Are e-bikes worth it?
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- čas přidán 8. 05. 2024
- Are electric bikes just hype, or are they really the future of travel? I bought one to find out. Support the channel by signing up for Nebula (and get 40% off): go.nebula.tv/simonclark
(link updated March 2023)
Recently I bought myself a Ridgeback Arcus 1, a budget electric bike (an EPAC, electric pedal assisted cycle), to find out if e-bikes lived up to the hype. In particular, I wanted to test if its stated range of 50km was actually accurate, so cycled from my new home in Bath to a meeting at the Yogscast's studio, yogstudios, in Bristol.
Notes
(1) electrek.co/2021/06/29/the-af... and www.spglobal.com/platts/en/ma... and www.bicycleassociation.org.uk...
(2) Much of this was taken from urbanebikes.com/pages/electri...
(3) electricbikeaction.com/tour-d...
(4) veloviewer.com/segment/140176...
(5) ourworldindata.org/travel-car...
(6) This is based on the calculation that my battery has a capacity of 313Wh, and the UK average power supply has an intensity of 0.233kg of CO2 per kWh. This implies it takes 73g of CO2 to charge the battery, and thus, given a range of 50km, an intensity of 1.46g of CO2 per km.
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In this video I buy an ebike to test if e-bikes live up the hype. I tested the bike going up a monstrous hill in my home town of Bath, and rode it from Bath to Bristol to visit the yogscast, to test the bike's range. I compare EPACs with S-pedelecs with electric moped with electric motorbikes. My experience with my electric bike has been very positive, and I hope you enjoy the video!
Music by Epidemic Sound: epidemicsound.com
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"The biggest worry people have is about range" no Simon the biggest worry we have is the bike getting nicked
I'd say it's 50/50 with dying in a car crash.
@@Mastikator much more afraid of getting my bike nicked than being hit by a car. One of these things is much more in my control than the other.
@@thisisabsolutelystup Well the problem is that a majority of cities in the US have piss poor biking infrastructure. So it really isn't safe to commute by bike in most places in the US.
My go to method, for 10 years, it to have my bike very dirty and bad looking.
Plus I use motorbike locks, and park my bike next to motorbikes.
When the thief has a choice between a motorbike and a bicycle (as they have the same locks), he will choose the motorbike :).
and in the uk, pissing rain.
‘Sorry, that sounded way more aggressive than I wanted it to’ after ringing a bike bell is probably the most British thing I’ve ever heard hahahahaha
I find same issues on my ebike on a trail where I’m approaching people from behind. Ringing bell to let them know I’m approaching from behind feels like I’m being aggressive. Thinking I’m going to fit some kind of modified reversing beeper to make others aware of my presence. Issue is finding a balance between noise pollution and letting people know I’m approaching.
@@patomahony9747 It goes through my mind every time, planning how close, how loud, passing eye contact etc...I've even
tuned the bell down to a dull -less aggressive-tone not to annoy anyone....Think maybe I'm being the one oversentive !!
@@pjamajones8304 we probably are over sensitive but I would rather not appear to pedestrians as an aggressive “get out of my way “ cyclist who will then if asked say bikes should be banned from pedestrian areas.
Courtesy to others is common sense and nice.
This all stems from car drivers using their horns as an aggressive gesture rather than letting other drivers know they are there as instructed in the Highway Code. I used to think like this when riding my bike but have now got over it and just give a ring when riding up behind pedestrians and saying ‘thankyou’ as I pass. I haven’t had anyone yet that takes offence. Usually I let my wife ride in front then I ring the bell from behind so the pedestrians think it’s her not me!
I noted the same. Love it.
I personally have been riding an Ebike for almost 5 years now. I sold my car and bought a cargo trailer as well. I lost over 25 kilos of weight and seriously improved my health. At 60 years old it's been great.
That's amazing.
❤️
Cool
What's pulling your cargo trailer?
@@John-tp5gc his e - bike.... duh
"Who's gonna nick an electric bike without the battery?"
Oh my sweet summer child...
I was thinking the same thing! Where I live you have to lock your wheels to the bike frame or people will steal them.
An old gentleman had his escooter stolen from his hands in my area. Dude just came up, snatched it from his hands while he was standing there and just ran offf with it. Never underestimate how low fellow humans will stoop to steal shit.
My bike tires got stolen the one time I forgot to loop the lock between the tires. Never again
@@poatocat9534 hahaha
@@Suntoria236 F
65 years old, three years, $1500, and 6000 miles. If not I would be sitting on the couch. Worth it 110%!
I'm 67 and am close to buying an ebike for local commuting. I can't get a driver's licence due to poor eyesight so this will provide me with some independence.
I’m 46 and you inspire me. I hope I am fit enough to ride an ebike when I reach your age 🙂
My Dutch thigh muscles, trained over many years of cycling 70-150km a week are almost always outclassed by a granny on an e-bike. Having that not happen anymore would be the sole reason for me getting an e-bike myself.
But the whole point of cycling is to keep fit: if you want a two wheeler with more speed and less effort then buy a motorbike.
@@quietenglishman4179 For those with licenses, absolutely. For others who refuse / are unable to get a license, ebikes make a lot of sense. In the USA you can still use throttle-based ebikes up to 750 watts without a license.
@@KineticSymphony Well done, I hadn't thought of that. I think similar rules apply here.
@@quietenglishman4179 It's a life-changer for me. Biking everywhere manually is great for one's health but especially in the USA, distances for most stores is extensive, and biking with 50+ lbs of cargo just isn't practical in those distances.
@@quietenglishman4179 the point of a bike in the Netherlands is NOT to get fit, don't make me laugh. Its a nice by-product aure but its not the point.
Bikes are simply an extremely easy and affordable way of commuting where ever you want to go to, at any time, always, without the limitations or extra costs involving insurance, liscences and gas.
The idea that the only reason to use a bike to commute with/transport yourself around is laughable. Bikes are flexible and efficient, and e-bikes simply broaden the distances commuters can go without having to get into a car.
As a dutchie it frightens me how you are forced onto the road with cars and the general lack of infrastructure, but I do enjoy that now brits can also enjoy the commute by cycling through greenery instead of sitting in a car in traffic.
you get used to it. it's all about finding the right routes where you live. a reminder to the dutch not to take your cycle infrastructure for granted!
Not in all places. Here in Milton Keynes we have an extensive network of separated cycle paths called the redways. These are paths shared with other forms of transport, pedestrians, e scooters, autonomous delivery robots, etc. Due to the layout of the paths I can go from my house to the centre of town, about 30 minutes, 8km away, and can almost entirely avoid crossing any roads. Our paths all go under the main roads when we need to cross.
@@danpreston564 what you are prescribing is close to the norm here. we Dutch are just spoiled rotten with a A rate network. and yes it still need more work still.
Ha! Here in Canada riding a bike is like being in a Mad Max movie!
@@danpreston564 of course you came in with the literal one exception to the rule! mk does sound great for cycling infrastructure. if only we could incorporate that same cycle infra ethos into more historic towns and cities. that'll be the day..
"this is like riding over a teenager's face", that one crack me up good.
heard that one on topgear 20 years ago
That one cracked me up as well. I had never heard that before.
I was thoroughly convinced of a bike and pedestrian based world when I saw the channel “Not Just Bikes”. In the Netherlands you don’t get your food weekly in bulk quantities, you pop in for 10 minutes to get one or two bags more regularly, and you have a bike designed for that kind of use. The food shop is not a trek out that must require a car, it’s an errand you do on the way back from somewhere else
I do that in the UK since I work in one of the main supermarkets and am a cycle commuter. I can fit a couple of items in my rucksack each day along with my change of clothes and a towel and toiletries for freshening up.
Love that youtube channel
not just bikes is great!
Just get a bike trailer. I need to buy vegetables for daily soup for me, my parents and my 2 employees. I just from my 45l trailer. Once or twice to the store a week. Totally doable.
Highly recommend it!
(Croozer cargo tuur. It's the most expensive model, but I'm glad i have the suspension)
@@thibaultmol I've seen somebody convert their trailer into a a canvas camper.
Simon: *rides bike in the UK on the correct side of the street*
Me, a German: SIMON WATCH OUT YOU'RE ON THE WRONG ... ohh, yeah... right.
When I was the first time in the UK, I was really scared because I wasn't used to people driving on the wrong side of the road.
@@sebastiangruenfeld141 The is lots of discussion of which is the correct side to drive on.
Right-Hand is assumed to date back to the Roman Empire, was so that you could defend your self from people traveling in the opposite direction. Sounds reasonable.
One story is that Left-hand dates back to large carriages drawn by multiple horses. Keeping the right hand equally able to whip all of them. Maybe less reasonable.
Another is that it was a revolt against the French royalty following the revolution.
There are many stories and reasons why the change happened, but driving on the left is historically, and papal ordained correct side of the road.
60% + of you are just doing it wrong. :)
Even as someone who only moved to mainland Europe from the UK last October, I still had that moment!
Yeah I started thinking about whether there was a way to mirror the video because I was having a mild, constant anxiety attack watching him bike on the "wrong" side like that
Here in the states, we've adopted the roundabout to replace 4-way stops. This seems like a British thing. So, I think the Brits should start driving on the right side of the road to even things out. That way, we'll both feel more at home when visiting each others countries. Diplomacy.
I'm impressed with the range given the small size of the battery, and your testing method reflects real-world usage.
I used to be a marathon cyclist, and we have five manual bikes, but my e-bike is by far the favorite. I can get more of a workout than the others, or I can ride more easily than on the others, all with a click of a switch. This year I have spent more actual time riding my bike than driving a car, but what keeps me from using the bike for more is a lack of secure parking. Out of twenty stores, shops, and restaurants, there is ONE bicycle rack rusting at the far end. At a large mall less than a mile away, there is parking for two thousand cars, and eight bicycles. Sigh.
Did Simon state what size battery it was ie. how many amphours ? I would not be very impressed spending over a £1000 on an ebike and only getting about 30 miles range! I have a 13Ah battery and I am doing upto 70 miles between charges.
@@lewiepanda9159 of course he didn't. That would be an informative video, which this was not.
My favourite part of owning an eBike for me was it enabled me to exercise without diving into the deep end and giving up. I was able to use the pedal assistance to sort of ween my way into fitness by gradually reducing the assistance level and periods of use. I feel like if I bought a normal bike I would get overwhelmed and embarrassed and give up. It was like having a personal trainer with me to help when things got tough.
Same for me, it was a great way to ease in to doing more exercise. It wasn't long before I got a regular bike as well and now I use that much more often, even hills don't bother me anymore. The ebike is still great for hauling stuff or getting places in a hurry though.
3:45 Who thought Simon died right there?
I thought he slipped and fell and was gonna talk about the disadvantages or something
Was sure he crashed.
For a real comparison to show what a difference it makes on a hill, we need to see Pixelgirl riding the e-bike and you riding a regular bike up the same hill 😉
simon won't make it more than 1 minute and will not provide enough data.
Believe me an ebike makes a wonderful difference getting up slopes.
Even more so with a crank drive , I’ve had mine since 2011
I’ve just road 277 miles from Fishguard in Wales back to Bristol on my Cube ebike . Carrying panniers , my longest leg of the ride was 70 miles and I still had 3 bars left . So totally amazing . Definitely recommend an ebike 👍
What bike from where and how fast
So what's the mileage
My wife has come to a point where she finds cycling difficult due to knee issues and as we live in the Netherlands bikes are rightly everywhere. When she decided to buy her bike I went along and the agent allowed me to take an e-bike along. It was really good fun and I was tempted but decided that right now I don't need one. However it has really changed her life and whereas normally she would go to work by car several times a week by car, she has now switched almost entirely to using the bike. An extra benefit is that when we cycle together she is the one that leaves me behind now rather than the other way round. I am a great fan.
A to B is exactly why i switched- I can do my daily 30mile round trip on an analogue bike but i prefer arriving dry...
Most cycling commuters will identify with that.
Love my ebike -I got a conversion kit for my old mountain bike five years ago, and I've been hooked ever since. It gets me from Bristol to Corsham with about 25% battery left. My workplace is happy to let me charge there, so at the end of the day I've got a full battery to get back home again :)
Lots of people finding same experience. I bought an ebike start of 2020 over 40 years since I last had a bike. Then found a chap in Dublin on yt who has same model of bike. He’s 30 miles from work. Was taking him near 2 hours by car with its associated expense of tax , insurance , fuel and parking.
He can usually do trip by bike in 1.30 hours or less Charges bike at work for return journey. Last I heard he has 15km on that bike and got the biking bug so bought others to try out and experiment with. Think he’s gone out to day for a 300 km plus cycle on one of his other bikes.
My granddaughter 19 yo now cycles to work using my original bike also added a trailer to carry her dog and do some shopping. Bussing it took 2 busses with waiting for second bus making trip close to 2 hours. Walking most direct route through some desolate streets around 1.30 hours. Taxi 30 euro per day. On Lo26 ebike Using main thoroughfare less than 20 min. So it’s win win for her on time and cost. Lest I forget best quotation she could get to be a named driver on a family car was 5000 euro. Insurance costs in Ireland are crazy.
@@patomahony9747 I started ebiking from 2019 and work is around 15miles away but takes upto 1hour in car. I can do it in less than that on the ebike and we have no dropped down to 1 car in the family. Saved an absolute fortune. A few others in my office have even started doing the same once they gave it a try and seen the savings to be made. It's almost like being paid an extra few grand to cycle to work instead.. no brainer! Also saved time and money from going the gym. I think the key thing to making cycle commuting a success is making sure you have the appropriate clothing for weather and planning a route you are comfortable with.
My area limits e-bikes to 750w. So naturally, I bought a 1500w hub motor kit and then slapped a 750w sticker on the side of it.
So polite 🤣
Here in Alabama, (US), there isnt any regulations. Mine is a 3000w, "72v" monster. lovin' it. Now That doesn't mean I act a fool. Don't want to draw attention and stir an anthill that doesn't need stirrin'
I mean why not. It's not like the cops are carrying a multimeter with them.😃 Or maybe they do in some countries I don't know.🤔
laughs in bafang bbshd
If you want to bend the rules an Aprilia RS125 does 95mph on L plates.
Another plus with the removable battery is the ability to carry a spare in a backpack or pannier, and be able to swap out on longer journeys.
And if the battery dues within the first 6 months, and it's under warranty, it's much easier for both the buyer and the company to organize a solution that costs significantly less, especially for the shipping.
I love my ebike, I ride a lot more and I go a lot further and I am getting more fit, not less. I ride to work and back. I go places where I normally would not and I enjoy it so much, it is adult playing. I LOVE it.
Me too , the ebike is just more fun
Windy and flat in Florida. My new ebike has me riding again . I love it
Me too!
A study was done which showed E bike owners use their bike more often, go further and spend more locally than manual bike riders.
Honestly top notch discussion & humour
I am 72 years and had a bad fall that made it hard to get my leg over my trek. Also my balance was a little off. I bought a radrunner plus. I use the throttle when starting out . The bike of course is easier to balance with a little more speed when starting, no wobbling. It has actually improved my full time balance, even when walking. I use level one the lowest amount 90 % of the time. With my bike weighing 70 pounds, it feels like I’m getting almost as much exercise maybe more than my trek mountain bike, especially since I ride further per trip and is so much fun that I ride almost ever day weather permitting.
Glad it's working for you! I'm 65 and have just sold my virtually unused ebike because I am unable to safely ride it! My knees do not bend far enough, so I need the seat a long way up in the air, then with the seat so high, I find I am unable to dismount fast enough at lower speed. If I'd know of this hassle before buying the bike online, I would have found an etrike instead.
Great video but a couple of things I'd like to add as an e-bike owner. Many of them are bloody heavy! Mine weights about 23 kg and that added weight, on top of my own, means that the motor has to do a lot of work. I sometimes wonder if I were to switch to a normal, lighter weight bike if the difference would be minimal.
The second thing is that while you *can* ride it as a normal bike, most of the e-bikes I have ridden (my own included) feel like cycling through mud or wet sand. There's a resistance to the bike that only goes away when the motor is turned on. It's really quite difficult to ride the bike when the battery has gone flat. This really surprised me since I figured it *would* be like a normal bike but with extra oomph from the motor but in actuality without the motor it's incredibly sluggish and harder to pedal. Way harder than a normal bike!
Saying that there is the argument of not testing the range properly has another counter argument. Range is stated UP TO X miles/kilometres, thats gonna be in perfect conditions with low assist mode.
So what you were doing is a far more realistic estimate of range you can get, rather than the stated range which is a best case scenario and hence not very realistic.
I have a electric bike with a stated range of 40-100 km on a charge. Base on my use of it, in very hilly terrain with close to no flat parts i get about 70km on one charge.
Weight is a big concern, if you weigh 150 pounds (68.0389 KG), or 240 pounds (108.862 KG) it will effect the range. Or if you live three flight up, and remember removable batteries are not the answer, eBike theft is the fastest growing problem in a number if US cities. Locked secure garages are prime suspect, and replacing stolen batteries on locked eBikes is shocking expensive...
Went on a 1200km roadtrip with an ebike this summer. By far the most underrated mode of transport
Where did you keep your stuff? Did you have a backpack when roadtripping?
@@brokenbutterfly9521 I used a trailer for my dog and the stuff
Ebikes are amazing ! I am 82 years old and was finding hills too much for me on a standard bike . I have up cycling altogether in the end . 6 months ago I bought an ebike . I have never looked back . I can cycle happily for miles now just putting in as much effort as I please . My fitness has improved vastly . Best purchase I ever made . It's so much fun too and the motor hum is strangely relaxing and satisfying . The bike is the lower end of price but it does a great job . Only issue was a very hard saddle. Easily sorted . If anyone is hesitating I would say go ahead and get one . You will not regret it ....
I bought myself a SRSUNTOUR suspension seat post for my Haibike trekking 6 for a smoother ride, it’s great.
"Like driving over a teenager's face." I think you have a future in comedy!
What! The best thing about removable battery is surely the fact that you could care more batteries and thus extend your range.
Theyre too heavy to carry while you ride really
For us northern people u do not want to keep ur battery in the shed during winter.
@@will1603 even in a backpack?
@@godminnette2 yeah for sure
@@will1603 you can balance one on the pannier rack . Just strap it up
All I know is my partner and myself get outside and ride our ebikes way more than we ever rode our old ones. She also hated riding in the wind but just up the assist problem solved. Basically love our ebikes.
In 4 months on my Haibike I’ve lost over 10 kg so yes they are great fun and make commuting and keeping active really easy Best thing I ever bought
Got my hardseven 5 about 2 weeks, I'm hardly getting to my car now, as the place where I live is few hills, now is pleasure for me to cycle, and I can do this much much longer and still get sweat. Best decision ever, at least now I want to cycle every day not like before - occasionaly
Thanks for making this video! It was especially useful/entertaining for me as I live in Odd Down and know all the roads you cycled on very well! Ralph Allen drive and Entry Hill are super exciting fun to go down, but having to cycle up, not so much! I'm sold on e-bikes! Happy e-cycling!
6:36 How to tell everyone you're British, without telling everyone you're British.
British people say sorry more than any other country in the world.
Great video! I have owned an E Bike for a couple of weeks now. I am retired and my wife uses her E Bike to commute back and forth to work. At least until it snows. Our E Bikes cost $1500 USD each but since we bought two the company discounted them $150. The current demographic in the US shows that more E Bikes are sold to those people that are between 55 and 67 years old. Our bikes have a 500 watt hub motor restricted to assist to 23mph. This is a class 2 bike that can be used on any bike path or trail. With pedal assist I got mine up to 30mph yesterday. It has a 7 speed derailleur and a twist grip throttle so you can either us 5 assist levels with or without pedaling. I use the 5th gear at assist level 2 to get around town which is 14 or so mph. The battery is a removable Samsung 46V 16amp lithium that gives the bike a 25 to 55 mile range. The tail light is integrated into the frame in the rear rack and turns on when brake and on steady when you turn it and the 46 V headlamp on. It has an adjustable/Lockable front fork suspension. It’s load limit is 300 lbs. The disc brakes have a 180 disc.
I love riding this bike after I’ve owned and logged thousands of miles on a dozen regular 10 -21 geared bikes. These are so much fun and at 68 years old they keep me up with the other guys and girls that I ride with. Happy biking to you and I’ll subscribe to your UTube channel to monitor your adventures.
This is such a good video for in depth reviewing of e-bikes, well done
Great video Simon- extremely well researched , informed and great presentation .
I've been riding e-bikes for neatly four years. I've had 4 bikes in that time and progressed from a hybrid bike with a 400Whr battery to a full suspension e-MTB with a 625Whr battery which does 72 kilometres with ease. My homemade e-bike had all the e-bike parts stolen from it when thieves broke in through my garage roof and took the battery, controller and hub motor. They couldn't take the bike though as it was chained to the floor through a ground mount. I claimed through my home insurance for all the parts and a new metal garage roof. I have also fitted two alarm systems and never do any bike maintenance on my drive way in public view. I've lost 15kg in weight and my old joints are now a lot less painful as e-biking is like physio for your legs and hip joints. Great video, thanks.
Fuckin' thieves. This is why I left London
I only get 30-35 miles out of my pack which is 900whr. 750w motor
The stated range on almost all e-bikes, are very optimistic (lowest assist level, new asphalt, 75-85kg total weight, max tire pressure & dry weather with no wind).
If you only ride with max assistance, you would only get about half the stated range.
Other than that, it's the best thing since... well.. the bicycle :D
technically my ebike should only reach approx 30km under full load, it's a 48V 500W Tongsheng motor (torque sensing, really asks 15A max which is more like 700W) with a 624Wh 48V Hailong style battery
yet i've done 50km with it on max assist but thats mainly thanks to the torque sensing instead of cadence
My Aventon goes farther on just throttle than the highest pedal assist. But at 28 I get there faster than the 20 mph throttle.
@@ghz24 you can probably unlock the throttle speed.
@@JudeTheCZcamsPoopersubscribe I'd actually rather not unlock the throttle for a couple reasons.
First it gives me an incentive to exercise and the ability to moderate how much exercise.
Second the police here are usually wrong about the law and I may have to pass rigorous inspections and defend the ability to even go 28. Most cops think 20 mph is some maximum speed and don't know what a class 3 means, mostly due to early laws being aimed at gas powered kit bikes.
Having it completely legal makes me immune to over active enforcement.
Besides I can go about 25 mph by just down shifting and rotating the pedals while contributing no actual force to propel the bike. It's fast enough for me on a bicycle on the street.
My point was it's wrong to assume that pedal assist is always lower draw than running on throttle at least with a class 3.
@@ghz24 cops sound confused and think class 2 is the fastest legally allowed. I doubt you are doing much exercise on the bike anyway if it goes 28mph on pedal assist lol.
Excellent video. I’ve just ordered one and really looking forward to it! I trialled one a little while back and was immediately hooked
Thank you! Probably this is the only video which answered all my questions regarding an ebike!
"who's going to nick an electric bike without the battery" - well it is Bristol... I've had three bikes stolen here so far!
Yea, don't ever leave a bike unwatched in public unless it's locked to something permanent with a U-lock.
@@legitpancake4276
Definitely use a D-Lock. Cable locks can be cut in seconds
D locks are easily removed
Front wheel got nicked from the first bike I bought with my own money in Bristol :[. Outside Tesco Eastgate and the bike I was using for paper round got nicked from outside shop.
I'm Danish so bicycles are very normal over here and we have good infrastructure to support bikes (I know you have better infrastructure Netherlands I know I know), but I have a electric bike and use it to commute every morning, and for longer distances I use public transport. I don't need a car.
Got to be one of the best videos on ebikes on CZcams. Very interesting and informative.
Thank you brother for an amazing review
6:14 You got a cheeky "Come on, Murray" in there! Hat Films would be proud!
Thank you very much for highlighting all the pros and cons. I have ditched my car and have been commuting daily to work on an e-bike since the last 1 year. I agree with every word you said. We need more people to leave their cars and get to cycling.
It makes no sense taking the size and weight of cars that we do to work every day and usually just with one person inside. In the UK fuel is heavily taxed and people will spend more money on fuel than on their mortgage in many cases. Crazy world no doubt.
I'm really happy for this conclusion. Living 30 or more km away from school, work and friends I've had to drive a lot of car, there are not a lot of options like busses, but if I can loan my grandmother's el bike and charge it for example at my friends house... It sounds ideal! Ofc I'll have to buy my own after a while! (sorry for long random comment, but everything for boosting the alorythm;))
It isn't quite a complete car replacement if you have inclement weather in your area. No matter the effort reduction, going out in the rain on a bike for an extended period of time isn't going to be a barrel of fun.
@@seismic6402 You are absolutely right, I could not live where I live now without a car, the roads are still snowy and will probably stay that way for a while. But when they are bare and the weather is good I do love to bike to the closest shop (10km), buy groceries and get bit of fresh air, and I would love to go all the way to my friends without stinking of sweat as well. I guss I made it sound like an el bike could solve all my problems, wich it could not, but it could be a lot of fun!
Love the video. Actually makes me interested in getting an ebike.
Phew you had a BUSY morning before that zoom call ;) So fun to see! :D
Coming from the Netherlands, I never understood why anyone would want an e-bike, but I am starting to get round to them because of all these damn hills here in England :p
they are used a lot here in the Netherlands as well. especially in the more rural areas it more or less is starting to out grow the regular bikes.
I have lived for most of my life in Zeeland and believe me going anywhere with out is still a challenge. the e-motor makes it as if you are driving with the wind in your back.
electric bikes are very popular in the netherlands now. a big % of sales. they make wind not matter. Personally i don't like them because I can go faster on normal bike.
The problem is people stealing the bike as soon as you buy them gets stolen the next day with or without battery
Buy a high quality lock. Also request your local council invests in cycle Hub's which have restricted access and CCTV.
Mine costs £10 a year for the entire city but having the reassurance that only other cyclists can use it and it is being recorded is worth it.
Great video. I'm getting an amazing range from my 16Ah EAPC/e-bike here in Australia. I guess you just have to be prepared to do some of the work yourself, and let the assistance help you out on the more difficult sections to extend the manufacturers indicated range a bit further
I've just got myself a bike and getting it converted soon and I honestly just can't wait! Live on a small isladn with quite a few hills so seems absolutely ideal!
Very cool video... I got an e-bike a few weeks ago and I'm super happy with it. But one thing is definitely different in the US... I would not trust car drivers here and I try to avoid sharing a road with cars as much as I can. If I have to use a regular road, I ride as far on the shoulder as possible or even utilize sidewalks (not when pedestrians are around of course). Our town is in the process of building dedicated cycling paths and lanes and I'm looking forward to that...
Great video Simon, just a quick tip based on what i can see at 1:02, you might want to adjust the saddle so its parallel to the ground. Trust me your balls will thank you if you ever go on a longer ride!
Really good video about what an eBike actually is. My eBike is my main source of transport and I love it. Owning a mid-drive pedal assist sure does let you exercise, but you can do it without the dread of hill climbs and being sweaty when you get to where you're going.
Thank you for your clear and fast moving informative video. I'm getting my Alpine Explorer E-Trike Next week.
Due to certain health concerns I had the choice of getting an e-bike or sitting at home.
I got an e-bike and the world is a wonderful place.
E bikes are a great way of getting round! Just a little note on storing the battery in your shed - should be fine for most of the year but last winter my battery stopped working because the temp got as low as -5 during the middle of the night. Luckily it started working again once I brought it inside and allowed it to warm back up but those freezing temps could damage your battery
Elderly person here. At age 78, I purchased a Class 2 Blix Aveny E-bike for the purpose of getting exercise on the flat bike trails of Dallas.I had only put 200 miles (320 km) on the bike before an arthritic knee forced me to temporarily garage it, but I leaned to love riding it. I gave up my ten-speed, conventional bicycle years ago, but E-biking is a whole new ball game. The daily ride I took from my house to the end of the Northaven Trail and back is 13 miles, or 21 km, and I could ride this route twice on each battery charge, so a 40 km range is assured. I will soon undergo surgery to fix my knee, and my primary goal is to get back on the bike as soon as possible. I urge older people to try an E-bike, or at least talk to your health care provider about the possibility. I find my Blix to be a good ride for me, but if I am able to take longer rides after recovery, I may upgrade to a bike with a frame-mounted motor. I think they will become the standard in the near future.
I've brought my ebike about a month ago... loving it...as for a few points you made...I use mine for all my little journeys and I think that the negative bits about the battery are outweighed by the fact I'm not using my car...got to be better for the environment in the long run.....I also worked out that by not using the car, the bike pays for itself in a year...
Also like you said it's fun...
I've got a range of about 80kms, which is great
I love using it
I am 72 and i built a bike, you know the sort of thing, Frame, then some wheels, then brakes etc, it took about six weeks buying one or two things each week, quite a lot came from China, but no rubbish, only reasonable quality gear. So I finished it and took it for a ride(I live in Bristol too), I ended up sat on the Pavement trying to recover from a hill that totally beat me, turned my legs to jelly and I couldn't even stand up for 15 minutes, it was horrendous. At this point I should mention that my pelvis is held together with several titanium plates and over 30 screws, the result of a bicycle accident in the mid 90's. No way could I continue cycling after this and I was going to give up on all the good work and money I had spent, It was really frustrating and disheartening, old age was finally hitting home. Then I had a lightbulb moment! As I had built the bike from scratch, why not go the extra mile and turn it into an Ebike.
I bought a Bafang 250 watt kit(I wanted to be legal), That was another £400, so I fitted the motor, it's a mid drive system, and I had no problem fitting it, everything to help you is on CZcams the biggest problem is routing all the wires so they look like they were born there(I'm a bit of a perfectionist, so it has to look reasonably tidy). For power I decided to be unconventional, the truth is I am too mean to pay the ridiculous price of a shark battery pack and charger. So as I was into RC helicopters and had a good charger, I went with Lithium ion batteries, a bit more fiddly in the beginning, but a decision I haven't regretted.
What a difference, I have set it up so that I have 5 power settings, I spend most of my time in number 1, great for pulling away from a stop and it gives you a small boost on the flat and slight slopes, and very economical with the power. I've learnt to use the power settings in the same way you change gears and only use number 5, the highest setting, for those big hills like redcatch hill and the hill that stretches from just past temple meads(Bristol railway station) up through totterdown(that's a nasty hill) until you hit Broadwalk, If you know Bristol you will know what I mean, Sometimes even the Lycra boys end up pushing their bikes up there. Don't get me wrong, it's still a work out, it is after all pedal assist, you can't stop pedalling and throttle up a hill like an electric motor bike like you sometimes see in the American Videos, You still have to work at it, Its like you have a mate pedaling with you when you hit those long or steep hills that Bristol is quite famous for. I carry spare batteries if I for instance go to Bath, but touch wood, I have never needed to use them and they don't take up much space in the paniers where the main batteries live. I had my doubts in the beginning of this journey, But Ebikes are the way to go to get you from A to B and exploring some of the picturesque sights around our part of the world if you are not 100% fit, or are like me not ready to give up just yet as we reach the latter part of our lives. WOW! that was a long one, SORRY!
Thanks for that Ray…..my husband has expressed an interest in ebike conversion kit. My daughter lived in Bristol as a student and we marvelled at the superfit “oldies”cycling up and down the steep gradients of Gloucester Rd (without appearing to break a sweat!) Happy cycling
Giggling here thinking as we get older our posts get longer. Had same experience I’m in my 60’s with bad legs after a 20 foot fall over 2 decades ago. Require the assistance to get bike moving and on hills. After 2 years of owning an e bike I’m now out and about a lot more and more inclined to use my ebike than my car or any other form of transport.
I've had my electric bike for over a year...have been a cyclist for 40 years, I absolutely love my Ebike, I'm still fit enough to ride a non Ebike, but the speed and ease. I love it..
I bought an ebike in March of 2020 and like you it changed my life. About a month ago (four months out of warranty, of course) the motor started glitching and until I get it repaired I've pulled out of storage my old manual bike (circa 1974) and it's been a shock. All that work wipes the smile from your face. I have a Metric Century organized bike ride a week from now I signed up earlier this summer for assuming I'd be riding my ebike. This will really test my mettle. I’m hoping I can get back to ebike riding soon, but it won't be before the Century ride, I’m afraid.
Thanks for this Simon. You have helped me make my decision to buy an eBike. I also subscribed to Curiosity stream which I did not know about.
Now that you say it it actually makes perfect sense for hilly areas!.. I rented an electric bike a couple years ago in Copenhagen and found it to be uncomfortable, heavy, hard to control and utterly unnecessary. But also Copenhagen, as well as my own city, are flat as a pancake, so, really, cycling anywhere is a breeze anyway. But for hills, this actually sounds amazing.
A lot of ebike videos emphasize top speed, but I'm more interested in hill-climbing ability, since I live in a hilly area.
They are amazing for hills, but it would be best to try out the model you are interested in. I live in the US and ride through forests, and in some areas you only go downhill to get to the next uphill! I encounter 12% or steeper grades all the time, but they are not a problem.
@@mikepublic111 For hills you should avoid hub motors and gear down as needed. In doubt try and judge a rental.
@@jochenschrey2909 I have a hub motor and I have not yet needed to change gear once on my bike best thing I ever bought.
Make sure you lock the frame and wheels with a top notch lock. Also, I remove the controller and battery as theses cost £500 to replace.
I also bought an alarm that is loud, hidden, and gives a series of beeps if you touch and you can hear it all over the grocery store parking lot. I was totally satisfied with it and it cost only $20 and came with a key fob. I attached a $30 , $20 on sale tracking device from lowes, ( it’s made to find your keys) I used it to tell me where my keys were that I had dropped at the grocery store a mile from my house. We used my wife’s key to get home, when there used my phone that was at home to give a map picture and address as to where my keys were.
Hey Simon, Loving the video! So happy to hear you are happy with the e-bike! Are you happy for us to share your video on our social media?
Great presentation. Informative and a lot of fun. One thing not featured is that your gears aren't just for show because you have some e-assistance . You use them just about as much. Same as without battery assist, it's still about matching gear level with load - and how much power you are willing to contribute yourself. I ride only for fun and exercise and I find I'm kept busy shifting up and down, and adjusting power levels, to deliver the smoothest ride. For all that it becomes quite intuitive, and the fun factor is evident from the very start. I can't think of a better investment in my lifestyle!
13:29 "It just works" - Todd Howard and now Dr. Simon Clark
Hey at least he doesn't fall out of the world every ten seconds
As 🇳🇱, more choices for cycling are great.
Cycling is only an option if the roads allow it safely, the country is dense enough that things are in range and the weather is comfortable to cycle in. That unfortunately eliminates most of the world.
It covers most of Western Europe, for a start, which is responsible for a lot of transport-based carbon.
It would also cover most of the USA by population, for local journeys, apart from possibly the question of whether the roads are safe enough.
It's mostly to do with the infrastructure, I've seen. There are some examples of cities which maintain cycling during the winter, despite the cold conditions. There's a few good videos about it.
There is nonbad weather, only bad equipment and mindset. Just watch some finns biking to kindergarten in -20°C. Also, e-bikes allow you to always carry all the stuff you may need in case of bad weather.
I've only just gotten mine and I'm super happy with it. I've been cycling for short trips and nearby shops but living somewhere with a few big hills and longer distances cycling starts becoming impractical pretty quick for much else. Sure you can get there, but it takes a looot of effort and then you also have to get back. The ebikes really address a lot of those shortcomings handily and really increases the usability of a bike in a practical sense
Great video! Was kinda scared when the camera hit the floor, thought you made a nasty fall. I've ordered my first e-bike and am planning to sell my car, since I live next door to work (litterally :)). Hope it will get me more outside since it's always a hassle to take the car (very busy street) to relatives/somewhere. Seeing this video convinces me that I made the right call and makes the wait extra hard/sweet.
People should consider selling their car if it's underused, replacing it with an electric bike or even an electric cargo bike.
I did just that.
I'd love to have a cargo bike, but I got a folding ebike because of space limitations in my apartment.
I got a Burley bike trailer to carry more stuff when I go shopping.
Sold my truck 5 years ago, been riding only. But got a ebike a year ago. It's really fun and way better on the hills
I live in New York. You’ll get robbed lmao
@@kharilemon9508 i'm watching channel StreetFilms, in New York there are plenty of people commuting on bicycles, and they don't get robbed.
Is max range really a big question for e-bikes? I get a sore ass way before I use the battery.
if it's any help, you can get a comfort seat installed. they're relatively cheap but not the best for trails and off-road stuff
Considering purchasing an e-bike for travel to work. This has been very helpful
69 yrs old, 1 yr, 2800 miles, 2000 dollars, cadence, hub, Class 3. Maybe the best purchase of my life.
Thanks for your review. My 1 year ownership has just passed and I tend to use mine as a commute to work and for short trips to local shops which are at the top of the hill where I live at the bottom. My local climate has very cold and wet winters so there is a period of a couple of months where my ebike is not practical. Otherwise it's been a great supplement to my car.
I'll be honest I didn't like them cause it looked like cheating, it felt a bit bad seeing people pass me up on a steep climb without breaking a sweat while I suffered on my road bike. but having watched the whole video I think you make a compelling argument, it doesn't matter that it helps you out, it's still better for people to get out and cycle on that rather than drive a car or not go outside at all! and if you care about speed like me and want to cycle for the exercise, a traditional road bike is still faster on the straights, lighter and not that much slower even at hill climbs.
.. and if there are a lot of hills, you can hear their battery slowly dying as they try and get up all of them on full assist.
Or you do both. I have a regular gravel bike for the exercise and also an e-bike when I don't need the exercise (there is some inevitably) or the sweat when I arrive. Average speedwise I'd say it's similar for me on my regular routes I usually take (measured on 20-40 km).
It's so funny to me that some people view e-bikes as cheating. As if your regular solo bike ride was some sort of a race you can win. But it makes sense, i see a lot of people riding on regular shared pedestrian/bike paths as if it was the tour de france, almost total disregard for the pedestrians, so no wonder they are mad when someone actually overtakes them without even breaking a sweat. But that's really a problem of their mindset rather than anything else. If somebody wants to compete with other cyclist, they should sign up for a race.
@@vratislavjindrich1863 totally agree. Of course it's cheating if it is a bike race. :)
The height of cheating of any kind is driving a car where you don't do any kind of labour to propel it forward.
@@vratislavjindrich1863 yup its definitely an irrational thought, and now that i think about it with the same logic some really light weight road bike could be considered "cheating" too. which is also noncensical as most people on the road are just traveling from point A to B and couldnt care less if someone overtakes them with some ultra light carbon fiber super bike lol
My brother has been a bike commuter in Birmingham for many years, and he became convinced by e bikes when he was struggling up a steep hill and some old guy in his 60s came flying past him on an e bike like he was on the flat.
I borrowed an e bike from Trek Bikes back in 2019 for a weekend. It was great fun. If I had need of a bike for commuting I’d be all over a nice e bike.
makes you wonder why E bikes don't have battery recharging equipment built into the mechanical peddling and passive spinning downhills so that using the bike literally charges it while you ride it to extend battery life.
14:11 "...and they make cycling and being outdoors really fun". That's just adorable! Many of us find it really fun _without_ the battery and motor.... but I get it: it's much, much better to be outside on an e-bike than in a car.
I use an e bike for mountain biking rather than commuting and it’s an absolute game changer
Great video 👍 We have four Ridgeback bikes - but all non-electric. But it looks like I need to start saving up for an electric one in my future. Hopefully by then battery density might provide a 60+ mile range, or a lighter bike to lift over gates 🤣
Great video mate , very impressed
I would be interested to know how well the same trip would be after using the battery for over a year plus.
i'm anticipating it would not work as well, of course a new battery would fix that right up. compare that to the cost of car maintenance and it's not _that_ offensive of a purchase.
I’ve had my ebike for a year and I 100% agree with you on everything. Up until getting a car in my late 20’s, I had always been biking to get from A to B and was actually kinda annoyed with the try-hard business guys in full cycling kit blasting past me on the inner-city bikelanes. Last year, due to financial and logistical reasons, the car had to go and I replaced it with that ebike and it’s just been FUN. It’s gotten me out a lot more to explore my city and riding for further and longer than I ever did when I was younger. Its turned biking from a necessary chore into a leisure hobby for me.
Had my bike for a couple years now, deffinitly agree that it's hecking fun and gets me to explore my area way, way more and way more often.
My area should be getting better Bike infrastructure soon too so I might be able to reliably commute with it until winter hits us here in BC Canada every year
It's not try hard to wear cycling gear if you are an avid cyclist. What a weird opinion.
I LOVE my ebike! I bought it something like 7 years ago now so it's pretty old. But Since I live near the centre of a small town I can go anywhere local very easily. That's despite having a chronic illness. I actually find it much easier than using public transport as for me the light physical effort is more than outwayed by the lack of mental strain of deciphering bus timetables, working out where the stops are, and worrying about missing busses or them not turning up and being stranded in the cold. I'm just on the lookout for a new bike as my old bike is a folding one with little wheels and I no longer ever need to fold it soo looking to upgrade.
Just get a good lock and, if your bike has the motor in one of the wheels, put the lock through that wheel as well as the frame. Cause the wheel with motor is one of the most valuable parts. Also, bike theft insurance is really not that expensive if you shop around. Mind you I paid about £800 for mine, and I very often park it next to regular peddle bikes that cost multiple times what it did new. So I reckon most theifs would rather go for a lightweight carbon fibre thing than a heavy e-bike without the key, and often battery.
We just bought two Lectric ST bikes as Christmas presents for ourselves. Beautifully made, perfect paint, suspensions, bike lock, fenders, upright riding style, 20 x 3" tires, foldability. 7 speed via a simple but reliable derailleur. And the cherry on top-- 1hp electric motor to help out with the hills via either cadence or hand throttle. Each bike under $1,000.
Ebikes are now affordable.
I'm now 71 and I've ridden everything--3 speed, 18-speed, street, mountain, exotic, and a couple of motorcycles ridden daily on the LA freeways. But I'd been away from any bikes for 20 years. Now, with these eBikes, we will be doing our shopping and riding around the lake here in Oregon in the warmer seasons. Lectric is a brand-new company, headquartered in Phoenix, and staffed by young eBike enthusiasts. Lots of other ebike companies, of course, so shop around.
For the flats simple Dutch-style bikes are perfect. For the hills, motor assist is a big help.
In my working life I couldn’t of got away with walking into a business meeting sweating my bollocks off in t shirt and shorts lol. Great honest review and certainly gives me a much better idea.
In my working life I always have meetings first thing but get to work around 30mins early to freshen up and get changed in the toilets. It's all about planning and you'll be fine. I was the first to start doing this in our office and then seemed to set the trend when other noticed it wasnt so bad and the savings I was making.
The thing that attracts me, a regular cycle commuter, is the speed.
I can do about 17 km/h for about 90 minutes on reasonably flat road and gravel mix. That wrecks me.
The idea that I can go 25 km/h or 32 km/h here in New Zealand is very attractive.
This is exactly the review I was looking for. I always wondered if an ebike would help me with the hellish climbs on my commute which have put me off cycling to work over the years.
Very informative. Thanks.
At: 1:13 Simon talks about the range of electric alternatives from the UK, the scooter and motorcycle are created by Supersoco, they are not British but Chinese. MCM rate them 2/5, only useful to people living in a city to travel to another part of the same city.
He didn't say the electric alternatives were _from_ the UK, he said that there were four types _in_ the UK, presumably as defined by regulators and legislation.
The thing i'd be more worried about over range, specifically, is having the extra weight of a dead battery in an uphill climb like that, though i think you showed you can plan around it, and having somewhere to safely put your expensive car replacement at your destination. The lifespan of the batteries is also a concern, since they will lose capacity over time, and need replacement if you want to keep using the bike... But considering it's instead of a car, and compared to stuff like earbuds and smartphones with glued-in batteries, it's not the worst offender by far.
There's also the rather expensive option to carry a second battery, and swap it in mid-ride if the one in your bike runs low.
My old ebike was awful when the battery died the motor held you back plus the extra weight, have changed to a mid drive motor and its lighter and easier to pedal if the battery goes flat.
Had mine 2 years now! Cycled since I was a kid and mountain biked in Cyprus with a club for 20 years. After a major Op in 2012 which left scarring on my left lung. This left me having difficulty cycling regularly. Now my Ebike has helped me get out on a daily basis and I’m enjoying it once more. Recommend them to other cyclists.
Excellent video. You explained the law and differences of Ebike categories very well. Most Chinese manufacturers such as Fiido etc do not explain that nearly all of their bikes are not pedelecs. Most can provide non assisted acceleration without pedaling. Hence require registration, insurance and a driving licence .
Good advice re how to use a pedelec ebike.
Great video! At 0:33, it looks like your saddle has a pretty extreme upwards tilt. Perhaps the geometry is different for ebikes but at least for road bikes we try and have the saddle horizontal to avoid excess pressure on soft tissue...
Jumped to my eye as well
yikes
i have a E bike myself and i love the feeling of driving it. it just feels amazing and it makes you less tired due to the motor. its very useful for old poeple who dont have a lot of strenght or stamina as it GREATLY reduces the stamina input. i myself dont get tired at all i like regain stamina as i bike but once you go without the motor biking feels a lot heavier and slower. just a heads up nothing bad
You don't drive it, you ride it
Cool video. Have to go to another town today with some luggage for a job, so firing up the car. But since getting an ebike at the end of July, I haven't used it! Ebiking is definitely more fun in the summer. Let's see how autumn goes
Great vid 👊🏾🙏🏾