Anyone into electric cycling?

[LeftieBiker]

I pictured a trike with a big basket! In this case the rider definitely assists the motors, more than the other way around. And once they deliver a few packages, they have a rain shelter!

[NeilBlanchard]

Here's what I am seriously considering - the Better Bike PEBL:

http://www.better.bike/



750W mid-drive motor, ~25 mile range (up to 75 miles with optional batteries), 4 season, regen, rollup doors, backseat standard.

[GRA]

Here's what I am seriously considering - the Better Bike PEBL:

http://www.better.bike/ [snip]

750W mid-drive motor, ~25 mile range (up to 75 miles with optional batteries), 4 season, regen, rollup doors, backseat standard.

H'mm, 195 lb. Definitely more pedal-assisted motor than motor-assisted pedaling, I'd say. As for the claim of "great visibility", I'm throwing a flag.

[LeftieBiker]

On the one hand, that would certainly make for more tolerable Winter riding. On the other, I suspect that the fun gets lost, leaving one pedaling a small, very drafty, car. Can you get a heater for it? ;-0

[LeftieBiker]

I just took a longer look at the PEBL, which I think has come up before in this topic. Nice job, and I'd guess much more muscular than the ELF because of the mid-drive. But..."starting at $5995"? STARTING?!? I think I'd get a used Leaf S with 10 bars and make it a convertible, first...

[GRA]

On the one hand, that would certainly make for more tolerable Winter riding. On the other, I suspect that the fun gets lost, leaving one pedaling a small, very drafty, car. Can you get a heater for it? ;-0

From the specs page of the website:

We live in western MA. We know about varying seasons. We want to ride our PEBL all year. The PEBL comes standard with a carpeted floor, heel wells and roll up doors to make it fully enclosed. The doors are vinyl and roll up under the roof when not needed, but can easily roll back down if they are. This feature, combined with removable flooring and heel wells under the pedals, create a tremendous sense of freedom when PEBLing in the warmer weather. For colder weather, we offer a powerful, custom built, 600 watt heater as an option!

I can't imagine using this thing in good weather, so the price is pretty steep for a winter-only car (Note: S.F. Bay Area resident. YMMV.). It's essentially a lightweight NEV.

[LeftieBiker]

On the one hand I'd think a good propane heater would work best. On the other, if you want to be fossil fuel-free, then a good 600 watt electric heater would probably suffice, at the expense of a lot of range. I'd want a handlebar heater as well...

[GRA]

On the one hand I'd think a good propane heater would work best. On the other, if you want to be fossil fuel-free, then a good 600 watt electric heater would probably suffice, at the expense of a lot of range. I'd want a handlebar heater as well...

Heated gloves.

[LeftieBiker]

Having used battery-electric gloves for many years, I can vouch for how much of a PITA it is to keep them charged and ready - especially lithium battery gloves. Heated grips are relatively easy to implement.

[GRA]

Having used battery-electric gloves for many years, I can vouch for how much of a PITA it is to keep them charged and ready - especially lithium battery gloves. Heated grips are relatively easy to implement.

I wasn't suggesting using gloves with their own battery, just plugging them in and running them off the vehicle battery, just like any seat heater works; it might take some kind of converter to get the right voltage. The company gives you the option of various battery sizes, many of which far exceed the range over which a vehicle like this is likely to be used, so you've got plenty of reserve for heating, whether air or contact. Whether you opt for gloves or a heated wheel is your choice - the former will save some energy, the latter's more convenient and less efficient, but it's unlikely to be an issue either way.