Is it mad to want two e-bikes?

[jeffpas]

I began with wanting an e-bike as backup transportation in case my car breaks down, or to get home from the mechanic.
But since have found both a folding e-bike, and a full size and can't decide which to keep.
They're not top dollar, Wal-Mart grade but solidly made, and good enough for me.
I've kept the receipts and tested them both.
The full size e-bike rides so much better, fits better and is better at transporting if need be (carrier in the back). But the portability of the folding bike makes it much more practical as backup.

Would it be crazy to just, get both?
I could just have the full size e-bike as my regular bike.
I'll have to sell a few things......

 

[saneagle]

Correct. You're mad to want two ebikes. I'd get yourself tested or read a few books on lateral thinking to broaden your mind. You should be thinking about a minimum of four. You might not be able to have four because of restrictions on your life (wife, kids, space, etc), but that shouldn't stop you from wanting them.

Here's the science on the matter, just to prove what I'm saying:
Nn = No+1
Where Nn is the number of ebikes needed and No is the number you own.

 

[Ghost1951]

Yeah - I have two, a proper full sized one and a folder. No way would I part with either of them. Horses for courses as we say here. There are best fit occasions for each type.

 

[Nealh]

Like d8veh I have several electric bikes .

 

[Peter.Bridge]

If you have more that one and one needs repairs / servicing / upgrades then you still have one that you can use

 

[guerney]

Is it mad to want two e-bikes?

Yes, if the one bike you have does everything you need. I bought a second bike to convert, because I was vaguely curious about doing a hub conversion of a full sized folding bike... but every time I ride my BBS01B mid-drive converted Dahon Helios P8 20" wheeled folder, I'm reminded at how great it is at everything: climbs hills fast, hauls heavy bike trailers up those hills, can be carried on public transport, marginally looks too silly to be mugged for, requires almost zero effort to pedal, has fast acceleration, rear rack, good range - the only thing it doesn't do is offroad, which is fine because I am a road cyclist. After I took apart the full sized 26" wheeeled Dahon Espresso folder I'd bought to renovate and bought stuff to renovate it with, it's remained in bits ever since and I have failed to work up the requisite enthusiasm to reassemble the thing for well over a year. I think I've forgotten how it all goes back together and may have to start a thread.

If you have more that one and one needs repairs / servicing / upgrades then you still have one that you can use

Yes, there is that.

 

[Waspy]

Correct. You're mad to want two ebikes. I'd get yourself tested or read a few books on lateral thinking to broaden your mind. You should be thinking about a minimum of four. You might not be able to have four because of restrictions on your life (wife, kids, space, etc), but that shouldn't stop you from wanting them.

Here's the science on the matter, just to prove what I'm saying:
Nn = No+1
Where Nn is the number of ebikes needed and No is the number you own.

Or in your case: Nn = No+9

 

[saneagle]

but every time I ride my BBS01B mid-drive converted Dahon Helios P8 20" wheeled folder, I'm reminded at how great it is

Blissful ignorance!

 

[AndyBike]

2 Ebikes plus maybe a regular non E is certainly the way to go.
One to potter about the town, and not to expensive that it might attract thieves
And a better quality, with better spec, maybe more suitable for longer runs or on not so smooth terrain. Something thats never going to be locked and left.

And a standard bike to keep the muscles working hard

 

[thelarkbox]

Perfectly Natural once the utility of an ebike is realised

 

[Peter.Bridge]

And a standard bike to keep the muscles working hard

I have an unassisted bike but when I compare my average heart rate on an unassisted bike ride to an assisted bike ride they are pretty much identical (although if feels harder unassisted and obvs I don't go as far)

 

[AndyBike]

I have an unassisted bike but when I compare my average heart rate on an unassisted bike ride to an assisted bike ride they are pretty much identical (although if feels harder unassisted and obvs I don't go as far)

That must be why gyms have electrically power assisted exercise bikes, alongside their standard exercise bikes

... oh no wait

 

[Peter.Bridge]

That must be why gyms have electrically power assisted exercise bikes, alongside their standard exercise bikes

... oh no wait

Unassisted gravel bike




Assisted folding bike

 

[Bikes4two]

Before I needed the assistance of a motor to continue cycling, I had a variety of unassisted bikes, each with it's own characteristics and it was a pleasure to have the different bikes to enjoy in different ways so why when going 'e' should it be any different?

My first ebike (a TSDZ2 conversion) was a general purpose machine (Dawes Galaxy with rear rack for panniers etc). Then a second TSDZ2 on a lighter ebike with none of the carrying capacity and therefore more sprightly to ride.

Then a front hub motor came my way and after knowing that many lauded the KT controller, I converted my carbon framed road bike which had sat collecting dust for years - the motor on that bike is a revelation and allows me to ride really quite briskly whilst fondly remembering the way my cycling used to be.

So in answer to the posted question, you need as many ebikes as your budget and bike shed can accommodate.

 

[Sturmey]

.....Would it be crazy to just, get both?
I could just have the full size e-bike as my regular bike.
I'll have to sell a few things......

It would be great if both bikes had similar type batteries that are interchangable. This would be great for long runs or allow you to instantly choose either bike when only one battery is charged etc.

 

[egroover]

Not wrong to want and need 2 ebikes - you have come up with good reasons for needed both, so sleep easy at night.

I've got 5 ebikes, I've come up with reasons for justification for each one.
One for haircuts and going into town (Argos cheapie), one for annual car service (cheap halfords folder), one for off road fun (Forme MTB BBS01 conversion), one for touring/commuting (Boardman BBS01 conversion) and another one as back up for commuting (Crossfire-e)

I've also got a road bike and non e hybrid. And another bike. And my old original MTB from the 90's.

I love bikes

 

[flash]

4 here but always room for another.

 

[Garry Hallam]

I always said I was mad.
Currently I have three of them.

A 250w BBso1 36v 31ah fitted to a 26" Voodoo Bantu. There if I want a 60 mile ride, only did it once. My Backside took days to get over it.

Decathlon est100 250w rear hub motor 13ah. Love it, but very heavy to move about at home.

Argos Emove 20" folder. 250w 36v 8.1ah. Just love it. I can see myself using this a lot. Easy to transport and great for leisurely rides and some shopping trips.

I have a 20" folder that I salvaged from a scrapyard. Shotblasted and powder coated. Fitted Sturmey AW 3 speed that I salvaged from a 700c town bike. My current favourite. I am tempted to swap the mid drive from the Voodoo over to this one but with a smaller battery.



I also want to find a 26" folding fatbike to convert for riding along the beach at low tide to pump lugworm.

There was one that I nearly picked up at Smithfield Market in Manchester for £120. They always come up on there, mostly ex Deliveroo. Currently looking for somebody With a space in thier garden shed before I commit.

Oh and I live in a 1 bed 1st floor flat. 7 bikes in total......so far.

 

[guerney]

It would be great if both bikes had similar type batteries that are interchangable. This would be great for long runs or allow you to instantly choose either bike when only one battery is charged etc.

Despite having been manufactured ages ago in April 2006, my Dahon Helios P8 BBS01B 20" wheeled mid-drive attracts too much attention. I think screeching magpie banshees are attracted by the shiny aluminium frame, or it's unusual shape. Usually, it merely makes groups of women burst into laughter simultaneously as I pedal by, I've no idea why. Attracts groups of people when left locked too, weird but true.

...which is why I bought the folding 26" wheeled Dahon Esperesso replete with undesirable scratches and patina for £76 on ebay, with a view to assemble a seriously cheap ebike I wouldn't worry about being stolen when left locked up somewhere, for short shopping trips...

One for haircuts

...and haircuts. I could buy a new frame for it from CH White & Son, but that'd somewhat defeat the object of assembling a bike I wouldn't fret about being stolen. Front hub motor for (hopefully) easy peasiness of installation, simplicity of motor wheel build, using the 36V battery from my BBS01B conversion. Saves having to buy another battery. I've been looking at ultra-cheap dead Gumtree ebikes to drag a motor from, and I'm idly considering this motor on the "Bargains" thread:

https://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/threads/bargains.46309/post-743615

 

[guerney]

I have a 20" folder that I salvaged from a scrapyard. Shotblasted and powder coated. Fitted Sturmey AW 3 speed that I salvaged from a 700c town bike. My current favourite. I am tempted to swap the mid drive from the Voodoo over to this one but with a smaller battery.

It'd be nice to see another 36V BBS01B 20" folding bike on the forum. And it'd be interesting to see how well your Sturmey hub gears fare. Would 720W on your lowest gear conquer all hills? Would your hub gears explode with 720W? The frame is bent by drive side a bit at high torque - I wouldn't have noticed, if it hadn't been because of the central hinge creaking at onset of high torque, because it needed lubricating. Therefore I check regularly for cracks, but my aluminium frame hasn't snapped yet, not even once. A big battery would be better for hills, less voltage sag. I put the battery on the rear rack, but you could try mid mounting like this dude?

@saneagle also mounted a battery mid-frame on his Dahon Jetfream rear hub conversion, using fibreglass, on a thread somewhere.