Has anyone ridden a Paris "VELIB" compare to e-Bike?

[Intex]

I was wondering if anyone has ridden the Parisian rental bikes that line Paris's streets, the VELIB. I ask this because I have ridden one almost daily for the past month, and find it both comfortable (seating and riding position). I wanted to know if any of the Panasonic e-Bikes, like the :
ProConnect, Easy Glider, Gazelle , will ride like this VELIB, when you are not using the battery. By this I mean, does it handle similiar? Is it as easy to pedal without the motor running?

I am trying to see if one of these bikes will serve my e-bike needs, instead of the Trek e-Bike, as the Trek is not as comfortable to ride (non-motorized version)

Thanks

PS- I do not have any e-bikes availablke to try here, yet.

 

[flecc]

I haven't ridden a Velib, but the style of the Panasonic motored utility bikes is very similar and the riding experience will be very much the same. The electric bikes are a bit heavier of course, but the motor unit has virtually no drag so on the flat they are fairly easy to pedal, though it won't be quite as easy with power right off as the unpowered and slightly lighter Velib.

However, if you leave one on the Eco setting it will run for over 40 miles and make the bike at least as easy to pedal as the Velib, and probably a bit easier. On your run it would probably be best to do all the flat riding on the Eco setting and use the high power setting for the hills, ignoring the standard middle setting.

Haven't Velo Electro got the Gazelle Easy Glider in stock? I know these bikes have been in short supply due to high demand, but perhaps you could arrange to try one when in stock. I think the Gazelle will be very much like the Velib in style and riding experience, but very much easier than a Velib if hill climbing of course.

One difference from the Velib is the gears, since the Panasonic motored bikes mainly have hub gears, not the derailleur of the Velib. If you haven't ridden hub gears before you'll find it a bit strange, since it's best to stop pedalling when changing gear, the opposite of the Velib. However the advantage of the hub gear is that you can change down the gears at a standstill.
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[jac]

hi i think you should find a gitane bike dealer near paris that sells a panasonic drive bike

jim

 

[flecc]

There is Jim, I've already given Intex the full details of Velo Electro, a specialist electric bike dealer in Paris who are agents for the Gitane, Gazelle and several other makes of e-bike.
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