Cycling in Melbourne Australia
Electric Bikes - Improvements? Pros and Cons?
Hi all, I work for an electric bike business that has 4 dealers in Melbourne. In my research on electric bikes I've found that a lot of people love ebikes, but some are really worried about certain aspects of the electric bikes, most commonly the expense and reliability of the bike. What are your thoughts?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by greg on -
Hav'nt really thought much about them to be honest. A business selling ebikes has recently opened up in Airport West and I pass it everyday. Thats about the extent of my knowledge. cheers.............
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Permalink Reply by Chelsea Carey on -
yeah that's it, lots of people have never considered it. It's an option though... Not for the people who are really fit and have great road bikes of course. But they're good for pulling some people out onto a bike that normally wouldn't or couldn't ride to work etc. Thanks for your reply Greg.
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Permalink Reply by Adrian Wal on
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I would probably buy an electric bike if my commute was more than 15km. My job used to be that distance from home, and in 40 degree heat 5 days in a row was almost a struggle. That's when I resorted to my 250cc scooter. Commute is now 5km.
I've done some test riding of a few e-bikes. A lot of them are extremely heavy and would rather human power propelling 10 kilos rather than have 30-40 kilos to push around once the battery runs out. I like something as simple as possible for a bike, when my commute is short and flat, and on my days off when I can ride bike tracks at a leisurely pace (beyond the distance of what an e-bike can go on electric power, and I don't want the weight of the battery).
I've seen some
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Permalink Reply by Chelsea Carey on
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Yeah basically it seems that electric bikes are good for commuting (less than 50kms) to the shops, work if it's close, local footy game, etc. But if you're riding 70+kms a day, no need for an electric bike for sure! The industrial uses for it as Hielke mentioned are definitely valid, I know we've had a fair few posties and meter men buy our electric bikes. I'd love to see more people riding and fewer cars on the road...that's what we need, it's a shame some healthy fit people still decide to take their range rover to the shops...
I think with technology evolving like it has, the lithium batteries that are in some electric bikes make them a lot more reliable (3-5 years usage) and lighter.
In regards to Steve Jay, the electric bike I ride can be pedalled like a normal bike easy enough. Yeah it's a bit heavy, but can pretty easilly be ridden without the power. I've seen some though that cannot be ridden like normal bikes (either too heavy or built more like a scooter) and you've got to have a lot of faith in their battery!
Also I'm not a fan of the hub-driven ebikes because they throw the balance of the bike off.. mid-mounted motors are the way to go.
And John E, I agree, some people just shouldn't be on the roads... in cars or on a bike! But if they stick to the road rules and get a bit or exercise and fresh air, then good on 'em!
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Permalink Reply by Steve Jay on -
The lithium batteries (battery tech in general, actually) are the biggest issue I see with e-bikes. Most of these will end up in landfill as a toxic hazard. Lithium battery production has a very high CO2 footprint, and while a bicycle can be made to last at least 10 years with good care, an electric bike becomes a boat anchor after 5 years when the battery dies. (In this modern world I doubt manufacturer's commitments to spare parts where whole new bikes could be sold instead.) The battery issue alone leaves me feeling that electric bikes pollute what the bike is actually about.
There is nothing green or sustainable about the electric vehicle industry, even in comparison to the oil-fuelled vehicle industry. And lets face it, in Victoria, coal fuels electric bikes..
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Permalink Reply by Steve Jay on
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My biggest issue with these is that for what you pay for one you can get a conventional bike that's 100x better to ride and because of the 100x better build quality will last longer. It seems logical that a motor would make cycling easier but in fact the weight added and the corners cut on componentry to keep costs down make them not as easy to ride as a quality conventional bike. Add to that the range factor - somebody who rides regularly has a natural base range of 70km a day. (You do, really.) that's almost twice the range of most electric bikes I've seen and let me tell you, they're hard work to get home with a dead battery.
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Permalink Reply by Jordan Weddle on
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Steve have you ever rode an electric bike because if you haven't i suggest you give it a go! I've had my e-bike for 5 months and it's been the funnest thing to ride. Even with the extra weight 200w is plenty and will give you a big help up hills, as i have overtook many lycra road bike riders on my e-bike easily going up steep hills. The bikes also help you carry much larger loads than a normal bike.
And you can't argue that it emits carbon from charging the battery when its a very small trickle amount of power only 15c to charge, especially as Australia invests more heavily in renewable energy. One last issue i have with you argument is the range. Many who still drive cars don't want to use a bike because they hate being sweaty when arriving at work not because of how far they can ride, but the e-bike comes in to fix that issue.
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Permalink Reply by Nick Biker on
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Jordan, I fully agree with you. I can prove my bike components now last much longer, I converted my folding bike to electric and changed to a single speed. No gear changing is needed, therefore no derail-er. The chain lasts much longer because the motor takes away some of the strain. The only service needed on this bike literally is changing the brake pads. I must admit that the brake pads warn out a bit quicker due to the extra weight.
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Permalink Reply by Cory on -
The new pedalec regulations mean we're seeing higher quality bikes made in/for Euro markets. I find these ride very intuitively, just like a tailwind really, as you only get assistance as you pedal. Of course, they can be heavy and I prefer the ones that have the battery on/in the frame (downtube, for instance) and not on a rear rack.
Not for me - but certainly a great option for many people currently in cars.
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Permalink Reply by John E. on -
crap batteries that only last a year or two in cheap junk bikes, you'll see more and more on the hard rubbish. People don't know whether to ride them as a bike or a scooter - I've seen people doing battle with heavy traffic riding as a scooter with a bike helmet on. They may encourage some people to ride, but it will include those who shouldn't ride at all & will just be a danger to themselves.
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Permalink Reply by Nick Biker on
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2 years later, I haven't seen any electric bikes on the hard rubbish yet :-D
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Permalink Reply by Alan Parker on -
I have one at home in my shed I removed the Powered front wheel and use it as a backup push bike. It has wide range of gears so I fitted it with a new front wheel. My wife used to ride it and the weird spoking system that busted so many spokes she refused to use any more.
If anybody wants a useless powered front wheel pick it up from our place at 12 webster Street Sorrento.
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