Newbie but Oldie

[langtry]

Hi,

Really need some expert advice.I am thinking of buying my very first Electric Bike,and have scoured the net for as much info as I can find,(thats how I came across this forum.)IHaving looked at a number of companies I have more or less settled on 50cycles.They appear to be one of the best around at the moment,(but ready to hear other peoples views)I have been using a push bike for more years than I care to remember,so am need some guidance on wether or not the change might be good for an oldie,I am way past my three score and ten,and love being on my bike,(mainly good weather I have to add)Legs getting a bit tired these days and feel the need od some extra help in getting the wheels moving.I am considering the Ezee liv plus,which could well be the one for me,but open to suggestions.
Iuse mu bike quite a lot,mainly within a few miles radius of my home,but would like to be able to visit relatives some at six miles away and some about twelve miles.Seems I need to learn a lot before I venture into this new experience.
For the journeys I have mentioned,how often would I need to recharge batteries? and would it be good or bad to recharge after each days journeys?
I would like to use my car less,too many on the road,and there we have another point?Alot of drivers these days do not seem to take enough care when passing cyclists?
I shall probably thing of much more to ask but for now would appreciate any comments that will be helpful,one final question,are there any other oldies like me riding E-Bikes? or am I the only one with doubtful sanity?

best regards,

langtry

 

[flecc]

Hello Langtry, welcome to the forum. The age profile in this forum is heavily slanted to the elders, the majority of members being over 50. I'm 71 with no intention of giving up bikes for years, and we have members over 80. One 86 year old member sometimes mails me with questions. Cycling is much safer than it appears on the surface. I ride daily in a London borough and on very fast urban fringe roads, and have few problems. A bit of common sense and a handlebar end mirror and there's little likelyhood of getting knocked off. I've never been knocked off in a lifetime of cycling.

The range on most e-bikes is around 20 miles, give or take a bit, and the Li-ion batteries most in use now should be recharged as often as possible. Some bikes use the older NiMh batteries which can be used down to empty without damage, and a very few use the oldest lead acid types.

The Liv you mention is an increasingly popular mid price bike and uses a Li-ion battery. It only has a 3 speed hub so no really low gears for very steep hills, but it will handle the average stuff ok, up to 1 in 10 unaided with a moderate weight rider. I've found it pleasant to ride, but don't own one as I already have three e-bikes, two of them eZee models.

As for car use, I do a few hundred miles a year in my car and up to 5000 miles by bike in some years, currently around 2500 to 3000 miles. When I took my 4 year old car in for MOT a few days ago, the tester remarked afterwards "that was a waste of time", adding, "why do you bother owning a car?"

So you can see that cycling can reduce your car use to only a tiny amount, and it's infinitely more enjoyable as well, car driving in today's conditions rarely being a pleasure. Mine is only used as a tin umbrella for really foul weather or for the occasional long journey.
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[Ian]

Hello and welcome to the forum Langtry.

Rather than repeat what has has been written elsewhere I suggest you read this thread which should give you some answers.

The Liv is probably a good choice but if possible it would certainly be a good idea to test ride before buying. A 24 mile round trip could be on the limit of what can be achieved on a single charge, the range being very dependent on how often and how hard the rider pedals, how hilly the route is, the rider weight and the riding speed but taking the charger with you and topping the battery up at your destination would remove doubt and be good for the batteries long term health.

There are plenty of "oldies" riding e-bikes, this forum has members of all adult ages but the majority are well over 50, some by a large margin.

I agree that some car drivers don't show enough care to cyclists although I do believe they are a minority. I find a bright flashing rearlamp and high visibility clothing encourages motorists to give a wide berth. The ever increasing number of cycle paths also makes cycling safer and more pleasant, although there are still some areas with few cycle facilities.

 

[langtry]

Hi Flecc and Ian,

Thank you for your comments,duly noted,I shall probably go ahead and order my Ezee Liv plus later today and will no doubt come back for further advice,once I have taken delivery and tested it.Cheers for now.


langtry

 

[Brangdon]

I bought a Liv a couple of weeks ago. I have got 17 miles out of my first two charges. I'm told this will improve as the battery matures, but at the moment I wouldn't plan to do a 24-mile round trip without recharging in the middle. If it does go flat you can still peddle it home - it's just a bit heavier than a normal bike.

 

[langtry]

Ezee Liv

Thank you for your comments,I am finding the forum a great way to learn about E-Bikes.I am taking delivery of my Ezee Liv on Monday,and have to say,getting quite excited about it.I am hopeful that it will more than fulfil my needs.I live about ten miles outside of Portsmouth,and to travel to and from my home in Waterlooville Hants will mean I must negotiate Portsbown Hill which seperates me from Portsmouth.The incline is quite prolonged on both sides but not too steep so hopeful my new steed will cope alright.Mostly other terrain in my locality is reasonably flat with the odd incline.I am going shopping to my local Halfords Bike hut to-morrow,looking for a rack bag that will fit my new bike,and also a computer of some sort to fit on handlebars,any advice??? ie wireless or otherwise?,the bags I have seen so far do not look as if they will fit onto the rack,so any advice here would be most welcome.Roll on Monday.

regards,

langtry

 

[flecc]

The simple Velo 5 computer that comes on most eZee models will fit ok, and I prefer a wired to a wireless, the latter sometimes suffering from interference. That Velo 5 is in many cycle shops, and the only common function it hasn't got is average speed. The Velo 8 has that.

50cycles have two high end computers on this page.

and a rack pack on this page.

Which you could have delivered with your bike I assume, I don't use a rack pack so have no recommendation there.

I've just had a look at Portsbown Hill on Google Earth and I don't think that would cause you trouble even if the road went straight up, but as it climbs at an angle it should be quite easy with the Liv.
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[langtry]

Ezee Liv

Hi,
Thanks for the reply.I have another question which you may see as a foolish one,so be it,I have to ask because it has been bothering me.I have for many years been used to my push bike,so the question stems from this really.On the Liv,I am assuming that the two brake levers are in same position as on a push bike? so what I find puzzling is ,how can one apple the brakes if the throttle on the left side of handlebars is being used?ie seperate task to braking?Ithink maybe I am not being very clear hear?what I mean is,if you are using the throttle to propel yourself forward and suddenly need to brake,do you just throttle back and then apply brakes?sorry about this,you will see I have never used an E-Bike so I imagine these puzzling questions are almost bound to surface???I hope you can see what it is I am trying to get over?

Best regards,

langtry

 

[Ian]

Hello Langtry,

The brake levers are the same as those on a conventional cycle but I've never known anyone having problems multi tasking with the throttle, its one of those things you quickly learn to do without thinking about it, as do motorcyclists with the right hand. While it is instinctive to close the throttle while applying the brakes it would cause no problems if the throttle was left open as the brake levers incorporate switches that cut the motor as soon as a brake is applied. This is a legal requirement although most users regard it as unnecessary.

Even if the motor continued to drive at full power well maintained brakes would still be able to stop the bike so there is absolutely nothing to worry about, just ride it like any other bike applying power or brakes as needed.

 

[langtry]

Hello Ian,

Thank you very much for your comments,useful to say the least,no doubt I shall soon adapt to the Ezee Liv. Thanks again.


Regards,

langtry

 

[4beeches0]

Hello Langtry

Interested in your posts re your new ezee Liv. My Liv arrived this week and so far I am delighted with it - I had a cheaper Chinese import bought off ebay but the Liv is miles better both in terms of quality and performance. Had my first run today - got home having done just 17 miles with the yellow warning light on. Sounds as though you have one or two hills to contend. From my impressions on my ride today I think it would take a pretty steep hill to defeat the Liv. I'd be interested to know what sort of range you get from your batteries. You have probably fixed up to get your rack bag and computer by now. I bought a wireless computer for around £16 from Halfords, it was easy to fit and does the job well. I also bought a neat rack bag at Halfords though I've forgotten how much it was. No doubt you have armed yourself with a sturdy lock and a decent pump to get those pressures up to 60lbs. I am pushing seventy and chose an e-bike for health reasons (dicky ticker !). Let me know how you are getting on.

best wishes

John

 

[langtry]

Dimhead or what?

Hi,

Been going through the forum to try to find correct section in which to ask what will seem elementary?Taking into account advice offered by Flecc, I have purchased a cycle computer(Velo 8) and have been setting up same in anticipation of delivery of my Ezee Liv,(to-morrow morning)Looking at the sparse details provided it looks as if the sevsor has to be fixed to the fromt fork facing out,but surly this will defeat the distance as suggested ie 5mm between magnet and sensor,and were the sensor to be fitted on inside of fork,no doubt it woud fall foul of the spokes? Ok.so I might find out by trial and error,but being an ex boy scout about 60 odd years ago I like to make a preparation or two,so any tips on this topic appreciated.

Regards,

langtry

 

[flecc]

No, it does have to face in Langtry, and the magnet must pass close as described and in line with the faint marker on the wired sensor probe. It won't foul the spokes if you slide it up the fork a bit to give the correct distance for the magnet.

When finally setting up, make sure you select MPH at the outset instead of KPH. If you don't, it means battery out and start again to reset that later.
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[langtry]

Hi,

Thank you flecc for your help,I am still awiting delivery at the moment so will sort this out once I have the bike here.
And John,thanks for your input,I have yet to get a decent pump,only have my push bike cycle pump at the moment but will remedy that later this week,as with the rack bags.Will make further comments once I have had a chance to use the bike,but in the meanwhile if you have comments to make will be looking at the forum on a daily basis.I am living in the Portsmouth area and most of the terrain is reasonably flat apart from a few steady inclines.The only hill I will be climbing is Portsdown Hill which seperates me from where I live to my trip into Portsmouth itself.

Best regards,

langtry

 

[langtry]

Hi,

My awaited package arrived just before noon,been busy unpacking,fitting pedals,adjusting saddle and handle bars etc,battery now on its first charge,so whilst waiting have fitted bag to rack,but uncertain about fixing this velo 8,followed as suggested by Flecc,ie sensor on inside of front fork,but no matter how high or low I fit it in the fork,it seems that the sensor is too far away,I think it should be 5mm???right now the gap looks more like half an inch or more(I prefer the old system ie inches?)apart from that possible first hiccup,all looks good

Regards,

langtry

 

[flecc]

Don't forget the sensor can go on either side Langtry, and one side might allow closer spacing than the other. It's usually necessary to put it quite close to the hub. If necessary, you may need to put a spacer under the sensor when tie-wrapping it to the fork, but try it as it is first of all.
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[4beeches0]

Hi Langtry

Exciting times ! My Liv arrived last Friday and I did my first 18 mile running in trip on Saturday. Hoping for an improvement in the atrocious weather for run no. 2.
My Halfords cheapo cycle computer sensor has the facility to alter the angle which enabled me to get to the required 5mm gap. Today I carried out flecc's (thanks flecc) modification to the throttle control and I was pleasantly surprised how easy it went. While I was at it I reduced the tension on the throttle return spring (thanks Ian). Not essential mods but I feel they will contibute to the pleasure of Liv biking. By the way Halfords sell a pair of attractive grey/black cushioned handlebar grips for £6.00 which fitted a treat and look very similar to those fitted by Ian. Let us all know how you get on, I am particulary interested in achievable mileage figures for the Liv as York is around 28 miles from home, there and back - maybe that is too much to expect from Liv's Li-ion battery.

Enjoy yourself

John

 

[langtry]

Liv forever ????????

Hi to all,
Thank you very much for being so patient with me over what must seem like silly questions to you,anyhow,just an update here,as I mentioned my package arrived just before noon to-day,and after a bit of fiddling with the computer all is now OK,thanks. Put battery on for first charge and it took 3 and three quarters of hour,quicker than I had expected,however,following instructions from the bits and pieces of paper work,(a lot in Japanese?) I swithed off the charger,waited and then back on again,and the green light persisted so assume it was fully charged,Went out for my first test run this early evening and pleasantly surprised at the way the bike handles.this is my very first elecrtic bike so taking my time in getting used to everything,
The battery display was on green most of the time but after a while moved to yellow and eventually to red,battery was not quite run down to a full stop,so assumed I am doing the right thing,I have now put it on to its second charge.I used both modes whilst riding to get the feel.and finished up with 18 miles at the end of my first ride out.Had to make a couple of adjustments so that the saddle was comfy,need that at my age,I am 76 by the way.All in all great,looking forward to more riding,weather permitting,and hope to carry on exchanging experiences with new found E-Bikers.

Best regards,

langtry

 

[flecc]

Any question that needs an answer is never silly Langtry, always feel free to ask away and we'll ensure your questions are treated with respect.

That all sounds fine on your Liv, charge time and initial range etc., so there should be many happy miles of easier cycling ahead.
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[langtry]

Thanks for your comments Flecc,appreciated.Going back a few posts,I notice that john is mentioning about tyre pressures???6olbs???I have not actually seen this mentioned before.What should pressures be? also wondering if there should be some sort of manuel with a new bike?had lots of bits and piecies but nothing of what I considered to be of great importance.


regards,

langtry