Thinking about an eBike purchase

[jackievs]

Hiehie .... JIP, the stereotype certainly is to get the lady a bike to her keep up.

 

 

but there are some damn good lady riders out there 

 

 

 

 

maar nou wragtag ook nie nodig dat die goed vir my kom "More oom" as hulle by my verby ry teen die bulte op nie ....        Nee kyk, Jackie se gat, sy chirps kan ek nog vat .... maar wanneer daai daai beeldskone mooi dingetjie vir  my "more oom" terwyl sy voort snel .... 

Hehehe... I understand how you feel... I try to race those "beeldskone mooi dingetjie wat vir my more oom"... when I am able to, I enjoy catching up and when we start climbing the hill I look at her and say..."kom ry saam met die oom.."  Have dropped many of them ....heheeee

[jackievs]

some advice for you - know when to 'wind your neck in'....just let it go, take a chill pill, and let riders - young and old alike - do what they choose to do;

 

for I think if you GET the answer(s) from younger riders, you will still not be satisfied...and we will have an endless debate.

 

Cheers, happy riding - both bikers a-n-d e-bikers!

Chris

Thanks for the advice... I am as chill as a cucumber...the younger able bodied ones on the E-bikes are also welcome... 

[jackievs]

I have a confession.... I am 42 and I have a e-bike .... not because I need one.... but because I want one... and I absolutely love it and don't care what anyone says. 

 

I am not obese, and I don't have any kind of medical reason to need one. 

 

Judge all you want. 

Enjoy riding your E-Bike!  Whatever gets off the couch and takes into the fresh air!  Please note I am not judging anyone who ride an E-Bilke ... it is entirely up to them ... I simply find their responses interesting when asking them how their batteries are doing... most of them are sssoooo sensitive and feel they need to defend themselves... not sure against what... the best response I have received was a rider responding by asking; "batteries are fine, how are your legs?" 

[jackievs]

I've got my wife on an ebike and we are both delighted with how this is working out. She is on a road bike version (i.e. gravel/tarmac)

 

- she doesn't feel like she's holding me up when we ride together. and conversation is now possible.

- she rides for longer - 3h ride at 28-30kph is hard work but not too uncomfortable

- she maintains a higher heart rate/suffer score, because she's enjoying it

- feels safer because she's got more power to draw on when she needs it

- (so far) hasn't had any negative comments or criticism - which was a bit of a worry.

 

It took me a while to get my head around the nature of the beast and the cost of it, but very glad we have taken this step.

 

It makes a lot of sense.... you can now ride together and you are not sensitive presenting a sensible answer ...!

[jackievs]

Why? 

What has it got to do with you?

I understand if you don't like talking to other riders ... its ok, we won't talk to you... just ride safe! 

[mazambaan]

Back on topic I think my next bicycle will be an e bike although I cannot see myself paying north of R100k for one unless I hit the lotto; sob. Er, I am in the 60+ range with dodgy knees.  I see ebikes and dirt bikes converging and the luxury of being able to ride a powered bike in areas for bicycles only is so tempting; those downhills!

 

Just have to get it past my riding mates; they are sturdily anti ebike although there are some cracks in the façade and a few ebikers in the wider group.

[ChrisF]

Back on topic I think my next bicycle will be an e bike although I cannot see myself paying north of R100k for one unless I hit the lotto; sob. Er, I am in the 60+ range with dodgy knees.  I see ebikes and dirt bikes converging and the luxury of being able to ride a powered bike in areas for bicycles only is so tempting; those downhills!

 

Just have to get it past my riding mates; they are sturdily anti ebike although there are some cracks in the façade and a few ebikers in the wider group.

 

Some seriously nice ebikes in the R50k price range ..... if you dont mind a hard tail ....

[100Tours]

Back on topic I think my next bicycle will be an e bike although I cannot see myself paying north of R100k for one unless I hit the lotto; sob. Er, I am in the 60+ range with dodgy knees.  I see ebikes and dirt bikes converging and the luxury of being able to ride a powered bike in areas for bicycles only is so tempting; those downhills!

 

Just have to get it past my riding mates; they are sturdily anti ebike although there are some cracks in the façade and a few ebikers in the wider group.

 

Have a look at the Specialised Creo (still not cheap). Road and gravel capable with tyres up to 45mm. Assuming that you're looking for that type of riding.

[WrightJnr]

Have a look at the Specialised Creo (still not cheap). Road and gravel capable with tyres up to 45mm. Assuming that you're looking for that type of riding.

 

Just bought my wife one. Unbelievably good!!

[Grease_Monkey]

I borrowed an ebike again last night (mine in for some warranty issues).

 

Reminded me how fun these things are. But you really have to ride with other people that are on ebikes otherwise you are getting zero exercise. I rode Helderberg with a bunch of very fit guys and they were hammering it. I didn't even break a sweat and that was on 20% assist the whole way.

 

One thing though - manufacturers really need to spec good brakes. On this Levo there are Guides with 200mm rotors front and rear. Felt like a bloody death trap, I pulled the brakes and absolutely nothing happens. These things need 4 pot brakes as standard - good to see the new ones are coming out with it. And to be fair, I think even good old 2 pot Deores would stop better than those Guides. It was quite interesting descending Helderberg in the dark, on a heavy ebike with crappy brakes that were the wrong way around for me, with a short travel dropper post - not something I am going to do again.

 

Anyway, I can see myself owning an ebike as a second bike in the near future. Especially if my little one is interested in sitting on one of those yellow seats on the top tube. But one thing is for certain, however fun these things are - I like pedaling a bike with my own steam, it could never replace my normal bike, and definitely won't be a primary bike for me. 

[Grease_Monkey]

Double post

Edited May 5, 2021 by Grease_Monkey

[Chadvdw67]

I borrowed an ebike again last night (mine in for some warranty issues).

 

Reminded me how fun these things are. But you really have to ride with other people that are on ebikes otherwise you are getting zero exercise. I rode Helderberg with a bunch of very fit guys and they were hammering it. I didn't even break a sweat and that was on 20% assist the whole way.

 

One thing though - manufacturers really need to spec good brakes. On this Levo there are Guides with 200mm rotors front and rear. Felt like a bloody death trap, I pulled the brakes and absolutely nothing happens. These things need 4 pot brakes as standard - good to see the new ones are coming out with it. And to be fair, I think even good old 2 pot Deores would stop better than those Guides. It was quite interesting descending Helderberg in the dark, on a heavy ebike with crappy brakes that were the wrong way around for me, with a short travel dropper post - not something I am going to do again.

 

Anyway, I can see myself owning an ebike as a second bike in the near future. Especially if my little one is interested in sitting on one of those yellow seats on the top tube. But one thing is for certain, however fun these things are - I like pedaling a bike with my own steam, it could never replace my normal bike, and definitely won't be a primary bike for me.

Guides are 4 pot brakes though????

[saggy]

Yes that could be correct... the ones did post the question appeared normal ... walk around at the coffee truck and seem physically normal... I have also seen really old people on E-bikes and I fully agree that it is a good option for them to ride ... but I will keep asking the question from the younger ones... ?

 

I get judged by people like you regularly

I am in my forties and did the ironman and joberg2c shortly before my heart packed up and had to have 2 surgeries and a defibrillator put in ..... the point being that I look perfectly fit and healthy (if I may say so myself   ).

 

Generally I just try ignore these type of comments and attitude .... but it does get to me!!

[Eddy Gordo]

I get judged by people like you regularly

I am in my forties and did the ironman and joberg2c shortly before my heart packed up and had to have 2 surgeries and a defibrillator put in ..... the point being that I look perfectly fit and healthy (if I may say so myself   ).

 

Generally I just try ignore these type of comments and attitude .... but it does get to me!!

I am the guy that asks for tow. Have yet to find an ebiker who obliges.

That is my chirp. Furthermore I cant be bothered. But it irks me when people tell me I should get an ebike!

[Grease_Monkey]

Guides are 4 pot brakes though????

 

You're right they are. Wow, then they are even worse than I thought.

 

This is the 2016 version though, don't know if they have gotten better over time? Comparing them to 2 piston Shimano Deore brakes they are bad... comparing them to 2 piston and 4 piston Formula Curas they are terrible. Second time I have ridden a bike with Guides, and both times I thought they have no stopping power. 

 

Anyay, don't wanna derail the thread. Point I was trying to make is, if you are buying an ebike, make sure it has decent brakes. An extra 15kg over a normal bike makes a difference when trying to stop. 

Edited May 5, 2021 by Grease_Monkey

[Shebeen]

The anti-ebiker 3 step shuffle. 1 forward, 2 back

 

 

 

 

You look WAY TOO YOUNG for an E-Bike!!!!  

 

 

  Please note I am not judging anyone who ride an E-Bilke ... it is entirely up to them ...

Edited May 5, 2021 by Shebeen