E-Bike/E-Moto Recommendations for Preppers
Posted by LastEntertainment684@reddit | preppers | View on Reddit | 22 comments
So I’ve got an old fashioned mountain bike, but after doing the EV thing I’ve thought it might be time to also add some sort of e-bike to the stable.
The question is, what kind? Are there some that are better suited to prepper use?
I would imagine things like durability, weight carrying capacity, range, ease of charging, and repairability would be important.
But at that point, are you past e-bike and more into e-motorcycle?
Where’s the sweet spot?
jazzbiscuit@reddit
I don't live close enough to anything for an e-bike to make sense, I'd have to recharge just to make it back home. I do have an old Yamaha TW200 that hasn't been on the road in several years. I'm gathering all the parts I need to get it rolling again. Electric would be nice, but 75mpg isn't anything to look down on either.
DeafHeretic@reddit
I am looking at the Wallke H9 AWD folder to have in my daily driver (small crossover SUV) as backup and carry in my overlanding rigs.
agmccall@reddit
Make sure the motor is on the pedals not the wheels. Motor on wheels provide speed. At pedals you get more power. Also make sure it has pedal assist, this extends range
not_my_monkeys_@reddit
I love e-bikes but they require a LOT of energy to recharge and if anything in the power train breaks only a factory technician is going to be able to fix it.
Useful in a mild social breakdown/economic turmoil/gas shortage scenario but not really a practical tool if SHTF.
Paranormal_Lemon@reddit
Mine has a 50 mile range with pedaling and a 800Wh battery, really not that much power, could recharge in a day with a single 100W panel.
Reasonable-Age-6837@reddit
I dont know.. Is like 2-3kWh an unsurmountable amount?
A single large portable solar panel can cover that on a decent day.
Radtoo@reddit
Most have the equivalent of a SMALLER ecoflow/anker/jackery/whatever lipo battery, something like 500Wh. That's really quite easily rechargeable on solar panels or a generator.
You could have a spare motor and the few hand tools needed to replace it. But also there is a chance that you can still just pedal. Well yes, it depends on how the power train broke and what you had.
HitIerWasWrong@reddit
So the best option is a donor bike and a motor, then a replacement motor down the line.
Keep in mind that the motor is hefty as heck. If your motor is kaput forever, better to pop it off completely. But then you may have modified the bike to get the motor to fit on properly. I had to widen the hole slightly to pop it in.
Food for thought.
Paranormal_Lemon@reddit
I have a folding ebike, got an optional front basket and rear storage bags. It can carry 300lb total, bike only weighs 60 with battery. 50 mile range on one battery with decent pedaling, 25 miles on electric throttle only at 15-20 mph.
Lost_creatures@reddit
What brand?
Paranormal_Lemon@reddit
Ride1up
O-M-E-R-T-A@reddit
Unless you have a decent solar setup at home/bugout location I wouldn’t consider e-bike as an option.
I would get a cheap dirt bike with combustion engine as well as a normal bicycle. In a SHTF situation you don’t need a license for a motorbike or have it registered and insured - obviously practice so you know how to drive.
Charging an e-vehicle takes quite a while and can be unreliable depending on the weather/season.
Ok_Donut3992@reddit
I put a lot of miles on bicycles every year and this is what I think is the best prepper option: a fairly standard bike with and aftermarket mid-drive motor.
Why: if you are wrenching on your own bike, the bike can be an e-bike, or you remove the motor and its a regular bike. You are not bound to a single component line like Bosch or Shimano. Also, mid-drives like the CYC Photon allow you to repair your own motor.
Preferred bike to use: anything from a reputable manufacture: Giant, Trek, Specialized, Kona, Cannondale. Many used options available.
Preferred motor system: CYC or Bafang
What to avoid: cheap Chinese e-bikes. I’ve seen some specs like, hub spacing, be non-standard which would make finding replacement parts hard. And if the electronics fail, you’ll probably have to deal with the manufacture if you can get ahold of them.
MuffinOk4609@reddit
Why not a regular bike? How do you plan to charge? Solar is not practical yet.
Radtoo@reddit
An E-Bicycle of the trekking/mountain bike (maybe with an offroad trailer or just waterproof bags for touring) is probably still the optimum.
The spares/repair parts for most of the things that will wear out within even some ten thousands of kilometers are mostly easy and cheap to stock in advance and it won't really be a huge problem if the battery runs out in most terrain. You'll just be pedaling a slightly heavier bicycle, but that doesn't even necessarily mean fractionally that much vs another rugged bicycle with no motor/battery from the start and still a trailer or cargo bags, offroad tyres and you on top.
HarpyCelaeno@reddit
Wish I could help. Now I’m wondering if I could carry my own solar panel on an e-motorbike.
AmosTali@reddit
e-bike, spare battery, bike trailer with solar panel mounted on it. great cargo capacity, charge while you ride.
Paranormal_Lemon@reddit
1000w inverter generator, now you have a hybrid.
Baby_unicron@reddit
Whats your goal with an ebike? What task are you trying to fulfill with it?
qbg@reddit
If you want to haul a bunch around, how about a cargo ebike?
There_Are_No_Gods@reddit
Here's one mid-range option that's straddling the line of e-bike and e-moto, with an admittedly hefty price (but a lot less than most e-motos):
https://www.radpowerbikes.com/collections/electric-bikes?variant=39465952706656
I don't have one and cant vouch for them, but from a lot of looking, they still have my interest.
There_Are_No_Gods@reddit
I'm curious what others will say here. I've had this idea in mind for many years, and every few years I trawl through the landscape again. Ultimately I keep holding off as they are all rather expensive overall, and I just don't have any practical near term use for them at my current location. I'm hoping to move in the next few years, where it may make more sense for me.
That said, it's definitely a spectrum, and there are endless options.
A sweet spot as I see it is about the $500 to $1,000 range, which can net you a higher performing e-bike with lots of cargo options and off-road capabilities. Stepping up to street legal e-motorcycle that can do over 35 MPH or so legally jumps up multiples, taking you quickly into the multi-thousand dollar range, likely at $5k+.
It depends a lot on what aspects you most care about, with good value to be had for your specific key features to be found somewhere. The main thing I suggest you nail down first is whether an unlicensed sub-35MPH "e-bike" is sufficient, of if you really want the faster and highway legal "e-moto" with its much heftier price tag.