Electric bike after a couple of months

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Humphrey

New Member
I have got an electric bike, and it is the best thing that I have bought. I am just getting back into cycling after years away, I have had it for about a month and already covered 200 miles. Never thought I would enjoy it so much!

I have a colleague at work who is a hardened road biker, but after trying it, said he would seriously consider getting one for commuting to and from work.
 

BlackPanther

Hyper-Fast Recumbent Riding Member.
Location
Doncaster.
A few years ago I injured my knee playing squash. After visits to the doctors/specialists and getting an MRI I was told that my knee wasn't going to get better due to loss of cartilage. Unable to get my regular dose of exercise I started cycling to work, but suffered a bit of pain if I did 3 or 4 days on the trot. After a bit of research I bought an electric bike, an AlienOcean 'Aurora' which technically is illegal for road use, but looks like a legal machine http://www.alienbikes.co.uk/page7.htm I soon found that, yes E-bikes can help out on the uphills, but it's all too easy to rely on them all the time. The Aurora was a 'cheap' e-bike (compared to other more popular makes) and the actual parts used were a tad cheap, but it did the job. However, due to the added weight it was a struggle without the assistance. Plus the range was always a bit of a worry, and of course with an e-bike there's far more that can go wrong, and they're far slower than a road/recumbent bike.

I'd say the e-bikes definitely have their place, but if you're of a reasonable fitness, and prepared to put in the effort and build up your fitness, 'normal' biking is a better solution. After a couple of years regular cycling (100+miles a week) my knee has improved due to the extra muscle taking the weight off my knee. Also, my recumbent bike/trike further reduces the stresses whilst giving a much better speed for the same effort of a road bike.

Buying an e-bike was, in my case an (expensive) mistake. However, if you have a disability/injury, or are getting on in years and the only way you can cycle is with electric assist, then of course it's far better to use an e-bike than to not ride at all.
 
Hi all - just found this site and signed up. Particularly interested in this thread, as I bought a pedelec about a year ago. Some comments resonate with me, couldn't log on to peddlecs site, also, seemed a tad, dare I say it, elitist! Interesting to read comments so far, for and against. I can only praise the one I bought, a BH Emotion Neo, absolutely fantastic. Recovering from a very bad accident, my wife suggested buying it for physio, was't sure, but, now a complete convert. Only problem I can see is, not wanting to return to 'normal' bike if and when fully recovered. Comments about cheating, I find hilarious, and inordinately stupid - how can anyone know an individuals situation and requirements. Mods to mine, for comfort, were suspension seat post and beloved Brooks saddle, also fitted better
quality tyres than those fitted (Schwalbe marathon plus) also added slime, belt and braces! Multiple power settings means that I can adjust to suit terrain and how I feel at the time. As I'm using it for physio I am trying to use as little power as possible, until I need it. Best range I have achieved at the moment is about 50k plus. As with everything else, 'horses for courses' If you think it's for you then just do it! A well satisfied convert
 

steveindenmark

Legendary Member
It is good to see so much traffic for this subject. Some people think it is not "proper" biking but I think if it gets you out of the house it is fine. Another attitude is that it is for only old, invalid or unfit people.

But I find mine great fun. I also have a Trek Lexa SL, a Koga World Traveller 29 and 2 Kickbikes and certainly dont come under the aged old or unfit.

My Electric bike is a Tonaro Enduro and Jannie my partner has a Tonaro Compy. They have been excellent value and we use them mostly on cold Winter morning to get out on the farm tracks. Sometimes it is nice to have a bit of help to just coast along.

Not unfit, fat, old or invalid. But still an Electric bike user.

image_zps94a52e07.jpg

Great for cold morning tours

P1050866.jpg

P1050882.jpg

I think an Electric bike section would be a good edition.

Steve
 
Best thing to do if your on a budget is to get a good motor (magic pie system 3 is a good, inexpensive motor). If you shop around you can get the motor for about £800 or under. Then you can buy a good bike, something light, something quality and fix the motor on yourself (or get someone to do it). You can get a really good ebike that way for under 2 grand id say, just depends how much you can afford.
 
It is good to see so much traffic for this subject. Some people think it is not "proper" biking but I think if it gets you out of the house it is fine. Another attitude is that it is for only old, invalid or unfit people.

But I find mine great fun. I also have a Trek Lexa SL, a Koga World Traveller 29 and 2 Kickbikes and certainly dont come under the aged old or unfit.

My Electric bike is a Tonaro Enduro and Jannie my partner has a Tonaro Compy. They have been excellent value and we use them mostly on cold Winter morning to get out on the farm tracks. Sometimes it is nice to have a bit of help to just coast along.

Not unfit, fat, old or invalid. But still an Electric bike user.

image_zps94a52e07.jpg

Great for cold morning tours

P1050866.jpg

P1050882.jpg

I think an Electric bike section would be a good edition.

Steve

I agree. They are awesome, electrics are necessary for myself to get around my land and work or I wouldnt manage and end up having to take the jeep which wouldnt keep me fit lol. The great thing about them is if you go for a spin you can go say 50 mile instead of 20. You can go that extra distance because you have more energy to do so. I find them safer, because when your struggling up hills etc too much, your not in as much control of your bike as you are on an electric, cruising up it and keeping an eye on the traffic. They are safer in many ways.
 

deanpap

New Member
This thread was started 7 years ago :smile: We bought this one "Yak 2" last November and it is not bad actually. For that price, the quality was actually quiet good!
 
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tommaguzzi

Über Member
Location
County Durham
I recently converted my commuter to electric although i still use my regular road bike for pleasure. What i can't understand is the amount of negitave comments i get from both cyclists and non cyclists like think i'm cheating or something.
I mean i was considering a twist and go scooter before i converted my bike and if i was using one of those i know no one would say anything.
 
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