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Greg LeMond’s New 26 LB. Carbon Fiber Ebike

lemond.com

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Re: Greg LeMond’s New 26 LB. Carbon Fiber Ebike

#301
post #297
post #289

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't live in Europe. My buddy has an ebike that can go 30mph for 30 miles. I see the same model on the bike path at least a few times a week, often at high speed. The rules are irrelevant to capability. I do own a European car, it is happy to go 120mph on the highway, even if that's not legal anywhere in my country.

Different ebikes land in different regulatory classifications. Your buddy's "ebike" is legally a moped (US). Class 3 ebikes can only assist up to 28 mph. The people riding that model on bike paths that do not permit mopeds are breaking the law, just as if they rode any other moped on that path.

Yes, I know. That’s my point.

The classification doesn’t matter, perception does. What we need is more adoption. That’s less likely when people ride like jerks.

Re: Greg LeMond’s New 26 LB. Carbon Fiber Ebike

#302
post #301
post #297

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Different ebikes land in different regulatory classifications. Your buddy's "ebike" is legally a moped (US). Class 3 ebikes can only assist up to 28 mph. The people riding that model on bike paths that do not permit mopeds are breaking the law, just as if they rode any other moped on that path.

Yes, I know. That’s my point. The classification doesn’t matter, perception does. What we need is more adoption. That’s less likely when people ride like jerks.

Sorry, I guess I misunderstood your earlier comment.

Re: Greg LeMond’s New 26 LB. Carbon Fiber Ebike

#303

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm an engineer and a biker. If you only look at the numbers or try to run simplistic calculations, it's easy to think that bikers are just deluding themselves. But there's more to it than just numbers on paper, and there's more to biking than just riding in a straight line from point A to point B. Carbon fiber frames aren't just about saving weight. The Carbon Fiber has different flexibility and damping properties t…

if you do the math you can quickly prove to yourself that reduced inertia isn’t doing anything for you. you then either have to conclude that newtonian mechanics does not apply to bikes or perception can’t be trusted! if you do a blind experiment, where you don’t know the wheels under you, or a third party adds weights to the rim you can demonstrate this. be sure to use the same tires, at the same pressure, as tires…

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Re: Greg LeMond’s New 26 LB. Carbon Fiber Ebike

#304

Coming from conventional bikes, I don't understand who this is for. Carbon fibre frames are prohibitively expensive and the market for them serves very involved, often professional or semi-pro cyclists whose performance bottlenecks are imposed by the bike instead of themselves. Ditto for some of the other details on the bike, like the medium-dish carbon rims — all for the sake of weight savings and aerodynamics (sinc…

I agree with the general point you make, but carbon fiber bikes aren't that crazy expensive. I bought one for $1k 5 years ago and I love it, even though I don't do any racing or anything like that.

Re: Greg LeMond’s New 26 LB. Carbon Fiber Ebike

#305
post #275

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It’s unfortunate that people don’t respect bike paths where you live, and I hope it improves. The dedicated cycling spaces where I live see only occasional intruders and, while I would never hit one, neither do I feel obligated to make them feel welcome where they aren’t.

Yes, it is unfortunate. But my city is very bicycle friendly so there is a lot to be thankful for. Also even with pedestrians on the bike paths everything mostly works out fine. Assuming speeds are human powered. I am optimistic that if we embrace ebikes as motorcycles and advertise their ability to keep up with and even get around traffic we can enjoy the benefits provided to the rest of the high density world. Amer…

In 49 states motorcycles are required to sit in traffic, not go around it. In all 50 states motorcycles are required to consume the same parking footprint as SUVs. I think ebike adoption depends on the ability to use bike lanes and bike racks, both of which would go away under a motorcycle designation, so I can't agree. Same goal though.

Re: Greg LeMond’s New 26 LB. Carbon Fiber Ebike

#306

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Most e-bikes are "assisted" rather than having a motorcycle-style twist throttle. You pedal and the motor contributes some additional power until you reach a certain speed (typically 20mph in the US, 25kph in Europe). At this point the motor stops assisting and the rider is contributing 100% of the effort. If you stop pedalling the motor stops assisting, regardless of your speed. In other words the motor will help yo…

> beyond that it's just your legs pushing a heavy bike. Much of this bike's point is that it's a lighweight e though, at only 26lbs.

Of course — I was just describing ebikes in general.

Re: Greg LeMond’s New 26 LB. Carbon Fiber Ebike

#307
post #275

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, it is unfortunate. But my city is very bicycle friendly so there is a lot to be thankful for. Also even with pedestrians on the bike paths everything mostly works out fine. Assuming speeds are human powered. I am optimistic that if we embrace ebikes as motorcycles and advertise their ability to keep up with and even get around traffic we can enjoy the benefits provided to the rest of the high density world. Amer…

In 49 states motorcycles are required to sit in traffic, not go around it. In all 50 states motorcycles are required to consume the same parking footprint as SUVs. I think ebike adoption depends on the ability to use bike lanes and bike racks, both of which would go away under a motorcycle designation, so I can't agree. Same goal though.

In my state motorcycles can share parking spaces. That’s covered in the class. Education is critical to responsibly operate a motor vehicle.

Lane filtering laws need to change, that’s my point. I say we can get there with more people on electric motorcycles.

There’s obvious demand, the problem is people who ride electric motorcycles on bike paths. They’re giving ebikes a bad name.

This could be our generation’s “You meet the nicest people on a Honda.”

I have zero confidence in anything changing though. The only people more insufferable than car drivers are cyclists. Trying to have a conversation with anyone about this is like debating politics at thanksgiving.

Re: Greg LeMond’s New 26 LB. Carbon Fiber Ebike

#308
post #173

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Awesome bike. Miss ripping down Pioneer and Dreamcatcher with you guys. Hope you’re well.

Yo yo- I recognize the last name and yc refs. First name to Jog the memory? (Geoff)

Sorry didn’t see this until now.

My name is Charlie, a bit younger than you, I mostly hung out with Simone at camp/skiing. Older brothers you may recall are Brian/Mike/Jim. We spun outta YC long ago. Still have some family that go. Looks crowded :)

Hope you guys are well. If you’re ever in Pittsburgh or Naples FL, get in touch!

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