My Wife and I were discussing about ways we could get around a bit, once we stopped at a site for a few days. We both have pedal bikes we could take to ride around on, but after a trip down to California in 2012, I'm thinking the heat of summer would be brutal for pedaling any distance. I have been looking at electric bicycles, and thinking they may be the answer. You can pedal them, or simply let the motor do the work, depending on the temps. Be handy for a quick run to the grocery store, or for a little sightseeing.Curious if anyone uses them on their travels, and their pro's and con's, etc? Suggestions on makes or models would also be appreciated. As well, if there may be laws you may be aware of, restricting their use. Thinking that perhaps some states or provinces may class them as a motorcycle, thus needing a m/cycle class drivers license and liability insurance, kind of thing. Hoping to avoid that if possible..Thanks Bill

If you like your existing bikes and want to save some bucks, look into electric kits made for existing bikes. Not all kits are created equal, some of them offer more power and longer range than others. Good luck!

My wife and I have ridden electric bicycles for years averaging 2000 miles per year. We currently ride Schwinn World GSE models that are no longer made but the rumor is that they may come back.If we had to choose a new bike we would lean toward Currie Tech who makes several different models. We like their Path Plus model that is brand new for 2014.On the plus side we could not ride anywhere near as much as we do without having electric bikes. They take approximately half of the effort and with our bad body parts they have saved us.On the down side is the cost. Our batteries cost $600 each which is typical of the lithium ion batteries. Also, they are heavier than the non-electric bikes.We like to ride paved bike trails especially Rails-to-trails that are usually shady and always flat.Send me a PM if you need more info.

Friend has one of the front wheel drive kits off Ebay. About $400 or so and it works great. On my little bucket list. :)

I own one that I bought ready made and one that I electrified from a kit. Honestly, it's hard to get anything that is very good for less than $1000. As mentioned, the lithium battery is the biggest chunk of it. $2000 seems to be the price point for a "good" e-bike.In the range of $1000 give or take, the ready made ones are going to be fairly entry level in terms of all the bike components. I don't have any brands to recommend or avoid per se. If you google electric bike blog, you will find some nice blogs that have reviews of specific models. One thing most people recommend is to make sure you like the bike itself, that it fits you and your riding style.You won't be buying anything that violates any laws here in the US or Canada. They are treated as bicycles.

Electric bicycles? | Good Sam Community

Canadian_Rainbi
Explorer
Feb 24, 2014
Snowman9000 wrote:
I own one that I bought ready made and one that I electrified from a kit. Honestly, it's hard to get anything that is very good for less than $1000. As mentioned, the lithium battery is the biggest chunk of it. $2000 seems to be the price point for a "good" e-bike.

In the range of $1000 give or take, the ready made ones are going to be fairly entry level in terms of all the bike components. I don't have any brands to recommend or avoid per se. If you google electric bike blog, you will find some nice blogs that have reviews of specific models. One thing most people recommend is to make sure you like the bike itself, that it fits you and your riding style.

You won't be buying anything that violates any laws here in the US or Canada. They are treated as bicycles.

My first one had the front wheel motor. It's the cheapest way, but not the best. Not enough weight on the drive wheel. It skidded easily on gravel.

In Canada (don't know about the USA) the limit is on motor size. Max is 350 Watts. Anything more requires registration and licensing as a motor cycle. In the UK the limit is 250 I think.

I have had three electric bikes, each one better than the previous. Just had the third one stolen, so maybe a 4th in sight.

The lithium batteries makes the difference. Mine was a Whisper 905 SE, 2010 version similar to this.
magnusfide
Explorer II
Feb 24, 2014
We've been exploring motor scooters like Vespas and other brands. The 50cc will average 45 mph and the 70cc avg is 55 mph. This allows them to also be street legal and serve a dual purpose. We're seeing more of these in our travels instead of towed autos.
fla-gypsy
Explorer
Feb 24, 2014
Wagonqueen Truckster wrote:
After looking at e bikes (already fitted with motor and battery) we decided most of them were crappy. Did tons of research on bikes... Hub motors... Lithium ion batteries. For ease of storage, we decided on the foldable Dahon 'Mariner. Pricey but foldable and great components. ( approx. 600 new ) we then purchased our motor hubs and lithium ions, called crystalyte . They are both high performance and priced high, but worth very penny ( about 1000 for motor and battery) we have only used them twice since we keep them in Florida but here is the numbers so far...

Battery charge approx 25 -30 miles in between charges.
Takes about 3 hours to fully charge
Bikes go a breezy 33-35 miles per hour. (We wear motorcycle helmets)

Love them!

I love the idea of motorizing my bike but that is a bunch of money
Wagonqueen_Truc
Explorer
Feb 24, 2014
After looking at e bikes (already fitted with motor and battery) we decided most of them were crappy. Did tons of research on bikes... Hub motors... Lithium ion batteries. For ease of storage, we decided on the foldable Dahon 'Mariner. Pricey but foldable and great components. ( approx. 600 new ) we then purchased our motor hubs and lithium ions, called crystalyte . They are both high performance and priced high, but worth very penny ( about 1000 for motor and battery) we have only used them twice since we keep them in Florida but here is the numbers so far...

Battery charge approx 25 -30 miles in between charges.
Takes about 3 hours to fully charge
Bikes go a breezy 33-35 miles per hour. (We wear motorcycle helmets)

Love them!
workhardplayha1
Explorer
Feb 24, 2014
I spend a lot of time on a bicycle and in my local bike shop. They have been dealers for several electric bike brands over the years and have researched many more. They have yet found an electric bike that would last. The electric bikes they sold created more dissatisfied customers than happy customers. In an effort to only sell quality products in the store they have discontinued selling or working on any motorized bikes. It just isn't worth the aggravation or liability.
Snowman9000
Explorer
Feb 24, 2014
I own one that I bought ready made and one that I electrified from a kit. Honestly, it's hard to get anything that is very good for less than $1000. As mentioned, the lithium battery is the biggest chunk of it. $2000 seems to be the price point for a "good" e-bike.

In the range of $1000 give or take, the ready made ones are going to be fairly entry level in terms of all the bike components. I don't have any brands to recommend or avoid per se. If you google electric bike blog, you will find some nice blogs that have reviews of specific models. One thing most people recommend is to make sure you like the bike itself, that it fits you and your riding style.

You won't be buying anything that violates any laws here in the US or Canada. They are treated as bicycles.
Twomed
Explorer
Feb 24, 2014
Friend has one of the front wheel drive kits off Ebay. About $400 or so and it works great. On my little bucket list. :)
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Feb 24, 2014
$2,200 a little steep.
bumpy
Dick_B
Explorer
Feb 24, 2014
My wife and I have ridden electric bicycles for years averaging 2000 miles per year. We currently ride Schwinn World GSE models that are no longer made but the rumor is that they may come back.
If we had to choose a new bike we would lean toward Currie Tech who makes several different models. We like their Path Plus model that is brand new for 2014.
On the plus side we could not ride anywhere near as much as we do without having electric bikes. They take approximately half of the effort and with our bad body parts they have saved us.
On the down side is the cost. Our batteries cost $600 each which is typical of the lithium ion batteries. Also, they are heavier than the non-electric bikes.
We like to ride paved bike trails especially Rails-to-trails that are usually shady and always flat.
Send me a PM if you need more info.
Community Alumni
Feb 24, 2014
If you like your existing bikes and want to save some bucks, look into electric kits made for existing bikes. Not all kits are created equal, some of them offer more power and longer range than others. Good luck!

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