some e bikes on bay are 500 watt motors and they say they can be switched to 15,5 mph mode for legal use on the road , is that true or not thanks

It's true that they can be switched, but in 250w mode, they're dreadful. They're not suitable for running at low speed with low power. You get all the disadvantages and no advantages. Also, IMHO they're just as illegal whichever mode you have them in, though we'll never know whether I'm right until the police prosecute someone and it goes to court. Until now we've never seen anybody prosecuted for using an illegal bike despite there be rather a lot of them.

so i could get away with it cos it does have a 250 watt motor switch for road use , why are they dreadful in low power mode

A 500w motor is not a 250w motor. it can only be one or the other!

 

unless you tell us what you want to do with it and how fast you want to go, we can't help other than to say avoid it like the plague if you want a legal bike.

has any one else got a 500 or a 1000watt bike that can tell me what they think

it depends what you want the bike for but if you want out right speed then ur looking right at the bottom end even at 1000w.

i want a bike that can be in 250 watt legal mode on road but then fast and fun off road , the ebay adds say they can just be that , so all i am asking will i get away with it if i use it on the road

well if you want to go hard and fast off road id go with a mid drive full sus bike.

 

hub motors are best for commuting to work.

has any one else got a 500 or a 1000watt bike that can tell me what they think

 

I have one that I occasionally use for off roading, and I say get yourself a good 250w. Some can be tweaked to go slightly faster when off road. Research those.

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htwAlrTtZZE

 

 

Here's my two 250w bikes going around the park.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RS6-Y2HBzR4

 

 

More vids of my other bikes being ridden. Here;-

 

http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/threads/e-joring.24106/page-5

Edited September 10, 20178 yr by LeighPing

i bought one of these did i do right

Oxygen S-CROSS MTB Electric Mountain Bike

i bought one of these did i do right

Oxygen S-CROSS MTB Electric Mountain Bike

It'll go a lot better than that Ebay kit above - especially if you put in the secret code.

It'll go a lot better than that Ebay kit above - especially if you put in the secret code.

I like secret codes what is it and what does it do

i want a bike that can be in 250 watt legal mode on road but then fast and fun off road , the ebay adds say they can just be that , so all i am asking will i get away with it if i use it on the road

 

Just to be clear... if its got a switch, its illegal on and off road.

 

Also, the law is clear on and offroad is the same.

 

if you want to use anything more than 250w rated motors anywhere you need private land with no public access, this can of course be on or offroad.

Ebike shop in Stroud, informed me a guy in London killed someone on a Stromer.

He did jail time. This is when if your illegal, even if insured through CTC your stuffed.

I like secret codes what is it and what does it do

It wouldn't be a secret if I told you!

Ebike shop in Stroud, informed me a guy in London killed someone on a Stromer.

He did jail time. This is when if your illegal, even if insured through CTC your stuffed.

We've had a lot of those sort of stories, but not one has turned out to be true so far. People invent them for some reason. I'm pretty sure that if it happened, we'd know about it. Ask him for details so that we can investigate.

 

Edit: Google shows nothing. That story is fiction.

We've had a lot of those sort of stories, but not one has turned out to be true so far. People invent them for some reason. I'm pretty sure that if it happened, we'd know about it. Ask him for details so that we can investigate.

 

Edit: Google shows nothing. That story is fiction.

 

People have done jail time for being involved in accidents whilst riding bikes illegally, or illegal bikes (depending how you want to look at it).. its just not been an eBike yet (that I'm aware of).

People have done jail time for being involved in accidents whilst riding bikes illegally, or illegal bikes (depending how you want to look at it).. its just not been an eBike yet (that I'm aware of).

Plenty of urban myths true. He didn't stock the Stromer..could be a pointer I guess...

People have done jail time for being involved in accidents whilst riding bikes illegally, or illegal bikes (depending how you want to look at it).. its just not been an eBike yet (that I'm aware of).

 

We should consider why ebikes are less likely to be involved in accidents?

 

On serviceable, roadworthy bikes, speed isn't a crime. Although, it's not just the speed that is contributory in an accident. I believe that it's the differing riding style that's a big factor in keeping ebikers safer.

 

In this video an ebike is just about keeping up with a skinny tyred non ebike, doing around 20 plus mph. Some racers can trap along at 40 plus! Was he ready for the dog @ 0:55 seconds? Regular bikers don't like to lose their hard earned speed. Evidently ebikers can react better at 20 mph because of this differing riding ethic. Focus isn't lost. Braking distance is shorter, slow down is instantaneous when you stop pedaling. Cut out occurs when you touch the brakes. This, you all know.

 

@ 01:12 the ebiker takes the harder path for safety reasons. Regular bikers don't generally go off piste like that. Ebike riding is a different ball game entirely, and much safer. Particularly at higher, moderate speeds. As the rider doesn't need to be always looking for the path of least resistance. A path that is sometimes nearer to a pedestrian, or other perceived risk, than it needs to be with an ebike.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLGB6-Zfjdg

Edited September 12, 20178 yr by LeighPing

We should consider why ebikes are less likely to be involved in accidents?

 

 

What makes you think they are less likely to be involved in accidents? We don't have anything to prove of disprove this... because.

 

a) we don't know what % of normal bikes are involved in accidents, or

 

b) what % of eBikes are involved in accidents.

 

currently there are less eBike accidents, because there are less eBikes. That's the only thing we know.

 

The fact there will be a serious accident involving an eBike is inevitable.

What makes you think they are less likely to be involved in accidents?

e-bikes tend to have better brakes, also riders give less attention to pedaling, more to observation.

e-bikes tend to have better brakes, also riders give less attention to pedaling, more to observation.

 

That's just nonsense.... "better brakes"... there is no such thing as an eBike specific brake, so they have the same brakes. They are also a lot heavier so even if they have "better brakes" the stopping distance will be greater.

 

..and also, you're suggesting pedaling is a distraction? Seriously? Are you allowed to talk and drive? What about walking, does that distract you from living?

 

Don't try to make out eBikes are safer... they aren't. But equally, they aren't more dangerous.

 

They are just bikes, where the initial power is supported by a motor, this doesn't make then safer or more dangerous, which is why they are classified as bicycles.

Edited September 12, 20178 yr by KTM Bike Industries UK

That's just nonsense.... "better brakes"... there is no such thing as an eBike specific brake, so they have the same brakes. They are also a lot heavier so even if they have "better brakes" the stopping distance will be greater.

 

Don't try to make out eBikes are safer... they aren't. But equally, they aren't more dangerous.

 

They are just bikes, where the initial power is supported by a motor, this doesn't make then safer or more dangerous, which is why they are classified as bicycles.

 

I believe that they are comparatively safer due to the riding styles involved. Motor cut out itself provides a braking effect and more weight equals more drag. Spatial awareness is generally increased on an ebike. Acquiring a bit of speed on a regular bike requires a bit of head down, or up off the seat effort.

 

Those efforts require time consuming, tunnel visioning rider input and the need to always be looking for a more linear path isn't necessary on an ebike. The ability to change course with relative ease and not being worried about losing speed, or having to crank it up for an oncoming hill, cannot be anything but a safety bonus.

 

Yes, they're just bicycles. It's that motorised support that you described that makes them different and for the best part safer.

I believe that they are comparatively safer due to the riding styles involved. Motor cut out itself provides a braking effect and more weight equals more drag. Spatial awareness is generally increased on an ebike. Acquiring a bit of speed on a regular bike requires a bit of head down, or up off the seat effort.

 

Those efforts require time consuming, tunnel visioning rider input and the need to always be looking for a more linear path isn't necessary on an ebike. The ability to change course with relative ease and not being worried about losing speed, or having to crank it up for an oncoming hill, cannot be anything but a safety bonus.

 

Yes, they're just bicycles. It's that motorised support that you described that makes them different and for the best part safer.

 

They also encourage people to cycle who might not cycle normally... who aren't as aware of where they should be on the road.

 

What you've described is achieved by being fit, so its not just an eBike benefit.

 

So yes I take you're point, but I think saying they are safer is missing the point slightly, its like saying a faster car is safer because it spends less time doing dangerous over takes...

That's just nonsense.... "better brakes"... there is no such thing as an eBike specific brake, so they have the same brakes.

the average e-bikes sell for a lot more money therefore tend to be better equipped.