_ForceD_

I was going to post this in the Road forum but then decided to post her for other oldsters instead.
I actually overtook an eBike on my ride today. First time for that I think. We were on suburban side streets, and he passed me around mile 24. Then I caught up to him stopped at a traffic light. He said “Hi” to me. Then when the light turned green he zoomed off ahead of me. But about a half mile later we turned and had a tail wind heading north. I caught up and passed him without any additional effort really. While I was abreast of him I asked “Is your battery dying?” He laughed and said “No, you’re just really fast on that bike.” I LOL’d and rode on and never saw him again. Me…at my 63 year old, wind-aided 16mph…I think it was his battery. — Dan

OldTryGuy

R U riding in SE Fl. this time of year??

big john

If you can go faster than their speed limiter you can drop them. I need a little downhill to get the ones with a 28mph limit, though.

_ForceD_

Just back home to Rhode Island from Ft. Lauderdale yesterday.

Dan

Wildwood 

Mine = 250w rear hub, 13-14mph max assist. Pedaling a 30 pound bike above that. I try not to get passed, but at 72 - it happens.

PeteHski

One of my friends has this very bike. I can easily pass him on the flat because of the speed limiter, but it’s a beast on climbs!

andrewclaus

I drafted behind one for quite a few miles on a century I rode last summer. If I kept records, I'd put an asterisk on that one.

I've passed a couple of them on long mountain descents but I think that's been due to the riders' safety thresholds. One of those had flat bars with upright seating.

staehpj1

I don't get why passing other random riders is of any consequence regardless of whether they are on ebikes or not. One can't assume anyone else is racing with you when not in an actual race. People can be taking it easy, even on an ebike.

work4bike

I pass them all the time, except the ones that go 30-mph. I can sprint past 30-mph, but that's a sprint.

OldTryGuy

When one is approaching 74, has been without *the boys* for 9 years this month due to Prostate Cancer, obtains very little recovery from any exercise due to no Testosterone and PCa(Prostate Cancer) meds taken, passing a turd is time to rejoice

zandoval 

BRAVO STUD!

Crush um every chance ya get...

JanMM

Have ridden with spouse on countless rides the last few years - she on her e-assist Trek and me on my unassisted Bacchetta 'bent bike. We almost always tie for the finish. We always finish together when we ride our unassisted RANS 'bent tandem.
(To be honest, I'm always ahead of her on the tandem.)

rando_couche

Amen! We don' need no steenkin' motors!

Bill Kapaun

Ditto-
I was recently bequeathed an Ebike and although I could probably maintain 15-17 mph on max assist with 76 year old, beat up knees and a lung capacity of 28%, I simply don't want to screw with punks that feel it's a competition. I'm happy at 12-14 and less assist and less sucking for wind. Explore E+ 3 (2019) | bike | Giant Bicycles US

Jughed

I'm going to one up you.

Last night I passed a young buck on a CF Emonda - looked brand new, had CF wheels. He was probably in his mid 20's - all kitted up. I passed him twice.

I was riding my steel Lemond... 53 years old with a full on big grey beard. And I did the ole look him in the eyeball move when passing, crushing the kids hopes and dreams. Getting stomped on the bike path by an old guy on vintage steel!! Soul crushing for him. The surprise on his face when he heard the "passing on the left" - only to see santa clause stomping him!. Priceless.

I wonder if he read the expensive bike thread.

Smashing people on the MUP is serious business.

boozergut

Good on ya, I've been fighting a catch in my back, but after a 26 mile analog ride yesterday, its GONE! I don't think people realize the full benefits of a good old fashion non e-bike ride any more. Its the mentality of never stand when you can sit and never sit when you can lie down.

Kabuki12

Last year while on a ride with some guys from my neighborhood , we got passed by a guy on a fat tire ebike. We were cruising at maybe 16mph and just sort of chuckled as he passed us. About a mile or so down the road we came up behind him.....his battery died, so he said . I guess pedaling that thing without assist was not fun . I don't think he was going more than 5mph!

work4bike

So True. More and more of these ebikes I see don't even require the operator to pedal

deacon mark

I cannot stay with them on the climbs but on the descends I can pass them. I believe they either are limited in speed of they don't feel really easy going at the that speed. That tends to happen at about 30mph.

big john

Really depends on the rider if it's an e-road bike, like a Specialized Creo. The speed limiter is 28mph but a strong, experienced rider will pedal beyond the limiter on a descent while a new rider or one not comfortable at speed will wobble around and look very unsteady and not push the speed. Young maniacs excepted.

roadcrankr

I'm an old geezer, as well, and occasionally ride a 250w front wheel assist. Not as stealth as your bike, tho.
They rate the battery on mine at around 20 miles. Generally, I attain closer to 40 miles, with substantial pedaling, including uphills.
This gives me a good workout, regardless. I equate it to a group ride, where one gets some drafting relief.
One aspect people may not consider is that I can finish each ride about 10% quicker - meaning 10% less time mixing it up with motorists.

OldTryGuy

reading between the lines = *Last night headed out for a ride on the local Rail 2 Trail bike path. Passed this youngster fixing a flat on his BRAND NEW $$$$$ EMONDA. Poor kid evidently never fix a flat before "cause he was still trying when I passed him on the way back"*

Artmo 

Nice if you’d stopped to help him!

Artmo 

It must be a Euro version with a 15 mph cut off

_ForceD_

The bike mentioned in my OP above was more along this style of eBike…


Dan