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Unlike the rest of the country, I've returned to office-based work after 9 years of WFH. I'd like to cycle it a few times a week but at 45 miles each way, that's a bit of a stretch. For the past few weeks I've driven halfway and cycled the rest which works OK, and also misses the busiest roads BUT I'd still rather cycle all of it. An E-bike like the Orbea gain would appear to be the answer part from the 15mph limit. So what happens when you hit the limit? I'm expecting the surge of acceleration to stop, is it annoying? how easy is it to maintain speed at a few mph above that for long sections? Is there any point in an E-bike in this scenario?
The route is pan flat, although it's usually windy. The road sections are usually done an 17-18mph on a gravel bike, there are also some short sections of offroad and very poor quality lanes when speeds drop under 15mph.
I don’t think you’ll get much benefit, unless you ride slower. I alternate between my hardtail and my Levo and the ebike is faster because it’s hilly here.
Probably an unpopular opinion, but I'd fit an aftermarket kit to a decent bike and set the limit to 25mph for a commute like that.
Probably an unpopular opinion, but I’d fit an aftermarket kit to a decent bike and set the limit to 25mph for a commute like that.
Tbh I'd have said the same, mibbe 20mph though. It seems we can have threads about folk buying Porsche Boxsters cos their 1.8 petrol car doesn't have enough oomph, no one bats an eyelid, but dare to mention footering with ebikes and it's akin to child abuse.
What would you suggest for that type of bike, Bafang? I've been pondering a similar thing as i'm expecting a driving ban in July, although my commute is only 15 miles but 1000ft climbing.
Tongsheng TSDZ2 is what I've been looking at - torque sensing, so as close to an OEM mid-mount motor as possible.
On a flat route like that an ebike will be no quicker, you will not be knackered thought if you keep it to the 15.5mph limit. Pedalling past that limit is a pain, I've been experimenting with a planetary gear system on mine for the commute. This increases the top end to about 24mph, which I feel is safer as 'Im travelling at a similar speed to other traffic. At this speed my legs are going like mad, and the wide bar posture of an MTB at this speed means the battery gets emptied quickly due to the poor areo. A fit roadie can sit at that speed on the flat no bother, so I don't think its taking the piss. The planetary gear doesn't mess with the software and is easily removed in 2 min.
Just been watching a couple of reviews on the Tongsheng, now i've convinced myself i could fit the battery under the top tube on my Flaremax!
I’m expecting the surge of acceleration to stop, is it annoying? how easy is it to maintain speed at a few mph above that for long sections?
It's harder than on an equivalent road bike, because eBikes are noticeably heavier and when there's no assist they feel like hard work. So apart from small sections, I wouldn't buy an eBike to ride faster than the power band.
Is there any point in an E-bike in this scenario?
I suppose the point will be that you could cruise along at 15.5mph not breaking a sweat and do the same ride every day without risk of overtraining. Your 45 mile commute would take 2.5 hours at 18mph and 2.9hours at 15.5mph.
Surely that Orbea would be just like a normal road bike on the flats? It looks pukka apart from the weight which you'd only notice accelerating from stop and climbing. And that would be taken care of by the motor...?
I'd certainly like to try one like that.
I used to do a 26 mile commute and really did consider it, but what convinced me against it was I dumped a .gpx file into excel and filtered out all the points <15.5mph (i.e. climbs) and replaced that distance with 15.5mph to get an "e-bike average".
Yes it was obviously quicker, but it wasn't quicker by much. And being less draining is harder to quantify. I couldn't do it every day, but then the limiting factor was usually motivation to ride for 4+ hours rather than legs.
It makes more sense the bigger the hill(s) are. If you could zoom to the top of a mountain at 15.5 mph and ride down again at 25mph that would be great. If all you can do it 15.5 on a flat road through the fens then it's pointless (to anyone with a heart and lungs).
You could (illegally, but practically) chip it to go faster, but then you're going to drain the battery. And you'd be much better off just admitting defeat and getting an electric motorbike/scooter (or just a small dino-juice four stroke, it'll still do 100mpg+).
I'd just accept the commute until you can WFH again. Maybe do it once a week by normal bike as a break. Or drive in, ride back, ride in, drive home etc. I found driving halfway got boring quickly and didn't actually save any time by the time I'd put the bike in the car etc.
Ihave tyhe tongsheng kit. Its a great for hilly commuting but I doubt much use on the flat unless you alter the speed limit which is very easy to do.
Have to say, I wouldn't even drive a 35mile commute, never mind cycling it..!
I imagine if you hacked it the battery would run out of juice before you got to work, at the very least you would be suffering from range anxiety.
Tbh I’d have said the same, mibbe 20mph though. It seems we can have threads about folk buying Porsche Boxsters cos their 1.8 petrol car doesn’t have enough oomph, no one bats an eyelid,
Porsche Boxsters aren't illegal.
Bear in mind if you hacked it you would be using an illegal motor vehicle, with all the attendent problem of points on the driving licence etc if you ever got stopped or were involved in an accident.
Thanks for the input all, especially thisisnotaspoon, as suspected it's not going to work with the EU limited 15.5mph. The US 20mph limit may work but of course we'll get their chlorinated chicken not the speed limit!
For those suggesting an electric moped, I'd rather drive to be honest, I want the fitness as I'm time strapped and it's easier to get it as part of the commute than to drive home to find my wife stressed out with the kids then get the guilt of going out for a ride.
Yes, 35 miles is a long way but I'm stuck with the commute for the foreseeable future as the office is halfway between my business partner and me.
I think id maybe do the car in bike home, then reverse the next day.
For me, an ebike is the only way i can do 35 miles.
But for you, it seems like it will actually be slower.
My e-bike experience is that it is wonderful up to 15.5 mph and then you are suddenly on your own turning the motor as well as the bike and it is like hitting a wall trying to get faster.
I am not suggesting you chip your bike ( https://www.badassebikes.com/en/badass-box-ebike-tuning/bosch/badassbox-4-bosch/a-147/) or download an App that will over ride the settings but as welkl as removing your warrenty it allows you to ride the bike normally at higher speeds. The bad ass bikes unit simply sides on and off the sensor so you can use it on private land so is legal there and also undetectable by the bike shops.
. A fit roadie can sit at that speed on the flat no bother,
A fit Roadie that can sit at 25 mph no bother for any length of tine should be racing.
Porsche Boxsters aren’t illegal.
Bear in mind if you hacked it you would be using an illegal motor vehicle, with all the attendent problem of points on the driving licence etc if you ever got stopped or were involved in an accident.
I never said it was illegal, driving it like a ****ing idiot is though, and driving like that results in quite a few deaths each year in this coyntry.
It's a ridiculous situation, where a bike that can do 20mph is illegal, but a car around a ton in weight can do the best part of 200 is fine.
They’re not illegal to use though. They just need to be registered as a moped.
Which surely begs the question, why not just buy a moped?
They’re not illegal to use though. They just need to be registered as a moped.
"Just" the small matters of getting it through SVA, number plates, tax, licence, insurance.
Which surely begs the question, why not just buy a moped?
Judging by the average DIY bodge e-bike it's because they ride like dicks. A Moped is a big heavy lump and you're "forced" to ride on the road as a result and vaguely obey traffic laws. Unrestricted E-bikes on the other hand seem to be the worst caricature of red light jumping, pavement riding, wrong way up a one way street riding, no lights cyclists!
Putting it bluntly, I think people that want to justify de-restricted e-bikes just think they're above such trivial things as rules and laws. They want a moped, that can be ridden on canal towpaths and not have to wear a full helmet, have to get a licence, and tax, insure it like everyone else.
WRT chipped Ebikes, I’d imagine that under normal circumstances the police have bigger fish to fry.
But, in the event of an accident, things could change quite quickly, I’m sure you can imagine how uncomfortable a conversation about the chip tuning that’s been done to your ebike would be when a death by dangerous driving charge is on the table.
Average joe punter won’t pay any attention to a racing snake doing a steady 20mph+ on the flat, but if it’s someone as fat as me, they will notice.
My e-bike experience is that it is wonderful up to 15.5 mph and then you are suddenly on your own turning the motor as well as the bike and it is like hitting a wall trying to get faster.
I had that demonstrated earlier this week when I passed a guy on a e-MTB on a road section. He had a go at catching me and initially did ok as I was maybe doing 14 to 15mph when I passed him, however a minor burst from to over 15.5mph and he gave up straight away when his assist cut out.
In London there seemed to be loads of chipped e-Bikes being used for commuting and they were a menace in the cycle lanes - very like the situation in Holland in fact, where scooters are allowed in their cycle lanes. Not quite such an issue if they stick to the roads but if you were involved in an accident (even a no-fault one such as a pedestrian stepping out in front of you) then I'd anticipate big problems.
I have an Orbea Gain which I use for commuting 13miles each way. Overall, it's a little down hill on the way in and uphill on the way back, but only slightly.
For my route, it's no quicker than a normal road bike but when I want to take it easy I can do it for about a 3rd less effort according to my power meter. The motor cuts the assist fairly seamlessly at 15.5mph, it's just akin to pedalling a bit of a heavy bike at that point. It weighs about 30lb, so similar to a mountain bike and nowhere near as much as an e-bike with a gearbox in the frame. Feels a bit pointless if you're constantly over 15mph, it works better when you chill out and let the motor do some work. Worth saying also, that the Orbea won't take you straight to 15.5mph with a little pedalling. It's very much an *assist* style, where it's like having a gentle shove in the back rather than a rocket ship at the push of a button. You put in most the effort and it adds a little to it.
If it was more climbing and then more down, I think the benefits would be more apparent.
I was overtaken by a home brew e-bike, mountain bike with a massive rear hub motor and battery on a rack, the other day. I was doing 25mph and struggling to keep up. I have to say it did look fun.
I saw a Ned on a BSO full susser flying up Leckhampton hill the other day. Was keeping pace with the cars and not peddling at all.
Personally, I'd look at finding the cheapest way to get you and the e-bike from home to ~16 miles from work, e-biking for 5+ hours a day would take heck of a commitment... Even if it left you with energy to do recreational cycling on days off.
If you didn't use the car to travel part way, then you might need a folding e-bike do do that split by public transport.
We hired a Raleigh Motus at Longleat CP in 2018, it weighed close to 25Kg, but the acceleration around campus to get up to ~15mph was incredible!