10 Things to Know Before Buying an eBike

WIRED Talks eBike Podcast

The following Podcast provides an eBike perspective from Townie bicyclists

Ebikes are having a moment. Today's electric bikes are powerful, elegant, maneuverable, and, as battery technology improves, they're able to ride for miles and miles. For some people, they're even replacing cars. And as cycling has exploded in popularity during the pandemic, cities have reconfigured streets to better accommodate bikers. That, along with the rise of the ebike, could change how our roads are built and how we navigate through them.

This week on Gadget Lab, fellow bike enthusiasts and WIRED product reviewers Adrienne So and Parker Hall come on the show to talk about ebikes and how we ride them.

Here is an MP3 of the PODCAST that you can download and listen to

Here is the Transcript if you would rather read.

Improve Your Fitness with an eBike

Here's How...

Did you know that eBikes are a great way to get back into biking and improve your fitness? Here's why eBikes are so great for fitness: It's exercise that doesn't feel like exercise—you're out enjoying nature while improving your fitness!​

It's very low impact—it removes any issues with bad knees or backs.​

Pedal assist means you'll never have to worry about hills and you'll always be able to make it home.

Get a Head Start on Your Fitness Goals...

5 Tips to Lose Weight While  Riding an Electric Bike Read now >

Stay Healthy and Get Back in Shape with an eBike Read now >

READ MORE FROM THE EVELO BLOG

Speciualized Vado Review Videos (4)

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Reviews of Specialized Vado SL 4.0/5.0

The Specialized Turbo Vado SL has so many over-the-top reviews that its almost a no brainer purchase.

TechRadar https://www.techradar.com/reviews/specialized-turbo-vado-sl 

BikeRadar https://www.bikeradar.com/news/specialized-turbo-vado-sl/

eBikeTips https://ebiketips.road.cc/content/reviews/electric-hybrid/specialized-turbo-vado-sl-40-2449 

Electric Bike Reviews https://electricbikereview.com/forums/threads/vado-4-0-vs-vado-4-0-sl-eq-ive-owned-both.34575/ 

Bike Exchange https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/blog/specialized-turbo-vado-sl-5-eq-review 

Electrek https://electrek.co/2020/05/12/specialized-turbo-vado-sl-electric-bicycle-launch/ 

Gear Patrol https://www.gearpatrol.com/outdoors/a724105/specialized-vado-sl-commuter-e-bike/

News tech https://lepc.be/pcmac/specialized-turbo-vado-sl-review/ 

How Long Will My Battery Last

What is my battery capacity or how far can I go on a single charge.?
Answer: Probably a lot less than the manufacturer claims.  

The Turbo Vado 80-mile range most likely is based on the bike alone. Add a Fat Old Guy and it is a lot less.

Here is a great tool for figuring out what is reasonable.  You can change all the conditions to match the biker, the bike accessories, and environmental conditions.
https://www.bosch-ebike.com/en/service/range-assistant/

I put a link to it in the FAQ section of this blog

Here's a note from Brett
From: Brett Dauer Sent: September 10, 2020 To: Tom Subject: Re: Turbo Vado

Battery should be 500 watt hour or better to get you 60 miles...

500 watt hour in eco is about 60 miles

320 watt hour may only get you about 40 miles in eco...

Brett
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The 320KW battery that Brett references is the battery that comes with the Vado.  Specialized claims this will propel the Vado for 80 miles. Brett says 40 miles. Use the Bosch tool to check it out. The results will be closer to Brett's figure.

How to Buy Best eBike

Here is a book you can read on Amazon for FREE.

Follow this link

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0795933G3/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&qid=1516403602&sr=8-3&keywords=how+to+buy+the+best+electric+bike&linkCode=sl1&tag=ajc58-20&linkId=79f5e5f02d5c6dc1e2772c123b4988c7#reader_B0795933G3 

Selecting a Specialized Turbo Vado

Our favorite eBike is the Specialized Turbo Vado, but with four options, how do we select? We added the following detail to the Specialized Page and over the next several months try to understand if the $1000 addition for the 5.0 is worth it.

How to pick a Turbo Vado 

The FOUR Turbo Vado options: the 4.0 SL, 4.0 SL EQ, 5.0 SL, and 5.0 SL EQ
- The EQ costs $150 more and includes DRYTECH fenders and the rear rack.
- The 5.0 costs $1000 more than the 4.0 ($3,500). The primary differences are listed here

eBike Comments (from Canada)

I confess that I built an electric for doing quick trips around town without breaking into a sweat.  That was a number of years ago.  I gave it away when I moved.

Some club members feel that the electric aspect those bikes diminish the purity of the GHG reduction compared to regular bikes but most don't make a big deal about that.

There are a lot of e-bikes in our city now, my guess is about 1/3 of the bikes on the street today here are electric.  The regular bike riders can have a snobbish feeling of superiority, the e-bike riders can go up hills faster.  There are also many electric scooters, skate boards and unicycles as well on the bike paths.  I think however rollerblading has seemed to have declined from past years.  Perhaps the name bike path should change to miscellaneous path. 

The are only two reservations the club has about e-bikes.  First, because they are much heavier, they may be difficult to carry on to trains for some of our rides.  This has not been tested yet.

Second, on long rides, 50 miles plus, the range of the bike may be a problem. On a ride recently one of our eBike owners did 45 miles and the battery I believe was just under 1/2 power left. An e-bike without electric power is a truly a dog to ride.

In terms of enjoyment, my experience is that e-bikes are great when you just want to get from A to B quickly with minimum effort.  However because they are heavier, they lack the feeling of quick response and sense of accomplishment one gets with a regular bike.

My Response

Regarding the bike snobs, I have adopted the same attitude toward eBikes as toward scooters. It puts more people on the road NOT in cars and, in the long run, provides more leverage for funding of bike facilities and safety. It also provides more people who want to speak positively about biking and fewer who think we don’t belong on THEIR road.

One more bicyclist; one less motorist.

WIRED Updates its Favorite Picks

This September WIRED has updated its list of FAVORITE eBikes.
https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-electric-bikes/
Updated for September 2020: We removed several older picks, added new information, and added new bikes, like the Cannondale Quick Neo SL.

Still WIRED's (and ours) favorite all around best eBike is the Specialized Turbo Vado SL for $4,500. However, this month they have added Cannondale to their favorites pick. The prices on and the appearance of the Cannondale City Bikes are VERY inviting.

We have consequently reorganized our blog to present their list.

Everything To Know About eBike Touring

ADAPTED FROM (5/20/15)
https://www.cyclingabout.com/bicycle-touring-on-electric-bikes-ebikes/

Unfortunately, there seems to be a bit of a divide between those who employ electric assistance and those that pedal under their own steam. Some view it as cheating, while others view it as a great opportunity. When it comes down to it, there is no correct way to travel. You’re going to have the same travel experience with or without a motor on a bicycle.

Also see: eBike Touring Blog

A Bike For The (Older) Ages

Adapted From 
https://www.forbes.com/sites/sarazeffgeber/2020/08/31/a-bike-for-the-ages/#26f3e7e8297c 

I’ll bet that 95% of all baby boomers living in single-family homes and condos have a bicycle or two hanging from the rafters of the garage or clinging to the back of a storage cage somewhere.  Most of them haven’t been ridden in well over 10 years, but their owners still harbor a hope that one day they will again have the time, energy, and courage to enjoy a bike ride. Or maybe they just can’t bear to get rid of that symbol of a more active time of life.
Take heart, boomer bicycle enthusiasts: the ebike has arrived! 

In the latter half of the 20^thcentury, Japanese technology and manufacturing entered the field, with both Sanyo and Panasonic developing and marketing their versions, which mostly showed up on the streets of Europe, while America was still enjoying its love affair with the automobile.

The most important breakthough in the evolution of the battery-powered bicycle came in 1989 with the invention of the ‘Pedelec’ (known today as pedal-assist). Rather than utilizing a throttle mechanism, the Pedelec allowed riders to enjoy the look and feel of a traditional bike, with the motor being engaged and controlled by their pedaling motion. In addition, the use of Lithium-ion batteries has allowed ebike manufacturers to develop lighter and more efficient bikes than were previously possible.

The combination of modern technology and the aging of America have created a perfect storm for the bicycle industry. Suppliers are hard-pressed to keep ebikes in stock. They are flying out the doors of bike shops that carry them and new specialized ebike-only stores are springing up in cities and towns across the U.S.

We (author of the article) were headed to Barcelona for a week when an ad for a wine-tasting-by-bike tour caught my eye. But were we physically up to it? I emailed the tour operator and asked about the terrain, knowing that big hills would be a kick-out factor for me. He emailed back to tell me that yes, the terrain was hilly and would we be interested in reserving one of the ebikes for a small extra fee. 

I grabbed it, we went on the tour, and had a great experience on the ebikes. The next year we sought out and rented ebikes during a trip to Ashland, Oregon. We were hooked and are now the proud owners of two of them. They took the place of our aging 10-speeds in the garage.

Ebikes allow us older riders to get all the exercise we want, with the option of employing the pedal-assist motor when our personal energy has been drained.  

It’s a great solution for that interminable itch to get back on a two-wheeled vehicle and feel the wind on our face at a time when those aging muscles just don’t give us what we would like of them.

Prices of ebikes are slowly coming down to earth, with some manufacturer’s base models dipping under $1000.  Fancier models with more features can go as high as $10,000, but there are excellent models for casual riders (without long commutes or a need for top speed) in the $1500. range.

From: Warren K. Johnson (Seattle WA) Sent: September 5, 2020 
To: Tom

Have you bought your Ebike yet? I have a nephew-in-law who is in the initial stages of Parkinson’s. He bought an Ebike and it has been a blessing for him. 

E-Bikes Are All the Rage. Should They Be?

Two new studies shed light on whether pedal-assisted
electric bikes  provide good exercise, and 
how safe (or unsafe) they might be.

By Gretchen Reynolds, Aug. 19, 2020

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/19/well/move/e-bike-safety-exercise.html

Is riding an e-bike good exercise? Is riding an e-bike safe? With interest in and sales of pedal-assisted electric bikes surging during the pandemic, those questions share a growing urgency. Two timely and soothing new studies of e-bike riders’ exertions and injuries suggest that the answer to both questions can be a qualified yes, though anyone riding an e-bike needs to remain aware that the experience is certainly cycling with a kick to it.

Riding an eBike in the Rain

Today, we got caught in the rain while on a ride.  What would we have done if we were on an eBike? I added the answer to that on the FAQ page.

Latest Input on eBikes from WIRED Magazie

Most Versatile Bike

Yamaha Wabash E-Bike

A gravel bike is a versatile choice for everything from daily commuting to gentle weekend bikepacking trips. The Yamaha Wabash (7/10, WIRED Review) is more affordable than the Turbo Vado SL, and I used it for everything from heading to my local coffee shop to hitting (some) trails on the weekends. Yamaha's custom motor and zero cadence trigger are powerful enough to let me start up in the middle of very steep hills. It also has rear rack mounts, an LED headlight, and a little bell. I did find its slim wheels and lack of shock absorption quite jarring on rougher roads. Specialized also has a very nice gravel-ready electric bike.

https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-electric-bikes/

How (E-)Cycling Can Keep Post-COVID Cities Moving

Pedaling Through Pandemic: How (E-)Cycling Can Keep Post-COVID Cities Moving
Wednesday July 16th 12:00-1:30pm

In a short time, the coronavirus crisis has forced communities worldwide to reevaluate their mobility networks, especially as public transportation faces reduced capacity for the foreseeable future. Enter the bicycle, which—in combination with an electric pedal assist—is filling a portion of the gap. This webinar will discuss how cities across the globe are adapting their streets to this new reality and are working to ensure this ‘bike boom’ sticks long-term. Register for the webinar here.

BEST EBIKE

Specialized Turbo Vado SL Equipped

      When I had to return this electric bike (9/10, WIRED Recommends), I almost cried. The tiny, but powerful, custom motor and slim battery are integrated into the frame, so it doesn't even look like an ebike. The XS frame weighs 33 pounds, only a few more than a regular steel bike. It has a hybrid frame with flat handlebars that make it easy to maneuver on a variety of surfaces, whether you're scooting along at 28 miles per hour or bumping through trees at your local park.
      Specialized's Smart Control system means you don't have to adjust assistance while you're riding, or worry about having enough battery to get home. A hidden shock in the head tube cushions the blow from any unexpected potholes. Even the accessories are top-notch, like long, flexible custom fenders that sluice water down and away from you in the rain. I put 40 miles on it in three days. It was so fun that it was hard to hop off.
https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-electric-bikes/

I did a scan of eBike offerings from Trek and Giant.  Specialized is at least a year ahead of everyone.  My only concern is this eBike outclasses everyone else by such a significant margin that it may be too good to be true. Tom

Also check out https://www.bicycling.com/bikes-gear/a22132137/best-electric-bikes/ 
Although this article is dated in May 2020, it most likely was several months out-of-date when published,

Carey's New Toy

From: Carey Rogers 

I’ve been there since 2016. I give unsolicited advice all the time.  I bought one of these just for fun and I’m waiting on delivery.

https://www.swytchbike.com/

Mine is a Trek with  a Bosch mid-drive and it’s been great.

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From: David T Irvine  

Hi Carey, I like the Swytchbike concept and low weight, I can see this on my venerable Trek 520 which has touring gearing adequate to get me home if I ran out of battery juice. 
Thanks for the link!

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From: Tom Evans  
Here is a video on the Swytchbike 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FroqiezWWAM  

and a review
https://electrek.co/2019/10/31/review-swytch-electric-bike-conversion-kit/ 

The company is offering discounted “early bird” prices. The Eco kit is listed at US $394, the Pro kit is listed at US $490 and the Tour kit is listed at US $738. All of these prices are around 50% of the MSRP.

Ross's eBike Thoughts

From: ROSS SHERMAN Date: Jun 17, 2020 Subject: Re: H2O 2021
To: David Shumaker

Dave:
      Well its not too early to start considering an e-bike, I researched them 1 and half years before ordering mine. You are so right about fast changing technology. A number of people that I know still oppose them but when its time for you their comments will not bother you, I promise. Now rather than being limited to the streets around my house, i am back to touring and enjoying it. I like to ride and the e-bike has extended my ability to ride and hopefully for a few years. You will know when its time for you.
      I looked at and researched bikes by Giant and Trek. I had nearby dealers who could service them. I got a Dual Sport Plus made by Trek. This bike is not offered by Trek anymore, but I really like it, it sold for $3599.Works well for me. Its compares somewhat to the Trek Verve 3 Plus but has suspension fork, and 10 speed 11-42 and 700X 38 tires. I liked the Bosch motor and controller over the Shimano system on the Giant, so I went with the Trek. I put on a pannier rack and haul my gear in either one or two panniers and strap a gear bag on top of the rack. I have made 2 trips without SAG.
      I have no problems on the mountain roads in Virginia and have ridden some hard headwinds. This is working for me. Go to your local bike store, I am sure they will be happy for you to test ride several models.

Sincerely,
Ross Sherman

Dave Asks Ross about eBike

Ross

What brands did you consider and what bike did you choose?  Would you have any specific bike or feature recommendations now from your experience?    There are a lot of us that are coming to this point.  But this technology is so new and changing that at least I am still learning. 

Hope to see you pretty soon.

David Shumaker

Ross Gets Electric

From: ROSS SHERMAN
Subject: H2O 2021

Bob, I am looking forward to May 2021, I am definitely in for the ride. Dave referenced my e-bike. I have had it 14 months now and ridden it 2600 miles. Really helps the old legs and stamina on long hard climbs and takes the sting out of a hard headwind. Keeps me in the game. I will continue to stay in condition and try to stay healthy and be ready to go in 2021.