E-bikes

[sd455dan]

My kid has built a couple, and I get to ride his newest one once in a while.


Attached is his old bike which also has front/ rear suspension.



His new bike is built on a 1960s Schwinn Typhoon frame. it has enough battery to travel over 30 miles

View attachment DSCF0131 (2).JPG
View attachment DSCF0130.JPG
E bikes are Definitely Fun

It is a great feeling cruising in near silence and if your legs are done... cruising up a hill with ease.

 

[Code54]

We enjoy the Rails to Trails paths - wish we had more in the area. The lack of cars is the part I really like.

I went with mid drives on both of our bikes, a little more expensive but with the gearing combos pretty much any hill is easy to handle.
I really see these bikes opening up the sport to a lot more people that maybe couldn't use a regular bike or at least not enjoy riding as much. I have to admit I am now wanting a 2nd E-bike, this time a mountain bike for some trail riding when my wife is unable to go.

As for pricey - yep. basically $1000-$12,000 is the normal range. Then again we been into riding SxS's for years and in comparison the bikes are cheap. I laugh a lot when I read biking sites, people complaining about fixing a bike and the part was $50 dollars. In the UTV/SxS world we can easily catch a rock, bend a tie rod, tearing up a rim and tire and be out $300-$400 bucks on a ride so bike repairs at least are normally fairly cheap.

 

[HCJtractor]

I would recommend the e bikes built by Specialized. They are a great company, with excellent innovation and support. They have a full line of great bikes, including e bikes. They have various models, from city commuters, to hybrids, to mountain bikes to road bikes, at various price points. Their dealers are competent to offer advice on what models would suit your needs and budget.

E bikes are great for those who need some “assist” especially on hills, for someone wanting to ride with others who are stronger, or for those who aren’t fit or strong enough to ride distance. The technology is amazing. The price is based on the amount of power it provides, the battery life, the weight (less is more) and the style.

But beware, as with any bike, crashes can happen. An E bike lets one with less experience go faster, so it can add to the danger. Wear your helmet!

 

[CalG]

Last winter I built up a mid drive e-bike on my old (hardly used) GT Richter steel frame hard tail mountain bike.
V brakes and 21 speeds.

I used a kit under the Befang label. The kit of motor and controls cost only a bit more than the battery pack. All told, it was about 1300 bucks. The installation and conversion took me a couple of hours. Lots of fiddling with where the controls etc. mount and where the wires go.

I couldn't be more satisfied!

I live in a hilly area, and "it's up hill both coming and going" for any ride. As mentioned, the old mountain bike didn't see much riding time. It was just no fun pushing a stupid bicycle up these hills.

Though the motor only carries a single front sprocket, so the bike is now a 7 speed, There is a gear for every need up to about 30 mph.

I get out almost every day it's not raining. Over 3000 miles this summer. I have several five mile loops that are gravel roads for the out, and abandoned or logging roads for the return. Of course, they can be run backwards, but I enjoy going downhill through the forest more than going up hill. Dirt roads are fine either way.

So good clean fun, get out, breath hard, break a sweat and really feel good about riding. Plus, on those twenty mile days, there is the comfort that comes from knowing as I sag, I can just push a button and get a bit more "assist". ;-) And that last hill to the house? When I'm beat, There is the throttle to just motor up the steep part. Or the assist can be set high, and ghost pedaling takes the load off.

About 90 miles per charge... I pedal A LOT. ;-)

Get one! Way better than not riding.

OH! As reference. I'm pushing 70 yrs. Not too bad a shape, but no kid. I find riding the back paths really helps me keep agile.

 

[kf4uda]

My Wife and I just ordered one each of these: eBikes – Lectric eBikes


My bike came in but her’s has not yet. We have both been riding my bike around and so I must say that I am impressed with it.