November 9, 201213 yr Does anyone have a bike which is not electric which they get a kick out of riding, and would never consider converting? The type of bike which is just a joy to ride and feels so comfortable?
November 9, 201213 yr Yes, my Focus Wasgo TR 3.0 FOCUS Bikes: Bikes 2012 I got it earlier this year when I decided to do the London to Brighton bike ride.
November 9, 201213 yr very much so, especially on an old 27X1/4" Mercian touring bike.... used it yesterday for a couple of laps of Regents Park, and was constantly passed by the triathlon training brigade, which made me lust for a Kalkoff BS10... but the bike felt great
November 9, 201213 yr Not anymore, as the ride on my Batribike Folder is plush with the sprung seatpost and the `inexpensive `telescopic front forks . I have a 33 year old German Folder and a 19 year old GT Talera if I want to rough it . Have I mentioned my two 31 year old Classic powered Suzuki`s ? What will become of them when I expire ? They will be described as `Barn Finds ` I suppose .
November 9, 201213 yr In the same vein, I always rode my Giant Lafree Twist Lite without power as much as possible since it was pleasure in that respect, not heavy and very free running. With that the power was only turned on for the hills and trailer towing.
November 9, 201213 yr Does anyone have a bike which is not electric which they get a kick out of riding, and would never consider converting? The type of bike which is just a joy to ride and feels so comfortable? No, but I'd love to find one which did .. and which I could take over 20.5mph more easily on moderately flat ground than the eBike. It'll bomb downhill fast enough but it's a real struggle to crack and keep up 22mph even in top gear on the flat. Should I be looking at a road bike for that ? On the open road, I usually ride my pedelec at about 16-19mph on flat to moderately hilly ground - which is pretty much beyond the range of power assist I think - so guess it's pretty much operating as a 'normal bike' in that range anyway. It's ever so comfy .. and am only usually overtaken by racemeisters in unfeasibly tight clothing ... or scooters ! Almost forgotten what riding a normal bike feels like. Would be fun to get hold of a decent one for speed riding and see whether I'm really any fitter or whether it's all an electrically-assisted illusion of competence !
November 9, 201213 yr I still enjoy occasional short trips on my old Dawes Super Galaxy, which I’ve never considered converting. It does make me feel old though - reminds me of my touring days when I could ride all day every day without worrying about which body part was going to play up next.
November 10, 201213 yr Not these days, no.... We live at 700ft, with hensbarrow rising to 1000ft behind us: All the bestest rides drop to sea-level, or close to, at some point; so I've alway got serious climbing to do on the way home. Why do "They" always put picturesque fishing villages and beaches at zero altitude? Most inconsiderate, I say.
November 11, 201213 yr Still enjoy riding my proconnect without power, its quite free running. My other two bikes are not so rewarding and I tend to use power all the time.
November 11, 201213 yr I have two unpowered machines that I still enjoy riding, an old Giant MTB that I use on local tracks and when out with my eldest boy. Also I have an old 531 tubed Raleigh Record Ace which is the smoothest machine I've ever riden, it's always a joy to tour with it.
November 11, 201213 yr We have a couple of old Bromptons which live in the boot of the car ... great bikes, solid as little rocks and perfect folders. Un-powered - pension won't reach quite that far. Tom
November 11, 201213 yr Author We have a couple of old Bromptons which live in the boot of the car ... great bikes, solid as little rocks and perfect folders. Un-powered - pension won't reach quite that far. Tom Do you think smaller wheeled bikes are just easier to ride un-powered for those of us less fit, than bigger road bikes? Or maybe it's just a case of good (and correct use of) gearing on a bike regardless of the wheel size. I've found riding my 16" Mezzo a whole different experience to riding 26" and much more accessible, easy and enjoyable un-powered. Maybe it's just the novelty of a smaller bike and easier handling! I do like how you can just carry the bike much easier and it stores away quickly, so if you fancy a ride you can go and come back quickly and don't have to go through the rigmarole of handling a larger bike.
November 12, 201213 yr I have an ebike (Aurora) but I do enjoy riding it without power, the only time I use the motor is to help me up the bad hills, always ride the bike like this and hope to continue. So I suppose the answer is yes.
November 12, 201213 yr My wife just bought me a Trek 7.2 FX for my 69th birthday ( just thought..........could there be an ulterior motive?) to go with my Oxygen and her Wisper. I'm intrigued as to what I can do with 24 gears as my ancient road bike only had 5 gears and it was very difficult cycling around here over 30 years ago! Anyway she dropped me off at the LBS on her way to work and I picked up the new machine as soon as the shop opened. 8 miles to get back home with 650ft of climbing and a 12% slope.................would I do it? Well believe it or not I did, although I probably looked like a beetroot about to explode when I was completing the climb and 4 days later I'm still recovering. Went out on the Oxygen this morning to get the village papers as there is no way I could carry anything back without power. It was really bought for the children/grandchildren to use when they are up here but I must admit I'm looking forward to testing my own dwindling abilities.
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