Do you still ride your analog bicycle?

[Stefan Mikes]

Cardio vascular conditioning isn't always about your watt.... consider this. All of us have some basic recommended target heart rate Zones based on age and current conditioning etc. If you wear a heart rate monitor and ride an ebike you can start by pedaling with limited assist and when you get to your target zone you can then use the ebike's power settings to stay within that target zone. For me that's about 132 bpm for calorie/fat burning. When my target heart rate jumps above the recommended zone for my desired fitness goal i add power. If i fall below my target zone for my fitness goal i take away power. You can manage your heart rate this way throughout a ride. Heart rate is a good way to tell (in a otherwise healthy person) cardio fitness if you are overdoing it. Here in the Deep South where temperatures and humidity rule the day, it is very wise for a person to monitor their heartrate to make sure they are not overheating = overdoing things during a bicycle workout. As for riding a traditional bike with no power assist options - the threads intended question - I have surrendered to the "less is more" approach to living; 6 different bikes hanging on the wall or taking up floor space, no longer serves me. I have sold off all my high dollar powerless road bikes to make room for a machine that allows me to do it all. Commute, go off roading, ride rails to trails, complete a century ride, or even ride along side my flat bellied very fast and very fit roadie buddies who almost always like it when i get out front and lead the pack, pacing them to achieve their fitness goals.

It is true what you say. (I can measure my HR as I ride, too). Now, consider this: I am on blood overpressure medication. I simply cannot exceed 115 bpm. It is why I said: "A human being can only input as much into the cranks as the person is physically capable to do".

 

[6zfshdb]

It is true what you say. (I can measure my HR as I ride, too). Now, consider this: I am on blood overpressure medication. I simply cannot exceed 115 bpm. It is why I said: "A human being can only input as much into the cranks as the person is physically capable to do".

These are all good points involving analog vs e-bike exercise. This is a highly individualized subject, dependent on age, health and level of fitness. There is no right or wrong answer.

The only point I can add is an analog bike won't get you home if you exhaust yourself or have a medical issue.

I also like to enjoy the ride which is difficult to do when I'm sweating and breathing heavily. As mentioned above, an e-bike allows you to vary your workout so you can get whatever level of cardio you desire.

 

[PSm]

These are all good points involving analog vs e-bike exercise. This is a highly individualized subject, dependent on age, health and level of fitness. There is no right or wrong answer.

The only point I can add is an analog bike won't get you home if you exhaust yourself or have a medical issue.

I also like to enjoy the ride which is difficult to do when I'm sweating and breathing heavily. As mentioned above, an e-bike allows you to vary your workout so you can get whatever level of cardio you desire.

+1
I’m still thinking of getting an analog bike, if I can justify to myself spending the $$$ for a 15 or 16 lb bike, to have another option for the bike club rides that don’t allow e-bikes. But still on the fence.

As it is, with my e-bike, I’m using it for strenuous exercise, while making the final miles and hills of a ride more enjoyable & less painful! Max heart rate on rides for me, usually 160+ bpm, and average about 130-140 bpm. Rest day rides, much lower, with higher assist, to protect my knees.

Probably will stick with the e-bike, in the end, since it really is that much more flexible and capable (since I can dial in as little or much assist, as I want). And I feel fortunate, in being able to push myself as hard as possible, when that is my goal (and still be able to make it home).

 

[PedalUma]

I only ride eBikes and am doing fine.

 

[Viking1]

I still ride my Dekra. It is only a 3 speed, but I love the shaft drive. I keep it at work and have to ride a mile before coffee, s mile before lunch, and a mile before I can come home from work. Here she is.

 

[mschwett]

cool! i’ve never seen a shaft drive bike in person. is it quiet / reliable / low-friction?

 

[PedalUma]

cool! i’ve never seen a shaft drive bike in person. is it quiet / reliable / low-friction?

I have worked on them. They are not a efficient and are more heavy than a chain. It is a Euro approach for reliable transportation in all weather. Just keep the shaft and gears lubed. The ones I have seen have Sram internal hubs that are harder to work on than a Nexus.

 

[Taylor57]

I saw a guy today on an analog bike (mountain bike?) with a helmet on with a go pro mounted on top of the helmet. He was driving with no hands trying to tend to what looked like an infant a year old or less in a bib strapped on to his belly. He was driving uphill through an intersection with no hands and having to pedal pretty hard to keep his momentum going. The baby did not have a helmet on...

 

[EMGX]

+1
I’m still thinking of getting an analog bike, if I can justify to myself spending the $$$ for a 15 or 16 lb bike, to have another option for the bike club rides that don’t allow e-bikes. But still on the fence.

As it is, with my e-bike, I’m using it for strenuous exercise, while making the final miles and hills of a ride more enjoyable & less painful! Max heart rate on rides for me, usually 160+ bpm, and average about 130-140 bpm. Rest day rides, much lower, with higher assist, to protect my knees.

Probably will stick with the e-bike, in the end, since it really is that much more flexible and capable (since I can dial in as little or much assist, as I want). And I feel fortunate, in being able to push myself as hard as possible, when that is my goal (and still be able to make it home).

After riding my 26# folding bike on a moderately hilly route Tuesday I came close to ordering a full carbon bike from bikesdirect. Motor assist or not I very much dislike the weight of my ebikes, even though they are considered "light" for ebikes at 41-43#. Unfortunately the size I need is sold out. They don't list bike weights so it would be a gamble but I'd settle for 20ish pounds and be happy with that. It looks good for gravel/bikepacking.

 

[PSm]

After riding my 26# folding bike on a moderately hilly route Tuesday I came close to ordering a full carbon bike from bikesdirect. Motor assist or not I very much dislike the weight of my ebikes, even though they are considered "light" for ebikes at 41-43#. Unfortunately the size I need is sold out. They don't list bike weights so it would be a gamble but I'd settle for 20ish pounds and be happy with that. It looks good for gravel/bikepacking.

View attachment 138375

Anyone else have experience with bikesdirect bike quality and reliability? The unknowns were holding me back from considering them.

I have been looking at Canyon, as a source of pretty affordable, lighter weight analog bikes, from a potentially less risky source.

 

[dodgeman]

I rode mine once this last summer, it’s a Trek hybrid. I envisioned I was just going to fly on this much lighter weight bike. I didn’t. It was fine I was just going so much slower. On my e bike I average anywhere between 13 and 15 mph. On my analog bike I averaged 10 mph. It just wasn’t as fun for me.

 

[PSm]

I rode mine once this last summer, it’s a Trek hybrid. I envisioned I was just going to fly on this much lighter weight bike. I didn’t. It was fine I was just going so much slower. On my e bike I average anywhere between 13 and 15 mph. On my analog bike I averaged 10 mph. It just wasn’t as fun for me.

Good to know. How heavy/which model Trek do you have?

 

[PedalUma]

My one experience with Bikesdirect was very bad. That is a single point of data not a trend.

I often use 3-pound batteries. Motors are 7 but the old crankset and BB go, so we may be talking about an 8-pound (3.6kg) net gain in weight. That is for a power gain of up to rider's input X4. I could take cold showers, but some warmth is nice. The same with an electric bike. The assistance is nice. Why go back to cold showers?

 

[EMGX]

For my bikes with 400-500wh batteries, both a BH (Yamaha) gravel bike and TSDZ2 conversions of sub 30lb bikes, the total bike wt is low 40lbs. So a 20lb bike represents a 20+lb wt reduction and that is significant to me. I often ride without assist and have removed the Tongsheng motors repeatedly from bikes because the weight difference is very noticeable riding a sub 30# bike vs a >40# bike. If I didn't ride such a hilly routes I wouldn't bother with an ebike at all. The ride I did Tuesday on the 26# bike (actually 27.2# because I had a rear rack installed) was a relative breeze up hills vs when I had the same bike equipped as an ebike weighing 42#, if I recall correctly. I subscribed to bikesdirect to be notified if the bike that I want comes in stock. I'd still keep my ebikes but at this point I want a very light weight bike in addition.

 

[PSm]

For my bikes with 400-500wh batteries, both a BH (Yamaha) gravel bike and TSDZ2 conversions of sub 30lb bikes, the total bike wt is low 40lbs. So a 20lb bike represents a 20+lb wt reduction and that is significant to me. I often ride without assist and have removed the Tongsheng motors repeatedly from bikes because the weight difference is very noticeable riding a sub 30# bike vs a >40# bike. If I didn't ride such a hilly routes I wouldn't bother with an ebike at all. The ride I did Tuesday on the 26# bike (actually 27.2# because I had a rear rack installed) was a relative breeze up hills vs when I had the same bike equipped as an ebike weighing 42#, if I recall correctly. I subscribed to bikesdirect to be notified if the bike that I want comes in stock. I'd still keep my ebikes but at this point I want a very light weight bike in addition.

I’m tempted by the current $300 off sale price of $699 for the under 22 lb Canyon https://www.canyon.com/en-us/hybrid-bikes/roadlite/roadlite-5/2780.html

 

[EMGX]

That is a great price but if I get another bike I want it to be full carbon, lightest possible set up the way I want. The bikes direct is better equipped for me and would be worth it despite the higher price.

 

[BigNerd]

Not really.

It's still a pain to mount/dismount the heavy ebike on my rack to drive to our different rides but having peace of mind in case of a hill or those convenient throttle starts while stopped at a light make up for it.

I'm still searching for a lighter ebike, but find solace in the bigger motor/battery.

 

[Viking1]

Not too bad. Very quiet. Mine has a Shimano Nexus 3 Speed hub. Very neat piece. I would like to replace the hub with one with more gears for better versatility.

cool! i’ve never seen a shaft drive bike in person. is it quiet / reliable / low-friction?

 

[dodgeman]

Good to know. How heavy/which model Trek do you have?

It’s a Multitrack 7200. I’d guess it’s around 20 pounds. I’ve had it over 20 years.

 

[Viking1]

I found a new old stock “analog” speedometer for my analog bike!! Also for the Nexus hub, I mounted a small mirror on the rear housing to make for an easy adjustment of the shifting linkage. Works great!!