Pedelecs
20 September 2018, 07:39 PM
#32
Power and gearing equate to acceleration. e-Bikes aren't necessarily any quicker off the line and up to their max speed of 15.5mph than a "normal" pedal cycle, so scrub that. Once at 15.5mph, then it is considerably harder to get to 20mph than the equivalent un-assisted cycle. I was suggesting that the max speed should be raised to 20mph in order to provide a buffer in stop/start traffic where maxing out at 15.5mph can be dangerous in certain situations.
Not everyone who has an e-bike actually goes v-max anyway, neither do people on normal pedal bikes. I would suggest that it would be mandatory for anyone on the (other than pedestrians) have 3rd party insurance but a nightmare to enforce. eBikes upto 20mph are no more a hazard than the equivalent cycle, so again licensing etc hardly worth it. Bear in mind that a reasonable rider on a road bike can easily cruise at 22/24mph and hit 30mph+ on the flat. I would suggest making cycles subject to the speed limit though.
Not everyone who has an e-bike actually goes v-max anyway, neither do people on normal pedal bikes. I would suggest that it would be mandatory for anyone on the (other than pedestrians) have 3rd party insurance but a nightmare to enforce. eBikes upto 20mph are no more a hazard than the equivalent cycle, so again licensing etc hardly worth it. Bear in mind that a reasonable rider on a road bike can easily cruise at 22/24mph and hit 30mph+ on the flat. I would suggest making cycles subject to the speed limit though.
20 September 2018, 08:28 PM
#33
Scooby Regular
Gov (once brexited) should change the law to make pedal assist permissible up to 20mph from 15.5mph. 15.5mph in traffic is almost suicidal, whereas a bit more to say 20mph, would allow you a lot more ability to get out of trouble. BJ tried to change that when he was Mayor of London but got told he couldn't 'cos of Brussels. You would also get a lot more take-up of eBikes.
Pedal assist to 15.5mph is like hitting a brick wall once v max is achieved, especially on a 20kg bike with gearing designed to use that extra 250W
Pedal assist to 15.5mph is like hitting a brick wall once v max is achieved, especially on a 20kg bike with gearing designed to use that extra 250W
[Trump mode on] So Sad[trump mode off]
21 September 2018, 09:24 AM
#37
22+ is motoring along, especially solo. You need to be a top end cyclist to sustain that pace in comfort. Im a big rider, but can push decent watts and find holding 22+ on a flat road solo hard work at threshold. 16-18mph is more a cruising speed.
21 September 2018, 09:32 AM
#38
That's average including ups, downs, traffic and what speed people want to go. I commute most every day 7.5 miles through SE London to the City/back and I regularly do16-18mph moving average over the distance, so that includes stop/starts, filtering, traffic, Tower Bridge and so on. On the flat and clear roads, I am aiming at 22mph, which is a nice cadence/load on my bike. I'm certainly not the fittest and by no means the fastest, though probably above average.
What I am saying is that, in my experience, an eBike running out of assistance at 15mph is too low and it should be a bit higher, though not massively. I found it a challenge and in some instances more dangerous as I didn't have the speed manoeuvrability or additional acceleration to get out of trouble that I might have had on my road bike.
What I am saying is that, in my experience, an eBike running out of assistance at 15mph is too low and it should be a bit higher, though not massively. I found it a challenge and in some instances more dangerous as I didn't have the speed manoeuvrability or additional acceleration to get out of trouble that I might have had on my road bike.
21 September 2018, 09:45 AM
#39
Ive no argument against having 20mph for an ebike. You will find the leap to 22+ massive, air drag increases square to increase in speed. It needs a massive leap in Watts to go from 18 to 20mph and an even bigger leap to from 20 to 22+mph. You have to get alot more aero or ride in a pack to share the work on the front.
I did the Tour of Cambridge this year, my first time. It was a blast fest, first 10 miles averaged over 25mph on a normal bike, 23mph for 40 miles. I then stopped for a break and on my return to the road, I was alone for quite a while and struggled to hold 21+ solo. Soon as a pack arrived, my pace increased back over 22mph. I ended up 21+mph average for the whole 80 miles.
I did the Tour of Cambridge this year, my first time. It was a blast fest, first 10 miles averaged over 25mph on a normal bike, 23mph for 40 miles. I then stopped for a break and on my return to the road, I was alone for quite a while and struggled to hold 21+ solo. Soon as a pack arrived, my pace increased back over 22mph. I ended up 21+mph average for the whole 80 miles.
21 September 2018, 07:49 PM
#40
I did the Tour of Cambridge this year, my first time. It was a blast fest, first 10 miles averaged over 25mph on a normal bike, 23mph for 40 miles. I then stopped for a break and on my return to the road, I was alone for quite a while and struggled to hold 21+ solo. Soon as a pack arrived, my pace increased back over 22mph. I ended up 21+mph average for the whole 80 miles.
21 September 2018, 07:52 PM
#41
Ive no argument against having 20mph for an ebike. You will find the leap to 22+ massive, air drag increases square to increase in speed. It needs a massive leap in Watts to go from 18 to 20mph and an even bigger leap to from 20 to 22+mph. You have to get alot more aero or ride in a pack to share the work on the front.
25 September 2018, 03:41 PM
#43
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Some rough figure for wattage here
https://www.kurtkinetic.com/kinetic-power-tech
what don't know is how much 50% weight gain affects , ie electric over average road bike
https://www.kurtkinetic.com/kinetic-power-tech
what don't know is how much 50% weight gain affects , ie electric over average road bike
26 October 2018, 04:44 PM
#45
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Does anyone here own pedelec that needs to be registered ie over 15mph
How much is insurance > only seen one figure of 200 quid fully comp !
i wouldnt even bother thinking about it
How much is insurance > only seen one figure of 200 quid fully comp !
i wouldnt even bother thinking about it