New Pedal Assist Bicycle

[snubbyfan]

Makes me feel kinda pathetic but I went and did it. I got a pedal assist bike with a dropped top tube to make it easier to step over.
Stress exacerbates my degenerative peripheral motor nerve condition. The last coupla years were very stressful and it seems to have affected my gimpy right leg.
I like riding on the C&O Canal Towpath but I was starting to feel unsure of how far I can go.
With this bike, if I needed a little help, it's just a button push away.
I went on a shakedown run yesterday and without the pedal assist, I went 15 miles.
I used some periodic assist on the way home.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Good for you! I'm still not up to more than 6 flat miles, waiting for nice weather. I could only afford a lower grade Trek Hybrid with the Government Covid Check. The wife goes on 4 to 6 milers with me but avoids the 20-24 mile ones I like when I'm back in shape.

A couple autumns ago, I saw a whole Amish family on the Kokosing Gap trail on E-Bikes, and none of them bothered with pedaling! That you work up to your limits, then expand it some is a great thing.

Ivan

 

[snubbyfan]

Good for you! I'm still not up to more than 6 flat miles, waiting for nice weather. I could only afford a lower grade Trek Hybrid with the Government Covid Check. The wife goes on 4 to 6 milers with me but avoids the 20-24 mile ones I like when I'm back in shape.

A couple autumns ago, I saw a whole Amish family on the Kokosing Gap trail on E-Bikes, and none of them bothered with pedaling! That you work up to your limits, then expand it some is a great thing.

Ivan

That's the thing I like about this bike, it doesn't assist unless I'm pedaling. My legs are still moving and putting in an effort, it's just that it's a bit less effort if I decide that I need it.

 

[moosedog]

I use both my old Diamond Back knobby tired bike and my newer pedal assist/electric bike by Rad Power, depending on how many miles and terrain type.
No reason to quit riding because of age when these types of things are available.

 

[Chuck Edwards]

Makes me feel kinda pathetic but I went and did it. I got a pedal assist bike with a dropped top tube to make it easier to step over.
Stress exacerbates my degenerative peripheral motor condition. The last coupla years were very stressful and it seems to have affected my gimpy right leg.
I like riding on the C&O Canal Towpath but I was starting to feel unsure of how far I can go.
With this bike, if I needed a little help, it's just a button push away.
I went on a shakedown run yesterday and without the pedal assist, I went 15 miles.
I used some periodic assist on the way home.

Good on ya! My retirement job is working in a bike shop, and we've sold a bunch of the "low entry" bikes to older folks who want to remain active in spite of health challenges. You've got lots of company!

 

[gym cat]

Absolutely nothing pathetic about it. Congrats on a good move to help you stay in shape both physically and mentally!!!!!!
Jim

 

[JohnRippert]

You do what you have to do to keep going, Snuffy. I certainly do not think anyone will be looking down on you for it.

 

[snubbyfan]

I use both my old Diamond Back knobby tired bike and my newer pedal assist/electric bike by Rad Power, depending on how many miles and terrain type.
No reason to quit riding because of age when these types of things are available.

My knobby tired bike.


I can him Frankenbike, I built him from bits and pieces from a bare frame.

 

[CH4]

Interesting bike, snubby. As an avid cyclist I ve often contemplated what I would do in a similar situation. How much does your model weigh?

 

[glowe]

Physical limitations should not prohibit one from an active life with whatever assistance is needed. That bike certainly provides what you need, but why not put a decent seat on it???? I prefer ones I sit on rather then those that become partially inserted in a very uncomfortable place! I had a 1977 Motobecane Super Mirage Road bike that had the narrowest seat I aver owned. Back then, it was not uncomfortable, but as the years progressed, I moved to wider seats and bigger tires, but still am pedaling all summer here.

What I cannot stand is a couple in their 30s with full power electric bikes passing everyone at 30 mph. I do not believe they should be allowed on bike trails and paths.

 

[arjay]

I like that. I stopped riding a few years ago because I can’t swing my bum leg over the seat anymore and my balance is sketchy between a stroke and neuropathy.That’s got me thinking lol

 

[moosedog]

"What I cannot stand is a couple in their 30s with full power electric bikes passing everyone at 30 mph. I do not believe they should be allowed on bike trails and paths."

One should be mindful of others no matter what kind of bike you ride.

 

[chief38]

My wife and I bought two bikes about 6 months ago. We did not want e-bikes because the whole purpose for us was to get exercise. I had an e-scooter and recently got rid of it as I was getting no exercise other than my throttle wrist - lol. We also did not want bikes with multiple gears or hand brakes - just simple old fashion cruisers with coaster brakes like we had when we were kids. We wound up getting a his and hers version of Panama Jack Bikes. They are like brand new and we bought them from a neighbor for a "song". They are nothing exotic and not the greatest bikes in the world but for our purposes they are great - and we do ride them often.

Thankfully we are both in pretty good health so we have no restrictions as far as exercising goes. Our bodies tell us when we have gone far enough. We ride around the lake a few times a week and around other parts of the development to keep the scenery new. Our rides go about 5-10 miles a day, 3-4 days a week, depending on our moods - so far so good!

Our community is HUGE on bikes!! Pretty much everyone has them and uses them often. Happy Campers!

 

[snubbyfan]

Interesting bike, snubby. As an avid cyclist I ve often contemplated what I would do in a similar situation. How much does your model weigh?

38 pounds, less than I thought it would.

 

[snubbyfan]

Physical limitations should not prohibit one from an active life with whatever assistance is needed. That bike certainly provides what you need, but why not put a decent seat on it???? I prefer ones I sit on rather then those that become partially inserted in a very uncomfortable place! I had a 1977 Motobecane Super Mirage Road bike that had the narrowest seat I aver owned. Back then, it was not uncomfortable, but as the years progressed, I moved to wider seats and bigger tires, but still am pedaling all summer here.

What I cannot stand is a couple in their 30s with full power electric bikes passing everyone at 30 mph. I do not believe they should be allowed on bike trails and paths.

That is a wider seat, to me anyway. I was considering putting a narrower seat on it but after 23 miles, the wider seat felt fine.

The top speed of this bike is rated at 20mph. That's in 9th gear and the highest power setting.

 

[snubbyfan]

I like that. I stopped riding a few years ago because I can’t swing my bum leg over the seat anymore and my balance is sketchy between a stroke and neuropathy.That’s got me thinking lol

Since the batteries are in the lower end of the down tube, the bike feels very stable.

 

[lihpster]

"The world is what you make of it, friend. If it doesn't fit, make alterations."
Snubby, my legs are fine and the last time I traveled 15 miles in a day without the use of my car was a couple of decades ago. You keep doing you and don't worry about it. If it gets you out and moving, it's a good thing. Enjoy life, my friend, even if you have to MacGyver some of it!

 

[snubbyfan]

My wife and I bought two bikes about 6 months ago. We did not want e-bikes because the whole purpose for us was to get exercise. I had an e-scooter and recently got rid of it as I was getting no exercise other than my throttle wrist - lol. We also did not want bikes with multiple gears or hand brakes - just simple old fashion cruisers with coaster brakes like we had when we were kids. We wound up getting a his and hers version of Panama Jack Bikes. They are like brand new and we bought them from a neighbor for a "song". They are nothing exotic and not the greatest bikes in the world but for our purposes they are great - and we do ride them often.

Thankfully we are both in pretty good health so we have no restrictions as far as exercising goes. Our bodies tell us when we have gone far enough. We ride around the lake a few times a week and around other parts of the development to keep the scenery new. Our rides go about 5-10 miles a day, 3-4 days a week, depending on our moods - so far so good!

Our community is HUGE on bikes!! Pretty much everyone has them and uses them often. Happy Campers!

That's the thing, I'm using this as a fitness bike. I can leave the pedal assist off and push myself harder without having to worry about making it back home.

 

[snubbyfan]

"The world is what you make of it, friend. If it doesn't fit, make alterations."
Snubby, my legs are fine and the last time I traveled 15 miles in a day without the use of my car was a couple of decades ago. You keep doing you and don't worry about it. If it gets you out and moving, it's a good thing. Enjoy life, my friend, even if you have to MacGyver some of it!

I actually wanted to go further unassisted but I ran into a stiff head wind on my way back. My total mileage was 23 miles in 'bout 2.5 hours
Maybe next time.....

 

[Yendor357]

Rock on, Snubby! I’d ride with you.