New "Electric Wheel" Makes Your Bike into Electric Bike

[JudyJB]

Some of you know I bought myself an electric bike at the beginning of the summer to use as my transportation when I want to go somewhere without taking my whole motorhome. I love it, but it was expensive and is heavy. Found this article about an electric wheel you can attach to your current bike:

http://www.slate.com/articles/technolog ... sweat.html

[BarbaraRose]

Sounds cool! Maybe the price would go down some once they got more popular. But a great idea!

[DearMissMermaid]

I've been looking at the front wheel electric model kit here:

http://www.electric-bike-kit.com/hill-topper.aspx

It seems pretty simple for an idiot like me.

I am super curious what kind of electric bike you currently have.

I just can't seem to learn to ride far enough, I can barely make it a mile or two in my condition on flat land, yet I want to keep exercising, but I have been drooling over this front wheel kit, because it seems simple enough. Most of the year I am around hills and if I can barely make it 1-2 miles on flat land... then I definitely need the "hill topper".

[BarbaraRose]

Another good option!

[JudyJB]

I have ridden a bike all my life, even after having both knees replaced. But I fell a couple of times last year and pulled some tendons and broke loose some scar tissue on my right knee. Instead of riding 7-8 miles easily, I could ride 2 miles and then not be able to walk the next day--not a good situation.

Here is the bike I have: http://www.eco-wheelz.com/catalog/eg-at ... -p-357.php

One thing I like about it is that it has a very low step-over, so I can get on or off easily. What I don't like is the weight. I have twice fallen very slowly because once it starts to fall, it is so heavy it is hard to get it back upright. It weighs 54 pound with the battery and about 45 pounds without it. I take the battery off before I lift it on the bike rack, then cover the whole thing up. The battery lives in the motorhome to keep it dry and to recharge.

I do love the pedal boost feature and the lithium ion battery. If you are looking at electric bikes, you really want to avoid the lead acid battery versions sold more cheaply. These batteries are good for only about 100 charges and then wear down. The lithium ion battery charges faster and lasts longer.

I am short and this bike fits me well. I bought a set of panniers that were made for this bike and they fit on very nicely, plus have a laptop sleeve, as well.