I thought it was just ..less than accurate, sales blurb, when I first used my absolute-bottom-of-the-range ebike, (370 euros plus an extra lead, battery)..and found I couldnt get it to 'assist pedalling' for more than about 10kms. ...it took me till this year ...3+ years later..to realise. that ASSISTANCE.. means what it says. ie... ..if I actually join in the effort, and pedal myself.. it quite easily gets to the 30 kms promised.
My trips are all beautiful, flat, train-line trails, or traffic free country roads, so the weather doesn't matter..pouring rain, is easy, in a bike raincoat. I haven't tried deep winter rides..but the first warmer days..off to any one of the nearby towns and villages. With an extra battery, and maybe a tent too, twice as far.
I'm 77 in November, whoever invented ebiking... must have a few billion quid's worth of extra pension payments to account for. I think I could make it, mostly overland, to Japan, now, its perfect exercise! No stress on joints or heart, more that feels comfortable. Bike trails are all over Europe and far beyond now. My old dog trailer, fixes on the back, easily, and still works, to pull about 25kg+ of shopping/luggage...and an extra battery, so I can save taxi fares to connect with big transport. Buses and trains. FALLING OFF? Yes I have fallen off, not good for ancient humans..and know I may do so again..but I've found a solution. I'm investing in cheap *motorbike* 'body armor' ..probably from China, that's the very lightweight, but very tough, reinforced, jacket, (with every joint, elbows shoulders etc, and spine, protected) and the protective pants...knee and thigh armor...all of it totalling less than 40 quid. ..*possibly*....lifesaving kit for anyone coming off a Harley at 150 mph...so for an OAP ..on a bike trail? I have big confidence, the bruises will be smaller, and hurt less, than last time.
It will be a superb upgrade...when, at last ..I can invest in a *lightweight* ebike, and ditch those two colossal lead batteries, that each weighs about 11 kg. Essential dentist trip, now..so, off to town this morning...happy biking everyone..
Originally Posted by
Lurch
Amen to all you said. I just turned 76 and still enjoy riding my less than trendy bikes. Was managing to ride my age at least once per year until age 71. I still ride around town as much as possible and commute to a volunteer job each week. Due to age and a slowly progressive blood disorder my endurance isn't what it once was, so I recently traded my 13-year old commuter bike for a pedal assist model. It's only 250 watts, but it smooths out the hills and allows me to keep riding. I still have to pedal to make it go and I don't use the assist for the flats, so my average speed is about the same as the old pedal bike. I agonized over the decision for a couple of years, but have no regrets at this point. I did keep one old hybrid and ride it for the shorter trips and errands, so...best of both worlds.