Laura Corin Posted February 16 Share Posted February 16 Any experience or tips? I'll be riding it on quiet country roads in good weather, for leisure and commuting. I've tried one out before and like them. My place of work has a discount scheme for green commuting purchases. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amira Posted February 16 Share Posted February 16 We have two and dh and ds have been using them to commute to school and work for the last 18 months. We're definitely fans. I used ds's for about a month when his elbow was broken and liked it too, although I'm more of a walker. They mostly use bike trails, although ds has to bike along regular roads without a bike lane for a bit. They'll both be sad when we move and biking to work and school isn't an option anymore. I can't think of any tips beyond obvious things like get a really good bike lock and regular bike safety stuff. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ottakee Posted February 16 Share Posted February 16 My son has one and used it for commuting to work before he got his license. I think his is lectric brand. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Florida. Posted February 16 Share Posted February 16 I have this one and love it. I will say I don't use it for transportation beyond the odd trip to Target. Some reviewers use it for their work commute and say it does well. I mostly use it for leisure and exercise. Dh likes to take long bike rides but my back condition makes the bicycle movement of legs and hips hard to do for long stretches. With the electric bike I can pedal but let the bike take over when I need a break. 2 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mum Posted February 16 Share Posted February 16 We've had one for several years. My husband and I share it. He rides 45 minutes each way to work. I use it for errands around town. Get a good lock, spend the money. In my state in the US, an electric bike requires supplemental insurance-it is not covered by our homeowners insurance or our car insurance. The insurance is for liability that might be ours while riding the bike. For example, if someone swerved to avoid me on my bike, and they hit a wall and it was found that I was at fault, the bike insurance pays those damages. We chose to buy from a shop that only sells electric bikes and they do all the servicing and maintenance in-house. Many shops that sell electric bikes are just a middle man, they cannot service the bike or do repairs, so it's really no better than ordering it online. After-purchase support is a big item to look for. Not that it has needed a lot at all, but it does need yearly tune up and we've put enough miles on it that there have been a few repairs. We bought some good baskets-handy for running errands. We've made some friends through chatting with other electric bike owners, which is fun. 3 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katy Posted February 16 Share Posted February 16 I don’t personally, but several people in my extended family do and they love them. Used for recreation on off-road paved trails, not commuting. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
historically accurate Posted February 16 Share Posted February 16 My co-worker has a lectric bike. She uses it to commute (about 5ish miles?) as well as bike rides on the weekend with her husband. She's got foot problems (has had a couple of ankle surgeries), and the bike allows her to keep up with her husband. She loves it. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted February 16 Author Share Posted February 16 38 minutes ago, mum said: We've had one for several years. My husband and I share it. He rides 45 minutes each way to work. I use it for errands around town. Get a good lock, spend the money. In my state in the US, an electric bike requires supplemental insurance-it is not covered by our homeowners insurance or our car insurance. The insurance is for liability that might be ours while riding the bike. For example, if someone swerved to avoid me on my bike, and they hit a wall and it was found that I was at fault, the bike insurance pays those damages. We chose to buy from a shop that only sells electric bikes and they do all the servicing and maintenance in-house. Many shops that sell electric bikes are just a middle man, they cannot service the bike or do repairs, so it's really no better than ordering it online. After-purchase support is a big item to look for. Not that it has needed a lot at all, but it does need yearly tune up and we've put enough miles on it that there have been a few repairs. We bought some good baskets-handy for running errands. We've made some friends through chatting with other electric bike owners, which is fun. Thanks for the reminder about insurance. I'll look into that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kareni Posted February 17 Share Posted February 17 My husband has two bikes (well, his first actually has three wheels and is unpowered). His second bike is an e-bike, and he loves it. Here is a link. It is heavy at over 50 pounds which might be an issue if you have to lift it into a shed or somesuch. I'll second the suggestion that you purchase a hefty lock. Regards, Kareni 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ausmumof3 Posted February 17 Share Posted February 17 Make sure you have somewhere to charge it where it won’t be a fire risk. Some lease agreements ban them from being stored in buildings now due to the risk. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KungFuPanda Posted February 17 Share Posted February 17 I covet one. My work commute would be only 2 miles and entirely on paved bike paths. A regular bike would probably suffice, but there’s a bit of an incline, I don’t want to arrive to work sweaty, and I really just WANT one. 😬 I should just walk but I don’t want to get up an hour earlier. I could probably get there in 15 minutes on an e-bike. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted February 17 Author Share Posted February 17 4 hours ago, Ausmumof3 said: Make sure you have somewhere to charge it where it won’t be a fire risk. Some lease agreements ban them from being stored in buildings now due to the risk. We have a garage with a power supply. I've heard about fire risk, so I'll look into that. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ausmumof3 Posted February 17 Share Posted February 17 4 hours ago, Laura Corin said: We have a garage with a power supply. I've heard about fire risk, so I'll look into that. It’s mostly apartment buildings that are a major issue, as they have trouble with people charging them in entrance areas or sometimes even fire exits. DH did training recently. I think the better the quality bikes are lower risk. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted February 17 Author Share Posted February 17 2 hours ago, Ausmumof3 said: It’s mostly apartment buildings that are a major issue, as they have trouble with people charging them in entrance areas or sometimes even fire exits. DH did training recently. I think the better the quality bikes are lower risk. Yes, I looked it up and it seems to be cheap bikes/scooters or conversion units, especially with mismatched chargers. I think a reputable bike from a specialist shop with the proper charger should be okay. Thanks! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pinball Posted February 17 Share Posted February 17 I’d be aware of the potential increased incidences of injuries using electric bikes. Early indications seems to show that there are more injuries w/these vs pedal and also more pedestrians are being injured by these vs pedal. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KSera Posted February 17 Share Posted February 17 I do not, but my neighbor loves hers. She’s in her 60s and likes to be active, but all the local bike trails have inclines such that you’re going to have to be going uphill either on your way out or back. This allows her to get out and bike for fun and fitness, but have a little assist for the portions of the ride that would otherwise make it too difficult for her. She pedals without assist for all the portions she can. I think it’s a great idea. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YaelAldrich Posted February 18 Share Posted February 18 My DH sometimes gets one on his bike share. He loves it but obviously it takes less energy to get to work. He didn't think he would like it but he really does. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldberry Posted February 18 Share Posted February 18 On 2/17/2024 at 9:02 AM, KSera said: I do not, but my neighbor loves hers. She’s in her 60s and likes to be active, but all the local bike trails have inclines such that you’re going to have to be going uphill either on your way out or back. This allows her to get out and bike for fun and fitness, but have a little assist for the portions of the ride that would otherwise make it too difficult for her. She pedals without assist for all the portions she can. I think it’s a great idea. Does anyone use them on unpaved trials? I've been curious. Considering one for fitness like this. Our area is incredibly hilly and and I can't even get started. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KSera Posted February 18 Share Posted February 18 6 minutes ago, goldberry said: Does anyone use them on unpaved trials? I've been curious. Considering one for fitness like this. Our area is incredibly hilly and and I can't even get started. I see them used on packed gravel trails a lot. I don’t know about mountain bike trails though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted February 18 Author Share Posted February 18 56 minutes ago, goldberry said: Does anyone use them on unpaved trials? I've been curious. Considering one for fitness like this. Our area is incredibly hilly and and I can't even get started. One thing to consider is that they are much heavier than a modern unpowered bike, so you would not want to take them somewhere were they might get stuck or need to be carried. 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.