How useful is an ebike really?

[PeteH]

What about converting an old Mountain bike?. Can it be done?.

 

[Chipster]

What about converting an old Mountain bike?. Can it be done?.

Yes. Bafang do mid drive kits to name but one.

 

[AXO66]

Hundreds of questions.
we want two, but which ones?

there are some with a fixed wheel system! I.e. no gears. How important are gears for normal road cycle track with the occasional hill.

wheel size 20inch or larger?

some now have a rechargeable battery on the rear hub, less stored energy , but less weight. Anyone with any experience?

weight? They seem to be around 20kgs, with battery removed.
thats 40kg hanging on the rear bike rack, which says 60kg max,
its the bouncing over unseen speed bumps, and the strength of the rack’s fitting to the rear wall I worry about.

Any views of the above would be really hepful

 

[Badknee]

We went down the scooter route. Yamaha Vity 125, 105kgs wet on an Armatage rack at 35kgs approx.
Both for sale.

 

[Kannon Fodda]

Hundreds of questions.

Yes e-bikes are heavier than a standard bike. You'll get wall mounted racks claiming to be capable of the weight but actually has your back wall got the fixing points? I'd be wary. If you haven't got garage space I'd carry on a tow bar carrier some of which are rated for the load (2 bikes max).

I would expect batteries that are part of the hub being quite difficult to release for re-charging. So do you need some sort of lengthy lead back to your plug and how would that work with a motorhome? If they have limited charge capacity that's going to affect your travel distance.

Wheel size isn't an issue if there are folding type Brompton bikes up to the 29er mountain bikes. It's more what type of bike you want for your needs.

A fixed wheel system is probably geared within the rear hub? I can't imagine riding something that is a fixed wheel. Even with a motor too much effort for steep gradients yet you can't pedal with enough momentum on the flat. Compared to a few years ago, many bikes are now offering a reduced gearing with just a single rather than dual or even triple chain ring, and the rear cassette sprocket ring offers 8 up to perhaps 12 options. My 10 cassette is OK, but I sometimes want a higher speed option when I'm feeling really energetic on the flat.

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[jumartoo]

We're ebike converts. We've been mountain biking for some years and were finding the uphills becoming unpleasant! We went out with friends riding ebikes and were persuaded to give them a go. Two years ago we bought two Cube bikes which we've just sold (mine had almost done 10,000 km) and we are now the proud and happy owners of two YT bikes. They were delivered during our Spanish total lockdown so we could only gaze at them for five weeks, but we're making up for it now.

I can now ride with all our male friends without almost killing myself on the uphills. They, of course, now have to work harder

 

[Nasher]

My plan will be to go down the e-bike, e-scooter, e-skateboard, etc route when my old bones and muscles can't cope with the non e versions - hopefully not I'm at least 90 years old

But a word of caution to those thinking of using 125cc scooters as opposed to 50cc mopeds:

If you have a motorcycle license then no problem

However, if you only have a CBT and ride with 'L' plates then your provisional motorcycle licence is only valid in the UK - not in Europe or the Isle of Man
You are also not allowed to carry a passenger

 

[Abacist]

As far as kits go you can get front wheel motors, crank case motors or rear wheel motors. I chose a front wheel hub motor as I have both front and rear derallieur gears on my bike which I did not want disturb.

with a crank case motor you can only have one crank chain wheel not a multi chain wheel arrangement as I had on the bike I wanted to convert.

with the front drive kit you get a new front wheel with the motor already built in. You just select your wheel size. The batteries are removable and can either be rack or down tube mounted on the water bottle cage fixings.

 

[Decker]

There is so much to read on this thread!

Can funsters please recommend which e bike for the complete beginner.

No real cycling experience since childhood.
Old and weak knees ....replacements not far away.
Don't want to overspend on first purchase though happy to upgrade if it works out.
Would prefer to carry on back of van but happy to carry inside too.
Are folding bikes a good idea for starters?
Think we would prefer big wheels as small one don't seem to suit big people am I right?
Please suggest models and possible prices.

Thanks in advance

Decker

 

[ianp]

There is so much to read on this thread!

Can funsters please recommend which e bike for the complete beginner.

No real cycling experience since childhood.
Old and weak knees ....replacements not far away.
Don't want to overspend on first purchase though happy to upgrade if it works out.
Would prefer to carry on back of van but happy to carry inside too.
Are folding bikes a good idea for starters?
Think we would prefer big wheels as small one don't seem to suit big people am I right?
Please suggest models and possible prices.

Thanks in advance

Decker

Yes I'd really endorse this too! Some great replies and answers to issues including a couple I'd not thought of which are how suitable is the current cycle carrier on the back wall and what is the real 'security' situation both while on the van rack but most especially so while left 'parked' in a town ? has anyone heard of them being targeted at all?

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[orridge]

Yes I'd really endorse this too! Some great replies and answers to issues including a couple I'd not thought of which are how suitable is the current cycle carrier on the back wall and what is the real 'security' situation both while on the van rack but most especially so while left 'parked' in a town ? have anyone heard of them being targeted at all?

My wife has a Kalkoff Dutch style bike and we remove the battery when loading on the back both to reduce the load by about 3.6kgs and increase security. When we are out and about the bike has its own lock we supplement with another and remove the battery as it's useless without and the costs to replace a battery is eye-watering to acts as a deterrent also.

Saying that the new ebikes from Ribble such as the CGR e AL are only about 13kgs anyway.

 

[Abacist]

My son has a Ribble e-bike on order due to its lightness but not so much battery capacity. He chose it for a bit of help commuting on the hills but is still strong and fit.

 

[Jezzerr]

We purchased a couple of Cube hybrids with 100AH batteries three years ago. Absolutely brilliant. Often ride 20 - 30 miles as effortlessly or as hard as you want it to be. Good luggage rack / basket on back if want.
Crank motor and disc brakes important imho!

Slight error in my previous post - Should have said 500 battery, not 100. .

Personally I would discourage converting an ordinary bike particularly if donor has block brakes and kit has motor in the wheel (hub). The battery and motor location makes a huge difference to balance.

If anyone chooses to benefit from the stupid number of hours I spent researching here's a link to the current version of our bikes. Senior management has the version with slightly lower crossbar, not step through. Bikes also come with a brilliant German luggage rack system "Racktime" to which a basket clicks on / off.

<Broken link removed>:

 

[peterc10]

Slight error in my previous post - Should have said 500 battery, not 100. .

Personally I would discourage converting an ordinary bike particularly if donor has block brakes and kit has motor in the wheel (hub). The battery and motor location makes a huge difference to balance.

If anyone chooses to benefit from the stupid number of hours I spent researching here's a link to the current version of our bikes. Senior management has the version with slightly lower crossbar, not step through. Bikes also come with a brilliant German luggage rack system "Racktime" to which a basket clicks on / off.

<Broken link removed>:

Do you really mean 500Ah?????? That would be some battery, given that most motorhome leisure batteries are 90 to 100Ah.

 

[Jezzerr]

Probably not - electrics never my strong point but we don't need to charge them til done circa 80 -100miles. I will dig up invoice or alt have a look at spec. in the link!

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[Silver-Fox]

jumartoo how does the YT compare to the Cubes out of interest.

What material are they made of and what were the Cubes made of.

Ta

Just wondering as I can see in a year or two I’ll have to go e also

 

[ianp]

Slight error in my previous post - Should have said 500 battery, not 100. .

Personally I would discourage converting an ordinary bike particularly if donor has block brakes and kit has motor in the wheel (hub). The battery and motor location makes a huge difference to balance.

If anyone chooses to benefit from the stupid number of hours I spent researching here's a link to the current version of our bikes. Senior management has the version with slightly lower crossbar, not step through. Bikes also come with a brilliant German luggage rack system "Racktime" to which a basket clicks on / off.

<Broken link removed>:

The link wont open....though I think the issue is on the Cube website and not your post!

 

[Jezzerr]

Bless dear Cube!!
I see the link didn't work.

Heres a copy and paste re battery:
"The Bosch PowerPack 500 is the same size as and only slightly heavier than the PowerPack 400 but extends the range. The Lithium-ion battery requires about two hours to charge 50% and the PowerPack 500 takes approx. 4.5 hours to charge with the Bosch Standard Charger. In favourable conditions, charged and with the Performance Line Cruise in the mix, tours of up to 90 kilometres are possible. The PowerPack 500 is available for all product lines as a frame or rack battery."

Also I don't see the luggage rack listed but if you can get one - they're excellent. We've just ordered one for a friend and had to order from Germany........

 

[Jezzerr]

Model is "Cube Touring Pro 500" , with luggage rack..
Phew, thats me done.........

 

[68c]

Our two ebikes have a 36volt 15Ah battery, that is 540Watthours each. (36 × 15)

My leisure battery is 12volt 100Ah, that is 1200Watthours.

So the leisure battery has twice the work capacity as my ebike battery, however as it is unwise to discharge much below 50% both batteries have similar capacity. Taking into account losses through the inverter and the ebike charger, a full charge of one ebike would probably not be possible without excessive discharge. Of course one rarely, if ever, completely discharges their ebike battery. Using our 100Watt solar panel, or charging while driving and averaging fifteen mile rides means we can usually keep two ebikes charged up most days. The one glitch is the sun shines at the same time as we are out cycling, considering spare batteries.

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[jumartoo]

jumartoo how does the YT compare to the Cubes out of interest.

What material are they made of and what were the Cubes made of.

Ta

Just wondering as I can see in a year or two I’ll have to go e also

The Cubes were hard tails and, although were perfectly good, were too hard on the rocky downhills.

The YT are full sus and are sooo much better on the rough stuff but they ARE twice the price.

We could have bought a nice car instead of two mountain bikes, BUT ... we have a decent car ... and a perfectly good motorhome ... and motorhoming, biking, hiking, climbing, is our lifestyle whilst we still can. Soo a new motorhome is on the back burner and our new bikes are reality.

 

[jumartoo]

The Cubes were hard tails and, although were perfectly good, were too hard on the rocky downhills.

The YT are full sus and are sooo much better on the rough stuff but they ARE twice the price.

We could have bought a nice car instead of two mountain bikes, BUT ... we have a decent car ... and a perfectly good motorhome ... and motorhoming, biking, hiking, climbing, is our lifestyle whilst we still can. Soo a new motorhome is on the back burner and our new bikes are reality.

P.s. the YT are Carbon.

 

[jezport]

For us, with ebikes , our range is about 5 or 6 miles, comfortably.
The bikes could go further of course but you are generally going into a village etc. to shop.

It's more of a faff carrying them , we can't carry inside the motorhome, so they are on a rear mtg rack with locks of course and a heavy cover.

Getting them on or off takes about 20mins.

They are not worth much, I would not want to chance a £2k bike on the rear carrier.

Have done the bike on rack thing. Never again, Decent folding electric bikes with good gear set stored under the bed!

 

[jezport]

Hundreds of questions.
we want two, but which ones?

there are some with a fixed wheel system! I.e. no gears. How important are gears for normal road cycle track with the occasional hill.

wheel size 20inch or larger?

some now have a rechargeable battery on the rear hub, less stored energy , but less weight. Anyone with any experience?

weight? They seem to be around 20kgs, with battery removed.
thats 40kg hanging on the rear bike rack, which says 60kg max,
its the bouncing over unseen speed bumps, and the strength of the rack’s fitting to the rear wall I worry about.

Any views of the above would be really hepful

You need good gears, especially on a 20". Hate the hassle with bike racks so 20" folders for us. Ours are IIRC 18 kg with batteries.

 

[Silver-Fox]

The Cubes were hard tails and, although were perfectly good, were too hard on the rocky downhills.

The YT are full sus and are sooo much better on the rough stuff but they ARE twice the price.

We could have bought a nice car instead of two mountain bikes, BUT ... we have a decent car ... and a perfectly good motorhome ... and motorhoming, biking, hiking, climbing, is our lifestyle whilst we still can. Soo a new motorhome is on the back burner and our new bikes are reality.

Nice one.

Ive only just joined the mountain bike set

I bought a full sus Cube secound hand.
Don’t think a hard tail would suit the type of riding I’m doing at the moment

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[March Hare]

We’re also e-bike converts, and we both have folding Volt Metro bikes - they have 20” wheels, front suspension and Shimano 8 gears. We’re delighted with them - I’m sure neither of us would be cycling again if it weren't for trying ebikes.

I‘ve been really enjoying getting out and about on my bike since Lockdown, and exploring the Northumbrian countryside and the quieter roads and lanes. I usually do around 25 miles on the midway assistance setting and I can handle the steep hills around here. I do really feel as though I’ve had a good workout though when I get home!

Over the past eight weeks I’ve cycled around 650 miles which I’ve really enjoyed - and I never thought I’d ever say that about cycling!

Here’s a photo of my ebike...

 

[Aerialmark]

I love my ebike ! This is my second its a Cube Stereo with a Bosh performance line cx motor and a 625w/h battery. On the flat in eco mode I would get over a 100 miles but i rarely use it for that as i like to go off road and over the moors. It has literally been a life changer and I could not recommend one more highly. We are just in the process of sorting one out for my wife. As she is quite short she wants 20" wheels so she can put her feet down, so we have got a short list of 3 makes which are Cube 20", A Tern P7i and Corratec. All have the Bosh motor. Here she is trying the Corratec. Other photo is my bike

 

[Jake Royd]

Have done the bike on rack thing. Never again, Decent folding electric bikes with good gear set stored under the bed!

You are right but I have tried that as well.
Could not get on with small wheeled bikes.

 

[Aerialmark]

I don't think I could but each to their own, my wife feels more comfortable the closer she is to the floor.

 

[Minxy]

Haven't ready anything except the OP
I have an EB John has a few different ones. I love cycling but have difficulty on hills with an ebike I don't hold him back, improve my own fitness, although it is an old one which can be used electric only, I only ever use pedal assist. we can get to places you can't take the motorhome, or are just a bit too far to walk. If I know the route is flat I sometimes leave the battery at home (in the van)the bike is heavier than my old non electric one was but is much easier to ride. Do need to get a gel seat though

You want one of these, I have one and it is brilliant ... no numb bum or sore bits!

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/710-...0001&campid=5338547443&icep_item=114216833002

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