Soldato
Fair play on the electric bike, but I don't get why you'd use one, use your human power instead 
Cycle commute london
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Caporegime
[Damien];21472075 said:
You might get used to it physically, but that's a ~45 minute commute which isn't too great. Yes you can chalk some of it down to exercise time, but it still gets wearing
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You might get used to it physically, but that's a ~45 minute commute which isn't too great. Yes you can chalk some of it down to exercise time, but it still gets wearing
True, but taking into account traffic or public transport at that time of a morning it doesn't work out much different. My route actually takes me nearer an hour though because a couple of the roads are dodgy as hell with potholes, etc and the more direct route has a couple of sections too dangerous to ride on.
My old route was just a straight run down a well surfaced A road, and I always had a single train journey as a backup.
Now I'd have to do a 2 change train journey or get two buses which is a ballache so an hour biking it is the easy option.
Fair play on the electric bike, but I don't get why you'd use one, use your human power instead
I've read up on these electric bikes, and in a nutshell it appears that every unit of power you put through the pedals, the electric motor adds to it. Obviously, there is a limit on the top speed, so I assume that once you hit 17mph (or whatever the figure is), the motor cuts out and you are then using human power alone.
It's the hill-climbs that this bike will assist on. And it would "feel" pretty good when you power your way up a hill, with ease.
These bikes are rather expensive though. I would have issue paying £1k for such a bike.
Caporegime
Exactly, you could get a motorbike that runs on fumes for that .
.The advantage with an electric bike though, is that you get some exercise and you can park literally anywhere your heart desires (so this is of benefit if parking is a problem). If you could strap a motor on for about £50-£100, then it would definitely be worth it.
Caporegime
That's true and the idea appeals to me tbh.
Deleted member 66701
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Deleted member 66701
Fair play on the electric bike, but I don't get why you'd use one, use your human power instead
That's like saying why get a car when you can walk. Or why get a motorbike when you can get a cycle
But then you'd have the additional cost of insurance, tax and MOT's. Also - you're restricted to the roads with a motorbike whereas you can still ride an electric assisted bike on the traffic free cycle routes
Besides, my electrically assisted bike does the equivalent of 1700 mpg - show be a motorbkie that does the same.
I love cars ( I have a Cosworth and a Westfield) but I'm really enjoying the freedom of my ebike.
Soldato
You also need to get the free Strava app for iOS and Android which tracks your rides and you can compete with others on segment times.
Recorded my first commute today... 5.4mi in 23mins with average speed of 14mph (I blame traffic lights) and top speed of 26mph. Makes it more fun as now I'm keen to improve my stats.
Recorded my first commute today... 5.4mi in 23mins with average speed of 14mph (I blame traffic lights) and top speed of 26mph. Makes it more fun as now I'm keen to improve my stats.
Soldato
yes but again don't make it sound like its you're hunted by them or anything like that
it's a black thing
It's not that hard
If you ride at a relaxing pace you can do the 12 miles easily, then work your way into going a bit quicker each time.
Have a practice ride on the weekends to get you used to it.
The canal route at Stratford is a good shortcut into the city, there is 2-3 stops before the long straight but it's still good.
Caporegime
But then you'd have the additional cost of insurance, tax and MOT's. Also - you're restricted to the roads with a motorbike whereas you can still ride an electric assisted bike on the traffic free cycle routes
Besides, my electrically assisted bike does the equivalent of 1700 mpg - show be a motorbkie that does the same.
I love cars ( I have a Cosworth and a Westfield) but I'm really enjoying the freedom of my ebike.
All true and I'd love one, but could I use it to travel 13 miles across hilly countryside and arrive feeling fresh and sweat-free?
I went from zero experience to commuting 11 miles each way from Bromley South to Whitehall when I lived in London. 5 Days a week, rain or shine.
To start with it took about an hour each way. As I learnt better routes and shaved annoying traffic situations (not always mileage) off the route I found I could reduce the time. I got down to about 45 minutes by the end of it.
Regarding London and getting pushed off by charvers, I'm about 5'8, and not built to defend myself. I cycled through Lewisham, New Cross, Peckham and Brixton. I never, ever had any problems.
£850 a month would get you a decent place in Bromley. Treelined streets and the loudest thing after 9pm at night being your footsteps walking along the quiet roads. Town in its own right.
To start with it took about an hour each way. As I learnt better routes and shaved annoying traffic situations (not always mileage) off the route I found I could reduce the time. I got down to about 45 minutes by the end of it.
Regarding London and getting pushed off by charvers, I'm about 5'8, and not built to defend myself. I cycled through Lewisham, New Cross, Peckham and Brixton. I never, ever had any problems.
£850 a month would get you a decent place in Bromley. Treelined streets and the loudest thing after 9pm at night being your footsteps walking along the quiet roads. Town in its own right.
I wouldn't worry to much about being tired when you get to work, I think you will find the total opposite.
Working out, which is what cycling does, at least on a normal, non-electric bike, actually raises your energy level and makes you feel good.
When I cycle in, I'm so much more alert and ready to go. When I get the Tube in to work, I might as well still be asleep.
I'd personally add that those electric bikes are a bit weird. I remember the first time I heard one coming I'd got no idea what was causing such a strange noise until it came in to view, I then clocked it as I saw a chinese man on a bicycle gliding up the hill at Kings Cross without even pedalling.
Working out, which is what cycling does, at least on a normal, non-electric bike, actually raises your energy level and makes you feel good.
When I cycle in, I'm so much more alert and ready to go. When I get the Tube in to work, I might as well still be asleep.
I'd personally add that those electric bikes are a bit weird. I remember the first time I heard one coming I'd got no idea what was causing such a strange noise until it came in to view, I then clocked it as I saw a chinese man on a bicycle gliding up the hill at Kings Cross without even pedalling.
Deleted member 66701
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Deleted member 66701
Yup - perfectly doable. If it's 13 miles each way so 26 mile round trip then you'll need a bigger battery and batteries are the main cost component of an electrically assisted bike.
If it quite hilly then a crank drive rather than a hub drive bike would probably be better.
Are you serious about it? If so, then first thing to do - as with any purchase - is decide your budget*.
*Bear in mind I'm saving £40 per week in fuel costs alone
Mine is absolutely silent. It's usually direct drive hubs that make the "whine" noise but as they don't freewheel I'm not interested in those so I stick to small geared motors.
I'd like to add I still always pedal my ebike and I DO build up a bit of a sweat as I do like the excercise but I don't get to work feeling like I was going to pass out when I used to use the non-assisted bike somedays! The difference is the energy I use would normally propel me along at say 12/15mph and take me 45 mins to get to work. Using the same energy on an ebike means I get to work in 25mins
And on those days where there is a strong headwind blowing, the assist is priceless.Have a look at one of my commutes home - this was at the end of a full day working and into a 10mph headwind:-
http://sportypal.com/Workouts/Details/2015997?key=18aeeeac5e2276d2a9b5967c834540d7bed5e411&ms=1
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Soldato
22mph average is pretty rapid...
Can you mod a standard bike with an electric motor and battery relatively easily?
Can you mod a standard bike with an electric motor and battery relatively easily?
Mine is absolutely silent. It's usually direct drive hubs that make the "whine" noise but as they don't freewheel I'm not interested in those so I stick to small geared motors.
I'd like to add I still always pedal my ebike and I DO build up a bit of a sweat as I do like the excercise but I don't get to work feeling like I was going to pass out when I used to use the non-assisted bike somedays! The difference is the energy I use would normally propel me along at say 12/15mph and take me 45 mins to get to work. Using the same energy on an ebike means I get to work in 25mins
Have a look at one of my commutes home - this was at the end of a full day working and into a 10mph headwind:-
http://sportypal.com/Workouts/Details/2015997?key=18aeeeac5e2276d2a9b5967c834540d7bed5e411&ms=1
I didn't pretend to know a lot about them, in four years commuting in London now, I could probably count how many I've seen on one hand.
You've certainly got some speed up there, but I didn't realise you were in Blackpool. You've got some nice long straight roads there.
London is very different, it's constant stopping and starting, there's very few areas where I can really even put any speed down. At peak hours, you've also got what pretty much amounts to a Peleton of cyclists every time you get to a set of traffic lights.
Deleted member 66701
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Deleted member 66701
Yup - search ebay for 8fun.
Yup - Blackpool prom is great to commute on - 7 miles with no cars, traffic lights or junctions
If i was commuting in a city I'd build a bike with a powerful hub like a Bafang BPM on the rear wheel and one that assists depending on pedal input, rather than via a throttle and probably make it a single speed (single rear cog) as well. Or even better buy a good Bosch crank drive machine - but they are a bit pricey