Went out in the fresh clear morning with the intention of putting 10-15 miles under te wheels of my new cheap electric pedal assist bike. I snapped my foot of about 3 months ago so have been on 0% weight bearing to see if hey could save the foot. I was told just before Christmas the wouldn't amputate and I could take 5% weight which basically means resting the cast on the ground. I had a word with Santa and he bought me a pedal assist bike so the leg in the cast would take no pressure but I could still get out.
Bike : cheap Chinese something or other retailing at £650 but bought a month old off gumtree for £425.
The ride : I had forgotten how bad bad bikes can be. Front fork has suspension made of plastic. Front brake is a disc with two thumb screws to adjust it meaning the pads are never actually held firmly in place. After two miles the saddle bolt undid itself and I had to hold the seat in place by buttock tension for the rest of the ride. Rear brake is a V and simple makes a moose rather Han slowing the bike.
The whole thing felt like riding a £79.99 special.
The pedal assist and the twist throttle actually worked quite well and allowed me to ride with only one useable leg.
In summary, buying a bargain bike with £600 worth of motor and battery for £650 gives you a crap £50 bike with a motor and battery. However the pedal assist and motor do work so far.
My back aches like hell now as I was only using one leg to pedal
Glad to hear you're getting out Nick! Can you fashion the motor to fit in your Ti special?
Bet you will be out on it again though..... .
I met a guy locally last summer who was a retired miner with a numbwr of health problems and had welded the motor and battery from a Giant electric bike to an old frame, along with welded metal panniers and various other models it was a hell of a contraption but he did miles and miles on it every day.
I pumped his tyre up for him and had a quick spin on it.
Would going on a tandem help?
I've seen a dumpy bloke on my commute on one a couple of times and on the flat I can just about keep up with him on my fixed bike. He seemed to take offence at me drafting him (which seemed a bit rich considering) and pulled over before a hill up which he slowed considerably, which I assume was down to his and its weight. The bike seemed pretty neat though and rapid enough.
WCA,
Surprised you were sober enough for long enough to get out on the roads!
Good to hear you are getting out again.