Originally Posted by
linberl
Part of an e-bike's value is mental. While you might think, with an analog bike, I don't have the energy to ride today...or my (fill in the blank) hurts so I'll skip today's ride...or there's too much wind...or many other reasons, with an e-bike it doesn't matter. That mental resistance is gone because you know you can make the ride. I often go out thinking I will ride poorly and use assist and then find myself cutting it off after a short time in the saddle. You can use an e-bike to:
1. get places faster
2. go longer distances
3. go up more challenging terrain
4. go riding when your mind/body are resistant
I think of it as the "no excuse" device, lol.
I wholeheartedly agree. The psychological factor is huge. People are usually confused when you tell them you get more exercise with an ebike than with an analog bike. This is one of the reasons.
This past winter was my first with an ebike and I rode almost every day, unless it was raining or snowing. I am 67, and a long-time roadie. I would never have done that on my analog bike (a Specialized carbon road bike).