Anyone else have an electric bike? - Page 5

HarryT · 03-19-2010, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sony_fox

I'm not convinced - but then my cruising speed on a road bike is somewhat faster than the electric bike's max motor assist speed, the motor is limited to 12mph IIRC.

It's 15mph, but most of the decent ones have a so-called "off-road" button which takes the speed restrictor "off-line". Strictly for off-road use, you understand

.

Quote:

However for people who haven't spent years cycling or just can't put in that amount of effort they are good.

That's me. Hopelessly unfit, and haven't cycled properly for 25 years.

Quote:

They are notably heavier than a proper bike, but not impossibly so.

The introduction of lithium polymer battery packs in the last year or so has significantly reduced the weight and increased the range. The old "gel-cell" lead-acid batteries were extremely heavy!

Quote:

Anything which makes cycling more available to wider segment of the population is a good thing IMHO.

Definitely!

Quote:

regarding charging - obviously it's less "green" than a non-electric bike. But a choice between electric bike and car is quite clear. And depending on your electricity tarif, can be very nearly as green as an ordinary bike.

The main expense isn't charging, but the periodic replacement of the battery pack, which costs around £100 or so.

Sparrow · 03-19-2010, 07:09 AM

How weather proof is the electrical gubbins?

HarryT · 03-19-2010, 08:09 AM

Pretty weatherproof, I guess. The electric motor is inside the rear hub, and the battery contacts, etc, are pretty well protected. It probably wouldn't like to be submerged, but it should be rain-proof.

catsittingstill · 03-19-2010, 08:56 PM

Sweet! ---Hmm, in the UK that might better be translated as "Brilliant!"

I wouldn't worry about the carbon footprint of charging the bike. Even supposing your local electric company is using (ugh) coal, the difference in weight between you + bike vs you+car guarantees you're using less fossil fuels than you would with even the most fuel efficient car.

Plus the light exercise of pedaling the bike with the power assist is all to the good--you may have started out hoplessly unfit but you will probably find that changing.

I find biking--at least the swooping-down-the-hill-with-the-wind-in-my-face parts--a lot of fun. I hope you enjoy your new bike as much as I have enjoyed mine.

GeoffC · 03-20-2010, 03:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kindlekitten

no, but I have a horse and buggy!

hush, everyone will want one ....

conveyance + manure for the garden - perfect combination.

I seem to recall seeing electric bikes in France in the 1960's, I am sure the motor connected with the front tyre ?

Too chilly for me, and the roads around us are not conducive for bicycles (for me anyway - cars too fast and the roads curve and bend up, down, round and over)....

.....some one please hurry and bring on a decent car ......

GeoffC · 03-20-2010, 03:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joobies

Attachment 48109

Seatback is very adjustable. Everything is, really. It is a hoot to ride.

I wanted one of those .... bit pricey in the UK, 'cause they're 'made-to-measure'.....

HarryT · 03-20-2010, 03:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeoffC

I seem to recall seeing electric bikes in France in the 1960's, I am sure the motor connected with the front tyre ?

That's right; the first "electric bikes" were simply "clip on" motors which directly drive the front wheel - essentially a dynamo in reverse.

Quote:

.....some one please hurry and bring on a decent car ......

Did you see the announcement that the new "Nissan Leaf" is going to be built in Sunderland? A pure electric car with a range of about 100 miles. Sounds perfect for commuting, although impractical for longer journeys, of course.

Sparrow · 03-20-2010, 03:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Did you see the announcement that the new "Nissan Leaf" is going to be built in Sunderland? A pure electric car with a range of about 100 miles. Sounds perfect for commuting, although impractical for longer journeys, of course.

I wondered if longer journeys might be more feasible if there were places to swap a drained battery for a charged one - rather than having to wait to recharge the same battery.
Cars would need to be designed to make swapping batteries simple.

HarryT · 03-20-2010, 04:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sparrow

I wondered if longer journeys might be more feasible if there were places to swap a drained battery for a charged one - rather than having to wait to recharge the same battery.
Cars would need to be designed to make swapping batteries simple.

The only problem I see with that is that, as you know, batteries degrade with time. You'd need some mechanism to ensure that you were swapping your battery pack for one that was in roughly the same condition.

GeoffC · 03-20-2010, 05:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

That's right; the first "electric bikes" were simply "clip on" motors which directly drive the front wheel - essentially a dynamo in reverse.

Did you see the announcement that the new "Nissan Leaf" is going to be built in Sunderland? A pure electric car with a range of about 100 miles. Sounds perfect for commuting, although impractical for longer journeys, of course.

One suggestion made in a thread elsewhere would be a "battery on a trailer" .... (was that YleT's brill suggestion?)..
I'd jump at an electric car, no problem, providing the mileage allowed more than just a quick trip to the village, and the 100 miles WAS 100 miles and not 65!!!!

HarryT · 03-20-2010, 05:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeoffC

I'd jump at an electric car, no problem, providing the mileage allowed more than just a quick trip to the village, and the 100 miles WAS 100 miles and not 65!!!!

I would as well. I'm currently spending about £30 a week on fuel, even though I have one of the most fuel-efficient cars on the market.

GeoffC · 03-20-2010, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

I would as well. I'm currently spending about £30 a week on fuel, even though I have one of the most fuel-efficient cars on the market.

i'm averaging that per month, despite having a fuel-efficient car ...

kennyc · 03-20-2010, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

I would as well. I'm currently spending about £30 a week on fuel, even though I have one of the most fuel-efficient cars on the market.

I spend about half that, but gasoline in the U.S.A. is heavily subsidized to artificially lower the price.

GeoffC · 03-20-2010, 06:51 AM

and petrol in the UK heavily subsidises the UK government !!!!

WHAT

EH !

Bilbo1967 · 03-20-2010, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kennyc

I spend about half that, but gasoline in the U.S.A. is heavily subsidized to artificially lower the price.

Petrol in the UK is heavily taxed to artificially raise the price. I think I prefer your system

Currently spend about £60-70 per week on petrol (diesel actually).

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03-19-2010, 07:09 AM	#62
Sparrow Wizard Posts: 4,395 Karma: 1358132 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: UK Device: Palm TX, CyBook Gen3	How weather proof is the electrical gubbins?

03-19-2010, 08:09 AM	#63
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,556 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Pretty weatherproof, I guess. The electric motor is inside the rear hub, and the battery contacts, etc, are pretty well protected. It probably wouldn't like to be submerged, but it should be rain-proof.

03-19-2010, 08:56 PM	#64
catsittingstill Guru Posts: 643 Karma: 551634 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: Kindle 1.0.8, iPod Touch, Kindle Keyboard	Sweet! ---Hmm, in the UK that might better be translated as "Brilliant!" I wouldn't worry about the carbon footprint of charging the bike. Even supposing your local electric company is using (ugh) coal, the difference in weight between you + bike vs you+car guarantees you're using less fossil fuels than you would with even the most fuel efficient car. Plus the light exercise of pedaling the bike with the power assist is all to the good--you may have started out hoplessly unfit but you will probably find that changing. I find biking--at least the swooping-down-the-hill-with-the-wind-in-my-face parts--a lot of fun. I hope you enjoy your new bike as much as I have enjoyed mine.

03-20-2010, 06:51 AM	#74
GeoffC Chocolate Grasshopper ... Posts: 27,599 Karma: 20821184 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Scotland Device: Muse HD , Cybook Gen3 , Pocketbook 302 (Black) , Nexus 10: wife has PW	and petrol in the UK heavily subsidises the UK government !!!! WHAT EH !