The Chainlink

Electric Bikes?

Would you use one and why? 

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Permalink Reply by Jeff Blumenthal on May 17, 2013 at 1:04pm

I ride for exercise, so the proper answer is "no."  On the other hand at age 73 the hills are a lot steeper today, so sometimes my mind wanders when I'm in my lowest grannie gear.

Permalink Reply by Megan B on May 17, 2013 at 1:11pm

I swa this beautiful Faraday electirc bicycle advertised in Wired Magazine a few  months ago. http://www.faradaybikes.com/.  I would love to have one from a design standpoint alone, but $3500 is too rich for me.   If I did have an electric bike or assist, I would use it on really windy days when I currently opt not too commute.

Permalink Reply by Gail Artrip on May 17, 2013 at 1:33pm

I demo'ed one last fall for about 200 miles of riding and ended up returning it. It was a love-hate thing. My commute is 20 miles each way which was right at the top end of the battery range so I would always pedal-assist like crazy in order to avoid running out of juice. The couple of times I did run out were not fun because of the bike's weight. This particular bike (which Performance had marked way down - a Schwinn Tailwind) was nice because the battery fully recharged in like 30 minutes! I'd always end up just as tired as if I'd ridden my regular road commuter. Maybe if my commute were half the distance, I could have leaned more heavily on the juice and would have liked it better.

Permalink Reply by Jerry Lee on May 17, 2013 at 7:56pm

even though I have 7 ebikes, not one of them are production, they are either conversion(3) or they are scratch built(4) one of a kind. I would not spend $3500 on a bike again,  My Kestral 42km ran about $4000. So my ebikes uses motors kits bought from China, for about $300 to $400. Batteries are the main expense, all the ebikes share 1 of 2 sets, when you build your own sets, they are generally more powerful, cheaper and able to confiqure between 24v to 96v, some even go higher, those are for the 50mph plus group.

 

$3500 for an ebike, that cheap, the above goes for $9900. Here a clip

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uX85N8I6XSw

Permalink Reply by Rudolf G Burger on May 18, 2013 at 8:04am

Has anyone had any experience with the Prodeco line of e-bikes?  I was talking to a rider who had a Phantom X2, been riding it for a few years and loves it.  Not a bad looking bike, esp as it's a folder with what looks like 26" wheels.  They also make a non-electric model as well as others.

http://prodecotech.com/bikes/category/electric-bikes/

Permalink Reply by yai danche on May 18, 2013 at 8:29am

I saw lots of e-bikes while visiting NYC last summer.  Later I read in the NYT, that they are mostly operated by Chinese food delivery guys and they were being banned because they were breaking a lot of traffic laws.  I would totally use the electric assist on those 15+ mi trips and/or crazy weather conditions. If they're really heavy, I would use it just for those days and ride a regular bike the other times.  BTW, it annoys the heck out of me when I see scooter riders use the bike lane to cut in front of traffic.  

Permalink Reply by Madeline on May 22, 2013 at 9:55pm

Thanks to everyone who replied to this! You guys are all awesome! I wish you guys could all have as much fun as I do zooming down the lake front! 

Permalink Reply by Don Rutledge on May 24, 2013 at 10:05am

I have three electric bikes, a cargo bike (for transporting me, my daughter and for grocieries), a Vietnamese rickshaw (our 'minivan' for transporting me, my wife and daughter), and a cupcake bike (just for laughs). 

I love electric bikes not just because I'm lazy, which I am, but just like any other bike they are a ton more convenient than a car. In the summer we hardly ever take our car out. Electric bikes are also the most eco-friendly form of transport there is, even more so than peddling. -And even more eco-friendly when you forego the electrical grid for charging and use solar. We have a relatively small solar install on our garage and it easily keeps up with 15+ daily miles of 400 lbs + of bike,me, a kid and stuff.

Unfortunately, I think idiots going way too fast and riding where they shouldn't are eventually going to bring about a crackdown like what just happened in NY City. 

Permalink Reply by Dan Allison on May 24, 2013 at 10:42am

at this point in my life i'm way too deep into appreciating the bicycle as one of the last 100% purely mechanical 19th century machines common in our daily 21st century experience. and because absolutely nobody asked, i thought i'd also let you all know that i'm not a big fan of that newfangled electronic shifting either (conceptually; i've never given it an actual try ;) ). yeah, i'm one of the those purist goofballs.

but if ebikes can help get more people on a bike who would otherwise be less inclined, for a variety of reasons, to ride a mechanical bicycle, well, that's just more fuel for the two wheel velo-rution fire! ride on!

Permalink Reply by yai danche on May 24, 2013 at 11:54am

All your bikes are awesome!  Also loving the picture of the kid in a scooter/car riding in the cargo bike (it's like a bike in a bike!!).  The cupcake bike is just surreal.  If I saw that floating down the street, I would freak out!

Don Rutledge said:

I have three electric bikes, a cargo bike (for transporting me, my daughter and for grocieries), a Vietnamese rickshaw (our 'minivan' for transporting me, my wife and daughter), and a cupcake bike (just for laughs). 

I love electric bikes not just because I'm lazy, which I am, but just like any other bike they are a ton more convenient than a car. In the summer we hardly ever take our car out. Electric bikes are also the most eco-friendly form of transport there is, even more so than peddling. -And even more eco-friendly when you forego the electrical grid for charging and use solar. We have a relatively small solar install on our garage and it easily keeps up with 15+ daily miles of 400 lbs + of bike,me, a kid and stuff.

Unfortunately, I think idiots going way too fast and riding where they shouldn't are eventually going to bring about a crackdown like what just happened in NY City. 

Permalink Reply by Jerry Lee on May 24, 2013 at 2:03pm

Don;

 

  I really like your cupcake bike, must be an awlsome sight at night, almost like an UFO from close encounter of the 3rd kind. If you are in the Chicago area, maybe I'll see it on the road someday.

Permalink Reply by M.G. on May 24, 2013 at 2:30pm

I like pedaling and working hard but in the winter I would love a little extra help against those headwinds.

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