Almost got crush by a REAL Geek.
#26
Senior Member
I have yet to meet anyone that can beat me on an electric bike, now I am sure there are some electric bikes that
can/may, but really... A person in good shape with un-assisted bike can usually keep ahead of an assisted rider.
I built an electric bike that would go 20mph on the flats without pedaling. The novelty wore off and I realized I was actually getting places quicker on a regular bike albeit with more sweat. Now, if mine were as fast as this Specialized I'd probably still be using it. I have encountered electric bikes on very few occasions, and, of course, there was the ensuing speed contest which left them disappointed. But, the people riding them were not experienced riders. I still think there is an electric bike in my future, though.
can/may, but really... A person in good shape with un-assisted bike can usually keep ahead of an assisted rider.
I built an electric bike that would go 20mph on the flats without pedaling. The novelty wore off and I realized I was actually getting places quicker on a regular bike albeit with more sweat. Now, if mine were as fast as this Specialized I'd probably still be using it. I have encountered electric bikes on very few occasions, and, of course, there was the ensuing speed contest which left them disappointed. But, the people riding them were not experienced riders. I still think there is an electric bike in my future, though.
#27
George Krpan
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At least in my community, electric bikes do not need to be licensed and can utilize any of the bicycle specific infrastructure where motorcycles are excluded...so apples/oranges. And even though I have never owned a Specialized bicycle I know they make pedal-only bikes that cost upwards of $10,000 US. So a $3000+ electric bicycle seems like a bargain if that's your thing.
Last edited by GeoKrpan; 08-24-13 at 10:53 PM.
#28
George Krpan
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Exactly, But... If you can go faster than 20 MPH normally, the assist WILL help you get over the top against headwind and hills, thus I have never yet been beaten by a non-assisted bike rider, But again, like I said, I'm sure there are people out there that could easyly beat me but not around here, atleast not yet anyways...
#29
Senior Member
Well that's strange... Even if it only gave you 10 ft lbs of torque it would still be 10 ft lbs more than you can produce by yourself, thus should always be easier pedaling for same speed, or faster with same effort, At least that is how it works with my bike. My average speed probably went up 5MPH with the E-Assist bike as compared to without (same bike)...
#30
George Krpan
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Well that's strange... Even if it only gave you 10 ft lbs of torque it would still be 10 ft lbs more than you can produce by yourself, thus should always be easier pedaling for same speed, or faster with same effort, At least that is how it works with my bike. My average speed probably went up 5MPH with the E-Assist bike as compared to without (same bike)...
#31
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#32
Senior Member
I guess the electric bike is the result of our instant gratification culture. Someone want to ride their bike, they want to ride it fast but they are in terrible shape and are not willing to spend time training. They want it NOW. So they buy an electric bike.
@ metro2005: I am a lifelong bicycle commuter and have developed a chronic health issue. The only way I can continue to bike commute is with e-assist. So I do. It might be worth fact checking your preconceptions before publishing.
@ metro2005: I am a lifelong bicycle commuter and have developed a chronic health issue. The only way I can continue to bike commute is with e-assist. So I do. It might be worth fact checking your preconceptions before publishing.
That being said i still prefer people to be on an assisted bike than driving their cars..
Not so. I use a Bionx system pedal assist system that allows me to select an assist/boost mode. I bought it because I can choose an appropriate assist mode. There is also an e-boost mode. Whole system is governed for 20 mph.
Jon in Philadelphia, PA
Jon in Philadelphia, PA
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People with health issues have used assisted bikes for ages (look for solex for example) and thats great but al least 75% of people on electric bikes i see over here in the Netherlands are young and healty people who are too lazy to pedal a bike. The remaining 25% consist of 24% elderly people and 1% people with health issues. And mind you: i see a LOT of electric bikes around here, at least halve of the bikes i see while commuting are e-bikes nowadays so it would be a bad thing if they all had health issues dont you think?
I'm in the USA, and I've only seen one e-bike so far. It was being pushed at walking pace through a crowd of people so I was unable to tell anything about its performance. The pusher appeared to be a 20-something, fit looking, non-overweight woman.
I'm not sure what the laws about them are here - if there are any - but I find myself wondering where the trend goes. Will I soon have e-bikers whizzing by me in the bike lane at 50 KPH as I claw my way into a stiff headwind struggling to maintain 20 kph? Some e-bikes are capable of those speeds already, and market pressures may raise their limits over time. Then again, the difference between a 30 year old racing cyclist and a 70 year old peddling along barely over walking speed may already be 30 kph.
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adamtki
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