Electric Bikes - God, I'm loving this bike!

It's a pretty simple set-up, with some flaws even. I got a recumbent through Sun bikes and added a Bionx motor. (Sorry, no pics.)

But it allows me to do things that I couldn't before, like making a left hand turn with traffic at an intersection. I wasn't fast enough to pull that off, but now I use the throttle to accelerate through.

I also love accelerating faster than cars (since they're heavy) at crossings. They do beat me eventually, but I often hear a blast on the gas as they try to beat me through. (I'm thinking that all the gas I'm saving might be burned up by motorists getting PO'd at the intersection.)

Then, being able to do normal bike things, like riding bike paths (slowly) on top of being able to deal with traffic when on the street. It's the best.

And today, on the way, home, I rode it harder than usual. Geared it up on the non-motor wheel, tried to maintain speed, and worked the mucsles. I'm mildly sore, but I know it will make me faster next week. :)

I've had my current Bionx for 2 months and I'm still lovin' it too! I've ridden up to 60 miles in one day and still wasn't tired. I rarely take any water with me. Don't need the bike tights... etc. I don't have to monitor as much traffic because they pass me less often. Of course, I could go on and on...

I've had my current Bionx for 2 months and I'm still lovin' it too! I've ridden up to 60 miles in one day and still wasn't tired. I rarely take any water with me. Don't need the bike tights... etc. I don't have to monitor as much traffic because they pass me less often. Of course, I could go on and on...

I still need water. I need water to cross the room, though.

I just love the speed aspect. I'm riding with the same intensity as before, but I go so much faster. Dodging traffic and keeping up with traffic on slow streets is a huge advantage. I actually feel safer with the higher speed.

I did an extremely and embarassingly low intensity trip (2-1/2 miles at about 5 mph) with boyfriend and his son today. They were all sweaty when we got where we were going, but I was smiling and not at all exerted. I had only been riding with Level 1 power assist. (The only reason I turned it on was because I had turned the motor on to eliminate drag, then found that I was braking, which re-charges the battery, which was already full, and I wanted to discharge some energy from the battery.)

I had enough personal energy to take my Beach Cruiser (which boyfriend had been riding), ride it on a low tire for 1/2 mile to the gas station for air, and return with Icees. Of course, the low tire explains a lot of boyfriend's sweat. He was pretty happy when I came back with a rideable tire and an Icee. :)

(By turning on the motor it eliminates drag on Bionx.) When you turn it on does it assist? Or can you just pedal without assist and without drag? I'm just trying to understand about motor drag of various setups.

(By turning on the motor it eliminates drag on Bionx.) When you turn it on does it assist? Or can you just pedal without assist and without drag? I'm just trying to understand about motor drag of various setups.

The Bionx has 4 levels of assistance that you can choose at any given time. Each level matches your pedaling power by a certain percentage. Level 1 = 25%, level 2 =50%, level 3 = 100% and level 4 = 200%. There is also a 0 level assist option. Basically, the motor is on but not providing any pedal assistance.

From what I've read and what I think I feel while pedaling, there is a little bit of drag from the motor if it is not activated. (It has something to do with the magnets in the motor in the hub.) It's not super-apparent when starting off, but I start to feel it more when I get going. I can eliminate the drag by turning the motor on, but leaving the pedal assist at 0.

...However, Bionx also has a regenerative braking function. If I'm riding at level 0 and using the brakes, I am actually charging the battery.