28mph on a bicycle 😬
(maybe I am just a wimpy cyclist who is afraid to be going that fast anywhere)
Electrek: Trek shifts itself with a new 28 MPH car-replacing e-bike
Discussion
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@ai6yr
Been around quite a few years in Europe. However, they are called Pedalecs – not e-bikes – and are treated more like a motorcycle or moped.
They require driving licence, registration, road tax, insurance, motorcycle helmet, etc.. They can only be ridden on the road – not on cycle tracks, cycle lanes, etc..
The bikes need things like horn, mirror, compliant lights, number plate holder, bigger brakes, etc. Here's one from Cube:
https://www.cube.eu/uk-en/cube-kathmandu-hybrid-45-750-grey-n-reflex/731400
Pretty much a bicycle shaped moped.
Ebikes need the power to go fast, for added safety in slow speed biking around town
Sometimes you need that extra burst of speed, to escape a car that comes squealing around the corner, runs a stoplight, or does other stupid shit
That doesn't mean you cruise around at 28 miles an hour
Of course advertising is different. They are trying to appeal to car drivers, so they make it sound like you are just going to cruise around at 28
@ai6yr
A *normal* bike would be unstable at those speeds, but if they have wider tires like a 150cc scooter, then that adds stability.
@NNN I think that's the key... big thick tires!
So, my bike has a Bosch assist motor that says it can go up to 28mph. You still have to pedal; I can't get it up to 28mph. I think 19 is where I've topped out, and that still feels uncomfortably fast, plus I was pedaling my little brain out.
It's a tesoro with fat tires.
OTO, it is completely a car replacement.
@MCDuncanLab @ai6yr @NNN I used to average 26mph over a 12 mile commute when I was younger, on a ladies road/touring bicycle from the late 70's that weighed about 16kg. It was never unstable at those speeds. I occasionally set off speed cameras in 30mph zones on long flat stretches or downhills.
I definitely couldn't do that now, but I still own the bicycle.
@ai6yr I don't even really like going above 20 or so on my regular bike, and on my little e-bike, even 16 feels pretty fast
part of what amazes me watching professional cycling is the speeds they routinely achieve for the entire peloton.
of course, they are pro athletes with bikes worth more than my car but still darned impressive.
speeds over 30mph/48kph on flats, easily 55mph/88kph on downhills.
I used to ride bicycle trails with professional athletes and the speed they maintain is freaking insane. Zero electric assist, pure optimized muscle and health. I could match their sustained speed for a brief moment, but they make me look like a couch potato.
Hitting gravel while going twenty eight
Speeding on an ebike your life you'll hate
Go flying into a great big slide
That's not the way to end a ride
Head on crash with a car door
Takes your new ebike to the floor
Shoulda just gone with the motor bike
Wearing full leathers and a helmet, like
Going 28 in your flip flops and those shorts
Maybe you should have chosen a different transport
Now look at what kind of crash
Would leave you with no skin due to road rash
I dunno about you but I'd rather go slow
Than go 28 miles per hour though
Maybe you don't have to pedal much
After spending two weeks in the hospital as such
#ebike #BikeTooter #poem (human)
My attempt at a Haiku*
Mind those wet leaves
What wet leaves?
Aaarrrrrrrgggggg
*I know it's not a Haiku
No, you are right to fear. I'm also thinking about all the bros who never give my dogs space when we are walking at the park.