What are your thoughts on Ebikes?

[surferguy]

Mine has a twist throttle, the only time I use it is when I initially take off (about 5 ft). My bike also weighs about 90lbs on it own, and I have about 90 lbs of kid cargo on the back.

[Ironhorse]

Originally Posted by kermitology

Evidence shows that people who eBike ride further and more often. If you’re getting your HR into the 120-135 bpm range you’re in an ideal range for weight loss.

An eBike makes that easier to achieve and maintain.

People ride further and more often on an e-bike because it’s easier. I’ve got a fat friend on FB who now loudly brags about his 70 km e-bike “rides” but he burns under 500 calories.

You don’t need an e-bike to put your HR in the 120-135 bpm range - just peddle more.

[Icantwhisper]

Originally Posted by Ironhorse

People ride further and more often on an e-bike because it’s easier. I’ve got a fat friend on FB who now loudly brags about his 70 km e-bike “rides” but he burns under 500 calories.

You don’t need an e-bike to put your HR in the 120-135 bpm range - just peddle more.

Agreed with this, have a friend who works with people after heart attacks and ebikes are the worst according to her, people think they are working hard but it’s too easy to let the bike do the work. The throttle bikes are exponentially worse than the pedal assist.

[Johnny199r]

That’s what I suspected.

It’s like going to the gym and spending a lot of your time standing around, looking at your phone and talking to other people and then wondering why you aren’t getting in better shape.

E bikes just sound like setting yourself up for the easy way out. Some people might as well ride mopeds instead.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by Ironhorse

People ride further and more often on an e-bike because it’s easier. I’ve got a fat friend on FB who now loudly brags about his 70 km e-bike “rides” but he burns under 500 calories.

You don’t need an e-bike to put your HR in the 120-135 bpm range - just peddle more.

But do they actually get out and ride because they have an e-bike when otherwise they would have stayed home?

That's what I think they're great for. Making bike trips happen that wouldn't have happened otherwise. Either because the rider is older, carrying an injury, or trying to get fit, or because the trip is far, and requires carrying heavy stuff around (kids).

I personally don't have one, because I already pedal around a decent amount and want to maximize the exercise I get from it and not deal with the cost/maintenance/theft considerations. When I'm an old fart, I'm sure I'll have one.

[GGG]

Originally Posted by Bill Bumface

But do they actually get out and ride because they have an e-bike when otherwise they would have stayed home?

That's what I think they're great for. Making bike trips happen that wouldn't have happened otherwise. Either because the rider is older, carrying an injury, or trying to get fit, or because the trip is far, and requires carrying heavy stuff around (kids).

I personally don't have one, because I already pedal around a decent amount and want to maximize the exercise I get from it and not deal with the cost/maintenance/theft considerations. When I'm an old fart, I'm sure I'll have one.

Mine became a summer car replacement rather than a bike replacement. Number of bike commutes went way up and number of small erands done by bike went way up.

I don’t really use mine for recreational riding, I have a regular bike for that.

[pseudoreality]

Originally Posted by GGG

Mine became a summer car replacement rather than a bike replacement. Number of bike commutes went way up and number of small erands done by bike went way up.

I don’t really use mine for recreational riding, I have a regular bike for that.

I am more or less the same as it is primarily my personal vehicle in the summer. However, it is fun to ride and I do the occasional recreational ride. I watched The Peripheral over Christmas and that motivated me to take my bike out for a couple of winter rides to try it out. It wasn't bad.

[Icantwhisper]

Originally Posted by Bill Bumface

But do they actually get out and ride because they have an e-bike when otherwise they would have stayed home?

That's what I think they're great for. Making bike trips happen that wouldn't have happened otherwise. Either because the rider is older, carrying an injury, or trying to get fit, or because the trip is far, and requires carrying heavy stuff around (kids).

I personally don't have one, because I already pedal around a decent amount and want to maximize the exercise I get from it and not deal with the cost/maintenance/theft considerations. When I'm an old fart, I'm sure I'll have one.

I agree the more people out on bikes the better, people using them for errands etc. is great but I don’t think they are as beneficial for exercising as advertised

[greyshep]

Picked up the Quest Hub yesterday. Its going to be my wifes bike. We did the tour de crave last year which was a 75km loop around Calgary. She hated the hills into crowfoot area, etc and said she would never do that again without an e bike. She is not in bad shape but I am hoping this will at least allow us to continue to take longer rides together where I can still grunt my way up nasty hills and she doesnt get discouraged and have to walk her bike up those types of slopes.

I am not expecting this bike to be a fitness machine but more of a get out of the house and do something motivator.

[flylock shox]

I finally assembled my quest mid today. No chance to ride it yet, but quality alone suggests it was more than worth the gamble. All sorts of things they could have cheaped out on but clearly didn't. Certainly seems like their aim was to justify the $3k price tag it originally had. Even the provided tools to complete the assembly are very solid. I'm particularly pleased with the aluminum fenders and the fact the integrated rack can handle 25kgs. Looking forward to testing it out on north shore hills this week.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by Bill Bumface

But do they actually get out and ride because they have an e-bike when otherwise they would have stayed home?

That's what I think they're great for. Making bike trips happen that wouldn't have happened otherwise. Either because the rider is older, carrying an injury, or trying to get fit, or because the trip is far, and requires carrying heavy stuff around (kids).

I personally don't have one, because I already pedal around a decent amount and want to maximize the exercise I get from it and not deal with the cost/maintenance/theft considerations. When I'm an old fart, I'm sure I'll have one.

Another thing that's awesome is you can commute to work and barely break a sweat using full assistance, but get your exercise on the way home with little to no assistance. That's what I do since I don't have a shower at work so don't want to get all sweaty on the way in. Plus, every day I take it is a day my car is off the road. Ebikes fricken rule.

[prarieboy]

Originally Posted by flylock shox

I finally assembled my quest mid today. No chance to ride it yet, but quality alone suggests it was more than worth the gamble. All sorts of things they could have cheaped out on but clearly didn't. Certainly seems like their aim was to justify the $3k price tag it originally had. Even the provided tools to complete the assembly are very solid. I'm particularly pleased with the aluminum fenders and the fact the integrated rack can handle 25kgs. Looking forward to testing it out on north shore hills this week.

I got mine assembled as well and I cannot believe how well it looks to be built. Rear Hub model.
I actually expected a lot less. There is 9 power assist levels which sounds great to me. I have another bike that has five. The bike also has 8 gears, coupled with the many assist levels I think that should provide a huge range of experiences for whoever is riding it.

One thing to note about electrics, they are not light. If you want a work out turn off the boost and just peddle the thing. LOL!!

[Ryan Coke]

I have come to think the problem is we often compare E bikes to regular bikes, when they really are completely different tools. It’s like comparing running to riding a power scooter.

They are both great for certain things. You aren’t going to get the fitness from a powered bike that you will from a regular bike, but that’s ok. An e bike is good as a vehicle substitute, good for people who aren’t active to get out more, good to equalize riding experiences between stronger and weaker riders.

We just really shouldn’t be comparing them, they provide very different experiences and accomplish very different things (usually).

[flylock shox]

Agreed completely. They're a different tool in the arsenal, with use depending largely on the rider.

I've got plenty of bikes, but none that I see myself commuting on up a massive hill every day. It just sucks the fun out for me and I won't do it regularly - I'm not even sure I could with 40 lbs of toddler and bike seat added. But I'm hoping this will effectively flatten the hill and make commuting more accessible. I'll still have the other bikes for pleasure riding in the various forms they're designed for.

For others it could be injuries, car replacement, age/fitness limitations. All sorts of good reasons.

Personally I think all these personal e vehicles are game changers. As much as electric cars are even.

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by Bill Bumface

But do they actually get out and ride because they have an e-bike when otherwise they would have stayed home?

That's what I think they're great for. Making bike trips happen that wouldn't have happened otherwise. Either because the rider is older, carrying an injury, or trying to get fit, or because the trip is far, and requires carrying heavy stuff around (kids).

I personally don't have one, because I already pedal around a decent amount and want to maximize the exercise I get from it and not deal with the cost/maintenance/theft considerations. When I'm an old fart, I'm sure I'll have one.

I'm looking into an inexpensive e-bike for my wife. That way when I ride my bike on hilly path ways, I'm not always waiting like 5-10 minutes at the top of the hill for her and she can get assistance for stuff like that. Otherwise, we'd just walk a much shorter loop and see a lot less variation of scenery.

I agree e-Bikes are a bit different. But it's a good thing.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by DoubleF

I'm looking into an inexpensive e-bike for my wife. That way when I ride my bike on hilly path ways, I'm not always waiting like 5-10 minutes at the top of the hill for her and she can get assistance for stuff like that. Otherwise, we'd just walk a much shorter loop and see a lot less variation of scenery.

That reminds me of one evening when I was hoofing it up a very steep city street on my bike, at a respectable speed given the grade. Someone passes me, sure enough a woman on an e-bike with a big #### eating grin is just flying up the hill.

Then, just behind her, comes her husband on some fancy road bike, just flying, and keeping pace with her (although with less of a smile). It was pretty awesome.

[pseudoreality]

Originally Posted by Bill Bumface

That reminds me of one evening when I was hoofing it up a very steep city street on my bike, at a respectable speed given the grade. Someone passes me, sure enough a woman on an e-bike with a big #### eating grin is just flying up the hill.

Then, just behind her, comes her husband on some fancy road bike, just flying, and keeping pace with her (although with less of a smile). It was pretty awesome.

This is how I feel when passing the spandex people on my e-bike.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKr-...nnel=xtttgydop

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by pseudoreality

This is how I feel when passing the spandex people on my e-bike.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKr-...nnel=xtttgydop

I feel like their seething hatred tops up my battery as I pass.

[surferguy]

haha - my kids sometimes throw shade from the the back of my cargo when we pass people on hills. Lol

[pylon]

I mocked E-bikes, until I rode an E-bike.

I was in Bolton Creek campground last summer and really got along with the guy in the site next to me. He let me try his E-Bike. Anyone that knows that campground is aware of the huge hill you have to ride up from the store to the top loops.

It was pretty hilarious pedalling it up the hill in a pair of jeans passing the Spandex clad couple huffing and puffing on their $5000 downhill bikes. (Why do people wear Spandex advertising some European gas station or bank BTW? Makes no sense to me)

If anything, it was 1L less of fuel burned to go get a couple Creamsicles, which to me is a win. It's also quiet, and gets people out. If I was an Urban dweller I could definitely see myself owning one for simple commuting or grocery store runs. I still see the appeal of traditional cycling for fitness, but sometimes you just want to go grab a loaf of bread and not end up with drenched in sweat and needing to change your gaunch when you get home.