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Show HN: Long Range E-Bike

jacquesmattheij.com

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Re: Show HN: Long Range E-Bike

#271

Post by stefan_ »

ghshephard wrote: post #262
TrevorJ wrote: post #240

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Eh, this is just extending the argument into absurdity I feel.

I didn't see it as absurd at all - there is a huge contingent of bicyclists who should never be on a sidewalk, while at the same time there are massive numbers of casual e-cyclists who should never be riding in traffic. Ann Arbor recently changed it's laws to reflect that - and I think the cyclists who are aware they shouldn't be on sidewalks, and the e-cyclists who stick only to the sidewalks know who they are.

Sidewalks? You don't seem to have the first clue about what you are trying to comment on. The only bikes that belong on sidewalks are those ridden by very young kids, and indeed that is the law in much of the world.

Re: Show HN: Long Range E-Bike

#272

Post by et-al »

jacquesm wrote: post #196
et-al wrote: post #180

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The OP, jacquesm, just mentioned throttle-only ebikes are not legal in the Netherlands. Anyone who's comparing ebike speeds to rider speeds: most people new to riding bikes cannot sustain riding at 30kph (18.5mph) for probably more than 5 minutes, less if there's any gradual elevation. As such, bikes are "safe" because there's an inherent speed limiter. You pedal really fast, go fast, then you get tired and chill out…

> If folks want to go faster, then do it on the street. If you want to rip the throttle wide open, don't do it where a child is learning how to ride their bike or where people are just enjoying a leisurely stroll Agreed, but this is also leading to problems: people on racing bikes, especially in groups that occupy the whole width of the bike path. In general the problem is much simpler: people should treat the roads…

> and if that means you'll be a little later at your destination then maybe you should have left a little earlier.

Oh gosh, I wish this was the case, but the past two years of anti-masking / anti-vaccinations have clearly illustrated that there is no common good in Modern America.

Re: Show HN: Long Range E-Bike

#273

Post by dylan604 »

et-al wrote: post #266
dylan604 wrote: post #185

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You realize it is not hard for a cyclist to hit 25-30mph without motor assist, right?

I'd argue 25-30mph is not an easy cruising speed for most bike commuters. Unless I'm on the wrong forum and everyone here races Cat 1/2 in their spare time.

I'm no competitive cyclist, and in pedal assit mode on my eBike, the motor stops being because I'm pedaling at 20mph on my own. My eBike is also a big heavy bike, so from where I'm pedaling, I'd assume others can do the same on a better bike.

Re: Show HN: Long Range E-Bike

#274

Post by jeffbee »

deanc wrote: post #73

I have a specialized Vado sl. You can purchase a range extender and easily do over 100km with it, in reality closer to 200k. Any reason you didn’t consider this as it’s manufacturer supported?

The Vado SL with the range extender still has a smaller battery than the Vado. If you want that kind of range all the time, isn't the Vado the better choice? At $450 for 160Wh, the Vado SL range extender is the worst deal in the Specialized catalog, and that's saying something!

Re: Show HN: Long Range E-Bike

#275

Post by whimsicalism »

ghshephard wrote: post #262
TrevorJ wrote: post #240

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Eh, this is just extending the argument into absurdity I feel.

I didn't see it as absurd at all - there is a huge contingent of bicyclists who should never be on a sidewalk, while at the same time there are massive numbers of casual e-cyclists who should never be riding in traffic. Ann Arbor recently changed it's laws to reflect that - and I think the cyclists who are aware they shouldn't be on sidewalks, and the e-cyclists who stick only to the sidewalks know who they are.

No e-biker should be on a sidewalk.

There are informal norms. Cyclists who cycle on sidewalks should be relatively new and should make sure to behave explicitly with all of the rules of the road (ie. don't run a red from the sidewalk as a cyclist, very dangerous. if you must, dismount and walk across or wait for the pedestrian light). Cyclists on the street are generally more experienced and do not have to explicitly follow all rules IMO.

Re: Show HN: Long Range E-Bike

#277

Post by stefan_ »

dylan604 wrote: post #273
et-al wrote: post #266

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'd argue 25-30mph is not an easy cruising speed for most bike commuters. Unless I'm on the wrong forum and everyone here races Cat 1/2 in their spare time.

I'm no competitive cyclist, and in pedal assit mode on my eBike, the motor stops being because I'm pedaling at 20mph on my own. My eBike is also a big heavy bike, so from where I'm pedaling, I'd assume others can do the same on a better bike.

Power required increases with the square of the speed being primarily a function of wind resistance at higher speeds. Your motor shutting off cause you hit 20mph on a slight decline might give you the wrong impression.

Maintaining 25mph requires in excess of 300 watts. Some 90% of the population won't be able to produce that for a mere minute.

Re: Show HN: Long Range E-Bike

#278

Post by amluto »

fragmede wrote: post #179
TacticalCoder wrote: post #27

We really need a terminology to differentiate better between pedal-assist only e-bikes ("pedelec") and electric motorbikes. A "bicycle" that can accelerate without the need to pedal at all is an electric motorcycle, no matter if you put pedal on it or not. I see the two as totally different things: I've tried pedal-assist e-bike and they're great. But... Although I have nothing against motorbikes I'm not cool at all…

And scooters, electric-scooters, and sit-down electric scooters. And electric wheelchairs, and non-electric wheelchairs and mobility assist carts with handlebars. We also have to delineate between a daydreaming cyclist who's top speed is slow, and a hard-core cyclist with a $3000+ bike that can hit 40 mph in the right conditions. Those cyclists should be banned from using the same paths as the first kind of bicyclist…

> We also have to delineate between a daydreaming cyclist who's top speed is slow, and a hard-core cyclist with a $3000+ bike that can hit 40 mph in the right conditions.

Surely even skilled cyclists should be permitted to use bike paths as long as they don’t tear by everyone at 40 mph. And I’m genuinely a bit unclear as to why no-pedaling-needed bikes shouldn’t be able to mingle with bikes as long as they follow the rules.

Re: Show HN: Long Range E-Bike

#279

Post by GhettoComputers »

blunte wrote: post #12

This bike has the added benefit of being theft resistant - on the basis that it's too heavy for one person to lift. Seriously though, what does it weigh? With a typical sized Dutch man, stopping from full speed is going to be a real test of the brakes... For the same reason I don't like scooters on bike paths, I wouldn't want this sharing a bike path with me. When heavy fast vehicles and regular bikes collide, the re…

People steal cars and motorcycles that are heavier. If you leave it out and think it’s too heavy to be stolen you’re living in a much friendlier place than me, electronic transport isn’t even always sought after for personal gain. Scooters are routinely thrown in the water around the world.

https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/hillsboroughcounty/s...

https://www.electrive.com/2021/06/17/hundreds-of-scooters-la...

https://www.kcrg.com/2021/06/03/teen-arrested-for-throwing-e...

Re: Show HN: Long Range E-Bike

#280

Post by qq4 »

TacticalCoder wrote: post #27

We really need a terminology to differentiate better between pedal-assist only e-bikes ("pedelec") and electric motorbikes. A "bicycle" that can accelerate without the need to pedal at all is an electric motorcycle, no matter if you put pedal on it or not. I see the two as totally different things: I've tried pedal-assist e-bike and they're great. But... Although I have nothing against motorbikes I'm not cool at all…

They're simply called mopeds in my book. We don't call electric cars, e-cars.
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