How many people want a softail ebike?

SRS · Mar 2, 2013

We must not forget that most of us still have our own natural suspension.

Before the days of suspension, upon aproaching a bumpy section, we would raise our bums off the saddle using our legs. Worked well for me.

flecc · Mar 2, 2013

d8veh said:
I rest my case.

But missing the point I think, what I said doesn't make me a Luddite. In part it reflects that I am fully retired and therefore have much less of the instant needs that smart phones answer. I have the time and prompt availability to access my computers, laptop if I'm away. If I were still in my working life my need for a smart phone would certainly have been greater, but they weren't around 22 years ago when I retired early. In my present circumstances having one is superfluous and pointless.
.

Linfitter · Mar 2, 2013

Been riding my road bike while waiting for a tool so I can repair my ‘King’. On reaching my turn off turned just like I have done hundreds of times on the ebike and realizing that I did not have suspension and not wanting to hammer my wrists swerved to miss the potholes and road repairs. Front wheel went from under me, bike went down, handlebars found grip and momentum tossed me into the air. It took me back to my childhood as I did a good impression of Superman as I flew through the air and down the lane. Just scuffed my knees grazed my head on landing and was just shook up a bit but I have learnt something from it and that is that Pensioners do not bounce, well not has high as they did when younger! As for rear suspension I am aware that the cycle industry has finally got around to making rear suspensions that can be locked out as and when needed. I wouldn’t mind one of those. Could keep my hard earned ‘he’s an Idiot’ reputation when going down hill and wouldn’t waste energy when pedalling up it.

Yours sincerely.

Linfitter.

Linfitter · Mar 2, 2013

Yes it is the 'King'. No, you cannot do anything as you do not stock the required 'long splined freewheel removal tool' needed to take the epoch freewheel off the hub. Just got one from the good ol U.S.A.

Yours sincerely

Linfitter.

Scimitar · Mar 3, 2013

It's relatively true about rear suspension; with a Far East saddle and a Fat Uncle Frank tyre, the rear is quite comfy, on what passes for roads around here, but they'll take my front Bombers out of my cold, dead hands, ye hear, Sherriff?

103Alex1 · Mar 3, 2013

Linfitter said:
Front wheel went from under me, bike went down, handlebars found grip and momentum tossed me into the air. It took me back to my childhood as I did a good impression of Superman as I flew through the air and down the lane.

. Really glad you're OK. The last time I 'flew over a set of handlebars' was commuting to a Summer job by train and cycling at the other end in University holidays some moons ago. Was trying to smoke a fag and cycle at the same time in those days

.. am marginally less dimwitted these days

Landed on my wrist and broke it, ended up with it in a plastercast unable to ride... and hence no more job

. Was a shame as it was hourly pay - and the company witheld the bonus I'd already earned as a double-whammy.

Scimitar · Mar 3, 2013

103Alex1 said:
Landed on my wrist and broke it, ended up with it in a plastercast unable to ride... and hence no more job . Was a shame as it was hourly pay - and the company witheld the bonus I'd already earned as a double-whammy.

Therebye showing what a shower of sheets they really were.

103Alex1 · Mar 3, 2013

On the subject of the original thread, though - have yet to sample the pleasures and pains of a full-sus. I always steered clear as they were reputed to be so hard - and heavy - to pedal uphill. Guess eBikes change that to some extent.

All I can say is that lockout suspension on your front fork is a definite bonus. I use it lots on my eBike - and actually unlock it on poor tarmac surfaces which have been dug up loads. You can't get to Sainsburys, Halfords, M&S or a bunch of other outlets without enduring a stretch of road that's worse than the cycle paths. Suspension gets unlocked every time I go through it and locked out again after. That's even with a suspension seatpost. But it's very comfortable on road with just the front sus option for rough stretches.

Hardtail on the trails is awkward on a stepthrough - better on the diamond-frame regular unpowered MTB - but I'm out of the seat standing on the pedals on that loads so maybe don't notice lack of rear suspension much. If I wanted to park my backside more comfortably on the saddle off-road have got a feeling a full-sus would come into its own. 2nd/3rd bike territory though for the use it would get.

geezee74 · Mar 3, 2013

Hi Dave, in response to your question, I would prefer a rear motor, simply because they are more inconspicuous. In my opinion.

Is this a long way from being a reality?

Spinalot · Mar 4, 2013

oh please!
"...really justifies wearing helmets"
No it does not, Foam hats are just that, foam hats. They might stop you getting a graze but nothing more. They can actually cause more injury. My thick wooly hat does more to protect me.
There are plenty of reasons the CTC fight against mandatory helmet laws. Take a look here.
http://www.ctc.org.uk/files/cycle-helmets-evidencebrf_2.pdf
I am sick and tired of the other people taking away my personal freedom.
Next they will make us wear a pedestrian helmet!. (jokes but I can easily see it)
You think I mock?
This is for real
for starters!

I mean no disrespect to you personally Dave, it is just the whole "it is obvious" mentality of the most people gets my goat. I am tired of the safety police constantly chipping away. Some people die tragically and there is some circumstantial evidence to suggest that a helmet "may" have helped. That does not follow that "lets make it the law that all cyclist should wear a helmet" or even "if only he had been wearing a helmet..."
Please weigh both sides of the argument.
If you do not believe how detrimental helmet laws can get, take a look at Australia and its massive fall in modal share since they made it law.

Please read the following.
http://www.cyclehelmets.org/1012.html

Sorry to have derailed the thread.

jazper53 · Mar 4, 2013

Hardtail or bouncer
Gives some interesting analysis in depth

NRG · Mar 4, 2013

flecc said:
Bike suspension was invented at the start of the 20th century and many designs were offered, but none were ever adopted. It only arrived due to the fashion for mountain bikes that started at the beginning of the 1980s.

.

1905 Clement...adoption was limited due to patent and cost.

Lever arm front and pivoting rear triangle with adjustable spring.

Scimitar · Mar 4, 2013

I don't suppose it did many rocky mountain trails, but those mudguards are something else. Want.

Deleted member 4366 · Mar 4, 2013

jazper53 said:
Hardtail or bouncer
Gives some interesting analysis in depth

That was very interesting. All these things become important if you're trying to get the last few percentage points of performance. Most of us won't be pedalling so hard on our electric bike,so will never see any bobbing with rear suspension. Instead, we just enjoy the smooth comfortable ride regardless of road condition. Even if I lost a bit of efficiency, I'd be happier like that, but that article seems to indicate that my FS Giant NRS is actually more efficient than a hard-tail.

One thing though, forget about the Tesco pogo stick suspension bikes. You need proper air suspension.

NRG · Mar 4, 2013

Scimitar said:
I don't suppose it did many rocky mountain trails, but those mudguards are something else. Want.

They went to town on this one, its called 'The Pneumatic'...one of the first bikes with Pneumatic tyre's

How many people want a softail ebike?

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