electric assistance bike (200W legal limit in Australia)

[Rex]

Hello all,

Some questions on electric assistance.

My wife has never done much riding. She wants to ride the bikes downtown to
do our shopping (petrol saver). We tow a trailer which the child rides in.
The trailer add a lot of weight, which makes the uphill heavy going.

Wondering how the electric assist motors go? Anyone use one? Have seen the
Avanti Electra front wheel for sale - anyone use one or have any tips?

We really want electric assistance only - pretty much for when we use the
trailer. Want the bike to be easily rideable for fitness the rest of the
time.

 

[ebikeguy]

Rex;1735163 Wrote:
> Hello all,
>
> Some questions on electric assistance.
>
> My wife has never done much riding. She wants to ride the bikes
> downtown to
> do our shopping (petrol saver). We tow a trailer which the child rides
> in.
> The trailer add a lot of weight, which makes the uphill heavy going.
>
> Wondering how the electric assist motors go? Anyone use one? Have seen
> the
> Avanti Electra front wheel for sale - anyone use one or have any tips?
>
> We really want electric assistance only - pretty much for when we use
> the
> trailer. Want the bike to be easily rideable for fitness the rest of
> the
> time.

Rex, if your wife has never done much riding you might find that she
needs the electric assistance more than you think. But that doesn't
mean that she won't benefit from the aerobic exercise that is inherent
in cycling either. I don't have personal experience with the Avanti so
can't really comment, but there are some good quality electric bikes
around. Go for one with a Lithium battery (that doesn't take up space
on your rack). I've also heard that the motor is better in the rear
wheel than the front for weight distribution and handling more like a
'normal' bike.

An electric bike with a 200w motor will give you enough assistance to
help you to negotiate hills (or tow that trailer) with minimal effort -
it won't do all the work for you. Here is an article that looks at some
good reasons to look at an electric bike:
http://www.squidoo.com/electricbicycle




--
ebikeguy