E-bikes in the parks - any advice?

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

I'm looking at getting a mountain e-bike as there are a couple longer range trails I'm hoping to hike this summer that are best accessed by cycling to the trailheads. Also, just to get back on the bow river paths and rip around on the weekends.

I noticed they opened up e-bikes (or "pedal assisted bikes") to all permitted cycling trails in provincial parks after running a pilot program restricting them to select trails and found that there were no issues with safety or environmental impact (shocking).

The rules for alberta parks are looser. Essentially just have a bike that is pedal assisted/combination bike and not a throttle e-bike.

Banff national park however is stricter, stating a max of 350W power and 32km/h power assist is required to be on their trails.

Looking at bikes and the best reviewed ones I've found at the price point I'm looking for have 500W and 750W motors and assist to about 35km/h. I nearly bought one and then I saw that advisory from Banff.

I refined my search to models within the parks Canada specs but they have worse review scores and don't sound nearly as reliable.

Should I just go ahead with my original purchase and chance it out there? It's only one trail in Banff that i know isn't busy.

Would they actually monitor and look into the specs of my bike? Cause I'd rather not make a bad purchase just to adhere to their (frankly) way too strict rules.

[FlamingHomer]

Get the bike YOU want. Breaking the rules is very exhilarating.

[GGG]

Get a sticker that says 350W. Then don’t ride like an #######.

[Shazam]

Did they start labelling the batteries or something? I couldn’t even tell you what mine is without looking it up.

[fotze2]

What does a decent e-bike cost? I have a good bike I never use but would possibly do e-bike? Is there a good brand, I have zero clue on them.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Originally Posted by FlamingHomer

Get the bike YOU want. Breaking the rules is very exhilarating.

I think it's that I've broken the rules before (and in extravagant fashion) and can't help but feel like I have a karmic bounty on my head now.

Probably just going to play dumb and pretend I'm borrowing the bike and know nothing about its specifications.

Not like I'm an avid mountain biker who's going to max out the power on an off road trail. There are bears and cougars to watch out for, and I like to take in the scenery.

Just a casual trying to get from point A to B.

[fotze2]

What bike you looking at?

Assume battery life, power and battery replaceable to be the most important? Also not looking like an abortion bike.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Originally Posted by fotze2

What does a decent e-bike cost? I have a good bike I never use but would possibly do e-bike? Is there a good brand, I have zero clue on them.

Decent? A couple grand.

Entry level for street leisure? $700-1000.

I still don't know what brands are most reputable either, I'm just going off of customer reviews.

[fotze2]

Originally Posted by TrentCrimmIndependent

Decent? A couple grand.

Entry level for street leisure? $700-1000.

I still don't know what brands are most reputable either, I'm just going off of customer reviews.

I made the mistake of googling e-bikes Calgary and now 17,000 ads show up everywhere. There is a lot of places selling e-bikes. You’d probably want something with a local storefront just for servicing no?

Prices are like $1,000 to $15,000. Jesus. Do they let you try them? I don’t even know how they work.

[puffnstuff]

Whatever you get, splurge the 6 extra dollars and get a bell...and then use it when you pass someone on the pathways.

[fotze2]

Originally Posted by puffnstuff

Whatever you get, splurge the 6 extra dollars and get a bell...and then use it when you pass someone on the pathways.

I can’t just shout ‘dingaling’ loudly?

[afc wimbledon]

Originally Posted by fotze2

I can’t just shout ‘dingaling’ loudly?

'Oi **** muppet, coming through' is more effective

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Originally Posted by puffnstuff

Whatever you get, splurge the 6 extra dollars and get a bell...and then use it when you pass someone on the pathways.

Oh these babies have electronic horns and an LED headlight on them.

I would've if it didn't. As the person usually walking in that situation, I always appreciate people ringing or shouting 'on your left' rather than someone whipping by a whisker from you.

[Fuzz]

If it's from a decent brand they will all be limited to 32km/h, the 35 is a lie. It's 20 mph they go by, which is 32.

The wattage is motor power, not battery. I'd go with whatever for wattage and not ride like a dick. If it looks more like a mtb bike than a dirt bike, you should be fine.

[fotze2]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

If it's from a decent brand they will all be limited to 32km/h, the 35 is a lie. It's 20 mph they go by, which is 32.

The wattage is motor power, not battery. I'd go with whatever for wattage and not ride like a dick. If it looks more like a mtb bike than a dirt bike, you should be fine.

Ya I know. Battery would be king. Like getting up from the river up by shaganapi golf course would be nice. Hate that part. Battery will be garbage sooner than they ever say so being able to swap that easily and not rapey priced would be best.

500 to 350 is not noticeable?

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by fotze2

Ya I know. Battery would be king. Like getting up from the river up by shaganapi golf course would be nice. Hate that part. Battery will be garbage sooner than they ever say so being able to swap that easily and not rapey priced would be best.

500 to 350 is not noticeable?

It's super noticeable.

I put a 750w in mine since 500 wasn't fast enough because I weigh 230. It'll go 60 no problem now. That's my city one. Probably worth $2k or something, but I've had it since before covid and bought it for $500. It's a Rad Rover from Rad power bikes. This one would be cool for you and its in sale right now: https://radpowerbikes.ca/collections...c-utility-bike. Sounds like you don't weigh as much as me...500w would be super fun and plenty fast for you.

I also have a Giant Reign E+ for actual mountain biking. Full suspension and totally bad ass. That one I just ride in the mountains, though, because it's a theft magnet so I can't relax if it's out of my sight. The Rad bike I lock up, obviously, but don't really worry about it.

[GGG]

Originally Posted by fotze2

Ya I know. Battery would be king. Like getting up from the river up by shaganapi golf course would be nice. Hate that part. Battery will be garbage sooner than they ever say so being able to swap that easily and not rapey priced would be best.

500 to 350 is not noticeable?

Depends on what you are buying

If you buy a mid drive then know you just shift your gears to operate in low torque modes where the motor is in a good spot in its power curve

With a geared hub motor it definitely makes a difference on hills and starts

With a direct drive hub motor it’s critical

It’s also why wattage limits are stupid. I’d go 250-350 for mid drives and 500 for rear gear driven hub motors.

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Originally Posted by fotze2

Battery will be garbage sooner than they ever say so being able to swap that easily and not rapey priced would be best.

Does a user replaceable, standardized battery even exist for e-bikes?

Or common - I can still get DeWalt 18v battery packs as they are so commonplace.

It seems like you have to find someone sketchy dude to rebuild your battery pack, cell by cell, with no guarantee it doesn't spontaneously combust.

I'm under the impression that all these bike will be expensive junk in 7 years. I'm already seeing $400 ads for dead $8,000 e-bikes from dead motors and batteries.

[PaperBagger'14]

E bikes are great, you can have all the smugness of being a cyclist while requiring no athleticism! Ignore all the rules of the road without any need for that pesky pedalling.

[GGG]

Originally Posted by I-Hate-Hulse

Does a user replaceable, standardized battery even exist for e-bikes?

Or common - I can still get DeWalt 18v battery packs as they are so commonplace.

It seems like you have to find someone sketchy dude to rebuild your battery pack, cell by cell, with no guarantee it doesn't spontaneously combust.

I'm under the impression that all these bike will be expensive junk in 7 years. I'm already seeing $400 ads for dead $8,000 e-bikes from dead motors and batteries.

If you are handy you can hook a new battery up to an existing system pretty easily. Especially if you don’t buy someone that integrates the battery into the frame

Basically you can buy a new battery from a place below, pick the right connector for your Bike and you are good to go. The battery doesn’t do anything with the bike it just provides power.

https://em3ev.com/shop/em3ev-36v-10s...00-king-shark/

The display and the controller have to work together so usually you’d replace them as a pair. And motors you just need the same form factor with most of the simple computer types are just bafang hub drives or a knock off version.

So everything is fairly replaceable if you are handy so not as simple as a dewalt