Will a pedelec spoil cycling for me?

Question

During the last few years I moved farther and farther away from work. I used to commute by bike a lot when I lived nearer to my workplace, but now it would by about 40km one way.

I am thinking about getting a pedelec for the commute, which would allow me to cycle to work at least sometimes, reducing the time to manageable levels, and maybe leting me arrive fresh(er) for work.

However, I'm afraid that getting used to an electric bike will take the fun out of riding my regular bike, and make it seem too strenuous.

Is anyone here riding both a regular bike and a pedelec? Has this been an issue?

My regular bike is a recumbent. Since recumbent pedelecs are rather rare (I don't want a trike), I would probaly take a "upright" pedelec.

Answer 1

I can only say "probably not" as while I've borrowed an e-bike a few times for rides similar to my current commute, it doesn't really suit me and doesn't come close to spoiling my normal riding. Commuting is quite different to riding for fun and most pedelecs are quite heavy and handle very differently. You may even find that your regular bike feels more nimble (though I'm basing this on uprights not recumbents). If you're in Europe (or at least most of it) the motor is required by law to cut out above 25km/h -- which isn't very fast. Similar rules apply in some other countries. Given stopping and starting you'd be unlikely to make your 40km in under 2 hours, which you could probably do on the recumbent under the same conditions.

A few things to watch out for:

• The range isn't always as good as stated even with a new bike. Do you have plenty of reserve between charges?
• Make sure you get a good test ride, not just 5 minutes in a car park. Many aren't optimised for long periods in the saddle and use unusual components making geometry changes harder.
• Decent electric bikes are expensive. If you spend as much as for a reasonable hybrid (call it £1000/€1000/$1000 within rounding error) you'll end up with something very heavy, with cheap components.
• Most bike shops will struggle to get e-bike specific parts; I've had to hunt down spokes and motor cut-off switches myself.

You might also look into electric front wheel kits (for your existing bike). They're certainly available for 26" and 700C wheels; maybe your recumbent has smaller wheels which might require a custom solution. You would then have a choice of battery pack sizes as well. If you really like the recumbent then this might prove worthwhile.

Answer 2

In my experience, riding a pedelec doesn't ruin the joy of riding human powered bikes. But if your normal ride isn't particularly joyful, a pedelec can make it bearable, even fun.

The main advantage of electric assist is that it makes riding in hilly terrain much easier, and riding in bad weather much more pleasant.

As pointed out by Chris H, switching to a pedelec doesn't usually make riding long commutes any faster. Now, sporty bikes with electric assist do exist, and they're likely to be faster overall (unless you're fit enough, or your commute is flat enough, to maintain at least 25 km/h up all the hills unassisted). But most people who commute long distances to work regularly are quite fit, they ride road bikes or light hybrids, and don't have lots of steep hills. For commuting, those who gain the most from a pedelec are those who feel unable to commute on a regular bike.

For me, the weather advantage is actually the most important. My road bike is more fun to ride on warm summer days, but when it's 5 degrees Celcius and raining (not to mention -10 and snowing) it's just too convenient to be able to dress up with as many layers of warm, rainproof clothes as needed, without no worries about sweating. If I need to wear formal dress at work during a winter storm, I just put on my insulated coverall before I go out — utterly impractical for riding a normal bike, but works really well on my pedelec, even if it looks weird.

Answer 3

I am riding both an ebike and a road bike; for various purposes. My ebike takes me sweat less to work in my biz suit 42 km back and forth 5 days a week throughout winter, spring, summer and autumn from my home i a suburb outside Oslo, the capitol of Norway. Through rain, snow and blizzards at temperatures down to minus 15 celsius. My road bike I ride for exercise purposes until snow starts falling. Slim tyres are not suitable for dealing with snowy conditions, and cross country skiing is by far more physically and mentally rewarding during vinter time. However, to me the most charming aspect of ebiking to work and elsewhere (visits, parties, restaurants etc), is that while doing that I stil gain some approx. 60-70 percent training effect of what my super light road bike provides. Without having to change clothes and shower. All the taxi bills, bus and subway fares saved as well, comes as a pleasant bonus. Allowing me to drink better wines...!