Electric assisted bikes

[volleyball]

Someone looking to get back on a bike asked me about power assisted bikes. I scoffed at the idea initially but see how it would make a lot of sense.
They referred me to supersizedcycles.com and they make bikes for the obese.
I remember as a kid setting up a bike for my father that would hold him after he tried to ride my sleek 10 speed. It was a heavy 1 speed beast. No wonder after 2 rides, it was permanently retired.
I thought the idea of a heavy duty bike with an assist to help as you exercise may mean that it doesn't collect dust. Sort of get you over the hurdle of starting out and also if you had that killler hill.

[Ronin]

Hi Volleyball!

The also make Mopeds. The problem of any power assisted bicycle is that the power-assist adds significant weight and the temptation to just use the motor. In my almost daily tandem bicycle rides I often see children on mopeds (they are legal in NJ -- sort of a kiddie motorcycle) and these kids are never pedaling (and they are, to a person, overweight).

It is easy to blame the machine for not exercising. Your story about your father: okay he doesn't ride the bicycle, but does he walk? My guess is that he probably doesn't walk either. There is either a motivation to get out and get moving or there isn't. The bike isn't the problem -- it is the motivation of the individual.

[Gordonm]

The bike isn't the problem -- it is the motivation of the individual.

Now there is the truth. No motivation will kill an excercise program every time. You have to want to do it.

[volleyball]

As an adult, they can just take the car. Maybe the bike would save some gas. If it is just to be a motorized transport, then that's not my point, is it?
If you buy a treadmill, if it did not have slow speeds, how many would ever use one, you would have to be fit to start.
These bikes are not cheap, but if you are starting out, maybe have a small patch of hills, you can use this to help you, not rely on. Even ardent cyclists sometimes walk their bike.

[parrotletzoo]

1. it might get someone out of the house and doing some activity.
2. even sitting on a moped/power assisted bike exerts more energy then riding a car or sitting on a couch.
3. way way more interesting to ride outside then to do it on a stationary bike. (same can be said about walking outside as opposed to on a treadmill)
4. could lead to an interest and motivation to use a non assisted bike.
5. save gas, gas powered assisted bikes often get 100-120 mpg, electric even cheaper to run.
6. they're fun!
7. and who cares what other people think, if you want one, go for it.

[Tiger Lily]

one of the fellows at hubby's work showed up with a power assisted bike last week

hubby gave it a run up the hill, allowing the motor to kick in, and he was amazed at the difference it made........... he still had to work at pedalling up the hil, but all the heavy effort was taken out of the job

are there a lot of hills where your father plans on bike riding? if so, that would be a good reason for having the power assist........if there are very few hills in the area, then that's a lot of money to spend when a recumbant bike might be a better suit to his needs

good luck!

[Ronin]

Parrotletzoo, et al.,

I am always amazed by the people who drive to the gym to either ride a stationary bicycle or run on a treadmill. Okay, in the dead of winter, or on a particularly hot or rainy day it might make sense (We train on our tandem mounted in a mag-resistance trainer in winter) but there are folks who always drive somewhere to exercise indoors.

Of course, whatever gets you to make your body move and use your muscles.

For me, I much prefer being outside where even if I ride the exact same route every day there is always something different or at least interesting.

With gasoline at almost $4/gal perhaps more people will be dusting off the bicycle in the garage. I know that our Local Bike Shop is selling a lot of "Comfort" bikes (fat tires, upright position, well padded saddle, block pedals, et cetera) right now. Actually, I'm getting ready to put the rack and panniers on our training tandem so that it can do double duty as a shopping bike, or maybe get out the small backpacks to walk to the supermarket rather than drive the mile to the store and mile back.

[volleyball]

I too am amazed. I have a friend that pays some kid to shovel out his car so he can drive to the gym. He says he will be too tired to work out if he shovels his own car.
DUH!!!
But some people are creatures of habit, and changing them is like changing direction on an oil carrier.
Back to the bike, what would you miss if an injury kept you from riding with your friends, well you may just put your feet up and let the wife do all the pedaling but maybe having the electric assist would allow you to run with the group. Or if a newbe wanted to join your group and did not have the conditioning yet to pedal the entire trip. This is where the "assiste" part comes in, it does not replace pedals, just augments it.

[bkburns]

Ah, diabetic plus sized cycling. One of my favorite topics, well for another 84 pounds or so at least ;)

In the cycling world big male riders are called Clydesdales and big female riders are called Athenas. I think it is the same in the running world. I know there are some very good use cases for an assisted bike, but don't think you need an assist bike solely because you are big.

About 2 months ago I started riding after a 12+ year hiatus. I weighed 326 lbs @ 5'8" tall. I started riding 3 miles a night. and am up to 10 +/- a night. My Specialized Hardrock bike is more than capable of supporting my weight, and it is a relatively low end bike from my local bike shop. I am now down 42 lbs to 284 lbs due to diet and the cycling.

BikeForums.net has a great forum for discussions on cycling for Clydes/Athenas:
Clydesdales/Athenas Bike Forums (http://www.bikeforums.net/forumdisplay.php?f=248)

A very inspiring thread on weight loss for the overweight and not just tall Clydes is here:
Weight Loss: Post Your Before and After Pics here! - Bike Forums (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=228767)

[bkburns]

With gasoline at almost $4/gal perhaps more people will be dusting off the bicycle in the garage. Actually, I'm getting ready to put the rack and panniers on our training tandem so that it can do double duty as a shopping bike, or maybe get out the small backpacks to walk to the supermarket rather than drive the mile to the store and mile back.

I am looking at buying a trailer or extracycle kit for doing grocery shopping. I use a rack and panniers now, but would like to add a bit more capacity.

How do you like that tandem? Do you just use it for training? I have never ridden one, but would like to get one for myself and my wife.