Drafting Ebikes
05-08-21 | 10:27 AM
#26
Newbie racer
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Bikes: Propel, red is faster
The other group are the idiots who are trying to end-around the local laws forbidding gas motor dirt bikes on streets and greenways by buying these 1000w+ e-bikes with motor bike tires and throttles that bash around as if it is a motocross race.
The commuters, probably could draft fine, but legit commuters usually don't own "modded" throttled e-bike dirt bike style bikes. So theirs has the factory speed limiter. Meaning you would be faster down a hill past them, then slower up the hill. So wouldn't work really to draft unless it was really flattish.
05-08-21 | 10:28 AM
#27
Senior Member
Joined: May 2017
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From: Hacienda Hgts
Bikes: 2026 Motobecane Mulekick 520 Steel 1999 Schwinn Peloton Ultegra 10, Kestrel RT-1000 Ultegra, Trek Marlin 6 Deore 29'er
It is past due to have the forever e-bike thread.
It will be cathartic. I promise.
It will be cathartic. I promise.
05-08-21 | 10:38 AM
#28
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2020
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Now I think most e bike riders are people who never rode biles much. me I put over 15,00 miles commuting before I got my e bike. the nI got it it I put 9000 on it in a year between my commute and my e tandem with my wife.
05-08-21 | 01:28 PM
#29
Klaatu..Verata..Necktie?
Joined: May 2007
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From: SF Bay Area
Bikes: Litespeed Ultimate, Ultegra; Canyon Endurace, 105; Battaglin MAX, Chorus; Bianchi 928 Veloce; Ritchey Road Logic, Dura Ace; Cannondale R500 RX100; Schwinn Circuit, Sante; Lotus Supreme, Dura Ace
I would not draft any of the eBikes I see on the roads the OP rides. They do not inspire confidence. In addition, they mostly pass me going uphill, where drafting would be useless, and downhill I'm usually faster than their speed limiter. I'm also picturing some poor schmo on an eBike, working himself and his motor as hard as possible to avoid being speared by the OP's copper piping "aero bars".
Anyone can draft me anytime they want, as long as they don't mind the periodic snot rockets.
Anyone can draft me anytime they want, as long as they don't mind the periodic snot rockets.
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05-08-21 | 02:15 PM
#30
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Joined: Mar 2018
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From: Always on the Run
Bikes: More than last week
Someone mentions previously about hating ebikes. I don't hate ebikes, I don't hate cars, or other forms of transpo, including road bikes. It's the idiot operators that I hate. Too many don't even realize that there are rules (enforceable no less) of the road. If someone respects the rules of the road, I'll respect them. Until then,...
05-08-21 | 02:31 PM
#31
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Someone mentions previously about hating ebikes. I don't hate ebikes, I don't hate cars, or other forms of transpo, including road bikes. It's the idiot operators that I hate. Too many don't even realize that there are rules (enforceable no less) of the road. If someone respects the rules of the road, I'll respect them. Until then,...
05-08-21 | 02:52 PM
#33
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Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,380
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From: Maryland
Bikes: 1982 Bianchi Sport SX, Rayleigh Tamland 1, Rans V-Rex recumbent, Fuji MTB, 80's Cannondale MTB with BBSHD ebike motor
Good luck drafting my ebike. No limiter, it can bury any road rider.
But used responsibly it is a lot of fun.
But used responsibly it is a lot of fun.
05-08-21 | 03:11 PM
#34
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05-08-21 | 03:12 PM
#35
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Well. it was the last 7 mile stretch of my 45 mile ride. Flat and few obstacles so I push myself some to burn extra energy I have. So for this 7 mile stretch, sometimes I am going faster than 22 (might see 24 on the screen) and sometimes a little slower (might see 19).
This last stretch 22.8 for 7+ miles. Number 2,474 our of 26,013 riders. Yeah, there are a lot of riders here in Calif. And that is my solo effort. Who knows what the others are doing to get those speeds as I never see guys going that fast. I know one guy who is superfast and he averages about 24. I'm guessing the other guys are in big packs, just my guess.
For the 45, average can be from 17 to 19 MPH average speed. Good enough for me.
So out of 26,000 riders, I guess around 2,000 ain't bad. I ain't fast but I ain't slow.
I rarely see ebikes doing 45+ mile rides out here. Most I see are very short, 20 'ish that I notice but I could be wrong. So doing a decent 45 mile rides, why would I NEED an ebike?
Last stretch of 7 miles on the 45. I am somewhere along the way cruising at 22.
This last stretch 22.8 for 7+ miles. Number 2,474 our of 26,013 riders. Yeah, there are a lot of riders here in Calif. And that is my solo effort. Who knows what the others are doing to get those speeds as I never see guys going that fast. I know one guy who is superfast and he averages about 24. I'm guessing the other guys are in big packs, just my guess.
For the 45, average can be from 17 to 19 MPH average speed. Good enough for me.
So out of 26,000 riders, I guess around 2,000 ain't bad. I ain't fast but I ain't slow.
I rarely see ebikes doing 45+ mile rides out here. Most I see are very short, 20 'ish that I notice but I could be wrong. So doing a decent 45 mile rides, why would I NEED an ebike?
Last stretch of 7 miles on the 45. I am somewhere along the way cruising at 22.
05-08-21 | 03:31 PM
#36
Banned
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 12,585
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From: TN
Within the past year four of my riding friends have gone to ebikes. They are all in their 70s and had medical issues that slowed them to the point they couldn't ride with their long time (10-15 years) group. We are happy to have them back. I would draft any but one, he's always been a squirrel. 
Another guy's bike cuts out at 20mph, so no help there in a draft. They all ride courteously and don't blast by folks on hills except as the occasional joke. It's kind of cool to have someone along who can cover ground quickly and effortlessly. Just this week one of the ebikers volunteered to go off in search of an errant newbie.
Another guy's bike cuts out at 20mph, so no help there in a draft. They all ride courteously and don't blast by folks on hills except as the occasional joke. It's kind of cool to have someone along who can cover ground quickly and effortlessly. Just this week one of the ebikers volunteered to go off in search of an errant newbie.
05-08-21 | 04:16 PM
#38
Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2021
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Holy **** there are etandems?!! Thats so cool!!!!
05-08-21 | 04:27 PM
#39
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ya its work my bosch powered bike will go to 28 but you better be able to keep putting out over 200 watts to do it. about 26 or so is about 200 watts or so we have no flat areas so its had to see for sure. I am at a 60degree angle and the wind resistance gets up there. but I seldom find a need or a place I can go that fast. 22 or or so is where I am at.
05-08-21 | 04:30 PM
#40
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not al to of them. ours was more of a cruiser and needed work to really work for what we want. we needed less upright and better gearing and better brakes. My wife is blind and with covid it was the only way she could get out. the motor cuts out at about 19 and that seems where we cruise at. we can climb 16% grades.
05-08-21 | 09:01 PM
#42
Duke Ulysses
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 800
Likes: 176
From: Southern California
Bikes: An old orange one for dirt, and for the other stuff: a white one, a kinda mint green one, and a black one.
Well. it was the last 7 mile stretch of my 45 mile ride. Flat and few obstacles so I push myself some to burn extra energy I have. So for this 7 mile stretch, sometimes I am going faster than 22 (might see 24 on the screen) and sometimes a little slower (might see 19).
This last stretch 22.8 for 7+ miles. Number 2,474 our of 26,013 riders. Yeah, there are a lot of riders here in Calif. And that is my solo effort. Who knows what the others are doing to get those speeds as I never see guys going that fast. I know one guy who is superfast and he averages about 24. I'm guessing the other guys are in big packs, just my guess.
For the 45, average can be from 17 to 19 MPH average speed. Good enough for me.
So out of 26,000 riders, I guess around 2,000 ain't bad. I ain't fast but I ain't slow.
I rarely see ebikes doing 45+ mile rides out here. Most I see are very short, 20 'ish that I notice but I could be wrong. So doing a decent 45 mile rides, why would I NEED an ebike?
Last stretch of 7 miles on the 45. I am somewhere along the way cruising at 22.
This last stretch 22.8 for 7+ miles. Number 2,474 our of 26,013 riders. Yeah, there are a lot of riders here in Calif. And that is my solo effort. Who knows what the others are doing to get those speeds as I never see guys going that fast. I know one guy who is superfast and he averages about 24. I'm guessing the other guys are in big packs, just my guess.
For the 45, average can be from 17 to 19 MPH average speed. Good enough for me.
So out of 26,000 riders, I guess around 2,000 ain't bad. I ain't fast but I ain't slow.
I rarely see ebikes doing 45+ mile rides out here. Most I see are very short, 20 'ish that I notice but I could be wrong. So doing a decent 45 mile rides, why would I NEED an ebike?
Last stretch of 7 miles on the 45. I am somewhere along the way cruising at 22.
Yawn
*EDIT: Seriously. Do better.
05-08-21 | 09:29 PM
#44
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2020
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whats the prize riding a bike? some don't get much exercise some do. I went from at most putting out 80 to 100 watts sick as a dog for 20 years to now 170 to 190 and sometimes 200 watts with a heart rate at 130 to 140 and upto 230 miles a week. and usually a min of 150 miles a week. I got in 9000 miles in a year.
Last edited by fooferdoggie; 05-08-21 at 09:33 PM.
05-08-21 | 10:36 PM
#45
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whats the prize riding a bike? some don't get much exercise some do. I went from at most putting out 80 to 100 watts sick as a dog for 20 years to now 170 to 190 and sometimes 200 watts with a heart rate at 130 to 140 and upto 230 miles a week. and usually a min of 150 miles a week. I got in 9000 miles in a year.
05-09-21 | 05:58 AM
#46
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Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,380
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From: Maryland
Bikes: 1982 Bianchi Sport SX, Rayleigh Tamland 1, Rans V-Rex recumbent, Fuji MTB, 80's Cannondale MTB with BBSHD ebike motor
I'm not out there racing anyone but boy, do some people get pissed if I'm in a hurry to get somewhere and they can't keep up. No idea why, no different than getting passed by a car.
05-09-21 | 07:54 AM
#48
Full Member
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 370
Likes: 205
From: Wadsworth, Ohio
Bikes: 2008 S Works Stumpjumper FSR Carbon, 2016 E Fat Titanium Bike Custom built by me.
Where I live they fall in two camps. Legitimate commuter use by commuter veterans with all the necessary kit, skills, and route knowledge from their years of doing it. And they usually own a commuter specific model optimized for that use. Often university professors to and from the local place.
The other group are the idiots who are trying to end-around the local laws forbidding gas motor dirt bikes on streets and greenways by buying these 1000w+ e-bikes with motor bike tires and throttles that bash around as if it is a motocross race.
The commuters, probably could draft fine, but legit commuters usually don't own "modded" throttled e-bike dirt bike style bikes. So theirs has the factory speed limiter. Meaning you would be faster down a hill past them, then slower up the hill. So wouldn't work really to draft unless it was really flattish.
The other group are the idiots who are trying to end-around the local laws forbidding gas motor dirt bikes on streets and greenways by buying these 1000w+ e-bikes with motor bike tires and throttles that bash around as if it is a motocross race.
The commuters, probably could draft fine, but legit commuters usually don't own "modded" throttled e-bike dirt bike style bikes. So theirs has the factory speed limiter. Meaning you would be faster down a hill past them, then slower up the hill. So wouldn't work really to draft unless it was really flattish.
Last edited by KPREN; 05-09-21 at 08:02 AM.
05-09-21 | 08:04 AM
#49
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Joined: Sep 2020
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From: SE Wyoming
Bikes: 1995 Specialized Rockhopper,1989 Specialized Rock Combo, 2013 Specialized Tarmac Elite
My regular biking buddy had rheumatic fever as a child, has had several heart surgeries, is on oxygen 24/7, and rides an ebike. Prior to his health decline, he rode thousands of miles on a non e bike including one coast to coast ride and across Alaska. His riding skills are excellent. As a previous poster noted, it's not the type of bike so much as the type of rider. There are idiots and jerks in or on all sorts of vehicles.
05-09-21 | 08:58 AM
#50
Duke Ulysses
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 800
Likes: 176
From: Southern California
Bikes: An old orange one for dirt, and for the other stuff: a white one, a kinda mint green one, and a black one.
For what? I'm just riding my bike.
Should I be like that Phil Garmoan guy who goes around segment hunting on strava like a fool? You know, make a big deal about getting KOM's when he's doing 16 mile rides vs the 80-130 mile rides others are doing to get the top positions. Kind of silly, fake pride don't you think?
Should I be like that Phil Garmoan guy who goes around segment hunting on strava like a fool? You know, make a big deal about getting KOM's when he's doing 16 mile rides vs the 80-130 mile rides others are doing to get the top positions. Kind of silly, fake pride don't you think?
If you weren't always popping off about crushing people it would have been "hey man, nice riding." Instead of "after all that hot air, THIS is what we get? Yawn."
BTW Phil Gaimon rides a ton and would poop you out, not even knowing he ate you.