On 9/24/2017 7:58 PM, Mark J. wrote:
On 9/22/2017 5:40 PM, jbeattie wrote:
On Friday, September 22, 2017 at 5:26:32 PM UTC-7, sms wrote:

[big snip]


Apparently e-bikes are extremely popular in Europe and Asia where
there's more transportational cycling, and not in the U.S. where it's
more recreational.

It's cheating, but I'm going to buy one for my wife -- and then use
it. Sorry, honey, got to take the eBike today.

Damn - great minds really do think alike!Â* Just took my wife for an
e-bike test ride Friday.Â* She liked it.
I'm figuring she can motor-pace me some days.

I'm feeling the temptation, but holding the line on getting one for me -
for now.

I am hoping that the mid-drive retrofit kit that is coming out next year
from a Korean company will be priced reasonably. It looks much better
than the Chinese Bafang retrofit kits that have become popular and that
cost $800-900 with battery. LUU Lighting has very good quality lighting
products so hopefully their retrofit kit will be the same. They said
that they are exhibiting it at CES in January, and that the Korean
government is paying for their CES booth because of this product. They
had a single sheet flier about it at Interbike.

The electric wheels all have drawbacks. Having a large battery spinning
inide a wheel, or even stationary inside a wheel just seems like the
wrong approach. At least the Copenhagen wheel has regenerative braking
so the batter size can be a little smaller, but most e-Bikes don't have
this.