I'm thinking about getting an electric bike.

[Longhorn]

Y'all have been with me from the beginning, since this group formed the same week I started riding. You've heard me complain about my hills. I'm making progress but I'd really like to commute the entire way to work -- 17 miles. My plan is to get a bike that will allow me to pedal but give me extra power when needed so that I can get to school in a reasonable amount of time. Right now, the one-way trip would take me about two hours! Then, as I get stronger, I could begin making the trip without the motor, at least on the days I don't have to be there so early. I read about a guy who did just that on www.bikeforums.net. He lost 70 pounds and now only rides the electric bike on days he needs to take it easy, such as after a long weekend ride.

If I don't do this, my commuting days will be limited this fall. I have a 7:45 a.m. class two days a week. I'm not a morning person and I know I won't make myself leave the house at 6 a.m. just to drive and park and ride 6.5 miles, as I'm doing now. However, I think I will get up early and go if I can ride from home as a true daily commuter. Does that make sense? It's all about motivation!

I can't even transition from the 6.5 miles to the 17 because it's all rural roads so there's no place for me to park in between -- no businesses or commercial or public parking -- nada. I thought about driving with my bike on the rack one day, riding home, riding back the next, then driving home, and repeating. However, my campus is an isolated ten-story building on top of a hill. I would not feel comfortable at all leaving my Saleen Mustang convertible there overnight as there is absolutely no one there and if someone wanted to steal it or vandalize it, he could mess with it all night long and no one would hear the alarm.

I'm not sure if I should go for the bike or get a kit. I have a mountain bike with 26-inch wheels that I could convert that would leave my Trek 7200 intact. Or there are kits for the 700c wheels, too. I can spend as little as $150 on a ZAP kit or as much as about $1500 on a Giant Lite bicyle. There are also some midpriced bikes ($800) to consider.

If I'm going to do it, I need to make sure it has the power to help me up the hills and last at least 17 miles. My ride to school ends with a killer hill and those bikes are heavy. It would be the absolute worst time to run out of juice as it would be very difficult to push up that hill. (I just got an inclinometer so I'm going to have an idea what the grade is on that hill soon!) I'm just trying to increase my average speed from the current 9.5 mph to something closer to 15 mph!

So what do y'all think?

[happyslug]

1. I do NOT know what Texas law is, but most states call such bikes Mopeds

And they must be licensed. My home state of Pennsylvania is such a state (Through I read that California does NOT require Mopeds to be license, but this is what I heard I HAVE NOT CHECK THE CALIFORNIA LAW ON MOPEDS).

Anyway, it is an option but check with your Department of Transportation/Highway Department to see how they treat bikes with motors on them.

[happyslug]

2. Here is the Texas Statute applicable to Electric Bicycles:

http://bicycleaustin.info/laws/tx-bike.html#definition

§ 541.201. VEHICLES. In this subtitle:

(2) "Bicycle" means a device that a person may ride and that is propelled by human power and has two tandem wheels at least one of which is more than 14 inches in diameter.

(8) "Moped" means a motor-driven cycle that cannot attain a speed in one mile of more than 30 miles per hour and the engine of which:
(A) cannot produce more than two-brake horsepower; and
(B) if an internal combustion engine, has a piston displacement of 50 cubic centimeters or less and connects to a power drive system that does not require the operator to shift gears.

(9) "Motorcycle" means a motor vehicle, other than a tractor, that is equipped with a rider's saddle and designed to have when propelled not more than three wheels on the ground.

(10) "Motor-driven cycle" means a motorcycle equipped with a motor that has an engine piston displacement of 250 cubic centimeters or less. The term does not include an electric bicycle.

(23) "Vehicle" means a device that can be used to transport or draw persons or property on a highway. The term does not include:
(A) a device exclusively used on stationary rails or tracks; or
(B) manufactured housing as that term is defined by Chapter 1201, Occupations Code.

(24) "Electric bicycle" means a bicycle that:
(A) is designed to be propelled by an electric motor, exclusively or in combination with the application of human power;
(B) cannot attain a speed of more than 20 miles per hour without the application of human power; and
(C) does not exceed a weight of 100 pounds.


AS to Regulating Electric bicycles See:

§ 551.106. REGULATION OF ELECTRIC BICYCLES.
(a) The department or a local authority may not prohibit the use of an electric bicycle on a highway that is used primarily by motor vehicles. The department or a local authority may prohibit the use of an electric bicycle on a highway used primarily by pedestrians.
(b) The department shall establish rules for the administration of this section.


While the Texas Department of Transportation "SHALL" issue rules, but I can not find them, Check with your local Department of Transportation to be sure.

The Complete Texas Statutes on Line:
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/statutes/statutes.html

[Longhorn]

3. Thanks, Happy!

The ones I'm considering are definitely electric bikes. I wish to pedal as much as on a regular bike or it defeats the purpose of getting exercise. If I lived in a less hilly area or in town where I had more choices of routes, it wouldn't even be an issue.

Electric bikes are even allowed on the bicycle-only Veloway, by the way.

[happyslug]

4. In Pennsylvania, such bikes are generally NOT allowed on bike trails.

Just a difference in attitude.

[Longhorn]

5. Never mind!

One of my students used to work at my LBS and he's been very helpful. He convinced me to give myself more time to build up to a full commute and he's right. I think because I've been sick all week and feeling weak and tired, just the thought of riding distressed me.

So don't worry, I'm still a "real" cyclist! :D

[happyslug]

6. So I can't post the Blackbird Electric Bike Site?

http://www.blackbirdbikes.com/quadribent_motor.htm

[wtmusic]

7. Well

if you keep pedaling it won't be too long before 17 miles will seem like nothing, hill and all...and you'll be in much better shape.

[Longhorn]

8. That's my conclusion, too.

This morning, I did 15 miles at the Veloway and focused on cadence. I got a heart rate monitor and my heart rate was always at least 165 or so and spiked up to 188 when I was going up the steep hill. That's not too good since I'm almost 50.

I just get impatient but I need to relax and enjoy and give my body a chance to catch up. When I can do 17 miles at the Veloway in about an hour, I think I'll be ready to try the commute, at least one way.

[wtmusic]

9. Good for you!

IMO don't pay too much attention to the heart rate formulas out there either.

I got a heart rate monitor in December, and almost started fibrillating when I found out my max is well over 200 (as you probably know, conventional wisdom says it should be 220 minus your age -- I'm 48). My doctor says resting heart rate and a good range is far more important. Since my resting rate is 68 and I can hold my own on hills with almost everyone in my bike club, he says I'm in great shape. Go figure.

One more little trick FYI--an often-overlooked area of energy is up-pedaling. If you have good bike shoes with clips you can get nearly half of your power from pulling up on the pedal. It takes a little practice to get the hang of it. One technique I like for climbing hills is to do three or four strokes pushing down, then three or four pulling up.

If you're doing 15 miles you'll be ready in no time. :thumbsup:

[happyslug]

10. While the Tour De Toona is Up and running,

And you can see the map of my Bike Trip I try to do 2-3 times a week:

First the Map:


Than the Elevation:


No, I do NOT do the three laps the Racers do, I do one lap in the time they do three (about 2 1/2 hours).

For more on the Tour De Toona:
http://www.tourdetoona.com/

I will try to post some pictures but all of the best male riders are in France (doing that other race). Since that other race is male only, all of the best FEMALE racers will be doing the Tour De Toona. I have watched them over the last several years and you can see the difference, the women all discipline in the first and second laps, all "drafting" behind the leader, than a break out at the end. The men go by in little groups and they start earlier in cooler weather.

[Kolesar]

11. "Half Commutes"

Put your bike in your car and drive to work tomorrow. Ride your bike home at the end of the day. On the next day, ride your bike to work, put it in the car and drive home at the end of the day. Repeat.

This is recommended for those with commutes of >10 miles. 34 miles per day would just eat up too much time for me.

[Longhorn]

12. As I mentioned in my OP

there isn't a safe place to keep my bike overnight at work. It's an isolated campus on top of a hill with no one around at night and I drive a sportscar that attracts a lot of attention, plus it's a convertible so easier to break into. Someone could vandalize it all night long and no one would even hear the alarm. During the day is great -- security and lots of folks around but overnight is a whole different story!

Otherwise, it would work great! I think I need a "beater" car! :)

[Longhorn]

13. Update.

Changed my mind again. I'm picking up my new electric bike tomorrow -- a Lashout.



I considered a kit to add to my Trek but decided against it, especially when I was going to have to change the fork since the kit isn't supposed to be put on a bike with a front suspension. I testdrove the Lashout and it really had some power along with seven speeds. My plan is to use this for commuting and keep my Trek for weekend riding, at least until I get strong enough to do the commute on the Trek. I'm already giddy with excitement about commuting to work without having to zigzag up that *#$@*ing hill in 95-degree weather! :D

[Kolesar]

14. 600 Watts is about three times what I can sustain on a long hill

That ought to be the right amount of power. That seat looks like the Trico Sports elastomer gel saddle I just bought. On my first two rides, I spent whole days riding on a rail trail that had some rocky and uneven stretches. I thought it was great!

[Longhorn]

15. That's the plan -- to flatten out just a couple of othe hills.

I'm going to have to use the power sparingly to make sure I have enough for that last hill because this bike weighs a lot with the battery and I do NOT want to push it up that hill! I'll recharge at work.

I think if I can just get a little more speed on the worst of the hills, I can do the 17 miles in about an hour and 15 minutes, so I get 2.5 hours of exercise a day but in a more enjoyable way. I'll still be a sweaty mess when I get there but maybe my face won't be as red and my heartrate will be more in the training/aerobic zone.

Then I can take my Trek out on the weekends and see if I notice any improvement.

[happyslug]

16. At $750 not a bad price

http://www.electrikmotion.com/LashOutBikeMain.htm

SPECIFICATIONS

*

17.5 inch frame
* Twin Shock Full Suspension Design
* Front Suspension Fork
* Disc Gear Propulsion System
* Double Wall Rear Wheel
* Quick Release Battery System with
* Battery Condition Gauge
* 600 Watt Brush-less DC Motor
* Cross Terrain Tires
* Improved 24V Quick Release Battery
* 7 Speed gearing
* Comfort Gel Saddle
* Motorcycle style center-stand
* 6-15 mile range (depending on your assistance)
* 1.5-Amp quick charger
* Six-month year warranty on all parts except tires, tubes, and batteries.

Manufacturer: Electrik Motion in New York, http://www.electrikmotion.com/LashOutBikeMain.htm

Service and warranty work is provided by Light Electric Vehicle Technologies (LEVT). Although LashOut comes with a 6-month warranty, you can extend it to a full one-year warranty by sending in $39.95 with your warranty registration card to LEVT.

http://www.electric-bikes.com/lashout.htm

Other Electric Bike Manufacturers:
http://www.electric-bikes.com/others.htm


I did not see a place to gt replacement batteries, but I have found rechargeable batteries last about six months. After daily use for about six months you start to see the battery losing its charge sooner and sooner. This really starts as soon as you start to use the battery, but gets really noticeable after about six months of daily use.

I have also had rechargeable batteries go quicker than six months. I own a set of battery tools that came with two batteries. After about six months of use (Through NOT daily use the one battery just stop holding a charge, while the other keeps on holding a charge even six months after the first one stop holding a charge).

Given that situation I would recommend you buy yourself a second battery for the the bike. Depending on the price three, keep a spare both at home and at work. Thus when one of them stop holding a charge (or taking a charge another problem I have had with rechargeable Batteries) you have another to fall back on.

[Longhorn]

17. That's an excellent suggestion and I will check into it.

I picked the bike up today and got a chance to try it out on the 10.7% hill behind my campus. I pedaled in the lowest gear along with the motor and pretty much zipped right up it! Wow, what an improvement! The question is, will I have enough juice left at the end of my commute to make it?

For now, I'm still going to do the six-mile "park and ride" commute because I don't get off until 8 so I don't want to try the 17 miles when it will be dark -- not on those country roads! But the fall semester begins the last week in August and I have a different schedule then so that's when I'll give the full commute a try, after a weekend run or two.

By the way, they had the bike on sale for $695!

Thanks for your help and interest! :)

[happyslug]

19. Further Reading

The Battery on the LashOut is stated to be lead-acid, which has a much longer life cycle than Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) and rechargeable Alkalines I have been using. Through carrying a spare battery and replacing it when the first one kicks out is one way to extend the range of your electric bike.

Here a site that goes into Batteries:
http://www.batteryuniversity.com/parttwo.htm

[Kolesar]

18. Nickel-Cadmium batteries are notorious for short lives

I have had a few hand tools and appliances with those that failed in a year or so. I hate them. However, this company features lead-acid batteries as noted on the conversion kit. Those ought to last 5-10 years, or longer if they have physically large electrodes.

That bike looks sweet.

[happyslug]

20. The ideal solution is a Fuel-Cell

But I do not know of any for sale commercially. Fuel Cell would be able to provide more power per pound than any Battery with almost unlimited charging and discharging. On paper Fuel cells would be the best solution.

For more on Fuel Cells See:
http://www.fuelcelltoday.com/FuelCellToday/FCTFiles/FCTArticleFiles/Article_823_NicheTransport0604.pdf#search='Fuel%20Cell%20Bicycles'

An Experimental Fuel Cell Bike:
http://www.electric-bikes.com/fuelcell.htm
http://www.eere.energy.gov/hydrogenandfuelcells/pdfs/specialty_vehicles.pdf#search='Fuel%20Cell%20Bicycles'