(poll) Do you have or want an eBike?
I'm getting ready to do some range and charging experiments on an eBike...
Everyone,
Since I have some great places to ride nearby (I’m really close to the C&O Canal in western Maryland), I’m going to bite the bullet and get an eBike soon. Of course, I measure everything so this is a great opportunity to get eBike range and charging safety data. I’ve even done some preliminary solar charging experiments with eBike batteries. But I want to know more.
Why do I want to know this?
It seems like eBikes are getting very popular with RV owners nowadays, but just how popular is the question. Please take this poll and leave your comments below about what brand/model eBike you currently own. This will help me determine just how in-depth I should study and publish articles about eBikes for RVers.
Let’s play safe out there… Mike
Guess I'll be the contrarian on this topic. I've considered e-bikes and decided not to get one. I used to commute to work on an standard pedal power bicycle. After the second time I was wrecked by someone opening a car door in front of me as I was passing, I gave that up. I could not give those cars any wider clearance because of car traffic whizzing past on my left. The second event had the car's driver standing over me shouting as I lay on the pavement trying to figure out if any bones were broken. He was yelling at me about damaging his car!
So, Mike, by all means get one yourself and enjoy riding on the bike trails, measure to your hearts content and share the results with us, but do be really, really cautious riding near parked cars or in automobile traffic.
I have a 2019 iZIP dual suspension emtb. It has a 500 watt Bosch battery and Bosch Performance Line CX Mid-drive motor rated at 90nm torque. 11 speed derailleur and 4 level controller (Economy, Tour, EMTB, Turbo).
I am a full-time RVer and charge the battery regularly with my two 100w Renogy panels thru my two 100ah Renogy LifePo4 batteries and a 400w Bestek inverter.
Using mostly Tour level but occasionally EMTB and on really steep (17° degree) hills TURBO. (EMTB allows the bike to shift in 3 modes from tour, EMTB thru TURBO).
I have gotten 80 miles on a charge on almost all just slightly off level rolling paved bike paths in Boise, taking the battery into the 20% range market. Usually I easily get in the 40 to 60 mile range on variable Oregon logging roads. I am averaging 800 miles per year so far.
I am currently 74 years old with a (finally) receding beer belly.
iZip was bought by Raleigh in its first years and the name is no longer used. The closest I've seen in design and power are TREK EMTB models with dual suspension.
My bike is a Class 1 pedelec which means the motor only supplies assistance when the pedals are being used (there is no throttle) and is calibrated to limit assist after 21mph. I could send a data sheet from the mgr of I knew where to email it.
This may be the best investment I've made fun and health wise.