|
Post by Roger on Sept 1, 2021 22:04:04 GMT
|
|
|
Post by runner42 on Sept 7, 2021 22:54:21 GMT
A change of tack. I ordered a new Hyundai Tucson Elite 1.6L turbo AWD SUV, but delivery is from 1 month to 6 months time. Apparently, in the COVID environment many including us who cannot travel overseas are spending their money on new car purchases, hence the delay. I am told by the salesman that the manufacturer is building vehicles to order and not on an assembly line basis.
Brian
|
|
smallbrother
Elder Statesman
Errors aplenty, progress slow, but progress nonetheless!
Posts: 2,269
|
Post by smallbrother on Sept 8, 2021 6:13:36 GMT
And on another transport theme, I have recently taken up cycling again after a 25 year gap.
With my dodgy knees I can no longer attack the many long and steep hills around here. That leaves plenty of good cycle trails on old railway lines in this valley but limits my travel over the mountains to adjoining valleys.
I am looking at E-bikes and speaking to people who own them. It's proving about as helpful as the "which engine to build" or "which lathe to buy" type discussions as there are so many alternatives and points of view. I can buy a conversion kit for my bike but that costs 550 for the parts, but it is a robust mountain bike which really is not the kind of E-bike I need.
It seems I can get something decent and new for 1000-1500 so will keep looking. Pete.
|
|
uuu
Elder Statesman
your message here...
Posts: 2,809
|
Post by uuu on Sept 8, 2021 6:56:07 GMT
I have recently bought an e-bike and I'm liking it a lot. It is easy on the knees, and hills are no longer a problem. I can now do a 15 mile ride to the track, help out for a few hours, then ride back. And not be knackered.
You're right about the engine/lathe analogy - for some brand A will be the only one to buy and others wouldn't be seen dead on one of those. I abandoned that, and bought the one the dealer could get quickest. They seem to be in short supply.
Wilf
|
|
|
Post by andyhigham on Sept 8, 2021 7:37:19 GMT
I bought an e-bike. The main reason was to throw in the van so when I am working away I can ride to a restaurant and have a glass with my meal etc. Being a competitive type I also took it to the drag strip! 1/8 mile 20.9 secs 27 mph. A sight to behold me in full leathers, helmet, boots and gloves pedalling furiously
|
|
JonL
Elder Statesman
WWSME (Wiltshire)
Posts: 2,907
|
Post by JonL on Sept 8, 2021 8:34:56 GMT
I'm tempted with one as I struggle with hills as I can't put much power down with my false leg so hill climbing is a series of pulses.
|
|
|
Post by Roger on Sept 8, 2021 11:28:07 GMT
And on another transport theme, I have recently taken up cycling again after a 25 year gap. With my dodgy knees I can no longer attack the many long and steep hills around here. That leaves plenty of good cycle trails on old railway lines in this valley but limits my travel over the mountains to adjoining valleys. I am looking at E-bikes and speaking to people who own them. It's proving about as helpful as the "which engine to build" or "which lathe to buy" type discussions as there are so many alternatives and points of view. I can buy a conversion kit for my bike but that costs 550 for the parts, but it is a robust mountain bike which really is not the kind of E-bike I need. It seems I can get something decent and new for 1000-1500 so will keep looking. Pete. I recently repaired one of those bolt on kits for a customer, and I was surprised at how compact and simple it was. It's certainly an option worth considering. My only issue with a decent E-bike is theft.
|
|
smallbrother
Elder Statesman
Errors aplenty, progress slow, but progress nonetheless!
Posts: 2,269
|
Post by smallbrother on Sept 8, 2021 14:59:34 GMT
And on another transport theme, I have recently taken up cycling again after a 25 year gap. With my dodgy knees I can no longer attack the many long and steep hills around here. That leaves plenty of good cycle trails on old railway lines in this valley but limits my travel over the mountains to adjoining valleys. I am looking at E-bikes and speaking to people who own them. It's proving about as helpful as the "which engine to build" or "which lathe to buy" type discussions as there are so many alternatives and points of view. I can buy a conversion kit for my bike but that costs 550 for the parts, but it is a robust mountain bike which really is not the kind of E-bike I need. It seems I can get something decent and new for 1000-1500 so will keep looking. Pete. I recently repaired one of those bolt on kits for a customer, and I was surprised at how compact and simple it was. It's certainly an option worth considering. My only issue with a decent E-bike is theft. I did a ride yesterday with an oldies cycling group and one of the guys had fitted a kit to a hybrid bike. Very impressive but my mountain bike is not best suited to the type of routes I intend using - more suited to the hybrid type. Pete.
|
|
uuu
Elder Statesman
your message here...
Posts: 2,809
|
Post by uuu on Sept 8, 2021 15:39:33 GMT
Perhaps the type of bike is less important once electrified. The higher rolling resistance of fatter tyres is of less relevance, and there's less bouncing on the suspension when you're not pumping as hard.
Wilf
|
|
|
Post by chris vine on Sept 8, 2021 17:39:18 GMT
Hi Pete,
I have an electric mountain bike - Trek. I use it a lot more than I would ever have used an ordinary mtb. I even deliver books within a 15 mile range of home.
The difference between this an many other e bikes is that the motor is in the pedals (bosch) and so it gets the benefit of the rear gears. IE up hills, you change down a gear and the motor works through the lower gear. Bikes with a motor in the hub don't (usually) have gears like this so the motor is always in "top" gear.
I love it, but it was quite expensive. Sadly, just at the moment, there are very few around second hand, so prices are quite high. This will probably change in the winter... The range is plenty and the battery doesn't seem to have degraded in 3 years and nearly 3000 miles.
There are loads of different makes, but I chose to go with the bosch motor because I suspect they know what they are doing and, with lots of brands using their motors, they are popular and spares should be available for a long time.
I have fitted much fatter tyres to it, so they absorb the rear bumps better (not rear suspension). I keep the tyre pressure quite low (20 psi) as it makes it more comfortable and the extra rolling resistance doesn't matter a jot when you have electric assistance!!!
Hope that helps, Chris.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 8, 2021 17:51:33 GMT
One for the petrol heads among us... I read that Italy is in discussion with the EU on making exempt fire-breathing sportscars from the planned total ban, Italy is confident of achieving this, well I guess all they have to do is say 'no'. They are not alone so perhaps the ICE will remain... Other heads in the motor industry are showing support for Italy's proposal while other EU countries are also not so keen to move as fast as the EU wishes. I also note Toyota's new turbo diesel which eliminates 99% of NOx. so things aren't all bleak then.... Pete
|
|
smallbrother
Elder Statesman
Errors aplenty, progress slow, but progress nonetheless!
Posts: 2,269
|
Post by smallbrother on Sept 8, 2021 20:50:48 GMT
Hi Pete, I have an electric mountain bike - Trek. I use it a lot more than I would ever have used an ordinary mtb. I even deliver books within a 15 mile range of home. The difference between this an many other e bikes is that the motor is in the pedals (bosch) and so it gets the benefit of the rear gears. IE up hills, you change down a gear and the motor works through the lower gear. Bikes with a motor in the hub don't (usually) have gears like this so the motor is always in "top" gear. I love it, but it was quite expensive. Sadly, just at the moment, there are very few around second hand, so prices are quite high. This will probably change in the winter... The range is plenty and the battery doesn't seem to have degraded in 3 years and nearly 3000 miles. There are loads of different makes, but I chose to go with the bosch motor because I suspect they know what they are doing and, with lots of brands using their motors, they are popular and spares should be available for a long time. I have fitted much fatter tyres to it, so they absorb the rear bumps better (not rear suspension). I keep the tyre pressure quite low (20 psi) as it makes it more comfortable and the extra rolling resistance doesn't matter a jot when you have electric assistance!!! Hope that helps, Chris. Hi Chris. Range will be a key factor for me. I will be on pretty good surfaces and looking to do a good 50 miles including some substantial hills. From what I have seen within my budget I need slimmer tires than on a MTB to reduce resistance, for both my knees and the battery/motor. I am comfortable doing 20+ miles so a soft ride is not a priority. Pete.
|
|
|
Post by chris vine on Sept 8, 2021 21:40:54 GMT
Hi Pete,
for my bike, it depends on how much assistance you want. On eco, the range is around 100 miles Touring gives around 50 miles and is good for flat cruising E MTB gives around 35 miles Turbo is around 25 miles.
If the battery looks as though it might run out on an expedition, you can always turn the assistance down to extend the remaining range.
Chris.
|
|
smallbrother
Elder Statesman
Errors aplenty, progress slow, but progress nonetheless!
Posts: 2,269
|
Post by smallbrother on Sept 9, 2021 8:56:16 GMT
Hi Chris,
There are some pretty long and steep hills in my vicinity that I would like to be able to ride u again. Quite frankly this is all I want the motor for. If I can do 50 miles knowing I have enough to get me up and over the last mountain that would be exactly what I'm looking for as things stand.
Knowing I can do 20+ miles on my own gives me the confidence I can at least double that with assistance in the right places. I have been looking at the Halfords Carrera Crossfire as this was recommended to me by a guy of similar age to me and with similar riding aims. If I can get a used one I will probably go for it.
As with so many things, there is no single solution that covers every scenario for all time. I think the key is to keep peddling over the next few weeks and see what comes available.
My awful knees and foot badly need another form of exercise apart from walking and the cross-trainer.
Pete.
|
|