Community Forums

brandss · 04-09-2019, 09:21 PM

I am 53 and the wife is younger than me, I think 48. We rented ebikes a few weeks ago in Hilton Head and loved the experience. We purchased two bikes with 4 inch fat tires that have pedal assist as well as throttle assist. Last night, after an hour or two of minor assembly and battery charging, we took off on a 4 mile ride. It was like we were 12 again with our first ever 10 speed bike.

When we first thought of ebikes we initially thought of powered scooter type bikes. One could use an ebike that way but what we found immediately is that the ebike allowed us to ride and when we hit a large hill, or our legs were giving out, we could let the pedal assist or even the throttle, take over for a minute or two, and then we were back at it.

While the wife was at work today I jumped on my bike and I couldn't believe I road 13 miles once I got home. For those who want to jump on me for it being an ebike, I will tell you it is still one heck of a work out.

rk911 · 04-09-2019, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brandss

I am 53 and the wife is younger than me, I think 48...

you think??? you're not sure??

**NLOVNIT** · 04-09-2019, 09:27 PM

We've had e-bikes for going on 3 years now. We ride more now than we did for the past several decades. We actually seek out bike trails whenever we travel (I use traillink.com) & we've been all over the bike trails around us....multiple times. The longest ride we did was 26 miles round trip & that was at about the limit of the batteries. They're a blast!

Lori-

DrPhil · 04-10-2019, 03:52 AM

Ok. What are good brands?

jcussen · 04-10-2019, 10:04 AM

https://www.radpowerbikes.com/

brandss · 04-10-2019, 04:29 PM

We bought Rad Power Bikes after a heck of a lot of research. Evelo is another very good brand but we couldn't justify the extra $1000 per bike.

If you are going to look into them I would suggest making sure the bike has both pedal assist as well as a throttle. Huge difference having the pedal assist.

MRUSA14 · 04-10-2019, 04:41 PM

How do you carry them? They are darned heavy to lift and exceed the weight rating of most bike racks.

36PFT · 04-10-2019, 04:55 PM

I think Hilton Head must be dangerous! We bought 2 bikes after our spring visit to our RV pad in March. We have had them only 2 weeks and have over 50 miles on them. We went to Palmetto Bluff and purchased Pedego Bikes. The model is the Interceptor. We couldn’t be happier....Ours has both pedal assist and a throttle. On the model we chose the pedals are set slightly ahead of the placement on a normal bike. With bad knees it was important to be comfortable. This was absolutely the right bikes for our creaky old knees. We are 67 and 69 years young. My sons complain that I need to slow down!!

We purchased a Swagman bike rack suitable for e bikes on a motorhome. The cover is more difficult due to the size of the bikes so we are having covers made at Covers and All.com....I’d have to let you know how that comes out. The bikes weight 50 lbs each without the batteries. It does take 2 of us to lift the bikes on the carrier.

jcussen · 04-10-2019, 08:17 PM

The Rad mini folds up and will fit in the trunk of your toad. Weighs about 67 lbs, 60 with battery removed.

**NLOVNIT** · 04-10-2019, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MRUSA14

How do you carry them?

Ours fold & ride, securely/dirt free, in the back of the toad.

Lori-

followingsea · 04-10-2019, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brandss

I am 53 and the wife is younger than me, I think 48. ..... It was like we were 12 again with our first ever 10 speed bike.

Youth is wasted on the young. Finally gave up my mountain bike when I retired. Often got light headed when doing heavy exercise. Falling on your head is not good for your health.

It is like being one again. Walking and not falling down.

tap4154 · 04-12-2019, 07:57 PM

Tons of ebikes here in Huntington Beach CA. However there are less expensive, and less heavy options than the big, heavy Pedegos etc., not that there's anything wrong with those, they are awesome!

6 years ago (when I was 59) I bought a "Hilltopper" kit (no affiliation) online for $600. Comes with a 250 watt planetary gear motor hub laced onto whatever size wheel you request. Also comes with the battery pack you pick, and the electrical harness.

Very easy to install, though I did have to file the fork openings just a bit. It only adds about 6 pounds to the bike, and will go 15 MPH on it's own on level ground. Also with this motor you can just ride normally, pedaling, or pedal with the motor on. This style of motor adds no resistance when not in use. BTW to me 15 MPH is fast enough for most bike paths. When some go whizzing by over 20 MPH it's dangerous to other riders, and to kids walking.

I ride about every day when it's not raining to our local pier and back. Was getting to be a chore because one way or the other, it's against the wind.

I just put it on an old bike I already had. I've had to purchase a new battery pack about every 2 years, but that's to be expected. About $300 per for a 20 mile lithium pack. The motor still runs like a champ. These are very common motors in Asia, pretty much bulletproof.