Electric Bike (bicycle)

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ren1316

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#166339 10-Mar-2015 10:06

Everyone,

I am thinking of getting an electric push bike for my 7km (14 km return) commute to work in CBD Wellington. It does involve hills on the return journey.

At the moment I ride a motorcycle but the registration alone is pushing $600/yr. I think the electric bike will complete the journey in almost the same time as I would be able to use the bike lane.

Anyone here using electric bike? Please share your experiences; good or bad.

And recommendations on what bike/brand/shops to go for.

I await in anticipation.

John.

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135 posts

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#1254529 10-Mar-2015 10:12

I use a Yike bike. http://www.yikebike.com/

When it rains, fold it up and take in on bus. It is awesome, NZ made too.

1eStar

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#1254537 10-Mar-2015 10:37

If you are looking for quality of try talking to the evlab outfit in upper hutt

http://evlab.co.nz/electric-bikes-and-conversion-kits-new-zealand/

https://m.facebook.com/Electric.Vehicle.Laboratory?_rdr

scuwp

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#1254545 10-Mar-2015 10:44

I don't use one, but have trouble keeping up with 'Mary Poppins' as I call her on her electric model.

I am decked out in all the gear, pedaling my guts out, and she breezes past on an old fashioned style electric thing, complete with basket on the front, long dress blowing in the wind (i.e. looks like Mary Poppins) sitting bolt upright, not even breaking a sweat.

She seems to be able to keep a relatively constant 25 - 30 km/h and the few hills we have don't seem to phase it much.

Only disadvantage (depending on your point of view) is that I like the idea of the exercise of actual peddling.

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

frankv

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#1254548 10-Mar-2015 10:56

A friend has one of these which I tried out. It was awesome on the flat, but don't know how it would go uphill. Quick and easy to unfold. Not very compact when folded... took up all the backseat of a car. He said it cost him a grand or so.

DravidDavid

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#1254597 10-Mar-2015 12:28

Don't get a cheap one. You want one of these: http://www.stealthelectricbikes.com/
There is a New Zealand distributor. Will set you back $4,000 to $6,000 if I remember correctly. For your commute, you won't need the top of the line version and by now you may be able to find one second hand.

If registration is truly $600+ a year, the expensive one won't take very long to pay itself off.

Delphinus

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#1254621 10-Mar-2015 13:57

I built one myself for the super-steep dunedin hills. Pretty simple job in a mates workshop over a weekend, provided some pushbike knowledge is available. I went with a mid drive as you can drop the gears down, keep the revs high, which is better for climbing hills without burning out the motor.

Battery: http://em3ev.com/store/index.php?route=product/product&path=35&product_id=123
Motor/Controller kit: http://www.aft-ebike.com/kits--pricing.html

It is an absolute pleasure to ride, and using one of these http://www.ebikes.ca/product-info/grin-products/cycle-analyst-3.html I can set different power levels to force myself to pedal more.

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heylinb4nz

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#1254643 10-Mar-2015 14:37

I have owned a Puzey EVO Powerboard 1000W model. Had a top speed of 35-40 kmh, range of about 14km and could climb moderate hills relatively with ease.

One issue you will run into with a powerful eBike (or scooter) is this legislation (http://www.nzta.govt.nz/vehicle/your/low-powered.html) 300W is your limit and then you becomes a mobility scooter and all sorts of rubbish then applies. I remember on one occasion a cop doing a U-turn to come ticket me (managed to speed up and take pedestrian overbridge in order to evade).

Scooting along at 80 kmh on a Stealth eBike would gaurantee being pulled over by cop, but provided your bike is relatively low key you could get away with something higher than 300W.

Sounds like you may be fit already, so perhaps your port of call should be a pedal assist system ie (BionX) turned up to max, apprently they are very effective have long range and can turn even an unfit cyclists into a marathon cyclist.

DravidDavid

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#1254646 10-Mar-2015 14:47

heylinb4nz:Scooting along at 80 kmh on a Stealth eBike would gaurantee being pulled over by cop, but provided your bike is relatively low key you could get away with something higher than 300W.

They have to catch you to pull you over. :P I'm not sure I would be traveling around at 80k everywhere I went. But if you drove nicely and carefully on the daily commute, you would have something fun for dirt trails in the weekend, haha. :)

gzt

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#1254664 10-Mar-2015 14:59

Delphinus: . I went with a mid drive as you can drop the gears down, keep the revs high, which is better for climbing hills without burning out the motor.

This is logical but how often do you replace chain/sprocts with something like that?

rp1790

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#1254690 10-Mar-2015 15:21

I have used one of the folding bikes from these guys http://www.volto.co.nz/electric-bikes-nz/ No bells and whistles but everything you need. I have a very long steep hill to go back up on the way home and it's zero effort to get up. I go whizzing past all the manual cyclists in spandex!

I looked at all the $3k bikes and decided $1.5k on one of these bikes was a really good, cost effective investment. So good, I bought one for my daughter as well.

If you don't need a folding bike, the normal 26-in bikes are a wee bit faster.

Actually, I notice you're in Wellington, the hill I'm referring to is from Oriental bay, up to Roseneath. You're welcome to come and try my bike if you like, PM me if you want a test.

DravidDavid

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#1254700 10-Mar-2015 15:42

rp1790: I have used one of the folding bikes from these guys http://www.volto.co.nz/electric-bikes-nz/ No bells and whistles but everything you need. I have a very long steep hill to go back up on the way home and it's zero effort to get up. I go whizzing past all the manual cyclists in spandex!

I looked at all the $3k bikes and decided $1.5k on one of these bikes was a really good, cost effective investment. So good, I bought one for my daughter as well.

If you don't need a folding bike, the normal 26-in bikes are a wee bit faster.

Actually, I notice you're in Wellington, the hill I'm referring to is from Oriental bay, up to Roseneath. You're welcome to come and try my bike if you like, PM me if you want a test.

Dang. Forget the Stealth bikes. This looks more like what you want.

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Delphinus

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#1254709 10-Mar-2015 15:58

gzt:
Delphinus: . I went with a mid drive as you can drop the gears down, keep the revs high, which is better for climbing hills without burning out the motor.

This is logical but how often do you replace chain/sprocts with something like that?

I chucked a new chain on at 600kms, at bike shops recommendation (it was 1 notch out using their tool, 2 is the cutoff). I haven't changed sprockets yet. A lot of this work is very easy once you know how and have the relevant (cheap) tools.

Delphinus

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#1254710 10-Mar-2015 15:59

It also keeps the wheels "clean". No need for torque arms, or heavy wheels ie "unsprung weight".

ren1316

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#1254717 10-Mar-2015 16:05

Thanks everybody for the replies.

I have a lot of research to get through.

I don't think I would be spending too much on the first one. Definitely not more than $5000.

Will keep all posted.

John

Delphinus

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#1254720 10-Mar-2015 16:08

Cost me $4000 all up for mine. Range is about 140kms if I keep the power setting to 300W and pedal with reasonable effort. Half that in "offroad" mode and a heavy throttle hand.

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