Anyone else have an electric bike?

HarryT · 03-13-2010, 02:38 PM

Does anyone else have an electric bike? I've recently bought one, and it's absolutely brilliant for local trips. They seem to be getting quite popular around here since they are completely free of tax, insurance, etc. Great fun to ride, too!

Mike L · 03-13-2010, 03:34 PM

Harry,

Please keep us informed of your ongoing experience with your new bike. I don't own an electric bike, but I've test-ridden several, and have been impressed.

The main thing that puts me off is the weight: about twice as much as my standard town bike. Maybe that's not a problem during normal use, but I'd be worried about hauling it up steps, over gates, etc.

You mention that an electic bike is free of tax and insurance. True, but, to be fair, so are ordinary bikes (at least, here in the UK).

GraceKrispy · 03-13-2010, 03:44 PM

I had to look up electric bike... I hadnʻt really heard of them before. Motorscooters are extremely popular here (we have 2 land roads, a lot of traffic, and motorbikes can ride on the side of the road). It looks like itʻs a bike with an engine? Do you pedal?

Kevin2960 · 03-13-2010, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GraceKrispy

I had to look up electric bike... I hadnʻt really heard of them before. Motorscooters are extremely popular here (we have 2 land roads, a lot of traffic, and motorbikes can ride on the side of the road). It looks like itʻs a bike with an engine? Do you pedal?

Grace, yes you peddle, and when you need it you use the motor, like for going up steep inclines (Hills),

I think they recomend 20% usage for the motor ......

Just wish I could afford one !

Latherme_up · 03-13-2010, 05:25 PM

How far can you drive the damn thing with an extension cord?

Sweetpea · 03-13-2010, 05:37 PM

There are various types of electric bikes. Those where you don't have to peddle at all (at least, while your battery is full...) and those that "help" with peddling (always having the wind behind you).

I don't have one, the radius is too small for me. And loading points aren't available at many locations.

LCF · 03-13-2010, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Does anyone else have an electric bike? I've recently bought one, and it's absolutely brilliant for local trips. They seem to be getting quite popular around here since they are completely free of tax, insurance, etc. Great fun to ride, too!

I'm using the standard bike, where all the work is done by your legs. But I would love to have a segway...

kennyc · 03-13-2010, 09:36 PM

WE WANT PICS!

HarryT · 03-14-2010, 05:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike L

Harry,

Please keep us informed of your ongoing experience with your new bike. I don't own an electric bike, but I've test-ridden several, and have been impressed.

The main thing that puts me off is the weight: about twice as much as my standard town bike. Maybe that's not a problem during normal use, but I'd be worried about hauling it up steps, over gates, etc.

They've evolved a great deal over the last couple of years, Mike, both with lighter frames, and with switching to lithium polymer battery packs, which are much lighter and more powerful than the lead/acid batteries previously used. The one I've bought has a good 50+ mile range on a battery charge (when you use it in "pedal assist" mode), for example, which is more than enough for commuting, etc.

Quote:

You mention that an electric bike is free of tax and insurance. True, but, to be fair, so are ordinary bikes (at least, here in the UK).

Very true, of course

. I was comparing it to other forms of "powered" transport.

HarryT · 03-14-2010, 05:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

There are various types of electric bikes. Those where you don't have to peddle at all (at least, while your battery is full...) and those that "help" with peddling (always having the wind behind you).

That's right. There are basically two modes of operation - "pedal assist", where you pedal normally and the motor "helps you out", and a completely powered mode using a twist-grip on the handlebars.

Quote:

I don't have one, the radius is too small for me. And loading points aren't available at many locations.

Range has improved significantly with the modern ones. The one I've bought, for example, has a 50+ mile range in "assist" mode, which is more than enough for commuting to and from work, or a day "out and about".

HarryT · 03-14-2010, 05:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kennyc

WE WANT PICS!

This is the one that I've bought, Kenny:

Donnageddon · 03-14-2010, 05:43 AM

Electric Bikes! Electric Books! Electric Plays delivered to your living room!

The way this crazy world is spinning so fast, I wouldn't be surprised if someone invented an electric toothbrush! (Imagine that!

)

Not for me, no thank you! As long as I have a steady supply of whale oil for my lamp, and my good ol' Edison Speaking Phonograph and a copy of The American Whig Review, I am content.

mazzeltjes · 03-14-2010, 07:52 AM

This site has some interesting ones.
Solex is an old manufacturer of mopeds on the continent

http://www.stichtingmilieunet.nl/and...-solex-20.html

astra · 03-14-2010, 10:56 AM

I find it ironic.
People are raving about Green Green Save the Planet. Stop using cars, start using bikes because they are environment friendly beasts. Then, all of sudden, I learn about a new beat. An electrical bike. A vehicle that requires electricity to charge it, thus adding to CO2 or whatever when charging up the battery and completely defeating the idea of environment friendly bike. Humans are just ...as George Carlin said

Quote:

"The planet is fine. The people are f...ed."

P.S. HarryT, please do not take it personally, the rant is not directed at you, just my thoughts about human nature...

kindlekitten · 03-14-2010, 11:10 AM

no, but I have a horse and buggy!

03-13-2010, 02:38 PM	#1
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,560 Karma: 93980341 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Anyone else have an electric bike? Does anyone else have an electric bike? I've recently bought one, and it's absolutely brilliant for local trips. They seem to be getting quite popular around here since they are completely free of tax, insurance, etc. Great fun to ride, too!

03-14-2010, 05:43 AM	#12
Donnageddon Now you lishen here... Posts: 2,494 Karma: 479498 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Seattle-ish Device: Sony PRS-650. Kobo Touch, Kindle Fire	Electric Bikes! Electric Books! Electric Plays delivered to your living room! The way this crazy world is spinning so fast, I wouldn't be surprised if someone invented an electric toothbrush! (Imagine that!) Not for me, no thank you! As long as I have a steady supply of whale oil for my lamp, and my good ol' Edison Speaking Phonograph and a copy of The American Whig Review, I am content.

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03-13-2010, 03:34 PM	#2
Mike L Wizard Posts: 1,479 Karma: 3846231 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Edinburgh, Scotland Device: Kindle 3, Samsung Galaxy	Harry, Please keep us informed of your ongoing experience with your new bike. I don't own an electric bike, but I've test-ridden several, and have been impressed. The main thing that puts me off is the weight: about twice as much as my standard town bike. Maybe that's not a problem during normal use, but I'd be worried about hauling it up steps, over gates, etc. You mention that an electic bike is free of tax and insurance. True, but, to be fair, so are ordinary bikes (at least, here in the UK).

03-13-2010, 03:44 PM	#3
GraceKrispy It's Dr. Penguin now! Posts: 3,909 Karma: 4705733 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: (USA) Device: iPad mini, Samsung Note 3, Sony PRS-650 (rarely used now)	I had to look up electric bike... I hadnʻt really heard of them before. Motorscooters are extremely popular here (we have 2 land roads, a lot of traffic, and motorbikes can ride on the side of the road). It looks like itʻs a bike with an engine? Do you pedal?

03-13-2010, 05:25 PM	#5
Latherme_up Banned Posts: 4 Karma: 2680 Join Date: Mar 2010 Device: none	How far can you drive the damn thing with an extension cord?

03-13-2010, 05:37 PM	#6
Sweetpea Grand Sorcerer Posts: 9,707 Karma: 32763414 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Krewerd Device: Pocketbook Inkpad 4 Color; Samsung Galaxy Tab S6	There are various types of electric bikes. Those where you don't have to peddle at all (at least, while your battery is full...) and those that "help" with peddling (always having the wind behind you). I don't have one, the radius is too small for me. And loading points aren't available at many locations.

03-13-2010, 09:36 PM	#8
kennyc The Dank Side of the Moon Posts: 35,930 Karma: 119747553 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Denver, CO Device: Kindle2 & PW, Onyx Boox Go6	WE WANT PICS!

03-14-2010, 07:52 AM	#13
mazzeltjes Addict Posts: 242 Karma: 177 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Amsterdam Device: sony 505	This site has some interesting ones. Solex is an old manufacturer of mopeds on the continent http://www.stichtingmilieunet.nl/and...-solex-20.html

03-14-2010, 11:10 AM	#15
kindlekitten Professional Adventuress Posts: 13,368 Karma: 50260224 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: The Olympic Peninsula on the OTHER Washington! (the big green clean one on the west coast!) Device: Kindle, the original! Times Two! and gifting an International Kindle	no, but I have a horse and buggy!