Advantages and disadvantages of e-bikes over conventional bikes?

[essexman]

Advantage:
No need to shower when I arrived at work.
Fun to ride.
Good load carriers
Great hill climbers

Disadvantage:
Far Too Heavy (my birdy is 11kg). If i bought a cheap roadbiek it would be ~10-11kg.
Hugely more exspensive on running costs (battery replacement and motor failure).
Generally poorly equipped compared to a lot of modern mid to high end bikes
Sometimes slow
Need to charge every other day.


Nb on the weight and component issue. Its noticebale that the lightest bikes are standard models adapted to have a motor. eg brommie nano, cytronex etc
I have a panasonic powered agattu and its great but it doesnt have a single component that i would have chosen myself. I expect the weight of a motor + battery to add 50% on the weight. I dotn know why it just seems reasonable. Then add 3-4kg for full on commuting furniture. racks/light/mudguards.

[musicbooks]

Advantages - Chick magnet
Disadvantages - NOT

bw
musicbooks

[Jack.Eagle]

It seems that most people seem to agree on the advantages of e-bikes,

to summaries the main advantages:
-takes away hills and headwinds
-ability to carry greater loads
-no need to arrive sweaty at end of journey so no need for shower change of clothes

to summaries the main disadvantages:
-initial cost is high
-weight
-great complexity so harder to repair and repairs may cost more

many thanks for all your comment and please keep them coming!

Jack

[ladybiker]

Having recently bought and ridden the Aguttu I agree with all the advantages quoted - in summaary all the pleasure without the pain of cycling. However I would like to take the bike to other parts of the country to explore and need to transport the bikes by car. I have recently had a tow bar fitted and have been looking at suitable bike racks but finding it difficult because of the weight and length of my Aggutu. is there anybody out there who can recommend a method/device for attaching to my tow bar, bearing in mind that I am a lady e biker and will find it difficult to lift it any distance? Many thanks in anticipation of recommendations.

Ladybiker

[Blew it]

Hi Ladybiker,

Welcome to the pedelecs forum.

I'm afraid your request for information on bike racks will not be noticed here. This section was setup for the purpose of a survey and is probably no longer viewed.

If you go to the "Electric bicycles" forum, at the top left hand corner you will see a blue bubble "New thread" click on that and post your request there. this will then be spotted by the many members who have experience with car racks, and would be delighted to help you out.

Pleased to hear you are enjoying your new machine, with a rack on your car you will be able to broaden your horizons even further.

Very best wishes

Bob

[ladybiker]

Bob,
Thank you for your reply and advice - much appreciated. This is the first time have used the forum and as you can tell I have a lot to learn!
Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.

Ladybiker