tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7581728941847065596.post3211374317081186001..comments2024-03-27T11:34:55.105-04:00Comments on Livin In The Bike Lane: E-Bikes On the WayAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12647549535857711041noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7581728941847065596.post-4358469088187652982010-09-28T22:15:04.950-04:002010-09-28T22:15:04.950-04:00Thanks for commenting on this. I definitely need t...Thanks for commenting on this. I definitely need to check one of these bikes out. I probably shouldn't have been so opinionated about something that I haven't actually ridden, but only seen in action. They were very popular on the hills in the Tuscan countryside and I could see more of what you are talking about as far as giving you some assistance when you are needing some extra energy to get you on down the road. I will update when I get to test drive one of these. Thanks again.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12647549535857711041noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7581728941847065596.post-8636670048901023272010-09-01T09:07:48.650-04:002010-09-01T09:07:48.650-04:00" I do enjoy riding my bike for the physical ..." I do enjoy riding my bike for the physical exercise and calming effect that experience from it. Unless I had a ridiculously long commute, which I don't, I wouldn't buy one of these. It seems to completely take the recreation aspect out of riding a bike."<br /><br />Actually, the pedal assist styles leave the bicycling experience pretty much the same. I added a Bionx kit to my bike. It adds a total of 14 lbs to the bike, but with it turned off I don't notice it is there at all except on large hills. With it turned on, it's like always having a gentle tail wind when I pedal. But the bike still rides exactly like a bike and I still get quite a bit of exercise. In fact, I probably get more exercise because I take the bike for longer errands that I use to do by car. The system just makes me a tad faster and helps with hills. It also is great if I'm getting sick. I can turn up the assist and get around even if I'm feeling pretty poorly. I don't have good mass transit or other options for getting to work in this situation. This aspect of the assist system in particular has allowed me to completely replace driving.<br /><br />Anyway, this artificial divide between "cyclist" and bicycle rider is to be avoided if you are talking about transportational bicycling as opposed to recreational/lifestyle riding. If serves no constructive purpose for transportational discussions.Peterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01835466294966921439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7581728941847065596.post-42619495120112189602010-08-31T10:16:30.890-04:002010-08-31T10:16:30.890-04:00I recently converted my commuter bike into an ebik...I recently converted my commuter bike into an ebike, and have ridden it to work almost every day for the last five or six weeks. I used a kit that included a replacement front wheel with an in-hub electric motor. The bike is a little heavier now, and drives a little differently, but gives me two really great benefits:<br />1) Hills are now a lot more manageable. Not only has this given me the confidence to ride more often, it has also meant that when I get to work, I'm far less sweaty.<br />2) It's a lot easier to get going again after coming to a complete stop. This has caused me to drive in a much safer and more legal way by making it feel like less of a chore to come to a complete stop at lights and stop signs.<br /><br />The motor won't take me faster than about 18 MPH, and will hardly carry me at all if I'm not pedaling at the same time - so from a traffic interaction perspective, I don't think it has changed anything.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com