whats your reason for useing electric bike

[keithhazel]

i thought it would be interesting to find out the many and varied different reasons people got into electric bikes,

why use electric bike over other methods ,

and what is the purpose of their electric bike journey.


i got into electric bikes as my friend got a powabyke one and this was the first time i had come accross elctric bikes, even thought this was only a year ago,

i had a bad car crash in 1980 and had 2 epeileptic fits as a consequence, i dont have any more but as an after effect for example, when i cross the road and look left then look right i dont really know what ive just looked at on the left...so i cant really go back to car driving,

i ride to the train station, jump on the train, fold up bike, get off 40 miles later at doncaster and cycle the 8 miles to g/f's house, financially it isnt more then say £5 cheaper this way as i get free bus travel to the train station in Hull anyhow, and from march will get free bus travel anywhere in the country,but buses can take ages, get stuck in traffic ect where i know it takes me only 20 minutes to get to first station which bus takes 40 to get to, i wont be late and have to leave early in case of traffic, and i can either ride the second leg 7.5 miles from doncaster to g/f's or pop folded bike in suitcase looking bag (driver will not think its other then a large case) and hop on the bus if i wish , again though i hate waiting and rather then wait 25 mins for a bus i would rather ride the 30 minute journey even if i only get there 10-15 minutes quicker then the bus....also use for popping to mothers and other short trips that crop up suddenly, when you dont have a car you feel like you have lost your freedon, a push bike is an option but i have to pedal and thats effort..lol...but i still like to feel im in control of speed and a motor, even if its 15mph.. and of course riding an electric bike in summer is dead cool..in winter its just cool..

 

[flecc]

I've cycled for years and had tried various e-bikes out of interest over a long period, but bought an electric Lafree Twist in 2003 so i could tow a large goods trailer in my hilly area.

I gradually started using it for the shopping trips I did on a normal bike usually, so eventually it did all my utility and leisure riding. Two more e-bikes were added in 2006, a Torq for a faster leisure ride and a Quando so I could carry a folder in the car when away from home

The car has done very low mileages and stays in the garage most of the time, on two occasions over the years not used for almost three moths and having to have the battery charged to use it again. However, the very poor weather over this last year has meant a rise in the car usage, and as I get older that will probably increase further, the bikes increasingly changing to mostly leisure use.

Nearly all my riding and all my towing now is with the Quando derived Q bike, the Torq derived T bike being only for the odd fun rides. At this point of the year the T bike is at the back of the garage in it's polythene overcoat until the weather is more suitable for it's use.
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[Cyclezee]

My reason was to get fit enough to ride up a moderate hill on my MTB without the need for CPR
Don't think that is going to happen though, I just love electricty too much
There is also great pleasure to be derived from overtaking young fit people cycling up hills

John

 

[flecc]

Don't think that is going to happen though, I just love electricty too much


John

That's my trouble too John, the twistgrip stopping me putting in enough. That's why I'm toying with the idea of a Pro-Connect which will force me into more exercise.
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[frank9755]

For me it was to give me help to get over the 'it's too much' threshold regarding cycling to work. I have a fairly long journey - 12 miles each way - and I typically work fairly long hours. While I used to enjoy it the odd time I cycled to work on my normal bike, it would only be once or twice a month because I could tell myself it was just too exhausting - especially the journey home. With an electric bike I cycle to work pretty much every day. When for some reason I can't and I have to take the tube, I am disappointed!

 

[Cyclezee]

In all honesty, I only use an electric bike for pleasure and some local shopping errands. I love exploring my local area and it does give me a real buzz. Commuting is out of the question, my trip is 38 miles which is just feasible on my Agattu, but it is all motorway and A roads, so I wouldn't live to tell the tale.
I'm still trying to figure a way of getting 2 bikes in my little red (running on green LPG fuel) Daihatsu HiJet van with taking them apart. If I could do this my wife and I would broaden our horizons together (Pedelec style).
I like the sound of the Pro-Connect or is it Agattu diamond frame Flecc?

John

 

[nigel]

Nigel

I got into electric bikes for fitness and to travel longer distances with shopping and now could never go back to a normal bike i luv electric bikes: i had to sale my torq to get a 125 motorcycle for work but never fear i am already making plans for a replacement it might be the Kalkhoff Aggatu or the torq trekking but it will be fun deciding which one

 

[flecc]

I'm still trying to figure a way of getting 2 bikes in my little red (running on green LPG fuel) Daihatsu HiJet van with taking them apart. If I could do this my wife and I would broaden our horizons together (Pedelec style).
I like the sound of the Pro-Connect or is it Agattu diamond frame Flecc?

John

No, it is the light Pro-Connect John, a true traditional bike of the type I like.

On cars, I'm pretty sure I'll be buying a FIAT Doblo in the next couple of weeks are so, since it easily takes a couple of bikes and is dirt cheap. For those not familiar, it looks like it was designed by Walt Disney for Postman Pat to use, and the crap FIAT quality control doesn't worry me as I'm a fully qualified motor mechanic amongst other things.

Alan Terrill in this forum has one and puts two bikes into it on occasions. He's never told me that and might be surprised by this posting, but I've seen his praise of it on the internet.
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[BossBob]

and the crap FIAT quality control doesn't worry me
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And it shouldn't either, you're living in the past
I have a customer who had always been a Fiat fan, moved to the VW golf for a change based on the usual recommendations, and dumped it pronto at a fair bit of expense to go back to a Fiat. "Just didn't have the fit and finish of my Fiat" she reckoned. And I reckon she's right.

Anyway ...... back on topic .......

Needs must!
a 13 mile round trip to work on a fairly hilly route was taking its toll, so much so friends were getting worried about the state I arrived in. Enter stage left - one pedelec.

What a difference, it takes a half hour each way which is quicker than any alternative, almost effortless bar one or two short steep sections, but I don't push it on them, cheap and totally hassle free. No tailbacks/gridlocks to contend with which my route has about once a week, no running late, none of the "winter flu" brigade coughing all over you in the morning, nor the ignorant argy bargy to get aboard an already overcrowded train.

I suppose now, with the benefit of hindsight, I possibly regret not getting a better model. One with a much higher range and probably "derestriction" for a higher ave speed.

I can't help but feel that anyone with an hours commute, in any city in Britain, would be far better with an Ebike.

Rab

 

[Cyclezee]

Apologies for going off thread, but the high roof Doblo is a good choice and Fiats are not as crap as they used to be. I have owned 5 that were + an Alfa, but my wife's Punto was a good car.
Enough of cars, thought this might intrest you Flecc Kalkhoff Pro Connect F8 for £399.00 | Kalkhoff Folding Bikes | Cycle | Wiggle and you could install one of these 1000w Motorised Electric Motor Bike Bicycle Kit e-bike on eBay, also Complete Bikes, Mountain Bikes, Parts, Cycling, Sport (end time 30-Dec-07 08:56:54 GMT) I know you like a challenge

John

 

[flecc]

And it shouldn't either, you're living in the past
I have a customer who had always been a Fiat fan, moved to the VW golf for a change based on the usual recommendations, and dumped it pronto at a fair bit of expense to go back to a Fiat. "Just didn't have the fit and finish of my Fiat" she reckoned. And I reckon she's right.
Rab

Not completely in the past Rab. Though they've undoubtedly improved a lot, FIATs are still very variable, and it's still not possible to guarantee their quality will always be right. Part of the difference is the numbers they have made elsewhere in other countries, those generally being better. At least the FIAT 1.3 multipoint diesel I'll be getting is a good'un, used by General Motors in their Corsa/Tigra and equivalents.

Incidentally I sold my last FIAT only four years ago, so I also have personal experience of models from the period which was supposed to have been greatly improved, and wasn't. And my present car? The Fabia, which is the Skoda version of the VW Polo, and perfect compared to that FIAT, showing just how variable these things are.
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[Citrus]

Fitness and distance

Getting back on topic and away from cars I bought my Agattu to travel to work and get my fitness level back up again. I have a hybrid road bike which I built this Summer and it weighs in at just over 10kg - carbonfibre wishbone, easton bars, disc brakes, shimano XT deore gears etc. I can get that up to 20 odd miles an hour on a flat, but it isn't a practical bike for going to work on. My daily commute is a 37.4 mile return journey over some quite hilly terraine. Rising petrol prices concern me too, so I hope to save some money and wear and tear on my car (a Citroen C1 3 cylinder petrol version if anyone is interested ) and my motorcycle (a Kawasaki ER6 650cc twin, again if anyone is interested). I plan on using my Agattu 3 or 4 times a week to commute to work starting in March. I have had a few test runs so far and all seems well - I reckon I can get into work in about an hour and half (more hilly going to work) and return home in about and hour and a quarter. I'll keep everyone posted how I get on. New seat and panniers have been ordered. I have changed the pedals already for SPD's - that makes a difference with SPD shoes and obviously the sprung seatpost has been changed for a standard lightweight alloy one.

 

[flecc]

a Citroen C1 3 cylinder petrol version if anyone is interested

Cor!

a Kawasaki ER6 650cc twin, again if anyone is interested

Cor!



Sorry, couldn't resist that, I'm just incorrigible!
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[Citrus]

Are you on the "vino calapso" tonight Flecc?

 

[flecc]

No, just my usual mischievous self Citrus.

In fact I don't normally drink anything alcoholic, not keen on the stuff. Wine for me is just a way to spoil a good meal.

Not something you'll often hear from someone of Italian extraction.
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[Citrus]

Wine is my downfall and on occasion falldown. You don't even like the odd glass of Peroni?? Very strange indeed Obviously that is how you keep so trim Flecc - something I struggle with.

 

[JohnofCambridge]

Back to subject.

I purchased an electric bike as a means to regularly commute without too much toil. I have done a commute on a pedal bike but arrive too hot and sweaty and have to change clothing for a job that means meeting and interacting with a lot of people.

Certainly that has been achieved so far and I no longer have to consider a shower on arrival and changing everything. I am hoping when the weather improves a bit to improve on my consistent use of the bike.

A good incentive in the next couple of years to cycle consistently in Cambridge will be the congestion charge that is coming. However that will probably drive all jobs out of Cambridge, probably including mine so in four years I may wonder where to cycle to!!!!

John

 

[flecc]

A good incentive in the next couple of years to cycle consistently in Cambridge will be the congestion charge that is coming. However that will probably drive all jobs out of Cambridge, probably including mine so in four years I may wonder where to cycle to!!!!

John

This was said here in London John, but it didn't happen except to the odd business that was on the edge of viability anyway. The antis still try that same propaganda, but the congestion charge has in fact been a huge success. The politicians who said they would get rid of it have all shut up now, which says it all really.
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[flecc]

Wine is my downfall and on occasion falldown. You don't even like the odd glass of Peroni?? Very strange indeed Obviously that is how you keep so trim Flecc - something I struggle with.

I haven't a clue what Peroni is even.
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[Citrus]

I haven't a clue what Peroni is even.
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Wow! It is a fine Italian lager beer. A favourite of mine actually.