E-Bikes thoughts, comments?

[rebeccaC]

I just came across this electric motor kit on Amazon. What does everyone think? Would this work on a standard bike? Certainly much cheaper than buying and e-bike.

Your link took me to the PK80 gasoline motor.

MIT’s Senseable City Lab program is doing some interesting research into conversion kits to e-bikes. The Copenhagen wheel (everything incased in the rear wheel) came out of that lab and may turn out to be one of the easiest ways to convert a bike. As with a lot of new tech, prices can be high at the beginning though, $700+ depending on single speed or cassette. I think as prices and weight goes down and wattage and battery technology increases something like/or the Copenhagen may be very appealing to a lot of people.

other kinds of conversion kits can be bought for around $200

[Bethany1]

Actually I was thinking an e-bike would be perfect for me after doing reading. I'd want the pedal assist where you pedal and the motor kicks in when needed. A full electric bike almost defeats the purpose of riding though. Only cons I see right now are weight, price and where the motor is at in the hub or midpoint. I'd love to put a kit on my cross bike. I'm sick of climbing hills and would love the boost when needed. I'm wondering if my LBS still has the electric Trek bike I tried a few years ago.

[estronat]

I'm planning to purchase an eBike spring of 2015. Perfect for my needs and geography, which includes lots of rolling hills

One can get a very vigorous workout on an eBike because the level of assist is controlled by the rider at all times. Anywhere from no-assist to a high level of assist, with a couple choices in between. It can be a great option for those who would like to drive less and bicycle more, being able to run errands, commute to work, and various practical uses, not only for fun. Most people drive to run errands within 5 to 8 miles of their home. Also for those who have injuries, knee replacements, or had surgery, an eBike can get them back to cycling or supplement what they are able to do on their own.

For me I need the assistance because I have a lot of hills and it's just not any fun having to walk the bike.

[shootingstar]

I think I would consider an e-bike if somehow the batterypack could be lighter but also have wider wheels..for winter, yes make it a fat bike here where we live where it's long hard and snowier winters in the prairies.

It's something to consider much later on in life when I need a boost occasionally and be more balanced. By the time, I wouldn't care how slow I was going..but still wanting to be mobile on my own on quieter roads and on paths.

[estronat]

I think I would consider an e-bike if somehow the batterypack could be lighter but also have wider wheels..for winter, yes make it a fat bike here where we live where it's long hard and snowier winters in the prairies.

The good news is that ebikes do come in all kinds of varieties, including fat bikes, mountain bikes, road, commuter, hybrid, city, cruisers, eTrikes, etrailers, fully engineered and kits available for those DIY types. I've been following the discussions and learning about different eBikes at electricbikereview.com and it is amazing the number of companies and the proliferation. Even well-known companies like Trek, Specialized, Felt, and Giant have eBikes in their lineup.

My local Specialized bike shop was all {sniff-sniff-pew-pew} when I was chatting with the guys about eBikes until they realized that it expands the range of people who can successfully ride and enjoy cycling and that anything that gets people to cycle and get out of their cars and get exercise and doesn't harm the environment doing so, is a good thing. If one is a "cycling enthusiast" then it should warm the cockles of one's heart to see people on bikes, even if those bikes have some battery power to the rider get up a hill. Pedelecs often require the rider to push those pedals, as the rider is part of the engine, and in mid-drive engines, like Bosch, the rider doesn't go anywhere if they are not pedaling the bike.

For many people eBikes don't replace their regular road or mountain bike, it replaces their use of their car so they spend a lot more time on a bike or allows them to get their exercise in commuting to and from work.

[DrMitzi]

When i was younger, my Litespeed and I traveled quite a bit and I was fortunate to do some amazing bike trips in here in the USA, Europe and Costa Rica. However with age and bodily renovation (both knees replaced, surgery on both hands, 2 back surgeries and shoulder reconstruction), I could no longer get on and off my beloved road bike or make it up the 850' hill that I live upon. I though I was done with biking, until I tried the Townie Electra Go. I'm back in the saddle again and can even drop my husband coming up the hill. This is a pedal assist configuration, so you have to pedal to make it go, so it is still a lot of work for me to get up the hill, but I can do it. It is certainly not "exercise-free". Top speed is only 15mph pedaling, so I'm not zipping by anyone. I have baskets on the handlebars and rear rack, so I can take my little dogs along or buy a few groceries and run errands while getting some exercise. At 56 pounds (without baskets or load), it is heavier than any road bike and a bit clunky to handle, but sitting more upright takes the stress off of my neck and hands. The Townie has an unusual geometry that puts your feet somewhat forward, which takes the stress off of my refurbished knees. It does make a little bit of noise, but not too terribly much. This technology has allowed me to get back into biking for fun and health as well as rejoining my (annoyingly athletic) husband on bike trips again. Probably the best money I have spent on biking since I got the Litespeed. Now I just need to find a bike rack big enough to cart it around.........