Thoughts Of An Experienced E-Biker

[Djangodog]

What a lame ass statement that is! I ride with other ebikers in a bike club and NOBODY gets out of their seat except to stop. They have much less power on those bikes then I do. I peddle this bike the whole time, don't ever use the throttle, except at intersections, or run all battery power,ever, and I get a good workout without ever standing up. I have 1000 watts for the many steep streets we have here in the Pacific NW. The suspension is for comfort, nothing more. Why do I need to feel the bone shattering effects of potholes and rocks? These are ebikes for the paved trails and streets, not racers or hill climbing dirt bikes. These are made for cruising. If you want off-road, that's another story, but that is not what my bike is setup for. I take mine on an 8 mile gravel trail at times, up and down hills, sitting down the whole way, I have full control. Your statement only makes sense for a mtb in the dirt, climbing big hills, not the streets. I'll post a pic later.

I won’t try to explain the physics to you. If you are happy riding in a passive and unresponsive position, that’s fine.

 

[Robspace1]

I won’t try to explain the physics to you. If you are happy riding in a passive and unresponsive position, that’s fine. Lol.

Yea, I actually prefer "passive riding", much better than none passive riding. I am VERY responsive and take fast turns on the trails with no problem at all. My bike is set perfect for me by bike shop pros, using my specs. The specs are for me, not anyone else. Everyone has their own settings as to the height of bars, saddle, tires, suspension, power etc. You have to input all the personal and geographical facts before setting up any bike. Weight of rider, bike, hills to climb and type of terrain. No two are alike. All bikes need to be adjusted to each persons comfort levels. Mine is and yea, it rides as comfy as a 26" ebike can ride, with as much power as needed for big hills. You were sold a bill of goods my friend by some slick bike saleman. You need no fore and aft leans or standing up to balance a BATTERY POWERED BIKE OK? If you do, you need more juice to compensate. You got sold a weak unit. lol

 

[Djangodog]

It would appear that you know very little about bike handling. I chose my bike carefully and as an experienced cyclist.

Even with a 250 watt, 500 watt peak output, I don’t have to ride out of saddle, (I could simply use a higher assist mode). I do most of my riding in the eco mode. I regularly ride grades greater than 20%.

Riding out of saddle is as much for control as it is for power, (even with full suspension, you are better off being able to absorb shock by unweighting rather than bouncing along with the bike).

On steep climbs you need to balance fore and aft to keep traction while keeping your front wheel on the ground. On steep, rough and fast descents, you should let your front end have some float. Getting your balance right helps in a panic stop as well. Upright works for “cruising” or riding around Amsterdam, but not if you ever need to perform an evasive maneuver.

By the way, mine is not a BATTERY POWERED BIKE. It’s an “assisted” bike, OK? I have all “the juice” that I need, thanks.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

By the way, mine is not a BATTERY POWERED BIKE. It’s an “assisted” bike, OK? I have all “the juice” that I need, thanks.

I thought the American federal and local laws allowed up to 750 Watts. Sure, if someone wants to ride an illegal e-motorcycle, let them do it. Only such people are not "cyclists".
P.S. People who have hijacked this thread are on the Ignore now.

 

[m@Robertson]

Most people that ride these bikes like to make it comfortable, and that calls for suspension and softer, bigger saddles....

You are committing the same sin you are accusing others of. What you said above is simply not true. Plus like the other soapbox preacher in this thread, you don't know enough about the equipment to understand why these choices are not used by people who know what they are doing. Its not like the noobs who just do a teeny bit of riding for only a few years actually know anything. Instead, what they know is how to band-aid their problems well enough to muddle on through. And since we live in the internet era, we have to hear alllll about it.

Most people get into ebikes for the fun of it and for moderate exercise, and not to win a race or wear spandex and pretend they are 21 again.

Again, posting a personal opinion and attributing it to 'most people' is malarkey. Since thats not bad enough, lets end the same sentence with a straw man.

I typically disagree with the OP. Pretty much on everything. Just look at what he posted just above me. More of the same. That thirst for conflict is what got the thread title altered by a staffer who I am sure saw this invitation to endless argument coming a mile away.

 

[Robspace1]

I thought the American federal and local laws allowed up to 750 Watts. Sure, if someone wants to ride an illegal e-motorcycle, let them do it. Only such people are not "cyclists".
P.S. People who have hijacked this thread are on the Ignore now.

1000 watts is completely legal in the US. I peddle mine every mile I go. You can stand up, lean, tilt to the right and left, drop your head over the bars for less wind drag and look like a real real race pro, and do it all in skin tight spandex if that's you're style. Seems like an awful lot of wasted energy just to get down the street lol. If I wanted to work that hard I would go back to riding analog bikes. I'm done with this idiot discussion. I'm going riding.

 

[J.R.]

As someone with a very bad spine, 4 fusions and a lot of titanium, being able to carry my weight with my legs as needed is extremely important. The slight forward body cant of an MTB and proper position over the cranks, as well as proper leg extension allow me to ride pain free. The traditional proven MTB body position isn't severe and it allows the rider to use their legs to take any punishment the spine and backside would otherwise take. Using my legs to spin and carry the weight offers a better workout as well.

When I've rented cruiser bikes at the beach, the forward cranks, legs bent at the knees and spine straight doesn't permit me to take my weight off the saddle to prevent even the smallest bump from reaching my spine. In my opinion MTB designers are genius.

 

[Robspace1]

Well here's my feedback...
If you're going to dispense authority in a thread, and use a wall of text, you should probably use better grammar...

"more comfortable then that. Most add suspension and softer seats. If your a roadie".

Nitpik

 

[Robspace1]

As someone with a very bad spine, 4 fusions and a lot of titanium, being able to carry my weight with my legs as needed is extremely important. The slight forward body cant of an MTB and proper position over the cranks, as well as proper leg extension allow me to ride pain free. The traditional proven MTB body position isn't severe and it allows the rider to use their legs to take any punishment the spine and backside would otherwise take. Using my legs to spin and carry the weight offers a better workout as well.

When I've rented cruiser bikes at the beach, the forward cranks, legs bent at the knees and spine straight doesn't permit me to take my weight off the saddle to prevent even the smallest bump from reaching my spine. In my opinion MTB designers are genius.

I ride a mtb. It rides smooth and comfy. Raised saddle and bars made a big difference.

 

[Djangodog]

Nitpik

If Dave was nitpicking, he would have pointed out that peddling has to do with selling a bike and pedaling is what you do on a bike. Just saying.

 

[DaveMatthews]

Nitpik

It's a living...

 

[Mr. Coffee]

There are a lot of people on this site who are very opinionated about what they know and they can't imagine that anybody would do anything other than the way they do it. That's a pretty common malaise amongst the demographic that this website has attracted, honestly.

I think everybody here would do well to take a deep breath and maybe go outside and ride their bike.

 

[DaveMatthews]

There are a lot of people on this site who are very opinionated about what they know and they can't imagine that anybody would do anything other than the way they do it. That's a pretty common malaise amongst the demographic that this website has attracted, honestly.

I think everybody here would do well to take a deep breath and maybe go outside and ride their bike.

I am in agreement.

 

[dodgeman]

I pretty much agreed with Stefan’s original post, not because he told me so but because I form my own opinion’s. I don’t understand why people feel the need to tear someone down they don’t agree with. Stefan can come across pretty strong at times, I accept this, it’s just the way he is. Ignore what you don’t like and move on. Instead people drive others away like our friend from down under.

 

[Djangodog]

1000 watts is completely legal in the US. I peddle mine every mile I go. You can stand up, lean, tilt to the right and left, drop your head over the bars for less wind drag and look like a real real race pro, and do it all in skin tight spandex if that's you're style. Seems like an awful lot of wasted energy just to get down the street lol. If I wanted to work that hard I would go back to riding analog bikes. I'm done with this idiot discussion. I'm going riding.

The statement “1000 watts is completely legal in the US.” is only partially true. Many states restrict the maximum output to 750 watts. While it is true that 1000 watt maximum output is legal in the US, in Washington State, (where Robspace 1 lives), 1000 watts is not legal, (750 maximum in Washington).

“The electric motor may not have a power output more than 750 watts.”

E-bike Rules and Regulations | Department of Natural Resources

www.dnr.wa.gov

Here's what you need to know about Washington’s new e-bike law - Washington Bikes

New E-bike law in Washington state takes effect on June 7, 2018. In early 2018 […]

wabikes.org

 

[CodyDog]

Stephan posts, I enjoy reading them and find them full of great content.

 

[mojoe]

The statement “1000 watts is completely legal in the US.” is only partially true. Many states restrict the maximum output to 750 watts. While it is true that 1000 watt maximum output is legal in the US, in Washington State, (where Robspace 1 lives), 1000 watts is not legal, (750 maximum in Washington).

“The electric motor may not have a power output more than 750 watts.”

E-bike Rules and Regulations | Department of Natural Resources

www.dnr.wa.gov

Here's what you need to know about Washington’s new e-bike law - Washington Bikes

New E-bike law in Washington state takes effect on June 7, 2018. In early 2018 […]

wabikes.org

The wattage thing is like upsizing the biggie fries at McD. My first ebike had a 1000W motor. I never thought I needed that much wattage while riding, and it just added weight. Maybe if you live in SF.

My Priority Current has a 500W motor. It handles everything well.

Both my Gocycle and my ICE trike have 250W motors (both made in England). The trike pulls hills much better than the Gocycle, even though it weighs much more. The difference is the torque. This tells me that torque is more important than wattage.

 

[zawaprz]

i always choose a road over a shared path unless it's a really, really dangerous road. mixed use paths have dogs on them. 'nuff said

Speaking about danger.. Few days ago, was biking on local road, on side.. The car was 'passing me', and with his mirror hit my mirror, that angled my mirror 90 deg, and nothing else.. he was traveling probably around 30mph while I was probably around 9mph on my electric bike, up hill. Yes, the mid line was solid at this point, but from ahead of both of us there was no incoming traffic. He could have easily pass me with room between us, instead he elected to stay 'in line'.. crazy.. 3 more inches and I could have ended up at CICU, or CTICU... was he texting on the phone?? or what??? My bad during dusk, i forgot to turn on my beacon or strobe additional tale lamp, and had only my tail lamp on my Tesoro X... I'm happy to be alive... he did not even stop.. crazy...

 

[mschwett]

Speaking about danger.. Few days ago, was biking on local road, on side.. The car was 'passing me', and with his mirror hit my mirror, that angled my mirror 90 deg, and nothing else.. he was traveling probably around 30mph while I was probably around 9mph on my electric bike, up hill. Yes, the mid line was solid at this point, but from ahead of both of us there was no incoming traffic. He could have easily pass me with room between us, instead he elected to stay 'in line'.. crazy.. 3 more inches and I could have ended up at CICU, or CTICU... was he texting on the phone?? or what??? My bad during dusk, i forgot to turn on my beacon or strobe additional tale lamp, and had only my tail lamp on my Tesoro X... I'm happy to be alive... he did not even stop.. crazy...

glad to hear you’re ok! not sure what jurisdiction you’re in, but it’s illegal here to pass a cyclist with less than three feet clear.

i strongly recommend the garmin varia for anyone who rides on the road a lot. in a situation like this it would go from a solid light to a flashing light as the driver approached, hopefully getting their attention.

 

[mojoe]

I've added a rear, flashing red light to my ebikes and etrike. It also is a horn and motion alarm. Found it on Amazon. I think that the flashing gets more notice than a solid red, assuming that the driver is watching the road at all.