Electric Bikes - Passed yet Another lycra rider today...

Going uphill. It is a three mile, 1000 foot climb. He had it in a low gear, pumping away furiously. Not sure of the point of spandex at 5 MPH, but Chee Hoo!

3/4 throttle, with moderate pedaling, I passed him like he was standing still. And I'm pedaling upright, with a 20lb backpack, and my bike already weighs 65 lbs.

I can't believe how adding a 10 lb battery and a 10 lb motor to a bike turns it into a 'roid raging tandem beast. It's a shame these things don't catch on so fast.

Chalk another win-win up for the Ebike.:roflmao2:

Not sure of the point of spandex at 5 MPH, but Chee Hoo!



Would you prefer he change for the uphill sections?

I'm not sure of the point of talking about how you pwned a leg powered bike with an ebike? Kinda like me blowing you away on my fj1100, then pointing it out on a message board.

BTW, this is in no way a criticism of ebikes. I think they are an awesome idea and will probably mod one of my bikes into one someday.

But even when I do, I will still wear lycra cycling shorts. No neon racing kit clown suits though.

Threads and mindsets like this are one of the reasons "regular cyclists" come into this forum to harass you guys. This is a -1 on the win factor to me, to brag about something like this.

Wow. Just wow.

I passed a bike while driving my car today....I AM A CYCLING GOD! :rolleyes:

Dammit chip... ya beat me to it.

Dammit chip... ya beat me to it.

That's cuz you're a loser still manually typing, while I am using speech-to-text. :D

I have a robot for making whoopie with my wife too...you folks who still do it using physical exertion are so 20th century. :eek:

P.S.

Brain-computer interface.

Eventually you won't need to speak or even have a robot either :)

Well, OP could have been a lot more diplomatic!

That said, I've got both perspectives to a degree and I see his point. There are a few guys I see around during the summer, one guy wears a team T-Mobile cycling vest. Usually he's going faster than me, but a few times I was doing speed work and every time I approach him going faster he kicks it and suddenly we're racing. He just can't let anyone pass him. It is annoying because I try not to let it throw off my pace but I also don't want to be right next to him forever.

It would be satisfying to pass someone like that up.

That's cuz you're a loser still manually typing, while I am using speech-to-text. :D

I have a robot for making whoopie with my wife too...you folks who still do it using physical exertion are so 20th century. :eek:

I'm happy to be a luddite...

I might get a little happy or excited when I pass a very experienced and capable cyclist. But I suppose that is as much a compliment towards him as anything else.

Seriously, I don't care if my old granny can go faster than me. And, I don't care if purists disagree with my choice to have an ebike.

I like my ebike, because:
- I'm a fatso that couldn't do the work by myself ( but hope to graduate to a pedal only bike as I get stronger)
- my commute is 1 3/4 hours long at a 14kmh pace...each way. The ebike is the only practical solution for my goal to frequently commute
- and frankly the electric bike fills that desire to have an electric car, so even if I'm riding a regular bike 3-4 times per week, I think I'll keep the ebike, too.

3/4 throttle, with moderate pedaling, I passed him like he was standing still. And I'm pedaling upright, with a 20lb backpack, and my bike already weighs 65 lbs.

I can't believe how adding a 10 lb battery and a 10 lb motor to a bike turns it into a 'roid raging tandem beast. It's a shame these things don't catch on so fast.

If you want to go fast with no motor and a 20 pound $1000 bike, using tons of effort, people respect you.

If you want to go fast with a cheap 40-pound bike, a medium amount of effort, and a little bitty motor people do not respect you.

If you want to go fast with no effort at all, and a 300horsepower motor, many people respect you.

;)

Is your wrist sore from torquing your throttle so excitedly?

I'm happy to be a luddite...

Take your religion to P&R, pal. :p

:D euhhh.. i don't know what this thread is about, but it seems funny :p

A few weeks ago I rode on a stretch where a few good riders were. A couple of riders passed me. So I decided to see if I could keep up with them with my electric bike. They were averaging around 22 mph for 6 miles. I kept up with them, but I have to say, they were in great condition to keep up that pace.

Chipcom. You need to remove your picture before posting such nasty feedback. You are proving ugly is clear through.

chalk a win up for another poser, who is making all the other e-bikes owners look like losers who don't have the legs to ride up that hill, without help, go back and see if you can make it up that hill without your little helper.. and make it to the top going 5MPH, then you will have the right to say something.. I would love to take you on a nice 60mile ride, you on your e-bike me on my road bike, and see how well you can do, if your e-bike will go that far, BECAUSE I DOUBT YOU CAN...sorry to the legit e-bike users out there, that use the e-bikes for what they are meant for..

The ebikes really are for quicker commuting. Although they provide more physical conditioning than a car, The main point is to get from point A to point B more quickly and less sweatily than a regular bike and without firing up the ole petrol machine.

...While it's exciting to pass a hardcore cyclist, it's only because we know that they are in great shape. As a previous poster pointed out, it's actually a compliment to the hardcore cyclist. Honestly, I only pass others when they are in the way and not to "win a race." ...That rule applies whether I'm on the ole full pedal power cruiser or on the electric bent. I also try to get out of the way when someone obviously can overtake me.

...However, I did kind of race a guy on his Izip one day. I was mainly trying to keep up because I wanted to ask him questions about his bike. :o :rolleyes:

Chipcom. You need to remove your picture before posting such nasty feedback. You are proving ugly is clear through.

Guess what you are proving. :roflmao2:

If it's got a motor, you're a motorist on 2 wheels, and no more of a cyclist than the guys on 50cc mopeds used to be. So don't kid yourself.

As for passing someone, it's just as meaningless in your motorized case as it is if it were a real bicycle, because contrary to middle-America misconception and Breaking Away-like movies, not everyone is racing or going flat out all the time.

But what can you expect from a lycra critic who only thinks it has to do with aerodynamics.

The ebikes really are for quicker commuting.

While ebikes are great for commuting, they certainly have other uses.

Some are purchased in pairs to help a weaker partner keep up the pace. My ebike for more efficient athletic training, by helping me maintain a lower level of effort on days that I plan to ride less intensely. And they are used by people who like to ride a bicycle, but can't practicably do so under their own power. There are also those who ride an ebike because they have lost their driver's license, but I'm willing to put that in the commuting category.

I'm sure we could come up with additional reasons for riding an ebike.

I am currently saving for a e-bike myself. The reason is. I am interested in getting on my bike and spending the better part of the day on it. I would like to have the ability to get a long way from home and get back when I get tired. I am figuring on having built a long wheelbase recumbent with a 24 volt 500 watt cyclone motor. It will be super comfortble and able to carry 30 amps worth of batteries easy. A little heavy but spead is not the issue here. Just a good way to spend a enjoyable day exploring. Thats what I like about electric bikes.

see if you can make it up that hill without your little helper.. and make it to the top going 5MPH, then you will have the right to say something..
I guess i have the right to say something then... 400+ miles and 20,000 ft of climbing in a week. Yeah I ride an ebike to work all the time.


sorry to the legit e-bike users out there, that use the e-bikes for what they are meant for..

What exactly is it meant for.. maybe I've got it all wrong. I can ride to work for 2 weeks for less than the cost of a powerbar while riding in my dockers and dress shoes.

Go muppet go.. I wanna hear this.

So suppose you've never ridden a bike, at least since you were 6 years old. You wonder, "What should I wear". So you come to a bike forum and ask around. Then you go buy lycra/spandex/whatever. Having passed people in lycra at 10 mph on an uphill, and having passed regular cyclists without lycra at 8 mph, I can assure you it's not hard to do. You've only got to find the right one. Heck, last time, I rode my unicycle out at White Rock Lake, I passed a guy on a bicycle, and his little dog, too.

Toto? You've seen my Toto?

Going uphill. It is a three mile, 1000 foot climb. He had it in a low gear, pumping away furiously. Not sure of the point of spandex at 5 MPH, but Chee Hoo!

3/4 throttle, with moderate pedaling, I passed him like he was standing still. And I'm pedaling upright, with a 20lb backpack, and my bike already weighs 65 lbs.

I can't believe how adding a 10 lb battery and a 10 lb motor to a bike turns it into a 'roid raging tandem beast. It's a shame these things don't catch on so fast.

Chalk another win-win up for the Ebike.:roflmao2:

By my calculations, that's an average over 6% grade. It's not quite the Alpe d'Huez, but it's still a pretty healthy climb. Personally, I'd wear proper bike kit on a ride like that. Congratulations to your motor.

I guess i have the right to say something then... 400+ miles and 20,000 ft of climbing in a week. Yeah I ride an ebike to work all the time.



What exactly is it meant for.. maybe I've got it all wrong. I can ride to work for 2 weeks for less than the cost of a powerbar while riding in my dockers and dress shoes.

Go muppet go.. I wanna hear this.

YAY for you, I am happy that you can ride well.. are you bragging that you can do that ride like the other person on his E bike?
and what's your other point?
did I ask what the cost is for you to ride to work, in your Dockers, for less then the cost of a power bar, I know I can't on my pedal bike that far for the same cost ..lol.. food cost more then gas in this part of the world, when you figure the cost of something, add it all up, the cost of the bike.. your energy, hydro..ect.

the point I was making.. and I think I made it well was, there are a lot of people that ride e bikes.. for a lot of really good reason, like going to work, (less cars I like) and people that can't ride pedal bikes for health reason, but when somebody says that they passed a bicycle, on a e-bike, they are making a totally ridicules statement.. a lot of people summed it up well.. I passed a e-bike in my car doing 60.. made him look stupid now, didn't I

:DI just wanna say that I love my ebike :love:

It gets me to work and gives me freedom... freedom that i thought was only for those those willing to pay exhobitantly for cars .. it's like that sceme from Seinfeld about orgies, i'd have to have orgie friends and wear velvet etc.. well with an ebikes it's not like that. There are no strings attached. It's a simple bike with a simple battery and motor. :roflmao2::rolleyes:

i gave 17 years to Competitive cycling, im more than happy to let the motor do the leg work :).

While ebikes are great for commuting, they certainly have other uses.

Some are purchased in pairs to help a weaker partner keep up the pace. My ebike for more efficient athletic training, by helping me maintain a lower level of effort on days that I plan to ride less intensely. And they are used by people who like to ride a bicycle, but can't practicably do so under their own power. There are also those who ride an ebike because they have lost their driver's license, but I'm willing to put that in the commuting category.

I'm sure we could come up with additional reasons for riding an ebike.

All true. I guess I was thinking only in terms of my reasons.

Nonetheless, it's not about th thrill of passing the lycra riders with a power assist. ...The thrill of speed from motorized tech already had its heyday last century.

Going uphill. It is a three mile, 1000 foot climb. He had it in a low gear, pumping away furiously. Not sure of the point of spandex at 5 MPH, but Chee Hoo!

3/4 throttle, with moderate pedaling, I passed him like he was standing still. And I'm pedaling upright, with a 20lb backpack, and my bike already weighs 65 lbs.

I can't believe how adding a 10 lb battery and a 10 lb motor to a bike turns it into a 'roid raging tandem beast. It's a shame these things don't catch on so fast.

Chalk another win-win up for the Ebike.:roflmao2:

The lyrca guys just don't like being passed. I passed this dude one time (I was just going my usual pace) and as soon as I passed him, he was stuck in my mirror like a trailer hitched to a car. It was quite annoying to have someone ride on your back so close I just picked up the pace until he was gone. ;)

But I had to give him props for keeping up. I had to go to 27 mph to lose him. Definitely in better shape than me.

The lyrca guys just don't like being passed. I passed this dude one time (I was just going my usual pace) and as soon as I passed him, he was stuck in my mirror like a trailer hitched to a car. It was quite annoying to have someone ride on your back so close I just picked up the pace until he was gone. ;)

But I had to give him props for keeping up. I had to go to 27 mph to lose him. Definitely in better shape than me.

I apologize for an ineloquent, slightly misleading first post.
This is the point I had originally intended to make, but I chose poor wording to make it.


Passing me in a car or a motorcycle is meaningless, of course you can beat me. But the rider I passed couldn't have had a clue that I had an electric motor on board.

To him, I was an upright commuter with a backpack and a rack mounted cooler, riding a bloated pig of a bike. How the heck could THAT pass a seasoned bicyclist, on an expensive frame, donned in skintight clothing?

That's where the entertainment lies.
Was it "cheating?" Absolutely. 100% guilty!:innocent:
But it is something that every electric bike rider will end up doing at least once in their riding; whether or not it seems appropriate to post, it exists.

Going uphill. It is a three mile, 1000 foot climb. He had it in a low gear, pumping away furiously. Not sure of the point of spandex at 5 MPH, but Chee Hoo!

3/4 throttle, with moderate pedaling, I passed him like he was standing still. And I'm pedaling upright, with a 20lb backpack, and my bike already weighs 65 lbs.

I can't believe how adding a 10 lb battery and a 10 lb motor to a bike turns it into a 'roid raging tandem beast. It's a shame these things don't catch on so fast.

Chalk another win-win up for the Ebike.:roflmao2:
and 30 miles he is still going and your pushing your bike.

Your second effort isn't much better. I could pass you like you were hitched to a post on my motorized bicycle up that same grade wearing a gorilla costume and a pink tutu. And still do so long after your battery was dry and you were left with a bicycle that you would be hardpressed to make that grade on without pushing. Nobody likes an elitist. Let it go and just ride your bike.

I have been passing tons of lycra wearing types of late but mind you, it is because they are all driving their cars because it is far too cold for lycra.

:D

I ended up letting a regular cyclist (non lycra) stay ahead of me today. He and I were going at similar speeds. I could have overtaken him because I was probably going about 2 mph faster at the moment, but then it would have been a series of pass and pass again. ...Plus, he gave kudos to my bike. :D

Most of the fun in passing the lycra guys is that they look down on electric bicyclist.

One time, a couple of lycra guys were making snide comments about how they were passing me even though I had a motor. I was just going at a casual pace at that moment....

...I could pass you like you were hitched to a post on my motorized bicycle up that same grade...

Doesn't count. You can hear a motorized bike going up a hill. I'd know something is up, and I wouldn't give chase.

Doesn't count. You can hear a motorized bike going up a hill. I'd know something is up, and I wouldn't give chase.

Maybellene told the Caddy driver to let you pass.

Toto? You've seen my Toto?

No but I've seen Chicago twice!:thumb:

I want you to know that motors are cool but you need a Harley-Davidson badge. Okay strike that.

You need to be beaten by me and my mail lady Stacy. Pushing 30 pounds of nicely loaded post-Korean War US steel around is one of life's best journeys. A blonde with strong legs who is really smart funny and likes you but digs her husband more *(excellent choice) is up there too. Don't ask me why but I don't ever live the country I like and does Toto have siblings, Chip?

Yeah, you would hear me coming but you had better have your ears open on the road anyway and my 4 stroke is pretty quiet. As bad as I want electric to work for me, and I have tried, ICE's at this time are superior in most regards, especially in upfront cost and range. The way I have my bike setup I could switch over to an electric engine easily btw and plan on doing so when I can afford it and only need the performance it will provide.

And btw I also ride my bicycle a bunch too. But primarily off road as I prefer to do surface street travel with assist as for me it is much safer.

Going uphill. It is a three mile, 1000 foot climb. He had it in a low gear, pumping away furiously. Not sure of the point of spandex at 5 MPH, but Chee Hoo!

3/4 throttle, with moderate pedaling, I passed him like he was standing still. And I'm pedaling upright, with a 20lb backpack, and my bike already weighs 65 lbs.

I can't believe how adding a 10 lb battery and a 10 lb motor to a bike turns it into a 'roid raging tandem beast. It's a shame these things don't catch on so fast.

Chalk another win-win up for the Ebike.:roflmao2:
Good job burning far less calories than that dude you smoked, I'm sure he's just crushed.

I prefer racing the cars. ...Not that the race lasts very long, but it's pretty easy to get a good lead at an intersection with less weight and a little electrical boost. I've heard more than one driver punch the gas when being "beaten" by 40 year old woman slung back on a recumbent bike. :lol:

and what is the connection between speed and comfort.

and what is the connection between speed and comfort.

electricity

I'm digging this one up because I'd like to apologize.

My original post was made in poor taste.

Ever tell a joke that no one laughed at? Or a joke that no one laughed at because it offended some of the audience and they knew it?

The "punch line" of what I wrote was supposed to be, the humor in somebody unexpected appearing to perform something superhuman.

An old lady bending over and single handedly lifting a heavy load that three men were struggling with. A kid tossing a basketball behind his back and scoring three points. Some guy on a heavily encumbered beach cruiser blowing by a decked out road racer in training. My delivery of the punch line completely failed.

Obviously, bragging about outrunning a road bike is silly. But there is a humor in frustrating a road biker when passing him because he doesn't realize I have my bike rigged with a "cheater" motor.

I didn't sense anyone taking offense to your original post... I definitely saw the humor in it ;)

We recently had a customer come into our retail shop telling a similar story. He was 6'4" and obviously out of shape. Big-talking, overweight, blue jean-wearing, beer drinking autoworker type with a baseball hat on. He was gloating about riding through a heavily trafficed parkway where all the "lycra-riders" gather and ride. He went on to tell us about all the strange looks he got as he passed groups of riders (who were hunched over in racing position) as he casually strolled by one-handed - smoking a cigarette in the other. HILLARIOUS!!!

HA.. I do this on my amped kit all the time. Lol its funny that guy in the post got all mad about it.

Must have hit a nerve.. :roflmao2::roflmao2::roflmao2:

TO each his own. I personally cant show up at the office all sweaty and after work I do like the exercise but I dont want to be worn out when I get home.