Why are ugly chunky E Bikes so popular?

[Old Soldier]

Nearly got one with my truck today over taking on the near side as I was turning left at traffic lights .
how many point for a ebike
bill

Double if there's a funster on it... Triple if it's @Jim!!

 

[Lenny HB]

Buy a new car for that

But it won't have peddles.

 

[JJ]

You would have to supercharge your ebike battery, strip off every unnecessary piece of equipment and streamline everything if you wanted to keep up with John "Lance Armstrong" Davies aka Sheriff.

JJ

 

[Biggles]

I've just re-worked my old ebike. Its an aluminum folding one, the frame was good as were the wheels, etc and battery but the geared hub motor had broken.

So I stripped out the old hub motor so the wheel is standard(ish). I have now fitted a Bafang crank (mid) drive motor. Initial test today and I am very please so far.

 

[Don Quixote]

Well here is my take on the subject. When I was a boy I had loads of push bikes, some I made myself out of bits from here and there ( don't ask ). Great fun and a great way to see places miles away from home when you have little or no money.
Last year at the age of 58 we I bought 2 x eBikes and I have to say I wish we had done it a few years back. Firstly I would never have dreamed we would go for a 60km ride ( yes you read it correctly 60km return trip ) Secondly having had a heart attack in 2002 would never have even thought I could do 10km on a push bike never mind 60km, but the effort now is 1/4rd because of the battery assist.
Our eBikes has since November been used most days here at home to nip out to the local shops (10km away) loaded with some food between the two of us and most importantly keeping us both fit. Yes they are heavy at 20kg, ( less with battery off ) but as the only time we lift them is to put them in the garage area of the MH then it's not a problem and when riding them you do not notice they are heavy. The big bonus is they climb hills like they are not there and you do not break out in a sweat climbing the hill. We have a few times passed the lycra boys here in Spain on our 20in wheels and they shout some nice things and sometimes not so nice, but we are passing them so we understand.
Are they worth the money you can pay? I personally say yes why? They fit on the MH or in the MH, they can be charged via the batteries, they cost you nothing other than battery charging and service (which you can do yourself) they are fun to ride and help your fitness, they help you see more of where you are staying.
The list could go on and on, but in a nutshell 5 years from now 75% of all push bikes will not be pushed but powered.

Hire one for a day or two and it will change your view on the pedal cycle for life.

Enjoy

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[DuxDeluxe]

When I first saw this thread, I assumed that Shifty had hijacked Jim's account as it was bound to be controversial.

I see nothing wrong with "ugly chunky E-bikes". They are relatively affordable and give people more mobility when needed. I use mine about 50/50 in normal and assisted mode. Not everyone wants to ride around on the latest pinarello or Bosch powered E-bike, very nice though they both are. Mrs Deluxe's knees and hips are completely shot so the E-bike is useful for the occasional times she wants a ride out. I use either the E-bike because I'm lazy or the hybrid which is nice to ride. For the amount of use it gets, there is no point at all in spending anything other than the minimum

 

[Judge Mental]

When I first saw this thread, I assumed that Shifty had hijacked Jim's account as it was bound to be controversial.

I see nothing wrong with "ugly chunky E-bikes". They are relatively affordable and give people more mobility when needed. I use mine about 50/50 in normal and assisted mode. Not everyone wants to ride around on the latest pinarello or Bosch powered E-bike, very nice though they both are. Mrs Deluxe's knees and hips are completely shot so the E-bike is useful for the occasional times she wants a ride out. I use either the E-bike because I'm lazy or the hybrid which is nice to ride. For the amount of use it gets, there is no point at all in spending anything other than the minimum

Ah! but without a throttle they are rubbish to ride....Unless you buy expensive chinese junk

 

[Chris]

Can you get racing bikes with engines?

I could see myself out at the weekend whizzing past the lycra brigade up a steep hill

 

[DuxDeluxe]

Ah! but without a throttle they are rubbish to ride....Unless you buy expensive chinese junk

Have a read of my last sentence, Eddie........ That was my point

 

[Judge Mental]

Have a read of my last sentence, Eddie........ That was my point

I understand your justification for not spending much, many think the same...But my point was most of these cheap bikes horrible to ride without a throttle and you are not really getting a proper, enjoyable cycling experience on one

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[DuxDeluxe]

I understand your justification for not spending much, many think the same...But my point was most of these cheap bikes horrible to ride without a throttle and you are not really getting a proper, enjoyable cycling experience on one

Probably quite true, and as much as I admire your E-bike (which was superb) it is very much horses for courses. not a fantastic ride (mine does have a throttle) but good enough for the trips from A to B as and when required. Costs versus Benefits.....

 

[Don Quixote]

Can you get racing bikes with engines?

I could see myself out at the weekend whizzing past the lycra brigade up a steep hill

Chris, yes I think you can, but it is funny on a 20in wheel bike passing the odd "pooped" lycra chap here and saying "hello" and he can't reply as he has no breath left............

 

[Jim]

I've seen a lot of the justification in this thread for buying these Chinese iron battery bikes and if they fit your purpose then all well and good. I've also been reading elsewhere about how good they are for regular long distance commuting.

However personally I'm not convinced enough to buy one yet. The bike I was riding this morning cost me around £700, 19 years ago, the engine has lost a bit of power, but it's still going strong and never been overtaken by a battery bike yet.

 

[DuxDeluxe]

I might ride slow but I get there and enjoy the view en-route

 

[Don Quixote]

I've seen a lot of the justification in this thread for buying these Chinese iron battery bikes and if they fit your purpose then all well and good. I've also been reading elsewhere about how good they are for regular long distance commuting.

However personally I'm not convinced enough to buy one yet. The bike I was riding this morning cost me around £700, 19 years ago, the engine has lost a bit of power, but it's still going strong and never been overtaken by a battery bike yet.

Now I think there might be a good reason for a charity bike race - "eBike" verses "bike" at the next big meet. Could be a load of fun............

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[Jim]

Now I think there might be a good reason for a charity bike race - "eBike" verses "bike" at the next big meet. Could be a load of fun............

I'd be up for that, maybe we could organise a race at Peterborough Giggles guaranteed

 

[Don Quixote]

Will have to see if we can put Peterborough on our list for this year ( back in UK from March ish for 8 months ). I bet there will be some side splitting laughs if it comes off

 

[Judge Mental]

Probably quite true, and as much as I admire your E-bike (which was superb) it is very much horses for courses. not a fantastic ride (mine does have a throttle) but good enough for the trips from A to B as and when required. Costs versus Benefits.....

All I'm saying is those sort bikes don't encourage cycling and no way will you use one daily as an alternative to a car. Any car costs £3k a year to run...My so called expensive bike has paid for itself in comparison....

 

[Anthea M]

I'd be up for that, maybe we could organise a race at Peterborough Giggles guaranteed

Haha you know who will win! It will be the Lycra clad posh push bikes as us EBikers will be waving and admiring the scenery !!

 

[Jim]

Haha you know who will win! It will be the Lycra clad posh push bikes as us EBikers will be waving and admiring the scenery !!

Well I've been cycling all my life and never worn lycra. I've raced ebikes before, (I do whenever I see them) on a flat course I certainly wouldn't lose. Then if we add some real life scenarios, like getting the bike over a barbed wire topped 5 bar gate (as per the Stratford rally) . Pushing it for half a mile because of a puncture etc, then the winning margin could be massive

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[Paddywack]

Can you get racing bikes with engines?

I could see myself out at the weekend whizzing past the lycra brigade up a steep hill

Ohh another can of worms - a few years ago it was postulated that such a thing was available and being used by the World Champion:



It has since been discredited but professional bikes are now xrayed.

 

[Granjan]

Chris, yes I think you can, but it is funny on a 20in wheel bike passing the odd "pooped" lycra chap here and saying "hello" and he can't reply as he has no breath left............

We have done this too several times and loved the moment.... but I daren't stop for a rest at the top of the hill, I was still cream crackered! It wouldn't have looked easy if he had caught up with me then.

 

[Judge Mental]

Ohh another can of worms - a few years ago it was postulated that such a thing was available and being used by the World Champion:



It has since been discredited but professional bikes are now xrayed.

Here yo go there are others. The UK Cytronex which has a bottle battery looks more like a non e bike

Broken Link Removed

http://www.cytronex.com/bikes/

 

[Paddywack]

Here yo go there are others. The UK Cytronex which has a bottle battery looks more like a non e bike

Broken Link Removed

View attachment 88642

http://www.cytronex.com/bikes/

View attachment 88643

Stop putting temptation in front of me!

Besides I will be thrown out of the Saturday Chain Gang.

 

[Dawn B]

Probably quite true, and as much as I admire your E-bike (which was superb) it is very much horses for courses. not a fantastic ride (mine does have a throttle) but good enough for the trips from A to B as and when required. Costs versus Benefits.....

How long have you been on benefits ??

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[Judge Mental]

Stop putting temptation in front of me!

Besides I will be thrown out of the Saturday Chain Gang.

My wife's a masochist as well 3 times a week with cycle clubs..she loves it

 

[DuxDeluxe]

How long have you been on benefits ??

Dawn, as I wrote the thought popped up "I bet Dawn B has something to say"

I was right!

 

[Dawn B]

Dawn, as I wrote the thought popped up "I bet Dawn B has something to say"

I was right!

Are you ok with having thoughts, should I call a doctor?

 

[DuxDeluxe]

Are you ok with having thoughts, should I call a doctor?

I know. Scary isn't it?

 

[Flinty]

I have recently changed my Specialised Pro GT M/B For a Cube Streoe hybred pro and must say its the best thing I have ever done. I just love it , I go out more I dont care about were I am going if its a windy day , I just go out with a smile on my face . I go off road a lot with guys half my age and its great when you have to waite for them to catch up . You still get a great workout but with a smile.

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