E-bike Insights Two Years In
It’s been a couple years now since I first decided I could build a better value e-bike. Eventually I made one so my wife could ride with me, but found myself riding it much more than her. Today, it is my main form of transportation.
I doubt I will be doing much traditional cycling in the future. The possible exceptions being a single speed and some primitive camping trips where recharging an e-bike may not be an option.
At first I thought it would be nice for longer rides, at least until I can get my leg repaired. Instead, I am finding The e-bike really shines for short trips!
Remember all those times you took the car because it was too much hassle to get out the bike? Who wants to be seen in public disheveled and sweaty? I never felt comfortable on my bikes unless properly decked out in cycling gear, gloves and shoes included. Often, I would just take the wife’s car..
With the e-bike, I ride a block or two to a bus stop. Maybe I’ll go to the corner convenience store or to my church just blocks away. I don’t need hours in the saddle or an epic ride to have a good time.
No one is impressed that I am riding an e-bike (especially my wife’s step through, purple cruiser), so it is all very relaxed. No speed and no special clothing. Just me and the bike. It’s forced me to take a new look at some great, “old fashioned” bike designs The U.S. really needs to bring back. Heck, often I will even wear my bow tie on my 5-6 mile commute to work!
On really long rides, I don’t see much advantage to the e-bike. Three or fours hours in the saddle is the same, e-bike or higher end traditional bike. I have to admit I like being more casual about it though.. I might ride a little faster or a little further, but basically getaway rides are about time not distance. Great traditional bikes aren’t that much different because they are soo light and efficient. I sincerely believe many performance cyclists don’t like e-bikes because they can no longer buy speed supremacy (ever notice how much of performance cycling is just rich white guys?).
An e-bike enables some (certainly that is the case for me at the moment).. It definitely encourages others to get out and explore new places, but the e-bike really shines as a replacement for the automobile. It makes short trips or poodlng around the neighborhood. Fun!