......

[JayVee]

.....

 

[J.R.]

Ok, so I get on the bike and the saddle is too high. Can't adjust it either... I start pedaling. OMG the steering is heavier than hell! And the forward aggressive position makes me feel like I'm in a Jane Fonda aerobics session. After a mile my arms are aching and I've got cramps in my palms. This is torture. What CRAZY NUT would ride such a bike? I keep pedaling along and reach a hill. Dude, you've got to be kidding me... This thing is heavier than an entire Stromer rental fleet. I reach the top of the hill and my heart is racing away at 170 BPM. Just as I'm wondering if I'll survive the road starts to go sharply downhill. Thank God! Or maybe not... I'm quickly picking up speed... 20km/h... 30... 35... I try to slow down a bit but the brakes start overheating and lose efficiency. The grade steepens and I see a 22% grade sign post. If a car pulls out of a driveway, I'm history. I'm traveling at 25km/h and I'm starting to doubt whether the brakes will hold up. So I loosen my grip and quickly pickup speed. Now I'm flying down the hill at 50km/h. After a couple of hundred feet the grade mellows out but I'm still traveling fast. I see a dirt road that heads off to the right going slightly uphill. I decide to risk it and get off the main road. I figure wiping out on a dirt road by myself is better than collecting a car hood. So I take the dusty little road. At the place where the concrete section ends there's a 4 inch step and I hit the gravel path heavily. But luckily I manage to keep it together and stop 50 meters later in a big cloud of dust.

Yeah, I know. Some e-bikes really really suck, and probably never get reviewed by Court. Except that this isn't an e-bike. It's my 1985 carbon fiber hybrid trekking/city. And I think it's time for it to go. In fact, I just sold it an hour ago.

I don't see myself going back to all push bike. I don't have a carbon hybrid, mine is an aluminum Raleigh that I'll likely keep for flat, relatively short bike path rides with friends. No 40 milers with hills anymore!

 

[Ann M.]

Spoiled are we , my handbuilt road racing bike which weighs considerably less than any ebike just gathers dust; no drop bars for me anymore! And yes, the dinky brake pads (not disc) can make the frame vibrate trying to stop on a serious downhill . Just too many good memories to sell it.

 

[ebikes rock]

lol, entertaining post. I'm still riding my "push" bike. waiting for a new job to become finalized before pulling the trigger on 2 e-bikes for me and my wife. we already both bike to work and for grocery runs. thinking an e-bike will get us biking even more - - by extending our "bikeable range."

anyone have personal experiences on discovering extended range? I can see myself taking the push bike out and about even after e-bikes because bike theft is a problem where we live. I also want to continue pedaling. Thus I only look at models that have torque monitor pedal assist. I do not want a throttle. just my preference.

 

[Ann M.]

@ebikes rock, your anxiety is understandable; however, if you spring for the ebikes you should budget for a good solid lock like a U-Lock or one of the foldable Abus Bordo locks for better protection. Don't let fear stand in the way of getting that extra range or more consistent bike usage. Kinda hard to give you a solid number as to how much further you can go; that depends upon the bikes and your riding and the terrain but it will be considerable. Also, think about some good saddlebags or a trailer if you want to have a good errand running bike that doesn't wear you out quite so much.

 

[Hugh]

bike thefts skyrocketed in my city this summer due to more people riding. I rode my e bike to work all summer and used 2 locks both Kryptonite, one a new york U lock and the 2nd a nylon covered steel link type. Plus the battery, console and all lights go in the panniers and get taken into work. And I still have my ride

 

[harryS]

Still have my GT Transeo pedal bike in the rotation. When you convert your old beater bikes to electric like me, a nice light 2015 model city bike with hydraulic disks and good suspension compares very well.