Author Topic: E bikes - 'the next big thing' (Read 14108 times)

Tigerrr · « **on:** 13 February, 2018, 07:15:29 am »

Most 'cyclists' tend to sneer a bit at e bikes. I am a fan, my home-brew conversion was excellent when I hurt myself and I now have 2 of them, as well as road and recumbent.
I am down in Costa Blanca. Lots of bike bikes - they are the main form of transport in Calpe it seems. Spoke with cycle shop owner. He said he sold 400 last year from one shop and is opening another. 'The e bike is saving the industry' he said, now that mTB is over, and road bikes have peaked.
I would have thought perfect for the UK - but they are still a rarity, I wonder if that will change.

T42 · « **Reply #1 on:** 13 February, 2018, 08:29:19 am »

Quote from: Tigerrr on 13 February, 2018, 07:15:29 am

'The e bike is saving the industry' he said, now that mTB is over, and road bikes have peaked.

I'm all for saving the industry, so good. I'm wondering about MTB being over and road bikes having peaked, though: my general impression is that purchasing power has peaked and nobody has as much cash to spare on new bikes. My favourite patisserie recently reduced its opening hours and the range of goods on offer, and when folk stop eating cake the world is about to end.

frankly frankie · « **Reply #2 on:** 13 February, 2018, 08:59:50 am »

I don't notice many people on here 'sneering' at e-bikes. They clearly fill a need and seem more attractive to some than mopeds, probably because they are less regulated (so far).

Si S · « **Reply #3 on:** 13 February, 2018, 09:23:34 am »

I'm a fan, especially when I encounter one in a bastard headwind on a Friday night. I do think a clampdown is inevitable though as there seems to be more and more de-restricted throttle only conversions about.

Ian H · « **Reply #4 on:** 13 February, 2018, 09:44:26 am »

Historically: the first cars were exhibited at bike shows, then grew in popularity to warrant their own laws, shows, dealers, magazines, etc.

In the 60s and 70s mopeds were very popular, and cycling declined (from a revenue perspective) to the point that Cycling (Weekly) was briefly renamed Cycling & Mopeds. Again, the two drifted apart as mopeds became more regulated in a similar manner to motorbikes (and became more motorbike-like).

So what happens with E-bikes? Will they stay as premium utility bikes? There seems to be quite a trend for E-MTBs. I was surprised by the number of E-bikes and electric conversions at the Semaine Federale last year.

mrcharly-YHT · « **Reply #5 on:** 13 February, 2018, 09:49:35 am »

There is a small bike shop in York (tends to specialise in high-end MTB stuff) that is discovering a demand for tricked-out e-MTB machines.
These aren't for people wanting to ride a leisurely trail, they are hard-core machines with a motor to boost the climbs.

Cudzoziemiec · « **Reply #6 on:** 13 February, 2018, 10:00:52 am »

Like most things, it depends how you use them. For enabling people who can't otherwise cycle to get out and about, or allowing people who can only ride slowly to keep up with their mates on a social ride, great. Or with a trailer as an alternative to a car for hauling big loads. So they seem a great thing for utility cycling. I'm not sure about more sporting riding though. Leaving aside hidden downtube motors and the like, more appropriately dealt with under 'doping', I'm thinking of mamil types using them to boost their strava records. Not that I care about people 'cheating' to gain a kotm, but there's plenty of stupid (aggressive, dangerous) riding on eg Bristol-Bath Railway Path as it is (particularly mamiloid commuters), and more power can only make that worse.

Cudzoziemiec · « **Reply #7 on:** 13 February, 2018, 10:30:58 am »

To borrow a well timed post from Fuzzy:

Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 12 February, 2018, 10:05:10 pm

Steps one to 3 from the end of the PDI process for an ICE trike. The final 3 steps are fitting accesories specific to the customer needs. This particular trike is a Shimano Steps/ Alfine beast with one handed controls. I are an happy bunny

Seems absolutely a good, beneficial, highly appropriate, all round acely use of e-cyclery.

Tim Hall · « **Reply #8 on:** 13 February, 2018, 01:16:19 pm »

Evans HQ has re jigged its showroom, giving a bigger floor area. The reason behind this is so they can fit lots of E bikes in. It's a booming part of the market I reckon.

Kim · « **Reply #9 on:** 13 February, 2018, 01:34:18 pm »

One less car, sweat-free commute, enabling the disabled, bonkers off-road fun... it's all good.

The ebike revolution is well underway in places where people cycle. It's taking its time in the UK, which is understandable, as the only people willing to spend real money on bikes here are Cyclists, most of whom don't need the assistance most of the time.

I don't think they're doing too badly. I probably see eBikes about as often as Bromptons on the roads of Birmingham, and the Bromptons are a relatively recent development. Used to be that you'd have to go to London to see one.

citoyen · « **Reply #10 on:** 13 February, 2018, 01:36:53 pm »

Quote from: Ian H on 13 February, 2018, 09:44:26 am

So what happens with E-bikes? Will they stay as premium utility bikes?

I recently had a go on a sub-10kg folding e-bike. I can't say any more than that at the moment as it's not officially launched yet, but if I were still commuting, I would want one very badly.

Whitedown Man · « **Reply #11 on:** 13 February, 2018, 07:25:35 pm »

I like to think every rider that passes me on the road has e-assistance. The more e-bikes there are, the easier this assumption is to make.

Butterfly · « **Reply #12 on:** 14 February, 2018, 01:29:03 pm »

I am in negotiations to swap my Circe Helios frame for a STEPS one. This is instead of getting a second car. I think a lot of cargo bikes and other child transportation replace a second car. E-assist makes utility cycling with children an option, even in rural and hilly areas.

Ham · « **Reply #13 on:** 14 February, 2018, 03:14:15 pm »

I've been in Tel Aviv this week, there are substantial numbers of electric folding (or at least, 20") bikes here. Seems completely haphazard, but no particular issues mixing with traffic and pedestrians, which was interesting.

Jakob · « **Reply #14 on:** 14 February, 2018, 07:14:03 pm »

I'm about to convert my wife's bike. She has an infrequent short-ish commute (3km-ish), has bad asthma and often has to carry substantial luggage.
She initially wanted a scooter, but I really don't like the on-road route on two wheels, whereas on the e-bike, she can use the (rather nice) bike path.
It'll probably end up costing the same converting her bike as it would cost buying a secondhand scooter.

Cudzoziemiec · « **Reply #15 on:** 15 February, 2018, 05:39:57 pm »

E-bike racing is now a thing, apparently.
http://road.cc/content/news/237244-apparently-professional-e-bike-racing-going-be-thing-now-video

Kim · « **Reply #16 on:** 15 February, 2018, 05:48:22 pm »

Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 15 February, 2018, 05:39:57 pm

E-bike racing is now a thing, apparently.
http://road.cc/content/news/237244-apparently-professional-e-bike-racing-going-be-thing-now-video

Keeping to the pedelec power and speed limits! I can see it working for mountain biking, but surely with professional road racers it'll just end up becoming a competition of who can carry the least electrickery possible?

Unrestricted electric recumbent racing could be interesting. An exercise in how much you trust your tyres...

CAMRAMan · « **Reply #17 on:** 15 February, 2018, 08:50:33 pm »

I have had three ebikes; a converted Orbit, an off-the-shelf Woosh (horrible) and another off-the-shelf Oxygen eMate. The latter is superb and is my commuter of choice.

The Orbit is also very good and I had a battery built up for the conversion that guarantees a long range - by ebike standards of about 70 miles at legal speeds. The Oxygen's battery isn't as strong, but it is 2.5 years old, so is waning. It does however still propel me along at speeds that would attract Plod's attention if s/he knew a bit more about ebikes, and that's on setting 6 of 18. It would go a lot faster on the higher settings - but range would suffer greatly as a result.

The only thing I can say negative about ebikes is that you have to be very wary - even more so than normal - of motons. They simply don't expect most cyclists to be travelling along at the speed I travel at. The Oxygen has very good brakes and they are needed from time to time. Other cyclists can be a bit iffy; 'You're cheating!' being a common refrain. 'Cheating whom?' I usually reply and ask them to show me the rule book.

Cudzoziemiec · « **Reply #18 on:** 16 February, 2018, 08:15:49 pm »

Some e-bikers think they are cheating. Once a cyclist drew level with me and started chatting on the Bristol-Bath Railway Path. After a few minutes he said "I'm going to cheat now!" I gave him a puzzled look, he pressed a button and whizzed off in a cloud of electrons.

Kim · « **Reply #19 on:** 16 February, 2018, 08:48:16 pm »

I think it was fboab who wrote a post with a comprehensive (though by no means complete) list of things that count as cheating, including many which were contradictory.

Sure, electrons are cheating, but so is training, or riding a lightweight bike, or having the right amount of air in your tyres, or using clipless pedals, or being male, or using an off-road bike, or drafting another rider, or... <fx: fade out>. Personally, I think the whole point in bikes is cheating; it's how we avoid having to do Running. And really, if you're not actually breaking the rules of a race, who cares?

'Cheating' doesn't bother me in the slightest when used in a tongue-in-cheek way like that. It's like the accusations of taking it easy^[1] or lying down on the job - or indeed cheating - that you get when you ride a recumbent. But I'm aware that some e-bike users - particularly those with disabilities - can take offence at it, so I'd avoid using with someone I didn't know.

(Barakta's response to being accused of cheating is to give a hand gesture that moves from the BSL for <electricity> into a V-sign as she shoots past and disappears up the inevitable hill. Seems fair.)

_{[1] This one's a bastard, as you're then obliged to continue making it look easy until you disappear from sight, which inevitably involves climbing a hill.}

Tim Hall · « **Reply #20 on:** 24 February, 2018, 11:50:58 am »

Have we got an Ebikes 101? Choice of motor type/position, best battery chemistry (I'm guessing Lithium ion), recommended brands, brands to avoid, that sort of thing?

Butterfly · « **Reply #21 on:** 24 February, 2018, 09:32:19 pm »

Quote from: Tim Hall on 24 February, 2018, 11:50:58 am

Have we got an Ebikes 101? Choice of motor type/position, best battery chemistry (I'm guessing Lithium ion), recommended brands, brands to avoid, that sort of thing?

That would be helpful. I'm thinking of doing one of my solos on the cheap once I get the tandem back. Some suggestions would be helpful.

UshCha · « **Reply #22 on:** 23 March, 2018, 12:30:46 pm »

My wife has had an E bilke for over 10 years. The first was a second hand ZAP with a knurled gear running on the tyre. She had it because she is partly disabled and weak so pedaling up hill or in a headwind was not possible. It ran OK but had sever limits on torque and speed. At that time some folk were a bit unpleasant about seeing folk on a electric bike. like it was unsporting. About 2 tears ago I bought her a relatively cheap new one. I HATE IT ;-). It clse to charge. I ride in the peak and somtimes on the Tissinton, Monsul and High Peak trails. They all have quite a few for hire. What make me thonk they are great is that on a really cold not to good a day a gentlemen came grinding past me on an electic. I could give him a good number of years and I'm 63. The thing is, he passed me (too fast for ) with a cheery grin saying "its much better than being indoors". It has convinced me as I get older and less capable its a real way to continue the fun.

Sergeant Pluck · « **Reply #23 on:** 21 April, 2018, 05:23:43 pm »

Saw one of these contraptions in Chiswick earlier - or a very close relative, as the seat appeared longer and fatter, and the battery seemed to be under the top tube:

https://www.electricbikeplus.co.uk/electric-bike-selection/all-electric-bikes/cloud-73-electric-fat-bike/

Looked to be in use by a dad + child on the back.

CAMRAMan · « **Reply #24 on:** 21 April, 2018, 05:59:50 pm »

Quote from: Tim Hall on 24 February, 2018, 11:50:58 am

Have we got an Ebikes 101? Choice of motor type/position, best battery chemistry (I'm guessing Lithium ion), recommended brands, brands to avoid, that sort of thing?

Oxygen make good bikes. I have an older generation one that is really well put together and has a decent component specification. Woosh make several types, but their older models are carp. The one I had fell to pieces around me. Front wheel drive bikes distribute the weight well, if you have a frame-mounted battery. The Oxygen has RWD and if I have a criticism it's that the rear end is rather heavy. My Woosh was mid-drive, but it's not fair for me to judge that drive position as the bike was awful.

There are lots of conversion kits on the market, but my recommendation is to buy one sans battery and then have a chat with Jimmy at BGA Reworking* who will make up a battery to suit your budget and needs.

*No connection other than as a satisfied customer.