Don't take your hands off the handlebars of your ebike !

[ChezCheese:)]

If you can't go no-handed, then your bike is not properly balanced. If I have a load of heavy groceries on the back carrier rack, my ebike front wheel will shimmy, because it is no longer balanced. If there is no extra weight on the rear rack, I can go no-handed, no problem, and I do to stretch out my back and shoulders.

Of course, that doesn't mean I take curves or go speeding down hills no-handed. Duh. For that matter, if you are going down a hill at speed on a regular acoustic bike, you are going as fast as an electric bike. Although, the electric bike is possibly more stable because of its greater weight and lower center of gravity.

If you can't ride no-handed either pedaling or coasting for short distances, your bike is the problem. The gyroscope effect should keep you upright.

 

[Dallant]

If you can't go no-handed, then your bike is not properly balanced. If I have a load of heavy groceries on the back carrier rack, my ebike front wheel will shimmy, because it is no longer balanced. If there is no extra weight on the rear rack, I can go no-handed, no problem, and I do to stretch out my back and shoulders.

Of course, that doesn't mean I take curves or go speeding down hills no-handed. Duh. For that matter, if you are going down a hill at speed on a regular acoustic bike, you are going as fast as an electric bike. Although, the electric bike is possibly more stable because of its greater weight and lower center of gravity.

If you can't ride no-handed either pedaling or coasting for short distances, your bike is the problem. The gyroscope effect should keep you upright.

I’d agree but some bike geometry might negatively affect the stability of the balance with no hands.

 

[ChezCheese:)]

I haven't found that to be true on my BH Atom Diamond Wave Pro.

 

[Mr. Coffee]

Plus, relying on drivers seeing you to be safe is something of a death wish - assume they can't and ride accordingly. (Talking about riding in traffic with cars.)

Actually, when riding in traffic I assume everyone can see me and they are aiming for me.

 

[Mr. Coffee]

I’d agree but some bike geometry might negatively affect the stability of the balance with no hands.

Unfortunately a great many e-bikes, including some well-liked models, have poor balance. A few have extremely poor balance.

 

[Dallant]

Unfortunately a great many e-bikes, including some well-liked models, have poor balance. A few have extremely poor balance.

I can ride on level pavement with no hands but not comfortably for very long. Just too old to want to do it that much.

 

[Asher]

Actually, when riding in traffic I assume everyone can see me and they are aiming for me.

Haha. It's always funny to me when I say I don't do hand signals - people protest, I explain why it's pointless, and then that priceless 'oh s*it, he has a point' eureka moment.

That said, hand signaling can be useful when there's lots of cars moving slowly in a tight space. Drivers are more deferential when it's obvious they have nowhere to go anyway .

 

[Greasy goal]

Is this you?

Or this?

Hello Mrs Coffee, is this you? Now drink your cool aid.