Best ebike for Seniors Citizens
- Thread starter alloo
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Jeremy McCreary
Bought it anyway
- Region
- USA
- City
- Carlsbad, CA
At 74, I'm an out-of-shape GWSWL (geezer who shouldn't wear lycra). Just moved to San Diego County, where the top-notch scenery, weather, and bike infrastructure lured me back into cycling. But it's a pretty hilly place, so an ebike is key to that transition. Also want the ebike to take over as many short trips as possible to get me out of my car.
However, I see many serious road cyclists around my age who look pretty good in lycra.
Bottom line: Their ebike needs would be vastly different than mine. The OP's question has no answer.
However, I see many serious road cyclists around my age who look pretty good in lycra.
Bottom line: Their ebike needs would be vastly different than mine. The OP's question has no answer.
Last edited:
Ebiker33
Well-Known Member
"The OP's question has no answer"
The poll at the front of the OP might not have an answer.
But to me the the configuration of frame style does, minimum standard would be a step through, just easier to mount and dismount and an overall better riding position for the old guys & gals.
Jeremy McCreary
Bought it anyway
- Region
- USA
- City
- Carlsbad, CA
Nostalgia meets the brushless DC motor -- what a beauty!
I agree with a lot of the responses here, the mid-step or step-thru frames can be more approachable and stable. My step-mom bought a fat tire ebike because it felt safer going over cracks... she once got hung up on a railroad crossing and the fat tires reassure her (and add comfort), but they also add weight. I like the products that Trek and Electra have been offering at the more affordable end, like this one https://electricbikereview.com/trek/2023-fx-plus-2-stagger/ it's a great all around option and comes in three colors that could work for guy and gals.
SC00CHB00CH
Active Member
- Region
- USA
I think a mid-drive with a IGH , 3 geared hub and about 500-750 watts should do the trick. And possibly a thumb throttle. The bike would have to weigh in at a maximum of 40lbs. Pedal assist set to levels 1-3.
3 inch tires with universal tread and step through design
I don't like twist throttle , when you get into "oh sh$%" scenarios you have at tendency to hold tightly to the handlebar grips which on a twist throttle have the power attached as well. So if you're in a situation where you don't need power and you're holding on for dear life you may inadvertently pull full throttle when you don't need it. With a thumb throttle you have to decide to use your thumb to power it so the likely hood you're pushing the throttle when you don't need it are mute.
Without question though , it all depends on the experience of the rider. I'm sure an 82yr well versed long time bicyle rider will teach me things I've never known. So age isn't always the go to for bike styles. I'm sure a senior will walk all over me and my bike riding skills if they are experience long time riders.
Generally though for most seniors I'd start with a no brains attached smooth riding experience. for lack of a better term
Although the vast market has used rear hubs to cater to the senior crowd so what do I know?
3 inch tires with universal tread and step through design
I don't like twist throttle , when you get into "oh sh$%" scenarios you have at tendency to hold tightly to the handlebar grips which on a twist throttle have the power attached as well. So if you're in a situation where you don't need power and you're holding on for dear life you may inadvertently pull full throttle when you don't need it. With a thumb throttle you have to decide to use your thumb to power it so the likely hood you're pushing the throttle when you don't need it are mute.
Without question though , it all depends on the experience of the rider. I'm sure an 82yr well versed long time bicyle rider will teach me things I've never known. So age isn't always the go to for bike styles. I'm sure a senior will walk all over me and my bike riding skills if they are experience long time riders.
Generally though for most seniors I'd start with a no brains attached smooth riding experience. for lack of a better term
Although the vast market has used rear hubs to cater to the senior crowd so what do I know?
tomjasz
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Minnesnowta
Sadly that frame is difficult for oldsters with bum legs to mount. That top bar is a struggle for me. Making it nearly as difficult as a normal top tube frame.
AHicks
Well-Known Member
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- USA
- City
- Snow Bird - Summer S.E. Michigan, Winter Gulf Coast North Central Fl.
Would like to know more about your thinking here. Based on what?
The only advantage I can think of would be the chain would be easier to custom fit?
PedalUma
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Petaluma, CA
I am not in anyway opposed to belts. A Gates requires a special frame with a split on the seat stay to get the belt on. To modify a bike to do that is expensive and weakens the frame. The KMC extra-wide e-Chain lasts as long as a Gates belt. Gates requires proprietary cogs which break and are expensive. There is the 'cool' factor of a belt but I cannot justify it. Yes, I can fit a chain by trimming its length and no, I cannot do that with a belt.
On the radio just now the announcer said 'Big Aspirations.' That made me laugh and picture an extra-wide saddle.
On the radio just now the announcer said 'Big Aspirations.' That made me laugh and picture an extra-wide saddle.
m@Robertson
Merciless (on the inside)
- Region
- USA
KMC single-speed chains are amazingly beefy all by themselves. Now that they have an 'e' version they're insanely strong I should think. The sort of chain you'd want to use on a bike that can't easily do a belt but has an IGH. I would not convert a bike to a belt (i.e. add a break in the frame) but having owned a bike with a Gates belt... they are a beautiful thing. Still, a chain is soooo much easier to deal with from a build standpoint. Add a Surly Singleator to tension it on a frame with nice vertical dropouts and you have a solid solution. But I think I would go with the narrow 3/32" version rather than the wide. Narrower = less leverage across the pins for any kind of torsional stresses... I think. Goes to the same reason 11s chains are so durable.
My gut reaction to the thread question was a simple class 1 hub drive. I was thinking about what kind of bike I'd make for my Mom, who would want slow and need it to be simple. But... as everyone else has pointed out there's no right answer here. I'm still riding high top-tube bikes and I only want mid drives. And lots of gears.
My gut reaction to the thread question was a simple class 1 hub drive. I was thinking about what kind of bike I'd make for my Mom, who would want slow and need it to be simple. But... as everyone else has pointed out there's no right answer here. I'm still riding high top-tube bikes and I only want mid drives. And lots of gears.
PedalUma
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Petaluma, CA
Here is a better photo in daylight. Large grips are important in this segment. Yes there is the split belt. It is also proprietary for the cogs with its own standard and the estimated measurements must be exact. It is very expensive, cool but not that cool. It uses five rivets with a special rivet gun. Court also was thinking hub drive, great for a flat trailer park, but this area has big hills. I stripped all oils from this chain and used ceramic lube that does not attract dirt or grime. You shine a UV light to check the state of the lube. It glows purple.
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I agree, but ebiking has brought me a huge increase in fitness and weight loss. Admittedly, I use it to get to my twice-weekly "silver sneakers" pole walking class (we walk at a vigorous pace for an hour; the poles keep me from doing a face plant), but biking to the venue is the main part of the workout. I would say that ebiking is the very best aerobic exercise I could possibly do, at my age (85 yo). I also use the bike for errands and shopping as much as possible. 90% or more of my riding i do in PAS 1, and only use 2 or 3 PAS (out of 5) on long or steep hills. I try to maintain a cadence of around 70 rpm by using the gearshift (Nexus 7 IGH) a lot. Bike is an Ariel Rider C class.
CSH
Active Member
PedalUma
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Petaluma, CA
Here is her husband's bike. It is a mid-step with a 750W torque sensor mid-drive that has 90Nm. I just finished it. Zoom to see the little yellow flowers here today in Nor. Cal. It has a heavy duty dual clutch cargo bike motor for low maintenance and with a premium battery. This bar is so comfortable. It is a converted Giant Momentum Vida Small/Medium.Let me hear an AMEN.......... Brothers & Sisters !
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CSH
Active Member
interesting.......... What all is in the conversion ?
I have 2 Giant LaFree E+1 (very similar ). They are rather sturdy well made bikes with belt, nexus gears, but only 250w motor and 60nm. I guess I would have to give up the Nexus & Belt to do what you did ?
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PedalUma
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Petaluma, CA
Those are nice bikes! Be content. The bottom bracket area and motor mounts on your bikes are proprietary. They will only work with the motors you have. This one is 350W. It was a 7-speed, now it is a 9-speed. The new starter bike was $449 with white tires. It is a Public C7. The battery is reminiscent of a water bottle.
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tomjasz
Well-Known Member
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- USA
- City
- Minnesnowta
PedalUma
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Petaluma, CA
Thanks Tom. You are right in my opinion. There is a fun curve. Each Mph is more fun than the one before until about 20. Then it becomes level until about 22. Then it drops off fast as speed increases and it is then just dumb and scary. If you get doored or floored at those higher speeds it is hospital time. Who wants to go to an ER this week with broken bones? People with strokes and heart attacks have to wait 8 hours to be seen right now in LA. They are all coughing their guts out and packed into every available space and lying on the floors.
Fun
Dumb
Speed
Fun
Speed
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