eBike v Mountain Bike

[Alan B]

Have been doing some comparisons during the last couple of days between my Specialised Rockhopper hardtail mountain bike, and my Kudos King ebike.

First my commute to work with some hills and with a tailwind:

Mountain bike - 54:41 11.7 miles 12.8mph average
Ebike - 45:36 11.6 miles 15.3mph average

All the time difference was on the climbs, flat and downhill sections were similar. Had to have a shower after the mb ride, no need with the ebike.

Going home against strong headwind:

Mountain bike - 1:02:16 11.6 miles 11.2mph average
Ebike - 45:34 11.5 miles 15.2mph average

Exhausted on the mb, there was no respite from the headwind, not enjoyable ! Interesting that the wind made virtually no difference to the ebike, and the journey time virtually identical to the one coming in despite different hill profiles.

Training circuit mainly fairly flat with a few gentle gradients:

Mountain bike - 42:00 10.5 miles 14.9mph average
Ebike - 39:51 10.5 miles 15.7mph average

I enjoyed the mb circuit, but I was trying hard, and was tired at the end. I immediately did the same circuit on the ebike without putting to much effort in, and was a couple of minutes faster.

So in summary, some pretty obvious results, with me riding the ebike is faster, wind direction and hills make little difference, and it requires far less effort. Still like normal cycling though, and my target is to improve the circuit time on the mb to that of the ebike, and I might then treat myself to a hybrid bike.

 

[bazwaldo]

Hello AlanB you are completely right.
Not very long ago I used my Raleigh Touring bike with drop handlebars to go to work - on a day off! - to get a comparison.
It took me about 20 minutes longer and the largest hill I go up nearly made me stop and push with me totally out of breath.
I did manage to get up without stopping but I had to stand up on the pedals to keep going whereas on my Ebike I stay seated and while puffing a bit soon recover.
Barry.
I could not use my regular non electric bike day in day out for my commute - I would be too tired and sweaty.

 

[lemmy]

I find similarly with my Brompton and Kalkhoff. The Brompton is great for around town and country when not in a hurry, no particular destination, for shorter journeys and recreation.

But the Kalkfoff is a practical tool for everyday transport. Reliable journey times headwinds or not, arrive fresh - and I can carry much more in panniers and rack. For commuting, if I did it still, no contest. No parking problem, no congestion charge, door to door quicker than public transport and with steady costs as opposed to ever rising fares on public transport.

All I wonder sometimes is why every commuter doesn't have one.

 

[jasono]

Alan and Baz, I think your posts sum up why I ride an ebike to work!

Reasonable speed, reliable timing and not much sweat

 

[Scottyf]

They are great commuter tools as an alternative to the car and generally cheaper and quicker than public transport!

If there was no wind or horrible rain I'd commute all the time with out electric.
However I've been doing alot of riding without electric and recording times too.

I've got Alan on run keeper so can also stalk his times!

Need to do some electric runs soon

 

[piotrmacheta]

And on a recumbent bike no sore delicate bits either!