Time to get an E-Bike - what experience can you offer a novice

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Hi Everyone

The old arthriticiness is a bit of a nuisance and so I have decided that the time is right for an e-bike. I had to give up serious walking a while ago but I can cycle reasonable distances without too much pain. There are still some challenges which a dash of volts and amps can cure and so I am going to get an e-bike.

I would love to hear about any experiences you may have, any advice you might wish to offer and any pitfalls that I should be aware of. I already own a Dutch bike which has given me many years of excellent service and has a riding position well suited to my nagging joints. I will be looking to get an e-bike from The Netherlands as they have such good frame shapes for chaps like me.

Cheers.

Peter
 
"The Netherlands as they have such good frame shapes"

Something unfamiliar to me. Do you have any links to share?
 
I ride my bike a lot, about 1000 km each month, but I don't have an E-bike. Some of my friends who like to ride a lot too do have one, and they all swear by one brand: Flyer from Switzerland. Apparently it's the best there is.
 
Michael Kellough said:
"The Netherlands as they have such good frame shapes"

Something unfamiliar to me. Do you have any links to share?
Click to expand...

The frames and handlebars are set out in such a way that the riding position is amazingly comfortable. It is quite upright with less pressure on the wrists and a far more relaxing posture.

Peter
 
I have road and mountain bikes, but have never heard of an ebike. What the heck is it?  Yes I will be the guy that shows his cluelessness.
 
I thought I did that already.  [unsure]

I'm guessing it's an electric bike since Peter is considering one to reduce the strain on his joints.
 
It is really more of an electric assist concept, with the option to go 100% manual, or assist mode when you need it.  Very helpful on hills.  I have considered purchasing one in the past, just so I could keep up with my teenage son.  I have not looked at them in a while, but when i was, Trek had a nice model. 

While they are not cheap, neither is a nice bicycle either.
 
Checkout 'Copenhagen Wheel' that might be interesting for you if you're thinking ebike.
 
Many thanks for the replies.

An "E-Bike" or "Pedelec" is a bike which has an electric motor to assist the rider. In Europe you have to be putting some energy in via the pedals in order for the motor to switch in and provide assistance. It is not like a moped where you can stop pedalling and open the throttle.

There are designs with motors in either the front or rear wheels and also a mid mounted motor design. It is the latter, and particularly the Bosch system, that I am interested in. Most designs have an option that does assist you when you are pushing the bike so that if you do have to push up a hill then it does at least propel itself a little to make it easier. I am not sure if you could sit on the bike and use this feature as it seems to contradict the regulation.

Peter
 
Oh, the motor helps a LOT. Sometimes when I'm riding upwind, I, as a trained biker really have to work hard to maintain a speed of 20 Kph, and then this older couple or a 15 year old girl on their e-bikes just casually pass me by without breaking a sweat.
 
Hi [member=5277]Alex[/member] ,

You are right but the user does have full control of the amount of help that is provided.

We were in The Netherlands about 5 years ago, near Delft, cycling into a very icy wind with snow driving into our faces when a little old lady cruised past us with her full week's shopping in paniers and bags on the back and front of her bike - the bike seemed to "purr" as it passed by.

We spent a couple of weeks camping in Germany recently and visited German friends, both about our age, who had their own e-bikes. Needless to say we tried them and had some fun cycling around the slightly hilly vineyards in the Palatinate (Pfalz) region.

I think the key thing is not to see it as a lazy way to cycle but a way to take the cruelty out of it. I am sure most gym machine users have seen the signs telling you not to exceed your calculated maximum heart rate. I used to ignore this but have read that it is serious advice for people of any age. I used to feel very proud when cycling up steep hills seeing my heart rate monitor approach the 190 mark. I still want to tackle those hills but not bust a gut in the process.

I would love to hear from any other Dutch FOGgers as I am rather a fan of Dutch bikes.

Peter
 
McNally Family said:
Is this the Bosch system you are talking about?  This is on a Trek version mountain bike, but I suspect the Bosch system may be the same on other style bikes. 

Do you have a link for a Dutch design?
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/b...owerfly-fs/powerfly-8-fs-plus/p/2931600-2017/

Something a little less "mountain bikeish":
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/bikes/city-bikes/urban-commuter-bikes/xm700/xm700/p/1982140-2017/
Click to expand...

Yes, I think that it is the same system.

About 5 years ago I spent a few weeks looking at all sorts of Dutch bikes (normal non electric ones) and decided to buy a pair of Gazelle as they had some features which were invented by them which suited my needs.

I have been looking at many makes of e-bike and keep going back to the Gazelle web site and I am looking at either the Orange C8 HMB or the Ultimate C8 HMB. Both bikes have the same enclosed chain that we have on our normal bikes (so the dust and grit is kept off the chain) and they also have the Gazelle fully adjustable handlebar feature which is so important for my arthritic wrists.

Peter

 
Have you had a look at this site?
They have a shop in the south west (useful?) so may be worth a look to help decide what you like.

Simon

 
My bike is a Gazelle, and it's a nice bike to ride, but mind you, something is always broken or worn. It is very heavily maintenance sensitive and I have to spend between 150 and 200 euro each year to keep it riding. Mind you, I ride a lot, but especially all the Shimano gear it is fitted with wears like crazy. Right now it is not riding because the freehub body is worn. And apparently they put a 1991 part on a 2007 bike, and guess what, the part is not available anymore and I now have to scout for a substitute.

My friends who are into e-bikes tell me Gazelle's e-bikes are rubbish and Flyer is the thing.   
 
Yes, I looked at the Flyer - not cheap and it has the same power unit as the Gazelle. So, it seems to me that it is down to the quality of the bike that is attached to the power unit. Our two Gazelles have been going for 5 years with only tyre replacements and normal servicing.

Peter
 
Hi Peter

I had an electric bike (one of the early models released in Denmark) some years back until the frame broke.
Fortunately I wasn't riding the bike when it happened. Somehow the frame got filled with water so it got frost blown during a cold winter.  [eek]

I remember that I was a bit dissapointed that the battery was worn out after 1½ year. I didn't use the bike that much so the number of re-charging cycles was low. I found out that new batteries would cost me 50% of a complete new bike [crying]
So I decided to wait until spring before buying new batteries. Well the hard winter made a decission for me...end of that story [big grin]

So I advice you to check the price of a new battery pack before deciding. And check if the company will guarantee a number of re-charging cycles or a number of years.

If you're heading for a dutch bike check out Batavus. I read a pedelec review in a newspaper recently and the Batavus got the best rating.

I have a non electric Batavus. I think it's top quality.

Best regards
Henrik
 
Hi Henrik

Many thanks for the advice. I will look at the Batavus range. I will also ask some questions about batteries.

Cheers.

Peter
 
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