Originally Posted by Pridedog

Up until recently I would have classified my self as a traditionalist. I own many fine road bikes and love the enjoyment I get from pedaling my way around the countryside and the enjoyment it gave me. I thought ebikes were nothing but motor bikes.

But I have not aged well, now 70 years old and in the last 10 years have experienced a heart attack, back surgeries, hip replacement and spinal fusion. Through it all I continued to ride 6-7000 miles a year, but at a lot slower pace and hills and headwinds becoming more challenging. I recently purchased an ebike for my adult son as a gift. His story is that he wants to ride, but life gets in the way of training. I bought the Cannondale Quick Neo ebike for him.

Before I gave it to him I decided to ride it and check it out and make necessary adjustments. Well did it open my eyes.I fell in love with PAS ebikes and now have ordered an ORBEA Gain for myself. Why do I like the ebike, in no order:
1) Allows me to ride in headwinds that I would not consider riding because of the strain on my body (for me, anything over 15 mph was a no go and above 10 was questionable).
2) Hills are no longer a determining factor in which route I choose.
3) I can get a good workout without overly stressing my muscles. My ebikes will go up to 20 mph, but you have to pedal them to get there and they have to be in a large enough gear to attain that speed. You do have to shift down on large hills.
4) I ride year around and I find riding in cold 20+ degree weather is challenging. I have to exert so much energy to attack headwinds or hills that I end up sweating heavily and this is not a good mix for cold weather. The ebike eliminates this over exertion.
5) If I get really tired at the end of a long ride, the ebike allows me to rely more on boost to help me get home with out overdoing it.

For all that are against them, I get it, but understand there are people that it does help. Before you rail against them do yourself a favor and try a good one out, whether an eMtn bike or a good eRoad bike.