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Topic: Electric bikes (Ebikes) (Read 5881 times) previous topic - next topic
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Re: Electric bikes (Ebikes)
Reply #200
For those of you with Lectric e-bikes, how hard are they to pedal when battery goes dead or just to pedal with no electric assist? Is it just like a regular bike to pedal or is there resistance?  My wife’s knees don’t allow her to pedal regular bikes on long trips.  Considering Lectric XP step thru folding e-bike.  She is shorter so would fit her nicely.  Also can just throw in back of the SUV or on our bike rack. I am 6’2” so I would want to test drive before buying for myself.  Would need the higher seat post.

Any comments appreciated. 

Ron Sarzynski
Ron and Linda
Ada Michigan

Re: Electric bikes (Ebikes)
Reply #201
Ebikes are heavier than conventional bikes and are much harder to pedal when battery power is not used. The un-powered motor produces drag.
Most batteries provide many miles of riding before needing charging, make sure the bike's battery is sufficiently charged before starting a trip.
I have no experience with Lectric Bikes.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze

Re: Electric bikes (Ebikes)
Reply #202
Thanks Larry.  Good info.  I never realized an e-bike would be hard to pedal without assist.  Tough luck if someone’s loses battery power and has to deal with that for miles back to start. 

Batteries drive me crazy.  Cell phones, coach batteries, toy batteries.....always have to make sure they are charged.  Now e-bikes!  An e-bike option I would pay for would be to disable the motor drag when pedaling only. 

Merry Christmas!!

Ron
Ron and Linda
Ada Michigan

Re: Electric bikes (Ebikes)
Reply #203
Thanks Larry.  Good info.  I never realized an e-bike would be hard to pedal without assist.  Tough luck if someone’s loses battery power and has to deal with that for miles back to start. 

Batteries drive me crazy.  Cell phones, coach batteries, toy batteries.....always have to make sure they are charged.  Now e-bikes!  An e-bike option I would pay for would be to disable the motor drag when pedaling only. 

Even if the motor's drag could be eliminated, e-bikes are much heavier than normal bikes, many having wide tires that add rolling resistance to the equation. It's best to make sure the bike's battery is charged. Most batteries have LED indicator lights that show the state of charge.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze

Re: Electric bikes (Ebikes)
Reply #204
The lithium ion type batteries that these bikes use will surprise you with the amount of range that they have.  I routinely become tired of bicycling before the battery is drained.  They don't have much fade, meaning they run strong until they are nearly dead. 

BK

Re: Electric bikes (Ebikes)
Reply #205
"...e-bikes are much heavier than normal bikes, many having wide tires that add rolling resistance to the equation..."

It should be a simple matter for the Manufacturer to devise a method of disconnecting the drive mechanism. However if you are a reasonably healthy individual you should be able to overcome that 'drag' by physical means.   ;D

Consider my situation... I've got a Mobility Scooter that is battery powered but weighs 370 lbs.  :o . Yes, it does have a disconnect for the drive motors (2). But given that I cannot walk 10 steps without assistance of one sort or another, can you picture me pushing that scooter home if I'm out on a trail 6 miles from the house??   ::) 

Oh yes, forgot, my tires are 15x6 (fifteen inches by six inches wide! And there are four of them.
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!

Re: Electric bikes (Ebikes)
Reply #206
It should be a simple matter for the Manufacturer to devise a method of disconnecting the drive mechanism. However if you are a reasonably healthy individual you should be able to overcome that 'drag' by physical means.  ;D

Bosch, and the other e-bike motors I have looked at, provide no means of disconnecting the drive, both of our bikes are hard to pedal without the assistance of the motor. YMMV
That said, with a 50+mile battery range, we have never run out of battery while on a ride. Problems can arise if you forget to charge the battery.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze

Moped for RVers?
Reply #207
I was surprised there is a start up company now stumbled onto a new market for electrical moped. Apparently there is a demand for RVers to running around campsites and short trip shopping with these moped which can be charged at home. Their range is only 50 miles but enough for the purpose. This is pretty interesting.

 Autoline After Hours LIVE – Autoline After Hours
2004 Mid Bath,
2007 Jeep Liberty Towed

Re: Moped for RVers?
Reply #208
Big Downside:

Curb Weight, w/o battery 160 lb
Curb Weight, w/1 battery 182 lb
Curb Weight, w/2 batteries 204 lb

Charles
Harvest Hosts + Boondockers Welcome #23975
Escapees SKP #138195
2007 23.5' Twin King


Re: Moped for RVers?
Reply #210
I recently(after a couple of months of research) purchased an ebike x 3....will explain later. I narrowed my search to two sellers/brands. My choice was for a folding step through with 20 inch tires. . I am 5'4" and 65. I needed to be able to carry the bike folded up and in the back of my Pathfinder or on a rack on the back of the Casita( still delengently looking for my 24ft LD). I did not believe I could swing my leg up over the back as I had done in my younger days.  Knowing I would have a small basket on the back to carry a lock and other items this would mean the back would be even a higher . The top two choices and their are many...Rad mini folding step thru fat tire ebike which have been out of stock for a few months now and a Veego fat tire folding step thru ebike. I would look every day on cl trying to buy a used one....I found a Bagi B10 premium/plus. It has a 500 watt motor and a 48v 13ah battery loaded with good high quality features my research deemed essential...even turn signal which  the other two did not have. It had below 50 miles and had been kept inside...a ride to the pool and mailbox kinda use. I drove one state over and brought it home. Rides like a dream...seat is comfortable....if I could have had one as a child they would have never gotten me off it. Then I made the mistake of looking back on cl a few days after my long 7 hour round trip to get the Bagi....and there i saw .(.put on cl the day after my purchase)  not one but 2 Veego folding step thru ebikes....I was back in the car for a 9 hour round trip to get not one but both bikes...lol.Long story about not separating them)..I have decide to keep the yellow one (15 miles) and sell the red one 35 miles. They are both less than 6 month old. The original owners had purchased 2 new Rad bikes but not folding and a new Hollywood fat tire bike rack....which I want one myself. The Veego bikes have more torgue with a true 750 watt motor and a 48v13ah battery. They have 4 inch fat tires for trail riding and beach riding. The Veego bikes have cloud 9 soft seats which I really like. After the rain clears some of this pollen I am going for a long ride. I wanted an ebike to ride around the campgrounds, to the pool and bathhouse, club house etc. I also wanted to put it in the back of the suv and go site seeing. I will be taking the battery out when loading because they are heavy...63 lbs with the battery and 50 without. I saw where some campers were putting them in big plastic tubs to make it easier to load and unload. A wide flat board to put on the bumper then slide the tub in and out.
I rode kymco gas scooters for years but electric is the way to go. The range is great for my needs 25 to 40 depending on how much pedal assit you use, terrain and weight of rider. I guess I will be selling 2 of the 3 in the near future so if anyone if interested let me know
2017 Casita Spirit Deluxe
2016 Twin King 24ft
2017 Casita Independence Dlx
2004 Midbath 26.5

Re: Moped for RVers?
Reply #211
Hi,

Keep me in mind. I prefer a step through. At 5'2", any other type would be dangerous to my bones.
2002 TK 24ft

Re: Moped for RVers?
Reply #212
Can’t see the downside, a gas powered Vespa weighs 250 lb, plus not having to deal with gas.

For a 180+ lb electrical moped for an apparent demand by RVers for a moped which can be charged at home so they can run around campsites and short trip shopping?

 I'd need to get a trailer to carry one or two. Come on, man.  ::)

Charles

PS - The link is bad.







Harvest Hosts + Boondockers Welcome #23975
Escapees SKP #138195
2007 23.5' Twin King



Re: Moped for RVers?
Reply #215
 I agree ebike may be a better alternative as it could be paddled to combine exercise and run around. In addition, they much lighter than moped.

Sorry the Autoline website apparently moved the link, here is the one that is working now.

Autoline After Hours
2004 Mid Bath,
2007 Jeep Liberty Towed

Re: Moped for RVers?
Reply #216
While reading this thread I keep seeing/hearing about class 3 e-bikes. I do not know what this means. Is there a class 1 and a class 2 bike? What is the definitions of the different classes?
Jerry Galang
Meridian, ID 83646

 


Re: Moped for RVers?
Reply #219
Here is my cl Atlanta ad for the Veego fat tire folding step thru ebike with tru "750" watt Bafang motor....Samsung 48v13ah battery, less than 6 months old and less than 50 miles. Kept indoors when not in use.
Added items: Satori suspension seat post
                        Mirrcye mirror, bottle rack, rear basket. Total of 75.00

2020 Veego FAT TIRE.COLDING STEP THROUGH EBIKE - bicycles - by owner...

Here is the dealers website(St Petersburg,Fl) if I'm too far away, you want a different color,model or just want new....this model is normally 1800 plus tax but is marked down 100 for April shipment .
VeeGo Fat Tire Folding Electric Bicycle
Send a private email for more info /question
2017 Casita Spirit Deluxe
2016 Twin King 24ft
2017 Casita Independence Dlx
2004 Midbath 26.5

Re: Moped for RVers?
Reply #220
Can’t see the downside, a gas powered Vespa weighs 250 lb, plus not having to deal with gas.

Our 250 Vespa weighed 344 lbs. — Jon
(Former) ‘06 TK “Albatross.” And (former) Vespa 250.   Alas, no more; both are gone.😕 Great memories remain! 😄

Re: Electric bikes (Ebikes)
Reply #221
Please note I merged the moped discussion with the existing ebike thread since most of the discussion was about ebikes. There is a lot of good ebike info in this thread.

Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB