E-
- Thread starter Debinmi
- Start date
I was really resistant to the idea of an e-bike for a long time but my husband finally talked me into getting one earlier this year. I’m fortunate to not have any physical limitations at this point but am definitely not the hill climbing spry chicken I was 25+ years ago, and I have to say the e-bike has made cycling fun again.
Most of our riding is on paved bikeways in our area, though we occasionally find ourselves on gravel. Our area is mostly flat with some hills sprinkled in.
We wanted bikes that weren’t significantly heavier than our previous bikes (which were about 35-40 pounds) because, in the event of a dead battery, I didn’t want to pedal a tank through a headwind for the last three miles of a long ride. And even though Cathe has done a fantastic job of increasing my overall strength, I also didn’t want to hoist one of those monsters onto a bike rack!
We chose Trek because my husband has been a loyal Trekkie (?) for many years and has never had issues with any of his bikes, and also because, after researching, it seems that people who go with the lesser-known brands or the cheaper ones from Amazon have found they can’t find anyone to help them if the bikes need service (or to assemble them). And Trek has locations all over the U.S. if we run into problems while traveling.
We opted for Trek’s Dual Sport+ 2, which is a Class 1 (pedal assist only, no throttle, up to 20 mph and legal on most bike paths/trails). With the Class 1 you don’t get any assistance from the motor if you’re not pedaling. In fact, the harder you pedal the more assistance you get, which I like.
It weighs in at around 40 pounds and has a 30-some mile range (assuming you’re using the assist the whole time, I guess, which I’ve never done). I only use the assist on steep hills when my legs are spent, or if I’m slogging against a relentless headwind and just want to be done. I've never come close to exhausting the battery.
I’ve only got about 250 miles on mine so far so I can’t speak to the maintenance question, though we just took them into Trek for routine (free) maintenance before an upcoming trip. They just cleaned them up and adjusted cables, brakes, etc.
The bike was an investment for sure, but I credit it with getting me out on more rides this summer. We have a wonderful rail/trail less than a mile from home, but the road leading to/from the trailhead is narrow and steep with no shoulder. Knowing that climb awaited me at the end of a 22-mile loop (and knowing I’d have a line of cars behind me as I struggled up the hill) kept me from riding as often as I would have liked. Now I just turn on the assist (while pedaling as hard as I can!) and fly up that hill. Almost makes me feel like a kid again.
Sorry for the long post, I hope it answers some of your questions!
Most of our riding is on paved bikeways in our area, though we occasionally find ourselves on gravel. Our area is mostly flat with some hills sprinkled in.
We wanted bikes that weren’t significantly heavier than our previous bikes (which were about 35-40 pounds) because, in the event of a dead battery, I didn’t want to pedal a tank through a headwind for the last three miles of a long ride. And even though Cathe has done a fantastic job of increasing my overall strength, I also didn’t want to hoist one of those monsters onto a bike rack!
We chose Trek because my husband has been a loyal Trekkie (?) for many years and has never had issues with any of his bikes, and also because, after researching, it seems that people who go with the lesser-known brands or the cheaper ones from Amazon have found they can’t find anyone to help them if the bikes need service (or to assemble them). And Trek has locations all over the U.S. if we run into problems while traveling.
We opted for Trek’s Dual Sport+ 2, which is a Class 1 (pedal assist only, no throttle, up to 20 mph and legal on most bike paths/trails). With the Class 1 you don’t get any assistance from the motor if you’re not pedaling. In fact, the harder you pedal the more assistance you get, which I like.
It weighs in at around 40 pounds and has a 30-some mile range (assuming you’re using the assist the whole time, I guess, which I’ve never done). I only use the assist on steep hills when my legs are spent, or if I’m slogging against a relentless headwind and just want to be done. I've never come close to exhausting the battery.
I’ve only got about 250 miles on mine so far so I can’t speak to the maintenance question, though we just took them into Trek for routine (free) maintenance before an upcoming trip. They just cleaned them up and adjusted cables, brakes, etc.
The bike was an investment for sure, but I credit it with getting me out on more rides this summer. We have a wonderful rail/trail less than a mile from home, but the road leading to/from the trailhead is narrow and steep with no shoulder. Knowing that climb awaited me at the end of a 22-mile loop (and knowing I’d have a line of cars behind me as I struggled up the hill) kept me from riding as often as I would have liked. Now I just turn on the assist (while pedaling as hard as I can!) and fly up that hill. Almost makes me feel like a kid again.
Sorry for the long post, I hope it answers some of your questions!
lakelady56
Cathlete
My husband and I have Aventon Pace e-bikes and we really love them!
Not too long ago, an elderly couple that I see walking in the neighborhood often when I am out walking Jack,
came up the hill on E-Bikes!!! I was so surprised and they had the biggest smiles on their faces! It was
precious! They stopped and told me all about getting them and that they were enjoying it so much. I don't
remember the name of the bikes, but he actually had gotten them from Amazon. He said the assembly
had been fairly easy and so far, they had not had any problems. I'm not sure, but I would say that both of
them are probably in their 80's ........that is so neat!
came up the hill on E-Bikes!!! I was so surprised and they had the biggest smiles on their faces! It was
precious! They stopped and told me all about getting them and that they were enjoying it so much. I don't
remember the name of the bikes, but he actually had gotten them from Amazon. He said the assembly
had been fairly easy and so far, they had not had any problems. I'm not sure, but I would say that both of
them are probably in their 80's ........that is so neat!
owhynot
Cathlete
my BF made my old mountain bike into a peddle assist bike - now I can ride with him - haven't been able to ride since 2005 due to knee issues. If I don't peddle, I don't go. Going up hill is a breeze - on strain on the knees. This can go fast which I don't do since I feel uncomfortable.
That is so cool! I've never heard of anyone converting a bike like that!
owhynot
Cathlete
The product is Bafang bicycle motor. There are different battery watts. You need to know things about your bike to get the correct motor. I got the Bafang 750watt and it is too powerful for me. A 250 would have worked.
Doing a google search you can find these on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/BAFANG-Displ...phy=&hvtargid=pla-4584001445335112&th=1&psc=1
There are a lot of videos on YouTube...
I'm lucky my BF knows the mechanics of bicycles.
OK, this is all I know with the help of my SO...
Doing a google search you can find these on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/BAFANG-Displ...phy=&hvtargid=pla-4584001445335112&th=1&psc=1
There are a lot of videos on YouTube...
I'm lucky my BF knows the mechanics of bicycles.
OK, this is all I know with the help of my SO...
owhynot
Cathlete
FYI...these make the bike very heavy
lakelady56
Cathlete
There is no doubt that the battery makes the bikes heavy, but I find that the pedal assist more than makes up for it. I'm in my late 60s with arthritic knees and I can easily ride 30 miles up and down hills. I probably could ride farther, but that's what the trails I've ridden so far are.
owhynot
Cathlete
It's the motor that makes my bike heavy. The battery is easy to remove, which we do when done riding. But it is also heavy. But I get on the bike from home and ride. And the reason I got this setup was because of my knees. I can't do any high impact or use weights for the lower body - I just do the exercises using no weight. This bike set up works great for me with no strain on the knees. - hope this helps. BTW, I'm 64 - 65 in 5 months
lakelady56
Cathlete
The battery on my Aventon Pace is removeable to lift it onto the bike rack on the back of our car.