Electric cycling.

[allenuk]

Not sure this is the right area for this topic, but as cycling is already here...

I've been looking at electric bikes, as they seem to be an excellent compromise if you're old/unfit/fat/compromised in the leg department/ etc.

You don't have to use the motor, only when you need to (like hills, or when you're thoroughly knackered), so you still get an amount of exercise. Most of the modifications spelt out in the cycling thread are still necessary; it's just not as tiring!


Allen.

[ann58]

Sounds like a plan Allen

[allenuk]

So, got the bike, doing the miles.

It's GREAT. Hills that used to be difficult are now just hard, and hills that used to be utterly impossible are now just VERY hard.

You still have to pedal, depending on how heavy you are (and I'm heavy, so have to pedal a LOT), and you still get to a point on some vertical roads when you think 'I ain't going to make it!' but so far, I have. I've needed to stop at the top and pant for a minute, but no mishaps.

At 260-ish lbs, my range is about 20 miles. For a 140 lb person, that could be 60 miles. (Range = distance covered with electrical assistance AND a fair amount of pedalling). But that means that I can turn up at most hospital appointments in my area by bike, which impresses them (it impresses me, too).

I suppose the best thing for an amputee is that you can get going from a standstill without trouble. You just position yourself on your bike, prosthetic foot on pedal, turn the throttle, and you're moving. Other foot on the pedal, and you're cycling. Not sure how bi-lats would cope (mind, I'm in constant amazement at how bi-laterals cope with life anyway!)

I have lost some weight in the past couple of months - not enormous amounts, only 12 or so lbs - but it is at least going in the right direction.

I thoroughly recommend electric bikes.


Allen.

[mitchee]

Allen, it sounds great. I'm glad that you are enjoying it and are able to get out and ride. I'm sure your range will keep getting bigger. Happy cycling.

Michelle

[ann58]

Hey Allen, 12 lbs. is 12 lbs. You are doing fantastic. Keep it up!

[cherylm]

Allen, my brother-in-law (two reasonably good "natural" legs, but an older fellow and quite heavy) has been looking at electric bicycles...the ones he's seen over here are really quite expensive. What's your set-up like, and -- approximately -- what was the cost?

[allenuk]

Hello Cherlym.

Prices over here vary from about £650 to about £3000 (so about $1K to over $5K). Mind was a 'Wisper 905', and cost me about $2500.

They come from China, Germany, and sometimes the Netherlands - although maybe there are some home-produced electric bikes in the US.

Basically, the heavier you are the bigger the BATTERY you need. Mind has a 36V 14 amp hour version; the cheaper ones sometimes only have 24V 8AH, and the difference is how much weight it will carry, and what sort of hills it will climb. So if you're down in Texas, it probably doesn't matter too much, but up in them hills, it matters. (It matters in NW London!)

This website shows the type I bought, but most are fairly similar - it's just the battery that really makes the difference.

So, yes they are expensive compared with ordinary bikes, but for anyone who has trouble being mobile and/or active, they are really worth it. In some ways my leg problems have taken a back seat, because I CAN now be mobile and active, on my bike!

www.electricbike.tv/

Let me know if I can tell you more.


Allen.

[cherylm]

Thanks, Allen...especially for the battery info! B-I-L is well over 300 lbs, so I'll have to ask if he's heard about the battery strength concern. He lives in a relatively flat area, but it's surrounded by hills with bike trails, which he might want to be able to cover.

The cost sounds comparable to what he was quoted here.....

[ampgk]

Have you seen the Gruber system? Professional cyclist Fabian Cancellara was rumored to have used it, or a similar system, in a couple races this year, giving rise to allegations of "mechanical doping." Very slick, very compact, nearly invisible to the casual observer. Large cutaway drawing of the motor installation here:

www.gruberassist.com/wp-content/5-technik02.jpg

Probably quite expensive as well.

[mitchee]

Thanks ampgk for posting the info about the gruber assist. It is amazing that it is almost un-noticeable.

[allenuk]

Yes, that Gruber system does look neat.

One of my (few) objections to riding my electric bike is that I wanted to ride a pedal bike with a motor, and I think I've got a motorised bike with pedals instead - it's quite hard (no, VERY hard) to move with the electrics turned off - so maybe in the long run things like the Gruber will get closer to what I want.


A.