My electric bike is here!

[Jim]

FedX just dropped them off at the barn and I have them on the charger. Any advice for a first time user?

 

[Neal]

Nothing to it, just enjoy it. But understand the different features such as my Trek has a walk feature which helps with a little power when walking along side or loading up a ramp. They are different in features, etc. Looking forward to your first impressions and pics.

 

[Jim]

Nothing to it, just enjoy it. But understand the different features such as my Trek has a walk feature which helps with a little power when walking along side or loading up a ramp. They are different in features, etc. Looking forward to your first impressions and pics.

Yep, read about the "walk" feature.

OK, guess I'll go check and see if it's charged yet. Woo-hoo!

 

[Jim]

Didn't get a chance to ride much as we were setting up for the cement pad on site 8 most of the day. But I did get a chance to ride it a bit afterwards and it's really a blast. That being said, there's a lot going on to pay attention to and it's going to take a little while to get proficient with it.

There are 5 gears up/down and two different buttons to use, one for shifting up and the other when shifting down. I think I could have come up with a better design, but it-is-what-it-is. There are also 5 different levels of assist, and each level acts a bit differently with the gear that you are in. And there are two ways to make the bike provide you with assistance, one is automatic and happens when you peddle. The other is activated by a twist of the handle, the same manner you would speed up on a motorcycle.

So yeah, a bunch of stuff going on with this bike so it's going to take a while to learn. And then toss in the fact that there is very little around here that is flat. Most of the time I'm either going up a hill, or coming down the other side. Getting comfortable with all of these different gear and assist settings is going to take a bit. But it's a blast so far. Hadn't thought about a helmet but I think getting a couple will be a good idea.

 

[Neal]

Can't wait for your OneWheel to arrive!!

 

[Old Bubblehead]

Rubber parts stay on ground, work up to your limitations but know then before you push envelope. Enjoy!

 

[MapNerd]

Pics or it didn’t happen, @Jim

 

[Jim]

So, does everyone wear a helmet? I mentioned it to Trish and she scoffed at me like I'm some kind of wimp. lol, don't want to be the wimpy guy on the bike but on the other hand, I don't want to see my brains leaking off the side of the curb either.

 

[Jim]

Pics or it didn’t happen, @Jim

Let me find on of those 1-hour photomats and I'll get the film developed.

 

[Neemer]

I don't want to see my brains leaking off the side of the curb either.

Chicks dig scars.

 

[Jim]

Chicks dig scars.

Perhaps, but they like guys with brains more!

 

[RKins]

If you've had a motorcycle before and rode a lot you know that a corner with sand or gravel is a doom about to happen Same on a bicycle, human powered or battery powered. I wore a lid when I rode my motorcycle (even though in FL not required) - only takes one crash, ask Gary Busey.

 

[Jim]

If you've had a motorcycle before and rode a lot you know that a corner with sand or gravel is a doom about to happen Same on a bicycle, human powered or battery powered. I wore a lid when I rode my motorcycle (even though in FL not required) - only takes one crash, ask Gary Busey.

Believe me when I say, I truly understand the importance of safety equipment/helmets!

 

[J&JD]

Pics or it didn’t happen, @Jim

Still didn’t happen Jim…..

 

[Jim]

Still didn’t happen Jim…..

lol, OK. I'll take pic's tomorrow.

 

[Jim]

Still didn’t happen Jim…..

Christmas afternoon our family gathered at my Sister-N-Laws house for dinner. Trish took a bunch of food, some of which included mashed potatoes and gravy. She put everything in a picnic basket, including the gravy, which was in a bowl covered only with a small towel. And our camera was also being transported in this same picnic basket.

I was unaware of the method she used when packing the gravy, and she neglected to tell me that I needed to keep the basket completely level or the gravy would spill. So, in what will be remembered forever as the great gravy fiasco of 2021, I started downstairs with the basket in front of me. On an angle of course.

I realized we had a problem when I was halfway down the stairs as there was gravy coming out of the basket, saturating the front of my slacks, and puddling up on the stair treads. And as you can probably surmise, my 2 year old Nikon is now ruined.

As such, the following pics were taken with an aging iPhone 6.

It’s called a “Lectric” bike, manufactured here in America, and sells for a few bucks under $1,000. Weighs in at about 65lbs, folds into almost nothing, but I’ll tell you that folded, it’s a bear to lift. 65lbs feels like 100! It came packaged very well, completely assembled and takes about 15 minutes to remove the packaging and snap into a usable bike. The battery comes partially charged but it took another 4 hours to bring mine up to a full charge. Trish’s had even less charge, and as I just took it out of the box, I figure it’ll take 5-6 hours to bring up to a full charge.

The included LED display provides several sections of info:

1. Walk Mode, Cruise Control, and Pedal Assist (PAS) level.
2. Odometer, Trip A, Voltage, Current, and Trip Timer.
3. Battery level indicator bar.
4. Maximum and Average Speed
5. Speedometer in MPH or KM/H.
6. Light On/Off indicator
7. Mile and Kilometer indicators

There is also a front and rear light. Max default speed can be set differently for pedal assist and throttle assist speeds. Default is about 20 mph, but can be dialed up to a max of 45. Advertised travel distance differs with the speed being traveled, but ranges from 25 on the low end to 45+ on the high end.

I’ve only ridden mine a few times, and it can be scary fast, for me anyway. Trish hasn’t ridden hers yet as I just got it out of the box today. I will say that there IS a learning curve. It’s not a steep one, but you can get into a scary spot when the power comes on when you’re not expecting it.

So far, I like it a bunch. Hoping for some good weather tomorrow so we can toss them in the truck and go to the park where it’s flat and we can ride them for 30 or 40 minutes.

 

[sheridany]

oooh, that will fit in my bays perfectly. Radio one to @Neal. Where are those discounts you keep mentioning?

 

[Neal]

Enter coupon code "Neal" at checkout and hope for the best.

 

[MapNerd]

45mph is bananas! Get a helmet for your helmet.

 

[Jim]

45mph is bananas! Get a helmet for your helmet.

Yeah, I don't know if it would actually go that fast or if that is the highest setting you can select for top end speed. Just because it can be selected doesn't mean it will go that fast. Or that anyone should push the limits of that kind of speed on a flimsily little bike!