The great Electric bike comparison

[m9078jk3]

Excellent video.I am quite out of shape at my age and have recently ridden an ordinary bike to get into shape.I have been looking at ebikes lately because our economy in the U.S. isn't doing so well.I fear bad times and also fear our subsidized public transportation will become overwhelmed.Where I live our hills are quite a bit steeper so I am looking at more powerful higher torque ebikes.I was considering a 49 cc gasoline powered scooter as alternative but I need some exercise too.

[RevelationWarriors]

One Day, I Will Ride That Hill

[BraidedBranches]

I love assisted electric bikes! I can go anywhere on one. Only problem, what to do in the rain?

[fairyheli2]

@BraidedBranches I think commercials are waterproof, i am hoping to waterproof my homebuit

[AlexandraHaag]

I am very excited to receive my first e-bike in three days, for exactly the reasons stated here. I'm a boomer with a back issue, an adventurous spirit, and a desire to get off of the mesa I'm living on and out on the road! My hope is to pedal the coast and take on the hills with a smile on my face and a bit of a sweat on my brow (without seizing up!).

[AlexandraHaag]

@AlexandraHaag

Update:

Got my bike and I'm loving the hills!! Speed isn't my goal, though -- just looking for the smile and finding it :-)

[kauaikit]

Good job....now keep going with a 500, then a 1000 watt motor which will increase your range that you want to ride.

These ebikes are amazing, when consider that the patent in the USA for a rear electric hub was 1896! Thank you oil companies.....you compare to religions in suppressing advancements .

[twilwel]

@kauaikit hmm, I would say that a stronger motor will increase speed, but will give less miles unless you add more batteries.

[404jared404]

Nice video Mike. Take it easy. No need to bust a boiler. I found it's best when you just ride at an easy cadence. As you my have guessed, I've been converted to electric assisted commuting. I swapped my carbon fibre for lithium iron and I'm not going back.

[nitramluap]

Excellent... BUT...

...I'd like to see a formal comparison of an e-bike & a standard bike with a normal person cycling - not an athlete.

A few tests cycling on the same route (hilly, etc):

1 - with each bike as fast as possible

2 - with each bike to ensure maximum comfort

...and record times & subjective opinions.

The normal bikes could be standard 'hybrid' bikes with 24 gears or one of these new (to Australia) 'dutch' bikes with 7/8 hub gears.

What do you think? I could help organise this.

[ijr900]

jesus that was dodgy,

[lennhart]

I used to be an avid cyclist and really put my Raleigh to good use around Houston, TX.

I must say, this 'electric assist' sounds like a wonderful idea and you can still get a nice 'workout'.

[cdltpx]

The electric bike is great for someone that had an injured knee,back etc. They will get a fat boy in shape rather quickly you pedal till you need an assist then hit the button catch your breath pedal till you need the assist....

[MikeRubbo]

To continue.

The experience, riding up that hill, jibed with reading a great article by a Harvard prof found people can live counter clockwise, take off years by imagining themselves younger and then doing things which are appropriate to their earlier age.

I realized later that this applied to me on the day of the shoot. With this bike, which does certainly help, it helped throw me back into a more youthful mode and i just acted accordingly. it's a great discovery. Mike

[MikeRubbo]

Thanks, Violeta. Yes, I was feeling good. Am,azing how energizing a challenge is. I had no idea Scott and Steve were going to spring that on me.Scott sells the bikes i have and Steve does R and D. He's working on a regenerating bike.

The whole thing was Scott Dickason's idea.

[VioletaLafourcade]

loved this video Mike!!! you sure beat the lycra bike warrior on your e-bike...it´s incredible how fit you are looking since we last met. i think it definitely shows how using the bike on a regular basis to get around is the best way to keep healthy- and get up the steep hills.

julio says "incredible bike, incredible biker, you would cut down your time another minute if you shaved off your beard"