Post Ai7C06ffVpyMBWmzYm by Compassionatecrab@toad.social
(DIR) More posts by Compassionatecrab@toad.social
(DIR) Post #Ai71P2yDJJ04S09Zc8 by futurebird@sauropods.win
2024-05-21T09:53:47Z
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E-bikes are very cool and I'm glad they are getting popular.However.There is a big difference between a crash at 12mph and one at 20mph.Your ebike can give you injuries normally only found in motorcycle accidents. And there isn't enough advice on what constitutes sufficient maintenance for ebikes. If you don't get balding tires fixed on a regular bike you could fall off and bruise or break a leg. At ebike speeds that same fall will shatter your leg in dozens of pieces. BE CAREFUL
(DIR) Post #Ai71i8WUtALFAuI9nE by futurebird@sauropods.win
2024-05-21T09:57:14Z
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Keep your tires and breaks in top condition. The breaks on ebikes wear out very fast since they have to grip tires moving much faster and I don't think they have the ideal material selected for that task as of yet. Do not balk when you find out you need to get new pads every single year if you ride daily. The same is true of the tires. They wear out fast, and can get smooth and dangerous. Since you can ride an ebike at 20mph without being an athlete, it's just more dangerous.
(DIR) Post #Ai71kCjiCAy2oxSWA4 by andycarolan@social.lol
2024-05-21T09:57:15Z
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@futurebird Not to mention the ones which people have de-restricted. Those things are ridiculous. I've seen people wearing nothing more than a tshirt and shorts riding them. No head protection at all.
(DIR) Post #Ai71soqaNrl9KumY0u by va2lam@mastodon.nz
2024-05-21T09:59:06Z
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@futurebird so we recently spent 95nzd (60usd) on ebike brakes, maybe they'll work better.
(DIR) Post #Ai72EOkq4oB8mYNqoi by viq@social.hackerspace.pl
2024-05-21T10:03:01Z
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@futurebirdIn US they can go up to 20 mph / 32 km/h ? AFAIK in Europe they're allowed to go max 25 km/h, which is 15.5 mph, to go above that you need to push them using your own strength. And yeah, that's some difference in speed, especially when you crash.
(DIR) Post #Ai72VrZy9zz36ScxjU by DiegoBeghin@mastodon.social
2024-05-21T10:06:11Z
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@futurebird Hell I have a regular bike I use every day, and I need to change the brake pads every year.
(DIR) Post #Ai72cNuUroSB77L3om by futurebird@sauropods.win
2024-05-21T10:07:14Z
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@viq Another issue is they are much heavier! Yes when I was a bike messenger I probably broke 20mph on the regular. I was also very fit and when I'd crash (which I did often) I'd just tumble around and grab the bike and get back up.An ebike can weigh five times as much as a fixie. Even if you use pedal assist, you are still going very fast. The bike is another object in the crash that can hurt you. Of course if a car is involved forget it. But I'm talking about solo crashes.
(DIR) Post #Ai72ljt8WRzVsrAADo by futurebird@sauropods.win
2024-05-21T10:09:06Z
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@DiegoBeghin I never had to change the pads on my fixie... but ... I guess I didn't really use them. LOL.
(DIR) Post #Ai72sbABMP9aqnPHIO by RogerBW@emacs.ch
2024-05-21T10:10:18Z
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@futurebird ke = ½mv², it's not just a good idea it's the law. 😅
(DIR) Post #Ai736gp96vdsSeHoqe by DiegoBeghin@mastodon.social
2024-05-21T10:12:52Z
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@futurebird It's quite hilly where I live (Brussels).
(DIR) Post #Ai73Rj2i3ZJ1QKf41w by viq@social.hackerspace.pl
2024-05-21T10:16:39Z
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@futurebirdIt looks like at least some of them are getting lighter - I've seen a reasonably featured (and priced) pedal assist city bike weighing 17 kg - that's about the same your normal MTB or city bike would weigh. Of course next to it was a 30+ kg behemoth costing about 3x as much...
(DIR) Post #Ai75nNu7WtUu8v6DxY by Niall@mastodon.nz
2024-05-21T10:42:56Z
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@futurebird yes be careful but have you never been down a hill? I can touch 40mph on any bike, electric or otherwise, down the hill into my town.Keep your bike in good shape full stop.
(DIR) Post #Ai78CA7W7Ax8XaJAS8 by guyjantic@c.im
2024-05-21T11:09:50Z
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@futurebird @viq All I see is "when I was a bike messenger".There's cool and then there's being a bike messenger.
(DIR) Post #Ai79gq0R35Sd5ZBe9w by snag@mastodon.social
2024-05-21T11:26:38Z
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@futurebird So true. I have witnessed my SIL having her front rim sliced in half due to worn out brake pads on her e-bike she rides daily.
(DIR) Post #Ai7AgqyxWFua4R4GB6 by seindal@mastodon.social
2024-05-21T11:37:50Z
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@futurebird Copenhagen, Denmark, people regularly do 40 km/h on the city bike paths. There is talk about two land bike paths for speed separation.You can do 60 km/h on a good bike if you're fit.You don't need an electric bike to get hurt.
(DIR) Post #Ai7BE4tWoXaEm8N0iG by R1Rail@mastodon.gougere.fr
2024-05-21T11:43:50Z
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@futurebird You can go at 20 mph on a non electric bike : it is sufficient that the road goes down....
(DIR) Post #Ai7BgcBmcUIK91W4GW by johnlorimer@mastodon.social
2024-05-21T11:49:00Z
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@futurebird I regularly see an e-bike travelling 50-55km/h. Travelling in the bike lane. going to have a massive accident one day.
(DIR) Post #Ai7BsimDx7543EKlBw by pierrotechnique@sonomu.club
2024-05-21T11:51:04Z
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@futurebird @viq i feel like an often overlooked aspect of it is also that electric/e-assist bikes bring riders that would never have broken ~30 km/h on their own up to speeds they aren't familiar with and for which they haven't developed all the necessary reflexes/abilities.what i mean is that the learning curve we go through to ride unassisted bikes at 30+ km/h naturally develops a set of handling and perceptive abilities that i've noticed to be lacking in the majority of e-bike riders
(DIR) Post #Ai7C06ffVpyMBWmzYm by Compassionatecrab@toad.social
2024-05-21T11:52:24Z
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@futurebird Thank you for posting about ebike safety. My dear friend was a professional skydiver, and was obsessed with maintaining her equipment. Over 900 successful jumps, and she died from being thrown from her ebike. I hope everyone takes safety seriously.
(DIR) Post #Ai7C6vwHoPbWvYojgm by otyugh@pouet.chapril.org
2024-05-21T11:53:45Z
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@futurebird I would like to have some self-evident kind of way to know when to change tires, because I have no idea.
(DIR) Post #Ai7DPCfMSaJPyKAzmy by Hunterrules0_o@techhub.social
2024-05-21T12:07:45Z
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@futurebird wait isnt an ebike just an electric motorbike
(DIR) Post #Ai7DVuPSjem5NTwAlM by BackFromTheDud@mas.to
2024-05-21T12:08:53Z
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@futurebird Motorcyclists have known this for many decades. It's why most motor vehicles have a roadworthiness inspection every year, are required to obey speed limits, traffic signals, be registered and insured, and the rider qualified to ride one. And all that so a 16-year-old can do 30MPH, when they could buy an E-Bike, need no test or insurance, and blast around at 40MPH. I've been passed by these people on my 125 when I'm keeping up with traffic!! YES, it annoys me! 😡
(DIR) Post #Ai7Dcs3ls26u7J6wvg by stufromoz@aus.social
2024-05-21T12:10:41Z
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@futurebird as a cyclist I regularly see people who don’t appear to have spent much time on bikes, riding on e-bikes in situations where caution is needed, but not shown, I’m regularly expecting to see them on the ground
(DIR) Post #Ai7DnDdOVmTbvPhwwq by tehstu@hachyderm.io
2024-05-21T12:12:36Z
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@futurebird Exactly! My barely teenage son wants one, reassuringly pointing to the box saying it only goes 25mph. At least they are, for his age, fairly expensive so I won't have to worry about that for a while.
(DIR) Post #Ai7KqM8K4KkapccKrA by panopticon@mastodon.de
2024-05-21T13:31:16Z
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@futurebird ... aaand the parts to build it are very bad for the environment... but it still wins out on a car.
(DIR) Post #Ai7NipAiWIIMRHpzIO by timbray@cosocial.ca
2024-05-21T13:53:01Z
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@futurebird Also bear in mind that bikes generally have poor braking power, terrifyingly poor on wet pavement.
(DIR) Post #Ai7Q9BH5AIM8QWVhR2 by chris@mstdn.chrisalemany.ca
2024-05-21T14:31:01Z
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@futurebird @lisamelton this is a worry I have about ebikes. I see many going very fast. The fastest speed you would go on a regular bike made for a few seconds per ride normally, now many people are going as per regular. The danger and likelihood of injury increases very quickly with speed
(DIR) Post #Ai7QaqxEJC5pVsQ4jQ by millerdl@mathstodon.xyz
2024-05-21T14:35:59Z
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@futurebird it was terrifying being in Seattle a couple of weeks ago: the Lime ebike rentals are SO FAST and SO HEAVY. In the UK assistance is capped at 25km/h (15.5mph), still fast but not close to the speeds you can get on ebikes in the US, it seems.Especially dangerous for rental schemes where riders are not experienced cyclists, don't know local laws and don't wear helmets.
(DIR) Post #Ai7Rdy9Y6Hf6f8EPuS by Tribear@mastodon.coffee
2024-05-21T14:47:46Z
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@futurebird Hydraulic brakes should be the standard on e-bikes, I run 180mm on the front and 160mm on the rear (disks). Regular maintenance is always required, learn how to do it yourself, including bleeding the brakes. I think Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires should be standard too, they are designed for e-bikes.
(DIR) Post #Ai7UF8VgkuRXPJRBei by chriswho@mstdn.social
2024-05-21T15:16:38Z
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@futurebird If I might also add if you are going to ride an ebike get one of the motocross helmets with the piece that comes out around chin level. When one hits something one could leave the bike leading with ones face so it's going to need some protection.Also there are bugs moving through the air in most places - you don't want to hit one with your eye going at 20 mph. Visors are you friend here.
(DIR) Post #Ai7VA9Url9DiyREwee by SkipHuffman@astrodon.social
2024-05-21T15:27:04Z
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@futurebird anything powered that goes over 30kph should be classified as a light motorcycle.
(DIR) Post #Ai7YAK3KoQqXZi8RoO by clive@saturation.social
2024-05-21T16:00:18Z
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@pierrotechnique @futurebird @viq Yeah, this is a really key point I thinkOn a regular pedal bike, there's usually a long learning curve -- and long period of physical training/improvement, either intentional or just from 'lots of riding' -- before you're hitting breakneck speedsSo you have lots of time to get used to how the bike (and you) peform at higher speedsNot so with an ebike
(DIR) Post #Ai7aD8xWiNG1wgtKuu by pierrotechnique@sonomu.club
2024-05-21T16:16:35Z
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@clive yep, that's exactly itthat being said, i still think e-bikes are an important part of the mix we'll need to get as many people out of cars as possible. i'm just not convinced everyone needs to be riding around on $5k computers on wheels with more torque than a porsche 911
(DIR) Post #Ai7aRMM7hdPJY6Av4K by clive@saturation.social
2024-05-21T16:24:34Z
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@pierrotechnique lol yeahI too generally take a big-tent approach to the value of reducing our reliance on cars -- there'll need to be a wide variety of options, greatly-increased mass transit being a chief one; but when it comes to personal vehicles, everything from ebikes to escooters to regular bikes to moped-style escooters etcNo one solution fits everyonebut we gotta be cautious on the public safety front
(DIR) Post #Ai7bQlKJTb0oevbjI8 by oblomov@sociale.network
2024-05-21T16:36:48Z
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@futurebird s/break/brake/g ;-)Re: the speed of deterioration, I wonder if it's just an oversight from the manufacturer, an expectation that it wouldn't normally be used at maximum speed anyway, or intentional to require more frequent maintenance
(DIR) Post #Ai7gpFo8If1Pun3MvY by copsewood@social.linux.pizza
2024-05-21T17:37:55Z
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@futurebird Have they not figured out how to put braking energy back into the battery on e-bikes ? Every BEV car does this nowadays. Didn't think of it as more expensive, in relation to the manufacture for a motor to be reversible into a generator which feeds energy back into the battery. BEV cars only use friction brakes at very low speeds or in emergency hard braking situations. One problem is the brake disks can get rust damage which isn't regularly cleaned off.
(DIR) Post #Ai7ihifdIvoZ1Vc2hk by djasa@cztwitter.cz
2024-05-21T17:58:56Z
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@futurebird @DiegoBeghin Hills, anyone?I used to raise similar points any time when someone was praising low-tech low-maintenance bikes as a silver bullet (ascent efficiency driving need for higher-tech drivetrain and decent safety for better brakes, tires and maintenance state overall).So from POV of riding the bike, ebikes turn hilly cities into flat ones but from the POV of bike "roadworthiness", it turns flat cities into the hilly ones. 😅
(DIR) Post #Ai7lVkiCBl5rk3nRj6 by Clarity@c.im
2024-05-21T18:30:24Z
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@futurebird @viq I try not to crash and to let others crash into me (SIC)
(DIR) Post #Ai7oX0xBaTXkGc6Lxo by pierrotechnique@sonomu.club
2024-05-21T19:03:41Z
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@clive yep, definitely still a lot of only partially-answered questionslooking forward to your writing on the subject!
(DIR) Post #Ai7osRV84zlkgSCDFA by djasa@cztwitter.cz
2024-05-21T18:09:49Z
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@futurebird @DiegoBeghin > BE CAREFULVery true. I've just finished 9 week sick leave caused by me falling from a bike while doing a routine turn. What was a lot different was the bike - a rental bike with less grippy tires than on my own bike and with unreasonably high pressure at the front wheel, the result was a front wheel slip at dry and clean (!) tarmac resulting in my arm bone being shattered ay the shoulder. 😬#BeCareful
(DIR) Post #Ai7oxEPOBWeLWenK1w by Indyposterboy@mastodon.scot
2024-05-21T19:09:01Z
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@futurebird We talking pedelecs or scooters here? Pedelecs (at least in UK) are restricted to 15.6mph max pedalling assistance.
(DIR) Post #Ai7pSpSeTSGNQ4O5aq by futurebird@sauropods.win
2024-05-21T19:14:44Z
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I know this because I shattered my leg into dozens of pieces. (27 to be exact) that was three years ago. I rode my old fixie around the block for the first time two days ago. Will I ride an e-bike again? maybe not being sweaty at work is so worth it. (do NOT talk to me about “wipes”) But if i get one it will have fancy breaks, frequent maintenance and I’m never going over 15mph again. Too scared.
(DIR) Post #Ai7ps3FyJtQDReU2y0 by complexmath@hachyderm.io
2024-05-21T19:17:22Z
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@futurebird here is where I shill for eye protection as well. While biking I had a car kick a pebble directly into my eye. Which is pretty rough when you’re cranking at 20mph in traffic and suddenly can’t see. Helmets are nice too. I saw a kid just this morning going full out down a bike lane in a school zone with no helmet on.
(DIR) Post #Ai7q2CeWEznXTvo23U by dave_andersen@hachyderm.io
2024-05-21T19:20:46Z
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@futurebird The colleague whose enthusiasm for e-bikes pushed me over the edge to getting one broke his collarbone when his cheap drive system engaged at the wrong time. His experience convinced me it was worth getting a good Bosch mid-drive with really high quality breaks, and I stuck with a 250 w motor despite occasionally carrying two kids on it. That gets a little sweaty uphill, but no regrets. (Caveat: I MTB'd and races road for a while, so my ideas of speeds are probably not normal)
(DIR) Post #Ai7qAh5exS32CQY8O0 by earthlightning@sfba.social
2024-05-21T19:22:41Z
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@futurebird Yep. When I finally spring for an ebike, I'll probably go for a velomobile--there's at least one model with crumple zones in the frame.
(DIR) Post #Ai7qt6rMVczQrb2bS4 by ohmu@social.seattle.wa.us
2024-05-21T19:30:35Z
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@futurebird I'be been considering a torque-assisted cargo bike for the past couple of years. This was an excellent warning. Thank you!I am thinking I'll keep the governor at 14 mph.
(DIR) Post #Ai7rCNjC19VGgJPS7s by dx@social.ridetrans.it
2024-05-21T19:34:03Z
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@futurebird I would be interested to see actual crash outcome statistics on this, if they exist.20 mph feels like the right limit to me, with my pedal assist ebike. I wouldn’t want to be going faster, but this is all vibes. Hence, I would be interested in stats. My highest speed crash was downhill on a normal bike at 40 mph, but there were mitigating factors about how that crashed happened that meant my bike decelerated rapidly before I was thrown, so I was totally uninjured.
(DIR) Post #Ai7rMwR5pRDNDqykLo by vriesk@hachyderm.io
2024-05-21T19:35:59Z
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@futurebird Community note: "balding" tires are not an issue on a bicycle on tarmac/concrete. The reason car tires need treading is because otherwise aquaplaning occurs; aquaplanning is not possible with bicycle tire widths/speeds. Sleek (treadless) tires work just fine.Things are a bit different with sand, mud or snow, but that's not a common commute issue; and while important with mountain bikes, downhill speeds are the same for regulars and e-bikes anyway.
(DIR) Post #Ai7sq46YUluxMIp7ku by vriesk@hachyderm.io
2024-05-21T19:52:00Z
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@futurebird "Smooth is dangerous" is simply not true for bicycle tires. It very much depends on a surface. Knobby mountain bike tire will have worse traction and driving capabilities on hard asphalt than a sleek treadless tire - because the knobs bend and there's less contact area.Sleeks are absolutely fine for city commute (assuming well-maintained roads).
(DIR) Post #Ai7xtDgfp7rVia2c1w by stephan324ppm@mastodon.no2nd.earth
2024-05-21T20:49:03Z
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@futurebird what’s the max speed for e-bikes over there?
(DIR) Post #Ai7yvInRtky866lcgK by unixorn@hachyderm.io
2024-05-21T20:59:58Z
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@futurebird I broke my ankle on a rental e-bike but it wasn’t the drive kicking in or me going ludicrous speed. I wiped out because I went off the shoulder and didn’t stop before trying to get back on the road. Wiped out, took out the person behind me and my leg got sandwiched between two e-bikes and another biker on top of that. Planning to get one for myself as soon as I finish PT.
(DIR) Post #Ai7zgvFAlpAiwwRRjc by Archergal@wandering.shop
2024-05-21T21:09:14Z
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@futurebird 😬 Jeezopete. Mojo!
(DIR) Post #Ai8a5Bxbrlie5z6BJw by ravingstark@mastodon.social
2024-05-22T03:56:43Z
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@futurebird @lisamelton Found this out the hard way. Broken hand, not leg, but no fun at all and much more damage than a fall from a non-electric bike would have produced. Still incredibly happy to have purchased an e-bike though. Have gotten so much pleasure out of riding it these past few years, and gone so many places I could never have gone on a traditional bike.