Advantages and disadvantages of e-bikes over conventional bikes?

[Jack.Eagle]

What do you think are the major advantages and disadvantages of e-bikes over conventional bikes?

Please comment on this questions and any views you have about it.

Many thanks

Jack

[flecc]

Advantages, help on hills, against headwinds and load carrying or pulling, the less pleasant aspects of cycling alleviated while still retaining all the pleasure.

Disadvantages, higher initial cost, complexity meaning greater potential for breakdowns, weight, battery renewal costs, lack of dealers prepared to work on e-bikes.
.

[Django]

I agree with everything Flecc has written and the following are implicit in his replies.

For most of us the e-bike can take you further more quickly and with less effort. Commuting is easier as there may be no need for a shower at each end and a change of clothes. Girls flock after you.

(OK so I made that last one up)

[joab]

Advantage:
No need to shower when I arrived at work.
Fun to ride.
Don't use my car anymore to go to work.

Disadvantage:
Need to charge every day.
Heavy bike, not easy to handle.
Slower then my racebike.

[Blew it]

Advantages.

As previously mentioned, as a result of smoking far too many cigarettes for too many years, my lung capacity is greatly reduced. Without that little motor, I would have been denied the pleasure of returning to cycling and the huge improvement in joint mobility that has resulted.

my electric bikes have opened up an entirely new world of exploring the urban and rural areas, some of which, I never new existed. One of my favourite rides is a 32 mile round trip back to my birthplace on the National Cycle Network Route 45. I have ridden this route several times during the two years of returning to cycling, each time, enjoying the experience even more.

Disadvantages.

Without a doubt, none!

Regards

Bob

[Footie]

Advantages:

Living in a hilly area I find the main advantage of an e-bike over a conventional bike is the help it gives on hills. Has help to improve my fitness, even though I have a heart condition. I also find myself wanting to go out on the ebike even if it's wet - something I never do with a conventional bike.

Disadvantages:

Initial cost of bike and troublesome batteries. My ebike was twice what I paid for my conventional bike. I also had to change the battery as the SLA battery at eight months old was unable to give me a sensible range in my hilly area (7.5 miles). It was changed for a Ping LiFePO4 battery (19 miles).
.

[rock_hopper]

As all the others plus:

Advantages:
Fairly consistent commute to work regardless of conditions (both weather and mine !)

Disadvantages:
Longer bike length - affecting storage optiions
Poor availability of local dealers therefore dependancy on remote buying, time will tell whether I get motor/battery problems that require technical intervention

[Conal]

I agree with the comments made by others, although I still manage to get sweaty riding an electric bike.
An unexpected advantage has been to ability to pop into London and back in less than one hour at "no cost".
My work incudes preparing grant submissions to goverment offices and today cycled from Hackney to Palestra, just south of Blackfriars Bridge, and back in less than one hour. This ability means that I do not have to bother arranging couriers, I can hand things in at the last minute, and I get a littel more exercise. Also I get paid to cycle over the Thames and back on a nice sunny day!
This ability to travel places in very little time compared with public transport should not be overlooked. Yesterday I travelled from work to Stratford and then to Canary Wharf before returning to work after two meetings, and spent two hours less time travelling than I would have done if I had used buses and tube trains!
This is a small but unavoidable part of my work and the electric bike has taken the drudgery out of it.
I would assume such benefits can be gained in any built-up area or where car parking is issue.

[moon]

Advantages -no need for a car..i hate them anyway, more freedom to explore, ability to commute to work without relying on public transport, speeeeed, ability to ride up hills i would have normally walked to get up.

Disadvantages - weight, attractiveness to theives, other cyclist shouting 'you're cheating'

[JohnofCambridge]

I have used both a pushbike and an electric bike. Mostly electric bike now Mon-Fri but use the pushbike on Saturday for a slightly non logical reason of getting more exercise.

The pushbike takes 35mins, makes me feel bored on long stretches and i need a shower. I am more exhausted and it shows, taking me far longer to stop gasping and get stuck into work.Altogether including recovery time of 15 mins - it takes about approx 50 mins.

The electric bike takes 25 mins and i am concentrating on work 5 mins later - total 30 mins.

The electric bike also is exhilarating. I pedal so I get some alertness running. I also have this wonderful feeling of keeping up with fast cyclists and overtaking others.

Disadvantage is the fear that it might be stolen, so I am much more wary where I leave it.

It is also a bit big to take around in the car if on holiday etc.