eBikes - thoughts?

[mvweebles]

As the OP, I ended up getting a full size ebike (Ride1up 700) which is great but too heavy for boat.

I've been eying the Lectric Lite XP. $800 and 46 lbs. Class 2 only.

https://lectricebikes.com/collections/xp-lite-series

Peter

 

[MYTraveler]

I didn't read thru this whole thing, so I apologize for any duplication, but e-bikes came up in a recent conversation with my insurance agent, during which I learned two things: 1) many homeowner policies have an exclusion for e-bike liability, and 2) some battery types are especially prone to spontaneous combustion and some policies have related exclusions.

 

[GoldenDawn]

Just bought this bad boy. 30 mi range and up to 20 mph. Simple and easy to carry on board.

I feel 20 years younger.

 

[ScottC]

This post will probably be only of interest to European readers, as the brands I speak of here are only practically available in Europe.

I have been researching replacement folding eBikes for some time now.
My old bikes (link below) provided respectable service for about 7 years, but their time has come to an end. The salt has taken its toll and I now find them too heavy and difficult to fold/unfold/store and manage. 21.8kg (48 lbs). Not worth spending money on to fix up for so many reasons.

https://www.svb24.com/en/seatec-blizzard-pro-electric-folding-bike-blue-with-transporation-bag.html

To address my concerns about weight and corrosion (at least to some extent), I have gone the direction of carbon fiber. Just ordered a pair of REVOLT Carbon Fiber Pro folding eBikes:
https://revoltbikes.nl/e-bikes/carbon-fiber/
13.8 kg (30.4 lbs). Also about 15% smaller when folded, while still having 20" wheels. This company will be coming out with belt-driven models in the middle of 2024. I thought long and hard about them, as they're cleaner and less fussy than a 7-9 speed derailleur/chain setup. But, in the end, I decided to stay with the derailleur/chain model because we travel in a lot of remote places and parts for belt-propulsion models are not readily available. Further to this, one has to go through a tedious re-tensioning of the belt if the rear wheel is ever removed for, say, tire repair.
The company has been extremely great to deal with so far. The price includes shipping to all corners of the EU. I have ordered them from my desk in Sweden, but they will ship to my Marina in Greece such that delivery will occur while I am there to receive them.
We shall see how this all goes. I will come back here to post my experience and impression with the bikes when I receive them in Greece during the first week of June.

 

[Mambo42]

Nice bikes and light as well. Much lighter than the bike we have on board. We had an E-scooter which is nice for my wife, but with me on it the battery drains in less than 10 km, so had to find something else.
This winter we bought a foldable e-bike, which can do about 40 km on the battery. Had an old cover lying around, so made a bag for the bike of it and hopefully that will be enough to keep the corrosion away.
As far as keeping the derailleur and chain corrosion free I spray them with a special oil (have to look up the brand again) after every trip. Have no idea how long the bike will last, also no idea how we will like using it this upcoming season, but using it now while we are not yet on the boat I must say it is OK. Only problem may perhaps be getting it into the dinghy and then to shore. All kinds of sharp edges, don't want to damage the dinghy.

 

[High Wire]

We bought a pair of Jetson Bolt Pro 14 inch with pedals last Fall for this winter. Turns out we used them once because we were either at anchor or on a mooring ball. They’re great if in a marina. Loading and unloading them from a dinghy (mid 40’s pound wise) was just too much for us. We need something 30 pounds or less.

 

[Mambo42]

We bought a pair of Jetson Bolt Pro 14 inch with pedals last Fall for this winter. Turns out we used them once because we were either at anchor or on a mooring ball. They’re great if in a marina. Loading and unloading them from a dinghy (mid 40’s pound wise) was just too much for us. We need something 30 pounds or less.

I do agree that my bike is pretty heavy and rather clumsy to handle if it is not in a bag.
Loading it in the dinghy I don't worry about, I will use the hoist to get it from the top deck (where we store it) into the dinghy. It is the part from the dinghy to the shore that is going to be interesting, will have to see how that will work out. Very well possible that this bike we bought is simply too heavy, without battery it is about 40 lbs.
However, we plan to remain in anchorages this season for at least 1 or 2 weeks each time, so I will bring it to the shore and then leave the bike there for the whole time, just locking it like I am used to in the Netherlands. That way I don't have to drag it along every single time.
That is the plan anyway, no idea if it will work out as planned.

The battery itself is something I do worry about after all the news of self igniting batteries, so will make a metal box with styrofoam inside and then keep that outside where I can throw it overboard real easy if that would be necessary. Am not happy with those batteries, it is definitely a point of attention.

 

[Hippocampus]

Have two but after a few weeks decided to leave them home. Not bad to get them on and off in a slip. But difficult if on an anchor or mooring. Perhaps if I had a bigger boat wouldn’t be such an issue. We have a freedom lift and no crane so it means manhandling them. Can only transport one at a time in the dinghy. Now with it easy to rent when in tourist areas haven’t missed them much. Have thought about non E. Fold better, smaller and lighter. Maybe I’d lose my gut.

 

[Pascall]

We are real bike fanatics.
Last summer I bought two Sparta folding bikes and cycled more than 1000 kilometers in 2 months.
They are not lie in weight but are very solidly built, and ride like an adult bike.
Range is more than adequate with the choice of the middle battery (400WH), a lighter one (300WH) and a heavier one (500WH) are also available.
Furthermore, high-quality components such as Boch mid-motor, hydraulic brakes and Simano acceleration.


https://www.spartabikes.com/nl-nl/sparta-d-wiz-fold/

 

[ScottC]

We were actually most-impressed by a Carbon Fiber folding eBike called "Hummingbird". Made in the UK. It ticked all our boxes and then some. Only 10.3 kg (22.7 lbs), which is amazingly light.

https://hummingbirdbike.com/products/electric#parentHorizontalTab2
HOWEVER... we could not justify the cost. ~5,700 USD before adding any accessories and shipping charges. Further to this, we would worry that they would be an extremely attractive theft target.
$5,700 x 2 would buy an awful lot of taxi rides...

 

[Pascall]

https://thecoolbikingcompany.com/de-gocycle-gxi-vouwfiets-is-van-pure-kwaliteit/

Also a beautiful bike but also a solid price

 

[ScottC]

https://thecoolbikingcompany.com/de-gocycle-gxi-vouwfiets-is-van-pure-kwaliteit/

Also a beautiful bike but also a solid price

Agree, it was #2 on my short list, but didn't end up making the cut because of: 17.6kg (38.8 lbs).

 

[HopCar]

There is a good article on E-Bikes for boats in the May issue of Practical Sailor magazine.

 

[trawlercap]

We have two Rad Mini's, they fit in a farm trough on the upper deck. They go in the back of the Sprinter, and charge off an inverter was we drive down the road. They are 6 years old and hard to get parts for. Like computers they get old quick.

 

[cfr]

its remind me on a question i saw. which car should i take when driving to the gym to go running instead of running right away........we all need exercise esp on a boat so please go mechanically even if its hurts and you are sweating, but the beer taste better if you done something by your own.......if i see ebike i yell ha you need electric power for charging and i am allowed to have a beer. a scooter in a sunny and hot marina might be ok but i like to use my Brompton for 5-10 miles

 

[Mambo42]

so please go mechanically even if its hurts and you are sweating, but the beer taste better if you done something by your own.......

I wish I could climb up the steep mountains and hills here in Greece, Croatia and Turkey, but it is just not feasible, am not Lance Armstrong. Now that we have an e-bike onboard I can at least climb part of the hills with the bike and still have to use my legs heavily to be able to make it to the top.

 

[cfr]

ok such hills are an exemption.......but we are in greece too and on bigger island or in Athens, Kalamata, some cyclades i am happy with my brompton

 

[nobles9596]

WWW.LECTRICBIKES.COM is probably the best for the money. My first one I have 1500 miles on it and just bought a second one house at a summer home. They do fold but I never do that. They are heavy apps 62lbs with the battery installed. I have carried one all over the US on a camper. One of their newer models is made to actually carry a second passenger on the back seat. All US customer service and they are great at taking care of any issues you may have.

 

[Delfin]

There is likely an e-Bike in my future. Best I've found is this list -

311 Best Electric Bikes (April 2024) | BikeRide

Folding sounds handy, but not sure it buys much given they aren't exactly demure so maybe a regular bike-size. Any thoughts or experiences out there? For me, would be used when cruising in lieu of either walking or a car/taxi.

Peter

Peter, for $2k each we bought a pair of Specialized Como SL based on light weight (for ebikes), no derailer, and superior corrosion resistance. We also wanted assist power, not a moped with a throttle for the exercise. I've put around 200 miles on mine so far and am impressed. Have had folding Montague's, but found the assembly a pita. Also have carried lightweight racing bikes, which get corroded. The Specialized have completely enclosed hubs and shifters. Quite happy with ours.

 

[Carl Martin]

Bought a couple of Lectic XP Lites about a year ago. At 46 lbs they are much more manageable than most ebikes and when folded they will fit in a plastic bin which makes transporting them pretty easy. At $799 with free shipping they're a deal. Too much fun.

 

[FoxtrotCharlie]

As a followup to my earlier posts (#15) we decided it was too much trouble to keep the bikes on the covered sundeck - wing doors were too tight. So we bungied them to the rails on the forward deck - got too lazy to keep them covered. Were great on the Loop and lasted for the year, but the salt water ate them up - cheap Amazon bikes from China. We sold them for half what we paid - good deal!

 

[motteatoj]

I use a Trek electric 'commuter' style. About 52#, manageable to get on board and of course removing the battery would help if needed. It's great for general use, and in particular the 2 miles from home to marina.

I take it on the boat occasionally (when solo) but it occupies a fair amount of space inside. My previous boat bike had disc brakes as well, and after a few years the brake calipers got rusty and 'sticky', even in a bag, when stored on the boat deck. I don't want that hassle again! But the folding bikes just don't cut it - I had a Dahon years ago and hated the little wheels and very compromised useabilty as something to enjoy riding.

Electric scooter might be a better option for regular boat use as they are more compact.

I was sold on Lectric Ebikes in 2021. At first it was the way they presented themselves to the world. It worked very quickly, they rose in sales. But the glue that kept me with them for the last 3-4 years is their customer service. There are better ebikes out there, and they sound like they're selling high grade parts. But firmly believe Lectric holds up to the expensive in terms of breaking down. I just saw a video of a guy with his new $6k ebike and on his 1st ride 2 miles from home the thing caught on fire, there's a youtube on it for your enjoyment. I now have the 3.0, the 2nd generation of the XP model. It has the comfort package, still not the most comfortable. I see a Cloud 9 seat in the future. Anyway, just trying to get some conversation going on Ebikes and electric vehicles. Electricity is going to greatly minimalise the use of fossil fuels and I say bring it on, I'm ready. Of course we may have to go through ww3 to get the gassers out of the picture.

 

[dhays]

I just received a Lectric One ebike from Lectric. My first ebike. It is too heavy for convenient use on the boat, but I likely will try anyway.

Currently, I think the best boat bike at anything close to a reasonable cost would be the Lectric XPLite 2.0 with the Gates belt drive option and extended battery. The Gates belt drive will hold up to the marine environment and should have minimal maintenance requirements. It is under 50 lbs and folds up.

I'd recommend the extended battery because the XPLite only has a single gear. This means that a typical boater (at least in the Salish Sea region) would use a lot of power heading uphill from any marina they were at. It isn't about how far you go but how many Ah of battery you use to get there.

Early days yet, but I like the Lectric One.

 

[Insequent]

Belt drive isn't necessary. A bike with an SS chain and old school brakes (rubber-pads-on-rim0 would be the most durable for frequent boat use.

The part that fails on a lot of bikes with boat use is the calliper for disc brakes. On my Trek I could apply the (disc) brakes to slow or stop. But I then had to manually push the lever arm near the disc to push the calliper back up. No amount of lube was able to get it to return normally for any length of time.

 

[dhays]

Belt drive isn't necessary. A bike with an SS chain and old school brakes (rubber-pads-on-rim0 would be the most durable for frequent boat use.

The part that fails on a lot of bikes with boat use is the calliper for disc brakes. On my Trek I could apply the (disc) brakes to slow or stop. But I then had to manually push the lever arm near the disc to push the calliper back up. No amount of lube was able to get it to return normally for any length of time.

The Lectric XP lite 2.0 has hydraulic brakes. May help that some.

 

[Insequent]

The Lectric XP lite 2.0 has hydraulic brakes. May help that some.

I think the hydraulic aspect only works for applying the brakes, and that there is still a calliper to force the brake pad against the brake disc. The issue I was trying to describe is in releasing the brakes.

There is a spring to return the calliper to "no brake pressure" position. Perhaps the answer is a stronger return spring which might be possible. With the hydraulic brakes on my Trek electric bike little strength is needed in your hands to brake hard, so having to work against a stronger return spring to apply braking would be possiblre.

 

[Carl Martin]

We've had a couple of the Lectric XP Lites for about a year. A lot of fun. I'd also recommend the belt drive & extended battery. We get 20-25 miles on a standard battery.