E-Bike vs non E-bike ?

[Harry Johnson]

yea 100% get that.

After not riding for a year. My first group ride I was on my buddies Rocky Mountain with the Bimotal motor. I was entered into the chat easily with a mixed group of riders half ebike half amish. E bikes are pretty cool in that regard.. levels the playing field for sure in a group setting.

It has definitely changed the dynamic of our Thursday group not necessarily a bad change just a different. It's almost 2 groups on one ride.

For me while the down is fun and the ease of having the bail out is nice and comforting. There is something about riding a Amish Pedal bike that I enjoy... being out there are out there just me and my bike. There is no bail out option, the life boats have all been burned.

With the few rides I have done on the ebike. It's not that it's only easy, you can push as much or as little as you want. But if you want to cruise that bike on turbo or what ever high mode is will get you out of there. Wayyyy easier than you could pedal yourself out.

All that said I want to get a Levo but I still see myself keeping my Evo for the sufferfest. I need it, in my life.

I feel that. I'll always keep a regular pedal bike around. Even if it's just to do bigger rides than a battery can manage.

 

[Endless Trails]

I just grab the shovel and dig for a few hours when I want to punish myself. I feel you on the battery issue. I am also working with a 540. That seems to be around 23ish miles local and a little less up on the mountain keeping it Eco as much as possible. I need to slim down some more to increase my range.

 

[Harry Johnson]

That seems to be around 23ish miles local and a little less up on the mountain keeping it Eco as much as possible

It's steep AF around here and so it kills the battery pretty quick. The 16 mile ride I posted is the best I've gotten out of that thing in a while.(battery is a few years old, motor has gone over 2k miles with no maintenance). I was pretty much in eco the entire time.

On the fitness side I discovered riding around in eco while chasing a bunch of full power ebikes in trail will whip you into shape real fast. I rode my regular bike on Wednesday after not touching it for several months and figured it was going to kick my ass. Nope. Regular bike pace with other regular bikes up the same hill was chill compared to the pain of chasing down levos.

 

[Endless Trails]

When I am on the Mixed rides @badlinesgoodtimes mentioned. I am struggling to keep up with some of the hardcore Amish in the group in eco. If it is a longer loop I settle in front mid pack. Probaby 2 e-bikes and 3 Amish ahead of me by end of ride.
Mine is a 2020 Shimano and I haven't touched anything with the since I bought it used. I typically just get home and plug it back in. Unplug it when I am ready to ride next. Lube the chain and check air pressure once in awhile. Clean and grease the pivot bushings when they make noise.

 

[Harry Johnson]

Mine is a 2020 Shimano and I haven't touched anything with the since I bought it used. I typically just get home and plug it back in. Unplug it when I am ready to ride next. Lube the chain and check air pressure once in awhile. Clean and grease the pivot bushings when they make noise.

I've seen on ebike specific forums that some people are getting like 20% more range(or range back?) by just servicing the shimano motors. I've got all the fancy lube and gasket maker you're supposed to use, I just need to suck it up and pull the thing and get to work to see if it's true.

 

[bullnerd]

Best bang for da buck E-bike?

Raced BMX in 80's, Motocross in the 90's and dual sport now.

6'-210, I would need something beefy, Not K-mart.

 

[Harry Johnson]

Best bang for da buck E-bike?

Raced BMX in 80's, Motocross in the 90's and dual sport now.

6'-210, I would need something beefy, Not K-mart.

Wait a few weeks. New stuff coming out, and the old good stuff is going on sale.

I'd keep my eye on what sort of sales they're having on Gen 3 Specialized Levos in the coming weeks. Norco just announced their new bikes too, so their older stuff will be going on sale. I'm sure there are more coming after Sea Otter Classic next week.