Electric VS Just Highly Efficient Regular Bike?
Discussion
Currently have sub 10kg boardman hybrid pro that I picked up for £250 in new condition some years ago, best bike I have ever had , love it and with the GP4000 tyres there's almost no rolling resistance, if keeping under 15km/h when there is no aero drag compared to bikes others ride there's almost no need to pedal as it just glides itself.
I don't commute on bike nor use it for competitive stuff ,just have one to go to places and cruise around, not even for exercise, most of the time I just stay at around 15km/h speed so there's almost no need to pedal but you can just enjoy the view.
Now to get a decent used electric bike you need to spend ~£1k to get something which has been £2-2.5k new and play russian roulette with used battery,and the components on those won't even be any better than What I already have + twice the weight.
I'm only considering electric so that I don't have to pedal/walk up the hills (not huge ones ,just regular inclines) and to get home easily when I'm tired as I'm pretty much banned from even riding a bike due to health problem (where I can't get tired too much)
Just wondering if perhaps someone already had a nice bike which would just roll itself when there's no aero drag and than got an electric bike?
Was it even worth for the stuff that I plan to use it for? Don't really even want another bike that much, only I have never ridden one so can't really compare to what I already have.
I don't commute on bike nor use it for competitive stuff ,just have one to go to places and cruise around, not even for exercise, most of the time I just stay at around 15km/h speed so there's almost no need to pedal but you can just enjoy the view.
Now to get a decent used electric bike you need to spend ~£1k to get something which has been £2-2.5k new and play russian roulette with used battery,and the components on those won't even be any better than What I already have + twice the weight.
I'm only considering electric so that I don't have to pedal/walk up the hills (not huge ones ,just regular inclines) and to get home easily when I'm tired as I'm pretty much banned from even riding a bike due to health problem (where I can't get tired too much)
Just wondering if perhaps someone already had a nice bike which would just roll itself when there's no aero drag and than got an electric bike?
Was it even worth for the stuff that I plan to use it for? Don't really even want another bike that much, only I have never ridden one so can't really compare to what I already have.
okgo said:
It will be much easier, yes, because it has a battery.
Given you only cruise about at low speeds though, I'd say that you'd get almost zero health benefit if you got an electric bike.
And you’d be wrong, with an electric bike you will go on longer rides and further distances than you would previously. Since I’ve had an ebike I go out at least three times a week if not more and go probably 50% further Than I would have before. I also use the ebike rather than the car for just popping round to friends or popping up the shops which I would never have done previously, it’s made a big difference to my fitness levels.Given you only cruise about at low speeds though, I'd say that you'd get almost zero health benefit if you got an electric bike.
They give you an extra 250w when you need it and only when you're under 15mph, other than that you're on your own and you can get sweaty riding one if you want.
I use mine for commuting and find that when I'm on flat ground I am above the speed limit and will be doing all the work. When I pull away from traffic lights, I find the assistance nice for getting up to speed. The assistance is useful for hills in this situation too as you can either pedal hard to maintain speed or drop a few gears and use more assistance to avoid getting a sweat on.
My road bike cruises at a faster speed because it has better gearing and bigger wheels (my e-Bike is a Brompton), I can ride it up hills faster too but it requires more effort.
You'll certainly get a decent bit of exercise done on an e-Bike, it'll get your heart rate up to a decent level and you'll get some fresh air too.
I use mine for commuting and find that when I'm on flat ground I am above the speed limit and will be doing all the work. When I pull away from traffic lights, I find the assistance nice for getting up to speed. The assistance is useful for hills in this situation too as you can either pedal hard to maintain speed or drop a few gears and use more assistance to avoid getting a sweat on.
My road bike cruises at a faster speed because it has better gearing and bigger wheels (my e-Bike is a Brompton), I can ride it up hills faster too but it requires more effort.
You'll certainly get a decent bit of exercise done on an e-Bike, it'll get your heart rate up to a decent level and you'll get some fresh air too.
Cupramax said:
And you’d be wrong, with an electric bike you will go on longer rides and further distances than you would previously. Since I’ve had an ebike I go out at least three times a week if not more and go probably 50% further Than I would have before. I also use the ebike rather than the car for just popping round to friends or popping up the shops which I would never have done previously, it’s made a big difference to my fitness levels.
Doesn't sound like OP would though, doesn't use if for exercise, doesn't really have any purpose to a ride? Just wants it easier (if you can get easier than riding at 8mph?) - so that was my point I guess, probably best to keep it as is rather than remove all human effort, especially given the boardman requires so little effort already.To you points - why? Why do you need an ebike for all that? I don't get it really unless you have a serious health issue, or that you still wish to go out on rides with other people who are fitter and ride further than you.
Many recent ebikes record the number of charges and show this on a display or sometimes via a phone app. Some quote "battery health" too.
Virtually all record total mileage. As with any used purchase, the overall condition will be your best guide.
Alternatively, buy a new bike for £1.5K to £2K and get a warranty. Rutland have bikes from Giant, Cube, etc in this price bracket.
Woosh bikes are often recommended and have bikes nearer to a grand.
They'll have entry level components though but I wouldn't be worrying too much about that given your intended use.
There's even a Cube bike at Rutland for £750 that might fit your bill.
Many local bike shops will have "demo" bikes for you to test ride once the present lockdown is lifted.
Virtually all record total mileage. As with any used purchase, the overall condition will be your best guide.
Alternatively, buy a new bike for £1.5K to £2K and get a warranty. Rutland have bikes from Giant, Cube, etc in this price bracket.
Woosh bikes are often recommended and have bikes nearer to a grand.
They'll have entry level components though but I wouldn't be worrying too much about that given your intended use.
There's even a Cube bike at Rutland for £750 that might fit your bill.
Many local bike shops will have "demo" bikes for you to test ride once the present lockdown is lifted.
Had an eBike since Feb, done coming up.200 miles of commuting now, rain/wind/sun etc.
Previously use to ride quite alot but haven't done so for 4 years until recently.
My main reasons for getting an eBike instead of a 'normal' bike is so I can do the 3 mile commute to work without getting sweaty and needing to change cloth. So far it's done exactly what I've wanted it to do, and am very happy with the purchase.
Interms of pure speed with it been a hybrid setup with fat tyres, mud guards, lights etc it's not as fast on a rolling segment as my non assisted road bike. But it comes surprising close, despite not having an every aero position. An eBike with road specific geometry am sure would be a good deal quicker!!
Road bike, was much easier to ride at 15mph+ due to better aero.
Hybrid eBike, was slower, but on the hills equal/quicker. I was also subjectivly less tired at the end.
Its worth mentioning there are different eBike around, some (illegal??) ones are basically electric mopeds where you dont have to cycle. The one I have - Boradman Hybrid e8.9, you very much still have to put the work in, but it does take the edge of things, so you don't quite hit max heart rate for so long, and tired legs aren't so tired when going into a 20mph head wind. In effect it makes cycling more enjoyable, even in less than ideal conditions.
As for buying used eBike you need to be abit more cautions. I've taken mine back twice already to have an odd feel bits checked, and knowing there is a 2 year warranty of the motor/battery is a good fall back plan, makes me far less worried longterm.
I think eBikes are great, but as others have mentioned for your use spending £2k or even £1k on one would be overkill!
Previously use to ride quite alot but haven't done so for 4 years until recently.
My main reasons for getting an eBike instead of a 'normal' bike is so I can do the 3 mile commute to work without getting sweaty and needing to change cloth. So far it's done exactly what I've wanted it to do, and am very happy with the purchase.
Interms of pure speed with it been a hybrid setup with fat tyres, mud guards, lights etc it's not as fast on a rolling segment as my non assisted road bike. But it comes surprising close, despite not having an every aero position. An eBike with road specific geometry am sure would be a good deal quicker!!
Road bike, was much easier to ride at 15mph+ due to better aero.
Hybrid eBike, was slower, but on the hills equal/quicker. I was also subjectivly less tired at the end.
Its worth mentioning there are different eBike around, some (illegal??) ones are basically electric mopeds where you dont have to cycle. The one I have - Boradman Hybrid e8.9, you very much still have to put the work in, but it does take the edge of things, so you don't quite hit max heart rate for so long, and tired legs aren't so tired when going into a 20mph head wind. In effect it makes cycling more enjoyable, even in less than ideal conditions.
As for buying used eBike you need to be abit more cautions. I've taken mine back twice already to have an odd feel bits checked, and knowing there is a 2 year warranty of the motor/battery is a good fall back plan, makes me far less worried longterm.
I think eBikes are great, but as others have mentioned for your use spending £2k or even £1k on one would be overkill!
Edited by gangzoom on Thursday 26th March 15:10
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