Electric assisted bike.

[hondated]

Yesterday as the weather was so nice me and my mate decided to take a ride from Eastbourne to Goodwood Racing Circuit. As much as I would of liked to have cycled there given my mate does not cycle and for me it would have probably taken all day to get there we used our motorcycles instead.
On arrival as we were parking up a fella rolled into the car park on his bike a Yamaha electric assisted mountain bike. So like a bee hovering over a honey pot I went straight over and started chatting to him.He was a Deputy Head Teacher at a Senior school and has taken early retirement and you can see why as he became stressed just talking about his former job.
So duly retired he decided to splash £1800 out on this bike and to get up on the Downs whenever he can.
Never having seen one before I was impressed with what I saw and he described the various modes you can engage on it and what they do. He also told me that since January or was it this month you can no longer by twist and go bikes and that's why this is electrical assist.
After asking him various questions and commenting on it I heard what I hoped he would say, " would you like to ride it " which of cause I did want to do all along.
Although having my " biker " gear on I could not resist so I took it for a short ride and I have to say I was mightily impressed with it.
It seemed that whatever mode it was in I just pedalled and it rocketed along with very little effort from me.
Given my Roberts cost £2500 to have built I think this bike is very good value.
The fella all said that it would do 90 miles on one charge so this would also be great if you could in some way solar charge it for touring as well.
Could these bikes be the future for cycling I wonder !

 

[Yellow Saddle]

They are absolutely great and always at great prices too. Quality is somewhat dodgy if you compare it to your high-end pedal bike. But, they do the job nicely.

Just on the solar issue. The battery is huge and being LiPo, it has a very high density. It would take light years* to charge with a little solar panel.

*Yes I know a light year is a measure of distance but I feel liberated using it nevertheless.

 

[tyred]

As someone who likes new toys, I've always fancied one, or even buying one of the kits to build my own but can't justify the expenditure.

 

[Sara_H]

I had one when I was recovering from serious illness and couldn't manage my 'proper' bike.
It was absolutely fab and made a world of difference to me - it meant that I was able to get out and about and get some gentle exersize. I'm sure it speeded my recovery. I used it again to ease me back after I'd got knocked over and had a knee injury.

I live at the top of a massive hill, and I know there'll come a time in my life when I can't ride up it anymore. Then I'll make the decision whether to ebike or move house.

 

[Lonestar]

I rode them when in Thailand and they assisted with the hills between Karon Beach and Phuket when my fitness was somewhat suspect..I was quite impressed...

 

[Levo-Lon]

The wife rather likes this ...maybe she will get the matching vacume?


http://www.gtech.co.uk/ebike.html?gclid=CJq285-LjMwCFTUW0wod7PEEWA

 

[Dave 123]

At present I'm in Holland. They all have them over here, and they don't half shift.

The ones I see in Britain, the bikes seem to be built from RSJ's and have tank batteries. Over here it's a normal bike with a very slim battery on the rear rack.

 

[Lonestar]

The ones I rode in Thailand was a Kalkhoff which I remember quite distinctly as my second ever bike was a Kalkhoff (non electric) also...

 

[0lonerider]

My mates bought a kalkhoff pro connect a couple of years ago off it came with spare battery and lots of extras the old guy who owned it had never used it.
I found it on the settee in my mates spare room and asked if I could have a go so i took it along route 72 to hexham for lunch then back to newcastle in time for tea great fun but id get to lazy

 

[hondated]

I had one when I was recovering from serious illness and couldn't manage my 'proper' bike.
It was absolutely fab and made a world of difference to me - it meant that I was able to get out and about and get some gentle exersize. I'm sure it speeded my recovery. I used it again to ease me back after I'd got knocked over and had a knee injury.

I live at the top of a massive hill, and I know there'll come a time in my life when I can't ride up it anymore. Then I'll make the decision whether to ebike or move house.

Sara sorry to read that I hope that you are fully recovered now.

 

[ColinJ]

I was impressed by @Pale Rider's e-bike on a couple of recent forum rides, but he wasn't getting anywhere near 90 miles on one battery. He said that he was riding faster than he normally would to keep up with us, and also there were quite a few hills, both causing more drain on the battery. He carries a spare and swaps it in when needed. He did say that extra batteries are expensive.

 

[machew]

They are absolutely great and always at great prices too. Quality is somewhat dodgy if you compare it to your high-end pedal bike. But, they do the job nicely.

Just on the solar issue. The battery is huge and being LiPo, it has a very high density. It would take light years* to charge with a little solar panel.

*Yes I know a light year is a measure of distance but I feel liberated using it nevertheless.

You could always use parsecs as in "I did the Kessel Run in less than twelve parsecs".

 

[Flying Dodo]

They have them every year at the bike show and you can try as many models out as you want free. The thing is I think they are only allowed to have a top speed of 15 or 16 MPH. I think they are great but would either get a 125 motorbike where you are allowed to go faster or stick to a push bike.After a few minutes at 15 MPH you find yourself wanting to go faster.. much faster.
Also you have to replace the battery after 2-3 years of solid use and its quite expensive, I think they are around £800 because I asked one of the reps at the Bike show.

The motor isn't permitted to provide any assistance above 15.5 mph, in order to remain legal and not require the use of a helmet and licensing.

After a slow start here in the UK, sales are starting to accelerate, although e-bikes are far more common on the continent where prices for the same models are cheaper. I do think it will increasingly mean people can give up their car, which has to be a good thing.

 

[Sara_H]

Sara sorry to read that I hope that you are fully recovered now.

I am indeed, better than ever in fact!

 

[Yellow Saddle]

You could always use parsecs as in "I did the Kessel Run in less than twelve parsecs".

I'm googling that as we speak, at the rate of parsecs per nanosecond.