New User Here With A Couple Of Questions please?
09-10-15, 10:30 PM
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New User Here With A Couple Of Questions please?
Hi. I'm new here. (in the uk) I might not be around for very long though, as I only have a couple of questions I'd like to know about about electric bikes.
My questions are very basic, so please excuse me if I don't seem as well educated as a number of others posts around here appear to show. (as a few I have glanced over so far)
I have had a mountain bike for a while now, (about 5 or 6 gears) but it's not an electric one, and I haven't used it in a while.
I can't seem to get used to using mine, as I feel the strain on my legs everytime I try. It stands alone in my garage at the moment.
Now, it was only a few days ago that I had come across and discovered a number of these electric bikes on the internet.
I don't really know much about them, and wondered if anyone here with good experience with one, may be able to answer my questions for me please?
Here goes....
Firstly, seeing that the majority of them still have pedals, with a battery and motor attached, I was originally under the impression that this would do away with having to use the pedals at all.
But I have looked up, and seen one or 2 Youtube clips of reviews on electric bikes, and most of them still appear to use the pedals, though what I'm unsure about is.... what is the benefit of using them on an electric bike please? Do they help the bike to speed up a bit perhaps? I'm sure someone here will know better than me.
My second question : I realize with a battery attached, most of them would have to be recharged every so often.
I would like to know please, how long would the average electric bike last for, out on the open road before the battery starts to run low and needs a recharge?
I would like to know this, so that I can get a rough idea how long I can travel out on one for if I wanted to take an adventurous ride out.
Those are my questions for now. As simple as they may be, I hope they're not too bad or bothersome in any way.
My questions are very basic, so please excuse me if I don't seem as well educated as a number of others posts around here appear to show. (as a few I have glanced over so far)
I have had a mountain bike for a while now, (about 5 or 6 gears) but it's not an electric one, and I haven't used it in a while.
I can't seem to get used to using mine, as I feel the strain on my legs everytime I try. It stands alone in my garage at the moment.
Now, it was only a few days ago that I had come across and discovered a number of these electric bikes on the internet.
I don't really know much about them, and wondered if anyone here with good experience with one, may be able to answer my questions for me please?
Here goes....
Firstly, seeing that the majority of them still have pedals, with a battery and motor attached, I was originally under the impression that this would do away with having to use the pedals at all.
But I have looked up, and seen one or 2 Youtube clips of reviews on electric bikes, and most of them still appear to use the pedals, though what I'm unsure about is.... what is the benefit of using them on an electric bike please? Do they help the bike to speed up a bit perhaps? I'm sure someone here will know better than me.
My second question : I realize with a battery attached, most of them would have to be recharged every so often.
I would like to know please, how long would the average electric bike last for, out on the open road before the battery starts to run low and needs a recharge?
I would like to know this, so that I can get a rough idea how long I can travel out on one for if I wanted to take an adventurous ride out.
Those are my questions for now. As simple as they may be, I hope they're not too bad or bothersome in any way.
Last edited by LittleMiss2000; 09-10-15 at 10:33 PM.
09-10-15, 10:45 PM
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Hi. I'm new here. (in the uk) I might not be around for very long though, as I only have a couple of questions I'd like to know about about electric bikes.
My questions are very basic, so please excuse me if I don't seem as well educated as a number of others posts around here appear to show. (as a few I have glanced over so far)
I have had a mountain bike for a while now, (about 5 or 6 gears) but it's not an electric one, and I haven't used it in a while.
I can't seem to get used to using mine, as I feel the strain on my legs everytime I try. It stands alone in my garage at the moment.
Now, it was only a few days ago that I had come across and discovered a number of these electric bikes on the internet.
I don't really know much about them, and wondered if anyone here with good experience with one, may be able to answer my questions for me please?
Here goes....
Firstly, seeing that the majority of them still have pedals, with a battery and motor attached, I was originally under the impression that this would do away with having to use the pedals at all.
But I have looked up, and seen one or 2 Youtube clips of reviews on electric bikes, and most of them still appear to use the pedals, though what I'm unsure about is.... what is the benefit of using them on an electric bike please? Do they help the bike to speed up a bit perhaps? I'm sure someone here will know better than me.
My second question : I realize with a battery attached, most of them would have to be recharged every so often.
I would like to know please, how long would the average electric bike last for, out on the open road before the battery starts to run low and needs a recharge?
I would like to know this, so that I can get a rough idea how long I can travel out on one for if I wanted to take an adventurous ride out.
Those are my questions for now. As simple as they may be, I hope they're not too bad or bothersome in any way.
My questions are very basic, so please excuse me if I don't seem as well educated as a number of others posts around here appear to show. (as a few I have glanced over so far)
I have had a mountain bike for a while now, (about 5 or 6 gears) but it's not an electric one, and I haven't used it in a while.
I can't seem to get used to using mine, as I feel the strain on my legs everytime I try. It stands alone in my garage at the moment.
Now, it was only a few days ago that I had come across and discovered a number of these electric bikes on the internet.
I don't really know much about them, and wondered if anyone here with good experience with one, may be able to answer my questions for me please?
Here goes....
Firstly, seeing that the majority of them still have pedals, with a battery and motor attached, I was originally under the impression that this would do away with having to use the pedals at all.
But I have looked up, and seen one or 2 Youtube clips of reviews on electric bikes, and most of them still appear to use the pedals, though what I'm unsure about is.... what is the benefit of using them on an electric bike please? Do they help the bike to speed up a bit perhaps? I'm sure someone here will know better than me.
My second question : I realize with a battery attached, most of them would have to be recharged every so often.
I would like to know please, how long would the average electric bike last for, out on the open road before the battery starts to run low and needs a recharge?
I would like to know this, so that I can get a rough idea how long I can travel out on one for if I wanted to take an adventurous ride out.
Those are my questions for now. As simple as they may be, I hope they're not too bad or bothersome in any way.
Second, I'll give this a shot even though I don't own an electric bike myself.
US laws define a bike as having pedals, so while there are electric two wheeled vehicles without moving pedals, these are not bikes, these are electric scooters. Scooters require a separate drivers license endorsement and training course to be completed, whereas a bike, electric or not, does not require either one in the US.
A bike with pedals and electric assist but no throttle is called a "pedelec" and the benefit is that the motor helps provide power to each pedal stroke. So you cycle as normal on a pedelec, but it's like being on a tandem with a professional bike racer on there with you, it makes you superhumanly powerful with each pedal stroke.
US laws require a pedelec to assist only up to 20 mph and my understanding is that European cutoffs are even lower speeds. This is for the sake of safety purportedly, since pedelecs are allowed on bicycle paths and lanes, while electric scooters are not.
There are different power levels available and the more powerful the motor, the bigger difference it makes. 500W hub motors or 250W mid drive motors make a HUGE difference, to the point that any beginner rider on one would likely be able to keep up with a top notch amateur rider in peak condition with motor assist... plus the motor does not fatigue like a human eventually will.
At least until the battery runs out. When that happens, the bike is a boat anchor as the motor and battery add significant weight to the bike. Most systems I have seen have multiple assist level settings, and the more assist power you set it for, the less battery life you will have.
I've not seen an electric system yet with more than 60 miles on econ (lowest) boost setting of battery life, but battery technology is rapidly evolving and far from mature, so that will likely change.
Once the battery dies, you can still pedal a pedelec bike just like any other bike. It's just going to be hella heavy and slow.
09-11-15, 02:55 AM
#3
Genetics have failed me
The 25kph cutoff I deem a joke, since on my unpowered bikes I regularly go faster than that... but Germany is ... slightly overregulated when it comes to traffic laws...
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Last edited by Scummer; 09-11-15 at 02:59 AM.
09-11-15, 10:37 AM
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Ride the bike you have in the garage. The "strain" will get less as your legs, heart and lungs grow stronger. You will be more attractive to the opposite sex and you will live longer. You are welcome
09-14-15, 08:13 AM
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First, if you don't get the answers you seek here, there is a dedicated electric bike sub forum on this site that you could try posting the questions in.
Second, I'll give this a shot even though I don't own an electric bike myself.
US laws define a bike as having pedals, so while there are electric two wheeled vehicles without moving pedals, these are not bikes, these are electric scooters. Scooters require a separate drivers license endorsement and training course to be completed, whereas a bike, electric or not, does not require either one in the US.
A bike with pedals and electric assist but no throttle is called a "pedelec" and the benefit is that the motor helps provide power to each pedal stroke. So you cycle as normal on a pedelec, but it's like being on a tandem with a professional bike racer on there with you, it makes you superhumanly powerful with each pedal stroke.
US laws require a pedelec to assist only up to 20 mph and my understanding is that European cutoffs are even lower speeds. This is for the sake of safety purportedly, since pedelecs are allowed on bicycle paths and lanes, while electric scooters are not.
There are different power levels available and the more powerful the motor, the bigger difference it makes. 500W hub motors or 250W mid drive motors make a HUGE difference, to the point that any beginner rider on one would likely be able to keep up with a top notch amateur rider in peak condition with motor assist... plus the motor does not fatigue like a human eventually will.
At least until the battery runs out. When that happens, the bike is a boat anchor as the motor and battery add significant weight to the bike. Most systems I have seen have multiple assist level settings, and the more assist power you set it for, the less battery life you will have.
I've not seen an electric system yet with more than 60 miles on econ (lowest) boost setting of battery life, but battery technology is rapidly evolving and far from mature, so that will likely change.
Once the battery dies, you can still pedal a pedelec bike just like any other bike. It's just going to be hella heavy and slow.
Second, I'll give this a shot even though I don't own an electric bike myself.
US laws define a bike as having pedals, so while there are electric two wheeled vehicles without moving pedals, these are not bikes, these are electric scooters. Scooters require a separate drivers license endorsement and training course to be completed, whereas a bike, electric or not, does not require either one in the US.
A bike with pedals and electric assist but no throttle is called a "pedelec" and the benefit is that the motor helps provide power to each pedal stroke. So you cycle as normal on a pedelec, but it's like being on a tandem with a professional bike racer on there with you, it makes you superhumanly powerful with each pedal stroke.
US laws require a pedelec to assist only up to 20 mph and my understanding is that European cutoffs are even lower speeds. This is for the sake of safety purportedly, since pedelecs are allowed on bicycle paths and lanes, while electric scooters are not.
There are different power levels available and the more powerful the motor, the bigger difference it makes. 500W hub motors or 250W mid drive motors make a HUGE difference, to the point that any beginner rider on one would likely be able to keep up with a top notch amateur rider in peak condition with motor assist... plus the motor does not fatigue like a human eventually will.
At least until the battery runs out. When that happens, the bike is a boat anchor as the motor and battery add significant weight to the bike. Most systems I have seen have multiple assist level settings, and the more assist power you set it for, the less battery life you will have.
I've not seen an electric system yet with more than 60 miles on econ (lowest) boost setting of battery life, but battery technology is rapidly evolving and far from mature, so that will likely change.
Once the battery dies, you can still pedal a pedelec bike just like any other bike. It's just going to be hella heavy and slow.
