electric bikes on centuries

"Roger Zoul" wrote in message
...
Daryl Hunt wrote:
:: "Roger Zoul" wrote in message
:: ...
::: Janet wrote:
::::: Werehatrack wrote:
:::::: On Tue, 30 Jan 2007 16:59:07 -0700, "Daryl Hunt"
:::::: may have said:
::::::
::::::
::::::: I think there are a few reasons you don't see Low Speed Electric
::::::: Bicycles (legal term).
:::::::
::::::: First of all, they would only be really able to ride in the 10
::::::: mile run. Range past that just isn't really going to happen.
::::::: Claiming otherwise is sort of like claiming that your Moutain
::::::: Bike can maintain 30 mph over a 60 mile race.
::::::
::::::
:::::: Breathalysers can usually shed a lot of light on such claims.
::::::
:::::: In any event, more than half of what's required in order to go
:::::: 30mph for 60 miles is a rider who's capable of that level of
:::::: sustained output. Bikes sold with such claims wouldn't be
:::::: marketed to the riders who might be able to achieve the result
:::::: with a *suitable* bike, because even the marketing people are
:::::: smart enough to know that the real racers are not going to
:::::: believe the hype. Well, *most* of them won't, anyway.
::::::
::::::
::::::: And don't forget about that carberator that gets your car 200
::::::: mpg. Now, you can go the long distance but, even when you are
::::::: helping the motor by pedalling most of the time, I doubt you
::::::: want to finish the last half of the race pedalling that extra
::::::: 40 pounds or so.
::::::
::::::
:::::: Nasty laws of physics, we hates them! Give us a nice fantasy
:::::: world where we can do what we likes!
::::::
::::::
::::::: I think the biggest is that the "Pure" cyclists make the Low
::::::: Speed Electric Bicycles (pedal assist) feel about as welcome as
::::::: an absessed tooth.
::::::
::::::
:::::: Actually, in a non-race long-ride setting, I think some of the
:::::: snobs would welcome (or at least not snub) *certain* riders
:::::: aboard an electric-assist bike. If the rider has a physical
:::::: limitation (other than simple lack of conditioning) which makes
:::::: it impractical or impossible to participate without the assist,
:::::: even the majority of the purists would, in my limited
:::::: experience, accept such a rider and bike. You're still right,
:::::: though. There would be a group that would stand well away,
:::::: never approach, say nothing supportive, and make snide remarks;
:::::: it would just be much smaller than would be the case if the
:::::: assisted bike was being used by (for instance) a mere couch
:::::: potato.
::::::
:::::
::::: But you ignore the possibility that a couch potato trying to
::::: become a non-couch potato might need a little assistance going
::::: uphill while in the process of getting into decent shape. Maybe
::::: just having a little help with the tougher parts will keep the
::::: couch potato from becoming discouraged by the process.
:::::
:::
::: Hmm....there seems to be a lot of better ways for couch potato to
::: improve....I doubt many would ever think of doing this.
::
:: This one did. In fact, it was such a good idea, I became an Electric
:: Bicycle Dealer. And I lost 20 lbs in the process.

One is not many. And I still think there are better ways to lose weight.

There might be but this is the one I chose and it works without a heavy
impact on anything including my swiss cheeze knees.




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Roger Zoul wrote:
One is not many. And I still think there are better ways to lose weight.

Bzzzt.
Better how?
Cycling gets you into Cardio shape better than starving your self and
maybe not getting enough Vitamins and minerals.
When I get serious about riding in the spring and summer I can (you can)
lose weight even while eating more.
Why not get the benefit of exercise?
Bill Baka

Bill Bushnell wrote:
In article ,
Bill Baka wrote:

The electric could, as you say "help" on the hills, but not enough power
in any batteries I have ever seen for multiple thousands of feet.

You must have missed one of my followups.

Entirely possible with these really active threads.

5000 feet of climbing on 350 watt-hours has been observed with a not
particularly lightweight but efficient pedal assist system, geared
properly, in combination with a significant contribution of a fit
cyclist's pedaling power.

Gearing was my concern about using an electric to climb with. If it is
geared for flat street use then it may not be much help in a climb.
The method of getting the power to the road is a big factor in how
efficient the motor can run.

350 watt-hours is possible with a 24volt/20Ah lead-acid battery that
weighs about 30 lbs. Using a Lithium battery of equivalent weight ought
to give three times this much climbing range.

Lead-acid batteries get killed pretty fast with a full discharge so I
would think that a NiMh would be the minimum battery technology to use.
Lithium might work better (It will) but cost too much.
It seems to be a matter of how much do you want to spend.
Bill Baka

"Bill Baka" wrote in message
. net...
Roger Zoul wrote:
One is not many. And I still think there are better ways to lose weight.

Bzzzt.
Better how?
Cycling gets you into Cardio shape better than starving your self and
maybe not getting enough Vitamins and minerals.
When I get serious about riding in the spring and summer I can (you can)
lose weight even while eating more.
Why not get the benefit of exercise?
Bill Baka

I don't think he means riding a bike. It appears the same feelings we get
out in the RW for our Low Speed Electric Bikes also prevail in here to some
extent.




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Daryl Hunt wrote:
:: "Bill Baka" wrote in message
:: . net...
::: Roger Zoul wrote:
:::: One is not many. And I still think there are better ways to lose
:::: weight.
:::
::: Bzzzt.
::: Better how?
::: Cycling gets you into Cardio shape better than starving your self
::: and maybe not getting enough Vitamins and minerals.
::: When I get serious about riding in the spring and summer I can (you
::: can) lose weight even while eating more.
::: Why not get the benefit of exercise?
::: Bill Baka
::
:: I don't think he means riding a bike. It appears the same feelings
:: we get out in the RW for our Low Speed Electric Bikes also prevail
:: in here to some extent.
::

You're correct, Daryl. And it's not so much that I object to what you did
to lose your 20 lbs and stop being a couch potato..that's fantastic! I was
just saying that as a means to drop some weight, there are some better ways.
That's all. In the end, of course, whatever method one chooses and finds
works is THE best way, but I don't think I'd recommend buying an electric
bike as a first, second, or third method of weight loss. Not to say that
these bikes and their kin don't have a place, mind you. For those who
commute and have heaving hills, or those that tour and want that assist
sometimes, or those that just need the help. Of course, I'm mixing in
adding electric assist with electric bikes, which is blurring the lines
here.

Bill Baka wrote:
:: Roger Zoul wrote:
::: One is not many. And I still think there are better ways to lose
::: weight.
::
:: Bzzzt.

Bzzzt what?

:: Better how?

Better than spending money on an electric bike. Why not a normal bike?
Walking is still free, too.


:: Cycling gets you into Cardio shape better than starving your self and
:: maybe not getting enough Vitamins and minerals.

Ok....

:: When I get serious about riding in the spring and summer I can (you
:: can) lose weight even while eating more.
:: Why not get the benefit of exercise?

Why are you asking such questions? Perhaps you might want to read over the
thread again.

:: Bill Baka

Roger Zoul wrote:
Daryl Hunt wrote:
:: "Bill Baka" wrote in message
:: . net...
::: Roger Zoul wrote:
:::: One is not many. And I still think there are better ways to lose
:::: weight.
:::
::: Bzzzt.
::: Better how?
::: Cycling gets you into Cardio shape better than starving your self
::: and maybe not getting enough Vitamins and minerals.
::: When I get serious about riding in the spring and summer I can (you
::: can) lose weight even while eating more.
::: Why not get the benefit of exercise?
::: Bill Baka
::
:: I don't think he means riding a bike. It appears the same feelings
:: we get out in the RW for our Low Speed Electric Bikes also prevail
:: in here to some extent.
::

You're correct, Daryl. And it's not so much that I object to what you did
to lose your 20 lbs and stop being a couch potato..that's fantastic! I was
just saying that as a means to drop some weight, there are some better ways.
That's all. In the end, of course, whatever method one chooses and finds
works is THE best way, but I don't think I'd recommend buying an electric
bike as a first, second, or third method of weight loss. Not to say that
these bikes and their kin don't have a place, mind you. For those who
commute and have heaving hills, or those that tour and want that assist
sometimes, or those that just need the help. Of course, I'm mixing in
adding electric assist with electric bikes, which is blurring the lines
here.




OK, Context problem. The electric bike is a means to get one out of the
house, and sure beats driving a tank to the gym and using fossil fuel.
My daughter had a gym membership and drove 5 miles each way. The problem
was that she was only going about twice a week, where as using a bike,
even electric, would have given her some exercise and saved the air.

The electric could be used for commuting to the gym if all else fails,
or a newbie who is out of shape could pedal out to 10-15 miles from the
house, and if worn out, use the electric to get back home.

Anything that gets one off the couch.

I'm riding tomorrow, whilst all the potatoes watch some dumb football
game. The (not so) superbowl clears the roads pretty well every year.

Bill Baka

Roger Zoul wrote:
Bill Baka wrote:
:: Roger Zoul wrote:
::: One is not many. And I still think there are better ways to lose
::: weight.
::
:: Bzzzt.

Bzzzt what?

What better ways? Weight lifting is hardly cardio, running assumes one
can run, (some of my friends can't anymore) or power walking??

:: Better how?

Better than spending money on an electric bike. Why not a normal bike?
Walking is still free, too.


:: Cycling gets you into Cardio shape better than starving your self and
:: maybe not getting enough Vitamins and minerals.

Ok....

:: When I get serious about riding in the spring and summer I can (you
:: can) lose weight even while eating more.
:: Why not get the benefit of exercise?

Why are you asking such questions? Perhaps you might want to read over the
thread again.

Somebody split the thread. Back to electric bikes. If an electric assist
is what is needed to get somebody out of the house, then it is a good
thing. Some people have very little self confidence and need a helper to
take that first step. Once they realize that they can pedal a little
with out electric assist, then maybe they can graduate to a regular
bike. Some of my friends are in that category, macho with a car, yet
fearing embarrassment on a bike.
Hence the electrics have a place.
Bill Baka

:: Bill Baka

Bill Baka wrote:
:: Roger Zoul wrote:
::: Bill Baka wrote:
::::: Roger Zoul wrote:
:::::: One is not many. And I still think there are better ways to lose
:::::: weight.
:::::
::::: Bzzzt.
:::
::: Bzzzt what?
::
:: What better ways? Weight lifting is hardly cardio, running assumes
:: one can run, (some of my friends can't anymore) or power walking??

Surely you're aren't claiming that bicycling is the BEST way to lose weight,
right? One still have to spend some bike to bike and one needs a place to
ride. Most adults that I know are very fearful of riding on the road and
for the most part, bicycle paths are far and few between. Hence, while
likely effective, cycling is hardly the BEST way to lose weight. MTB
likewise.

Simple walking combined with not eating too much is probaby best, which
weight lifting thrown in. In fact, weight lifting, while not being cardio,
can be a very effective weight loss tool.

The best means for losing weight is to simply eat less. By far the least
costly, least time consuming, least potentially harmful method.

Cycling can be a very effective means of losing weight, as can swimming,
running, playing b-ball, or any kind of ball. There are many effective ways
of losing weight.

An electric bike ends up low on the list, IMO.

:::
::::: Better how?
:::
::: Better than spending money on an electric bike. Why not a normal
::: bike? Walking is still free, too.
:::
:::
::::: Cycling gets you into Cardio shape better than starving your self
::::: and maybe not getting enough Vitamins and minerals.
:::
::: Ok....
:::
::::: When I get serious about riding in the spring and summer I can
::::: (you can) lose weight even while eating more.
::::: Why not get the benefit of exercise?
:::
::: Why are you asking such questions? Perhaps you might want to read
::: over the thread again.
::
:: Somebody split the thread. Back to electric bikes. If an electric
:: assist is what is needed to get somebody out of the house, then it
:: is a good thing. Some people have very little self confidence and
:: need a helper to take that first step. Once they realize that they
:: can pedal a little with out electric assist, then maybe they can
:: graduate to a regular bike. Some of my friends are in that category,
:: macho with a car, yet fearing embarrassment on a bike.
:: Hence the electrics have a place.

I'm sure they have a place, as I've stated already. However, I think for
most people, there are better ways to approach weight loss.

:: Bill Baka
:::
::::: Bill Baka

Bill Baka wrote:
:: Roger Zoul wrote:
::: Daryl Hunt wrote:
::::: "Bill Baka" wrote in message
::::: . net...
:::::: Roger Zoul wrote:
::::::: One is not many. And I still think there are better ways to
::::::: lose weight.
::::::
:::::: Bzzzt.
:::::: Better how?
:::::: Cycling gets you into Cardio shape better than starving your self
:::::: and maybe not getting enough Vitamins and minerals.
:::::: When I get serious about riding in the spring and summer I can
:::::: (you can) lose weight even while eating more.
:::::: Why not get the benefit of exercise?
:::::: Bill Baka
:::::
::::: I don't think he means riding a bike. It appears the same feelings
::::: we get out in the RW for our Low Speed Electric Bikes also prevail
::::: in here to some extent.
:::::
:::
::: You're correct, Daryl. And it's not so much that I object to what
::: you did to lose your 20 lbs and stop being a couch potato..that's
::: fantastic! I was just saying that as a means to drop some weight,
::: there are some better ways. That's all. In the end, of course,
::: whatever method one chooses and finds works is THE best way, but I
::: don't think I'd recommend buying an electric bike as a first,
::: second, or third method of weight loss. Not to say that these
::: bikes and their kin don't have a place, mind you. For those who
::: commute and have heaving hills, or those that tour and want that
::: assist sometimes, or those that just need the help. Of course, I'm
::: mixing in adding electric assist with electric bikes, which is
::: blurring the lines here.
:::
:::
:::
:::
:: OK, Context problem. The electric bike is a means to get one out of
:: the house, and sure beats driving a tank to the gym and using fossil
:: fuel. My daughter had a gym membership and drove 5 miles each way.
:: The problem was that she was only going about twice a week, where as
:: using a bike, even electric, would have given her some exercise and
:: saved the air.
::
:: The electric could be used for commuting to the gym if all else
:: fails, or a newbie who is out of shape could pedal out to 10-15
:: miles from the house, and if worn out, use the electric to get back
:: home.
::
:: Anything that gets one off the couch.

You're not making a strong case for an electric bike!

::
:: I'm riding tomorrow, whilst all the potatoes watch some dumb football
:: game. The (not so) superbowl clears the roads pretty well every year.
::

Good for you. Too bad we have 25 mph winds...makes it too cold.

:: Bill Baka