Gone 'Lycra'

[Phil the drill]

Embarrassing to admit really, but after a couple of years or so on the Wisper it is now relegated to Mondays and Fridays (shifting all the junk into, then out of work). All the rest of the time I'm now on my conventional bike and enjoying it more and more. I still really enjoy the wisper, but tend to only use it as above, or if the weather is so horrific that I can't face the pedaling any other way.
Anyhow, did a first ride out with a group last weekend on my normal bike - a charity ride (40 mile 'sportive' circuit around Perranporth area). I was shocked to find that amidst all the keen 'Lycras' my son and I started last, but came in with the first group of 5 at the end. 40 very hilly miles, non stop in 2 hours 38mins. I was 'well chuffed.'
Where's all this leading? well, two things really,

1) The charity ride was really good fun. All the folks were very friendly, great atmosphere (despite it's mildly competitive nature ). Look out for one in your area, and try it out. If it's anything like here, you'll have a great time.

2) REALLY important this....I am over 50. Two and a half years ago I was very unfit and overweight (5'10" & 15 st.). I could not have got into ordinary cycling in my area without using an e-bike.... I'm now a stable 13st., can pedal a road bike up a long 17+% hill at a steady pace, without fear of imminent catastrophe (hope I don't come to regret saying that ) and can embarrass some (obviously not all) cyclists half my age.

So, if you want to get fit, just try and pedal a little harder occasionally, turn the motor off whenever you can (saves battery too), give up the throttle only mode and have a little patience. Then dust off your old steed (or treat yourself to a new one - ebike money buys you a pretty decent bit of kit - and no batteries to replace ) then get out there and give it a go.

I know this isn't for everyone, but for those wanting to get fit, I reckon it's a really good option. I put this post in merely to encourage all those wanting to get cycle fit, but not sure how effective e-biking can be in achieving it.

Have been lurking around on site, but not contributing much recently. I'm only on at odd times (when no one else is, unfortunately) so can get a bit lonely!

Have a good one.

Phil

 

[eTim]

Phil - good post and congratulations.

I bought my Cytronex's with this kind of ebike result in mind, if you only want/need/can afford one bicycle and have ambitions to be a regular cyclist again, the advantage of the Cytronex is that it is a regular bicycle without the battery and motor, it's a convertible and the conversion process involves buying a regular front wheel and swapping the wheel as needed, simple as that !

I wasn't massively unfit when I started 8 months ago but I was not bike conditioned. My fitness has improved and the bars are gradually getting lower again as I become conditioned, I use the battery less when on recreational rides and by the end of the Summer I will be at the point where I will be able to take my SuperSix out without battery or motor and join in a Sportive such as yours.

Luckily, I also have the Synapse which I will keep configured as an ebike for commuting so that I avoid the need for a shower when arriving at work (20 miles one way).

This way I start with an ebike and end with a bicycle without changing the bike and spend very little extra money and I can convert the bike back to an ebike at any time just by changing the front wheel.

Tim.

 

[Phil the drill]

Hi Tim

Thanks for the comments.
I too have looked at the Cytronex bikes along these lines, and frequently agonised over whether or not to splash out on one. I like the idea of them a lot, and they look to be a very well thought out design. I have resisted the temptation as I find that when I need an electric bike it is usually for heavy duty stuff, involving carrying large heavy loads, often in poor conditions and I am unsure whether the Cytronex's would be 'man enough' for the job.
My main bike is a Specialized Tricross sport, a cyclocross bike - ideal for a road use on relatively poor lanes and roads.
I had a little go on a couple of the Cytronex bikes at the National cycle exhibition, but very short laps around a dead flat arena don't really give you any realistic idea of how it would perform in everyday use. I would be really interested to hear your assessment of the these bikes, especially their performance on long steep hills. Would the battery cope with a couple of long (2-3 mile) climbs, each up to 700' with sections of 1:6 or more? I can do this on my Specialized, but on the occasions you really want (or need) a motor, it would be nice to know if it is likely to be up to the task.

Phil

 

[eTim]

Phil,

I have just completed a review of my Synapse, which will no doubt appear sometime in the next few months (after approval).

The Cytronex's started out with commuting Hybrids (Claud Butler and Trek I think) then added pure road bikes with their Cannondale Synapse, SuperSix and Capo singlespeeds, lately they've added the Cannondale CX, Quick and most recently the CAAD9 (just looked at the website). The Cannondale bikes are renowned for their lightness and on road capability, (handling, comfort, speed etc)

I think they are mainly aiming at the fast road commuter and their range does have hard pack trail capability with some of the Hybrids but I won't be taking my road bikes offroad (some of the roads around my area could be classed as offroad no doubt).

For hill climbing, there are a series of hills in my local area, the steepest of which is 14% (1 in 6 in old money I think) and lasts for approx 800m. On this climb I can progress on the Synapse at 6-8mph in the lowest gear with a reasonable amount of effort, without motor I'm not sure I could sustain the climb (but I haven't tried without the motor). With the motor I would be able to sustain this for miles at a steady pace and I'm sure the battery is up to the job, I'm not sure how far the battery would last on a sustained uphill, but 2-3 miles would be easily achievable. The no-hills shop in Winchester has some short steep hills to test ride on if you could get down there to try the bikes, I think the steepest is about 1 in 5 or 6.

On the Synapse I carry up to about 5Kg's in a Topeak MTX trunk, seatpost mounted, there are no lugs for mudguards (I have fitted aftermarket mudguards supplied by no-hills) or racks and Cannondale don't recommend carrying extra weight on their roadbikes . For carrying large loads I would only buy a bike designed for this with a frame to match (lugs), some of the other Cannondale's may be setup for this.

The Cytronex system seems to be very well matched for lightweight road riding as the kit is lightweight itself, it would be interesting to see how the components would stand up when used on a bit of rough stuff (by-ways, mud, gravel etc not steep rocky decents or purpose built single track).

For load lugging with off-road capability I have purchased a Thorn Nomad and I have a plan to convert this at some stage, I'm waiting for the Cytronex kit to be released to see if it will be suitable and then I'll pick a kit.

Hope some of this helps.

 

[HarryB]

The Cytronex system seems to be very well matched for lightweight road riding as the kit is lightweight itself, it would be interesting to see how the components would stand up when used on a bit of rough stuff (by-ways, mud, gravel etc not steep rocky decents or purpose built single track).

The Tongxin motor will not take any off road stuff even something as ordinary as cobbled streets will be enough to break the motor. There is a ring that retains the freewheel mechanism - there are some pictures somewhere on the internet - and it breaks easily. When it goes you lose all drive and it takes an hour of specialist skills to get it fixed. Actually I think the motor is reasonably robust provided you don't use the power as it is using power that seems to break this retaining ring.

Phil, the Cytronex is a great system but you will find it has a lot less power than the BF equipped Wispers. Balanced against that, every other electric I have had before or since has seemed very moped like in terms of the weight and feel - the Cytronex feels great it is just a shame that it is not more robust.

I am having problems keeping cool even on my new Emotion bike and it is one thing that puts me off going to a normal bike. I didn't seem to get so hot on the Cytronex so some how it was doing more work than the panasonics. I think my problem is that I am a bit competitive on the Emotion and always want to keep up with the fast riders - you would think I could grow up a bit now I am getting on for 50.

 

[Phil the drill]

Tim , Harry, thanks for the replies. Interesting and more to mull over. I must try to get out for a proper test ride on a Cytronex at some time.

I am having problems keeping cool even on my new Emotion bike and it is one thing that puts me off going to a normal bike.

Actually one of the problems I have always had is a tendency to sweat readily - even when much younger and when (once upon a time) I was very fit.
I have always found the comment about ebikes that you can get into work sweat free completely untrue for me. They may make the journey relatively easy (it still involves considerable pedal input on my routes to work), but definitely NOT sweat free. For that reason I have tended to take the view that I might as well put in a bit more effort on a road bike - get fitter and stronger, and to hell with the sweaty arrival, I was going to be that anyway!

I am a bit competitive on the Emotion and always want to keep up with the fast riders - you would think I could grow up a bit now I am getting on for 50.

What! under 50 is 'getting on' no way! I'm the wrong side of 50 and as for growing up, forget it. You don't want to lose the will win just yet . Still life in the old cranks yet. Get out there and sock it to 'em, you know it makes sense....

Phil

 

[Pedalo]

The Tongxin motor will not take any off road stuff even something as ordinary as cobbled streets will be enough to break the motor. There is a ring that retains the freewheel mechanism - there are some pictures somewhere on the internet - and it breaks easily. When it goes you lose all drive and it takes an hour of specialist skills to get it fixed. Actually I think the motor is reasonably robust provided you don't use the power as it is using power that seems to break this retaining ring.

Phil, the Cytronex is a great system but you will find it has a lot less power than the BF equipped Wispers. Balanced against that, every other electric I have had before or since has seemed very moped like in terms of the weight and feel - the Cytronex feels great it is just a shame that it is not more robust.

I am having problems keeping cool even on my new Emotion bike and it is one thing that puts me off going to a normal bike. I didn't seem to get so hot on the Cytronex so some how it was doing more work than the panasonics. I think my problem is that I am a bit competitive on the Emotion and always want to keep up with the fast riders - you would think I could grow up a bit now I am getting on for 50.

Harry, I'm surprised you're not keeping cool on your new Emotion. I've never riden one but I did read you get the most help from the motor at low cadence. Could it be you need to change up a gear or two and pedal slower?

(Apologies for what I'm sure was probably a Granny sucking eggs comment!)

 

[HarryB]

Harry, I'm surprised you're not keeping cool on your new Emotion. I've never riden one but I did read you get the most help from the motor at low cadence. Could it be you need to change up a gear or two and pedal slower?

(Apologies for what I'm sure was probably a Granny sucking eggs comment!)

Apology accepted, not much assistance at 20 plus mph!

 

[musicbooks]

Hi Phil,
What an anorak.. imagine riding a bike without a battery.. how are you ever going to show your face in public again..?
How can you cope without all those sarcastic comments at work like "That's cheating" and "how do you fit your zimmer onto that!" and the women..what about the women... how do you get by without them?

I don't know.. next you'll be telling us, you actually enjoy hills without assistance..Come back to us Phil.. I'm sure in time we will all find the strength to forgive you.

BW
musicbooks

 

[Vikki]

1) The charity ride was really good fun. All the folks were very friendly, great atmosphere (despite it's mildly competitive nature ). Look out for one in your area, and try it out. If it's anything like here, you'll have a great time.

I wish the one I registered for had gone like that I'll keep my eye open for others.

On a brighter note: I'm using my Wisper less now, about two days a week. I'm riding my trike three days a week. Wisper when it rains, though, or when winter bites again. I've lost over a stone since riding Trikey and that was my aim - to lose weight in a fun way. Got some more to go yet but slow and steady will keep me happy. I've even started going out on long bike rides again. I use the Wisper to seek out a new route that is trike friendly and then do it on the trike. If it wasn't for the trike I wouldn't be doing this, diamond frames do not appeal to me (unless electric ).

Best regards.

Vikki.

 

[Phil the drill]

Hi Phil,
What an anorak.. imagine riding a bike without a battery.. how are you ever going to show your face in public again..?
How can you cope without all those sarcastic comments at work like "That's cheating" and "how do you fit your zimmer onto that!" and the women..what about the women... how do you get by without them?

I don't know.. next you'll be telling us, you actually enjoy hills without assistance..Come back to us Phil.. I'm sure in time we will all find the strength to forgive you.

BW
musicbooks

Thanks MB, I'll take that in the spirit that I assume was intended !
I haven't actually completely abandoned the e-bikes, as I said I just use them less than I used to and enjoy the challenge on my ordinary bike. Actually I have to say that for the most part I don't mind hills, even the steep ones (honestly ).
I absolutely HATE big headwinds, of which we get a lot, being on the coast. Always seem to be in your face wherever you are going. I have to say when they get going over a certain point, I'm on the Wisper (or in the car ), without doubt.
BTW MusicBooks anoraks are so passé, mine's a cagoule.....
Phil

 

[Phil the drill]

I wish the one I registered for had gone like that I'll keep my eye open for others.

Vikki.

Hi Vikki

Sorry to hear that your experience of a ride out was not too good. All I can say is that the group I went with were a great bunch. (Cornwall Cycle Challenge - Childrens Hospice South West). I'm sure if you look around you should be able to find a more amiable group

Phil

 

[Vikki]

Hi, Phil. More like no group at all

Vikki.