Why did you or why will you buy an electric bike?

[flash]

Because I am a life long cyclist. Most years I would cycle more than 10,000 miles. I love cycling. Then I became crippled by Rheumatoid arthritis. I was very depressed could no longer ride my bike. My father, also a lifelong cyclist, at 80 years of age decided to try an electric bike after bad experiences with 3 cheap Chinese bikes he bought a better one and fell in love with it. He could now do some of the rides he was no longer physically able to do. I thought that maybe O.K for me so borrowed his bike. It was fantastic, but I could not afford to buy one of the latest new bikes. However through reading this forum I decided on a secondhand Powabyke. Eventually found a shopper on Ebay for £180 modified it with bits I had in the garage. It runs like a dream and I am happy and back on 2 wheels.

 

[eddieo]

I bought a second hand wisper 905SE from Classifieds on here in 2008. Had that 12 months and bought 2 new Wispers for me and the wife (sold first for £50 less then what I paid) They fitted into my motorhomes rear garage easily and were great bikes. I initially purchased for motorhome trips, but I found that I was using bike more and more in London were we live..So now my main transport. My wife used her 705 for commuting but no longer feels safe.

Last year down sized camper to a panel van sized vehicle, which means bikes have to be lifted and carried on rear rack. So this meant a rethink, so we upgraded to present bikes, much lighter and much nicer to ride to be honest.

I love reading and researching into e bikes it has turned into a real hobby. Serious cycling whether electric or not is expensive, that is if you want proper, light e bikes.......

 

[DJH]

I bought the ebike for my wife in July intending for us to go riding together (me on my unpowered bike)now that I'm retired. However she has used it 3 times and I use it all the time. We live out in the sticks and it has halved the use of our second vehicle. It appeals to my green credentials and we are now thinking of getting a second bike (with better range) and selling one of the cars. It's great not being so dependant on the oil companies!

 

[banbury frank]

Hi A bit off Thread but i feel I should pass on to member Flash

Please look at www.pain123.com for your arthritis. It works I take it also we give the dog version to our 14 year old dog

Frank

 

[Mussels]

Bit of a review so far-
Some exercise but not overdoing it.
Hub drives are liked
30 mile range seems ok for most
integrated lights are liked
low battery replacement price is important
good hillclimbing ability
being green
The latter is important because we are all exhibiting at green type shows but I was never certain that being green and e-biking were connected,I am relieved that to many e-biking is considered green.
Thanks
Dave
KudosCycles

I'd agree with all that.
Not sure about the importance of being green for most customers, they are green but that's not why people buy them. When I was looking for a commuting alternative I'd never have thought about going to a green transport exhibition, and I suspect those that do go to green shows are a bit extreme and would consider using a battery causes too much pollution.

 

[neptune]

@Flash. I am sure everyone would be interested to hear more details of the modifications you made to your shopper. I ride a 2002 model Powabyke Euro. I plan to modify the gearing so I can pedal at higher speeds. I am still looking for a 5 spoke 48 tooth chain ring .Owing to eyesight problems I stopped driving 2 years ago. I do quite a bit of mileage on an ordinary pedal cycle, but it is useful to have the Ebike available if I have to go somewhere and the wind is a bit too strong. I think that for relatively short journeys, and local pottering about, that lead acid batteries are still the best answer.

 

[jasono]

I'd agree with all that.
Not sure about the importance of being green for most customers, they are green but that's not why people buy them. When I was looking for a commuting alternative I'd never have thought about going to a green transport exhibition, and I suspect those that do go to green shows are a bit extreme and would consider using a battery causes too much pollution.

The green element certainly attracted me, being able to ditch the car more frequently than I had been. I rode motorbikes for years too, but sold my last one due to preferring the ebike for leisurely rides out