Electric Bike Conversion Kit or Electric Bike?

Dimple said:
So basically that isn't a misprint and about right?
Now to look at my pennies.
(Money not willy)
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Batteries are the biggest investment of an ebike conversion - so it pays to get a good one with good cells and a good charger - or a good warranty/support failing that ;-)

Basically, if I was buying from the UK then I'd make do with a cheaper battery if the warranty/support is good. If I was buying from China, then I'd want a good build with good quality cells, as if something goes wrong sending it back would be prohibitively expensive.
 
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amigafan2003 said:
Batteries are the biggest investment of an ebike conversion - so it pays to get a good one with good cells and a good charger - or a good warranty/support failing that ;-)

Basically, if I was buying from the UK then I'd make do with a cheaper battery if the warranty/support is good. If I was buying from China, then I'd want a good build with good quality cells, as if something goes wrong sending it back would be prohibitively expensive.
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That's why I'd rather spend a bit extra and buy locally.
The shop would also fit it all for £50 so I wouldn't be bothered about doing it myself.
 
amigafan2003 said:
Is the insurance and tax free?
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Oops, quite right. Insurance was £97 and tax was £17, an extra...£114.

amigafan2003 said:
I can't drive a motorbike down the 12 mile long, car free, coastal cycle route that's on my door step though ;-)
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This is true, and as a leisure tool, an electric bike seems nice. But as a commuter tool, a motorbike gets you to work a lot quicker.
 
arknor said:
people don't understand these paths are everywhere.

I can go almost any direction from Newcastle mostly on cycle paths if I choose too.

you can cut travel time down massively compared to a car or motorbike

http://www.opencyclemap.org/

massive network of official routes that are mostly cycle paths of quiet roads.
zoom in closer and the dotted blue/purple lines are also cycle paths or trails
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Most of the routes on the map you linked to are scenic route roads, not dedicated cycle paths? I'd hardly say looking at that map that 'these paths are everywhere'. They're few and far between in reality.

You say you can cut down travel time massively, but only if you're lucky enough to be right next to a cycle path that goes from your house in a straight line to your destination, and the alternative road takes a huge detour round the houses.
 
amigafan2003 said:
Depends how fast your ebike is ;)

http://sportypal.com/Workouts/Details/2638118?key=b7233e3a5de529f434fb5147d8fc9ecd7b6abb15&ms=1
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That looks fun and I'm sure it's a lovely scenic route. However should you really have flagged that workout as 'cycling'? ;)

Look it obviously comes down to what works for each individual. There are situations where a motorbike makes more sense and situations where an electric bike works really nicely. A motorbike gives you zero workout so there's no fitness advantage. I was only pointing out that a 125cc will cost very little to run if you're not lucky enough to have a cycle path between your home and place of work.
 
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Participant said:
That looks fun and I'm sure it's a lovely scenic route. However should you really have flagged that workout as 'cycling'? ;)
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Well, there is no ebike option - maybe I should have set it as runnig? Also, it's not Strava so it's not like it's competetive ;)

Not that I'd ever post rides to Strava from my ebike either :p :cough:
 
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Dimple said:
Not on my commute and the reason why I cycle.
Me and Mrs Dimple leave at the same time and I've gone a good 2 miles before she has gone 400 yards.
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Your Mrs does 400yds on a motorbike in the same time that you do 2 miles on a bicycle? Has she never heard of filtering?
 
Participant said:
Your Mrs does 400yds on a motorbike in the same time that you do 2 miles on a bicycle? Has she never heard of filtering?
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Duh, she does 400 yards in her car but to be honest if she was on a motorbike she would have to stay in traffic for that 400 yards to school (she needs the car once at school also).
If I was to ride a motorbike/scooter to work I can't think of any part of that journey where I could 'filter' to make my journey a little bit quicker.
On my bikes I can use paths, canals, pavements and cycle lanes to obliterate anything motorised.
 
400 yds in a car?! Facepalm. You responded to my comment about motorbikes vs e-bikes by proving that your Mrs goes slowly in a car, and say duh to me? I admire your gall if not your intelligence.
 
Participant said:
400 yds in a car?! Facepalm.
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She has to drive to her school which is 400 yards away and then uses the car to visit children in other schools.
At the end of our road the main road is choc a block to a roundabout which is choc a block and leads to the A50 which is choc a block.
I don't know why you are mocking her since you don't know what her job entails :confused:
Even if she was on a motorbike she would have to legally stay in traffic.
 
R-evans said:
Wow, I was just sharing my Bike experience.

Not sure if you are a troll or not. Noticed you accused somebody you've never met of being a Pedo on here the other day.

I'll leave you alone to your sad little electric bike life.
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I go to gym to keep fit,

I don't need to cycle as well. If I had the option right now financially i'd totally buy an E-bike for my commute. I just don't have a car, so I'd like to be able to just cruise casually and get home then go lift weights and do cardio as needed.

Amigafans bicycle sounds totally sick, 40mph on a bicycle sounds awesome. If ONLY i had cash right now lol.

I don't get all e-bike hate, another thing that is confusing me right now.
 
CREATIVE!11 said:
I don't get all e-bike hate, another thing that is confusing me right now.
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Its because nearly everyone considers cycling as sport or recreation, not transportation.

Its the biggest thing holding the UK back regarding cycling. The Olympics didn't help, just like the tour de France in Yorkshire won't help either.
 
amigafan2003 said:
Its because nearly everyone considers cycling as sport or recreation, not transportation.

Its the biggest thing holding the UK back regarding cycling. The Olympics didn't help, just like the tour de France in Yorkshire won't help either.
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I think it's also a classic case of male willy measuring. If someone was interested in customising their bicycle like you have and getting some good speed out of it

What steps would you recommend and what should I check out kit wise / websites to look at how to do it + any other advice?

Cheers
 
Participant said:
Most of the routes on the map you linked to are scenic route roads, not dedicated cycle paths? I'd hardly say looking at that map that 'these paths are everywhere'. They're few and far between in reality.

You say you can cut down travel time massively, but only if you're lucky enough to be right next to a cycle path that goes from your house in a straight line to your destination, and the alternative road takes a huge detour round the houses.
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scenic traffic free roads linked by cycle paths route 72 near me from newcastle > hexham is about 15 miles of cycle paths and far more direct than you could do in a car
 
amigafan2003 said:
Its because nearly everyone considers cycling as sport or recreation, not transportation.
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How do you get to work?

By car: Oh good
By bus: OK
By: motorbike: nice
By scooter: good
By cycle: excellent
By eBike: cheat

I wish I could have a pound for every person who has called me a cheat because I ride an eBike sometimes.
A few week ago my brother in law came round with his £3000 road bike and he started to take the pee so I told him to get on it and put the pedal assist to where it would feel like his bike and it needed to be on pedal assist 3.
I normally have it on pedal assist 1 or zero so get a way better workout than he ever does over the same distance.
 
Dimple said:
By eBike: cheat
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HATERS+GONNA+HATE.+CHECK+DAT_fb2482_3271490.jpg
 
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