RVing with E-Bikes

[Rich W.]

Brought home the first bike today - Specialized Turbo Tero 3.0 set up like a Vado, but a 29er with some other special attributes. I have some minor mods to make (of course) and some items to add, but here is the Boss’s bike in all her brand new e-MTB glory:

Merry Christmas to us!

 

[Rich W.]

My “new” e-bike rack that is actually parts from a cheap bike rack I bought used on Craigslist for $40 for the vertical parts, and an old hitch-mounted cargo tray/bike rack I’ve had for years.

The new 29’ers were too big for the tray but I wanted the weight capacity and security of it, so I combined the two, modified the bike mounting locations, welded every joint, and added hitch tighteners so it doesnt rattle and bounce around. Also added a 4” hitch riser to move it back and up a bit. Lastly I added lights because the bikes obscure the jeep taillights too much.

Not sure how much of this I’ve posted elsewhere but here’s the more-or-less finished product. Also the dropper seat post (a new concept to me) on the dark red bike allowed me to mount the bikes facing opposite directions which was helpful. And since they are different sizes, I custom fit each bike location to the specific bike.

 

[Jim]

Nice job, Rich!

 

[J&JD]

Nice job, Rich!

x2

 

[NWIP]

Excellent work, looks like aftermarket seats on the bike?

 

[Neal]

Nice work, make sure they are locked up as if that bike rack was Fort Knox!

Consider a 2-channel (forward/rear) dashcam in your toad so you can also have dashcam monitoring of the bikes. I have one in my toad.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09FSDHCVS/?tag=rvf01-20

 

[Rich W.]

Excellent work, looks like aftermarket seats on the bike?

Yes, the OE saddles are nice but I don’t think I’ll do a lot of racing so I swapped them out for something a little more comfort and liesure oriented - and with a little spring since these are hard tail bikes. Also changed out my pedals and grips and added a mirror and rear facing radar that syncs with the bike display.

 

[Rich W.]

Nice work, make sure they are locked up as if that bike rack was Fort Knox!

Consider a 2-channel (forward/rear) dashcam in your toad so you can also have dashcam monitoring of the bikes. I have one in my toad.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09FSDHCVS/?tag=rvf01-20

I bought some heavy duty lock stuff but anyone with a cordless grinder and a panel cutting wheel could defeat even case hardened locks and thick steel cables. So….prevention. And where we are now, there is absolutely no threat of theft, but I’ll carry the locks when riding into town or leaving them unattended. They will also set off an alarm and call my phone if they are moved while parked, but that may not be good enough.

 

[Neal]

I forgot, I also have this on my bike:

Amazon.com

 

[Rich W.]

I forgot, I also have this on my bike:

Amazon.com

This is my rear facing radar for aproaching vehicles

Garmin Varia RTL515 Radar Tail Light | The GPS Store

Pair Garmin’s Varia RTL515 with your Garmin Edge bike computer or compatible smartphone to alert you of vehicles approaching from behind! Received visual and audible alerts of vehicles approaching up to 153 yards away. Daylight Visibility with up to 16 hours of battery life in day flash mode this...

www.thegpsstore.com

It was $150 a couple weeks ago. It links with the bike computer. They also make one with a camera that records like a dash cam. Garmin Varia RCT715 Rearview Radar with Camera and Tail Light | The GPS Store

 

[old timer]

Even the lower price e bicycles are a lot of fun,we ride ours all summer, looking forward to camping and riding this year.

 

[Rich W.]

Even the lower price e bicycles are a lot of fun,we ride ours all summer, looking forward to camping and riding this year.

I’ve noticed prices are coming down on the expensive ones too. Probably all the competition. I see new, interesting, fun looking, moderately priced e-bikes advertised almost every week.

 

[Scotttkd2]

Just bought a pair of Lectric bikes from someone in our park, 1 mile on hers and 3 miles on his. Off to get some safety gear for my spouse and I. Let the games begin. Someone alert urgent care!!

 

[Kevin D Pem]

I’ve noticed prices are coming down on the expensive ones too. Probably all the competition. I see new, interesting, fun looking, moderately priced e-bikes advertised almost every week.

I expect pricing is still not in line with equipment expectations. Will likely see much lower prices as the market for them collapses.

 

[Rich W.]

I expect pricing is still not in line with equipment expectations. Will likely see much lower prices as the market for them collapses.

along with more range, better handling, more power, more options….The market can be very self correcting.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

along with more range, better handling, more power, more options….The market can be very self correcting.

Without a change in regulations, more power is not likely to happen. Everything listed to improve the bike comes at the price of weight.

Some of the things on the horizon could make or break the industry! Only time will tell. But if I were the betting man I was when I was in business, I wouldn't put my money in it!!!

 

[RKins]

Look how heavy they are becoming
Softail Electric Mountain Bike Cobra Pro

 

[Neal]

Look how heavy they are becoming
Softail Electric Mountain Bike Cobra Pro

To save others the hunt, that one is 88 lbs. My Trek Powerfly 4 is in the 40-45 lb range, it is painful to put on/off the rack. While I really enjoy the e-bike I really also enjoy my Trek Marlin 7 non e-bike. It's lightweight and a joy to ride. I have a little regret in getting the e-bike unless I start leaving the campground and using it For around campground use a lightweight bike is preferred, by me.

 

[Rich W.]

To save others the hunt, that one is 88 lbs. My Trek Powerfly 4 is in the 40-45 lb range, it is painful to put on/off the rack. While I really enjoy the e-bike I really also enjoy my Trek Marlin 7 non e-bike. It's lightweight and a joy to ride. I have a little regret in getting the e-bike unless I start leaving the campground and using it For around campground use a lightweight bike is preferred, by me.

Our bikes are around 60lbs (Specialized Tero) but they enable me to take longer rides and still get back to base in reasonably good shape without a struggle. I search for camping areas near trails and take as many 10-20miles rides as possible. The real limiting thing for me is that my hands get numb after about 10 miles. I’m changing to handle bars that claim to reduce this on this trip and we’ll see if it helps. But the weight doesn’t bother me - I ride a lot with the assist off and its a good workout - and I need as much of that as possible. I can see that they would be way more bike than one would need around the CG.

 

[Neal]

Have you tried gel gloves to help with numbness?

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=mtb+gel+gloves&tag=rvf01-20