this post was submitted on 09 Aug 2023
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The money i dident spend on fuel payed the E-Bike a long time ago! And my endurance also improved!

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[–] [email protected] 28 points 1 year ago (9 children)

Not sure it'd be practical where I'm at with the towns being miles apart, but a great idea in more dense areas. How do you deal with transporting things like a trip to the grocery store?

[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Google pannier bags. They're basically totes that mount onto a bike rack. Some of them even have straps to convert them into a backpack for easy carrying.

In terms of distance, I think you might be surprised by how far and fast you can go with an ebike. A lot of people only think about their speed when on the highway, but most of your time on the road is likely spent at slower speeds navigating traffic in town. So what bikes may lack in speed, they make up for in maneuverability.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Sounds like a lot of people here have some experience with this. Where I'm at it's all towns of less than 2000 usually spaced 5-10 miles apart over a state highway. I could bike on it, at least in the summer. Might be worth a look, or just getting a decent analog bike since it can't really be my daily transport moving a kid and all. Been meaning to get one of those anyhow, last one I had was a shoddy thing not up to hauling someone my size.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

One option to look into, especially for transporting small children, is a "bakfiets". It's a type of cargo bike with a large bucket in the front that can be used to haul kids and groceries. And you can find them now as ebikes to make it easier to haul more stuff. They're super common in the Netherlands for their high carrying capacity. You'll even see people moving furniture around with them!

[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

My wife orders the weekly groceries home every 1-2 weeks. The delivery fee for purchases over 150.- is only 4.95, which easily pays for itself with the drive and the parking fee to the nearest shopping center (8km). In addition, in this setup i also have to carry the purchases only from the front door to the basement.

Edit: We use Public transportation a lot. For the normal bike we use the Thule Chariot Sport as a trailer. For the daily needs (fresh bread, somtimes mising butter or milk...) we shop localy in th village, also with bike and backbag or the biketrailer.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

A decent cost, I'd guess the delivery is a store employee using a company vehicle since that'd be a heavy lift for $5 to take on in some 3rd party service or the employee's car like most small shops. Persoannly I like going to the shop, even if it's a little ways out just for the getting an idea on the fly aspect when walking by something.

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[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago

I bought a comically large insulated box that can hold six large pizzas.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago
[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

Miles actually aren't a problem on an ebike. Pannier bags can carry alot.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

Smaller trips to the store on the way home if they live in a city. I like to get a couple things at a time during lunch break since the store is close

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[–] [email protected] 23 points 1 year ago (1 children)

My car insurance is more than my bike's initial cost.

Every year.

Forever.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago

I understand exactly what you mean. The insurance for me (accident-free and driving safety course) was 500.-, plus road taxes of c. 250.-... and that every year...

[–] _haha_oh_wow_ 17 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

That's awesome, congratulations!

What bike do you ride?

Also, feel free to check out [email protected]

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

Thank you:) Thanks for the recommendation, i checked it out!

[–] [email protected] 11 points 1 year ago

I really wish there was some way I could ride a bicycle to work. It's only 12 miles. But I'd 100% get run over the first week.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 year ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago
[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago (11 children)

What do you do for thunderstorms and nasty weather? I think this is a fantastic idea but weather.

[–] [email protected] 18 points 1 year ago

With the money you save it's nothing to take a cab in truly bad conditions.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I used to be very anxious over bad weather when I first started cycling more and switched modes of transport at any chance of rain. These days I always have a tiny-pack-size rain jacket and pants with me and plan my commute around the weather radar... but above of all I've just got pretty indifferent to rain. Most of the time it's just a little bit, the few instances it gets more I have the rain gear with me. Thunderstorms that entirely prevent cycling are extremely rare for me.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

I ride a lot in my city and thunderstorms can happen several times a week where I live during certain parts of the year. Usually I can plan around them and if it's really so stormy I don't think I can bike then it's usually better if I don't drive anywhere either.

The main one that gets me is when I pick up my kid from school. Just rain and I'll bike but if there's lightning I occasionally need to take the car for safety.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Waterproof jacket and trousers that fits a pannier bag (preferably waterproof also) makes you basically 90% rainproof, especially if the trousers have shoe covers or your shoes are at least a little waterproof. Also, clear glasses avoid raindrops to go into your eyes while riding and allow you to see the road. Like this, only your hands are not covered.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

This plus Vessi waterproof shoes. I am an amphibian.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

In a drizzle or similar, I bike with a weatherproof jacket. I take the bus or tram if I have to get anywhere in bad weather, but more often I probably don't leave my home if the weather is bad or there's a storm brewing.

Disclaimer: I live alone in a major metropolitan area and mostly work from home.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago

I don't drive my car in severe thunderstorms.

I've been caught in painful hail multiple times on my bike. Rain coat plus helmet gets me pretty far.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

Good clothing and topnotch hikingshoes, that's the most important part. My commute is 17min long, so it's not to long.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

Just go, it's not that bad.

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[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago (3 children)

What's that in American? How many glorious screaming freedom eagles' wingspans? Like at least 10, right?

[–] [email protected] 12 points 1 year ago

Did the mathfor the wingspan: 5555555 small eagles or 4347826 big eagles or 434782608 sparrows

(I know you were just joking)

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

Sadly, eagles don't sound nearly as cool and I originally thought. Somehow, I got the impression that the bald eagle has some loud and menacing scream, but that scream actually belongs to some type of hawk. The bald eagle sounds much wimpier.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

That's like 6000 miles ottomh

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago
[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Great Job! How is your bike doing with this mileage? Any problems with the engine?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I take the bike to the small service every six months (Easter/October). I also always change the tires from summer tires to endurance tires or vice versa. The spare parts have so far cost me a little more than a complete set of decent winter tires for the car. Fortunately, I had no problems with the engine so far.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

Sounds great Safe travels!

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago

E-bikes for the win! Much love!

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

What kinda bike are you riding?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

I ride a black Flyer.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

That's amazing! I just passed 1100km on my e-bike and I love it! Have you had to replace the battery after that many kilometers?

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Thanks :) I have not replaced it jet, but i want to mention:

  1. The speed i reach easily dropped from 44.5 to 42 km/h
  2. The Distance i can max. travel in turbomode dropped from 47km to 42km. On the display it still showes 47 fully charged, but the 5km just vanish on tour.
[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Would you again buy a 50 km/h bike vs. a 25 km/h one? I consider buying an e-bike to pull a trailer but I am not sure if I need the extra power, 25 km/h seems plenty. Does it feel saver when you can drive as fast as surrounding cars?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

I would buy a 45km/h ebike again in a heartbeat. The slower ebike has a better range, but it supports you less long and your travel time is longer (in my case 17 instead of 30min). Car drivers can always overtake you, at higher speed they need more distance. In my opinion, a rearview mirror should be attached to every bike for commuting. You will notice quieter e-cars or fast approaching racing machines much earlier and can take actions.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

wow, nice!!! makes me want to buy a bike

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