alloo

Like they say "Never say never."

Rider51

I used to be anti e-bike, for all the same reasons as everyone else. Then, I got a job in a bike shop during the pandemic, and decided to open my eyes. E-bikes weren't what I thought, and when I started to see, and talk to, the cross section of riders coming in, I realized they had their place. Not just couples, which is a big plus, saving relationships. But also those getting older, or dealing with injuries, and can't ride as much or far. Commuting instead of driving is also a big one. It's so big, I'm considering buying one for this very reason. Make the world a little better.

Papa Tom

It bothers me to see young, healthy kids riding them like motorcycles, and I also fear the day when traditional cyclists will be looked down upon by those with the battery power to speed by them, but I think e-bikes have arrived at just the right time, when Baby Boomers are desperate to keep moving and stay healthy.

OldRailfan

Just have to pick up the pace. It's either that or get used to it.

OldRailfan

As it goes... SWMBO was all hot to trot after seeing the e-bikes her friends ride. Short of the story, the one year old just didn't look all that snazzy and the dealer where she bought had another "can't pass that up" sale. Picked it up this morning, put it together and went for a test ride.
We have the ideal topo for that right in the neighbourhood; 10% grades a bit of flat and the perfect 3 k loop.This Quest mid-motor has a 34T chain ring, 11-34 Shimano Altus cassette (8 speeds), 8 steps of pedal assist, disc brakes etc.
On the 10% grades in gear 4 with full (8) pedal assist .... 22kmh .... no sweat. Top speed on the 6% downhill .... 54kmh.
I already "reserved the ride" on our minimal grade rail trail. .... looking for a steady 30+ kmh pace.

BianchisOnly

I'm in the exact same situation - I have no (real) interest in an e-bike for myself, but got one for my wife as a Christmas present and it's been great for getting us out and riding together. Plus it makes me work more when she suddenly starts pulling away from me without warning! Best part is that she's now confident enough to ride on her own, and getting interested in longer rides with me. There's no downside to this scenario that I've come across yet!

Papa Tom

I may have said this already, but the downside of her suddenly pulling away from me is that she's not such a steady rider and she hasn't mastered riding around automobile or bike traffic in all these years. Being too far behind to warn her of a potential danger ahead is really, really stressful.

BianchisOnly

Yeah, I can see that as well. My wife is likewise not fully comfortable riding on streets with cars - though she's gotten much better about it, I still have to "remind" my wife that sidewalks are for people. From that standpoint, she's almost TOO cautious. Cross-traffic hasn't been an issue for her (yet), mostly just feeling like she's pinned between parked cars and traffic - stuff I take for granted. At least her rebellious nature has calmed down enough so she'll wear the helmet we spent time and money on - small wins!

tdipail

Once an e-bike is in the garage do the other non e-bikes just sit?

obrentharris 

My wife and I solved the slow partner / fast partner dilemma thirty years ago with a tandem. Still riding it 40 to 50 miles a week at ages 69 and 71. I'm not sure there is an ebike in my future: I get too much enjoyment from tiring myself out and getting places under my own power. Besides, I enjoy walking, but we shall see...
Brent

Lazyass

I'd like to take one for a ride, I bet they're fun. But actually buying one would never enter my thought process. I have a sport bike so I'm good there.

rydabent

As I have posted elsewhere, the argument about e-bikes is over. People have voted with their money, and e-bikes are everywhere. Already on a 25 mile ride around town, I will see several on the bike path.

On of my friends that laughed at me for cycling has bought one for himself and his wife. In less than a year he already has over 2000 miles on it.

Papa Tom

It makes me sad to see young, healthy people riding them around like mopeds, but for people our age (I am 58) and older, I think they are brilliant.

kaos joe

Age 61 here.

This thread brings home to me how super fantastically fortunate I am to be able to ride my ride. I’ve had the immense benefit of an assist motor since 1993. I don’t use it all the time, but almost all of my favorite rides include it. It’s an older model than the super light ones out there now, in fact it weighs 124 lbs, but is capable of putting down some serious wattage. It is self maintaining and is SUPER diligent about making sure it remains strong and fit. It also keeps me smiling and serves as the general brains of the operation even when not on 1 of the 2 extra long specially configured bikes it helps get down the road.

One of those 2 bikes I bought from the estate of an old friend widely known among local riders, who had amassed several hundred trophies, cups, medals etc from his days on the racing scene. “Bicycle Bill” suffered for years from lymphoma, and toward the end of his life he had an e-bike so he could still ride with friends without slowing them down. For him, and for people in his shoes, it was/is brilliant.

I worked all last night and had to get some sleep, so missed todays ride with our usual partners in crime. They sent me a pic of the rest stop on their 40 or so mile ride. Sitting around the table are folks aged 65, 68, 70,71,70,73,73, and I believe 72. Got there under their own power. Sorry, but I find that uniquely admirable. Now, any one of them or of us could wake up in the morning with the onset of what put Bicycle Bill on an e-bike. Let’s hope not. But I think the “kids” sitting around that table are the brilliant ones.

Of course it goes without saying that getting people off the couch and out of the house, and cars off the road, are very very good things. So there's that, too, I get it.

My opinion only, and not meant to dump on any parades and also definitely worth less than 2 cents.

Papa Tom

Excellent post, Joe. I don't have one for myself yet, but I am no longer a "Never e-Biker" now that I've seen the world it has opened up for my wife and for our rides together.

dhender02

Normally my wife & I will rent bikes when we're on vacation. She really doesn't ride much other than when we're on vacation on a bike tour. Anyway, our last vacation I rented her an e-bike and I had a "regular" bike. She actually enjoyed it, and love the fact she was able to keep up with the group. I'm thinking of getting her one so she can ride here at home.

Like others have said, when the time comes, I will definitely get one so I can continue enjoy riding. Hopefully, that won't be anytime soon...

probe1957

I am curious. Why would you post that?

shelbyfv

Probably! We do have an ebike section and using it seems to agree with ebike enthusiasts as well as those who aren't. As you know, there is much discussion and controversy as to the status of ebikes within the cycling community. Opinions range from "motors are the same as gears" to "ebikes are just low powered motorcycles, nothing to do with cycling." Nobody wants to rehash all this every time there is a post about an ebike. There is an understanding here on BF that traditional cyclists don't go to the ebike section and stir this up. Ebikers know they have a happy place where they can discuss their hobby w/o having to defend themselves against charges of slackerism and diminished manhood in every thread. Hope this satisfies your "curiosity."

CAT7RDR

I am off my bikes for a couple weeks because hips and shoulders were not designed to be slammed into the asphalt at 20 mph.
Although I do not desire or see a motorized bicycle in my future at 57 y/o, circumstances change. For now I am hiking to have some aerobic exercise. I just cannot visualize an e-bike delivering enough of a workout to justify the purchase. I will either hike or ride a bit slower with shorter distances. No shame in that. We age.

Bmach

I bought my wife an e assist bike 5 years ago so we could ride together. Doing so allowed her to ride with me and do her hardest ride which was 35 miles with 3400’ of climbing. Since then she has done several rides like that. If an e-bike gets someone riding or keeps someone riding, then great.

PeteHski

You are free to put out exactly the same human wattage on an e-bike as you do on a regular bike. You just go faster and farther that's all, which may or may not matter to you. I would personally only consider an e-bike for road riding if I was really struggling to complete the climbs.

350htrr

Exactly... Most people seem to not realize that... Now, having said that, most people are people and will take the easy way out almost every time...

OldRailfan

Not me, no e-bike for me prior to my 80th birthday; 3+ years to go.
But I do get to tinker with SWMBO's new e-bike, just to make sure everything is in proper adjustment.. Fun on our 3 K test loop with the up to 16% slopes.

Papa Tom

From the OP: We went out again this weekend. She's a little more comfortable with the bike now, so she's not just blasting off and leaving me in the dust every two seconds. I did notice, though, that, of the hundred-or-so people on the bikeway, a much older man and I were pretty much the only two cyclists riding without a motor.

Pop N Wood

No. Each bike has its place.

Originally got the ebike for commuting to work, but then covid put a damper on that. Usually go for the ebike for store runs, especially when you need something from the hardware store to finish up a project. The other good reason is when it looks like rain and I might need to get back in a hurry. Bike has fenders, racks, kick stands, don't need to worry as much about weight with it. Typically ride regular bikes for longer rides.

Every ebike made has adjustable assist levels. Like said earlier you can put out the same effort as a regular bike, you will just have better range and don't need to plan routes as carefully.