E Bike
andyh01
Posts: 571
So how @[email protected] are E bikes - I'm thinking as my commute may increase to 22 miles each way that take about 2 hrs would I be able to reduce this time on an Electric bike to say an hour or under? They're restricted to 15mph but with some peddling assistance could I average faster then that and faster then a normal non electric bike? Or would the weight counteract?
Also would it have enough range to get me to and from work in one go/charge?
Or would a moped/car be better?
Thanks
Andy
Also would it have enough range to get me to and from work in one go/charge?
Or would a moped/car be better?
Thanks
Andy
0
Posts
short answer moped/car.
Long answer beyond 15mph the motor cuts out, so even a very fit rider is unlikely to be able to average 22+ mph average!
Moped maybe. Car is never the answer....
I think the Gient UK website says 15mph whereas other (non UK domain) sites suggest upto 28mph.
Would it be a case of motor been restricted for UK and if n when UK laws and classification changed the or on private land, could the motor restrictions be removed?
Christ knows if we will change when we aren't in the EU but
1. I doubt this is in the top million things to do for the government
2. The papers would have a field day if they did unrestrict the bikes. Cyclists are the nations whipping boys anyway.
My main question really was are the evokes speed `restricted` so if/when regs change can the restrictions in speed removed or would I need to buy another?
I've just seen something about the Bomber sold in UK as an off road bike, 4000w motor n uptown 50mph for off rd use (private land, no public access n landowners permission) but also has a button to restrict to 16mph for ( when transporting to private land?) On rd use and marketed as a potential commuter.
I cant see e bikes over here being increased - nor should they.
You're heading down the moped route I think ?
It's not about the speed of your commute on the ebike, it's the state you'll arrive in. I know a few e-commuters in my place and they now commute in 'normal' clothes and they're really enjoying their weekend rides on normal bikes now.
I've chased an e-bike on my return home - not realising it was an e-bike until I passed it ... it was zippy up hill, but once the road turned flat & downhill I easily caught him (on my winter roadbike iirc).
There is apparently a two new e-bikes specs at least in the EU, for type approval
L1e-A which is the 15mph etc bikes, but 1KW of power, and L1e-B which is 28mph and 4KW.
To the best of my knowledge each country is likely to treat each differently, i.e. some will want them as mopeds etc.
personally I see inappropriate speed on shared paths with e-bikes so the idea of someone with a 28mph e-bike isn't one i'd be very happy about!
Park and pedal.
Depending where you live and work it can be the fastest option.
If you have to pay for your parking, then it could well be cheaper.
Just need a quick rack for fast transition
https://auxtail.com
There's a few I encounter on my way home, and they are definitely not legal. I don't easily catch them.
Another one I was behind was doing 22 mph and it took some effort to get past (I think his battery may have been going flat - shouldn't admit that).
In both cases the riders were pedalling, so I think the motor was just assisting.
To the OP, unless you want an e-bike I'd suggest the park and pedal too. You'll just have to hunt around for a good parking spot, close to the main road that you would drive down (mine is 2 mins off a dual carriageway, just before the congestion usually starts).
Dodgy I agree, now being the wrong side of 50 and adding a few too many ounces or so to the rider over the years.
My weekday ebike commute although not too arduous has a nasty upwards kick on the route home that wears me out over the week. The ebike commutes a few days a week help me to keep enough energy to enjoy weekends on my non powered bikes.
Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional.
Cycling in work clothes and not having to shower, change and go through recovery would be a significant lifestyle improvement. Even at 15 mph.
A younger, fitter person such as you could do the 20 each way, but you might well need a spare battery, as that is really pushing the range, and you'd certainly need to charge your battery each day once you got to work (several hours charge time).
Speed? Illegal bikes (e.g. 500w motor usually) will do 20-plus, but their biggest attraction is hill-climbing, particularly for the 'challenged'.
If you have a look on the Pedelec forum, you'll sometimes find blokes in their sheds who will convert ordinary bikes into ebikes (to your specification), rather than buying the usual ones from manufacturers. One thing the EU nonsense has stopped is the use of throttles, but if you're otherwise fit etc., you probably won't notice their absence.
A