500W e-bike or road bike?

[sid6554]

Hello everyone, I get tired easily, so I'm off to sell my mountain bike and get either electric or road. I'd value some input from experienced/knowledgeable riders. Road bike is cheaper, but might be more effort cycling?

1) I would like to know which is faster in a flat city?
2) Which bike would use less effort at 8mph, 15mph and 25mph, and why?
3) Physical maintenance costs with each option?
4) Can the battery and motor etc. get stolen relatively easily? I study in Oxford where lots of bike thefts occur
5) Do e-bikes require constant pedaling for constant power, or can you accelerate with a twist grip like a motorbike?

If I get an e-bike I realise I'd need to get license, insurance etc. Thanks in advance for your help

 

[Alan Quay]

1. Depends on rider
2. Depends on rider
3. Depends on maintainer
4. Depends on thief
5. Depends on controller

Hope that helps.




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[D8ve]

If you don't pedal the E bike is fastest upto 25kph.
The top speed if you do is higher on a road bike.
At 35kph most electric bikes will struggle as heavy and gearing is rubbishy.
A good road bike is easier at this speed ( if you can do it)
But average speed on a legal electric bike is normaly faster than any average chap will do. And can also beat proper cyclists uphill.
A legal bike is a push bike in the eyes of the law so no licence, insurance etc.
Good locks help a lot.
Maintaince is the same basic for the cycle components on both but electric has a battery and motor to go wrong.
Constant pedalling is best for range but twist and go is possible.

 

[LeighPing]

If I get an e-bike I realise I'd need to get license, insurance etc. Thanks in advance for your help

Actually, No, you don't really realise a lot. No offence meant there. Take a look around at many of the informative threads here, they will educate you more than your direct questions will.

Many knowledgeable members have pumped loads of salient ebike and pedelec ownership info, pics and videos into them.

It might also help some here to help you, if you tell us your gender, height, weight, budget and mileage.

If you can, it's best to go test ride some before buying. Or one at least. That alone will answer a few of your questions.

 

[cyberdyne_systems]

Hello everyone, I get tired easily, so I'm off to sell my mountain bike and get either electric or road. I'd value some input from experienced/knowledgeable riders. Road bike is cheaper, but might be more effort cycling?

1) I would like to know which is faster in a flat city?
2) Which bike would use less effort at 8mph, 15mph and 25mph, and why?
3) Physical maintenance costs with each option?
4) Can the battery and motor etc. get stolen relatively easily? I study in Oxford where lots of bike thefts occur
5) Do e-bikes require constant pedaling for constant power, or can you accelerate with a twist grip like a motorbike?

If I get an e-bike I realise I'd need to get license, insurance etc. Thanks in advance for your help

You sound like a good candidate for an e bike!

1) a road bike should be faster...it's lighter/gearing, but you'll have to put in the riding effort
2) up to 15mph the e bike, as it will assist you to that speed, the the road bike from that point on (see above answer)
3) There are a few more components on an e bike, but generally about the same
4) motor if on a hub will require the wheel locking along with frame, but a determined thief could still get it of course...use two types of different locks. I remove my battery.
5) currently an e bike requires pedal assist, you pedal, it assists, there are throttles out there but check posts regarding the laws for more information.

Your last statement, you don't need a licence (if it is a legal e bike), insurance of course is recommended.

Good luck with it

Edit: just realised you were asking about 500w e bike, my summery was about street legal 250w

 

[Nealh]

1. To be honest an mtb or road bike with the same motor will be fairly equal on speed, the difference will depend on gearing and tyre pressures, a fit rider will always be quicker on a roadie.
2. Generally if you get tired then an electric bicycle will be better at up to 15mph ( or 18-20mph for diy build).for 25mph both will require good strong effort though not many electric bicycles are capable of 25 mph with out a fit rider.
3.Maintenance is no different to a normal bike as all components are the same though HDB's are easy to look after. Ocassionally spokes may need tightening or replacing as the odd one will break now and then. If unable to cover repairs you will need a LBS who is able to or willing to work on electric bicycles.
4. For security I lock front and rear wheels but never leave the bike for more then 15 or 20 mins, a bike locked up for some time n the same place day in day out will attract attention and possible theft damage to the likes of a lcd screen that some might see as a sat nav or some other gizmo.
A hub wheel is generally safe as it need a 17mm spanner to undo and also will/should have a torque arm also to undo. Generally don't use quick release wheel devices but a deterred thief will not be stopped, batteries are lockable but I would still remove it if left on bike for along while.
5. Some bikes will have a thumb or twist throttle as well and some only pedal assist only, throttle assist bikes will be either full throttle up to 15mph or will only have walk assist only. A kit bike will be full throttle.

For a bike to suit possibly your requirements for a flat city ride have a look at the following;
1. Gtech.
Has advantage of no oily chain and very minimal normal bike look and quite light and is now sub 1k small 5ah battery for up to 30 miles.

2. Woosh Karoo.
Quite a good looking bike with nice colour scheme , very good range upto 75miles in hilly terrain so in flat city might be good for 100miles. Pretty good for £800.

3. Kudos Stealth/Alamo.
New to the market no real reviews yet seen, but come from a well respected stable.

 

[sid6554]

Thanks guys. Most of your replies are for 250W bikes, but I'm looking to buy a 500W bike. I weigh 60kg. As it stands I'm leaning towards electric bike even though it's much pricier.

 

[soundwave]

 

[LeighPing]

Thanks guys. Most of your replies are for 250W bikes, but I'm looking to buy a 500W bike. I weigh 60kg. As it stands I'm leaning towards electric bike even though it's much pricier.

Is there any particular one that you're looking at?

 

[KirstinS]

Thanks guys. Most of your replies are for 250W bikes, but I'm looking to buy a 500W bike. I weigh 60kg. As it stands I'm leaning towards electric bike even though it's much pricier.

At 60kg you are more featherweight than my 65

Why do you think you need 500w ?

For reference the fastest bike I had was an overvolted 350w hub . very, very closely followed by a 250w crank drive

Torque wise - fastest off the mark was the 250w hub followed by 250w crank.

The only 500w I ever had was rubbish and underperformed all the above

May I ask what you actually wish to achieve.

If it's speed just get a crank drive, derestrict and enjoy

At least you can change setting and make legal again easily

A crank drive will also climb pretty much anything through the gears and puts weight nice an central

 

[sid6554]

I'm looking at 500w for extra speed.
Here's the bike:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-2016-Model-City-S-500W-Superfast-Electric-City-E-Bike-700C-Wheels-Battery-/111886500938?hash=item1a0cf4844a:g:TQ4AAOSw-zxWp0xL
I'm guessing/hoping it'll do an extra 5mph over a 250w?

 

[Alan Quay]

My suspicion is that's a direct drive unit, and as such won't be a good hill climber. I could be wrong.

Some of the information on the eBay page is a lie. It is not legal to have switchable power that exceeds 250w. It is very specifically mentioned in the legislation.

(Wouldn't bother me to ride it, but I'd wonder what other things are fibs).

No weight is quoted. That usually means it's heavy.

If it really is capable of 30mph then those brakes are woefully inadequate.

If I were you, I'd either build something or spend a little more to get something of better quality.

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[LeighPing]

Mine is 30 kilos. But hey, it's an ebike, no need to pedal too hard.

 

[Alan Quay]

Mine is 30 kilos. But hey, it's an ebike, no need to pedal too hard.

But stopping a 30kilo bike from 30mph on wuxung v-brakes? You'd need an airstrip.

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[D8ve]

The power thing is a fudge up.

Motor rating was designed to stop people overrating the motors.
So it has to deal with at least 250 watts to pass. The BBS01 as standard draws about 600 watts.
A 500 watt rated motor might not be able to handle 600 watts.More than the rated power for your unrestricted bike but legal.

Direct drive can be feeble.
Uphill its classic that Any motor in near stall the current rises but power falls, the motor overheats and burns out. That's the downer on direct drive. Hub gears and crank drive escape this issue by turning faster than the wheel, and can crawl up anything.


Power/range
If any bike is drawing 500 watts it will empty a 8 amp battery in about a half hour. Perhaps 15 miles.
Doing 15 mph is fairly easy taking about 250 watts to do so. With gentle pedalling you would provide more than half that. So the battery needs to supply 125 watts or 3 amps. That gives you nearly 3 hours and 45 mile range.

My bike has legal cut out, BBS01 fitted and averages over 16 mph and better than 100 miles range.

If you want 30 mph get a moped. They are cheap will do 30 and legal.

 

[Alan Quay]

My suspicion is that's a direct drive unit, and as such won't be a good hill climber. I could be wrong.

Some of the information on the eBay page is a lie. It is not legal to have switchable power that exceeds 250w. It is very specifically mentioned in the legislation.

(Wouldn't bother me to ride it, but I'd wonder what other things are fibs).

No weight is quoted. That usually means it's heavy.

If it really is capable of 30mph then those brakes are woefully inadequate.

If I were you, I'd either build something or spend a little more to get something of better quality.

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I asked the seller a few questions, and he has replied to say that:

The frame is made of Steel. Looking at the size of the tubes, it will be extremely heavy. He says 24Kilos, but I reckon that's a mistake or doesn't include the battery. It might be the weight of original bike without the electric kit.

The motor is a direct drive unit, so at 500w it will be very low torque, especially if its wound for 30mph.

In conclusion: Its a heavy, underpowered deathrap. Its not very pretty either!

Sorry to be negative about your selected bike, its nothing personal - just don't wan't you (or anyone else) to waste money on something so poor, when for just over £100 more you could have a reasonably good machine from the likes of Woosh.

 

[LeighPing]

In conclusion: Its a heavy, underpowered deathrap. Its not very pretty either!

Sorry to be negative about your selected bike, its nothing personal - just don't wan't you (or anyone else) to waste money on something so poor

You may well be right, but the buyers seem happy enough with it Alan.



No doubt that's why they've put the price up by 25 quid.

 

[Alan Quay]

You may well be right, but the buyers seem happy enough with it Alan.

View attachment 14534

Dead people cant leave negative feedback!

 

[StewC]

If your thinking about a Road bike or an E-bike. It depends what you want, more exercise, a mode of transport or fun?
A road bike will give you more exercise and a mode of transport and fun, an eBike will give you less exercise, a mode of transport (similar speed) and more fun.
Personally I wouldn't by a cheap eBike off eBay. I'd go to a local shop test drive one, or two bikes and make a decision on that. If you buy from the internet lead by price, I think that could be a mistake, as others have already said.
Buying a 500w bike maybe easy, but I'd advise you to find out about insurance first, as I hear they are very difficult and expensive to insure.

 

[fishingpaul]

I have a mountain bike with an ezee motor fitted to it,it will assist to around 22mph, above this speed a road bike would be easier to pedal on the flat, but it is much faster and far easier than any road bike getting up to speed,up hills it flies past any rider I have encountered yet,even with very little assistance it would beat most normal bike riders,having a throttle i can ride it like a normal bike,or use the throttle to give a little or a lot of extra help,or even just twist the throttle and have a rest,i would have a look at the oxydrive cst kit,the bafang cst is one of the best motors available,comes with a throttle and can be derestricted to 23mph,and comes with a13ah 36v battery on offer for £599 at the moment.