Question for seasoned E-Bikers
Posted by No_Maximum_8102@reddit | ebikes | View on Reddit | 40 comments
So I am sorta an environmentalist and want to be helpful by using public transportation and or Ebike eventually maybe an Ecar. I bought a cheap Ebike in the past and enjoyed riding it to work but stopped because it began to act up. Any who I am looking to go a little more expensive ONE this time and I wanted to ask seasoned Ebikers.
Do you commute to and from work?
Has it improved your health?
If u used city bus or car, how has it deferred for you?
I have owned over 20 cars in my lifetime, also rode the bus for many years as well. My daily commutes in one go never exceeds 8-15 miles. So there is really no need to drive or catch the bus I can do those both just in case , but just wanted to hear people's experiences on riding
chrispark70@reddit
I live in Philly. We got a snowstorm this year in late January and the temp did not climb above freezing for like close to a month. The streets were not passable on my e-bike with fairly narrow 700c wheels. So I was basically housebound unless I walked or took an uber. If I had a second e-bike with fat tires (like 4"), that probably wouldn't have been the case and I would have saved a lot of uber-bucks.
So if you live in a place where this is common, you should probably have 2 e-bikes. IMHO, I absolutely would not want a fat tire e-bike for the 99% of the time when there isn't 10" of frozen snow on the ground. We get snow, but it usually melts within a day or 2.
I would also recommend a trailer if you want to use a bike for primary transportation. They are pretty inexpensive and when you don't need them, they aren't there unlike a cargo bike.
MotherAd6483@reddit
Oh hell yes. It is exercise, and getting out more is so healthy, interfacing with nature.
If you really want a workout, go torque sensing!!
Superb_Raccoon@reddit
Torque sensing is the ideal. It feels like a bike, and you can tune for a light workout going in, heavier going home.
MotherAd6483@reddit
I have plans to build an emoto as my next build (proper DOT standards, registered, insured, licensed) that has pedaling up to 60mph! š
Inspired by 1920 board track racers. Gonna use a Surly ICT as the base.
Superb_Raccoon@reddit
Im guessing you are joking. The math doesn't math.
MotherAd6483@reddit
Not joking at all. I've got the build mostly planned already. Figure I can get about 40 miles of range at a time going 60.
Superb_Raccoon@reddit
You realize that on flat surface, no wind, you need a minimum 5K watts to do 60mph.
So that is at least 80Ahrs, not including wind or hills.
MotherAd6483@reddit
Yep! This can deliver up to 12k. https://highvoltagekits.com/lightning-rods-electric-motors
Superb_Raccoon@reddit
That would be 4 super shark batteries 20AH at 72v. Where are you putting all that?
MotherAd6483@reddit
I figure a mix of places, and since I'm building it a couple years from now, I hope the battery tech will be better. It has already made a big jump this year.
But, I figure: Center triangle butted up against the motor, top of the center triangle to mimic a gad tank look and the. The rear rack. It will weigh a lot, but it is a motorcycle build rather than a bike build technically, so that's okay. I'm even gonna swap for moped rims to fulfill dmv requirements when it comes to tires.
MotherAd6483@reddit
If you're curious, the plan is to use a dual chain system with a gear amplifier in the base. The motor itself will be in the triangle.
No_Maximum_8102@reddit (OP)
awesome thanks for the feedback
thephotoman@reddit
I am thinking I might try doing a bike commute for real on Tuesday. (Iām taking tomorrow off as a long weekend of my own making: I need rest from work.)
I know itās possible, as Iāve successfully dry run it before. But then a bunch of shit happened, the weather turned foul, and Iāve yet to try it.
If Iām gonna turn this into a full time thing, Iām probably gonna need a bigger backpack so I can shower at the office. We have one.
unseenmover@reddit
I commuted on regular and ebikes for a long time. Pick routes with adequate infrastructure and nearby transit routes so you can use a bus/transit bridge for areas without infrastructure or restrictions (tunnels, fwy overcrossing), should the weather turn or you have a mechanical.
Its also a great way to experience the city in a way that you cant walking, riding the bus or driving. I mean a nice day it cant be beat..
EUCruzer@reddit
I ride electric unicycles or bicycles everywhere I go, itās amazing. I feel so much better than I did in cars. I meet people and enjoy nature and smell the fresh air. Big auto and big oil can suck this.
Worried_Document8668@reddit
i commute by bike in all but the most adverse weather conditions.
since the main public transport is pretty unpunctual around here, i prefer not to use it and be home more quickly, even in harsh weather.
e-bike didn't improve my health, since i already did this before going electric.
but it's certainly convenient for errands, pulling my trailer or extending my range on a workput ride
TrippyDaveXB1@reddit
trailer lol dork.
No_Maximum_8102@reddit (OP)
Thats dope , and inspiring appreciate the feedback
Living_In_Wonder@reddit
I started riding the ebike to help with the environment. It's also why I chose to ride the bus before quite a bit even though I'm in a city that doesn't have great transportation.
Now I ride it not only for the environment, but mainly for building wealth and savings. Average used car prices are at $536/month. New car is about $750. If we say $500/$700 (just to be on the cheap side), then if you were to invest that money instead, you could end up with $35,410 (used car)/ $49,575 (new car) in 5 years. This is assuming an 8.3% return. The average stock market return is around 10%, but I like to play everything a little more on the safe side. I say this just so everyone is aware that there are multiple reasons outside of health and environment to ride an ebike.
I commute to and from work.
Hard to tell. It probably has improved my health, but I drink and eat like crap. It's probably helped me keep at a lower weight compared to what I would be without it. I also do non e-bike rides, so that could be the other thing that helps me (but also hurts me because we start/end at breweries).
As far as how it has deferred me: I would say it's pretty minimal for the most part. While I use the ebike, I'll admit that we do have 1 car in our family. My spouse normally uses it to get to work. It only causes an issue if we try to do something out of town. My spouse is not a biker. I went hiking last week. A friend drove. I paid them money ($30) to drive. The $ was to help cover gas/maintenance. With places doing delivery, and Amazon costing about the same price as stores nearby for bigger items like toilet paper/paper towels, I can order that stuff for delivery. I try to aim to have them delivered at the same time to reduce the trips (save the environment). Delivery can also be more environmentally friendly.
How did your ebike act up? How much was your last ebike? My ebike has 4500 miles on it. I paid \~ $1500 for it. I just spent $300 on a new motor/wheel combo. I have a few broken spokes. There was nothing wrong with the motor. Given the 4500 miles, spending $300 on maintenance (over 3 years) is not bad. I've probably spend another $100 on brake pads/chains. I do most maintenance on my own.
ParsleyOdd7599@reddit
I commuted for years on a regular bike. Felt great because of it and was the best way to lower cortisol and shake off stress. Older and finally bought a respectable brand e-bike that has great dealer network. The tech is amazing, still get the workout as the torque and cadence levels are programmable but the ride is faster and more levelled out. I tested a bunch of bikes but when I tried the Aventon Adventure M, I was sold immediately. Auto shifts and keeps me in my set range for comfort and efficiency the whole ride.
Flameblitz15@reddit
I commute everyday on my e-bike with pedal assist. Public transport is dreadful, at least in my area. If the bus was early by a few minutes, I would risk missing it and having to wait another 30 minutes for the next one.
Having my bike on hand means I can always leave at the same time and make it on time.
Not to mention everytime I got sick this winter was because someone on public transit was sick and made everyone else sick.
As for my health, Iāve dropped a few pounds after adjusting my diet and daily riding. Iāve also noticed more energy as well as better heart health (lower heart rate) and sleep.
Expensive_Dog1259@reddit
Iāve been riding every day for 6-7 years, first thing is gear, even a drizzle can be a pain, Iāve lost about 30lb since I started.
RichGuarantee7482@reddit
u/bot-sleuth-bot
Prestigious_View_401@reddit
lol all the bots are karma farming in this sub now
drone6391@reddit
Seriously, how do you know? Iām genuinely curious because I see others saying the same thing about posts and comments. I feel like maybe itās when the way comes are phrased that could be. But I also donāt know if thatās because there are so many foreign speaking folks on the subs.
Prestigious_View_401@reddit
The age of the account and open ended questions that serve no purpose. Like āhas it improved your healthā or ādo you commute to and from workā
Hairy_Employment543@reddit
You cannot go wrong going to your local bicycle shop (one thatās been around for a while) or REI, or Trek, some place the sells and services quality e-bikes ask questions, take a test ride and choose the best one for you. And the bike shop will help you maintain the bike in top shape, Handel any warranty issues and be there when you need them. Orā¦.. you could buy some fire hazard on Temu and wonder where your money went 6 months later. In general shops that sell quality, name brand bikes are not here to fool you into buying a piece junk, they want you long term and that means fulfilling your needs, not just taking your money.
Simple_Cook6170@reddit
Commuted to and from my office from Caltrain since they have bike cars. It wasnāt much, maybe 3 miles each way.
Mental health definitely improved vs driving in - would zoom right past the traffic. I have zero patience for traffic, especially if bikes are zooming past me.
Physical health it didnāt help much since I wasnāt breaking a sweat and it wasnāt very far. Regular bike helped more for that, which I would swap in often.
I did start dropping off my kiddo at daycare which is about 9 miles round trip, and that seems more helpful for my physical (and likely mental) health, just due to it being a longer trip with a couple more hills to work through. My car takes premium gas so with gas prices where theyāre at Iām trying to e bike as much as possible this spring / summer.
Superb_Raccoon@reddit
I now commute by stairs, working from home.
But I commuted 15 miles each way for 3 days a week for 6 years. It is totally doable, on a non ebike.
I drew the line at raining, rare in California, or over 100F, less rare in California. Severe air quality days as well. also not rare, but often combined with 100F.
An ebike would have made it far easier to commute.
sailor_in_spirit@reddit
I commuted to work for years pretty much exclusively by ebike, using the bus occasionally when conditions were really bad (it's much slower). I went from not being able to ride a bike after being sick in high school to now doing small tours on an acoustic bike. So it absolutely improved my health.
Buscabulla33@reddit
If you want to still keep in shape and not have the ebike do all the work get a mid drive with no throttle. Powerful enough to help you whenever you need it, but wont make you lazy and just use a throttle to let the bike do the work. Giant bikes are expensive but my mid drive E-stance is an absolute tank of a bike that can go anywhere,
Fair-Discipline-1005@reddit
I can't drive car or motorcycle because of war PTSD, so e bike is my great compromise...šš
No_Maximum_8102@reddit (OP)
Nice beautiful I kinda wanna motorcycle vibe as well!!!
Independent-Load-875@reddit
I commute by ebike. I started during the easing of COVID restrictions because I didnāt want to deal with the germs on public transport.its definitely been good health wise . Steered clear of most of the colds and flu
No_Maximum_8102@reddit (OP)
heck yeah I feel u on that thxxxxxxxxxxxxx
geekroick@reddit
I much prefer to commute in the spring/summer months when the weather is good. It's half an hour or so each way for me (16 miles total per day) so not ideal if it's absolutely chucking it down. That's just my preference though.
I think you just have to accept that regular ebike riding = regular maintenance (or replacement of parts more often than you would otherwise if you don't keep it up).
Fortunately most things on an ebike outside of the electrical parts are easy enough to deal with, Park Tool has great tutorial videos for pretty much everything you'd care to adjust on a bike.
No_Maximum_8102@reddit (OP)
thank u
Ok_Performance_7539@reddit
I commute by e-bike everyday unless the weather stops me and have done so now for a few years. Itās not made a difference to my fitness though as Iām full assist all the way to stop getting hot and sweaty. Having said that on a lower level of assist it would contribute to your cardio and energy spent each day.
lovelybullet@reddit
I commute to work and it made trips with my little one a bit easier. Actually I fell in love with it and before I used to cycle using a road bike and doing few thousand miles yearly.
No_Maximum_8102@reddit (OP)
Nice !!!