crank_addict

Link to article written 2015 from the Netherlands.
https://electricbikereview.com/forum...ery-year.2486/

Recycling is the law. If done responsibly, the old broken E bike and all its components become re-cycled to a latest generation. I don't see them as a detriment to the environment. Please, now ...

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That aside, and specifically to our old standard pedal bikes - mostly forgotten, sitting in sheds and garages could essentially be 're-cycled' usefully with a conversion kit.

Also consider the owner of their beloved familiar, comfortable bicycle yet now have physical effort issues to pedal. I know a few with simple hub motor conversions that love riding again.

fender1

Welcome?

mgopack42 

I think they are great for those that need them because they cannot ride as they used to / want to. For instance, I have a friend with health issues, who recently bought a NICE Trek Emonda SL, all Dura Ace, who gets frustrated because his body can't do what he used to or wants it to. He would be happier with the assist of the electric motor on faster rides and hillier rides. even windy rides will kick his ass. He then gets mad at his situation and himself, but it is not his fault he has those health issues.
maybe he will buy a e-bike and give me the Emonda! I can probably live with Shimano, until i get the money for Campagnolo!

Not for me though, i just need to keep getting my motor stronger!

Miele Man

I agree 100%! Where I live those darn E-bikes are allowed on bicycle paths. The E-bikes are darn near silent and I've nearly been hit by one numerous times when I've moved left a bit to miss something or the E-bike rider decided to pass on the right. What's worse is t hat many of those E-bikes have a fairly high rate of speed and there soesn't seem to be any requirement for their operators to know let alone obey the rules of the road.

I consider an E-bike to be an electric moped and as such it should be licensed and banned from bicycle paths.

Cheers

crank_addict

Now this is the 'gas'! 2000

Lee Iaccoca revisted Y2K and his Electric bike


Lee Iacocca has captivated Baby Boomers at every turn.
First, as they took to the highway in droves in the early 1960s, he gave them what they wanted — the sporty but affordable Ford Mustang.

Twenty years later as chairman of the Chrysler Corp., Iacocca gave them what they needed — the roomy but functional minivan.

Today, the affable 75-year-old is once again trying to tap the market of the Boomer generation — with a bicycle. But not just any bicycle.

Iacocca's E-Bike can be pedaled like any other bike, but also can travel up to 15 mph, for a distance of 20 miles per charge, with a light-weight, battery-powered electric motor.

"It's a sexy bike. A Mercedes guy designed it for me. It's a safe bike," Iacocca said Wednesday at John Mecham Chrysler Plymouth Jeep on State Street, where he kicked off the 11th annual Business to Business Expo.

"This is going to be a multi-million dollar business in three to five years."

So far, sales have been modest with about 800 E-Bikes sold each month.

The E-Bike, which starts at $995 for the basic package and increases to $1,600 for the touring model, has been on the market in Utah since last summer, but only at a handful of dealerships. A few hundred have been sold by Mecham Chrysler Plymouth Jeep, which at one time last year was the leading seller of E-Bikes in the nation.

The E-Bike is the first product of EV Global Motors Co., Iacocca's latest venture, and will be followed, he promises, with other electric vehicles — scooters, pedicabs and four-wheel "neighborhood" cars that will travel at speeds of 25 mph.

Iacocca fully expects car makers, particularly in Japan and China, to begin competing with him in the electric bicycle market. But he does not expect to see electric automobiles hit the market — not as a viable, profit-making venture — anytime soon.

"I fooled with a (electric car) battery for 25 years, mostly at Ford, and most of them blew up," Iacocca told a small gathering at the dealership.

"Honda and Toyota are selling one (an electric car) for $20,000 already, and soon will bring it to America, but they admit it costs $40,000" to manufacture.

Iacocca said EV Global Motors is targeting the active person between age 45 and 55, and is developing a model that can be easily strapped onto an RV, truck or other vehicle.

Iacocca said the electric motor has excellent response that gives E-Bike riders an advantage when starting from a dead stop at an intersection.

"At full throttle, it can beat a Corvette," through the intersection after the light changes, he said.

tcs

Agunat

I certainly wouldn't want to be forced to ride my bicycle on roads full of cars. I normally ride my ebike at about 15 MPH and if I was good enough to do much more the bike has a maximum speed of 20 MPH built into it. If you reach 20 MPH the motor will shut itself off and refuse to go any faster!

Bob

crank_addict

Good perspective
https://www.outsideonline.com/237903...-mountain-bike

Its really difficult to explain to the anti e bike crowd but if one has a brief experience on a peddle assist, you'll get the idea.

Again, its not going to replace the all human powered and no one is forcing you to have an e bike though certainly has its place.

Iowegian

I've been tempted to try one but for now, I mostly ride my bike for exercise. For commuting and errands, I drive my Nissan Leaf ! In fact, one of the big down-sides for owning an electric car is that I now ride a lot less around town getting groceries, etc. So getting on the bike for exercise is becoming a bigger deal. YMMV.

One thing that surprised me was how many mtn bike riders I saw this summer in France that had e-bikes. We were in the alps and I'm sure the trails there are probably steeper than the average US mtn bike trail but most of the 'serious' mtn bikers we saw had e-bikes or were in groups that had some e-bikes. I suppose if that makes the difference between being able to get over the pass to the next village or whatever then it could be worth it but it's not something I see myself doing. On the other hand, a peddle assist bike could make doing a longer tour in retirement more of a possibility for me. Time will tell but I like having the option available. If I could get a bike like Lennard Zinn's custom made e-bike I would be seriously tempted... https://www.velonews.com/2018/06/bik...cyclist_470738

OldsCOOL

Barchettaman

They are everywhere you look on the roads of Stuttgart.

Here in Frankfurt they´re becoming much more popular.

They´re wonderful things and hilarious to ride. Anything that gets people out of their cars for the daily commute should be embraced and encouraged.

My wife has one (mid-mounted Bosch 250W motor) and she loves it, in fact she claims it ´kept her sane´ in the autumn, and if you knew the way I treat her, that´s a pretty big claim. Her 8-mile commute is now just over 30 mins and she doesn´t arrive all sweaty at work.

crank_addict

\"Give it some time" said the inventor

Classtime 

Speaking of battery powered transportation,

Not very pleasant news coming out of Africa recently. As battery powered electric motors replace legs and the ICE, human suffering will increase.
Just something to consider. As you were.

ps. I got buzzed yesterday by a 28mph motorbiker on the MUP as he ran a stop sign.

crank_addict

According to Panasonic, global sales of electric bicycles is expected to reach 40 million by 2023

source:
https://electrek-co.cdn.ampproject.o...bike-market%2F

Bad Lag

These days, too many people are obese. Electric bikes will reduce the exercise people get and contribute to the obesity problem.

Salamandrine 

E bikes aren't bikes they are mopeds. They have a motor. Regulatory language is irrelevant. If it has a motor it's not a bike. Nothing wrong with mopeds, but they aren't bicycles.

Leckiebikie

Sorry Salamandrine, but imo ebikes are bikes. Sure they have assisted peddling but realistically that's no different to a pushbike having gears. Gears take a lot of work out of peddling. Just like that little electric motor.
And as for speed and the comments about being blown away by an ebike doing unruly speeds, I have been passed by racing push bikes capable of far greater speeds than I can achieve on my ebike. Dont see any complaints about those speedy machines on the cycleways, also, most of them dont even have a bell to warn of 'coming through'.
You cant fight change. I wonder if our grand children will remember when bikes didnt have some sort of motor.

67tony 

I hope you keep us updated on this project. I would be interested in seeing the details, and the rough cost.

TenGrainBread 

How do you figure that? The observation many have made is that it is increasing exercise. Lots of people who would otherwise commute by car or not bike at all are getting on e-bikes.

clubman 

Here's a kickstarter campaign for an e-bike that converts into a cargo bike. Clever but a little frail looking perhaps?

mstateglfr 

I'm certainly nonadvocate of ebikes as i dislike the idea of potential misuse(speed), and even I find your comment to be laughable.

ebikes contribute to the obesity problem? Haha, I can't imagine you typed that withput laughing at the same time.
many things contribute to obesity, but a pedal assisted bike isn't one of them. If the person is using muscles to move, even if its limited resistance, that activity isnt adding to obesity.

deux jambes

crank_addict

Hoping to make the dealer expo in Feb. and for a closer look on the many new comers. Right now leaning towards Bafang mid-drive that fits our classic bikes 68-70mm bb housing. Minimum 750watt. Though I want to see others - metal gears, robust wire harness, etc..

Desire 52V but prices for 48volt packages with batt. have dropped in the last few weeks. Perhaps due tariff situation blow out deals, I don't know but its all becoming very tempting. Under $500 for all.

Taper square crank will fit - using vintage.

Mating to a Shimano Alfine 8 speed. Shuttered bike shop auction / $70 score for a brand new wheelset built including dyno front hub, shifter and headlight kit. Have the disc adapter setup but not sure I'll use them -safety concerns. BTW: Shimano, Panasonic the two biggies of the cycling industry are now producing their own e-drives.

clubman 

Wonder how much coal fired electricity we'll need to power these products now that solar and wind subsidies have been reduced?

Poguemahone

By ignoring it, of course. Is there any other way?