02-06-2007, 11:17 AM
|
#1 (permalink)
|
| | Re: electric bikes on centuries
"Bill Baka" <bbaka@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:YMSxh.59129$wc5.10351@newssvr25.news.prodigy. net...
> Daryl Hunt wrote:
>> "Bill Baka" <bbaka@comcast.net> wrote in message
>> news:qtzxh.71358$qO4.54330@newssvr13.news.prodigy. net...
>>> Roger Zoul wrote:
>>>> Bill Baka wrote:
>>>> :: Roger Zoul wrote:
>>>> ::: Bill Baka wrote:
>>>> :::::::: Anything that gets one off the couch.
>>>> ::::::
>>>> :::::: You're not making a strong case for an electric bike! 
>>>> :::::
>>>> ::::: Come on, read my last line, getting people off the couch in the
>>>> ::::: first place is a starting point. If an electric assist does it
>>>> ::::: then maybe they can get addicted to riding and buy a real bike.
>>>> :::
>>>> ::: What, after they have already bought an electric bike, you want
>>>> ::: them to consider buying a "real" bike? Too funny. Why not just buy
>>>> ::: a "real" bike and ride it? Just find a piece of flat ground & ride.
>>>> ::: I started out with simple loops @ less than 5 miles, using gears
>>>> ::: that make it very easy to turn the cranks.
>>>> :::
>>>> ::: I'm not suggesting that an EB can't be a road away from
>>>> ::: couchpotatodom, but I'm saying I can think of much better ways to
>>>> ::: get away.
>>>> ::
>>>> :: I have a 300 pound couch potato (computer addict) friend whom I
>>>> might
>>>> :: get out to ride a bit more if he had the electric to fall back on.
>>>> :: He has a nice Cannondale but never rides it. There might be a bit
>>>> :: more of an incentive to ride if he knew that if he got fried he
>>>> :: could just turn on the electric and get home.
>>>>
>>>> 10 to 1 he won't do anything with an EB, either. He full-in into being
>>>> a CP. Getting out of that mindset is his biggest challenge. He's got a
>>>> nice Cannondale right there that he could take easy rides on. As a
>>>> practical matter, he's not going to get fried since it's doubtful he'll
>>>> push himself.
>>> He is becoming a target for me riding over to his house and bugging him
>>> to "Get the bike out." kind of harassment. Two people, both younger than
>>> me, have died in the last two years, and neither would have happened if
>>> they were in somewhat better shape. In his case I am going to remind him
>>> of this and nag. Knowing him we may bike to a restaurant, but I have to
>>> try.
>>
>> Ah, one of the food groups, Chocolate. Yes, if it's a Road Bike, you
>> don't really want to put electrics on it. The rims won't handle the
>> punishment. Nor will the forks or the frame. But if it's a MB then that
>> is a different story and easily adapted. He can have the best of both
>> worlds on a Hybrid (maybe) or a MB (15 minute installation). I don't
>> know how many times I leave the house, get to where I want to go and
>> notice I didn't charge before I left. Guess what, there is going to be
>> some peddling involved on the way back. Also, climbing hills (like it's
>> really ever going to be flat in Western Colorado anywhere) you pedal to
>> extend your range even when you have a full charge. The Low Speed
>> Electric still requires help from time to time to get from point A to B.
>>
>> And, maybe, a bit of help from the lowspeed electric bicycle
>> (http://lsebicycle.com) just might get him down a few pounds until he no
>> longer needs the electric part.
>>
> The one thing I have going for me is that it is all flat and he seems
> interested in riding the trail that was railroad and is now paved just for
> biking and walking. It goes about 8 miles and only crosses 2 roads with
> little traffic.
> <SNIP>
Whatever it takes, whateer it takes. I found myself sitting in the recliner
way too much. I am semi retired. But the front steps had to be done in a
sideways fashion. That was enough. I started riding a bike and it saved my
life. Unfortunately, my left knee is swiss cheeze. I couldn't pedal the
bike for as long as I needed to. Hence, the bike with the low impact
electrics added to compensate.
>
>>> Tricky indeed. It always seems to be too little or too much. I usually
>>> wind up with the extra stuff wrapped around the handlebars.
>>> Spring were for art thou?
>>> Bill Baka
>>
>> The summers here hits 105 and better for long stretches. It's a dry heat
>> but 105 and better? You are going to sweat no matter what unless you are
>> wearing NASA underwear.
>
> Yeah,
> It hits 100 for about 30 days out of the summer here. Dry but when it goes
> over 110 the pavement really gets to scorching. This is the area where
> they made a movie and took bets on frying an egg on the road.
> It didn't fry, but came close.
Sounds to me like you need to have a gulley washer two or three to help out.
>>
>> In the Winter, just layer clothing it and gloves. The face needs to be
>> covered when it hits in the low teens and single digits. Also, FENDERS.
>> It's messy around here when it rains or snows.
>
> Fenders. I almost forgot they exist. Now that I think of it I haven't seen
> fenders on any bike around here. It must be a California mind set.
I just don't care for the old "Brown" stripe in the front and having to
clean my glasses at every stop.
>>
>> Other than that, I ride every day without fail. Rain, Shine, Snow, sleet
>> or fair weather. That isn't something most can say.
>>
> I can't say it. Sometimes it is easier to just go out and run a bit, due
> to the overwhelming junk collection in my garage.
> Bill Baka
Like I said, my left knee won't put up with that for long.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am using the free version of SPAMfighter for private users.
It has removed 801 spam emails to date.
Paying users do not have this message in their emails.
Try SPAMfighter for free now!
|
|
|  |