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I did a lot of research before purchasing the e-bike, but this video would have been an aid before buying and now riding. In early June 2023, I will be 79 years old. What the heck am I doing on a bike, especially an e-bike? That is what I asked myself when I started looking into buying an e-bike. I was moving and had five 10-speed bikes that I gave away as I have a breathing problem, and pedaling didn't help! So, it was easy to donate the bikes. However, on KZfaq, I watched someone with a knee replacement have lots of fun. That started it all. So, I purchased a 20-inch step-thru e-bike that, with pedal assist, I could again enjoy the biking experience.

I'm 61 and I was surprised at how much my bike weighs (70 pounds). I read the manual before I got on the bike and it has allowed me to understand how to maintain the bike 4,000 miles later I have NEVER once drained my battery and mostly charge it at 2-3 bars left. It runs just like new and I keep it clean😅 I giggle every ride. Best investment I ever made

3100 miles on my Aventon Level 1. Ridden it every day for 18 months. It takes time to build skills and understand it all, but it has essentially replaced my car. I’m 70 and have driven cars close to a million miles, motorcycles for 20,000 miles. That e-bike is the most fun vehicle I’ve ever owned.

I've ridden motorcycles for years, and recently got an E-bike (done over 700mi so far). Love it ! The common denominators for riding anything in traffic - don't go faster than a situation allows, and please - be courteous and use your common sense !

I would like to point out especially for noobies, going 20 mph on an E-bike feelslike 40 in a car, slow down before curves.

If you have the peddle assist turned on and come to a stop if you even slightly touch the peddle with say your shin the bike will jump ahead and if the chain comes off and assist is on you can figure a trip to emergency if your fingers get caught in the chain because you moved the peddle putting the chain back on , make a habit of shutting it off when needed and have a good think about when that is

I've had a 500 watt hub drive ebike 20"x4" fat tire folder for over a year, bought it used. It's my main mode of transportation now. 60+ miles range, 4 hour charge costs pennies. Usually ride 10-15 miles a day. Ebikes are considered bicycles in my town, I ride sidewalks and dirt trails. I love my bike. Rode 700 miles in one year.

E-bikes are not more dangerous than any bike if ridden responsibly. All bikes are inherently "dangerous" in the sense that riding one exposes the rider to potential injury compared to not riding at all.

i have owned a rad runner 1 for three years now.....the main thing i had to get used to was no suspension system....when you hit bumps or holes you hit them directly....bought a padded springed seat and put two padded gel covers over that....helped a lot but my butt does giggle a bit.....i rode regular bikes for 50 years but due to my advanced age (72) i have switched to e biking....helps me stay outside, get some exercise, and puts me in a good mood.....i keep my legs moving no matter what assist level i am using...great concept for older people

I used a timer to charge my battery up to 70-80% only, You can calculate how long it takes to fully charge your battery and divide the time to how much charge you want in your battery next time. This will avoid overcharging your battery and extend its life considerably.

I’m 5’9” and I got a large frame e-bike in October ‘22. I am approaching 4000 miles. Early on my butt, lower back and legs were killing me. Now I can’t ride enough. I try to average 120 miles per week now.

I love my fat tire e-bike but it is at least three times heavier than a regular bicycle so it’s very important to be careful when you are riding around pedestrians or other bicycles because in the event of an accident the damage is likely to be a lot worse than an accident involving just an ordinary bicycle.

New ebike owner after owning and riding bikes since the 1970s. Folks, this is a whole new ballgame. I'm slowly learning the ins and outs and nuances, particularly when starting and stopping. I still have a nervous feeling when riding it, but I'm hoping I'll relax more with more time in the saddle. Be careful out there and use good situational awareness when playing in traffic.

Dude. I’m a traumatic brain injury survivor from riding my brand new e-bike and getting hit by a car last year and I brought a himiway now to overcome my safety issues. Thank you for informing videos 😊

The one thing is there are EBike chargers with sensors that turn off the charging when the batteries are fully charged. If they get overcharged it can possibly burn down the house. Also get rear view mirrors.

as far ebike fire risk goes dont buy aftermarket batterries and use or replace the charger with same type that came with bike. in other words buy batteries and chargers from the bike manufacturer.

Another point is the cost of accessories. I bought a 1000w mid drive last years for 3k$. Two months after receiving it, I added 1k more in protections, clothing, lights, repair tools, grease and oil.

In Oregon we conform with California's system, 20 mph limit with throttle assist, 28 with pedal assist (group 3). 20 is plenty for suburban street riding and trails. Also pedal assist is separated into 4 or 5 levels, usually (from low to high assist) Eco, Tour, Sport, Turbo, and Boost (if there's 5). Each makes pedaling a little easier, but uses up the battery faster. You can turn off the assist altogether, but it does make the bike feel very heavy, at least with all the bikes I've ridden.

Here's some things I would add or add onto being a decade long ebike owner of many different bikes. To add about battery fires etc....But a fireproof/explosion proof bag or container. For like 25 USD you can get one that fits all single batteries from an ebike and maybe two but I'd store separate like I do. I'm not sure what a box would cost but the bad for me is perfect. Make sure it fully closes. Some sold are bs and have big gaps on the side air can get in which fire needs...Mine for 25 dollars has a zipper and velcro. Next is buy at least one GPS chip if not two or three depending on how much you're invested in your bike. Plus each ones uses different protocols and one in one situation might not work. For eg Airtags need something running iOS near the chip to follow it. So I suggest two kinds at least. Then there's a bike cover if leaving out locked. It's shows that bike thieves many times skip over bikes that are covered. It's a cheap added security measure. Get even a cheap security system. I also really suggest is ebike insurance from a reputable company. Your car insurer probably already has it that you can check out and maybe bundle. It's usually under 100 USD a year. Mine is 65 a year and it covers what I paid for my bike not what they say it's worth which is important. Another is that it doesn't hurt to get a couple more LED lights to run whenever you're riding. Get a loud horn with a button by your hand with easy access if someone is pulling in front of you or drifting into you etc. Get mirrors. At least a left side one to see cars coming up on you. VERY big help keeping alive. All those ppl on their phones drift a ton. Decide what you need for safety gear. But at the least you need a good ebike or mountain bike helmet. Even a skateboard ramp helmet is great if you have one. The ones racers use aren't good for safety. You want one that covers the back of your skull well. And don't buy cheap Chinese crap from Amazon for 20 dollars. Spend at least 60 from a good known company that's been around. Like Bell, Smith, Schwinn, Base Camp just for some eg. It's your head, that you can't live without. Mine has saved me twice in 5years(hit by ladies on their phones). Came out with broken hips and other assd bones and scrapes and broken bikes by my helmets took hits and saved my head. No joke. It's not if, it's when someone on their phone clips you, pulls out in front of you as you're going down a road, drifts into you in traffic or outright hits you head on. Which is why I also suggest always wearing a GoPro or grab a Garmin mini to record while riding in case you're hit and they run or lie.

Thanks mate, about to start a new journey in life on the E bike revolution and looking forward to it. Cannot wait to hit the open trails and explore

One thing that ebikes do that adds to safety is they keep you up with the traffic. Assuming you can handle the speed, having speed that is relatively similar to the surrounding traffic, is a big advantage. In the old days, the main concern with car/bike accidents was t-boning. In the current environment with distracted drivers, getting hit from behind by passing vehicles, something that should never happen, is increasingly common. Any cyclist knows and sees all the people who are on their phones, not to mention intoxication. And many folks these days think it is entirely OK to be a dangerous driver, equivalent to being drunk. They feel social norms condone driving and texting. Being hit by a care that is moving at 30 mph is a death sentence. But relative speeds if you can keep up with traffic, combined with the longer time they have to see you, make activities like commuting a lot easier. But now as a motorized vehicle, you need to obey the laws, and common sense that apply to driving on the road, and staying off the sidewalks, relative to slower vehicles around you.

Capacity of battery is actually WATT HOURS: Amp hours × Voltage.

Sensational vid dude. Just what I needed to back up what I have researched myself. Really good to know I was on the mark, this has made me happy to order my choice tonight. Cheers

I'm going to add my knowledge into this. As far as I know, most people should learn and review the laws regarding E-bikes at a state level first. Why? Because most states have a constitutional provision that prohibits localities and municipalities from making their own rules. Basically, it's the idea of a general law applying to an entire state, versus a state law only applying to one specific place within a state (e.g., applying a law to Michigan rather than only Detroit). That being said, I live in Michigan. After reviewing Michigan law, the only places E-bikes are completely banned state-wide are Mackinac State Park on Mackinac Island, and any other trails or parks with native soil terrain (i.e., dirt trails). These "native soil" trails have no crushed stone or asphalt pathway. Even then, E-bikes up to Class 2 can be used on any park trail or rail-trail without issue, while a park or trail authority can prohibit or limit Class 3 E-bikes. Otherwise, E-bikes are considered just like regular bicycles while being used. Meaning, obey the rules of the road. This also means local authorities cannot ban or prohibit E-bikes, as doing so usurps the state legislative authority. Lastly, because E-bikes must have functioning pedals, there is no license requirement for any E-bike in Michigan. If you do not have functional pedals, then you are considered to be on an electric moped or an electric scooter. At which point, you would need lights (headlamp, taillamp, turn signals) and a motorcycle endorsement for an equivalent motor output of 11.1 kilowatts, as this is equivalent to a 125 cc, 15 hp moped or scooter.

Loved all the info. only wished I had found you all before I bought the bikes we have, I feel now more than ever, that I should have gotten one of your bikes. I can not even get on the last one I bought, not tall enough, and I know now that I should have gotten one with a low step-through area.

In Europe you cannot legally go beyond 250W. The assist can also only happen at speeds up to 25 km/h.

Oh man wish I seen this video before I bought my E-bike , you covered a lot of my questions in this one video. I live in Sacramento and I didn’t know that E-bikes are not allowed on bike trails. I was going to use mine to get to fishing spots along the American river and the Sacramento River. I got a class 2 bike and all I can drive it on the bike lane on the roads and people in cars sure don’t look for bikes.I took my bike to Gibson Ranch park near me so I can get the hang of it before I hit the streets with it. Thank you again for this video.

I've bought a Trex e-bike 4 years ago. I've ridden 1800 miles. I love my e-bike.

Thanks for the great video! My son and I are on the verge of buying our first ebikes, and this helped a lot.

One of the best videos explaining e-bikes. First time I hear about weight, battery capacity and motor size for 300 lbs class riders related to distance and presence of hills. Very helpful. Another thing which I haven't find yet is video where needs of service is explained. How do I now it is time for service and so on.

Excellent information, I have been riding the smaller foldable eBikes for some time now. I had to buy a longer seat post to have the correct leg extension, and the one big downside on my bike is it only has a single gear in the back so when the battery runs out it’s hard to pedal home, so make sure that you’re comfortable riding it all the way home if the battery runs out. Also, I just buy one of those cheapie bright orange reflective net vest just to make sure I am seen.

I own an Ebike. It's now 10 years old, one thing that fails is the batteries fail and you want a bike that the battery isn't single sourced. If you buy the generic battery later on you can buy a bigger pack that just slides into place. They can cost 1/2 the price of single sourced batteries. I would stay away from mid-drive Ebikes. It seems like they have more issues than Ebikes with hub motors. All the friends with Mid-drives have converted to hubs now and I am no longer repairing/adjusting the bikes.

I do not own an E-bike yet , just looking for information when I came across your video , thank you answered a lot of my questions!!

I have extensive experience of lithium batteries and the fires connected with these batteries is more than likely due to the charger and not the battery.... The charger needs to be able to turn off once the battery is fully charged.

Hi l really found your video helpfull. because my workplace in uk just launched Cycle 2work program and l really needed that basic guide line about many areas. l am hoping you will make more videos like but more in depth and more categorised! Thank you

I’m looking at buying an E trike in the near future. Great video, thank you

This presentation is calm, organized, easy to hear and a huge value to someone just beginning to research ebikes.

Here in UK legal e-bikes are limited to 250 watts. Although there are riders who ride Surron bikes, which are basically e-motorbikes out on the roads and these aren’t legal and police do FA about them. I would say there are a lot of trade offs when you buy an ebike. Don’t scrimp on the battery or motor and look at the warranty on the frame which can vary. I went with a Bosch motor and battery in the end, which is purpose built for the frame. Just ride considerately to others.

Wow! Just starting our research on e-bikes. These are great things to know ahead of time!

Great vid. Got two e-bikes love them both. Ist and 2nd Generation.

Great info! Thanks. One thing I'd add is that there are some useful small ebikes that have fixed, nonremovable batteries. I have one (Jetson Bolt Pro). It was only $400. It's good for errands around the neighborhood. Just something for people to think about when purchasing an ebike.

This is very helpful, thanks for sharing!

Very helpful... thanks for the SAFETY reminder tips! Cheers!

Thanks for sharing your experience and information with e-bikes 🚴‍♂️🚴‍♀️🙋‍♂️👍

Great information on e bike safety and purchasing.

Thanks for your informative video. You touched on many good things. I have been working within the bike industry since 1991 and I love the e-bike revolution. However that being said I am worried about the dangers of the e-bikes. I have lived through many high speed crashes in Lycra, gloves and a helmet. Was injured for a year back in the late 80's from a 32 MPH crash. Can you make a video on what people do to make themselves safer on an e-bike. Clothing, lights, traffic? Thanks again for the video. Looking forward to you next one.

Good info. It's important to do your due diligence and research everything and anything related to ebikes, and specifically related to the bike you want to buy.

I am a bicycle rider, and as bike rider and car driver have had a lot of problems with e-bike drivers. Your discussion about safety and the distinction of having a throttle is the most thoughtful thing I have read on the subject. Something I have not seen discussed anywhere is the relative weight of these things with respect to the braking system and the capability of the platform.

I converted my recumbent bike to electric. Mounting the battery was a challenge because of limited space, but other than that it was fairly simple with a few tools including a crank removal tool ànd a 15mm pedal wrench. It's really exciting to ride and safer than a regular bike because you can keep up with city traffic. But as usual be careful and attentive to cars and road conditions. Also remember to slow down for turns! Have fun!

Excellent presentation and info. Much appreciated

#12 - Be prepared to do your own fixes and periodic maintenance. Local bike shops aren't likely to touch your e-bike if you didn't purchase it from them or your warranty period has expired.

I put about 3500 miles on my ebike every year the thing that I have most problems with is the batteries go bad so I just buy a a new ebike every year because they want 500.00 just for the battery and I need new brakes and tires by then to

E bikes are very dangerous and should be respected by the rider. I see people that haven't been on a bike in years and have no idea what they're getting into and get over confident and end up in a situation.

good information, thanks so much

excellent advice!!!!

You stated that 250Watt assist motor is good for a couple-mile trip. Sylvia of "Travel by Trike" crossing America on 250Watt with Rohloff hub on her trike. Huge 390lb NFL-size rider here. 250Watt with Rohloff hub on my delta trike. 250Watt is the legal maximum limit on many bicycle paths! Have geared hub 250Watt front wheel on a delta planform trike too.

Top top vid mate! Just subbed

Very informative. Thank you!

Seems like some new ebike owners want to "hack" the controller to increase the motor cut-off 5-15 mph faster. Not realizing the suspension, tires, and braking systems are really designed for the original for Class I/II/III category. Another issue I wish I researched more was warranty and servicing of an ebike. You might have a 1-2 year warranty; but, it might be hard to make a claim because of poor customer service, delay in overseas part shipment, or you need to provide the labor yourself to replace. You have to ready to turn a wrench, service more often, and get your hands dirty with an ebike if you want it running for years. Most I've done with my old pedal bikes was fix a flat, clean the chain, update the saddle, or add a handle bar riser.

I'm 77 yo, and have a recumbent trike and velomobile both upgraded to e-assist in 2022. The trike has a 750w motor; the velomobile, 250w motor (due to lack of room), both Tongsheng mid-drives. I had that done because I had developed a heart arrythmia characterized by a heart rate spike if I push too hard. When that happens, my heart rate can suddenly jump to 200 bpm, from as low as 125 bpm. This is neither comfortable nor healthy and can result in me beginning to pass out on a ride. The pedal assist is great because I can still get a workout, but I don't need to worry about heart rate spikes. I also ride unassisted road bikes, but I control heart rate on those by mixing in a 2000mg dose (half teaspoon) of potassium citrate into my water bottle and drinking it as my electrolyte of choice. The main concession I've made is to drop my average annual mileage from 12000 to 10000 miles per year, half on road bikes and half on the recumbents. I'm enjoying my rides as much as I ever have in the 54 years I've been active as a cyclist.

Some of those hills in downtown San Francisco will probably be too much for most adults to handle with only 750W of assistance.

Sadly, I gave up riding ebikes. I owned two of them...over 4k miles. For where I live, the killer issue are DOGS! Without exaggeration, I was chased over 500 times by DOGS! On a typical ride, I would be chased a minimum of two times and up to 7 times (each ride). Every size and breed. Usually, people here have at least two dogs; some have 4 to 6 dogs...all running loose. Last two incidents convinced me that I was going to get seriously injured if I kept riding. No matter where I tried to ride, there were always DOGS running loose and on the hunt. On my final ride, I had a Pit Bull slam into the rear wheel...almost went down. Enough!

Excellent info, video,, THANK YOU Sir,,, I learned a lot,,, will help me shop, decide, buy,,,and SAFETY,,

Here's one - they are HEAVY!! I get really frustrated that I can't load and unload my Aventon onto the rack by myself. I'd love to take it out to my local wildlife refuge or to the beach by myself but I just can't do it. Takes two.

I believe the number one thing you should know before buying a e-bike is the difference between cadence assist and toque assist. Big difference. Toque assist is much safer and it pedals just like a regular bike. Cadence assist you don’t need any force on the pedals, just a little movement of the crank and the bike will jump forward. Toque assist is a smooth acceleration forward. Especially when turning a cadence e-bike will accelerate without peddling if you slightly move the crank. Test ride both and you will definitely feel the difference.

Great video. Thank you.

Key words...COMMON SENSE & RESEARCH

Especially as a new rider, expect to have at least one body jarring fall off your bike. Be prepared, wear gloves and a helmet and try not to break anything, bodily or otherwise.

Thanks for your advice

Thanks for the very valuable information the "11 things". I would like to add a couple of more things including the weight of the bike and the weight of the hitch if you plan to transport a bike. Also taking e-bikes on trains which I was considering doing when I had my 20 lb Italian bike. Thank you again

Put a timer on your charger....for 5 hr charge

Most informative e bike video on KZfaq.

Whenever on two wheels it’s never about if but when you will fall off.

64 yr old male, been riding bikes and dirt bikes since 4 yrs old. Bought a dual motor (750W ea.) 20" fat. These bikes are relatively heavy (mine70lbs). I highly recommend hydraulic/disc breaks. I shopped/researched bikes for weeks to find the one that fit my needs...lights (including head, turn and break), large spring seat, dual suspension, USB & iPhone mount, mirrors, fenders, throttle and LED instrument cluster. Charger shuts off when full. ($1,500.00 delivered) I live up in the hills of Grand Terrace Ca. Any questions? Feel free....

Great video! First thing I learned by using an ebike was how to continue controlling the ebike when the motor kicks in… because sometimes you can be going 16/17mph with no assistance then you hit an hill, your speed drops and you feel the motor kick in and if your not prepared for it, it can come as a bit of a shock. My advice with any new ebike is to give it a good test drive on a quiet road or quiet car park before venturing out just to get used to how it handles and how best to ride it. Further to this, if your going for a smaller tyre size than your used to (esp. with folders), definitely take your time in getting used to it, tyre size drastically changes how the bike should be ridden.

It's like anything... I wish I would have researched 11 things before buying a motorcycle.. now I'm partially disabled 😅

Another thing I'd like to know: Which, if any, public transit agencies allow e bikes to be brought onboard their buses/trains.

Thank you very much for your advice

I got an ebike with the purpose of riding it like a motorcycle and really didnt even know about "pedal assist", now that I know the joys of it, I really only use the throttle to get up and going from a dead stop. I have learned all of the speed is in pedal assist not the throttle.

Like anything else, start out slow and get to know it but even that won't stop Murphy's Law so don't do anything if you're afraid something bad might happen. Just stay on your couch and veg. your whole life.

Dont buy the smallest battery you can. It degrades over time, and it will be useless to you.

How can you do a video like this and not mention hub motors versus mid mount motors? One turns the wheel while the other turns the crank. The mid mount motor lets your motor use the rear gears as a transmission which is a huge advantage. A hub motor is good for novices on fairly flat ground but a more serious rider will almost always prefer the crank motor.

Good advice. Have had a great experience over the last 4years. You always have to be on the defensive. Along with the helmet you should always have a left rear view mirror to see what is going on behind you. Good ebiking ...all the best...Chris 🇨🇦

Very helpful thank you!

😊I’ve been riding bikes since a youngster like all kids. At twenty I bought a Fugi, then a Giant, Trek, another Giant, Schwinn and so forth. Then at 76, I bought a Himiway. Didn’t take long to take a digger. As you said, overconfidence did me in. I had 140,000 miles on regular bikes since 1968. I had all the answers. Two rotator surgeries and a wrist plus lots of generalized healings. But at 80, I love to ride. The weight and the power scares me since my two surgeries. I loved your video as you hit it on the head. Now everything is thought in advance. I’m going to read about your bike now, so thank you.

I’m getting ready to get an e bike for junior high because even tho I’m only 1 mile away no bus routes go near my home

talk about hub vs mid motor!

Thanks for the clarification on Pedal Assist. Here in CA it's very frustrating when trails lump all E-Bikes into one category. Pedal Assist only (Class 1) should be allowed everywhere.

Cool vid - thanks! I like the wood wall. Is it real or a backdrop (and if it's a backdrop, where can I get that exact one?)

You don’t need throttle if you’re quite old.you get what you paid for. Most often than not it’s the user who’s dangerous.

Throttle is dangerous to me.I like my e-bike .I have a 500 watt and I keep an eyes on the battery and know how long I can ride in a one charge.I get get more if I ride on Eco mode vs Turbo.peoples need to do research before buying.Charge it at night and where I live can get hot in the garage and I leave my battery in my bike ,so far no problem.But I am starting to bring it inside when temperatures hot 100 F

Tip number 12 on an ebike.......its fast so be prepared to eat a lot of Insects at the fast speed and wear glasses so they dont go into your eyes......think what a car windscreen looks like after a long journey

awesome video!

How I wish videos like this was available when I got my e-bike! I knew nothing and nearly killed myself two or three times. Two major wipeouts and several minor ones!! So, in my infinite wisdom, after the first accident, I watched a video on e-bike mountain biking, it was a Godsend! Also, learning to use the throttle to start off with instead of having your bike in assist 1 or whatever, use the throttle until I get going and have my balance, then, I let off of the throttle and start peddling. Weight is another issue. Mine is a fat bike and is very heavy and difficult for me and my short stature to fold and get in the trunk of my car, so, ended up getting a carrier for the car instead. I still love my bike, but, have ordered a 26” commuter bike with narrower tires and somewhat lighter. Wish me luck. Thank you for the video, very helpful.

Is there an aftermarket seat with really good spring assist I have a broken back a spinal cord injury and I was just thinking when I get an e-bike for off-road purposes I need probably to customize a seat like an old motorcycle spring seat? Any aftermarket stuff?😮

Just ordered a bike today.. just gonna casual ride on side off pavement roads or paved trails 🎉

just bought a 500 watt longhorn handlebar sit upright regular size wheel deal! I am 69 years and 267 lbs. looking for 225, the lbs I have allways carried around. delivery is on its way. if ya care to know. I'll let you know after 9-22-2023.

Finally some good advice

I love my standard hybrid very low maintenance and I get a great workout. I’m semi retired and I’m still in good shape. I love hills. I’m never in a hurry I stop a lot. I’ve had my bike for many years. I’m ok with some modern technology but I also love simplicity! My bike weighs about 15 pounds. I commute with my bike 3 days a week. Maybe when I’m older and I’m out of shape and need some help I’ll consider an e bike. But for now I’m fine.