@Darkerside
Such bikes do exist;
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Cycling News
"The electric bike is not a short-term trend"
(506 posts)-
Posted 6 years ago #
-
"The Dutch are I think legislating for speed pedelecs which go faster than the current 18.5 kph"
It's 25kph currently, no?
Posted 6 years ago # -
I recall reading an article a 6 months ago saying drop bars are out of fashion in Europe. I notice nearly all European touring type bikes don’t have drops. E bikes may be currently made with a focus on the European market where think they sell more. I borrowed a E mountain bike bosch CX for months I found not only did it go better up hills but also down hills as more stable due to the low weight wider tyres and better brakes ( you can now get ABS on the bosch mountain bike). I found it much safer in town as can pull out quick and don’t get bad passes at roundabout people don’t feel the need to overtake at bad times as go an acceptable speed away from lights. I found it good for hills but on the open flattish roads a bit boring. I also found it a bit noisy not silent like a pedal bike. I too would rather drop bars not to go faster but found a bit uncomfy on long journeys (well long ish most I did was 60 miles as it went flat 1 mile from house). I think the drop bars spread weight better on long journeys. There is an e bike drop bar made by Giant http://www.bikeradar.com/commuting/gear/article/drop-bar-e-bike-commuter-50180/
Posted 6 years ago # -
I'm getting a little sick of being overtaken so effortlessly ;)
Haha. It makes me squirm if I overtake using assist. I always wonder if I'm being cursed or viewed as a cheat as I go by. In a headwind, my squirm is barely perceptible though.
If the proposed e-bike hire scheme goes ahead - and if the docking station placements are actually useful to locals - I could see demand rising off it. An e-bike is good fun and takes the slog out of it. Anyone who's tried mine has come back giggling. I still get a childlike thrill every time I push the button and the motor kicks in.
Posted 6 years ago # -
The latest Cytronex electric kit got something of a rave review in A to B magazine.
Seems to be aimed at the sporty end of the market.
Posted 6 years ago # -
I still get a childlike thrill every time I push the button and the motor kicks in.
Try a hundred horsepower motorcycle some time. Quite indescribable, verging on [Rule 2].
Posted 6 years ago # -
I'm getting a little sick of being overtaken so effortlessly
Quite the opposite. When I get overtaken, I just assume it "must have been" because it was an e-bike!
Posted 6 years ago # -
@Iwrats - I ride pillion on a motorbike but have no desire (as yet) to be the one in control of such a powerful beastie. My wee zip up to 15mph is quite enough!
Posted 6 years ago # -
@nedd1e_h good way to turn it into a positive. Though I'd be happier if they slowed down to allow me to attach a tow rope
Posted 6 years ago # -
that cytronex seems a bit of a problematical idea as the motor is added in front wheel bike is not built for it there may it fatigue if aluminium or carbon
Posted 6 years ago # -
@cb - ah yes, you're right. 25km/h & 15.5 mph. No idea where 18.5 came from!
Posted 6 years ago # -
Given that electric bikes are allowed on cyclepaths, it may not be a bad thing to keep the speed restriction as is. (I saw one today whose rider seemed relunctant to slow down on the path, even on blind corners, and where peds were across the path - I don't know if assisted pedalling encourages this or some people are just like that).
The other good thing about the restricted speed is that it's just a little less than my normal average - so they can be a good training partner.
Posted 6 years ago # -
I will go with B) Some people are just like that. Even with the most basic on/off assist as I have, you just adjust your cadence or gearing to keep yourself at a sensible speed. Plus the power cuts out with the slightest use of the brake. No excuse.
Posted 6 years ago # -
Non electric bikes also speed on the path. I think on electric bike people are more likely to slow down for people walking, traffic lights or other hazards as its easy and fun getting back up to speed. On a regular bike an effort to get back to speed so people amber gambler go too fast past people to avoid the effort. There is no speed restriction for regular bikes on the path its hardly that rare to see someone doing over 15.5 mph on paths. Electric bikes also can brake better with low down weight if mid drive and ABS brakes. As Edinburgh area is hilly the speed restrictor is less important than if was in flat area when going downhill does not matter much and if going up steep hill won’t get much more than 15.5mph anyway. On the open flat road 15.5 mph feels too slow and a effort to go 18 mph ( the E bike I loaned for a few months did at least). Would tend to think 20 mph would be better but then electric bikes may get too popular if could go 20 mph. Regular bike riders egos could be damaged strata scores ruined, it could annoy car drivers as so many electric bikes. Maybe regular bikes and drivers could start a lobby group to keep the electric bikes at 15.5mph -)
Posted 6 years ago # -
@iwrats: ah, but the "mechanical doping" bikes seem to be low powered and with a smaller battery. I don't want a little edge in the peloton, I want a full-on boost up hills, and I don't care how visible it is :)
@Ed1: that giant is the only one I found that got close to what I was thinking about, although I think it lacks rack+mudguard mounts.
Posted 6 years ago # -
E-bikes at 15.5mph is fast enough in town or mixed use paths perhaps. I find that the desire to go faster on level or open road though as others have noted. Recliner is still faster on any longer journey. One or two customers have added their own assist on ICE Sprints and Adventures with a Bafang bottom bracket drive with 500W for off road use. I hear reports of them going faster....
One 'knock-on' effect is that wear on components goes up quite a bit and frames could be stressed with these 'e-vehicles'. Bike Works confirm that 11 speed mega range and powerful assist consume components.
For the big cargo bike I feel 250w is around correct as taking such a large item with so much momentum on bike paths has safety implications. Plus some cycling purists probably think such things are wrong anyway in any form.
We had a Hase Evo here and briefly took limit off - even with 250w Shimano Steps it moved along - easily pedaled up to 20mph. Full suspension delta trike - very smooth act with air shocks on both rear wheels and differential to get even traction. In effect you could use it in primary position going uphill just like a car. Narrow enough to up bike lanes so would have won the commuter challenge. Di2 auto shifting on an Alfine 8 speed hub.
Posted 6 years ago # -
Trixie, you're bike doesn't sound too basic. Mrs A's e-bike which was specced as the cheapest folding e-bike available has none of those luxuries. The power is a simple pedal switch. If you are pedalling then the power is on at one of 3 available levels. It's front wheel drive so no gearing to change speed and certainly no brake sensors.
The outcome is a little jittery in some situations but still great fun and can always get it on the train.
Posted 6 years ago # -
I thought the brake cut-off was a legal requirement?!
See, I'd really like the 3 stage assist but not at the cost of my 6 gears.
Mrs A's bike sounds like a hoot!
Posted 6 years ago # -
Trixie, I shall have to check it when I get home, perhaps it has a cutout and I have never noticed.
Hankchief, I guessed incorrectly. It's great to see more councillors starting to use bikes.
Posted 6 years ago # -
Looking forward to seeing Cllr Macinnes fly past me on the way up Gilmerton Road one day.
Posted 6 years ago # -
“
Today, VanMoof, the Amsterdam-based maker of stylish smart bicycles, is announcing the VanMoof+ subscription service for a handful of global cities. VanMoof Plus is built around a one-time “key fee” and a monthly subscription rate that significantly lower the entry-price for anyone that’s been longing to commute on an electric bicycle but was put off by their exorbitant prices.
“
https://www.theverge.com/2018/4/10/17216932/vanmoof-plus-subscription-price-date
Posted 6 years ago # -
Yes... do they come in different sizes? Style does make for quite high step over. Neat though in its own way.
Depressing photo in that link of ofo bike dump.Posted 6 years ago # -
"But far from being novelty transport, cargo bikes have the potential to replace vans on some trips"
Read more at: https://www.scotsman.com/news/opinion/alastair-dalton-the-electric-bike-smile-is-now-official-1-4731115
Posted 6 years ago # -
Various interesting comments from Humza in this thread -
Posted 6 years ago # -
“
Bicycle Association welcomes calls from MPs for e-bike purchase grant
“
Posted 6 years ago # -
“
"In my constituency, I live on a hill. I cycle with a conventional bike in London, but at the grand old age of 56, I found that extra boost helped me to get to and from my constituency office on a daily basis, and on one day twice. With my electric bike, I took more exercise that week than I have probably taken all year. That is the thing about electric bikes: they open up cycling to older people, and people who are anxious about ability or fitness, people wanting to arrive somewhere sweat free when there are no workplace shower facilities. They can deal with carrying luggage and shopping; even commercial cargo is easy on an e-bike."
“
Posted 6 years ago # -
Chris Boardman called them a 'niche product' recently on TV. I suppose even he can be wrong sometimes.
Posted 6 years ago # -
"Just met Davey, a builder, on the train singing the praises of his @EdinburghBikes #ebike - hauls all his heavy tools, costs him less than the bus and doesn't get stuck in traffic #activenation"
https://twitter.com/backonmybike/status/994919342440615936
Not anyone on here is it?
Posted 6 years ago #
Reply »
You must log in to post.
posts
