Electric bicycle experiences?

Question

I recently ordered an electric bicycle:

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200333249_200333249?cm_sp=Customer%20driven-_-Recently%20Viewed-_-Product%20Page

for my commute to and from work. It's about 13 miles each way and takes me about an hour on my regular hybrid bike. Making this ride twice a day can wear me out by the end of the week, particularly since I often have to go against a stiff headwind. Plus it's gotten as hot as 108°F this summer during my ride home.

Basically I'd like to cut down on the time and work it takes to make this trip, while still getting exercise and minimizing my greenhouse gas emissions. I should be able to recharge the batteries at work, so that will prevent them from getting discharged much more than halfway. I did some research, and this particular bike seemed fine and is relatively very cheap.

So I was wondering if anyone with some electric bike experiences had any tips about electric bikes and biking.

Grizz - Price is most certainly an object, which is why I went with the $350 electric bike. While it's certainly quite heavy, it can also go 15 mph even without pedalling (and I will be pedalling). Also 18-25 miles/charge (probably close to 25 since I'll be pedalling), and I only need 13. Thanks for the links though. I certainly wish money was no object!

Answer 1

This probably would not have been what I would have recommended but since it is the one you ordered here is some tips.

It looks like it is a friction drive.
It is important to make sure that the drive roller does not slip on the tyre. This will wear the tyre out very quickly.(usually in just one spot)

Guessing lead acid battery
The life of the battery is related to how many times and how deeply it is cycled (charged and discharged). An 80% discharge is regarded as 'deep'. For maximum life, lead-acid batteries should be discharged as little as possible. Avoid going dead flat, they may not come back (even once).

You are averaging 13 mph without the motor and this one only helps to a speed of 15mph (from the link). You shouldn't need to discharge the battery very much at all.

Recharging at work and home will help with battery life. A small solar panel is handy to keep it topped up when not in use. (weekends and holidays etc)

Good luck (just between me and you a good road bike would probably have given you the same improvement.)

Answer 2

I ride a Giant Lite, and it's sheer pleasure. 95% of my ride is on dirt roads over very hilly terrain. I chose the Giant Lite because it was the only electric bike with gearing set up to put a lighter load on the motor for hill climbing. I get about a 15 mile range over my roads, although once I finally hit pavement, the range goes way up. It takes about 3 hours to fully charge the batteries. After a year of use, there seems to be no decrease in battery performance. The only problem that I had was the tires. The bike was shipped with ultralight tires, which had to be replaced almost immediately because they were shredded by the gravel roads I ride on.

I'd be rather leery of any cheap electric bicycles. The batteries probably won't last as long, and the gearing isn't set up for a strenuous ride. The components are also not likely to be of good quality. And the weight is likely to be considerably more than with a quality bicycle. Pedalling a heavy bike is no fun and all, and the heavier the bike, the less likely you are to pedal it and the more likely you are to rely on the motor.

I'm not sure how electric bikes do in the heat. Certainly, when the temperature goes below 40, I get a lot less power from my battery, but I've never had to ride in hot weather.

Answer 3

The biggest problem with your bike seems to be the total weight of it. That is the problem with tacking on batteries and a motor, up to a point they help, beyond that point they are an added burden.

Simplest answer: Spend every cent on getting the lightest frame you can, then add The minimum hub motor needed and the best batteries you can find.

Next simplest answer: Cut down your cross section to the wind, try a recumbent electric trike. I think KMX makes one (see link 1) or you can add the hub motor from your current bike.

"Price is no object" answer: Would you ever consider a velomobile? It is too large to take inside, but it has more range, it's more aerodynamic and more comfortable. Aerorider and GoOne are the most popular (See link 2&3)

Answer 4

If an electric bike is not a viable option, consider getting a small scooter. Some of them are very fuel efficient. The one I have you can go 500 km on 8 litres.

By the way, does your boss know you spend this much time on the Internet?

Answer 5

well don't expect the bike to pull all the weight you should pedal at a light pace and pediling on an electirc bike that has gone dead usually chages the battery just remember pedal light to midium and you should be fine it will be less work and much faster

Answer 6

my electric bike that my brother used in 2004 is a 32500 rpm 24 V. a skateboard type scooter one seat passenger range 22 km./13.75 miles/ per charge model name Lightning made in China but a Company of Lightning Rancho cucamonga California,i dont believe that your crappy bike can do this since i know your bike is an immitation of this bike Lightning your bike is made in phillipines and works in the same basic principles of this bike Lightning in 2004 my brother is the only one driving this bike scooter that runs in rechargeable batteries in the philippines until one stupid immitator copy this type of bike in 2005 and show it in T.V.'' the ignition key of this bike is the same with your bike that means your bike can be in a matter of believing that yours is the copycat of Lightning Electric Bike

Answer 7

Every time I go bike riding, my greenhouse gas emissions go WAAAAYYYYY up. Especially after eating those organic bean and cabbage casseroles.