If I had a pound for

Artstu

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 2, 2009
2,420
925
I wish I could have a pound every time I speak to someone about my electric bike when they say "Does it recharge the battery when you go downhill?" everyone I've met on the bike has said that to me.
 

Alan Quay

Esteemed Pedelecer
Dec 4, 2012
2,351
1,076
Devon
I wish I could have a pound every time I speak to someone about my electric bike when they say "Does it recharge the battery when you go downhill?" everyone I've met on the bike has said that to me.

Also, a number of people have told me to put a dynamo on it, and use that to charge the battery. They are all 100% sure that it would run forever.

After patiently explaining why this would not work to a friend, I overheard him re-explaining it to has father, who had just asked him the same question:

"Something to do with physics, and that fact that I'm a fishmonger and he's an engineer."
 

Ettica

Pedelecer
Sep 19, 2008
186
8
Heskin Lancashire
ha ha ha.

Instead of a 'swear box' let's have a 'cliche box' or a 'stereotypical comment box' ...... er..... or something :)

We could then soon open our own bank and charge 10% interest for ebike purchases for the poor and needy.

My wife says I am needy and poor in a certain department so I could be the first customer! :rolleyes:
 

mountainsport

Esteemed Pedelecer
Feb 6, 2012
1,419
298
I wish I could have a pound every time I speak to someone about my electric bike when they say "Does it recharge the battery when you go downhill?" everyone I've met on the bike has said that to me.
Artstu,

The next question will then be,can you re-sell the energy produced, back to the bike dealer or to even edf?

Mountainsport
 

Electrifying Cycles

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jun 4, 2011
1,005
176
You can charge the battery going downhill on some bikes and some have regenerative braking but it is arguable whether the features are worth it, as you do not get that much back.
 

jazper53

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jan 20, 2012
890
18
Brighton
You may not be recharging a battery when going downhill but would be recharging the biological battery, assuming one assisted on the climb.:p
 

Martin@e-bikeshop

Esteemed Pedelecer
I wish I could have a pound every time I speak to someone about my electric bike when they say "Does it recharge the battery when you go downhill?" everyone I've met on the bike has said that to me.
Artstu,

+1
If I had a pound for every time I heard this I would have enough capital to invest in the research needed to create the regenerative system to address the problem ;)

We did test this some time back and with current technology the resistance and weight gained on the bike was not worth the regenerative power it created.

Martin
 

Scimitar

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jul 31, 2010
1,772
40
Ireland
Also, most of the regen systems I've read of are unreliable at best; a pita at worst, and an unnecessary drag most of the time.
 

Oldie

Pedelecer
Mar 29, 2013
151
41
Scotland
It's probably best just to tell people that you've only ever gone uphill, so you don't know the answer, but keen to find out if they could research it for you.

Why would you need an electric bike to go downhill? Aren't folk weird :p
 

Marctwo

Pedelecer
Dec 1, 2012
182
1
At least "Does it recharge the battery when you go downhill?" shows some degree of logic. So far I've only had "does it recharge the battery when you pedal?"
 

TwoBikes

Pedelecer
Mar 23, 2011
55
0
Yes, I always get the one about recharging when you pedal. What puzzles me is why everyone seems to think this. Where do they get it from? It's not as if ebikes did this before but now don't. I got exactly the same line from a highly intelligent academic in Denmark who insisted that the ebikes there recharged from pedalling. I assured him that this was most unlikely, but he pointed to the (empty) rear rack on my bike and said "No, I've seen it. There is a box here on the rack." I said something non-commital and changed the subject.
 

KirstinS

Esteemed Pedelecer
Apr 5, 2011
3,224
899
Brighton
Me too

Only ever get two comments

From non ebikers - does it get power from braking/downhill (ie KERS )

From ebikers - very neat job !

I like second better :)
 

Artstu

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 2, 2009
2,420
925
Just thinking Artsu.
Does it recharge the battery when you go downhill? ;)
Hey I've told you already... stop it :p I had the same conversation yesterday with a friend who I'd already explained that one to them, you're not related are you?