Got my new electric bike!

Some time ago I posted asking for information on motor scooters. By the end of the conversation, I have decided to buy an electric bike but was working on the rack to use. I am turning 70 next month and have been a lifelong bike rider, but my stamina is less and my knees are getting sore at the end of rides.  I full-time alone in a 32' Class C, and do not tow a vehicle.  I really needed a way to be more mobile so I could explore national and state parks more easily without moving my motorhome. 

Anyway, I picked up my new electric bike yesterday, and have taken a few rides.  So far, I am really enjoying it.  So here is what I ended up with:  http://www.eco-wheelz.com/catalog/eg-athens-electric-bike-p-357.php?osCsid=2b829d9d6a761ccc00178b21d87d030e

It has a range of 20-25 miles, realistically, depending on your weight and how much uphill you have to ride.  You can ride it as a regular bike if your battery runs down, as a regular full-power bike, or with a pedal assist feature. This last mode means that it senses when you are slightly struggling with pedaling and gives you a brief boost that helps you out. You can set the boost to three speeds, but so far I have only been using the lowest one.  Actually, this is pretty impressive because you can be riding along pedaling, and be speeding even uphill, as if you are 20 years old and in terrific physical shape! 

Basically, according to federal law, if it has pedals, is electric under so many amps, can go no faster than 20 MPH, it is a bike, and you can ride it exactly as you would any unpowered bike. It also does not need any special license or insurance. This law also says no state can make more stringent requirements.

The cheaper electric bikes have old lead-acid batteries, but this one has lithium ion. Only problem is that you DO have to keep these bikes out of the rain, so I bought a large barbecue grill cover for it and have bungeed it down.  With a little adjustment, it did fit on my old bike rack. The battery goes inside when I am done for the day.

I'll attach some photos.

If you'd like a REAL BBQ cover that says ND on it, let me know.  ;D ;D Seriously, congrats on the new ride. Looks nice. Have fun!

That looks really cool!!  As you mentioned, not cheap, but it sounds like an ideal solution for those who are not strong bikers.  I'm going to show it to my Sweet Nancy.  That video on the page you linked was interesting to watch.  I'm concerned about the "no wet" restricition, as it would travel on a rack on our toad.....  I suppose wrapping it is an option like you did.  Let us know how it works for you!

Gordon

I'm glad you finally found what you need, Judy. Looks good.

That's really slick! Wish it was a bit more affordable - you would have to be a frequent bike rider to get your money's worth from it.

Gary RV Roamer said:

That's really slick! Wish it was a bit more affordable - you would have to be a frequent bike rider to get your money's worth from it.

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$1,299.00 for a bike is not that bad. An average Mountain Bike goes for around that, a good road bike for much more. Bicycling has come a long way since our day of the single speed Schwinn...

Way to go Judy! Good choice light, and your still pedaling at your own pace. One thing i would be diligent about is battery care. Make sure you follow the instructions in the manual about charging and care. I'm sure a replacement would not be cheap, Enjoy.
Jim

That is a cool looking bike Judy. Great choice. Have fun ;D

GO BLUE, Judy!!

Oscar Mike said:

$1,299.00 for a bike is not that bad. An average Mountain Bike goes for around that, a good road bike for much more. Bicycling has come a long way since our day of the single speed Schwinn...

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They don't have to be that expensive. I got a mountain bike a couple of years ago for about $400, a nice Trek. I ride it a few miles, most days. For enthusiasts, of course, you can go to several thou...

You can also get a slightly less expensive electric bike but with a lead acid battery for about $600.  They are a little heavier and the battery will not last as long on a charge or be able to be recharged as many times.

Or a grill cover from OHIO state.... Nice bike....

Hi Judy and bike enthusiasts,

I see this company also makes a EG Le Mans Electric Bike, similar to the the one you bought. This has the bar across the frame, typical of a "boys" bicycle. Better thing is that it's $100 cheaper in price for those who are pinching pennies. Also free shipping but you need a break for a high price bicycle like this. They seem solid and nice and may have to jump on one of these. Wonder where they are manufactured?? I hope here in the mainland. Best to all.

Congratulations on the new electric bike.  Looks like it will be fun to ride.

My wife cannot ride a bicycle due to balance issues and a hip replacement but wanted to be able to go with me when I ride.  I bought her a Schwinn Meridian Adult Tricycle so she would not have to balance a bike.  I then ordered a 26" electric hub motor front wheel kit and installed it on the trike.  The kit was a 36v with sealed lead acid battery pack, controller and all the wiring.  It took me about an hour to install the kit and get it running.  It works great for her as she can pedal until her hip hurts and then go with the electric power.  It will go about 15 mph top speed and will run about 10 to 15 miles on a charge.  Total cost was about $700 for the Trike and the Electric Conversion Kit.  I ride a Sun 21 Speed Recumbent Trike.

Dan

Very nice, I wouldn't mind having one of these myself.  ;D

The day I went in to shop for this bike, there was a man there who was looking for a gift for his wife.  He loved to ride a bike, but she had knee problems and could not accompany him.  He bought it for her so they could ride together. 

The grill cover so far has worked out well. (Must be the block M.)  I have several bungee cords on it, and it does not seem to even flap in the wind as I drive.  I suspect being on the back of this big vehicle means there is less breeze back there.  One thing I need to do is go to somewhere to get some heavy elastic and replace the cord at the bottom with elastic so it does not need tightening so much and stays closed better at the bottom.  I think I can figure out some way to thread it through.

The bike is heavier than a regular bike and so harder to lift onto the bike rack.  They told me I needed the kind of bike rack where the bike sat on something, as opposed to hanging from something, but I already had that for my old bike.

Today, I explored the state park I was in and rode all the way to the hotel and conference center and beach about a mile and a half from the campground.  I rode maybe 4 quick miles overall, and my knee did not swell up as it normally would.

I like everything except the cover....Go Big O - for Ohio State!!

I am seriously thinking of a small motorcycle, but in a few years, this just may be my choice...

Nice

Jim

Hi JudyJB and all,

I followed in Judy's foot steps and purchased the GE La Mans. Plan on taking it with us on RV trips. We are testing the first bike out and will buy the second if my wife likes mine. Sadly these are made in china.

Mine was shipped to me in three days. Ordered on mid afternoon Wednesday and got it on Saturday. If you order one, it is necessary to put it together in order ride it. They don't include a manual with the bike, but you can go online (their site) and get detailed PDF instructions. I'd say for some people it might be a challenge putting it together. You might pay a bike shop to do this for you.

Mine went together good and I only had to adjust it a little bit. Charging the battery up first time takes 12 hours (first three times you charge 12 hours each time) then 2-6 hours depending on how far it is ran down. Comes in a box about 4 foot long and about 40 inches high and ten inches deep. You have to cut off plastic tie downs and install front fender, wheel, handle bars, pedals. Also install headlight. Comes with a red backlight and headlight.

My maiden voyage was a bike ride of 14 miles, partly on streets and partly on walking/bike trails. I did stop and rest after the half way point and then again the last mile and a half (at the local micro brewery)  ;D

The unit runs well and after my first ride, power assisted (you do some peddling) only ran the battery down 1/4 so I might be able to go the full 40 miles they advertise on a fresh new battery. BTW it was a good workout for me and I did enjoy the ride. It goes fairly fast in the high assist setting. I'd say the 20 mph is fairly accurate. I was worried if it would go the full 20 miles but now think with pedaling the bike you can go a decent distance on it. I am fairly hefty at 190 lbs but it went the distance with me, and on fairly flat terrain.

I plan on buying saddle bags that go across the back bike carry rack. I feel this will help protect the battery from rain and make it less noticeable from theft. The battery does lock into place and you need a key to remove it. You insert a different key into same keyhole to run the bike in electric. You can use like an ordinary bike, or use the electric power to assist or simply run all electric with a thumb trigger. Also will buy a lock and something to cover the bike, to protect from rain as water is damaging to the battery. Weight of bike is probably 54 lbs with 11 lb battery attached. If I was hauling this on the back of an RV then would take battery off and put on a heavy duty bike holder. Platform under it would be a good idea.

Well that's my report and hope this is helpful to to others considering going this route.