Re: Electric bikes (Ebikes) Reply #25 – September 14, 2019, 10:31:27 pm "I hope this helps.John"JohnI've been in the research stage of selecting just the right scooter and one of the features that turn me off are the tiny wheels on most brands and models. You will note that the 'Raptor' has 16" wheels, which I think would be very helpful when traveling the dirt hiking trails that are numerous near my home. The network is so large that I can reach 3 different communities right from my front door, essential when faced with hanging up the car keys. 1 Likes
Re: Electric bikes (Ebikes) Reply #26 – September 14, 2019, 10:46:58 pm Steve, good suggestion with checking with the VA as well as Medicare. I was happy to learn recently that I qualify for chiropractic care through the VA for a service-connected back issue and my first appt. is on Monday!It never hurts to inquire; they can only say no.Okay, back on track now . . .
Re: Electric bikes (Ebikes) Reply #27 – September 14, 2019, 11:23:54 pm Quote from: Lazy Bones - September 14, 2019, 10:20:15 pmNot only does it help but may be the incentive I needed to make it happen! Many thanks. Your very welcome Lazy Bones. I hope it works well for you.John
Re: Electric bikes (Ebikes) Reply #28 – September 15, 2019, 12:48:17 am Thanks Larry, great information. Even though i have read my manuals and understand a little bit about the draws of the onboard equipment, I wish i had a fraction of your abilities to make these calculations. I have a couple inverters but dont know how to figure out what they are drawing. Maybe i need a smarter inverter or a smarter operator
Re: Electric bikes (Ebikes) Reply #29 – September 15, 2019, 10:36:02 am "... I qualify for chiropractic care through the VA for a service-connected back issue..."GregIf you do not now have a Disability Rating I recommend that you push for it with the VA. Anything over 50% will provide major advantages. Your County Veterans Facility can help with that.
Re: Electric bikes (Ebikes) Reply #30 – September 15, 2019, 11:49:35 am Quote from: randy62 - September 15, 2019, 12:48:17 am I have a couple inverters but don't know how to figure out what they are drawing.Our LD has a battery capacity meter that shows how many DC amps are are coming from or going into the battery, as well as how deeply discharged the batteries.Amazon.com: Victron BMV-712 Battery Monitor: GatewayAmazon.com: Xantrex Technology Inc, 1445DP3CHR 84-2031-00 Battery Monitor...To determine VAC wattage, a Kill A Watt meter is used, a handy device with uses in the LD and at home.Kill A Watt Meter - Electricity Usage Monitor | P3Our Progressive Industries EMS-HW30C, hard-wired Surge Protector has a readout that show VAC amperage being consumed.Amazon.com: PROGRESSIVE INDUSTRIES HW30C 30 Amp Hardwired EMS-HW30C RV Surge...Larry 3 Likes As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Re: Electric bikes (Ebikes) Reply #31 – September 16, 2019, 03:29:45 pm Perhaps I missed this but are e-bikes street legal? I’m wondering if they are a viable solution to get around and sightsee for those that don’t have a toad?
Re: Electric bikes (Ebikes) Reply #32 – September 16, 2019, 03:39:14 pm Quote from: HiLola - September 16, 2019, 03:29:45 pmPerhaps I missed this but are e-bikes street legal? I’m wondering if they are a viable solution to get around and sightsee for those that don’t have a toad?In California, they are street legal with no registration or license required, at least for Class 1, 2 and 3. Class 3 (28-MPH) does require wearing a helmet.A e-bike can certainly be used as a toad in fair weather, as long as the distance are not too great and a source of charging power is available. Might not be the hot ticket for wet or winter use.https://i0.wp.com/www.electricbike.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/ChartEbikeLaw.png?w=697&ssl=1Larry 2 Likes
Re: Electric bikes (Ebikes) Reply #33 – September 16, 2019, 03:56:13 pm My wife and I both have Rad Power Bikes and love them (I have the Rad Rover and she has the Rad City step through). We love taking the bikes with us on the back of the RV and using them as a car replacement to explore (my wife struggles with chronic back pain and hypermobility and the ebike has been a game changer for her!). Recently the national park service classified ebikes as bikes so that should help with using them in National Parks in the US (National Park Service Announces Policy for Electric Bicycle Use in National...). Earlier this summer we took them to Acadia National Park and they werent allowed on the Carriage roads (that was the first place we have ever had an issue...). Its still up in the air weather or not they will now allow them after the park service reclassification, they are a little unique up there... For the money I think the rad bikes are a great value and I would buy them again. I made a one year review vid of my Rad Rover if you are interested.https://youtu.be/v3HhMHYeKn0John 3 Likes
Re: Electric bikes (Ebikes) Reply #34 – September 16, 2019, 05:39:54 pm "my wife struggles with chronic back pain and hypermobility and the ebike has been a game changer for her!). "John, what is hypermobility? I have chronic hip, leg, and knee pain on my right side, and limp pretty badly. I cannot walk very far at a time. Thank goodness for grocery carts!We are looking seriously at these e-bikes, and trying to learn as much as possible.What bicycle rack do you use on your Lazy Daze? We gave away our swing-away model years ago, so now must start from scratch if we decide e-bikes are in our future. Virtual hugs, Judie
Re: Electric bikes (Ebikes) Reply #35 – September 16, 2019, 06:46:38 pm Thanks Judie, hypermobility ( Ehlers Danlos) that my wife was diagnosed with is basically loose or weak ligaments that manifests itself in chronic joint pain all over (What are the Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes? | The Ehlers Danlos Society : The...) As for our bike Rack we have been using a Saris freedom for the last 2 years and it has held up surprisingly well for the cost. The only downside for me is that it does take a good bit of effort for me to lift my rad rover up onto that guy. Other than that it’s great! Oh I did have to add some new tire holders for the rad rovers fat tires. You can check it all out on the link below. https://kit.com/JohnDDyer/ebike-accessory-kit/saris-freedom-2-bike
Re: Electric bikes (Ebikes) Reply #36 – September 16, 2019, 06:55:53 pm Like most RV's, most bike nameplates are a collection of parts made by 1 or 2 companies that are assembled and marketed by the 10 or so brands you recognise. For people who aren't familiar with bikes, a shop selling a recognized brand can help you avoid mistakes and provide support.If you're comfortable forgoing that help and support, you can get more bang for your buck at a place like this:Hot New eBikes! Save Up to 63% Off Electric Bicycles +FREE SHIP 48I haven't found any great solution to carrying bikes outside of the Lazy Daze. We used a hitch rack that results in scratches, and being outside in the weather results in eventual rust and dust. Theft is always a concern since some bikes cost thousands of dollars. My solution is to carry a bike I don't care so much about on the rack and plan for extra maintenance on the parts. Rich'03 MB in NC
Re: Electric bikes (Ebikes) Reply #37 – September 17, 2019, 04:18:20 pm Quote from: rich - September 16, 2019, 06:55:53 pmIf you're comfortable forgoing that help and support, you can get more bang for your buck at a place like this:Hot New eBikes! Save Up to 63% Off Electric Bicycles +FREE SHIP 48I haven't found any great solution to carrying bikes outside of the Lazy Daze. We used a hitch rack that results in scratches, and being outside in the weather results in eventual rust and dust. Theft is always a concern since some bikes cost thousands of dollars. My solution is to carry a bike I don't care so much about on the rack and plan for extra maintenance on the parts. Rich'03 MB in NCHave you purchased any bikes from bike direct Rich? I am curious about their customer service.It seems like their bikes are similar to the Rad Power Bikes, some parts maybe better and some parts a little worse. Their Gravity 2019 Bullseye Monster Xe Electric Fat Bike for example is $100 more than the Rad Rover but has ~20% less battery capacity and range (557WH vs 672WH on the Rad) but the Gravity does have hydraulic brakes. I will say I really like the frame on the rad, its a little more upright sitting than the Gravity which for me I find very comfortable on my neck (thats more of personal thing though).
Re: Electric bikes (Ebikes) Reply #38 – September 17, 2019, 08:28:00 pm I haven’t purchased an ebike from them, but I have purchased 3 regular bikes. You get a box of mostly assembled parts, just like any bike shop would get from the factory. It’s up to you to finish assembly/ adjustment and check everything out. You can find unboxing videos on YouTube showing exactly what you get and how much assembly is involved.For example: https://youtu.be/Byb-1lEJkcYRich
Re: Electric bikes (Ebikes) Reply #39 – September 18, 2019, 04:29:54 pm I wrote a review about the Hollywood TRS (about $330 when I reviewed it) 2-bike hitch rack we are using on our TK to carry the e-bike and my regular bike. Here's a link:Hollywood Racks TRS Rack & Rack Valet - Road Bike Rider Cycling Resource GuideIt does take more effort to get the e-bike on the rack because the battery and motor add so much weight. I've seen a few racks with ramps for helping to roll the bike up onto the tray it sits on. You could make your own ramp out of a piece of PVC tubing cut lengthwise I bet. That piece of PVC could be bunjied onto the rack maybe for easy storage.If there's 2 of you working together you should be able to get the bike on the rack without too much trouble. That's how we do it.Regarding theft, the safest approach is to remove the bikes from the rack and put them inside the LD anytime you're not around to watch the bikes. Locking them to the rack just means they stay safe from honest people. Thieves have no trouble with locks. But they are a lot more likely to steal bikes off of racks than they are to break into your LD to get them - if they even see that they're inside the RV. I'm talking about driving around more than while in campgrounds. Though, there are thieves in campgrounds, too, I know - witness generator thefts.If you read the review you'll see an accessory that Hollywood makes called the Rack Valet. That's one of my favorite bike products ever. It's a small cart for holding the rack that allows you to roll the rack out to your LD so you don't have to lift and carry the rack out. Also, the rack can be parked in the Valet making it easy to move out of the way in the garage when the racks stored and no on the RV. It should work with all brands/types of hitch racks.Hope this is helpful,Jim & DebSanta Cruz, California
Re: Electric bikes (Ebikes) Reply #40 – September 18, 2019, 05:13:56 pm Our friends were trying out the Lectric XP which is a fold-able style bike while we caravaned together we got to ride them. I was really impressed by how nice they were, but I only rode it for about 15 minutes or so. My only complaint was the lowest setting was still pretty quick in my opinion. But they were testing them and the manufacturer was supposed to adjust that. 2 Likes
Re: Electric bikes (Ebikes) Reply #41 – September 24, 2019, 04:30:00 pm Quote from: Larry W - September 14, 2019, 08:58:30 pmIt will take a lot of solar, and long summer days, to collect enough energy recharge a bike battery every few days, while having enough power for run the RV. Daily riding and frequent charging is going to require some generator time or hookups.When charging, using an inverter powered by the battery and solar, do so mid-day, when the panel's output is the greatest, for best efficiency .The weekend, my bike's 500-watt battery was discharged to the 40% level. It was late morning, camped at the beach, when the charging of the battery started. It took 1-1/2 hours to fully charge, using a 400-watt inverter to power the 4-amp, 36-VDC charger.The DC amperage discharge rate was around 19-amps, equal to what the 400-watts of solar panels were producing. At the end of the charge, the battery monitor showed no power loss from the battery. The day was still young enough to recharge another battery. So it's possible to charge the battery with solar alone. In the winter, it will be a different story, with the shorter days and the low angle of the sun, there will not be enough power produced to regularly recharge the batteries unless a much larger solar array is installed. Without adding more solar panels, for winter use, installing a larger converter is a good idea, to significantly reduce generator run time.Larry 1 Likes
Re: Electric bikes (Ebikes) Reply #42 – September 24, 2019, 08:36:23 pm Quote from: WestLikeTheDirection - September 18, 2019, 05:13:56 pmOur friends were trying out the Lectric XP which is a fold-able style bike while we caravaned together we got to ride them. I was really impressed by how nice they were, but I only rode it for about 15 minutes or so. My only complaint was the lowest setting was still pretty quick in my opinion. But they were testing them and the manufacturer was supposed to adjust that.I ordered the Lectric XP back in early August. Just finally got the tracking number today. I should have it next week. 3 Likes
Re: Electric bikes (Ebikes) Reply #43 – September 25, 2019, 10:09:17 am I noticed on my tracking info that the bike is being shipped from Montclair, CA!If only I'd known about this bike before I left the area. I could have picked it up in person.Maybe, the LD could work a deal to include a bike with the purchase of a new LD (or as an option) and sell to the rest of us at a discount. One can dream. :-) 4 Likes
Re: Electric bikes (Ebikes) Reply #44 – September 25, 2019, 10:35:48 pm My wife and I purchased lightly used ebikes from two different bike shops a year ago. First was for my wife because of a knee issue. Then, I could not keep up with her so I bought one for me. We had not ridden bikes since we were kids but, we had tried inexpensive trail bikes in parks and areas with bike paths. We are in our 70s and struggled a bit until we got the ebikes. With them, we now enjoy 10-20 mile rides in park environments. A good example was a recent return visit to Niagra Falls. We parked in a lot six miles out and rode the bike path along the river to the falls and back. Did not have to deal with the traffic or parking near the falls. Same trip, we rode miles of bikeways in several Ontario Provential parks. We are well pleased with our ebikes. One is a 2016 Pedigo (56 amp batt), the other is a 2018 Igo (48 amp batt). Both appear to be well built and have given no problems. As with most things, quality comes with a cost. Our bikes when new sold for $1,800-$2,200 each. Saved quite a bit going with used bikes and a one year warranty.Hope this is helpful as you consider ebikes.Jim 4 Likes
Re: Electric bikes (Ebikes) Reply #45 – September 30, 2019, 09:02:32 am One thing to remember is these bikes are not allowed on a lot of bike trails so if you are otherwise of good health you will unnecessarily restrict your riding options. I do wonder though if there should be some kind of exemption for the disabled kind of like the parking permits that hang from rear view mirrors. I have no problem with allowing the disabled to enjoy these rail to trail type rides but I don't want to see them overrun with E bikes zipping past with perfectly healthy people astride.
Re: Electric bikes (Ebikes) Reply #46 – September 30, 2019, 10:25:11 am "... these bikes are not allowed on a lot of bike trails..."Yes, that's true and the regulations vary so widely that no one knows that the rules in one locale may not be applicable in a different jurisdiction. Each little town council dreams up ideas of their own and never considers the bigger picture. 1 Likes
Re: Electric bikes (Ebikes) Reply #47 – October 08, 2019, 02:34:59 pm For those interested in e-bikes, I saw a couple of displays at the California RV show. Mobility scooters too! 3 Likes
Re: Electric bikes (Ebikes) Reply #48 – October 08, 2019, 05:14:13 pm Quote from: Lazy Bones - September 30, 2019, 10:25:11 am"... these bikes are not allowed on a lot of bike trails..."Yes, that's true and the regulations vary so widely that no one knows that the rules in one locale may not be applicable in a different jurisdiction. Each little town council dreams up ideas of their own and never considers the bigger picture. Many bike trails limit e-bikes to Type 1 bikes, what is call pedal-assist only, with a 20-MPH speed limit on the boost.Type 2 (with throttles) and Type 3 (28-MPH speed limit) bikes, are often excluded.I have not seen any bike trail cops or inspection stations yet , it''s still the wild west out there. I have been passed by e-bikes going 35+MPH, the hub drive bikes can run higher voltage batteries and larger controllers. Technically, the are not e-bike and should be licensed a moped or scooter. Once again, there is little enforcement but the with growth of e-bikes, eventually many paths and resorts will eventually need to crack down, especially on the high speed e-bikes.I purposely bought Class 1 bikes to have the maximum access to the trails.Larry 3 Likes
Re: Electric bikes (Ebikes) Reply #49 – October 08, 2019, 05:33:23 pm OK, I think that this is the one for me! The sell feature of a "skirt guard", essential for keeping chain throw off one's dress, is not a draw - I burned all of those when I retired! - but, other than that, it looks pretty versatile and is priced reasonably. Kind of heavy at 64 pounds, though.... Rad Power Bikes RadRunner Review - Prices, Specs, Videos, Photos
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