5 ms·
I'm a dedicated cyclist in the upper Midwest. Many of my friends have gotten e-bikes. Some of them are already on their second e-bike, as the technology has imp
by analog31 5y ago
I'm a dedicated cyclist in the upper Midwest. Many of my friends have gotten e-bikes. Some of them are already on their second e-bike, as the technology has improved quite rapidly towards more of a "light hybrid motorcycle" design. So far as the cost is concerned, you can get an affordable e-bike by shopping for a used one. Repairiable might be a different story.
The main question I get is: "When are you going to get an e-bike?"
I don't have a good justification for riding a human powered bike, other than just the fact that it's what I enjoy. I happen to live within cycling distance of most things that I need. I also play an alcohol powered musical instrument that was replaced by an electric version 70 years ago. Don't ask me why.
Of course since it takes me longer to get places, I have more time to think. About how e-bike technology could be improved. Making it ride "just like a bike" imposes a lot of subtle requirements on the controls -- exactly why my friends have stopped riding their early generation e-bikes. But what if that's not a requirement. The simplest thing I could think of is a motorized front wheel with a switch that applies a fixed amount of torque. You push the button when you want help. That would take care of any reason why I might want an e-bike, for instance when I get old.
In the future, conventional bikes might be seen as the exception to the rule, but I don't see them going away completely. For instance I don't expect the thousands of bikes parked around the nearby university campus being replaced by electrics in any practical way. I don't expect the homeless to ride e-bikes. Also, for people who are blessed with short distances and good legs, a conventional bike is still more convenient to manage.
- ravenstine 5y ago> I also play an alcohol powered musical instrument that was replaced by an electric version 70 years ago. Don't ask me why. An alcohol powered musical instrument? This I've gotta see!
- analog31 5y agoIt's an old musician joke -- it means a human powered instrument. ;-)
- allo37 5y agoYeah, I'm with you - I just got an e-bike for riding in the winter and it comes with a lot of constraints you don't have to think about with a regular bike: - It's way more expensive so I'm worried about theft. - You can't leave it out in the harsh weather, or shouldn't. - It's much heavier (70lbs, though it is a beefcake of an e-bike). So I can't, say, just bring it up the stairs to an appartment. - It has a $600 battery and a bunch of fancy electronics which are nice, but probably will require more of an investment to maintain/replace. I think there will always be a place for conventional, unpowered bikes.
- analog31 5y agoSome of my friends who do this, bring the battery inside. This also lets them charge it at their desks. The rest of the bike can survive outside, since it's probably all automotive grade electronics. The only thing I can think of not working is the LCD if your controller has one.
- allo37 5y agoYeah, bringing the battery inside is my plan as well, except now there's a nice exposed connector that has to be covered up. I plan on making a little cover out of some tarp and velcro for it... I don't disagree about the automotive electronics, I guess we'll have to see if any moisture can get into them ultimately.
- analog31 5y agoWhat I've observed (about automotive electronics living in the upper midwest) is that moisture per se isn't as bad as salty moisture.