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  1. rannyv

    Anyone have experience de-restricting class 1 bike?

    I recently purchased a second e-bike which is a class 1 with, I believe, the Bosch Performance Line motor with a Purion display. I like the bike, but since my other bike is a class 3, the 20 MPH restriction is annoying and a problem if I want to ride my bikes with another person. Has anyone...
  2. rannyv

    How much of your overall exercise is by riding an ebike? What other exercise do you alternate?

    I have enjoyed Grant's books (and his bikes), but he does have strong opinions, not all of which I agree with.
  3. rannyv

    How much of your overall exercise is by riding an ebike? What other exercise do you alternate?

    I was riding my bike to work everyday (6 miles round trip) until Labor Day. And then I got laid off. Those 12 miles made a difference. I lost some belly fat and could eat the way I wanted to eat. Because of bike security concerns, I am not riding it everywhere now, but I'm still eating like...
  4. rannyv

    Happy owner of Specialized Turbo Vado 3.0 in SF Bay Area

    Congratulations! I hear this is a very nice bike. I purchased a bike that I'm very pleased with earlier in the summer and didn't try Specialized, but had I known they were as nice as they are, it would have been on my list.
  5. rannyv

    Anyone Else Eliminate non throttle bikes? low top end?

    Be careful buying a bike on specs alone. They can be deceiving and something that seems like a good idea on paper (the NuVinci hub) can have drawbacks in real world use (heavy, not efficient). Go ahead and make the charts if that makes you happy, but ride lots of bikes, including the ones that...
  6. rannyv

    Anyone Else Eliminate non throttle bikes? low top end?

    Agree that a throttle can come in handy for a burst of extra speed such as when a light will be turning green or getting out ahead of a pack of conventional cyclists or cars at an intersection, but the motor systems I like don't come with throttles. They tend to be on the less costly bikes. If...
  7. rannyv

    Anyone Else Eliminate non throttle bikes? low top end?

    Before writing off "underpowered", non-throttle bikes, ride a bunch of them to see how they actually feel when riding them. High power throttle equipped bikes tend to be more crude and heavy. Sticky to your car analogy, like a Dodge with a hemi compared to a Porsche 911. Both are fun, but in...
  8. rannyv

    Tern Vektron Folding Bike

    @Snowdragon - be aware that 20" wheels can have a jarring ride. Make sure you take the Tern for a good long ride over broken pavement before committing to it. Another option to the Vectron, though harder to find, is Wallerang Tjugo. It lists for 3900, but can be found for 3500. The modular...
  9. rannyv

    Benno Bikes Boost, eJoy, and eScout at Interbike, 2019 Updates

    I just bought the 2018 Benno cargo bike and like it a lot. However, I wish it had been available with the speed motor. Cutting out as I approach 20 can be frustrating. My only concern about the bike are 24" tire and tube availability. Otherwise, it's a nice size for a utility oriented bike...
  10. rannyv

    Is anybody using eco mode (lowest assist level) on your usual bike ride? What is your usual assist level?

    My answer would have to be . . . that depends. Both of my current bikes are Bosch. One's a class 3 and the other class 1 (the more powerful class 1). If I'm reading the heavier class 1 bike, I'm more likely to use tour mode. The extra weight makes that bike feel pretty dead in eco mode. On...
  11. rannyv

    Commuter: Specialized Como 3.0 vs Raleigh Redux iE

    I would advise against buying a bike you have not ridden. I test rode many and was surprised that some that looked good on paper didn't suit me on the test ride while others I hadn't even considered rode great. I've heard mostly good things about the Specialized and my LBS, an exclusively...
  12. rannyv

    Specialized Turbo Como 3.0

    I think those bikes have 650B wheels which are uncommon on conventional bikes and even more so on e-bikes. It's a good size for comfort. I love my bike, but I wish I was aware Specialized had gotten so good before making my choice. I've heard nothing but good things about the Como...
  13. rannyv

    Mud flaps

    Thanks, and I'm surprised there are no comments or other dedicated mud flap threads. I just sold my old e-bike after purchasing a new one and it had the perfect off-the-shelf mud flap. Wide, long and heavy rubber. I cannot for the life of me either find it online or in my records. Rain is...
  14. rannyv

    Rain Capes - the answer to commuting in the rain!

    Never tried the rain cape. And I've never had a big issue with a good set of cycling rain pants and jacket. The jackets have zippers for ventilation. Oh, and booties or water proof shoes. Between that and wicking clothing such as a thin wool, it's a fine, though not cheap solution.
  15. rannyv

    Helmet lights

    Thanks for the link. I bought one too. Nothing better for getting a distracted person's attention than a quick flash of the helmet light. It's not just drivers who move about with distraction these days. Everyone is staring at the phone. Even some cyclists!
  16. rannyv

    Ariel Rider Support Problems | Never Answers Their Phone

    @ispeak3 It's hard not to feel indignant, but try not to show it when you communicate with them. I hate the phrase 'you catch more flies with honey', but there is some truth to it. I say this because I am currently having an issue with a bike I purchased from a local bike shop and am doing my...
  17. rannyv

    Information on new Kalkhoff

    I have test ridden (several years ago) a several bikes with Impulse motors and was not at all impressed with the assist. One was a Kalkhoff that looked similar to the one in the photo above - rim brakes, battery behind seat tube. The other was a Focus class 3. These 2 bikes put me off 'off...
  18. rannyv

    Lyme + Aging

    A friend does a low carb diet and it has brought his numbers way down. The diet is a little extreme, but I tried it for a month and if nothing else, it made me very aware of how prevalent carbs are and how overly sweetened most foods in our American diet are. All my numbers are still pretty...
  19. rannyv

    The therapeutic value of ebiking for people with anxiety or depression

    I'd say any kind of exercise one enjoys can help with depression / anxiety, etc. As for riding in the rain, if you have the money, it's best to invest in some decent cycling rain gear. Even on an e-bike we perspire a bit and cycling specific gear is designed to breath. And it's visible at...
  20. rannyv

    Ariel Rider Support Problems | Never Answers Their Phone

    I was recently considering the M Class and asked them many questions in about half a dozen emails. They responded very quickly. I didn't wind up purchasing because I was concerned that it would not ride well and didn't want to risk buying site unseen. So at least before sale, they were almost...
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