A comment on e-bikes today!

[flecc]

A to B magazine has been reviewing e-bikes far longer than any other publication, but these comments in the editorial of the latest issue concerning readers comments about their recent content raised my eyebrows:

- - - And there seems to be general relief that we're not testing so many electric bikes these days. Well, they're all much of a muchness now aren't they?

But don't worry, if something interesting comes along, we'll be right at the front, investigating,

If anything interesting comes along?!!!

For me there's been no shortage of interesting developments, if anything the recent choice and variety now are bewildering.
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[jackhandy]

I expect they've been getting stick from the "If you need assistance, you shouldn't be on a bike" brigade for encouraging us

 

[flecc]

I think the very mixed content means many readers are not interested in e-bikes. They cover all forms of eco transport, environmental matters like the latest issue's seven page article on eco energy generation in a Danish island, rail travel here and elsewhere, and related to their origins, folding bikes, since the magazine was originally titled "The Folder". Their liking for Bromptons has lead to them being called "The Brompton Owners Club" in some quarters!

Showing an issue to a local bike dealer brought the puzzled response after reading for a while, "What an odd little magazine".

I can sympathise with the editors though. With such diversity in eco matters, no matter what the content the majority of readers will probably not be suited, a bit like a government trying to have a policy to suit all voters.
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[D8ve]

Once upon a short while ago.
Sealed lead acid was common. Heavy inefficient bikes were cheap.
Some new designs happened and all was fairly free in the market.
The 250 watt and standard hub motors have since become common.
The race in Bristol was decided on wheel width and cycling stamina.
The majority of bikes are very samie, more difference in the components than motor control side.
If someone new asks what bike then it's whoosh for price, local for dealer support and then they can all do much the same as each other.
Where are the real differences?
Obviously I'm talking legal bikes here.
The world of high power bikes has some real differences. Top speeds in 160+kph etc.

 

[RobF]

Seven pages on eco power generation on a Danish island?

I'm surprised the magazine has any readers.

 

[flecc]

Once upon a short while ago.
Sealed lead acid was common. Heavy inefficient bikes were cheap.
Some new designs happened and all was fairly free in the market.
The 250 watt and standard hub motors have since become common.
The race in Bristol was decided on wheel width and cycling stamina.
The majority of bikes are very samie, more difference in the components than motor control side.
If someone new asks what bike then it's whoosh for price, local for dealer support and then they can all do much the same as each other.
Where are the real differences?

I know where you are coming from, but I'm talking about a magazine proud of it's very long record of reviewing e-bikes and commenting on them, but apparently largely missing the following judging by the content:

The new very high torque generation of hub motors like the BPM and Panasonic rear hub motors. The CST and similar hub motors allowing use of the far better cassette instead of the much weaker freewheels. The gradual swing of Panasonic to hub motors after more than a decade of crank unit adherence. The second generation Bosch unit with it's design for trouble free, clean chain drive at the crank. The hub motor swing from simple handlebar controls to sophisticated LCD units allowing user control of the software. The new generation of sound Chinese made crank units entering that market. The very long life of the better lithium batteries. The DfT and BEBA activity vis-a-vis e-bike legislation.

It all points to them taking their eye off the ball. Legality has never worried them, indeed they are very critical of the e-bike law and routinely ignore it. They comment in often minute detail on other subjects.

During the last decade when for much of it the Panasonic was the only decent crank unit on sale and in only one e-bike make here, and nearly all the rest used one type of SB hub motor, they really were all "much of a muchness". That was a very boring market, but then A to B commented on and reviewed that very fully.

I can't help feeling they've lost some interest in the subject, and elsewhere in that editorial they did comment, "there are other e-bike magazines", inferring those interested could, maybe should, look elsewhere.
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