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Do you have an ebike?

7 replies

Miljea · 09/11/2019 15:08

I am considering getting one. Is there anything I need to consider?

Would you recommend your model?

And, can it help you gradually get fitter, like, can you realistically incrementally lessen the amount of motor power and increase your own input?

TIA

OP posts:
ICouldBeVotingTactically · 09/11/2019 15:49

Yes I have one. It's a Raleigh Modus, bought earlier this year. It has 7 gears, which you use like normal gears.

Ebikes are heavier than normal bikes.

You have to pedal all the time, just like a normal bike. You can choose no power, or one of the 4 power levels, to give you a boost. It's like someone giving you a push up a hill! The higher the power level, the more battery power it uses, but the faster it goes.

When you have the power switched on, the power will cut out above 15mph - this is a legal thing, for safety. You just keep pedalling as fast as you like, it's just that you won't get any extra help from having the power on, until you drop below 15mph again. There's a display unit on the handle bars which gives you all the info you need (like a fitness tracker).

The batteries we have (also heavy!) last for up to about 90 miles. In practice, you won't be using the battery power for your whole trip, either through choice or because you are going at over 15mph. The battery comes with a charger which plugs into a normal mains socket.

The weight of the bike varies between makes, and the balance depends on where they have placed the battery and the motor. DH did all the research and picked these ones because the weight is in the middle and relatively low down. On some makes, the battery is on a rack above the back wheel, which I imagine affects the balance.

We 'test drove' them from a national chain before we bought ours, mainly because it was a significant outlay.

Miljea · 09/11/2019 16:01

Thanks, that's good to know!

OP posts:
fallfallfall · 09/11/2019 16:12

Icouldbe has explained them well.
I have a Trek (brand name) electric assist bike. The model I own is no longer available.
I love mine.
It gets me out biking when otherwise I wouldn’t at all so it does help with fitness but I don’t see myself ever not using any assist.
I live at the top of a long long steep hill, triathletes love it for training, I’m not an athlete, I’m over 60...
They are pricy and heavy to lift.

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CatUnderTheStairs · 09/11/2019 16:20

I’ve rented one 3 times to try it out, and borrowed a friends very expensive one, to see if I liked it. I loved it and am total convert. I live in a hilly place and while I do go out on a non e bike, it gave me more choice of routes on the e bike.

Do you research on gears, battery range and weight. They are heavy.

I’m going to get one as soon as we move as I’ll then a secure dry place to keep it.

Out local bike shop let’s you borrow one for the weekend to try it out.

Cailleach · 09/11/2019 18:58

I have the Petite Santanna from Woosh Bikes. It's great and essential for my commute (9 mile round trip.)

They weigh a ton. You can either have a crank drive one or a hub drive....hub drives are easier to repair if anything goes wrong. There are ebike forums on the web which are useful to refer too when choosing a model.

Cailleach · 09/11/2019 19:11

Other things you will need: heavy duty ski gloves or better still, bar mitts for winter as the wind chill factor is phenomenal. A floor standing foot pump for the tyres, those little hand held things are useless. Rechargeable usb lights for front and rear....white at front and red for rear. Pannier bags are very useful. Get insurance - you need a silver or gold rated d lock. Hi vis vest essential for riding on the roads. I also have wing mirrors on mine. A rain cape is also very handy.

AliceLittle · 09/11/2019 19:20

I used to have one. The battery started to wear out after 3 years of use. It was used to cycle a 10 mile commute 5 days a week. From new it would only need charging once or twice a week but after 3 years it needed doing after every 5 mile journey.

I sold it and went back to a normal bike because it couldn't do the miles and I didn't want to have to buy a new battery all the time.

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