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Electric bikes


PAylor

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Hi all,

I'm thinking about purchasing a folding electric bike.  I still want the exercise of a bike but want a little push up hills etc.  I am 5'9" and weigh 137.  The one I'm looking at is under $500 and weighs about 30 pounds.  I want something I can still get a workout on.  

Would love any input. 

Thanks!

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3 hours ago, fly2low said:

Those are not toys

Nope. But they are a good alternative to towing a car for some people and they are a good way of exercising for others who want to maintain their health.

Linda

Blog: http://sandcastle.sandsys.org/

Former Rigs: Liesure Travel van, Winnebago View 24H, Winnebago Journey 34Y, Sportsmobile Sprinter conversion van

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You can get really nice ones for a lot less. About $750.00 each. These are the ones I'm getting.

https://lectricebikes.com/collections/xp-accessories/products/lectric-xp

 

Edited by markandkim

Retired USN Engineer

2020 Ram 2500 Bighorn 6.7 Diesel

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The best choice in an e-bike is that same as the best choice in an RV--it depends on your lifestyle including your budget.

Has anyone noticed that "it depends" seems to be one of my favorite expressions? :)

Linda

Blog: http://sandcastle.sandsys.org/

Former Rigs: Liesure Travel van, Winnebago View 24H, Winnebago Journey 34Y, Sportsmobile Sprinter conversion van

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I like RadPower:https://electricbikereview.com/rad-power-bikes/radcity/

as well as juiced: https://www.juicedbikes.com/collections/e-bikes

Another great brand is Sondors: https://sondors.com/pages/fold-x

https://sondors.com/

And the Aventon Pace  https://www.bicycling.com/bikes-gear/a25334309/aventon-pace-500-review/

Once we're settled in Colorado it will be our next buy.

Some considerations. Does your state require a registration for an electric bike that does 20 mph max? Colorado requires I register them, so I might as well get a long range higher top speed bike.

If you travel you might want to register it because a cop writing a ticket because you have no plates or registration isn't going to accept any excuse in a state where plates and registrations are required.

Another important question for old timers is what is the range and top speed without pedaling. Some require pedaling and others don't. Some folks want to have to pedal others don't. Personally if I overdo it, (Moi?) I'd like to know I can get home, even if I do pedal.

There are lots of dealers and users in Denver and other Colorado towns. The biggest drawback for me is the primarily online sales where I can't test drive one. Some bikes can do 50 mph and have 30-50 miles of range. You don't have to spend the big bucks, just some time searching and calling them. I was 250 pounds but am now 220 and will soon be under 200. But one brand had a rep that weighed 260 and gave me his top speeds and confirmed at least 50 mile range.

I've found lots of great bikes under $1800.00 and a few that would for a first bike for under $1200.00

 

Edited by RV_

RV/Derek
http://www.rvroadie.com Email on the bottom of my website page.
Retired AF 1971-1998


When you see a worthy man, endeavor to emulate him. When you see an unworthy man, look inside yourself. - Confucius

 

“Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities.” ... Voltaire

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_bicycle_laws

If you scroll down to US regs, appears that any electric bike with pedals, that has less than 750 watt motor and a top speed of less than 20 mph is classified as a bicycle. My rad mini is governed to 20 mph. I am sure without the governor it would go much faster.

Foretravel 40ft tag 500hp Cummins ISM  1455 watts on the roof, 600 a/h's lithium in the basement.

 

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Couple of comments.  I have owned electric bikes for a few years.

Buy a step-thru bike (woman’s) regardless of your sex. Throwing your leg over the bike seat gets more difficult every year.

Ask about panniers when you shop for the bikes. That was a adventure to find a set that would fit.

Ask about battery rebuild or replacement. I suspect my five year old bike will soon be non-electric for this reason. Thanks Trek.

Make sure the battery is low on the bike. Top heavy bikes are less fun to ride.

I am still looking for one that can be recharged with solar.  Really important if you boondocks a lot.

They are a kick to ride.  I don’t like throttle bikes. Get a good pedalec bike, I never used the throttle on the bike that had it.  

Vladimr Steblina

Retired Forester...exploring the public lands.

usbackroads.blogspot.com

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3 hours ago, Vladimir said:

Couple of comments.  I have owned electric bikes for a few years.

Buy a step-thru bike (woman’s) regardless of your sex. Throwing your leg over the bike seat gets more difficult every year.

Ask about panniers when you shop for the bikes. That was a adventure to find a set that would fit.

Ask about battery rebuild or replacement. I suspect my five year old bike will soon be non-electric for this reason. Thanks Trek.

Make sure the battery is low on the bike. Top heavy bikes are less fun to ride.

I am still looking for one that can be recharged with solar.  Really important if you boondocks a lot.

They are a kick to ride.  I don’t like throttle bikes. Get a good pedalec bike, I never used the throttle on the bike that had it.  

I'm not even in the market for a bike but I thought these suggestions were very helpful anyway. Thanks for sharing them.

Linda

Blog: http://sandcastle.sandsys.org/

Former Rigs: Liesure Travel van, Winnebago View 24H, Winnebago Journey 34Y, Sportsmobile Sprinter conversion van

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Also wanting a light weight 8+speed 500 watt e bike.  But would like one where can get a new battery 10 years down the road,  so thinking a brand that uses re-chargeable battery that is also on other brands might be more available down the road??  Anyway to know which brands use the same battery??

2011 Jayco Eagle 256rks 28 ft. TT

2010 Silverado 2500 6L w/ Reese SC hitch

Member TTN; Lifetime member of Escapees & Good Sam

Traveling about 6 months/year

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15 hours ago, Ted K. said:

Anyway to know which brands use the same battery??

On the battery issue, we have a pari of electric, 3 wheel carts that operate on gel cell motorcycle batteries for just that reason. They are readily available and so should be available when replacement time comes. I think that a look at what battery is used is a very good idea since the technology is changing rapidly.

Good travelin !...............Kirk

Full-time 11+ years...... Now seasonal travelers.
Kirk & Pam's Great RV Adventure

            images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQqFswi_bvvojaMvanTWAI

 

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  • 2 weeks later...

An alternative to buying an electric bike is buy the bike you want and put a kit in it.  Very easy to do.  You can get them with or without the wheel.  I purchased without and simply took the tire off the original and installed it on the kit wheel.  Our kits were from Leeds (https://www.e-bikerig.com).  We ride at least twice as much as we did before installing them.

Later,

J

2012 Landmark, San Antonio

2013 Silverado CC, 3500HD, Duramax, DRW, 4x4

Backup, side and hitch cameras, Tireminder TPMS

 

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  • 3 weeks later...
On 6/23/2019 at 4:45 PM, PAylor said:

Hi all,

I'm thinking about purchasing a folding electric bike.  I still want the exercise of a bike but want a little push up hills etc.  I am 5'9" and weigh 137.  The one I'm looking at is under $500 and weighs about 30 pounds.  I want something I can still get a workout on.  

Would love any input. 

Thanks!

 

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Here's the comprehensive review on the Rad Rover. https://electricbikereview.com/rad-power-bikes/radrover/

I liked their mini folder which is what the OP asked about

 https://www.radpowerbikes.com/products/radmini-electric-folding-fat-bike

The Sondors folder is another about $1400.00 range folder here https://sondors.com/pages/fold-x

That Sondors fold x is pretty neat and the specs are great with a 40 to 60 mile range, and a 300 pound capacity.

RV/Derek
http://www.rvroadie.com Email on the bottom of my website page.
Retired AF 1971-1998


When you see a worthy man, endeavor to emulate him. When you see an unworthy man, look inside yourself. - Confucius

 

“Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities.” ... Voltaire

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On 6/25/2019 at 5:21 PM, jcussen said:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_bicycle_laws

If you scroll down to US regs, appears that any electric bike with pedals, that has less than 750 watt motor and a top speed of less than 20 mph is classified as a bicycle. My rad mini is governed to 20 mph. I am sure without the governor it would go much faster.

Jcussen. Your quick response saying federal law trumps state laws is in error. States can usually make stricter laws rather than looser. However as I said, and what is in your own link, is that you'd better check to see if it needs to be registered. 

In an earlier post about electric bikes I'd said I'd get one in Colorado because Louisiana is harsh and treats them the same as a motorcycle. That's why I'm waiting until I get there. We've moved but I'm back in Louisiana selling our four year old house 24X30 metal workshop on a slab, office portable building completely finished and air conditioned, 24Kw whole house backup auto switching generator running on city natural gas, and shooting hunting in your own back yard as I logged out all the pines and only kept the many old growth oaks. I has an RV hookup spot on dirt. So when that sells I can rejoin my wife in Colorado. It's been on the market in MLS for 30days now. Here's the requirements for here in your link:

"Louisiana

Louisiana Revised Statute R.S. 32:1(41) defines a motorized bicycle as a pedal bicycle which may be propelled by human power or helper motor, or by both, with a motor rated no more than one and one-half brake horsepower, a cylinder capacity not exceeding fifty cubic centimeters, an automatic transmission, and which produces a maximum design speed of no more than twenty-five miles per hour on a flat surface. Motorized bicycles falling within this definition must be registered and titled under Louisiana law. Additionally, a motorized bicycle operated upon Louisiana roadways or highways by a person fifteen years of age or older and producing more than five horsepower must possess a valid driver's license with a motorcycle endorsement and adhere to laws governing the operation of a motorcycle, including the wearing of approved eye protectors or a windshield and the wearing of a helmet. The statute also states that "Motorized bicycles such as pocket bikes and scooters that do not meet the requirements of this policy shall not be registered."

As R.S. 32:1(41) refers to motorized bicycles using "an automatic transmission" with helper motors rated in horsepower and cylinder capacity, not by watts or volts, the statute arguably does not cover bicycles powered by an electric motor(s), whether self-propelled or pedal-assist designs."

That is here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_bicycle_laws

So, again, I say to check what laws apply in your state. You can scroll down to your state and see how they are handled in that link. It made me wait but maybe not another. As well, for RVrs traveling, it might be an issue, or not in other states. It's worth researching locally regardless. They even state that it doesn't really cover electric bikes, but locally they damn well will make you register and plate it, and knowing this state, want liability insurance as well. Why do you think we dislike this state enough to get out of Dodge once our last parents were gone. We already sold our other older house on three acres so I hope I can get it sold fast. Once I get my folder I'll add it to my earlier overview of eBikes.

Safe travels

 

Edited by RV_

RV/Derek
http://www.rvroadie.com Email on the bottom of my website page.
Retired AF 1971-1998


When you see a worthy man, endeavor to emulate him. When you see an unworthy man, look inside yourself. - Confucius

 

“Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities.” ... Voltaire

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13 hours ago, RV_ said:

Jcussen. Your quick response saying federal law trumps state laws is in error. States can usually make stricter laws rather than looser. However as I said, and what is in your own link, is that you'd better check to see if it needs to be registered. 

In an earlier post about electric bikes I'd said I'd get one in Colorado because Louisiana is harsh and treats them the same as a motorcycle. That's why I'm waiting until I get there. We've moved but I'm back in Louisiana selling our four year old house 24X30 metal workshop on a slab, office portable building completely finished and air conditioned, 24Kw whole house backup auto switching generator running on city natural gas, and shooting hunting in your own back yard as I logged out all the pines and only kept the many old growth oaks. I has an RV hookup spot on dirt. So when that sells I can rejoin my wife in Colorado. It's been on the market in MLS for 30days now. Here's the requirements for here in your link:

"Louisiana

Louisiana Revised Statute R.S. 32:1(41) defines a motorized bicycle as a pedal bicycle which may be propelled by human power or helper motor, or by both, with a motor rated no more than one and one-half brake horsepower, a cylinder capacity not exceeding fifty cubic centimeters, an automatic transmission, and which produces a maximum design speed of no more than twenty-five miles per hour on a flat surface. Motorized bicycles falling within this definition must be registered and titled under Louisiana law. Additionally, a motorized bicycle operated upon Louisiana roadways or highways by a person fifteen years of age or older and producing more than five horsepower must possess a valid driver's license with a motorcycle endorsement and adhere to laws governing the operation of a motorcycle, including the wearing of approved eye protectors or a windshield and the wearing of a helmet. The statute also states that "Motorized bicycles such as pocket bikes and scooters that do not meet the requirements of this policy shall not be registered."

As R.S. 32:1(41) refers to motorized bicycles using "an automatic transmission" with helper motors rated in horsepower and cylinder capacity, not by watts or volts, the statute arguably does not cover bicycles powered by an electric motor(s), whether self-propelled or pedal-assist designs."

That is here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_bicycle_laws

So, again, I say to check what laws apply in your state. You can scroll down to your state and see how they are handled in that link. It made me wait but maybe not another. As well, for RVrs traveling, it might be an issue, or not in other states. It's worth researching locally regardless. They even state that it doesn't really cover electric bikes, but locally they damn well will make you register and plate it, and knowing this state, want liability insurance as well. Why do you think we dislike this state enough to get out of Dodge once our last parents were gone. We already sold our other older house on three acres so I hope I can get it sold fast. Once I get my folder I'll add it to my earlier overview of eBikes.

Safe travels

First of all, no where did I state Federal laws trump State laws, and second if you read the second paragraph, you will realize that any electric bicycle I have seen, does not use " an automatic transmission with helper motors rated in horsepower and cylinder capacity, not by watts or volts, the statue arguably does not cover bicycles powered by an electric motor's'"

As most of the electric bikes I have seen, are only defined by watts and voltage, to me it is obvious they do not need an registration.

 

 

Foretravel 40ft tag 500hp Cummins ISM  1455 watts on the roof, 600 a/h's lithium in the basement.

 

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  • 3 weeks later...

I know this is an older thread but I see that the OP, PAylor never responded to anyone’s postings. I have a bike that can be pedal assist (PAS) or zero PAS which is with a throttle. I debated this and am glad that I have both. I converted an Electra Townie cruiser with a kit. When I did it, my knees and hips were in good shape. In the meantime, I developed arthritis in my hip. I’m happy to have the throttle for when my hip is sore. Although, I use pedal assist most of the time, you’ll find that you’ll travel farther and it’s nice to have the throttle to get back to your starting point or on steep hills. The other point is you get what you pay for so don’t go too cheap. You want to make sure that the bike can be serviced/supported and has a good lithium battery that can be replaced. I only wish that I had wider/fat tires for riding off of asphalt. I have taken my bike on trails in National Parks and out-of-state. No registration required due to the motor size. Many trails do have restrictions for no more than 750watts so know about where you are riding and be safe. Here is a link to a forum with a lot of great info:

https://electricbikereview.com/forum/

BTW, I love my ebike!  

Edited by lakejumper

2016 Winnebago Vista LX 30T

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Interstate Battery bought Batteries Plus, and now rebuild many different types and compositions of batteries, I suspect they would rebuild a battery for electric bikes too.

 

2000 Winnebago Ultimate Freedom USQ40JD, ISC 8.3 Cummins 350, Spartan MM Chassis. USA IN 1SG retired;Good Sam Life member,FMCA ." And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country.  John F. Kennedy 20 Jan 1961

 

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