I have Woosh DWG22C kits fitted to our tandem and to a solo bike. As I still want to get some exercise, I tend to use low assistance levels. The DWG22C is probably slightly overkill for a solo as it can provide a lot of assistance. I normally use Level 2 (of 5) on either bike. This suits us very well on the tandem as it corresponds to approximately a 11.5 mph ‘cut-off’ speed for assistance. We normally cruise faster than this, so no assist is being added to our own efforts.
Electric assistance is however a boon against headwinds and hills. I have ridden with a pulse monitor for many years and it was interesting to observe the difference in effort required to get the tandem up a nearby climb of about 1 mile duration after adding the hub motor. Without assist, my pulse would reach about 170bpm (or more) whilst grinding away in the granny gear (24 x 36). With assist, my pulse is closer to 145bpm whilst scooting up the hill in a middle gear (38 x 28). I’m still getting a decent bit of exercise, but not arriving at the top of the climb drenched in sweat and requiring an oxygen mask!
I converted to e-assist to help combat the effects of ageing and some health issues. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that having access to an e-bike has significantly increased the amount of cycling which I have been able to do. I agree that in most cases e-bikes won’t increase fitness levels to the same extent as conventional cycling, but in my case it is very much better than sitting at home.
I definitely use my bikes more than I would have without e-assist and I tend to go faster and for greater distances than would otherwise be possible. There is also the ‘feel good’ effect of just getting out on the bike, regardless of whether this provides any physical benefits.
I would love to still ride my Titanium race bike, but I’m just not bendy enough for that any more!
