E-bike riding instruction and tips

[DDBB]

It's fun to holler out "that's cheating" to OTHER ebikers as you pass them on your ebike. I've yet to get a good comeback from anyone

 

[christob]

This is why I don’t ever turn my motor off- I’ll leave it in eco. Leave it off, forget and start in too high a gear, and it can be tough to get the bike rolling.

I don’t think that would’ve helped much here, in these past situations. If I’m in too high a gear when I arrive at a stop, because I totally wasn’t thinking about gears and downshifting as I coasted into the stop, then being in eco (my level 1) won’t be enough assist to effectively compensate at start up... sure I can get the bike rolling, but it’s an awkwardly slow start, tougher, as you said; especially with or while crossing traffic. Perhaps being in my top assist level at start up would’ve compensated, but not my lowest level; but then, I never ride in my top 3 levels of assist anymore, so I’d have needed to remember to change that at the stop as well! Anyway, it was a funny adjustment period... making the mistake a few times helped cement the corrective behavior
I actually miss the old-school gear-number indicator dial that my first ebike had on the handlebar. (The replacement ebike did away with that.) That at-a-glance-indicator was actually sort of handy for something like this... if I remember to glance at it

 

[DDBB]

I'm spoiled by Yamaha's zero cadence system I guess

 

[Handlebars]

I don’t think that would’ve helped much here, in these past situations. If I’m in too high a gear when I arrive at a stop, because I totally wasn’t thinking about gears and downshifting as I coasted into the stop, then being in eco (my level 1) won’t be enough assist to effectively compensate at start up... sure I can get the bike rolling, but it’s an awkwardly slow start, tougher, as you said; especially with or while crossing traffic. Perhaps being in my top assist level at start up would’ve compensated, but not my lowest level; but then, I never ride in my top 3 levels of assist anymore, so I’d have needed to remember to change that at the stop as well! Anyway, it was a funny adjustment period... making the mistake a few times helped cement the corrective behavior
I actually miss the old-school gear-number indicator dial that my first ebike had on the handlebar. (The replacement ebike did away with that.) That at-a-glance-indicator was actually sort of handy for something like this... if I remember to glance at it

For me it was similar at the very beginning, then preparing for a stop by shifting down became habitual again quickly - especially with the much heavier bike. At least I can use throttle if I haven't shifted down in time. Shifting down takes a bit more time than on an a-bike because you need to lower the assist level appropriately, or a crank turn could give a bit of a boost again.

 

[6zfshdb]

This time of year, watch out for the fallen leaves! They are slippery, especially when wet, and can obscure potholes & debris on the road surface.

 

[Toomanycats]

I don’t think that would’ve helped much here, in these past situations. If I’m in too high a gear when I arrive at a stop, because I totally wasn’t thinking about gears and downshifting as I coasted into the stop, then being in eco (my level 1) won’t be enough assist to effectively compensate at start up... sure I can get the bike rolling, but it’s an awkwardly slow start, tougher, as you said; especially with or while crossing traffic. Perhaps being in my top assist level at start up would’ve compensated, but not my lowest level; but then, I never ride in my top 3 levels of assist anymore, so I’d have needed to remember to change that at the stop as well! Anyway, it was a funny adjustment period... making the mistake a few times helped cement the corrective behavior
I actually miss the old-school gear-number indicator dial that my first ebike had on the handlebar. (The replacement ebike did away with that.) That at-a-glance-indicator was actually sort of handy for something like this... if I remember to glance at it

Yep. What really throws me off is a stop sign or traffic light at the bottom of a steep hill, then it’s level or uphill after. When you’re coasting or pedaling in your highest gear, you don’t think to downshift.
It’s enough to make you wish for a throttle

 

[Petropoliskhan]

This time of year, watch out for the fallen leaves! They are slippery, especially when wet, and can obscure potholes & debris on the road surface.

Yep! Wet leaves are surprisingly slippery!
I was having a nice ride with my wife this afternoon, on a dry road surface when I hit a patch of wet leaves. As I road through it I felt the rear wheel abruptly loose traction then swerve left. As I tried to correct the trajectory , over corrected and the bike sent me barreling over the right side .
my head hit the road twice (I think) . the helmet took the initial hit and the forehead took the next , right above the eyebrow (see pics). My right elbow and hip also cushioned the blow. There will be some bruising...
I was totally caught by surprise and didn't see this coming.
Does this mean that my MIPS Giro helmet , automatically needs to be replaced?
I see no cracks, just scratches. I must say that I was surprised to see where I got bumped given the overhang protection of this helmet.
Does anybody think winter tires on my Stromer ST5 would have provided better grip than the standard Pirellis?

 

[6zfshdb]

Yep! Wet leaves are surprisingly slippery!
I was having a nice ride with my wife this afternoon, on a dry road surface when I hit a patch of wet leaves. As I road through it I felt the rear wheel abruptly loose traction then swerve left. As I tried to correct the trajectory , over corrected and the bike sent me barreling over the right side .
my head hit the road twice (I think) . the helmet took the initial hit and the forehead took the next , right above the eyebrow (see pics). My right elbow and hip also cushioned the blow. There will be some bruising...
I was totally caught by surprise and didn't see this coming.
Does this mean that my MIPS Giro helmet , automatically needs to be replaced?
I see no cracks, just scratches. I must say that I was surprised to see where I got bumped given the overhang protection of this helmet.
Does anybody think winter tires on my Stromer ST5 would have provided better grip than the standard Pirellis?
View attachment 74110View attachment 74111

Too bad about your accident. I'm glad it wasn't any worse though. It looks like you and the helmet took the brunt of it. Any damage to the bike?

Wet leaves cause a traction problem unlike that of snow, ice or gravel because there are often many layers of leaves. Tire tread and even studs can grip only the top layers leaving a slippery surface underneath. I learned from experience to slow down and or avoid patches of leaves whenever possible. None of my mishaps were as serious as yours though. The worst I experienced was a flat & bent rim from hitting a leaf obscured pothole.

I can't advise about the helmet. If it weren't an expensive MIPS, I would say replace it. I don't know if the protection would be compromised from a few scrapes or not. You'd think for the extra $$, these MIPS helmets would be a bit more durable. Still cheaper than the cost of a new head though. You could try contacting Giro and show them your pic. My guess is they will tell you to replace it.

 

[Petropoliskhan]

Too bad about your accident. I'm glad it wasn't any worse though. It looks like you and the helmet took the brunt of it. Any damage to the bike?

Wet leaves cause a traction problem unlike that of snow, ice or gravel because there are often many layers of leaves. Tire tread and even studs can grip only the top layers leaving a slippery surface underneath. I learned from experience to slow down and or avoid patches of leaves whenever possible. None of my mishaps were as serious as yours though. The worst I experienced was a flat & bent rim from hitting a leaf obscured pothole.

I can't advise about the helmet. If it weren't an expensive MIPS, I would say replace it. I don't know if the protection would be compromised from a few scrapes or not. You'd think for the extra $$, these MIPS helmets would be a bit more durable. Still cheaper than the cost of a new head though. You could try contacting Giro and show them your pic. My guess is they will tell you to replace it

Hey 6zfshdb ,thanx for taking the time to reply.
Yes the bike seems mostly ok. A few scratches on the rearview mirror (no big deal). I did ride the bike home and it felt fine except for maybe a loss of pressure in the left hand/front brake. the throw of the handle felt longer than usual before it bit the disk. I'll have the bike checked out when I take it to the lbs this week. I had been planning on installing winter tires when they're back in stock at the store.
You can bet that I'll be way more vigilant when it comes to those wet leave patches.
As far as the helmet goes it was bought used (but in great shape/ nearly new) for a reasonable amount. Yes it is an expensive helmet...
Luckily ,I also own an Abus ACE pedelec 2.0 that will become my primary protection until I can replace the Giro. I am pretty sure you are right about their recommendation.

 

[Luto]

@Petropoliskhan , Just slow down. Treat it like skiing in poor conditions (ice patches) or something like that. It is easy to get going again. I pull off, let cars pass if I am on the inside of a turn or it is narrow, go very slow in shade, wood surfaces, bridges, or unknown downhills. But when I am moving and things are clear I make good time at 25-30 kph.

VERY GLAD you did not hit a curb with your head or take your wife down with you or get hit by a car after going down.

Tread can only do so much because below 5c the tread material is not that effective, studs excluded. A dedicated winter (soft at low temp) material is what you want but will wear quickly at normal temperature. Even then slime leaves, or frost on wood (park bridges) nothing short of studs will work, and even then. But slowing down covers about everything. I ride the same tires all year.

As for the OP, just change gears or reprogram, if possible, the assist level.

 

[Petropoliskhan]

@Petropoliskhan , Just slow down. Treat it like skiing in poor conditions (ice patches) or something like that. It is easy to get going again. I pull off, let cars pass if I am on the inside of a turn or it is narrow, go very slow in shade, wood surfaces, bridges, or unknown downhills. But when I am moving and things are clear I make good time at 25-30 kph.

VERY GLAD you did not hit a curb with your head or take your wife down with you or get hit by a car after going down.

Tread can only do so much because below 5c the tread material is not that effective, studs excluded. A dedicated winter (soft at low temp) material is what you want but will wear quickly at normal temperature. Even then slime leaves, or frost on wood (park bridges) nothing short of studs will work, and even then. But slowing down covers about everything. I ride the same tires all year.

As for the OP, just change gears or reprogram, if possible, the assist level.

Hey Luto, of course! I will definitely be more prudent when it comes to speed and wet leaves.
I believed that I was in control and that the dry weather and road surface conditions were safe/manageable. I obviously misjudged.. Lessons learned...
Ironically , five minutes earlier I had been mansplaining to my wife about the dangers of excessive speed.. ugh... She is incredible she saw the fall and spared me the " What was that you were saying about speed?"

 

[Dave Rocks]

Hey 6zfshdb ,thanx for taking the time to reply.
Yes the bike seems mostly ok. A few scratches on the rearview mirror (no big deal). I did ride the bike home and it felt fine except for maybe a loss of pressure in the left hand/front brake. the throw of the handle felt longer than usual before it bit the disk. I'll have the bike checked out when I take it to the lbs this week. I had been planning on installing winter tires when they're back in stock at the store.
You can bet that I'll be way more vigilant when it comes to those wet leave patches.
As far as the helmet goes it was bought used (but in great shape/ nearly new) for a reasonable amount. Yes it is an expensive helmet...
Luckily ,I also own an Abus ACE pedelec 2.0 that will become my primary protection until I can replace the Giro. I am pretty sure you are right about their recommendation.

If your head hit the pavement replace your helmet man.

Your head is worth more.

 

[mogulskier]

If your head hit the pavement replace your helmet man.

Your head is worth more.

Agree. Damage to the helmet looks superficial, but you don't know for sure. I would replace it.

 

[PowerflyLee formerly known as CheetahLee]

Yep! Wet leaves are surprisingly slippery!
I was having a nice ride with my wife this afternoon, on a dry road surface when I hit a patch of wet leaves. As I road through it I felt the rear wheel abruptly loose traction then swerve left. As I tried to correct the trajectory , over corrected and the bike sent me barreling over the right side .
my head hit the road twice (I think) . the helmet took the initial hit and the forehead took the next , right above the eyebrow (see pics). My right elbow and hip also cushioned the blow. There will be some bruising...
I was totally caught by surprise and didn't see this coming.
Does this mean that my MIPS Giro helmet , automatically needs to be replaced?
I see no cracks, just scratches. I must say that I was surprised to see where I got bumped given the overhang protection of this helmet.
Does anybody think winter tires on my Stromer ST5 would have provided better grip than the standard Pirellis?
View attachment 74110View attachment 74111

As Dave says above, replace the helmet! Don't even chance it. I've also had a wet leaves experience myself and it was quite eye opening! Ride On....

 

[Luto]

Hey Luto, of course! I will definitely be more prudent when it comes to speed and wet leaves.
I believed that I was in control and that the dry weather and road surface conditions were safe/manageable. I obviously misjudged.. Lessons learned...
Ironically , five minutes earlier I had been mansplaining to my wife about the dangers of excessive speed.. ugh... She is incredible she saw the fall and spared me the " What was that you were saying about speed?"

That is a gem of a wife! Yes +1 replace the helmet.

I fell in a parking lot in Japan just walking in the dark on ice. And this after skiing 4 days in the back country and through numerous dangerous conditions. Hit my head and was impaired seriously for about 9 weeks and about 9 months before back to 100% brain function (quickness and acuity).

If you can a "Cranial-Sacral" treatment or 3-4 of them is very helpful to get the brain-spine rhythm back again. It is the restoring of the pumping of the cerebral spinal fluid that gets disrupted when you smack your head.

 

[Petropoliskhan]

That is a gem of a wife! Yes +1 replace the helmet.

I fell in a parking lot in Japan just walking in the dark on ice. And this after skiing 4 days in the back country and through numerous dangerous conditions. Hit my head and was impaired seriously for about 9 weeks and about 9 months before back to 100% brain function (quickness and acuity).

If you can a "Cranial-Sacral" treatment or 3-4 of them is very helpful to get the brain-spine rhythm back again. It is the restoring of the pumping of the cerebral spinal fluid that gets disrupted when you smack your head.

 

[Petropoliskhan]

Yes you’re right,I am very lucky and very happy to have her.
There’s some scratches and scrapes and aching ( arm/ hand / hip) that will heal ( eventually, I will turn 50 in a couple of days) but I believe the brain function is ok and doesn’t require further treatment.
I will replace / retire that helmet which has , guess, served it’s purpose. Sort of...

 

[Dallant]

Yep! Wet leaves are surprisingly slippery!
I was having a nice ride with my wife this afternoon, on a dry road surface when I hit a patch of wet leaves. As I road through it I felt the rear wheel abruptly loose traction then swerve left. As I tried to correct the trajectory , over corrected and the bike sent me barreling over the right side .
my head hit the road twice (I think) . the helmet took the initial hit and the forehead took the next , right above the eyebrow (see pics). My right elbow and hip also cushioned the blow. There will be some bruising...
I was totally caught by surprise and didn't see this coming.
Does this mean that my MIPS Giro helmet , automatically needs to be replaced?
I see no cracks, just scratches. I must say that I was surprised to see where I got bumped given the overhang protection of this helmet.
Does anybody think winter tires on my Stromer ST5 would have provided better grip than the standard Pirellis?
View attachment 74110View attachment 74111

Given that your forehead took a hit even with a good helmet on, I’d consider a different type/style/fit of helmet next time. Something that rides lower and thus provides a bit more coverage/protection.
That looks like a nasty hit. Did you need stitches?

 

[Petropoliskhan]

Given that your forehead took a hit even with a good helmet on, I’d consider a different type/style/fit of helmet next time. Something that rides lower and thus provides a bit more coverage/protection.
That looks like a nasty hit. Did you need stitches?

Hi Dallant, as you may have seen in the pictures above the giro bexley has quite large overhang which I believed would protect that area of my face.The overhang is so large that sometimes I find it obscures my vision forward. My riding position is sometimes described as aggressive forward. I don’t see myself choosing anything with a longer protuberance. Perhaps the visor (which was up at the time) might have protected better ( or shattered and given a different type of wound). I will take a look at Cratoni or Kask helmets. I would like to keep using commuter style helmets .
I didn’t go the ER for stitches. ( Hospitals busy with that COVID thing) I think it’s hopefully just road rash. Fingers crossed .

 

[Gordon71]

I noticed a post about trouble riding ebike with one hand on the bars when using hand signals and from there I thought a bit and noticed that there isn't much instruction for ebike riders at all. There's lots of very good motorcycle instruction but nothing for ebike. There are difficulties peculiar to ebike control - another example is some awkwardness turning right after a stop sign, from the jolt due to the motor switching on.

Give us your riding tips that are specifically for ebike riding!

I tend to usually use my throttle to get rolling after a stop sign as I'm usually in a high gear. Most times I can see there is nothing coming and not have to come to a full stop anyway. Most times I'm in PAS3 (out of 5) and use gears 3-7 (out of 7) and then use PAS4&5 on hills if I need to. Throttle use is just to get rolling from a full stop.