Hello Amac - Riding an ordinary bike after riding an electric one does feel a bit like riding with the brakes on. Not too bad after the first mile though because you get more used to it again.
I think part of riding a bike is being able to get out and enjoy the countryside, so even if you only ride an electric one, there is that aspect to it. I tend to ride an ordinary bike to try and stay fit for as long as possible but if I’ve got to go to a shop or other place for a purpose, I use the electric one.
My e-bike doesn’t have as many gears as the bikes you hired. It has 7 at the back but only crank motor at the front with 4 levels of electric assistance. It can be ridden with no assistance but it is a bit heavy and I mostly ride it at level 1 all the time …more on the hills.
Hi Emjay - I thought about getting an exercise bike when the first lockdown happened. I didn’t in the end and just did steps up and down for exercise. I think it must take quite a bit of discipline to keep going on an exercise bike because it’s always possible to stop if you get too tired. Not possible when out somewhere on an ordinary bike because you have to get back home again.
The videos sound a good way of keeping going. I’ll have a look at some.
Will you buy locally? I thought I would so that I had somewhere to take the bike in case of faults. I’m glad I did because it did give trouble at first. The battery charger often wouldn’t wouldn’t work. Sorted out with a firmware update that was done in the shop after a visit from the bike manufacturer’s rep.
If I’d bought off the Internet, it would have been much more trouble to get it sorted out.
No, sorry, I did not explain well enough. The thought is to buy a kit, for the existing mountain bike (1000 watts), or buy a designed E-Bike, missed an auction today, because I was busy buying other stuff, will have to concentrate more.
I have ridden 10.5 miles on the ordinary bike again today. I feel quite a bit more knackered than usual and think I know why.
I did most of the ride with a mask on. The mask has the addition of a distancing piece that fits inside. This prevents it from being drawn into the face when breathing hard. Although this allows for more airflow, it still isn’t possible to get the air needed to cycle up hills …or even on the flat come to that. The result is that today’s ride was much harder work.
The trouble is that hardly anyone else wears a mask and it isn’t always possible to be any distance away, so I feel I at least need to wear one. It’s a problem for continued riding.
I could be wrong of course and I’m just plain getting too old for riding that distance on the ordinary mountain bike.
Ok, had my mind made up for me, last night the Daughter said there is a E-Bike on Amazon, on offer for £299.00, I said its probably a small wheeled commuter or something, no she said, its a full size Mountain Bike type. Just as she passed me her phone to have a look, the deal was ended, transpires it was reduced from £800+. Today I purchased a 48V, 1000W rear wheel kit to convert my Mountain Bike, now I am looking for the best deal on a 48V, 17amp hour Li-ion battery and charger
No problem mart, not sure what I am expecting, range is probably more important than speed, hence the search for the biggest capacity battery available, lets see what happens.
I expect the brake levers come with a cut-out for the motor. If I were to get something like that, I would prefer the version for the front wheel.
Did it come with batteries?
Hi Emjay, the reason I went for the rear wheel motor was because of the weight, I used the logic that the extra weight would be better off under me than in front. Mart, looks like the 48V, 17AH battery is out of stock everywhere, and seems to be about £80.00 more than the 13Ah Battery which is £210.00 and generally available, so, might plump for that one.
Well that answers the battery question.
With a front wheel drive I think it would be just that easier to swop wheels if you don’t want the electric drive.
I have seen that they do a kit for the Brompton, but rather more expensive than a 26” wheel version.
I have two mountain bikes, so, once the one is converted, it will stay as such.
One job I am going do is the motor wheel has the fitting for a disc brake so, I will do the brake conversion whilst I am at it.
When I first got a bike with disc brakes, I worried they wouldn’t be as good as rim brakes.
Disc brakes are so much better though. The pads and discs are well clear of puddles and mud. They can squeal a bit in wet weather but always work well.
Mart, the thought came to me that the rear disc brake kit is about £30.00 at Halfords, and, to fit a front one would requires a new front wheel so, I’ve done a bid on a well used mountain bike with disc brakes, if I win, I will have paid less than converting my bike.
A couple of days before auction ends so, fitting the electric bits is on hold.
Is it considered trendy to have a wet, muddy stripe up your back? :confused2: