Recently I met a guy on a regular road bike and his wife on an electric bike. It ment that they could enjoy their hobby together, enjoying being outside and both getting an appropriate amount of exercise. He carried a spare battery for the electric bike to be used when needed so they could extend their ride. It worked for them and it seemed a good solution to me.
Is electric assist cycling not 'real' cycling?
- Thread starter mjr
- Start date
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Cycleops
Legendary Member
- Location
- Accra, Ghana
Its the future, or so Brompton think. They hope it will stop them becoming a one product company, that's when they can get it to work.
hopless500
Trundling along
- Location
- not-as-flat-as-you-think Norfolk
Mr Hop looked at me like I was the antichrist when I mentioned it.
OP
OP
mjr
Comfy armchair to one person & a plank to the next
- Location
- mostly Norfolk, sometimes Somerset
Top bit of electrically-assisted flouncing there!
I know mine is only an opinion, but that's why I don't phrase it as if I'm presenting a fact! Many of my comments - and most of them in this discussion - are littered with "I think" or similar. Try it sometimes.
Give him time. Us males don't always know what's good for us until we have been told several times - so I'm told.
OP
OP
mjr
Comfy armchair to one person & a plank to the next
- Location
- mostly Norfolk, sometimes Somerset
We really need an exorcist smiley on here, but until then: 
+ 
welsh dragon
Thanks but no thanks. I think I'll pass.
- Location
- Shrewsbury, Shropshire
Mod Note: I'm a little surprised at the bickering that's started in here. If you can agree to disagree and move on that would be great.
Taking the mod hat off, I've had a chance to play around with an electrically assisted machine or two recently.
They're not really my cup of tea but they were enjoyable to ride and I can see the potential for anyone who wants to tackle hills they couldn't otherwise manage, keep up with fitter friends, extend the range of their rides or arrive at work without getting sweaty. Nothing wrong with that.
Taking the mod hat off, I've had a chance to play around with an electrically assisted machine or two recently.
They're not really my cup of tea but they were enjoyable to ride and I can see the potential for anyone who wants to tackle hills they couldn't otherwise manage, keep up with fitter friends, extend the range of their rides or arrive at work without getting sweaty. Nothing wrong with that.
keithmac
Guru
I've been riding to work and back nearly 20 years now, when my last bike was on it's last legs I decided to buy a Gtech eBike.
For me it just makes the ride home far more enjoyable, especially if you're knackered, or it's windy; or both!.
I'm quite capable of riding a "normal" bike but decided to make my life a little bit easier..
I could have bought a motorcycle but I enjoy riding a bike.
They aren't magic, you still have to put some effort in.
Carbon belt and lack of gears is a big plus point, less maintenance. Makes an ideal daily commuter!.
For me it just makes the ride home far more enjoyable, especially if you're knackered, or it's windy; or both!.
I'm quite capable of riding a "normal" bike but decided to make my life a little bit easier..
I could have bought a motorcycle but I enjoy riding a bike.
They aren't magic, you still have to put some effort in.
Carbon belt and lack of gears is a big plus point, less maintenance. Makes an ideal daily commuter!.
Supersuperleeds
Legendary Member
- Location
- Leicester
We bought Mrs OFT an ebike, and it's made a big difference to both of us.
I'm fitter than she is, so when we used to go for a ride together it wasn't much of a workout for me, and she was always feeling guilty because she thought she was spoiling my ride.
Now when we go out for a ride together we're both knackered when we get home
I'm in the same position with our lass but when I suggested an e-bike for her she was not pleased at all with me.
Oldfentiger
Veteran
- Location
- Pendle, Lancs
One of our local LBS hires ebikes out - £40 or so for a weekend. Might be worth a try if you can find similar local.
Supersuperleeds
Legendary Member
- Location
- Leicester
I've just accepted the fact that our Sunday ride is just very slow. Brilliant in summer, absolute nightmare in winter as I just cannot keep warm.
Racing roadkill
Guru
Theoretically, they are fantastic. They get people who otherwise couldn't be arsed, out on a bike. The reality is somewhat different, in my experience. There are a lot of people with a very odd attitude riding them. "Do you know how much this thing cost? Get out of my way on your crappy non electric bike". They seem to attract a very insecure type of person, who see it as a way to 'beat' everyone else. I thought it was an isolated case when I first encountered it, I've since changed my mind. The other type of e-bike riders, are those who can't get around easily any other way, and the first type, risk tarring these folk with the same brush.
Mrs M
Guru
- Location
- Aberdeenshire
I wouldn't rule out E bikes for us (not quite just now though). Mr M agrees 
Although I had to get the bus to work this morning, stood waiting for almost an hour, then took 40 mins to get into
town. I was thinking a bike would be much faster! Usually a 20 min journey in the car.
Hoping to hire an electric fat bike on hols at Christmas
Although I had to get the bus to work this morning, stood waiting for almost an hour, then took 40 mins to get into
town. I was thinking a bike would be much faster! Usually a 20 min journey in the car.
Hoping to hire an electric fat bike on hols at Christmas
I think they are great... had an 'incident' that made me chuckle a few Sunday rides back. Whilst hanging out of my ar5e on a long steep climb ...this chap came past flying up the hill on his ebike, shouting out " sorry mate!! I just can't be bothered with leg muscles!!"..and sped off laughing. It brought an envious smile to my face.
