Citibikes have started!
#676
Senior Member
2002 Lafree Sport (built by Giant)
I have tried E-bikes. I think they will do better in everyday use, such as Bike-Share, as opposed to personal use, which had battery issues. I don't necessarily have the 5 hours after each use free time available to nurse the battery pack, without overcharging or burning the house down. I could see it would be just as easy to watch voltage and temperature of 20, or even 100 batteries, rather than devoting my time to just one battery. Also, today's Battery Management System 's are much more reliable and can shut off when the charge is full , autonomously.
#677
aka Tom Reingold
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So there are EIGHT e-bikes in service now?
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
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#678
multimodal commuter
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Right now, 10 AM on a wet Tuesday morning, there are 44 available ebike Citibikes. That doesn't count those that are currently in service (someone is riding them now) or out of service (busted).
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#679
aka Tom Reingold
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Aha, I get it. That lists the docked ones.
We have lots of rain today, the type of rain that dissuades people from cycling. I rode on the Hudson River Greenway, and there weren't many there with me. Now that cycling is so big around here, I've gained an appreciation for so-called bad weather.
We have lots of rain today, the type of rain that dissuades people from cycling. I rode on the Hudson River Greenway, and there weren't many there with me. Now that cycling is so big around here, I've gained an appreciation for so-called bad weather.
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#680
Senior Member
As I stated, I've already tried an e-bike, so I'll leave the available citeeebikesss for other participants to try out. Most of the hills that could use a motor are around, say , 96th West.
#681
aka Tom Reingold
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I ride one every day, exiting Riverside Park at 116 St. I manage to pedal up every time, but that doesn't mean it's easy.
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#682
Senior Member
#683
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
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Ha yes. This is the elevation profile of my morning commute.
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#684
Senior Member
2002 Lafree Sport (built by Giant)
I have tried E-bikes. I think they will do better in everyday use, such as Bike-Share, as opposed to personal use, which had battery issues. I don't necessarily have the 5 hours after each use free time available to nurse the battery pack, without overcharging or burning the house down. I could see it would be just as easy to watch voltage and temperature of 20, or even 100 batteries, rather than devoting my time to just one battery. Also, today's Battery Management System 's are much more reliable and can shut off when the charge is full , autonomously.
#685
Senior Member
Not quite. But I have discovered that the 26x1.5 rims were a perfect fit for a 27x2.2125 mountain bike. It's the outside diameter of the tire, Not the diameter of the rim. I don't want to send this thread off topic, but I'm using an iPhone now, and I don't have access to my usual batch of 1,100 file photos to accompany my blogging.
#686
multimodal commuter
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I saw an interesting bike locked up in Midtown Manhattan this morning....
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#687
aka Tom Reingold
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^^^ That's not cool. ^^^
Today I needed a Citi Bike, and there was an e-bike in the dock, but the red light was on. Maybe it was charging. Oh well. Maybe I'll get one soon.
Today I needed a Citi Bike, and there was an e-bike in the dock, but the red light was on. Maybe it was charging. Oh well. Maybe I'll get one soon.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#688
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: The Big City
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The second time, I was like, whoa. It was unmistakable. Stomp on the pedal at a stoplight, and you can feel the kick. It took some getting used to. I didn't the knack on that first (and so far only) ride. It felt like I was lurching all the time. I didn't get hand of controlling the speed.
From what I've read, and I don't remember the sources, so don't quote me on the details, the ebikes have a range of about 35 miles. The docks can't charge them; they themselves are (solar) battery powered. The batteries have to be changed by hand; I don't see how that's viable for a major rollout.
#689
Junior Member
Yep, in stop-and-go riding, that was my experience too. I was a bit more charitable, calling it "choppy". I think we're on the same page.
Again, being charitable, I don't think this is a design defect; I think there's a learning curve. It's possible the sophistamacated $10 word is "hysteresis". The electric-assist does its stuff based on history -- actual speed and how vigorously you're pedaling. For example (as you experienced), start pedaling energetically from a stop, and there's *LOTS* of assist. But if you coast, the assist cuts off. After all, it is "assist".
Contrasting / comparing my two (count 'em!) experiences on a Cit-eeee-Bike, the first was on the west side pedpath into a stiff headwind. On the pedpath, I could maintain a consistent cadence and the electric assist was similarly consistent. My second ride was pretty much like yours: mix it up in traffic and the assist is choppy.
Again, I think you've got the facts right and I agree with your conclusion.
Motivate was vastly superior to Alta (Citibike's initial operator) by just about any measure, but particularly with respect to trying new stuff and then either discarding it, modifying it, or mainstreaming it. I haven't a clue about Lyft's priorities.
Again, being charitable, I don't think this is a design defect; I think there's a learning curve. It's possible the sophistamacated $10 word is "hysteresis". The electric-assist does its stuff based on history -- actual speed and how vigorously you're pedaling. For example (as you experienced), start pedaling energetically from a stop, and there's *LOTS* of assist. But if you coast, the assist cuts off. After all, it is "assist".
Contrasting / comparing my two (count 'em!) experiences on a Cit-eeee-Bike, the first was on the west side pedpath into a stiff headwind. On the pedpath, I could maintain a consistent cadence and the electric assist was similarly consistent. My second ride was pretty much like yours: mix it up in traffic and the assist is choppy.
Motivate was vastly superior to Alta (Citibike's initial operator) by just about any measure, but particularly with respect to trying new stuff and then either discarding it, modifying it, or mainstreaming it. I haven't a clue about Lyft's priorities.
#690
Junior Member
Aha, I get it. That lists the docked ones.
We have lots of rain today, the type of rain that dissuades people from cycling. I rode on the Hudson River Greenway, and there weren't many there with me. Now that cycling is so big around here, I've gained an appreciation for so-called bad weather.
We have lots of rain today, the type of rain that dissuades people from cycling. I rode on the Hudson River Greenway, and there weren't many there with me. Now that cycling is so big around here, I've gained an appreciation for so-called bad weather.
#691
aka Tom Reingold
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@tubesocksFred, Thursday afternoon was a bad time to ride a bike. I expected them to close Citi Bike then, as they do that in bad weather. I took Citi Bike plus the subway in the morning, and I took the subway home that day.
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#692
Junior Member
noglider, I usually ride every day citibikes are available. But Thursday, my brief glimpse of the weather showed it was suppose to start snowing at 6pm, so didn't wear anything that is weatherproof, let alone bring slush proof.
#693
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: The Big City
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Big news for bike share. Is it possible Lyft will be a good thing?
Citi Bike To Triple Fleet Size And Double Coverage Area in NYC
I think bike share is still the biggest game changer for cycling in the city.Last edited by wilfried; 11-29-18 at 04:51 PM.
#694
Senior Member
https://www.citibikenyc.com/blog/citi-bike-is-going-to-dramatically-expand
from the citibikenyc website today.
from the citibikenyc website today.
#696
Junior Member
From Citibike's website: "4,000 Electric Bikes and 13 New Citi Bike Stations are Coming" https://www.citibikenyc.com/blog/4-0...ons-are-coming
I've read a mixed bag of comments about this, most, pissing and moaning about the $2 surcharge. The main reason for the surcharge: swapping out dead batteries is labor-intensive. Anticipating the suggestion that docking stations should charge batteries, Citibike's docking stations aren't connected to the grid; they're solar powered with battery backup. A differently designed docking station would be a whole new deal.
IMHO, I think the real news is 4,000 electric-assist bikes, not the surcharge. For anyone whose goal is More Butts On Bikes, electric-assist bikes are a bigger game-changer than protected bike lanes.
I've read a mixed bag of comments about this, most, pissing and moaning about the $2 surcharge. The main reason for the surcharge: swapping out dead batteries is labor-intensive. Anticipating the suggestion that docking stations should charge batteries, Citibike's docking stations aren't connected to the grid; they're solar powered with battery backup. A differently designed docking station would be a whole new deal.
IMHO, I think the real news is 4,000 electric-assist bikes, not the surcharge. For anyone whose goal is More Butts On Bikes, electric-assist bikes are a bigger game-changer than protected bike lanes.
#697
Junior Member
This must be Lyft's way of milking more money out of citibike members. There was never talk of charging more for the e-bikes in the pre-Lyft days,
They could probably fit a battery 4x the size of the current one and it would cut their swapout cost by 75%.
Personally, when I see an e-bike, I go look for a S/A bike instead.
They could probably fit a battery 4x the size of the current one and it would cut their swapout cost by 75%.
Personally, when I see an e-bike, I go look for a S/A bike instead.
#698
Senior Member
From Citibike's website: "4,000 Electric Bikes and 13 New Citi Bike Stations are Coming" https://www.citibikenyc.com/blog/4-0...ons-are-coming
I've read a mixed bag of comments about this, most, pissing and moaning about the $2 surcharge. The main reason for the surcharge: swapping out dead batteries is labor-intensive. Anticipating the suggestion that docking stations should charge batteries, Citibike's docking stations aren't connected to the grid; they're solar powered with battery backup. A differently designed docking station would be a whole new deal.
IMHO, I think the real news is 4,000 electric-assist bikes, not the surcharge. For anyone whose goal is More Butts On Bikes, electric-assist bikes are a bigger game-changer than protected bike lanes.
I've read a mixed bag of comments about this, most, pissing and moaning about the $2 surcharge. The main reason for the surcharge: swapping out dead batteries is labor-intensive. Anticipating the suggestion that docking stations should charge batteries, Citibike's docking stations aren't connected to the grid; they're solar powered with battery backup. A differently designed docking station would be a whole new deal.
IMHO, I think the real news is 4,000 electric-assist bikes, not the surcharge. For anyone whose goal is More Butts On Bikes, electric-assist bikes are a bigger game-changer than protected bike lanes.
#699
Senior Member
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I think the e-assist bikes are meant for people doing longer commutes, like those who will be affected by the L train shutdown. Most of the time I use citibike it's for a 2 mile ride or less. Most times when I want to use one there are none available in my area so I walk or use mass transit.
Longer term - what's the probability that they replace aging "regular" citibikes with ebikes? Over time will it become harder and harder to find a regular citibike to avoid the $2 surcharge?
Personally I use citibike specifically to avoid the subway, get some exercise, and lastly to save a bit of money. If it becomes harder to find regular citibikes I may have to go down the path of buying a folding bike that I can take on the railroad and cancel my citibike subscription. I've been a subscriber since inception and have @ 450 hours of usage according to their stats.
I hope I'm wrong but only time will tell.
#700
Junior Member
First (from the linked Citibike announcement), the surcharge for electric-assist bikes is 50¢ for Citibike members eligible for / paying the reduced annual membership; and second (from Citibike's "Electric FAQs" https://www.citibikenyc.com/how-it-works/electric-faqs), "If there are only electric bikes remaining at a station, the additional $2/ride to upgrade is on us."