Electric bike decision made - with a heavy heart.

[Sara_H]

Or convert your current bike with one of these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Motorised-Bicycle-Engine-kit-80cc-2-stroke-/261081688251

We were on holiday in Gozo last summer where it seemed a large majority of the teenage boys had similar engines on their bikes. I was very much in awe!

 

[Pat "5mph"]

I'm looking forward to read all about your first electric ride, Sara!

 

[Peddlar]

To be in a position to enjoy the fresh air in your face and be on two wheels is a blessing, power to you....

 

[BrianEvesham]

I'm looking forward to read all about your first electric ride, Sara!

And pictures please.

 

[Sara_H]

The thing I'm looking forward to is, being able to keep up with my son up the hill! I'm certain I've got the next Bradley Wiggins on my hands, and he loves climbing hills (wierdo).
He ususally powers off and waits for me at the top. Can't wait to see his face when I keep up with him!

 

[Sara_H]

I'm looking forward to read all about your first electric ride, Sara!

And pictures please.

I'll get the OH to take some action shots on my maiden voyage.

 

[HLaB]

I can only echo what has been said above, good luck Sara and looking from the otherside somefolk could give up cycling altogether well done for not

 

[ufkacbln]

My wife is a keen cyclist, but due to dodgy knees is now on an electric trike (knees cannot weightbear suficiently to safely stop on two wheels)

We went for a BIonx system, as it responds to your input and you can then dial up asist (25% / 50% / 100% / 200%) it then adds to what you are doing. No cycling input and no power assist!

It was more like cyclingthat an bike with a throttle that you could stop pedalling on and ride "moped like"

This meant that she can pedal normally when she feels good, or can boost for a hill or at the end of the day when she is tired and weary. It also enables her to carry luggage.

Whatever you choose remember it has two wheels, a chain and pedals......... so it is a bike!

 

[Speicher]

@Sara H

This has been shown before, but seems appropriate here.

 

[ufkacbln]

My Mother in Law was in her early 70s when she had problems cycling. We bought an Electric Beach Cruiser[/url through what was then Bike Culture Quarterly with the intention of stripping it down and making it suitable - she loved it as it was.

The other issue was that a US bike designed for larger people with a small geriatric on it - it was fast.

She used to love burning up teenagers on Mountain bikes with out any apparent effort.

 

[Sara_H]

@Sara H

This has been shown before, but seems appropriate here.

LOL! TDF is coming to Sheffield in 2014 - look out for me whizzing by

 

[markharry66]

"Or convert your current bike with one of these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Motorised-Bicycle-Engine-kit-80cc-2-stroke-/261081688251" or dont as those kits are actually illegal for road use, okay to sell but not to use.

this guy is pretty good value for money http://www.alienbikes.co.uk/

 

[Sara_H]

"Or convert your current bike with one of these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Motorised-Bicycle-Engine-kit-80cc-2-stroke-/261081688251" or dont as those kits are actually illegal for road use, okay to sell but not to use.

this guy is pretty good value for money http://www.alienbikes.co.uk/

Having recently learnt whatTMN points are, I award you with some!

 

[Crankarm]

So, after much cogitation I've decided to purchase an electric bike. Test rode a couple last weekend.

I haven't been able to ride in a useful way since my near death experience in December, and as someone who previously rode everywhere, its been a bit depressing.

So, hopefully I'll be able to get out and about properly. And I'm hoping to get back to work in a few weeks, which relies on me biking really.

Why the heavy heart? Well, I've always had a real sense of achievement when arriving somewhere under my own steam. Electric assist feels like cheating. And, even though I keep telling myself that this is just to keep me going until I return to full strength, I suspect that I may never look back (the hill I live on has always been my nemesis).

So unusual to be getting a new bike and feeling tinged with sadness. Bike buying is usually the highlight of the decade!

There's a guy who cycles the GBW on an electric bike. I hate him as he gets me every time as I think he's a normal cyclist in the distance. No one likes to be scalped so swiftly so I half kill myself to try to prevent him catching me or if he is in front of me half killing myself again not to be left for dust. When he passes me he's gently spinning with a serene crazed look on his face. B****d! Electric bikes are cheating IMHO, but in your situation if it's the difference between cycling any bike or not then obviously you are going to go electric. Shocking.

 

[Crankarm]

Pacemaker for your heavy heart?