Killer e-Bikes

[Tom K.]

Like eBikes a couple really easy tweaks and a moped will go 45 mph.. so I've heard..

To be fair, the more mainstream (non-Chinese) players make it very difficult to soup up you e-bike motor. I'm not sure it's at all possible with Shimano, Bosch, Yamaha or Brose, but I suppose where there's a will, there's a way.

And, again to be fair, there are some brands where you essentially just toggle a switch or cut one wire or whatever and you're there. Not an overall good approach IMO.

 

[cantunamunch]

This is what the majority of e-bike haters don't get. They see a few people buzzing around town w/o pedaling and don't realize the vast majority of e-bikes are just pedal assist w/ no throttle. It just adds to your torque.

Vast majority? Not here.

Class 2s are school mopeds around here. 20 miles for me means passing 5-6 schools, easily over 40 throttle-only e-bikes. Every morning.

And if your lawmakers live anywhere near the slightly affluent parts of DC metro (what are the odds?), they're likely seeing very similar scenes

 

[teejaywhy]

I'll want to get the killer e-bike. but first, I'm going to order some DeathWish skis.

 

[cantunamunch]

But,but,but….I mean…you can hit 26mph on a normal road bike as well ain’t that right?

You can, but, unless you're on a downhill, it means you have some training and bike handling experience.

Enough not to whizz up an 8mph sidewalk into a blind corner, for example.
Enough not to crest up a hill at 18mph and try to hit 45 by gravity into a 4-way stop sign.
Enough not to try switchbacking on cold wet trails under power (yes, I had Schadenfreude when that little twit slid out, but he slid out towards me)
Enough not to be in the oncoming traffic lane going into an underpass tunnel.

And all those were just since Jan. 1st.

 

[firebanex]

I detest throttles on ebikes. Just get a motorcycle or big scooter and go play on the road with cars like the rest of us.

I don't partially have strong feelings about speed limits yet on pedal assist bikes but the current 20mph feels quite good. I commute at 16-18mph on a road bike, limiting someone to 20mph assist should be plenty.

 

[crgildart]

I detest throttles on ebikes. Just get a motorcycle or big scooter and go play on the road with cars like the rest of us.

I don't partially have strong feelings about speed limits yet on pedal assist bikes but the current 20mph feels quite good. I commute at 16-18mph on a road bike, limiting someone to 20mph assist should be plenty.

What about ICE dirt bikes? Dirt ICE bike with a throttle is different than a dirt ebike with a throttle?

 

[crgildart]

To be fair, the more mainstream (non-Chinese) players make it very difficult to soup up you e-bike motor. I'm not sure it's at all possible with Shimano, Bosch, Yamaha or Brose, but I suppose where there's a will, there's a way.

And, again to be fair, there are some brands where you essentially just toggle a switch or cut one wire or whatever and you're there. Not an overall good approach IMO.

Can you change the gearing to get a faster top end?

 

[Tom K.]

Can you change the gearing to get a faster top end?

Nope. They typically run off a rear wheel speed sensor.

Pretty regimented stuff, nearly to the point of silliness. For instance, the latest fad is mtb is mullet bikes, with a 27.5 rear wheel and 29 front. If a bike is sold as an e-29er, and somebody wants to do their own mullet conversion, their speed will top out at less than 20, and manufacturers are prohibited from offering software tweaks to compensate for this, for fear that somebody will -- gasp! -- install the 27.5 software and keep running a 29er rear wheel, thus gaining a smidgen of speed.

 

[cantunamunch]

What about ICE dirt bikes? Dirt ICE bike with a throttle is different than a dirt ebike with a throttle?

Don't let get me started about the dirt bikers on the MUPs.

 

[firebanex]

I should clarify. If it's got pedals to pedal, then it shouldn't have a throttle. If it's fixed pegs then it gets a throttle. Also peeps on ICE dirt bikes in my area are pretty good at staying off paths and places where pedal bikes and pedestrians are.

 

[T-Square]

I look at e-bikes and e-trikes as a way for people to get out and get some exercise. They allow people who couldn’t otherwise use the assist to get up hills and make the whole experience a lot more enjoyable. If things are enjoyable then people are more likely to participate and get exercise. Not everyone is out to join a race peloton.

A throttle allows those with disabilities to get home safely if their energy craps out on the ride. I’m diabetic and once my glucose crashed near the end of a 25 mile ride. I drank some juice and used my throttle to get me the mile left to return home. As far as speeding on trails, that happens with both electric and non-electric bikes and trikes. What is needed are enforced speed limits on trails.