My name is Dan Eaton (HI), I’m an experienced cyclist, having done extensive touring in my younger days. However, I am turning 82 in July and even with granny gears, I’m finding some of the hills around where I live getting to be more than I can manage. Based on some of my initial research, I am considering step through (I had an accident dismounting about 2 months ago), rear mounted battery pack (I’m assuming they will also be able to accommodate paniers), and mid drive pedal assist. I plan to do mostly road cycling, so looking at 700c’s for low rolling resistance. Based on my touring experience, I don’t see the extra weight of ebikes having much of an effect on flat roads. I’m not a speed freak so my initial plan (unless I eventually find otherwise) is to only use the assist for those times when I actually need it. Since some of the hills around here are pretty steep (the steepest is 22%), would a 250 watt drive be able to handle that assuming I have shifted down to the lowest gear ( I weight about 190 lbs)? Any other advise on models would be appreciated.
Adivise for hill climbing
- Thread starter gpadanny
- Start date
Rakku
Active Member
Hi there.
There is just one thing what you have to overthink. "I don’t see the extra weight of ebikes having much of an effect on flat roads "
Oh yeah, it does.
If you only want to use the assist when you need it, you will find yourself very fast in the position, that you will permanently need it.
My bike is on the heavier side, but 32kg without pedalassist is just too much additional mass to move around compared to a 10 or 15kg bike.
So rather make your purchase in a way, where you will need the PAS the whole time, at least on the lower levels.
22% with a 250W drive could be tricky, but I dont really know how your constitution is, regarding your age.
If you have several hills in the vincinity, I´d advise you to go with a motor which has a at least a bit of torque.
I think there are some middrives out there which offer around 80nm of torque with a 250W motor, the perfomance line cx bosch for example.
There is just one thing what you have to overthink. "I don’t see the extra weight of ebikes having much of an effect on flat roads "
Oh yeah, it does.
If you only want to use the assist when you need it, you will find yourself very fast in the position, that you will permanently need it.
My bike is on the heavier side, but 32kg without pedalassist is just too much additional mass to move around compared to a 10 or 15kg bike.
So rather make your purchase in a way, where you will need the PAS the whole time, at least on the lower levels.
22% with a 250W drive could be tricky, but I dont really know how your constitution is, regarding your age.
If you have several hills in the vincinity, I´d advise you to go with a motor which has a at least a bit of torque.
I think there are some middrives out there which offer around 80nm of torque with a 250W motor, the perfomance line cx bosch for example.
slomoshun
Active Member
A 250w Shimano STEPS mid-drive will climb 22% with no intensive labor. There are ebikes with this system that weigh around 46# which do not feel unusually heavy when pedaling on level ground with the power assist turned off. See what Trek has to offer. Go for a test ride, you will be enlightened. 
I still do 20-30 miles with minor hills. When I was touring, I used to carry 40+ pounds and it was my experience that my cruising speed was only slightly less than when unloaded (that I attributed mainly due to extra air resistance from the additional load and slightly more rolling resistance). Hills and starting from a complete stop of course are another matter. But you're right, torque is the big key, and I've read good things about the Bosch drives. As for when I plan to use PAS, I already half way anticipate that I will end up using it at some level the whole time.
Bicyclista
Well-Known Member
My understading (please correct me if I'm wrong) is that a champion cyclist, such as those who compete on the Tour de France, is capable of 250W output. Given that you are experienced cyclist, if you think that a champion cyclist can climb that 22% hill of yours, then an ebike will almost certainly help you up that hill.
I remember test riding a Faraday ebike with a small 250W front hub motor (perhaps the least desirable configuration for climbing). I went up Texas Street in San Diego, a long hill climb, easily. I was impressed, and so was a truck driver who, at the top of the hill, gave me thumbs up
Those of you who know how to do it, please look up the slope of Texas Street from Mission Valley to Adams Avenue in San Diego. I doubt it's as much as 22%, but it would be a substantial effort in a standard bike, specially for us old folks!
My Haibike has a 250W (nominal, much higher in spurts) Yamaha, mid-drive, motor. I have yet to find a street on a hill I can't climb (off-road is another story). We have many canyons and hills, but I don't know whether we have anything approaching 22%. I'll have to check out a short sidewalk leading up to Balboa Park that is very steep with my handy Angle Finder.
I remember test riding a Faraday ebike with a small 250W front hub motor (perhaps the least desirable configuration for climbing). I went up Texas Street in San Diego, a long hill climb, easily. I was impressed, and so was a truck driver who, at the top of the hill, gave me thumbs up
Those of you who know how to do it, please look up the slope of Texas Street from Mission Valley to Adams Avenue in San Diego. I doubt it's as much as 22%, but it would be a substantial effort in a standard bike, specially for us old folks!
My Haibike has a 250W (nominal, much higher in spurts) Yamaha, mid-drive, motor. I have yet to find a street on a hill I can't climb (off-road is another story). We have many canyons and hills, but I don't know whether we have anything approaching 22%. I'll have to check out a short sidewalk leading up to Balboa Park that is very steep with my handy Angle Finder.
A 250w Shimano STEPS mid-drive will climb 22% with no intensive labor. There are ebikes with this system that weigh around 46# which do not feel unusually heavy when pedaling on level ground with the power assist turned off. See what Trek has to offer. Go for a test ride, you will be enlightened.
Went to the Trek web site. Their Verve+lowstep answers most of what I am looking for, and at a reasonable price. Technically, the mid mounted battery pack is a better design; I'll just add a separate rear rack.A 250w Shimano STEPS mid-drive will climb 22% with no intensive labor. There are ebikes with this system that weigh around 46# which do not feel unusually heavy when pedaling on level ground with the power assist turned off. See what Trek has to offer. Go for a test ride, you will be enlightened.
rich c
Well-Known Member
No substitute for test rides. Assuming you won't notice the weight and guessing about power requirements you'll need is not the best method of narrowing the field. Mention were you live and see if any members here will meet you for a ride, find a LBS, etc. I'm a big fan of Haibike with Bosch drive.
Bicyclista
Well-Known Member
Answering my own question. According to SDBike Commuter, Texas Street is a mere 10% grade but it's half a mile long.
I definitely will be doing a test ride, just wanted to narrow the field a little. So far Trek looks good, will take a look a Haibike also.
Bicyclista
Well-Known Member
The Verve+ lowstep does indeed look like a nice bike for a very reasonable price. I agree that a mid-motor with the battery mounted on the downtube makes for a better balanced bike with a lower center of gravity. It even has a suspension seatpost, a necessity, in my opinion, on an ebike due to the higher speeds. Make sure you test the Verve+ on a 22% slope hill. And if you do buy it, keep an eye on the adjustable stem. I have yet to find an adjustable stem that doesn't loosen after a few weeks. Good luck!
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