Eric from Sunny Costa Mesa, CA

[Eric Kuyper]

Hello to all. My name is Eric, and my wife (Buffy) and I recently purchased 2 bikes from The Electric Bike Company, Newport Beach. My wife had biked a bit in her youth, and I have been an avid motorcyclist for some years, but at 50 I've decided to downsize the horsepower just a bit.

In getting the bikes, we decided we were investing just as much into a lifestyle as we are a vehicle. Rather than just get one as I'd been looking to do for some time, we both got bikes and garaged the car except when needed for groceries, longer trips, etc. We both commute to work on the bikes, and use them for general around town needs. I am more likely to approach the bike as an "enthusiast" and see what I can stretch from it, whereas Buffy tends to be a more of a throttle action thrill seeker. We've had the bikes about 4 months, and I've put on just under 2400 miles while Buffy has a good 1400 under her belt.

Both bikes have the extended battery, I've decked mine out with some snazzy mirrors, custom "luggage" and had a 7 speed shifter installed.




We've taken the bikes with us on a few trips, we live near the coast so we can always hit the beach, and we brought them along to watch the eclipse in Oregon earlier this year.



We are looking to meet others to discuss trips, accessories, and how others have incorporated eBiking into their general day to day lives. I look forward to exploring the site and sharing what we learn.

 

[Gogogordy]

My wife and I also bought two folding ebikes (our first ebikes) from Sam recently. Its fun to ride twogether with a loved one, and fun to accesorize new wheels.

Sounds like Buffy the has a need for speed, while you are the more analytical, hyper-miler type. We enjoy the same character traits, distributed differently but we both average 41 mi. Per charge, and even though I enjoy the throttle and weigh more than my wife our range figs so far are nearly equal.

We also have non electric bikes, folders as well and spent the day enjoying Joshua Tree National Park on them yesterday. I highly recommend a fall trip to and with in the park on bikes of any type.

Enjoy the ride, perhaps we'll see you at the beach sometime....its also a favorite destination for us (and then there's The Crab Cooker.....)

 

[Eric Kuyper]

Yup, Buffy is smiling at your description. She's never hit a mileage limit, I think the farthest she's gone on a charge is 26 miles and still had gas in the tank. I figure at her size and heavy throttle finger she's probably good for 35 miles @ 20mph throttle only.

I just completed a ride from Universal Studios Hollywood to my home in Costa Mesa, clocking 70 miles strictly in PAS 1 (~130w) probably averaging 13.5mph. This was my first long ride after installing the shifter, prior to that the best I could do was 60 miles. Buffy is working more pedaling into her routine and we'll probably get a shifter on hers in about 6 months.

 

[vincent]

that is good mileage, how big are those batteries? and 36 or 48 volt?

 

[Eric Kuyper]

Vincent, the batteries are 18ah, and it's a 48v system. The motor is rated at 500w constant use and can peak at around 1200w on a hill.

PS. Meant to add this the first time; part of moving to the biking lifestyle, I split my garage into Auto and Bike sides

 

[Gogogordy]

Vincent, the batteries are 18ah, and it's a 48v system. The motor is rated at 500w constant use and can peak at around 1200w on a hill.

PS. Meant to add this the first time; part of moving to the biking lifestyle, I split my garage into Auto and Bike sides

View attachment 18605

Please describe (briefly OK) the route you took from Universal to coastal OC. It's highly likely you made better time then the cagers (that's car drivers for those whom dont come from a motorcycling background BTW)

The bikes likely "Thank You" for a separate room!

 

[Eric Kuyper]

Gogogordy,

Basically, I went east around the top side of Forrest Lawn and the LA Zoo, followed the river south to around Dodgers Stadium, then Google "Bike Routes" took me East basically following the 60 (but South 2-8 blocks depending on the roads) where I wound up on Whittier, took that about 3 miles to the 605, 605 bike trail South to Seal Beach, South to Newport Beach, up the Santa Ana River a few stops then home.

The entire San Gabriel river portion had brutal wind, but then the coast home was pleasant. 5.5 hours totalish.



Dark Blue was trip up in Car, light blue trip back down (ignore circle down south, that was earlier in the day riding)

 

[Gogogordy]

Gogogordy,

Basically, I went east around the top side of Forrest Lawn and the LA Zoo, followed the river south to around Dodgers Stadium, then Google "Bike Routes" took me East basically following the 60 (but South 2-8 blocks depending on the roads) where I wound up on Whittier, took that about 3 miles to the 605, 605 bike trail South to Seal Beach, South to Newport Beach, up the Santa Ana River a few stops then home.

The entire San Gabriel river portion had brutal wind, but then the coast home was pleasant. 5.5 hours totalish.

Thats some commuting.
Bravo sir!