Going going almost gone :-((

[overlander]

Well guys i knew this day would come and i thought it would be easy to give up but i guess its human nature to take the easy road. I have now realised that my original need for an electric bike was a dodgy knee has now got better. I now find that the assist's only advantage is to make the ride easier and in my case thats just down to laziness. I now feel like cheating as i am perfectly capable of doing what i need to do on my normal bike. The bionx bike has been a pleasure and not once has ever gave any bother but i need to face reality its just laziness on my behalf. One day my need for an electric bike might come hopefully 35 years down the line but this is not the day.

 

[kitchenman]

Hi Overlander, Please encourage the new owner to join the forum. Perhaps you can fill out this form before you go:

Alias overlander
Bike 2010 Bionx Motor Trek Fx
Date Acquired:
Review Date 2011/07/21
Review Text The bionx bike has been a pleasure and not once has ever gave any bother
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Company: TREK
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Thanks,

ALan

 

[Scottyf]

I also stopped using electric. However there are some days (Well some hills) where I really couldn't be bothered to power up on my own accord. Commuting its still great though and it does massivly increase your range.

Now I'f I'm lazy I end up just downgearing and romping up the hill slowly.

Still glad you still feel you can use the bike and has got your strength up to a level were you feel comfortable to ride unassited.

 

[lemmy]

I have an electric and a non electric bike and a car. I use each one when I consider it appropriate.

Is a train cheating compared to a car? A bicycle compared to walking?

Who is being cheated if you use the most suitable means of transport? What does cheating mean in this context?

 

[Cyclezee]

I don't feel like riding an electric bike is cheating at all, especially when you consider it as an alternative to using a car or public transport.

If I were young and fit, then I might consider it to be cheating or laziness, but I am not and there is no going back to non-powered cycling for me.

Over the last 4 years, electric bikes have given me a new lease of life, an intrest about which I am passionate and a business where profit is not my main motivation.

All the best to you Overlander

 

[piotrmacheta]

Definately not cheating. I'm fit enough to ride everyday but I find the normal daily cycle to work really boring and slow when I do it unassisted. And as for a trip to Oxford or that bit further, well, I don't think I would bother and just use the car but with electric I enjoy the challenge. And particularly with my recumbents because they are heavier and so a bit harder work unassisted but with assisted I can go 50 miles and still have no aches except my legs.
Maybe it's only cheating if you hide it (Cytronex?)

 

[lemmy]

If I were young and fit, then I might consider it to be cheating or laziness

Would you not feel a motorcycle was cheating too in that case?

I have had motorcycles from 50cc through to 750cc but I never considered them in any way cheating. Neither do I with my car. Is a bicycle not cheating compared to walking? Or a bus?

The only means of transport anyone ever mentions as cheating is electric bikes and I just can't fathom why.

 

[flecc]

The only means of transport anyone ever mentions as cheating is electric bikes and I just can't fathom why.

It's because e-bikes look like bikes and have pedals, so riders are regarded as pretending to cycle while being powered.

There's a vaguely similar ridiculing of 30 mph limited mopeds with their exhausts knocked out by youngsters to make them sound very powerful and fast!

The perception is all about pretence.

 

[Scottyf]

Teenagers that do that are morons anyway with the exhausts.

None of them think a reason why a 2-stroke has an expansion chamber is to change the back pressure to keep as much fuel in the cylinder as possible. Usually they make it louder and it goes alot slower with increased mpg.

Electric bikes are good for wheelies ;-)

 

[overlander]

Hi guys, thanks for all the input, food for thought that i just keep it and use it when and as i feel. I'll Keep this reply brief as i am laid up with a urine infection so plenty of time to think about what to do I do like them from an engineering point of view, maybe i could mess about with it. But to be honest i do think the bionx system is pretty well developed and no tinkering could improve it.

 

[overlander]

Hi kitchenman will fill in your questions when i feel better.

 

[Cyclezee]

Get well soon Overlander

 

[flecc]

to be honest i do think the bionx system is pretty well developed and no tinkering could improve it.

Not surprising, since it's one of the longest in existence. It's origins go right back to some Chrysler research into electric vehicles in the 1970s.

Hope you get well soon.

 

[Kudoscycles]

Just exhibited at the Kent County show,terrible weather but still a lot of interest in the electric bikes....it was interesting some of the comments from attendees....quote 'I'm too old to go cycling,can't cope with the hills these days'....quote'that's cheating'....quote 'I'm not old enough to need one'....quote'OK but I thought bike's were to make you fit. I found myself spending the whole time expaining the use of the PAS control,the gear system,the range,the joy of assisted riding,you are in control of what you want to put into the bike and what you want out of it.....sit in a pavement cafe in Holland and electric bike riders go past aged 15 to 80,the electric bike is just a convenient,fun and economical means of transport,there is no age stigma,no fitness stigma....we as an industry still have a massive educational ladder to climb if the electric bike is to be perceived as a daily means of transport....perhaps all the retailers and importers could offer more try an electric bike days...when someone is persuaded to ride an e-bike the joy is such fun to watch and they will often make a purchase.
Dave
Kudos Cycles

 

[NRG]

I'm not sure you are fighting education as such but more of a deeply engrained mind set / culture in this country toward bikes. Flecc has pointed this out before, on the continent bikes are seen more as transport and a tool to get from A to B, over here its seen as a sport or a way to get fit and slapping on a motor and battery fly's right in the face of this perception.

I dont envy any E-Bike manufacture in this country trying to make a living out of the domestic market...

 

[Kudoscycles]

We have an open day on August 13,it is organised similar to the Tour de Presteigne. We have advertised it locally well,many at recent shows said they wanted to attend but we don't know exactly how many will attend,50,500 or more but all seemed genuinely interested and enthusiastic-all are welcome. It will be interesting the comments at our day,many will not have ridden an e-bike before. So far Kudos's business model is on track,but much work ahead-we are advertising in the EasyJet inflight magazine commencing August 1-something to read on the plane.
Dave
Kudos Cycles

 

[steveindenmark]

I ride in Audax rides on a TREK Lexa SL. I have a TREK street bike and a Bacchetta Giro 26 recumbent. I also have a Tonaro electric bike.

I am well capable of riding my road bike 200km in a day but I would not get rid off my Tonaro electric bike because it is fun.

The idea that electric bikes are only for people who cannot manage to ride a normal bike is nonsense. I ride an electric bike because it is fun. There are times when I do not want to struggle into headwinds or up hills. It allows me to ride withouth the thought that it is a training session.

We really need to promote the fact that the electric bike is not some sort of of an invalid carriage but can be used by everyone.

Steve

 

[kitchenman]

I hope your feeling better (not just because I want you to fill out my questionaire! ) ...
Here is another example of the application of an electric bike. Last night my son was heading back to Winchester from ALton. Some 18.5 miles. He has a Specialized Fixed Gear road bike. I decided to join him to act as a pacemaker. He was particularly worried about one of the hills on the route and thought he may not get up it. He did and we had a great ride to Winchester. It was interesting for me as in order to be a good pacemaker I needed to match his cadence and use just the right amount of assist so that he could stay close behind me (so he could hear my words of encouragement "come on Sam!" .. ) .. Having arrived at about 9:00 pm I had a quick cup of coffee and then headed back to complete a 25 mile round trip. This was hard on my electric bike (the CX700 btw - no way I could have done this on the Fast4ward). I had a nice poodle to work this morning on the Fast4ward and played a bit more with the throttle as my legs were a bit fatigued! ...

 

[mike killay]

I am 68 and gave up cycling years ago. Two months ago I bought a Tonaro Enduro. It has changed my life. Rather than using it for sport, I use it for enjoyment and going places. I changed the mountain style handlebars for good old all rounders, put a decent saddle on it (Rido), changed the tyres to slicks and it is now a very comfortable bike. Today I went to the dentist on it. This involves a mile or so journey, down one hill where you can easily free wheel up to 50mph and then up the other side of the valley. 20 years ago I used to have to get off and push, but now, I gently pedalled up both sides in 3rd gear arriving fresh as a daisy. The dentist and nurse even came outside to look at the bike because it is obviously a reasonable form of transport. I don't want a sporting bike, I don't want to get in a lather, I don't want to 'work out'
I suspect that there will be a lot of people like me, wanting easy transport without all the hassle of motor cycling. Hub motors and Panasonic systems would be of no use to people like me. We want the full 250 watt available at all times.