Is buying 500w ebike a good idea to commute through the city?

[EddiePJ]

I'm off road mostly. Which probably accounts for my 9 mile average speed.

Which is pretty close to mine. You also need to take into account elevation gain, ground conditions and weather conditions.

Two recent examples.

 

[LeighPing]

most people can ride a non ebike over 15mph, so i dont see the point of this stupid 15mph limit on ebike?

After a fair bit of testing, I think that 18mph is the 'sweet spot' for me. That's only 2.5 miles more than the 15.5mph 'street legal' speed. Yet it's unachievable due to being 'capped'.

*'Street legal' is a common, stigmatising, ebike term to make us all sound like drug dealers. Cheaters!

It implies that you're 'illegal' if you go any faster. Whilst 'normal' bikes belt past you doing whatever they can do. Limited only by the rider, they can never reach a speed that is not legal.

These lot have always 'whooped' their disgust at me as we pass.

Me and Muttley are ready for trouble when it comes. I'm not getting beheaded without a fight.

 

[Angelnorth]

most people can ride a non ebike over 15mph, so i dont see the point of this stupid 15mph limit on ebike?????

Just to clarify, it doesn't mean you can't travel at more that 15mph hour if you're riding an eBike, it simply means the motor can't provide assistance above that speed, it's dependent on your leg power.

 

[LeighPing]

Just to clarify, it doesn't mean you can't travel at more that 15mph hour if you're riding an eBike, it simply means the motor can't provide assistance above that speed, it's dependent on your leg power.

Exactly!

What's the point of that. It's like having a dog and barking yourself.

 

[anotherkiwi]

A 350 or 500 W nominal motor that cuts out at 25 km/h is less of a risk than having shoddy brakes and tyres. Stopping and handling in corners and on the slippery are where riding a pedelec is the most dangerous.

 

[D8ve]

The point of the limit is its a legal bike.
If you want to do 50 mph buy and licence a motorbike.
I don't want a 17 year old doing 30 on the local footpath.
If you can do 30 under your own steam on a pushbike you have worked for your legs and normaly leave it for the road as you don't want damage to yourself or the bike.
I would like some more assist as well but there has to be a limit.
So when I hit 35 mph I am sweating or the hill is really steep

 

[LeighPing]

Where did 50 come from?

20 is plenty. In fact, I find 20 too fast for normal use. I like 18.