What's up with all the sarcasm for electric bicylists?
02-19-09, 01:36 AM
#202
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Ahah. A clever reference! I need to overhaul and re-lace my 408 soon. Maybe this calls for a Deep-V with the near-infamous AYHSMB on it 
Or at the very least a fusion, since deep-v's don't come in 26"
Does that ruin it?
Or at the very least a fusion, since deep-v's don't come in 26"
Does that ruin it?
02-19-09, 03:28 AM
#203
Senior Member
Me either. But, it goes against cyclists desires to not be couch potatoes... Electric bikes. Do you eat a corn dog at the red lights too. It's not a case of saving strength by not using your quads. Cycling is a cause for using one's quads and making them stronger. I sort of view electric bikes as motorcycles not quite fully grown.
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02-19-09, 07:04 AM
#204
member. heh.
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One of the main markets that electric bicycle companies are targeting are people who want to commute to work, without having to wear a spandex spiderman suit, and without being drenched with sweat when they walk into the office. I've been considering one - I'm starting a new job which will entail a new 18mile one-way commute. The express bus get's me about 2/3rds of the way there, and then an electric bike could get me the final 3rd in a relatively short amout of time without sweating, so I can just walk in to the office, sit down and start working in less than an hour after leaving my house. I have a young child who is in daycare, so I don't want to spend 3 hours a day on a bike.
Most modern electric bikes use a subtle "assist" which is activated when pedaling. The better models just look like regular commuter bikes, with a small battery on the rack.
The snide, uninformed remarks on this thread are disheartening, but not surprising unfortunately. The "anti-electric" prejudice also seems to be largely American in nature... the British have been using electric bikes for a quite a while now.
Most modern electric bikes use a subtle "assist" which is activated when pedaling. The better models just look like regular commuter bikes, with a small battery on the rack.
The snide, uninformed remarks on this thread are disheartening, but not surprising unfortunately. The "anti-electric" prejudice also seems to be largely American in nature... the British have been using electric bikes for a quite a while now.
That said, ride what you like, but don't expect anyone to respect you or admire you for it.
02-19-09, 08:11 AM
#205
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02-19-09, 08:51 AM
#206
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I know many are not familiar with e-bikes. Here are a few things to help people understand how they are different from an electric scooter:
- e-bikes are allowed on trails and sidewalks and anywhere else regular bikes go.
- e-bikes are also lighter (mine's 45 lbs) so I can carry it around like a regular bike.
- e-bikes lets you add your own pedal power, thereby going further on less electricity.
And regarding those gas powered bikes, I don't understand them myself. They pollute and make a lot of noise. I think they're also a little too powerful to be safely allowed on the trails.
- e-bikes are allowed on trails and sidewalks and anywhere else regular bikes go.
- e-bikes are also lighter (mine's 45 lbs) so I can carry it around like a regular bike.
- e-bikes lets you add your own pedal power, thereby going further on less electricity.
And regarding those gas powered bikes, I don't understand them myself. They pollute and make a lot of noise. I think they're also a little too powerful to be safely allowed on the trails.
Depends on your local state law... Here, they're considered as motorized vehicles, so they're prohibited from the multi-use trails and bike paths. And while Arkansas has no law requiring helmets to be used/worn by pedal cyclists, add a motor to the bike and you're under the provision for mo-peds and motorized cycles that requires helmet wear at least up to the age of 18, soon to be 25.
02-19-09, 11:52 AM
#207
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some threads should be locked
02-19-09, 02:26 PM
#208
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Me either. But, it goes against cyclists desires to not be couch potatoes... Electric bikes. Do you eat a corn dog at the red lights too. It's not a case of saving strength by not using your quads. Cycling is a cause for using one's quads and making them stronger. I sort of view electric bikes as motorcycles not quite fully grown.
Then there's the kind where the motor provides assistance rather than all the power. These I get. If you want to bike but your commute is daunting due to distance, hills or current lack of fitness, then I can see the utility. You're still getting exercise.
When I'm 80 and all that's stopping me from cycling with my grand kids is a hill or two that I don't have quite enough oomph to get over, I may be happy to have that option.
02-19-09, 06:58 PM
#209
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After reading this entire thread, I don't understand why some people are saying... it's either a BICYCLE... or a MOTORCYCLE..
Safety Laws were created SPECIFICALLY for electric-bicycles because e-bikes weigh 60-80lbs.
Motorcycles weigh 300-1000(!) pounds and can go 65mph.
Crashing an e-bike has the momentum much more akin to crashing a bicycle!
And after trying out e-bikes, I have to agree with that one other person who said that riding 20mph instead of 10mph up the hills allows you to integrate better with the traffic and instills a lot more confidence sharing the road with cars.
Safety Laws were created SPECIFICALLY for electric-bicycles because e-bikes weigh 60-80lbs.
Motorcycles weigh 300-1000(!) pounds and can go 65mph.
Crashing an e-bike has the momentum much more akin to crashing a bicycle!
And after trying out e-bikes, I have to agree with that one other person who said that riding 20mph instead of 10mph up the hills allows you to integrate better with the traffic and instills a lot more confidence sharing the road with cars.
02-19-09, 07:16 PM
#210
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I've ridden my cousin's e-bike in China before - I don't think any ebikers in the region I visited actually pedal. It's fast, fun and feels like a mini-motorcycle, but I wouldn't buy one, as I bike primarily for the exercise and the idea that I'm moving solely via my own power.
geez, two year-old thread...
geez, two year-old thread...
02-19-09, 08:59 PM
#213
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Either this thread or a similar one spawned the Electric Bike Forum. E-bikes don't go over so well on this and other forums because the physical exercise element is a big part of it for many people.
02-19-09, 09:52 PM
#214
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02-20-09, 01:50 PM
#215
Lanky Lass
No need to resurrect the dead.
This thread will be returned to dust now.
This thread will be returned to dust now.
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