Calling octegenarians! Two-wheeler e-bikes and age
- Thread starter ebikemom
- Start date
Stop procrastinating. Go out and buy one NOW.
I've been riding my E MTB for about 18 months, prior to that I had a non-electric MTB for a couple of years. Am involved in a recreational riding group (about 60 or 70 turn out each week) but had some hills and steps where I would run out of puff and some one would come back down the steps and help with the bike. Not good when the leader is the weakest in the pack. Now with the Ebike I have no problems with hills or head winds. I also organise and lead rides to the mountain bike park which is an hour away. There are 57 tracks, plus miles of forestry roads.
Oh...I'll be 81 early next week.
I've been riding my E MTB for about 18 months, prior to that I had a non-electric MTB for a couple of years. Am involved in a recreational riding group (about 60 or 70 turn out each week) but had some hills and steps where I would run out of puff and some one would come back down the steps and help with the bike. Not good when the leader is the weakest in the pack. Now with the Ebike I have no problems with hills or head winds. I also organise and lead rides to the mountain bike park which is an hour away. There are 57 tracks, plus miles of forestry roads.
Oh...I'll be 81 early next week.
rich c
Well-Known Member
There can be a wide range of abilities when you get to that age. If your Dad has been an avid cyclist then he may do alright. But what would be a minor bump for us, will likely be broken bones for him. Broken bones for an 80+ can be a very serious setback. If he does get one, I'd only suggest something where you can program the control to keep the speed at 15mph or below. No matter his abilities, his reflexes can't be what they once were. A long time friend in his early 80s, just bought a fat tired delta trike from Electrictrike.com. He needed the throttle and lower speed, but still wanted something that looked bad ass
Kurt in CT
Active Member
I can't speak to octogenarians. But the question reminds me of something that I've been running into. Since I got my Ebike and am riding it almost every day, I am struck by the number of people in my world that will not consider riding because of balance or general lack of confidence. So whether you are 80, 90, or 35, issues of athleticism or balance enter into the picture. It's such a shame of course, because this is such a cool thing to do, and I know once they are over the hump they would love it. I so want to try to get them there, but don't want to push.
I will also add that in my particular case, the high crossbar seems to scare some of these people. Eliminating that certainly would help these folks.
I will also add that in my particular case, the high crossbar seems to scare some of these people. Eliminating that certainly would help these folks.
Bruce Arnold
Well-Known Member
I'm assuming your father has his faculties and judgment intact. What does he want? How does he feel about his abilities?
J.R.
eBiker - Since 2014
- Region
- USA
- City
- The Piedmont
I have a very close friend that will be 79 next month and he rides a regular bike 30 to 40 miles a week. Meeting him you'd swear he's no older than 65. He exercises every day and is in good shape. Anyone like him I'd say go for it, but I'd also say consult your doctor.
ebikemom
Well-Known Member
Yes, he does. He has been an avid skier, but stopped in the last year or so. So, I think he has good balance. I also think he is careful. I think he would ride with good judgment.
As for what he wants, I'm not sure--he's attracted to the technology and has an electrical background, and told me he was thinking of buying a bike and parts online to make an e-bike. I told him stories (many I've heard) of folks who are on their 3rd or 4th e-bike due to not having gotten it right the first time, and I suggested also that buying a bike online without trying it wasn't a good idea since he hasn't ridden a bike in so long and might end up with something that was too big or otherwise a poor fit for him. I invited him over to try our bikes, and he tried my daughter's 24" Pedego and really liked the size. He rode just fine, and enjoyed riding at a slow pace, with the pedal assist on 1 or 2 on the flats, and up to 3 on the hills. He was impressed with the disc brakes, integrated lights, the way the motor/brakes were coordinated, the ease of use of controls, and the upright riding position. I think he has a lot to think about as he decides if he wants to buy or construct an e-bike, and I thought he'd enjoy the stories of others.
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Bruce Arnold
Well-Known Member
My wife has the 26 inch Pedego City Commuter step-thru frame and loves it. She has put about 1,000 miles on it since late January. She hadn't ridden a bike in 20-30 years and was hesitant at first, but is now so confident and has become a cycling infrastructure advocate. She has also ridden the 24 inch Pedego Interceptor and while she prefers her City Commuter, especially the handlebars, she likes it also. Having a local Pedego shop with great customer service is peace of mind for her. She's only 64 so not quite the age comparison you're hoping for. LOL.
As far as building/converting an ebike, @Thomas Jaszewski has a lot of experience in that area and may chime in.
As far as building/converting an ebike, @Thomas Jaszewski has a lot of experience in that area and may chime in.
tomjasz
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Minnesnowta
There are a Few really good resellers. If your dad is just city cruising a simple hub drive, or a gear drive if some hills would serve him well. The better kits are plug and play without connector and wire sorting. Lots of geezers like me over buy mid drives thinking they are tha legates the snd greatest. In some ways they, but do get oversold. If he has a bike he loves and is really comfortable riding it, then it’s a good conversion. But if it’s a frame with pressure points for aging muscles...who needs pain. Happy to help, nothing to sell.Yes, he does. He has been an avid skier, but stopped in the last year or so. So, I think he has good balance. I also think he is careful. I think he would ride with good judgment.
John from Connecticut
Well-Known Member
Yes, he does. He has been an avid skier, but stopped in the last year or so. So, I think he has good balance. I also think he is careful. I think he would ride with good judgment.
Hello ebikemom,
My 2 cents.... I recommend helping your Father decide what's most important to him, assembling an e-bike from parts purchased via the Internet and the followup tweaking, adjusting making his new bike kit work as well as it can....and it will need some tweaking etc or... Buying
a new commercially made e-bike, hop on it, ride and enjoy, no 'science project ' : )
Should buying a 'real' commercially available e-bike become the option of choice in addition to any other bikes recommended here, I strongly suggest you check out the Electra Townie 8i by Trek. ( lInk below ) With the pedal forward design or Flat Footed Technology as Trek calls it, the Townie 8i is very stable. When stopped the riders feet are flat on the ground.
https://electricbikereview.com/forums/threads/south-west-florida-here.24204/
tomjasz
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Minnesnowta
A number of flat foot frames can be kitted for substantially less. Kits, if owner is handy, can be very sustainable.
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