Touring on Ebikes
06-29-16 | 11:20 AM
#126
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,839
Likes: 57
From: Canada, PG BC
Bikes: 27 speed ORYX with over 39,000Kms on it and another 14,000KMs with a BionX E-Assist on it
06-29-16 | 11:22 AM
#127
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,423
Likes: 55
From: Chapin, SC
Bikes: all steel stable: surly world troller, paris sport fixed, fuji ss
Different spokes for different folks. My sister is 65 and probably did 2 minutes of exercise in her entire life. She is thin and attractive. She would never buy or rent a regular bicycle to do the Katy of such on her own. But I could see her on an E bike. This makes me think I should set up a Katy trail family reunion. I'm obviously very opinionated, but that does not me right.
06-29-16 | 11:23 AM
#128
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,839
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From: Canada, PG BC
Bikes: 27 speed ORYX with over 39,000Kms on it and another 14,000KMs with a BionX E-Assist on it
Twenty seven you're in heaven.
Anyway, it's the gear range, not the number that really matters. Also, I've never seen a bike that moves, no matter how many gears it has, without pedaling (except with the help of gravity or wind, etc.). E-Bikes? Turn the throttle and go. Or however it is you make it go. Really don't ever want to find out. Push a button? Never mind, really don't want to know.
Anyway, it's the gear range, not the number that really matters. Also, I've never seen a bike that moves, no matter how many gears it has, without pedaling (except with the help of gravity or wind, etc.). E-Bikes? Turn the throttle and go. Or however it is you make it go. Really don't ever want to find out. Push a button? Never mind, really don't want to know.
And there you have it. Ignorance of how it works prejudices people all the time. Good luck on your tour.
06-29-16 | 11:24 AM
#129
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,977
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From: Washington, DC
06-29-16 | 11:30 AM
#130
Banned
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 12,585
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From: TN
This probably should be in the e bike section where folks are interested in them. Or maybe the adaptive cycling section.
06-29-16 | 11:30 AM
#131
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Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Washington, DC
06-29-16 | 11:33 AM
#132
Full Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 207
Likes: 8
From: Seattle
I don't thing many people get pressured into using E-Bikes at all, if fact to me it seem the exact other way around. There's huge pressure not to use E-Bikes, and if you do, somehow you failed. It's the basic theme I get. Failed yourself, failed to ride what you actually did ride, failed the bicycling community, You are cheating, you are riding a motorized bike and not really putting in the effort you must, to be called a bicyclist... 
And yes, I do put in less effort, about 30% less than anyone else riding 100Km the same road the same distance at the same time, weighing the same, traveling the same speed. So what, I don't say I rode 100Km that day, I say I rode 100Km that day with some assistance, The assistance equal's out to about 30%, thus I actually only did 70Km under my own power. What is wrong with that? Riding 70Km is way better than riding nothing... JMO
And yes, I do put in less effort, about 30% less than anyone else riding 100Km the same road the same distance at the same time, weighing the same, traveling the same speed. So what, I don't say I rode 100Km that day, I say I rode 100Km that day with some assistance, The assistance equal's out to about 30%, thus I actually only did 70Km under my own power. What is wrong with that? Riding 70Km is way better than riding nothing... JMO So why not just plan to do 70km that day? You are correct, that isn't failing.
Maybe I should ask, why do you choose to ride an e-bike for touring?
06-29-16 | 11:35 AM
#133
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,839
Likes: 57
From: Canada, PG BC
Bikes: 27 speed ORYX with over 39,000Kms on it and another 14,000KMs with a BionX E-Assist on it
06-29-16 | 11:40 AM
#134
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,977
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From: Washington, DC
You get a C- for effort. "Need" doesn't technically rhyme with "need."
Also, did you know that human beings and amoeba share 70% of their genes? But the 30% makes a huge difference.
Correction: sea sponges https://www.naturalnews.com/030516_ge...a_sponges.html
Also, did you know that human beings and amoeba share 70% of their genes? But the 30% makes a huge difference.
Correction: sea sponges https://www.naturalnews.com/030516_ge...a_sponges.html
Last edited by alan s; 06-29-16 at 11:44 AM.
06-29-16 | 11:44 AM
#135
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,839
Likes: 57
From: Canada, PG BC
Bikes: 27 speed ORYX with over 39,000Kms on it and another 14,000KMs with a BionX E-Assist on it
06-29-16 | 11:48 AM
#136
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,423
Likes: 55
From: Chapin, SC
Bikes: all steel stable: surly world troller, paris sport fixed, fuji ss
Last edited by BigAura; 06-29-16 at 11:58 AM.
06-29-16 | 11:57 AM
#137
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,839
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From: Canada, PG BC
Bikes: 27 speed ORYX with over 39,000Kms on it and another 14,000KMs with a BionX E-Assist on it
If I am lazy and only put in 1 Lbs of pressure onto the pedals there would only be 1.3Lbs of effort to make the wheels turn.
06-29-16 | 11:59 AM
#138
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,839
Likes: 57
From: Canada, PG BC
Bikes: 27 speed ORYX with over 39,000Kms on it and another 14,000KMs with a BionX E-Assist on it
I'm not sure you get it. Watch this video!! That's the kind contraption that people are riding. It's a motor-bike under the guise of a real bicycle just because it has pedals.
TOTAL BS. Wake up PEOPLE!
TOTAL BS. Wake up PEOPLE!
Post 117 dude, I thought I addressed that...
06-29-16 | 12:06 PM
#139
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,423
Likes: 55
From: Chapin, SC
Bikes: all steel stable: surly world troller, paris sport fixed, fuji ss
This whole eBike thing reminds me of the ATV's being introduced to allow equal access to the back-country. Total & utter ABOMINATION!
06-29-16 | 12:10 PM
#140
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,423
Likes: 55
From: Chapin, SC
Bikes: all steel stable: surly world troller, paris sport fixed, fuji ss
06-29-16 | 12:15 PM
#141
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,839
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From: Canada, PG BC
Bikes: 27 speed ORYX with over 39,000Kms on it and another 14,000KMs with a BionX E-Assist on it
There ya go, 27 gears are better for hilly terrain than just 1 gear... It's a "helper system" it helps you do the trip.
Same with E-Assist it "helps" the people (that need more help) who use it to make the trip rather than not even start...
Now when does "helping" turn into "doing", and the person just rides a motorized bicycle? That is a good question...
IMO The E-Bike laws in the USA have crossed the line and allow those types of motorized bikes, and I agree, they are not a bicycle with some assistance, they are a motorized bicycle...
What is considered a bicycle in Europe is an E-Assist with less than 350 watts and assist cuts out at 20MPH, and PAS only, no throttle... That is the type of E-Assist I also consider a bicycle... Just enough power to "help" but one MUST actually pedal about 70% of the distance/effort it take for the bicycle to get from A to B... If yu don't need or want to use that kind of a "helper" ( and that IS the operative word) than don't use it, just like if you don't want to use 27 speeds as a "helper" don't use it, ride a pure single speed bicycle...
EDIT; And then, when riding a single speed you too, can consider yourself completely off the reliance of the Sherpa's holding your hand, and always there to "help" you...
Same with E-Assist it "helps" the people (that need more help) who use it to make the trip rather than not even start...
Now when does "helping" turn into "doing", and the person just rides a motorized bicycle? That is a good question...
IMO The E-Bike laws in the USA have crossed the line and allow those types of motorized bikes, and I agree, they are not a bicycle with some assistance, they are a motorized bicycle...
What is considered a bicycle in Europe is an E-Assist with less than 350 watts and assist cuts out at 20MPH, and PAS only, no throttle... That is the type of E-Assist I also consider a bicycle... Just enough power to "help" but one MUST actually pedal about 70% of the distance/effort it take for the bicycle to get from A to B...
If yu don't need or want to use that kind of a "helper" ( and that IS the operative word) than don't use it, just like if you don't want to use 27 speeds as a "helper" don't use it, ride a pure single speed bicycle... EDIT; And then, when riding a single speed you too, can consider yourself completely off the reliance of the Sherpa's holding your hand, and always there to "help" you...
06-29-16 | 12:18 PM
#142
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,977
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From: Washington, DC
Close but missed again, It works by me pushing on the pedals and the bike moves forwards because of my effort... There is a sensor that measures how much I push on the pedals and it sends a signal to the motor to put in 30% of my effort, on top my effort. Thus if I put 10Lbs of pressure onto the pedals there will actually be 13Lbs going onto the effort to move the bike... If I am lazy and only put in 1 Lbs of pressure onto the pedals there would only be 1.3Lbs of effort to make the wheels turn.
If I am lazy and only put in 1 Lbs of pressure onto the pedals there would only be 1.3Lbs of effort to make the wheels turn.
06-29-16 | 12:23 PM
#143
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,423
Likes: 55
From: Chapin, SC
Bikes: all steel stable: surly world troller, paris sport fixed, fuji ss
06-29-16 | 12:31 PM
#144
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,923
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From: Turku, Finland, Europe
Bikes: 2011 Specialized crux comp, 2013 Specialized Rockhopper Pro
Twenty seven you're in heaven.
Anyway, it's the gear range, not the number that really matters. Also, I've never seen a bike that moves, no matter how many gears it has, without pedaling (except with the help of gravity or wind, etc.). E-Bikes? Turn the throttle and go. Or however it is you make it go. Really don't ever want to find out. Push a button? Never mind, really don't want to know.
Anyway, it's the gear range, not the number that really matters. Also, I've never seen a bike that moves, no matter how many gears it has, without pedaling (except with the help of gravity or wind, etc.). E-Bikes? Turn the throttle and go. Or however it is you make it go. Really don't ever want to find out. Push a button? Never mind, really don't want to know.
06-29-16 | 12:36 PM
#146
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,423
Likes: 55
From: Chapin, SC
Bikes: all steel stable: surly world troller, paris sport fixed, fuji ss
Plus I just watched some of the eBike review videos on YouTube and they are all about POWER. Get out of you fantasy world that these are somehow about helping to enable people with disabilities.
These are motorbikes not bicycles and need to categorized as such.
NO MOTORS ON BICYCLES!
NO MOTORIZED VEHICLES ON BICYCLE INFRASTRUCTURE!
Last edited by BigAura; 06-29-16 at 01:12 PM.
06-29-16 | 12:53 PM
#147
Clark W. Griswold
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 18,252
Likes: 6,624
From: ,location, location
Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26
I am not going to disagree with some of what has been said against E-Bikes but I can say riding a 45+pound fat bike with 26x4.0 tires, 23mph up a hill is pretty rad. They have their issues especially for bike infrastructure but pedal assisted bikes are a ton of fun.
I really had an extreme hatred of them before I worked at a shop that sold them. Now I have a little less hate for them after testing a bunch of them. Off road they have no need and should be kept off but for on the road, pedal assist isn't the worst thing in the world. Those nasty gas conversion kits, non-pedal assist bikes and riding E-bikes not on the road are things that need to go extinct for sure.
This all being said having a regular bike that is powered by the same two pistons you were born with is way better.
I really had an extreme hatred of them before I worked at a shop that sold them. Now I have a little less hate for them after testing a bunch of them. Off road they have no need and should be kept off but for on the road, pedal assist isn't the worst thing in the world. Those nasty gas conversion kits, non-pedal assist bikes and riding E-bikes not on the road are things that need to go extinct for sure.
This all being said having a regular bike that is powered by the same two pistons you were born with is way better.
06-29-16 | 12:56 PM
#148
Full Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 207
Likes: 8
From: Seattle
I guess we all have our opinions. I just really hope that E-bikes, including E-assist, be scrutinized a little more when being in places where traditionally non-motorized vehicles are used. And the tolerance of e-bike/assist be extremely limited on those trails. Non-motorized multi-use trails with elderly, disabled, and children should to be kept non-motorized.
Hiker/biker camp sites should be for traditional non-motorized modes of transport. This would exclude E-assist/bike.
Just my opinion.
Now tour on!
If they are in the bike lane, bike route or shoulder of a roadway, fine, as long as they fit the state/country requirements for being in said lanes and follow the rules (whatever rules of the road are...).
Hiker/biker camp sites should be for traditional non-motorized modes of transport. This would exclude E-assist/bike.
Just my opinion.
Now tour on!
If they are in the bike lane, bike route or shoulder of a roadway, fine, as long as they fit the state/country requirements for being in said lanes and follow the rules (whatever rules of the road are...).
06-29-16 | 12:59 PM
#149
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,720
Likes: 111
From: North of Boston
Bikes: Kona Dawg, Surly 1x1, Karate Monkey, Rockhopper, Crosscheck , Burley Runabout,
The force is strong here. ****. In the US most states have categories for the motorized bikes not being motorized vehicles, as pertains to the motor vehicles laws. That said, touring, commuting seem to be a good way for some to get out and do this kind of thing. My cup of tea? Not. But whatever works for each person. Just because I'm an ipa fan doesn't mean I think less of someone for their bud light. ( Ok maybe the bud lime o' rita) but you get my point.
06-29-16 | 01:02 PM
#150
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,423
Likes: 55
From: Chapin, SC
Bikes: all steel stable: surly world troller, paris sport fixed, fuji ss
Gosh! The more I dig the more concerned I become. Pandora's box is now open.