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> Though I think, if you're already riding a bike regularly, you probably shouldn't switch to electric, because it'll definitely mean less workout. If any part

> Though I think, if you're already riding a bike regularly, you probably shouldn't switch to electric, because it'll definitely mean less workout. If any part of your regular bike riding is for fun/exercise and not e.g. set commute trip, electric does not definitely mean less workout. It may mean less workout, but I'd argue that more likely it means you rides are longer and you ride faster, thus the total workout being at least the same. And this not even taking into account that with assistance you likely also ride more often.

Filligree 4y ago
Having done just this transition, the assistance means harder workouts. It effectively lets me set the load to however much exercise I'm willing to do at the moment, even down close to zero, which — paradoxically? — means I get more exercise. I think the reason is I feel much less need to keep a reserve of energy so I can get home without getting exhausted.
- jeffbee 4y ago
  Yeah the common idea (among drivers, as far as I can tell, people who have never once in their lives ridden a bicycle) is completely backwards. E-bikes lead to more exercise, not less. My e-bike even has an integration with my heart rate monitor to adjust the assist levels to maintain a given heart rate. It has radically improved my non-electric bicycling by giving me a structured workout, if I want it, on routes where I would have used a car before, and by giving me the state of mind that 28 MPH is a normal speed for a bicyclist to attain.
sva_ 4y ago
I'm not sure how you mean this. I thought ebikes cap at 25kmh and don't help beyond it? So it wouldn't be faster, if you're a seasoned biker (going 40 to 60). But yeah, those speeds make little sense on a commute, since you'd arrive sweaty. I meant for exercise, I suppose
- beefield 4y ago
  Yes, they cap at 25kmh (in Europe). But that means you can keep that 25kmh in uphill/upwind as well and you accelerate faster. Admittably my experience is more on the mountain bike side, where 25kmh is relatively faster than on the road.
  - Filligree 4y ago
    Most of Europe. I live in Ireland, and they’re happy to let me have one that caps at 45 kmph.

Filligree 4y ago

Having done just this transition, the assistance means harder workouts. It effectively lets me set the load to however much exercise I'm willing to do at the moment, even down close to zero, which — paradoxically? — means I get more exercise. I think the reason is I feel much less need to keep a reserve of energy so I can get home without getting exhausted.

jeffbee 4y ago
Yeah the common idea (among drivers, as far as I can tell, people who have never once in their lives ridden a bicycle) is completely backwards. E-bikes lead to more exercise, not less. My e-bike even has an integration with my heart rate monitor to adjust the assist levels to maintain a given heart rate. It has radically improved my non-electric bicycling by giving me a structured workout, if I want it, on routes where I would have used a car before, and by giving me the state of mind that 28 MPH is a normal speed for a bicyclist to attain.

sva_ 4y ago

I'm not sure how you mean this. I thought ebikes cap at 25kmh and don't help beyond it? So it wouldn't be faster, if you're a seasoned biker (going 40 to 60). But yeah, those speeds make little sense on a commute, since you'd arrive sweaty. I meant for exercise, I suppose

beefield 4y ago
Yes, they cap at 25kmh (in Europe). But that means you can keep that 25kmh in uphill/upwind as well and you accelerate faster. Admittably my experience is more on the mountain bike side, where 25kmh is relatively faster than on the road.
- Filligree 4y ago
  Most of Europe. I live in Ireland, and they’re happy to let me have one that caps at 45 kmph.