Another 'what E-bike' query :-)

[DS99]

Hi,

I'm totally new to E-bikes. I'm looking for one for my 'non-cycling' wife. I am an avid touring / road-rider. Av speed 14-15 mph over the course of 30+ miles; 13 mph over 100 miles of the local hills.
The aim is for her to be able to ride and keep up with me with pretty much little or zero effort input.

We live in the uk.

Query:
- by turning the pedals with pretty much zero leg-power input, how fast would an E-bike go?
- is the electric power input variable so that as she gets stronger, she can turn down the assistance and use any leg strength gained?
- if she's not putting in any power at all then presumably she's effectively being driven, like on a moped IE a waste of time exercise-wise. Although it will be exercising the core muscles and strengthening the sit-bones I assume?

Any thoughts, comments and recommendations?

I've seen some bikes in Halfords for ~£1k but not sure if this is what we want. I don't want to fork-out on something unsuitable nor, wish to put her off before we start.

Many thanks in advance.

DS99

 

[Barry S]

Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles or EAPC as they call them in the UK can be outfitted with not more than a 250W motor limited to a power assisted top speed of 25 km/h. Faster than that is up to your legs. Here's a link to the law in PDF format. Not sure if this applies to your region or not or if they have any updates to it since 2015.

I would recommend that you and your wife visit a reputable LBS that specializes in e-bikes so they can help narrow down the choices and let your wife give them a test ride. If you order something online and your wife ends up not liking something about it, the bike is going to lean against the wall in the garage and collect dust and you'll still be riding solo.

 

[MisterM]

Hi,

I'm totally new to E-bikes. I'm looking for one for my 'non-cycling' wife. I am an avid touring / road-rider. Av speed 14-15 mph over the course of 30+ miles; 13 mph over 100 miles of the local hills.
The aim is for her to be able to ride and keep up with me with pretty much little or zero effort input.

We live in the uk.

Query:
- by turning the pedals with pretty much zero leg-power input, how fast would an E-bike go?
- is the electric power input variable so that as she gets stronger, she can turn down the assistance and use any leg strength gained?
- if she's not putting in any power at all then presumably she's effectively being driven, like on a moped IE a waste of time exercise-wise. Although it will be exercising the core muscles and strengthening the sit-bones I assume?

Any thoughts, comments and recommendations?

I've seen some bikes in Halfords for ~£1k but not sure if this is what we want. I don't want to fork-out on something unsuitable nor, wish to put her off before we start.

Many thanks in advance.

DS99

Most all ebikes have variable levels of assist that your wife can select via a handlebar-mounted switch - 3-5 levels of assist are typical. Higher levels provide more power, but also drain battery faster.

Cadence sensors (found on less expensive bikes) activate the motor simply by spinning the pedal - can be a bit jerky and have some delay in engaging. More expensive bikes have advanced sensors measuring wheel speed and amount of force applied to the pedals to modulate the amount of power.

Most Euro bikes will go 15mph (but there are dongles you can buy to override the 15mph legal limit).

Your choices will most likely hinge on cost, rider comfort (upright/step thru etc) and battery size (range).

My wife was intimidated by shifting and so she purchased a mid-motor ebike with a NuVinci internally geared hub. No rear derailleur/cassette to worry about.

 

[E-Wheels]

Hi DS99,
The advice offered by the informed and friendly members on this forum is 2nd to none
You could also try this forum http://www.pedelecs.co.uk for local advice and suggestions for ebikes that are available in the UK

 

[Alex M]

- by turning the pedals with pretty much zero leg-power input, how fast would an E-bike go?
- is the electric power input variable so that as she gets stronger, she can turn down the assistance and use any leg strength gained?
- if she's not putting in any power at all then presumably she's effectively being driven, like on a moped IE a waste of time exercise-wise.

Q. 1. Some US models can do 28 mph = 45 kmh on throttle - just like a moped, without pedaling. In UK and Europe there is a lower limit 25 kmh (? don't remember) and max motor power 250W. On flat terrain with average weight of rider 250W can still propel it pretty fast, should be enough to keep up with you - without pedaling - but throttle eats battery like there is no tomorrow.

Q. 2. Yes, variable assist from motor on throttle or when pedaling. She can choose the level of assist. When pedaling at the same RPM (or at the same effort, if it's a torque sensor), - motor will help a little on Level 1, more on Level 2, and a lot on Level 5.

Q. 3. Without putting any power she has to use a throttle, IF throttle is allowed in your area. Even in the US some cities are trying to ban the throttle, demanding that e-bike should be pedaled at all times.

About shifting - in the US with 500W motor people often put it in some middle gear and increase the level of assist when they want to go faster or pedaling is getting difficult. With 250W motor doing this won't always be easy, so having enough gears becomes important.

 

[Dewey]

Woosh in Southend, and Brighton ebikes, sell ebikes with throttles around 1,000 pounds. The Raleigh Spirit is a step through with a 7-speed internal gear hub so you can shift down when stationary which is useful in stop and go urban traffic, that model is a pedelec so you need to pedal to activate the motor.

 

[Deleted member 18083]

DS ...

Question 1: Where I live ebikes conform to EU regulations; therefore on my German bike, near zero effort = near zero speed (just sufficient to topple over).

If power assist is set to the highest level and pedalling effort is about the same as a stroll in the park, cycling speed will be around 10 km/h. Not much more effort (still on highest assist) will up the speed to 15 km/h.

Question 2: Yes, you can certainly turn down the power assist - but I don’t.

Between 25 and 27 km/h (my customary speed on the flat) the assist fades away (no abrupt shut off at 25 km/h). At lower speeds, choosing the highest assist option does not mean that the maximum assist will be given (ease up on the pedals and the motor eases up, too).

Question 3: Yes.

Suggestion: Buy a step-through bike. They are so easy to get on and off. By far the best ebike I’ve ridden is Riese & Müller’s Nevo. Brilliant! It’s quite expensive but do try it out so that you can make comparisons with the best. (Search EBR Forum for “Nevo”.)

... David

 

[Alex M]

Agreed on step-through frame.
It used to be called "woman bicycles", but I would say that step-through cruiser (i.e. upright position) is a good choice for both men and women when they are not trying to ride very fast. Or - when somebody didn't ride a bike for long time and has difficulty swinging the leg over a saddle of traditional "diamond frame". There are also step-through models with more leaned-forward "racing" position.

 

[DS99]

Thank you to everyone for your comments. Particularly to 'David Berry'. It's so difficult to really know and understand just what 'assist' really means. It sounds like the 'stroll in the park' type exercise is what my wife is after. IE enough to get up a sweat if going for long enough but not to 'die' in the first few miles, as she does on a normal bike. Perhaps coupled with a few gears as well, just in case.

I assume also then the greater battery capacity and motor wattage, the better and within what we can afford.

The 'step-through' sounds ideal. From the generation where ladies stepped through, rather than swung their legs over the back of the seat, she's never really got on with the bikes that I've so far tried her on. I think everything and anything that can make her life easier is one step closer towards us enjoying time out together. Fingers crossed!

Many thanks.

DS99.

 

[DS99]

Woosh in Southend, and Brighton ebikes, sell ebikes with throttles around 1,000 pounds. The Raleigh Spirit is a step through with a 7-speed internal gear hub so you can shift down when stationary which is useful in stop and go urban traffic, that model is a pedelec so you need to pedal to activate the motor.

Thanks Dewey.I'm not local to the south-east at all but may give the two places a shout for advice. At £1k it sounds like they may be offering similar to those at Halfords. I tried calling the latter for advice but got nowhere, surprise, surprise :-(

 

[Alex M]

PAS (pedal assist) is just that - assistance from motor. The more effort you put in, the more "push"comes from motor.

Your effort is measured by either cadence sensor - the faster you pedal, the more boost is added, or by torque sensor that measures actual effort. Cheaper models usually have cadence sensor.

Now, there are several levels of assist. Let's say, 5 total. On Level 1 motor adds "up to" 20% boost to your effort. As others noted, it adds nothing when you stop pedaling. On Level 2 - up to 40%, on Level 5 - 100%, i.e. each revolution of pedals on #5 feels 2 times easier. This is approximately, different systems are calibrated differently, some add as much as 300% boost on Level 5.

And then there is a throttle (on some bikes). It over-rides the PAS, i.e. if you're on Level 1 and hit the throttle, motor starts adding the power just like on moped, you may keep on pedaling to help the motor, or relax, motor will run anyway. The more you turn the throttle, the more power, up to max 250W or whatever motor you have on your bike. On some bikes throttle can't over-ride, i.e. on Level 1 the throttle will output very little, even if turned all the way to max position. But most of them do over-ride.

 

[Bruce Arnold]

Thanks Dewey.I'm not local to the south-east at all but may give the two places a shout for advice. At £1k it sounds like they may be offering similar to those at Halfords. I tried calling the latter for advice but got nowhere, surprise, surprise :-(

While you're at it, give the Fully Charged ebike shop a shout. They have a wide variety and would help your wife make a good choice.

"Help your wife make a good choice" is the operative phrase. I let mine pick out what she wanted. She asked for some help understanding specs etc. but in the end she got the bike she wanted. And she rides it enthusiastically. That's what you want, right?