at least 10MPH (about the minimum I’m comfortable riding). The motor is never off when I’m on the road as I don’t like to be much below 15MPH.

My bike just isn’t geared for riding without power, and the geometry is meant for comfortable riding and not aggressive pounding (which isn’t to say that I don’t bang over some aggressive single tracks sometimes!). That’s appropriate for me, and I’m delighted to have been back riding for the past year and a half after a long dearth. Bottom line for me is that being on my bike for two hours or so at a time is really a wonderful, daily (well, let’s say every other day) event.

 

[Chargeride]

The notable part of this tech, while nothing new, is that the pedals are not connected to the wheels.
They just basically operate a virtual throttle but still are technically within the law.
Ive always thought of making something like this if I lost my car licence.

If this virtual peddaling is legal and these machines are used all over the country, then it opens up the notion of what is pedalling.
Disable people are allowed to ebike by hand pedalling, but if you dont need a direct connection then 'pedalling' could be reduced to the tiniest circular motion on the grips.
Even footpegs would be 'legal' if they had a miniscule cranking motion.

I think we should exploit these loopholes asap

 

[Chazmo]

The notable part of this tech, while nothing new, is that the pedals are not connected to the wheels.
They just basically operate a virtual throttle but still are technically within the law.
Ive always thought of making something like this if I lost my car licence.

If this virtual peddaling is legal and these machines are used all over the country, then it opens up the notion of what is pedalling.
Disable people are allowed to ebike by hand pedalling, but if you dont need a direct connection then 'pedalling' could be reduced to the tiniest circular motion on the grips.
Even footpegs would be 'legal' if they had a miniscule cranking motion.

I think we should exploit these loopholes asap

What a fun video! Really enjoyed! Not sure what to think of the virtual pedaling. Very interesting development (virtual pedaling) and I wonder where it’ll go.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

My bike just isn’t geared for riding without power, and the geometry is meant for comfortable riding and not aggressive pounding (which isn’t to say that I don’t bang over some aggressive single tracks sometimes!). That’s appropriate for me, and I’m delighted to have been back riding for the past year and a half after a long dearth. Bottom line for me is that being on my bike for two hours or so at a time is really a wonderful, daily (well, let’s say every other day) event.

The important thing is to have a bike that fully supports the kind of riding you really look forward to. And we've both been lucky enough to arrive at that point with your fattie and my Vado SL.

Just before plunking down for the SL, I rode my 70 lb commuter to Del Mar and back: 24 mi, 1100 ft of climbing, only 3-4 blocks of assist. Wanted to convince myself that I was ready for an ebike with half the weight, half the power, and half the torque.

As you can see, that stretch of Coast Highway's more corrugated than flat, and more a square than a sine wave in profile.

Wasn't a terrible ride by any means — mostly enjoyable in fact. But my bum knees made it quite clear afterwards that I wasn't to pull a stunt like that again.

Cruising at speed in OFF was a little slower than usual but otherwise fine. Accelerating that high-inertia bike in OFF was the problem— especially starting out.

Same ride in OFF on the SL a few months later was a very different experience. Quite pleasant the whole way, faster, and no guff from the knees. Helped that the SL's half the weight, less upright, more aero itself, noticeably easier to roll, and much more responsive to rider inputs of all kinds.

Upshot for this thread: If you really want to ride a lot in OFF, equipment and knee health make big differences.

 

[Chargeride]

I get knee pain on long rides, just above the kneecap, nothing too bad, but it feels like I could be doing damage.
Pushing my seat up above perfect height seems to fix it, but that can lead to hip pain and scrotumachyitis.

I think the best way forward is shorter rides