Who's ebike riding could ALL be done on a regular bike?

[Stefan Mikes]

Some of us have physical limitations where our desired rides require motor assist. Others of us what to ride distances or climb hills that necessitate a motor.

I'm wondering how many of you ride your ebike in ways and on rides that you would be perfectly capable of riding on an analog bike. And I'm not talking 'occassionally.' I'm talking all the time?

Not sure whether I have ever participated in this very old thread. When The Duke wrote his first post, I was waiting for the delivery of my first e-bike (I got it on August 20th, 2019 or two days later).

I returned to cycling in Spring 2013, buying a traditional hybrid bike for health reason after many years of sedentary life:

• I rode for only 2,200 km total in years 2013-2019 (pre e-bike)
• My longest trip was 73 km at the average speed of just 17 km/h

In 2015, my health heavily deteriorated. The ailing has affected my legs making me barely able to walk despite two surgeries. I became a full blown pedalling e-biker since August 2019 as I mentioned before.

• 1,660 e-bike rides
• 54,534 km ridden
• 2,550 hours saddle time
• The longest single day trip: 208 km in 8 h 21 min
• The longest trip: 263 km in 12 h 17 min
• Favourite ride distance: a 50 miler
• Participated in 7 gravel cycling races.

In simple terms: Longer, faster, more frequently, more fun.

I tried returning to traditional cycling. Rented a Specialized Diverge EVO for a demo ride in rough terrain.

The outcome was the most disappointing. Less than 34 km at the average speed of 14.7 km/h. When I was returning the bike, the salesman friendly asked how I liked the ride. Almost crying, I confessed riding a traditional bike was not for me! The man was as kind as not to charge me for that failed bike rental...

There is a myth riding a traditional bike or riding an e-bike with the motor off gives you a better workout. Any enthusiast cyclist pedals at their true capacity on a trip. If you ride unassisted, your cruising speed is slower, and you would ride for a specific distance until you get tired. Now, ride assisted: you will ride for a way longer distance and faster while doing the same effort!

Why is the myth of a "better workout on a traditional bike" so deeply rooted in our minds? Take a ride with a young strong friend riding a gravel bike and you riding an e-bike. Assume, you both have ridden gravel for 100 km in 4 hours (it is fast). Who will burn more calories? Your friend will, of course! Now, could you ride gravel for 100 km at the average 25 km/h unassisted? I doubt. And that's the whole point.

 

[2wheelsgood]

I did not know the Diverge came in flat bar as well as drops. That is interesting, although it does seem expensive looking at the spec you get for the money.

I still think my ideal unassisted all-round bike would be a Trek FX Sport 6 SL, carbon everything, electric shifting, 9 KG and the 42mm tyres would get you over most stuff. Granted I have never tried one, the geometry might not suit! it does look the business though.

FX Sport - Trek Bikes (GB)

www.trekbikes.com