Thinking about an eBike purchase

[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!!

[Rigardt@Scott]

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. 

[Rigardt@Scott]

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!

[Rigardt@Scott]

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

[ChrisF]

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.

Worth checking if the brakes glazed ....

 

 

Giant dealer had multiple attempts at sorting out the brakes on my bike .... lever FIRM, but it just would not slow down like a 4 pod system should ....

 

 

Took it to Marks Workshop. New pad, scoured the disc, then rode the bike and made sure to bed in the brakes properly .... bike stops properly again

[I FLY]

To rub some serious salt in raw wounds ..... 

 

I have a buddy that is considering buying an e-bike .... to keep up with his wife, on her normal bike .... I KNOW that with my ebike on full boost I will run out of BOTH batteries long before she runs out of steam !!

 

 

 

we are such a silly bunch with our pre-conceived ideas .....    

Sounds like my situation

[WrightJnr]

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. 

 

You can go with zero assist and sweat as much as you like.... ? 

 

We have a chap who rides with us, he's got motor off for the first 90min or so and then as he starts to fade he dials in some help. Some days more than others, but he's always with the group. 

 

There used to be another guy we rode with, he used to ride to the start point with assistance. Ride with us with motor off and then ride back home at max assist.