ebike

[MetroMPG]

Recently my mom has expressed interest in getting a bicycle. She does a lot of short (sub 3 km) runs in her car that could easily be accomplished on a bike.

But easy is a relative term. She's approaching 70, smokes, isn't in the greatest shape and hasn't been on a bike for 25 years :eek:

To me she sounded like a perfect candidate for an e-bike. So I did some shopping, helped her try out several bikes - some made as e-bikes and one e-bike conversion candidate. Turns out Schwinn has a relatively inexpensive ($600 CDN) aluminum frame folding e-bike that fit her best.

[MnFocus]

Sweet ! Like a moped but batt powered ! ....Sorry I lead a sheltered life ...lol

[MnFocus]

What is the weight spec on that critter ?

[MetroMPG]

I've wondered the same thing. It's fairly heavy, being a lead acid machine. I'm guessing 70 lbs. I'll go weigh it tomorrow (need to do the basket installation) and post back.

[Ryland]

I road a Currie Tec Izip bike the other day, it was rather nice for being a ready made product, top speed of 15mph (to slow for my taste) but it was simple to operate, you simply ride it like a bicycle, the motor speed was based off pedal speed and torque (yes, torque too, I spoke with one of their enginers) so all you did was pedal, and it helped, pedal faster and you go faster, I liked them because they have NiMH batteries hidden in the frame (two screws to removed) and only weight about 40 pounds total, the down side was the slow top speed, altho they have a range of around 30 miles, mostly because you have to pedal as well, so at most I would guess it's adding %50-%60.
I like the idea behind the design of these bikes, being that they are so simple to use that people who would otherwise be driving a car might think about operating them, altho I dislike their slow top speed, but that is partly because of their goal of reaching the masses, and some states requireing low top speeds of electric bikes, where wisconsin alows 30mph top speed on electric bikes.

[MetroMPG]

30 mph - wow. The law here is 32 km/h, which just happens to = 20 mph.

I've ridden a bike with the "you must pedal, and I will help you" system. Li-ion Bionx. It had 4 rider-settable levels of assist in that mode.

But it also had a thumb throttle so you could ask for extra power whenever you wanted (including while not pedalling).

[MetroMPG]

I also let my 9 year old nephew try "grandma's bike". Should have seen his eyes light up when he first twisted the throttle: "it's like a motorcycle!" :D

[MetroMPG]

Guess I'm not good at estimating weight: it's 59.5 lbs

[MnFocus]

Hey thats not too bad on the weight ! I was actually thinking closer to 70# myself . I'm guessing the weights are not listed because folks will say "Thats Too Heavy" and look elsewhere. Honestly I've heard of E-Bikes mentioned but have never actually seen them - definitely worth a look see . Thank you !

[MetroMPG]

guessing the weights are not listed because folks will say "Thats Too Heavy"

Probably has something to do with it.

Dropped by the parents' this evening and mom was out again "practicing". She's really being very sensible about it, for not having ridden for 25 years.

[MnFocus]

Sounds like the folks are turning into an "E-biker Gang" ...be watchful for the signs: black leather ,greased back hair...RayBans and chrome chains !
If I wasn't within walking distance of any store I need to go to ...an E bike would be something I'd really consider .

[skewbe]

That's funny to see an ebike thread and a hybrid trailer thread surface at the same time. I've been trying to figure out how to get myself to work and back 21 miles away without getting too sweaty on one (there's a couple bike trails that could be utilized).

To that end I've recently been toying with the idea of putting 3 or so trolling batteries and a motor on a bike trailer.

Or I just pay the insurance and registration and slap together the gomi cycle:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7wid_8k_7k

[Bill in Houston]

I like the gomi. It looks like fun. It's a little ugly...

[MetroMPG]

Hm! Apparently it's a Currie designed bike - the "Izip Easy Go" - with the Schwinn name slapped on. Someone just sent me a link to a somewhat cheeseball Currie infomercial about the bike:

http://www.izipusa.com/infomercial_fla/EZGO_infomercial_2.html

[MetroMPG]

Yeah, that Gomi vid is good.