https://seattleelectricbike.net/2016/01/20/riding-an-electric-bike-its-not-cheating-heres-proof/
Something for the ebike haters or anyone that rides for utility or commutes etc.
That data ( or similar ) has been available for well over a year now ..
I'm a fan even though I don't own one yet ..but I've had more fun on one than any other bike I have ridden ..
La Salle recognizes that having the volunteers riding the same admittedly heavy bicycle (the test bikes both weigh over 50 lbs.) for both runs, rather than allowing them to use a lighter road bike, might have some affect the results of the study.
so that result is meaningless then...
Possibly. The first one wasn’t compromised in the same way though was it.
i like the proof where 176.6 watts for 1.8 hrs is the same as 177.7 for 2.61 hrs cos like the hr and watts are the same
Maybe I'm being dim but if your heart rate is the same on both bikes but the journey takes less time on the ebike then it's not "the same great workout"? Yes it's still a workout but it's a shorter one.
Maybe I’m being dim but if your heart rate is the same on both bikes but the journey takes less time on the ebike then it’s not “the same great workout”? Yes it’s still a workout but it’s a shorter one.
Presumably, if you wanted a longer one you'd ride further ... one the first study the person is happy to cut their commute time and training time or even to use max assist if they had a hard day....
Even the max assist is a better workout than driving. He could use max on 9/10 weekly journeys and still be doing 1/10 and it would be way better than driving.... or on the way home etc.
I used to do a 40 mile commute on a bike years (decades) ago.... and quite often the ride home would turn into something I'd wish I took the train instead. Usually after working late etc. I'd say that was one of the major reasons I stopped doing it. It's one thing sat working late .. it's another thinking you have a 20 mile ride home before you eat.
I just started taking the train when I expected I'd be working late... (from memory) and at some point it became a weekly pass.
Who could be bothered to read all that! It's not going to alter the views of an eBike hater (whatever that is). And, well, it's just a long, boring article.
Everyone knows what they are by now, don't they?
The best bit (I scrolled) is this bloke's riding gear! Yes, there is a bloke in the picture if you look [i]really[/i] closely!
Nope, still can't see him, all I am seeing is a bike. Can you put a circle around where he is to help me see him
I like e bikes. I got a PB on a 2 mile mostly uphill fire road the other week as I had someone on an bike in front of me. Useful to get someone to pace for you at 15mph up a hill.
Are all e-bikes now pedelecs?
Or are all pedelecs now called e-bikes?
i use strava when I'm on my ebike.
i have to say, i haven't troubled any leaderboards, not even close in fact.
i can get about halfway up the leaderboards (like 100th out of 200 in total) in my age category, (I'm 50)
Even the max assist is a better workout than driving
I fully agree with that. I just think the way it's presented is misleading.
The best bit (I scrolled) is this bloke’s riding gear! Yes, there is a bloke in the picture if you look <em class="bbcode-em">really closely!
What tyres for shooting wildlife with a crossbow?
Big 'ol fat ones.
Obviously an ebike over the same distance is less of a work out, come on, it's not rocket science! 😆 In fairness the article was piss poorly conceived!
tbh I think the best analogy I can't think about ebikes is like they are just the same as exercise bike in that you can make the resistance as easy or as hard as you like. Like going to the gym and tailoring your effort.
That looks more like a hillbill E bike to me
I recall a time not so long ago. We had just stopped at the top of a steep climb, hanging over the bars trying to gather some oxygen ready for an amazing descent when a bunch of e-bikers came whirring up the same climb behind, "go through" we say between rushed breaths, "it's not like you need a rest" with a slight smirk. "Oh, but you are wrong." came the reply, along with the pre-written speech that is engraved on every e-bike's top tube "We work just as hard, but we go further and faster!" he exclaimed, smoothly, calmly and not at all out of breath...
I think the constant banging on about how it really is exercise and all these imaginary "ebike haters" tell you all you need to know.
They're part of the future of cycling in general and MTB in particular, but it's just not the same as riding a bike, so they're certainly not "the" future.
I think the constant banging on about how it really is exercise and all these imaginary “ebike haters” tell you all you need to know.
Spot on.
Surely the e-assist 'question' is not a binary question.
Everyone (ideally) assesses it from a differing perspective and requirement?
ie when I lived on the West coast I wanted one as a car-replacement to allow me to cycle 10 steep river valleys and so meet commuting/visiting requirments without reaching for the car keys. Pretty much guarantee no-one here no matter how fit would do that journey 4-5 times weekly (if at all) by conventional bicycle. So choosing an e-bike in such a situation would be the polar opposite of 'infirm/elderly/lazy' etc given that the only other available choices (car, motorbike, bus) would actually be the entirely lazy/boring options.
On the flipside I can see why an MTBer or roadie (riding mostly for leisure and fitness, competitively or otherwise) might sniff at e-bikes from the perspective of such machines being essentially 'uplifts' or 'cheating'.
I do incidentally have injuries and ailments that now effectively limit the amount of power/torque I can push compared to what I could manage pre-injury, but I struggle along slowly uphill with a regular utility bike until the day I can afford an electric cargo bike. That too won't stop my regular cycling, and will keep the car off the road for heavy grocery/cargo trips/visits in a 20 mile radius or more (ie most journeys). But 'cheating'? Away with ye daftness and bike carriers 😉
From my perspective, more bikes on the road are a better outcome all-round than more cars. Open to having my mind changed but I always smile to see people shopping/commuting etc on either e-assist bikes or regular bike, and are both healthier options than car or bus. More e-bikes off-road are debatable. ymmv
I do have to say, anyone that says it's the same as riding a bike, is talking out their hole, it is much easier. You'd need to up the distance considerably to get the same work out. And range on ebikes is limited.
Downhills, no difference.
Flats, it's piss easy even at the lower levels, but still some sort of exercise going on, nothing like, a real bike mind.
Shallow hills, you are starting to put some effort in.
Steep hills, low assistance levels can have you can blowing out your arse, on hi assist it can be easy.
Basically if you want a work out, attack some hills on the lowest assist you can manage! Which is where they really come into their own, you'll go up hills, you've no right to be!
Fun factor is much higher on ebikes, which for me, is what it's all about!
They are fundamentally different tbh, there's limited value in comparing it to normal cycling I think, they are very much their own niche.
That article is nonsense.
This year I've gone from my usual 10hrs ish a week riding. a mix of mtb/road. to around 6hrs a week on an Emtb and the occasional ride on a normal bike.
I'm riding the same distances but covering a lot more elevation.
I'm way less fit/lean than last summer. but having much more fun riding.
I commuted on my Emtb once just to see what it was like. It's a 10mile commute each way with one sharp steep climb either way and generally a headwind in the morning, tailwind return.
What I found.
The Emtb stops assisting at 15mph so on the flat I had the choice to either sit up and rest pedalling at 14.5mph assisted letting the motor do the work or actually put some effort in and pedal the bike unassisted. As the bike was new I did a bit of both (playing with the new toy) but didn't really put all that much effort in overall. The Emtb took 34mins in and about the same time back. but I arrived each way fresh and not sweaty.
On my my roadbike I ride the flat sections faster and have to put serious effort into the first climb (each way) and am nowhere near 15mph up them. which then leaves me sweaty and needing to recover over the brows. The road bike generally takes around 35 mins in but generally less home (tailwind) Not caining it by any means but putting some effort into the climbs.. The fact that whenever I've ridden the roadbike I'm in lycra and arrive sweaty and out of breath and had chosen to ride the Emtb in combats, a T shirt and hoody and was neither sweaty or out of breath tells me way more than that article does about which is giving me the better work out.
There's such a lot of absolute bobbins information about Ebikes around. Scarily a lot of this actually comes from deluded owners of them.
Al probably very true, I found the article accidentally really as I’m looking at buying an Electric assist Cargo bike (possibly Yuba Spicy Curry Bosch) as a car (and train) replacement, and was interested how much of a fitness benefit there would actually be.
Looking at roughly 100 commuting miles per week, plus maybe 20/30 more depending on the week.
I currently drive-train-walk the last km. and then reverse in the evening. So obviously there will be some fitness advantage, but I was just wondering how much.
Exercise or workout? Who gives a F.
Its about getting where you want to go less sweaty & tired & getting up the hill quicker to do more descents.
Its about getting where you want to go less sweaty & tired & getting up the hill quicker to do more descents.
Which I guess is why I will never have one. When I cycle I specifically go out to cycle - I wear lycra and I have a shower awaiting when I get home. I find going up hill the best part of riding and enjoy the workout.
That article is bollocks and has graphs with scales that would shame a political pamphlet.
I used to buy the "we just go further and faster" mantra, however, now i've ridden an ebike a bit (hired one on holiday) it's complete bollocks. Even on 'eco' it makes it a lot easier up hills, and i'm guessing most people aren't riding on eco. In theory I guess it could give you the same calories burnt if you kept riding for hours and hours (which people don't), but it's no way as intense - up a fairly steep hill I could easily reach the 15mph limit when I tried to a moderate degree on eco (so maybe me putting out 250w). Even when I tried the same hill on a normal bike at a hard effort (so probably nearer 375-400w for a couple of minutes) I couldn't get anywhere near 15mph.
Thing I noticed is that both the e-bike runs were at 20mph plus average. So certainly not UK legal bikes. I'm pretty sure not many UK e-bikers ride over 15mph on the flat. E-bikes arrall about making a ride easier, wether climbing of road or making a journey without getting tired and sweaty.
TBF a lot of Emtb owners probably do go further and ride more than they did before. But bearing in mind on hilly rides you can only get somewhere around 4500-5000ft of climbing out of a fully charged Emtb battery they probably didn't go very far or ride very often before buying one.
I think the constant banging on about how it really is exercise and all these imaginary “ebike haters” tell you all you need to know.
Spot on.
Yep tbh article looked more like an infomercial.
Only issue I have with ebikes is when people with no bike skills unlock them and go steaming everywhere flat out at 20 mph, cos that always ends well, in the old days you’d get fitter and faster and a little more skilled at handling the bike.
But ebike hater nope it’s just another niche bike.
it’s just not the same as riding a bike
What is a "normal bike" ... I no longer have a proper road bike but the same hill on my commuter vs my HT XC with 2.1 fast rolling vs my FS trail with 2.6 Mary and Hans... vs my 26" DJ bike...are completely different effort levels?
Is it cheating riding a road bike up a tarmaced hill?
Obviously an ebike over the same distance is less of a work out, come on, it’s not rocket science!
Isn't that up to you? If you really want a workout turn off the assist, to use the point above... Do you think a 160mm travel enduro with the lowest power that can be customised is going to be easier to go up a hill than a UCI legal 6.8kg road bike? (or that getting a sub 6.8kg for not racing on is cheating )
I currently drive-train-walk the last km. and then reverse in the evening. So obviously there will be some fitness advantage, but I was just wondering how much.
Surely that's up to you.... 20 miles 'just lifting your legs' on max is a minimum but non trivial amount of exercise but you can also decide to turn the assist off completely in places (or not).
Some days you can do hills the hard way... other days you might assist on hills and do flats the hard way or 10 miles on assist and last 10 without. (Any and all combinations)
Even when I tried the same hill on a normal bike at a hard effort (so probably nearer 375-400w for a couple of minutes) I couldn’t get anywhere near 15mph.
Yep a friend of my mine has mentioned this fact that they seem to be pushing out way more watts on a climb assisted than they should taking into account the input of the user.
Quiet motorbikes. I expect it's fun though, just not for me.
I can't wait until they're lighter, I'll definitely have one, will be able to get that bit further, higher, longer, awesome!
I can’t wait until they’re lighter, I’ll definitely have one, will be able to get that bit further, higher, longer, awesome!
Batteries an range innit.... the old leccy conundrum.
Was unimpressed that m8s Bosch drive didn’t have user servicable BB and he fubard his right up.It was replaced under warrenty though but for something I’d class as a consumable it seemed like a fail.
I suppose if you have one of these new fangled (heavy) bouncy bikes with lots of travel its your own personal uplift 😉
Stevextc, I'd doubt anyone rides an ebike turned off expect maybe downhill. Even the there's little point in turning it off. Turn it off and you are just riding a more difficult to ride bike. Defo no fun cycling and ebike turned off.
I rode my Emtb turned off on the climbs the other night. I was riding with an unfit friend on his Fatbike so it just seemed silly to ride an assisted bike while he puffed and panted behind and his face got redder and redder.
It wasn't all that bad TBH.
I ride it switched off on the flat quite a bit too. Infact I often do rides starting with the motor off and move up an assist mode as I tire eventually spinning up the hills in boost.
It really is strange the preconceptions others have about how you choose to ride a bike or what you percieve to be fun. We're probably all guilty of it from time to time though.
I suppose if you have one of these new fangled (heavy) bouncy bikes with lots of travel its your own personal uplift
Exactly, and how many would happily load up their bikes onto the uplift trailers at bike park wales but consider e-bikes are cheating..I
Of the ones I've sold the buyers seem to be split into three groups.
1)bought to take to the second home in a mountainous area.
2)bought to continue riding after long term injury/health issues
3)bought even though my answer to "Will I still have to pedal" is "yes"
Not one person has asked how long they will have to ride to equal a ride on a normally powered bicycle.
Everyone who rides them has a big grin on their face after about 10ft of riding the test bike. And that enjoyment is what it is all about for me.
Have you sold 3? or was that all the same wealthy idiot?
Not one person has asked how long they will have to ride to equal a ride on a normally powered bicycle.
Thats not a big shock though is it? The whole point is that it’s easier than riding a non assisted bike.
My own musing were simply that I’m not going to ride the Hilly 20 mike commute on anything other than an ebike, but as I’m doing it for utility/cost/enjoyment reasons anyway, I wonder what the “bonus” fitness benefits might be.
Met a charming lady today, nearer to retirement age, who e-biked 5 miles to work and back, I said I thought that was great - she says, every day she rides to work, a MAMIL charges past and shouts "cheat!" at her, I thought that was sad. 🙁
I bet his mum would be so proud though.
not.
He sounds like he might be one of those “imaginary ebike haters” that philjunior was talking about earlier.
The last time e-bikes were discussed on here someone (who I had otherwise assumed to be pretty bright) commented that putting a motor on a bike was no different from other innovations like gears, disc brakes and suspension. If there are e-bike hatters then there are clearly some pretty deluded fanboys out there too.
I'm not really sure you've thought that through chickenman.. I assume you'd you agree something like L.E.D. lighting is an innovation enabling us to ride at night? What about Di2 gearing? GPS? Power meters etc? are those not innovative?
So how is an electronically controlled power assisting motor not innovative?
Is there even such a thing as an Ebike fanboi? I really enjoy riding mine but I don't have any scarves to wave at other Ebikes when I see them or anything... infact i'm pretty non plussed about other folks bikes. Electrically assisted or not.
Sometimes I wish a few friends would buy them. It’s not fun waiting at the top off the hill for half an hour, it’s not fitness it’s mental toughness sometimes
"[i] colp
That looks more like a hillbill E bike to me[/i]"
thread should have terminated there - excellent
[nonedebate?]as to E-Bikes am I behind the times? is the UK having a referendum on them? Will they become compulsory?
down under we had a referendum on gay marriage and after all the twaddle turned out you didn't have to unless you wanted to[/nonedebate?]
If people need to manufacture justifications then there probably is still some insecurity attached to the purchase of an ebike they feel they need to talk their way around.
I doubt that will ever change, but does it really matter what other people think of you as you waft past?
Live and let live I say, but don't kid yourselves, the whole point of an ebike is that less effort is required generally than a proper bicycle...
The OP linked article doesn't really contradict this, it's simply making the case for ebiking to work being cheaper and better exercise than driving, which of course you can't dispute, and given the example they use (a fella with 200 commuting miles a week to cover, and presumably a bit of physical effort once at work as well) an ebike seems perfectly justifiable, he's doing some additional exercise and lessening his environmental impact...
Of course that's a completely different context to the people rolling round swinley on one this weekend, I'm sure they have their own justifications too...
chickenman
The last time e-bikes were discussed on here someone (who I had otherwise assumed to be pretty bright) commented that putting a motor on a bike was no different from other innovations like gears, disc brakes and suspension...
That sounds like one of my offhand comments. It's my tongue in cheek response to most worthwhile innovations.
You must forgive me, I am not very bright, I ride a singlespeed most of the time so my brain has been affected. 🙂
For the record, I love eBikes, and I have every intention of getting one when I get too old and infirm.
eBikes are the viagra of cycling - about the only legal way to feel 18 again. 🙂
If you haven't ridden a good one, try it, and see if you can suppress the wide grin.
And no one should hate them. If it brings people out on a bike who are too fat, or too infirm, or just not inclined to exercise, surely that is a good thing.
There is no one in cycling who is sufficiently superior that they can look down upon other cyclists - except of course, single speeders or their gods, fixed riders*.
.
.
.
*(NB, invisible [TIC]...[/TIC] brackets)
Stevextc, I’d doubt anyone rides an ebike turned off expect maybe downhill. Even the there’s little point in turning it off. Turn it off and you are just riding a more difficult to ride bike. Defo no fun cycling and ebike turned off.
Yet the option exists. As do a multitude of intermediate ones ... If I ride my HT into town then its more effort than my commuter (if more comfortable)... but its a choice. (Its actually more about where I can lock it up... but ) then what if I set my e-Bike HT to deliver the same effort in eco mode as a commuter or road bike?
I sometimes take my "DJ bike" out on trails (saddle raised) simply because I get more exercise... I can ride with the kid and I get a workout .. and I'm pretty stuffed after a lap of Swinley at my kids speed. If I don't I take my FS ... I RARELY take my carbon HT which would be the "easiest".
What would be nice is doing a second lap on the DJ bike but last time we got to that point I just went to the car and took the carbon HT.
The whole "is it cheating" .. "will I get less exercise" is in my control.
My point is I could do this with a 160mm e-bike... and actually tune the minimum to be something like the DJ effort (or possibly not... it might be that completely switched off they are the same - probably same weight at least)
I could then do a second lap with the "same effort" as either my trail or FS or one of each. Or I could do 3 laps in the reverse order or just take out some of the hills that are a killer on the DJ...
Thats not a big shock though is it? The whole point is that it’s easier than riding a non assisted bike.
My own musing were simply that I’m not going to ride the Hilly 20 mike commute on anything other than an ebike, but as I’m doing it for utility/cost/enjoyment reasons anyway, I wonder what the “bonus” fitness benefits might be.
The whole point depends on who you are and what you want. It's like saying the whole point of clipped in is making faster climbs or spinning faster on the flat... but try using that argument to a DH racer.
For your perspective I think it's far more accurate to say "It can be easier than riding a non-assited bike when you want". It can certainly be a lot HARDER in terms of effort required than riding a sub UCI 6.8kg bike. (Though a lot easier in terms of comfort perhaps)
If you get a customisable power level motor then it's up to you... you can dial the minimum right back until its not doing much except offset the extra weight.. and just take out a single hill or more than one.
Maybe a better approach to riding a bike should be:
If it isn't fun
It shouldn't be done
Bollocks to it being about exercise or about speed. strava, whatever.
It makes you feel good to be on a bike? - then it's good.
Yet the option exists.
It does, I still doubt it'll be used be very much except sadists! Obviously there's a few of them kicking about, but there numbers are limited.
Btw, if you read any of my comments, you'll realise I'm well converted, I'm patiently awaiting my conversion kit coming from china. So you are preaching to the converted!
They're all about the fun factor! And as I said, there's limited value in comparing them to real cycling, they are their own thing. You can view them as a moving exercise bike that you can tune to your own requirements really(I'd suggest you need to hammer them more than people think to get useful exercise out of them, pottling along won't cut it(variable user to user obv)). Or you can view them as riotous fun that will take you up anything!
My view point, tends towards the latter. 🙂
I love riding my E-mtb so much that my normal mtb was just collecting dust so Ive sold it
On my normal mtb i hated climbing hills, its just no fun! with the E-mtb the whole ride is smiles better!
Could give a **** about fitness or people calling me a cheat, im 41 relatively fit and healthy and don't need an e-bike but wanted one as mtb'ing to me is just about having fun!
If i want to ride for fitness then i still have my road bike which i would never replace with an e-bike until i really needed to due to any health issues, still not a fan of hills on the road bike but i don't mind them as its a smooth ride and treat them as a challenge
For me personally its...
E-mtb for pure fun the whole ride
Road bike for fitness and some fun
It does, I still doubt it’ll be used be very much except sadists! Obviously there’s a few of them kicking about, but there numbers are limited.
Btw, if you read any of my comments, you’ll realise I’m well converted, I’m patiently awaiting my conversion kit coming from china. So you are preaching to the converted!
They’re all about the fun factor! And as I said, there’s limited value in comparing them to real cycling, they are their own thing. You can view them as a moving exercise bike that you can tune to your own requirements really(I’d suggest you need to hammer them more than people think to get useful exercise out of them, pottling along won’t cut it(variable user to user obv)). Or you can view them as riotous fun that will take you up anything!
My view point, tends towards the latter.
That's your view and one I share a lot of... when I do DH weekends it's done on the uplift... but I do need to keep some fitness and at 50 it's easy to lose. Perhaps in that context I'd view replacing uplift with e-bike as more fitness than fun?
I don't however class myself in the sadist sufferfest group... I take the DJ bike out to get some exercise when cycling with the kid I'd get less on my FS and less on my XC HT. In a few years I'll need an e-bike to even keep up... however it's also important that I'm having fun whilst doing this. I might be able to push a 2nd lap on the DJ... however it won't be FUN... (at least not the same way)
You can view them as a moving exercise bike that you can tune to your own requirements really(I’d suggest you need to hammer them more than people think to get useful exercise out of them, pottling along won’t cut it(variable user to user obv)).
I honestly think you're under-rating the benefit of an hour every day on an exercise bike on even minimum resistance vs not. If your pretty fit then perhaps the gap between that and an hour on a proper workout might be big but compared to sitting on a train it's going to be a huge benefit even just on minimum. Its like saying walking briskly an hour a day has no benefit over not....
If you want more then you can tune the minimum down... or even switch it off for flat sections... and still use it on the hills that are preventing you cycling in the first place.
Comparing it to the train then the benefits also might depend what you do with the possible extra time. Obviously if you get home and then go for an hours ride or jump on Zwift etc. that's different to going on STW and typing.
Anyway, the point is the exercise and fun are not mutually exclusive at least to me. Perhaps due to my advancing years my reasons for exercise are as more about health and being fit enough to have fun than race times.
40 min or an hour a day me doing any low impact exercise is a huge boost compared to spending 8-10hrs at a weekend doing high impact and to a large extent governs how much impact those hours can be.
the same thing means something different to different people, init, tis all good. 🙂
I'm not saying there's no benefit to pottling about on the flat on them, there is. I've tried it, had one for a week, done 90 miles on it, and I felt stronger on my normal bike as a result. I'm pretty unfit just now though. but that benefit is limited imo, and will level out eventually. You can use them as a fitness tool, but you better be prepared to hit hills as fast as you can on low assistance, imo(Off is pointless, don't really see the point in why you would use one if you are turning it off, kinda missing the point!).
To be fair, I don’t see many people turning off the assist on a 70b (32kg) longtail cargo bike with 20-30lb of stuff and a kids seat on the back 👍 not when it’s there and available
I’m happy now that I’ll be getting a decent amount of “bonus excercise” over sitting on the train/driving.
I get plenty already, but this will be a bit extra. And it will be way more fun, and cheaper in the long run. Happy days
tune the minimum to be something like the DJ effort (or possibly not… it might be that completely switched off they are the same – probably same weight at least)
You have a DJ bike that weighs the same as your Ebike? WTF? My DJ bike is exactly 20lb lighter than my 46lb Emtb. (lighter than most 170mm travel emtbs)
Silliest argument ever.
Why not ride whatever you fancy? An ebike is just another bike, if it offends you that somebody else is riding one then pull yourself together.
Taking an undue interest in somebody else's business is an unhealthy hobby.
Silliest argument ever.
Not really seen anyone arguing. But if you insist.
Why go out if your way to get involved in a discussion you aren’t bothered about if ....
..Taking an undue interest in somebody else’s business is an unhealthy hobby.
😳👍
The fuss interests me, not the activity
I’d agree with your description then, unhealthy hobby.
I am always amused by these threads. It's progression and life without progression is zzzzzz. But most of all it's all about fun. I don't MTB anymore as my left knee causes me pain if I do. I am planning on getting an e-MTB next year when I have the funds, as it will allow me to get out riding again. I couldn't care less if someone thinks I am a "cheat", that's their issue not mine. Ride whatever the hell you want, as long as it brings a smile to your face who cares?
Neal, maybe you have misinterpreted my use of 'you', it wasn't aimed at you, the OP, just a metaphysical 'anyone but me'.
My interest was piqued by the way in which, despite several years on the market, ebikes still seem to be divisive, even amongst such a pro-biking audience as stw. I've ridden a couple, both as mtb and commuter / haulage and there's nothing to dislike, aside maybe from the price.
Come one guys! Using a single speed up a hill requires the same expenditure of Joules as pedalling up in a really low gear; it requires much more power though. My argument is against energy being supplied by an artificial source to my pedalling; fundamentally different from mechanical advantage gained by using gears (nothing to do with illuminating the trail or electronic shifting ffs!).
Whilst e-bikes are only providing a little assistance currently, it'll only be a few years before they become so efficient that pedalling will be largely superfluous. At that point, for me, that's motor biking and completely missing the point of a bicycle.
I think they are phenomenal .I've only ridden 2 ,Geex Vitus and a bling up Haibike. With the new Scottish execute initiative to give really good loans for people buying Ebikes for commuting they are only going to get more popular. The only annoying thing about this is with bike theft at an all time high in Edinburgh its all very well giving cheap loans but if there is knowhere safe to lock them up what is the point. ? I know this is going off tangent but without safe storage leaving a 3 k bike outside dosent sound very appealing.
The other thing I noticed when I was in Spain recently was that most bike shops are almost 1 Ebike to 1 normal bike over there and its great to see old guys on big travels bikes zipping about the costas. Ill definately succumb to one in the next few years but hopefully by then the batteries will have got smalled and there will be more charging options in place.
@chickenman.
I'm not sure who you're even arguing with. Nevermind what about.
FYI ebikes come under different classes. Basically:
Class 1 & 2 are limited to 15/20mph and 750W assistance (20 under EU law).
Class 2 is more or less the same as class 1 but for twist assist throtle style controlled ebikes.
Class 3 are limited to 28mph
Class 4 is an electric motorbike/moped and requires licensing/registration
You have nothing to fear. Other than maybe your propensity for typing "arguements" when you have very little knowledge of your subject matter. 😉
Ebike battery technolgy isn't going to change massively any time soon. Not affordably anyway. And there's only so much that can be done t make a motor more efficient/lighter but still durable enough for mtb use.
I was chatting to a couple of blokes on Yeti SB5.5s or something. How light??? Anyway, while they weren't acutally negative, they didn't really see the point of eBikes for them (young, fit, capable riders). Then they both had a go on mine. Big grin central. When I left them they were discussing hiring a couple of bikes for a weekend and hitting Afan. Job done
I have an ebike. It is awesome and I love riding it. And that's all I have to say about that.
[i]I’m not sure who you’re even arguing with. Nevermind what about.[/i]
This has just turned into the same old eBike thread as done multiple times before.
Just in case anyone was wondering, like.
What is a “normal bike”
It's a bike where all your power comes from you. Nothing wrong with having a better bike, and I have been thinking that there is a huge advantage in some of my bikes these days over bikes I've ridden in the past just through some careful component selection and setup rather than being a different type of bike.
It's about efficiency not adding power, that's one of the things I really like about the leisure/sport side of cycling when contrasted with motorsport.
Of course I'd like a cargo ebike. But that's different.
I was just thinking about buying one because they look like a bit of fun when I'm a bit tired from riding any of my other bikes.
I didn't realise they had the added benefit of pissing off people that want me to conform to what they think is right or wrong.
Come on guys it's a pushbike with a tiny bit of assist not an Alta Redshift.
What would be interesting is if they were developed to store mainly energy created by the rider, eg from riding downhill or braking.
The battery could be pretty light because it would not need a huge range - or as long term storage wouldn't be necessary, are super capacitors at the stage where they could be used for this job ?
The motor could also be lighter because it would never run continuously for long.
I could see it approaching the weight of a normal bike with a hubgear.
Of course maybe such a thing has already been trialled in the TdF... 🙂
Pretty much the second question everyone asks me is "does it recharge as you pedal or go downhill?"
I'd love to see a dynamo/charger with no resistance and lighter than the current system but to re-charge the 80wh of battery it takes to ride up to the top of my local DH track in the 4 minutes it takes to reach the bottom I feel we'd need the help of this guy.
Oh if it was regen braking filling the battery up I'd actually be really interested in one<span style="text-decoration: underline;">.</span> That's just an efficiency increase isn't it? UCI might disagree...
Look. I like motorbikes too. Damned if I'm going to whine at anyone who shares that.
But call them what they are...
But call them what they are…
Which takes me back my original Q. It's an odd one, as many seem confused about the word 'assist' when it comes to vehicles while simultaneously unambiguous about terms such as 'assisted-living' when it comes to living arrangements for the average E-bike user (it's a joke, a satirical joke)
Shall we clear it up with a multiple-choice poll?
By what name do we classify bicycles that have powered assistance to a maximum speed of 25 km/h (15.5 mph) using a motor of no more than 250 Watts? (Choose one):
A. Pedelec/EAPC
B. E-bike
C. Moped
D. Motorbike
E. Car
F. HGV
Bonus question: Are there comparable health benefits to be had from
1. A motorcycle
vs
2. A pedelec
Y/N
Answers please on postcards addressed to both the DVLA and The Daily *xpress. Let's nail the nomenclature for this new and confusing motorised menace once and for all! For the health of the Nation and eager insurers.