Author Topic: Dumb e-bike question  (Read 4933 times)

mozar

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Dumb e-bike question
« on: August 06, 2015, 04:41:17 PM »
I'm trying to figure out how long it would take me to bike to work on an e-bike to work. But I'm bad at math.
28mph
60 minutes in an hour
15 miles each way

28*15=420
420/60=7? 7 what?

pbkmaine

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Re: Dumb e-bike question
« Reply #1 on: August 06, 2015, 04:53:12 PM »
You are biking 30 miles total at 28 miles per hour. So, just over an hour total, or half an hour each way. Assuming you have to allow for stop lights, turns and other things that would slow you down, maybe allow 45 minutes each way?

mozar

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Re: Dumb e-bike question
« Reply #2 on: August 06, 2015, 05:51:47 PM »
Hmmm. Part of it is a trail. Part of it is a road. 28mph seems kind of fast though. But a 30 minute commute would be amazing. Thx!

pbkmaine

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Re: Dumb e-bike question
« Reply #3 on: August 06, 2015, 07:57:33 PM »
It is fast. I have an e-bike myself, and tend to go about 15 mph on it, with a combination of power and pedaling. If you averaged 15, of course, your commute would be an hour each way. But in good weather it's very pleasant.

Cressida

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Re: Dumb e-bike question
« Reply #4 on: August 06, 2015, 08:06:04 PM »
With many e-bikes, the motor helps you less and less the faster you go. I know mine stops helping at all after 20 mph, which means that if I'm going any faster than that, I'm pushing the bike all on my own - and e-bikes are heavier than regular bikes. (This is so that the bike qualifies as a bike and not as a motorcycle-like vehicle, meaning that you can follow bike laws instead of motorcycle laws.)

So if you're *averaging* 28 mph, might as well ride a regular bike, seems to me.

Johnez

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Re: Dumb e-bike question
« Reply #5 on: August 06, 2015, 08:34:45 PM »
With many e-bikes, the motor helps you less and less the faster you go. I know mine stops helping at all after 20 mph, which means that if I'm going any faster than that, I'm pushing the bike all on my own - and e-bikes are heavier than regular bikes. (This is so that the bike qualifies as a bike and not as a motorcycle-like vehicle, meaning that you can follow bike laws instead of motorcycle laws.)

So if you're *averaging* 28 mph, might as well ride a regular bike, seems to me.

These are "legal" bike limits in most states. There are a TON of bikes being sold that go well over the limits. I'm guessing mozars bike comes from EM3EV, so many options.

Cressida

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Re: Dumb e-bike question
« Reply #6 on: August 06, 2015, 08:42:12 PM »
There are a TON of bikes being sold that go well over the limits.

I admit I'm not up on the gossip, so this could well be true, which would make my comment mostly irrelevant.

And I should say, I do like my e-bike - I wouldn't discourage anyone from getting one.

mozar

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Re: Dumb e-bike question
« Reply #7 on: August 06, 2015, 08:55:56 PM »
Oh, I don't have an e-bike. 20mph sounds like a good speed.

BikeFanatic

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Re: Dumb e-bike question
« Reply #8 on: August 07, 2015, 12:06:16 AM »
I average also about 15 mph on my Ebike commute. You have so many stops and stsrts, then if on a trail you will not be going 28 mph. So even if you only have a few stops I would estimate an hour or a tad more. Do you already have an Ebike? If not you could time it with your regular bike then estimate 10 percent faster for Ebike.  JMHO based on my experience.

patrickza

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Re: Dumb e-bike question
« Reply #9 on: August 07, 2015, 02:57:18 AM »
I commute on a very fast while, doing about 15 miles each way. With traffic and doing comfortable shoes it takes me 45 minutes each way. If I rush it'll be about 40 so I don't bother. In an emergency I can get home in 35.

Tester

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Re: Dumb e-bike question
« Reply #10 on: August 07, 2015, 12:25:05 PM »
Like others already said: 20 mph is a little fast for an average speed.
If you don't apply the brakes and the terrain is perfectly flat you could do 20 mph average speed. But even then, after the 30 minutes it would take you to finish your commute you would be quite tired.

I have a 4.5 miles commute one way.
Almost all on bike trails, almost all flat.
Three stoplights.
It takes me 35-40 minutes from when I exit my apartment until I enter my office.
If I would give it all I have I think I could do it in 25 minutes, but it would be a little unsafe as the route goes through a parking lot and I have to pay attention to cars entering/exiting.
Plus I have to be able to wear my normal clothes, else changing clothes would mean more time or the commute

So I would say plan for 45 minutes for your one way commute.

The best way to estimate is to try the route on a Saturday/Sunday and see how it feels.

Good luck, I enjoy riding my bike to work.
Especially since it is my first time riding a bicycle in the last 14 years :).
I have around 500 kilometers (330 miles) in 3 months.
I am curious if I will still do it when the rain comes - I will have to buy fenders and some clothing I think.

Just a thing to look at:
http://www.bicycling.com/training/2015-tour-de-france/you-versus-tour-de-france-pro
« Last Edit: August 07, 2015, 12:26:50 PM by Tester »

BeardedLady

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Re: Dumb e-bike question
« Reply #11 on: August 07, 2015, 01:04:11 PM »
I'm trying to figure out how long it would take me to bike to work on an e-bike to work. But I'm bad at math.
28mph
60 minutes in an hour
15 miles each way

28*15=420
420/60=7? 7 what?

15miles/28mph = 0.54 hours
0.54 hours x 60 minutes = 32 minutes
That said, you probably will not be able to go 28mph the whole way there as other posters have noted. I would expect up to an hour commute.

mozar

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Re: Dumb e-bike question
« Reply #12 on: August 07, 2015, 07:28:12 PM »
ok

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!