E bike recommendations?

ranger danger · Sep 16, 2021

My wife and I both have recumbent trikes. I have knee, back and shoulder issue's so riding an upright just isn't going to happen. I've been thinking about adding an electric system to the trikes to aid in hill climes.

dodge man · Sep 16, 2021

I think but don’t quote me on this, they make systems you can add. The two drive systems if you are looking at a regular bike is mid drive (the motor is down by the pedal cranks, and rear hub drive. I think they make kits to add the motor to the rear hub being the easiest.

dodge man · Sep 20, 2021

we have about 130 miles on them so far. Really enjoy being able to ride further. I rode it into town a few days ago, about 6 miles, to help a friend with something. I texted him and said I was riding my bike in, I’d be a half hour. He jokingly texted me back and said make it 20 minutes. I turned the assist all the way up and probably averaged about 18 mph.

My friend took it for a test ride, I thought he’d be gone a minute, he was gone longer than I expected. He came back smiling and said “Dave that’s cheating”.

ericm979 · Sep 20, 2021

Jim Shooz said:
When I bought my bike they sat me down on a small piece of sponge rubber. When I stood up there was two indentations where the base of the pelvis had been. They rolled two small ball bearings into those indentations and measured the distance between them. The tape measure was applied to the range of seats they had in the shop. Where the distance fitted best, that was the seat I bought. The seat is a hard one and the only time I notice it is after about two-n-a-hours of quick trail riding.

Often too much padding on the seat makes it less comfortable. You want to put weight on the "sit bones" that the shop measured for you. When there's too much padding the sit bones sink in and you put pressure on other parts. That can include nerves that go to a significant part of the male anatomy. If that part's going numb then a firmer saddle can help.

Some guys tilt the saddle down to reduce numbness. That's a bad idea as you're then constantly sliding down and having to push back up. I start with the saddle level and change the angle in very small increments to account for the saddle's shape.

Jim Shooz · Sep 21, 2021

Tip: A lot of bikers use a product called Rock_n_Roll for chain cleaning and lubrication. It's a small bottle of light blue 'oil' and a white waxy substance which settles in the bottom of the bottle. Get the bikeshop to put in a small ballbearing when you buy it. It breaks up the waxy substance very quickly. Much like a paint 'rattle can'

dodge man · Sep 21, 2021

I went back to the bike shop to exchange a lock that didn’t work and while there bought a bottle of a wax lube you describe. My backside is adjusting to the bike seat, plus I’m wearing padded bike shorts which help.

civilian · Sep 21, 2021

ericm979 said:
Often too much padding on the seat makes it less comfortable. You want to put weight on the "sit bones" that the shop measured for you. When there's too much padding the sit bones sink in and you put pressure on other parts. That can include nerves that go to a significant part of the male anatomy. If that part's going numb then a firmer saddle can help.

Some guys tilt the saddle down to reduce numbness. That's a bad idea as you're then constantly sliding down and having to push back up. I start with the saddle level and change the angle in very small increments to account for the saddle's shape.

The above info also applies to the women out there. We been riding for 40 years, and the seat height, tilt, for/aft position is very important. And one setting may not fit someone else riding your bike. Enjoy your ebike. Jon

Code54 · Sep 26, 2021

Just saw this on Facebook - you dont need a $200 Ebike when you can get this baby that does "50-60 mph" (with what looks like no front brakes) for a mere $200.

Good lord, someone is going to die on that thing.

dodge man · Oct 30, 2021

An update. We are in the middle of a stay in Moab Utah. We brought the bikes with us. I’ve got about 550 miles on mine. They have a couple of nice trails here. Unfortunately I came down with COVID and that put the kibosh to the bike riding and hiking for a while. I’m vaccinated and it’s about like having a bad cold or a normal case of the flu. A couple pics of the bike paths.