Why buy an electric bicycle?

[biknut]

Why would anyone buy an electric bicycle for $1,500-2000 when they could buy a nice store bought gas powered bicycle for around $600 or 700? Or if they felt so inclined they could spend $1,500 and get a really great gas powered bicycle.

Legal issues? That's the only reason I can think of.

Wow how times change. When I started this thread 5 years ago, a lifetime of riding gas bikes told me electric bikes would never be anything I would be interested in. Just one more thing I was totally wrong about.

Now I look at gas bikes the way a LED flashlight looks at a kerosene lamp. Although the technology is new, and not fully developed for many applications, for bicycles it's tomorrow now. I can't think of anything a gas bike does better than an electric bicycle at this point.

I think we've finally reached the tipping point.

 

[snellemin]

Time has changed and the technology gets better every few months. It's just crazy how you can tweak some controllers without a laptop now. Onboard waterproof chargers are available now. 14 KW sinewave controllers are available now and fits on a good bike. Traction control is also available. How crazy is that?!

 

[kevyleven007]

"Thud,

Well said.

'nuff said.

I'm just waiting for them to develop the Dilithium Crystals matrix, so I can use it to have my e-bike travel faster than the speed of light... Then I can REALLY show them "gas guys" a thing or two!" "I'm afraid I have to call this BS. If it's true your bike is the only one in the world. " If your sphincter is tight and your panties are in a wad that has nothing to do with me." Just a few highlights as I reread this informative post again.

 

[biknut]

LOL, when I started this thread back 09 there was a member who's user name was SANGESF. He was a big advocate of eBikes. I didn't believe eBikes were worth a crap back then, and I gave him such a hard time I think he quit the forum.

Now people do it to me LOL

 

[60weight]

https://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/bik/5460936623.html

Should I?

 

[ZipTie]

no doubt E bikes are awesome for a bunch of obvious reasons. However they still seem too expensive for me to buy one or build one just yet. I will eventually have both in the future. The price will comes down as demand increases and no doubt it will. However that said a E bike will bever replace my gas bikes, just give me another choice what to ride where.

 

[60weight]

Howdy Zip.
Was thinking this one would look better with a CG....
and make drum brakes outta those big black things... Or, have both gas/electric...

 

[ZipTie]

Howdy Zip.
Was thinking this one would look better with a CG....
and make drum brakes outta those big black things... Or, have both gas/electric...

Hey 60weight, Yea, They are massive motor hubs. 2 WHEEL DRIVE WOULD BE A TORQUE MONSTER. I'm pretty sure the batteries are totally missing and the person selling it is playing just a wee-BIT ignorant saying the charger is just gone. Certainly a nice CG would look good on there AS WELL would the missing 1200.00 battery pack... and charger...
It is a decent looking bike though....why not install the whole shebang and have a 2 wheel Prius with gas and electric. Lets not forget to install a solar panel canopy as well as a 12 gallon fuel tank, and a big cooler you could almost go coast to coast without stopping. LOL

 

[kevyleven007]

https://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/bik/5460936623.html

Should I?

I remember those about 8 years ago. The front hub is not a motor its the battery. That is I think it is if I remember right. Those bikes were pretty high dollar and I think they sold it as a kit too. yep http://www.gizmag.com/e-electric-bicycle-electric-motion/11059/ my advice, keep looking

 

[ZipTie]

Kev, I would of never of guessed the battery is in the hub. One would imagine the batteries are maybe shot from sitting so long without maintenance? Maybe haven't seen a charge since 2009.? Yea like Kev said... keep looking.