Electric bicycles - who buys them?

[defblade]

My ebike has just tipped over 600 miles, which as work is 3 miles (including a couple of reasonable hills) away, is 100 days' commuting.

Not as many as I would like, but being regularly moved to branches much further away, the Welsh weather (I'd rather not get wet on the way in, not so bothered for the way home), and several long minor illnesses have conspired to keep the number down.

OTOH, that's 200 very short journeys saved for my (modern small petrol + turbo) car, so still a win really

[Herbs]

272BHP said:

Specialized Vado SL 4.0 looks more and more like a tempting package.

My only doubts at this stage is revolve around the fact that I have not sat on a Canyon RoadLite 5:ON and I really want to compare the two.

Also Fazua 60 vs Specialized SL 1.1?

That seems like a battle the Vado loses as from what I have read the Fazua is the more modern, quieter and powerful motor, I like the fact that the battery can be disconnected from the bike as well. However the Canyon geometry might just be too aggressive for me.

Anyone been to the Canyon centre in Chessington? I wonder if they have bikes to look at and sit on.

My SL4.0 EQ is being delivered today

[gangzoom]

272BHP said:

Also Fazua 60 vs Specialized SL 1.1?

That seems like a battle the Vado loses as from what I have read the Fazua is the more modern, quieter and powerful motor, I like the fact that the battery can be disconnected from the bike as well. However the Canyon geometry might just be too aggressive for me.

I wouldn't get too focused on spec comparisons, there is no real world difference between the Fazua 50 and motor in the Specialized on the two eBikes I own.

Get the best bike for you, treat it like any bike purchase, forget about the motor/battery specs.

[df76]

HoHoHo said:

Another 64 miles on the Creo Comp SL 1.2 this afternoon, so that’s 320 excellent miles since I picked it up on 15th May.

These machines really are amazing and even though I felt like a pyjama case after my ride today these e-bikes open the roads and adventures like no other. Those who live in the south near Storrington/Arundel/Pulborough will know Bury Hill……..

Bury Hill is a hill that eats cyclists for breakfast and spits them out before having more for morning coffee with biscuits. I’m up it at 8mph in Turbo sitting (I can’t stand because of my knee injury) and the hill just becomes an obstacle that is gone quite quickly and in the rear view mirror.

As mentioned I also have a LEVO Comp (from new, over 6000 miles on the frame so far) so I have the perfect garage (for me), but I’m really enjoying my road cycling again and I’m quietly building up to a 100 mile route I’m going to do once back from my next business trip.

I even took it off road on a detour and it got dirty!



I don’t use Trail or Turbo more than I have to and today with my extended battery I averaged 16.4mph, 2450ft ascent and I would suggest a range of somewhere around 140-160 miles depending on usage which will more than allow for a 100 mile run when I’m ready for it.

For those who are still on the fence……..

Get off it and buy an e-bike!

Edited to add I quite like my stats and record heart rate etc.

During that 64 mile pedal my heart was averaging 120bpm, max was 155bpm, cadence was average 77rpm and max 107rpm, average speed 16.4mph and max 35.3mph. Elapsed time was 3:57 and moving time was 3:51. I burnt 2153 Cal and lost 3.7lbs (yes, I weigh myself before and after each ride!).

Sad I know but there we go

Edited by HoHoHo on Wednesday 29th May 21:49

That’s a good review, and I can see myself upgrading over time.

Took the new boardman out for its first proper test, and I rode further than I’ve done in a good long while. It just encourages you to go further and I’ll certainly be trying more ambitious routes. Battery range will be interesting, and could become hampered by lack of battery extension.. but seems a good starter bike. Quite like the option to drop the motor and battery out as well.



Plenty of water across the Levels still.

[HoHoHo]

df76 said:

HoHoHo said:

Another 64 miles on the Creo Comp SL 1.2 this afternoon, so that’s 320 excellent miles since I picked it up on 15th May.

These machines really are amazing and even though I felt like a pyjama case after my ride today these e-bikes open the roads and adventures like no other. Those who live in the south near Storrington/Arundel/Pulborough will know Bury Hill……..

Bury Hill is a hill that eats cyclists for breakfast and spits them out before having more for morning coffee with biscuits. I’m up it at 8mph in Turbo sitting (I can’t stand because of my knee injury) and the hill just becomes an obstacle that is gone quite quickly and in the rear view mirror.

As mentioned I also have a LEVO Comp (from new, over 6000 miles on the frame so far) so I have the perfect garage (for me), but I’m really enjoying my road cycling again and I’m quietly building up to a 100 mile route I’m going to do once back from my next business trip.

I even took it off road on a detour and it got dirty!



I don’t use Trail or Turbo more than I have to and today with my extended battery I averaged 16.4mph, 2450ft ascent and I would suggest a range of somewhere around 140-160 miles depending on usage which will more than allow for a 100 mile run when I’m ready for it.

For those who are still on the fence……..

Get off it and buy an e-bike!

Edited to add I quite like my stats and record heart rate etc.

During that 64 mile pedal my heart was averaging 120bpm, max was 155bpm, cadence was average 77rpm and max 107rpm, average speed 16.4mph and max 35.3mph. Elapsed time was 3:57 and moving time was 3:51. I burnt 2153 Cal and lost 3.7lbs (yes, I weigh myself before and after each ride!).

Sad I know but there we go

Edited by HoHoHo on Wednesday 29th May 21:49

That’s a good review, and I can see myself upgrading over time.

Took the new boardman out for its first proper test, and I rode further than I’ve done in a good long while. It just encourages you to go further and I’ll certainly be trying more ambitious routes. Battery range will be interesting, and could become hampered by lack of battery extension.. but seems a good starter bike. Quite like the option to drop the motor and battery out as well.



Plenty of water across the Levels still.

Thanks and enjoy your new bike

[272BHP]

Herbs said:

My SL4.0 EQ is being delivered today

Lucky you!

Would be great to hear a report on it once you have a few miles on it.

[Herbs]

Popped home at lunch and took it round the block and really impressed so far - as much as you can be in 20 minutes!

I'll explain my use case to see if its helpful and will show how I reached my decision.

I'm 44 and gone from being active when younger to unfit and sat at a desk all day and then sat at a desk working on my own business in the evenings. I moved in December and now live a 30 minute walk from the office which typically has been driven to date in order to support my other half get over her PTSD following a nasty crash a couple of years ago.

I last owned a bike 15 years ago which was a Specialized mountain bike and terrible on the road which is where i used it (definitely a case of style over substance) which meant I never used it and lacked the desire and the fitness to push past the initial pain.

This time, I specifically want it for enjoyment on the surfaces I ride on but specifically to get fit. Weight and the ability to ride without assistance was key for me but with the back up when needed. The SL gives me that and will force me to not be lazy on it as the assistance is based on the % that you put in rather than full throttle type assistance of many.

There seems to only be a few that fits the bill and with the right balance of spec and affordability.

TLDR; It will hopefully force me to not be a lazy bd whilst being enjoyable to ride

[df76]

Starting to get my head around the Fauza system, and seems to be much more adaptable than I thought.. I like how you can map your own power / effort levels. So you can tweak the inputs as you get fitter or need a longer ride.

[272BHP]

Tried my first proper e-bike yesterday a mountain bike equipped with a Bosch Performance CX motor. This was a 25kg bike on a hot afternoon and it just crushed the hell out of some very steep hills - very impressive.

One thing I did find was that I was frequently in the wrong gear as the motor would just fill in with its own torque and blurred my sense of what ratio I was in.

A colleague suggested that something like a Cowboy would make a perfect around town bike, no gears, Gates drive etc and it does sort of make sense for my use case - has anyone tried one?

[horsemeatscandal]

Are Fiidos any good for leisurely use?

[bobbo89]

272BHP said:

Tried my first proper e-bike yesterday a mountain bike equipped with a Bosch Performance CX motor. This was a 25kg bike on a hot afternoon and it just crushed the hell out of some very steep hills - very impressive.

One thing I did find was that I was frequently in the wrong gear as the motor would just fill in with its own torque and blurred my sense of what ratio I was in.

I've heard a few people say this and I think it's a Bosch thing, they feel much more like they're pushing you along rather than assisting your input. I've only ever car park tested a Bosch and that was exactly how it felt, like it was reacting too much to my input.

My Shimano EP8 is exactly what I wanted when I got an e-bike and feels much more natural and linear.

Different strokes for different folks though, my LBS recently sold a Shimano equipped Megawatt to a customer who after two weeks came to trade it in for a Bosch equipped bike. Apparently all his mates on Bosch equipped bikes were flying ahead of him and after riding their bikes wanted one himself...

[trails]

bobbo89 said:

272BHP said:

Tried my first proper e-bike yesterday a mountain bike equipped with a Bosch Performance CX motor. This was a 25kg bike on a hot afternoon and it just crushed the hell out of some very steep hills - very impressive.

One thing I did find was that I was frequently in the wrong gear as the motor would just fill in with its own torque and blurred my sense of what ratio I was in.

I've heard a few people say this and I think it's a Bosch thing, they feel much more like they're pushing you along rather than assisting your input. I've only ever car park tested a Bosch and that was exactly how it felt, like it was reacting too much to my input.

My Shimano EP8 is exactly what I wanted when I got an e-bike and feels much more natural and linear.

Different strokes for different folks though, my LBS recently sold a Shimano equipped Megawatt to a customer who after two weeks came to trade it in for a Bosch equipped bike. Apparently all his mates on Bosch equipped bikes were flying ahead of him and after riding their bikes wanted one himself...

Mode derived maybe? Vast majority of my time on the ebike is in Tour, the closest mode on my wife's Liv sees her bugger off into the distance, but they have similar outputs

[President Merkin]

Of course mode. Stick a Bosch in Emtb or Turbo & you bomb along. Tour or eco & you're much more involved. The principle differentiator with CX motors is they overrun & that's a feature, not a bug,

[trails]

President Merkin said:

Of course mode. Stick a Bosch in Emtb or Turbo & you bomb along. Tour or eco & you're much more involved. The principle differentiator with CX motors is they overrun & that's a feature, not a bug,

I meant differing modes between manufacturers

I love the over run on the Bosch, once you are used to it you can use it like a mechanical bunny hop boost

[President Merkin]

trails said:

I meant differing modes between manufacturers

I love the over run on the Bosch, once you are used to it you can use it like a mechanical bunny hop boost

Ah ok, forgive me. I was working of 272 trying a Bosch powered bike,

[trails]

President Merkin said:

trails said:

I meant differing modes between manufacturers

I love the over run on the Bosch, once you are used to it you can use it like a mechanical bunny hop boost

Ah ok, forgive me. I was working of 272 trying a Bosch powered bike,

No drama, poorly articulated by me

[Herbs]

bobbo89 said:

272BHP said:

Tried my first proper e-bike yesterday a mountain bike equipped with a Bosch Performance CX motor. This was a 25kg bike on a hot afternoon and it just crushed the hell out of some very steep hills - very impressive.

One thing I did find was that I was frequently in the wrong gear as the motor would just fill in with its own torque and blurred my sense of what ratio I was in.

I've heard a few people say this and I think it's a Bosch thing, they feel much more like they're pushing you along rather than assisting your input. I've only ever car park tested a Bosch and that was exactly how it felt, like it was reacting too much to my input.

My Shimano EP8 is exactly what I wanted when I got an e-bike and feels much more natural and linear.

Different strokes for different folks though, my LBS recently sold a Shimano equipped Megawatt to a customer who after two weeks came to trade it in for a Bosch equipped bike. Apparently all his mates on Bosch equipped bikes were flying ahead of him and after riding their bikes wanted one himself...

I can confirm the Turbo Vado SL is nothing like this at all, in fact you wouldn't even know its helping until you turn it off then you can get a shock

Really impressed so far and easy to ride with it off fully as well.

[bobbo89]

trails said:

Mode derived maybe? Vast majority of my time on the ebike is in Tour, the closest mode on my wife's Liv sees her bugger off into the distance, but they have similar outputs

Yeah I ride mainly in Eco on mine and only ever use Trail or Boost towards the end of the ride and don't care about draining the battery. There must be a difference in how much assistance each mode gives between Bosch and Shimano.

[272BHP]

Herbs said:

I can confirm the Turbo Vado SL is nothing like this at all, in fact you wouldn't even know its helping until you turn it off then you can get a shock

Really impressed so far and easy to ride with it off fully as well.

Any squeeks or rattles? One of the most important things for me on a bike is that it feels well put together and “all of a piece”

[Herbs]

272BHP said:

Herbs said:

I can confirm the Turbo Vado SL is nothing like this at all, in fact you wouldn't even know its helping until you turn it off then you can get a shock

Really impressed so far and easy to ride with it off fully as well.

Any squeeks or rattles? One of the most important things for me on a bike is that it feels well put together and “all of a piece”

None at all. I bought the EQ version so even with the mudguards and pannier added its still solid.

Where are you based? If anywhere near the south, you are more than welcome to take a look.