E-bike commute

[FairWxCyclist]

Hello everyone,

I'm thinking about getting an e-bike to commute on. It's 45km each way over the north downs with around 600m of climbing. I was thinking of getting something like the Ribble Endurance SL E with the extra battery to do it on.

I commute at all times of the day so I'd need to stick on some good lights etc but speed is a factor as I often work very long days with antisocial hours so would consider derestricting it. There's a long drag to the north downs which on my road bike I cruise above 25kph and I'd like to get the ride cracked it in closer to 1hr20 with a backpack on and I don't have the legs to do it myself!

Has anyone got experience of commuting that kind of distance on a derestricted 250whr hub driven ebike?

Cheers,

FairWxCyclist

[ChrisF]

I don't think you shuld be derestricting a bike (certainly not advertising that you are), but anyway - what you're proposing is a commuting ride over over 32kph average - includng turns, traffic controls, etc.

What time can you do the ride in on your existing bike?There are online calculators that would tell you how much more watt-hours you'd need from the battery to increase your speed over that distance.

[Cowsham]

Hello everyone,

I'm thinking about getting an e-bike to commute on. It's 45km each way over the north downs with around 600m of climbing. I was thinking of getting something like the Ribble Endurance SL E with the extra battery to do it on.

I commute at all times of the day so I'd need to stick on some good lights etc but speed is a factor as I often work very long days with antisocial hours so would consider derestricting it. There's a long drag to the north downs which on my road bike I cruise above 25kph and I'd like to get the ride cracked it in closer to 1hr20 with a backpack on and I don't have the legs to do it myself!

Has anyone got experience of commuting that kind of distance on a derestricted 250whr hub driven ebike?

Cheers,

FairWxCyclist

I only commute 15 miles each way so 30mile round trip but now do it on an ebike. In cold weather it's a balancing act between doing enough to keep warm but not sweating, which is easily achievable, don't know about nearly twice that distance though.

My bike would do it but slower than I'd want although if I used my brothers 17ah battery it would do it no problem at full beans there and back. The batteries on the yose kit is interchangeable between 13ah and 17ah also 'cough' the speed can be easily adjusted 'cough'

[JohnMorgan]

From what I understand, keeping water out of the battery connections while not letting it overheat is a concern. At least according to the three people I have spoken to who have had such. The last one took a month or so for Halfords (I know) to get a new battery sorted.

Good luck!

[Cowsham]

From what I understand, keeping water out of the battery connections while not letting it overheat is a concern. At least according to the three people I have spoken to who have had such. The last one took a month or so for Halfords (I know) to get a new battery sorted.

Good luck!

Never been an issue. I put a waterproof spare bag cover over mine or, if I haven't packed it, a shower cap which are very light and have a small packet of them in my patching outfit just in case.

[rotavator]

I would look at Hambini's video about one of Ribble's Al alloy frames and the comments about their customer service before buying one of their bikes. Beware that it is sweary, but interesting never the less.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-cgll3cx8o

[peterb]

I've yet to hear of a successful way of derestricting an Ebikemotion X35 system.

[simonhill]

How would derestricting a bike used 90 Kms a day, day in day out. Are the components up to it?

[rareposter]

I commute at all times of the day so I'd need to stick on some good lights etc but speed is a factor as I often work very long days with antisocial hours so would consider derestricting it. There's a long drag to the north downs which on my road bike I cruise above 25kph and I'd like to get the ride cracked it in closer to 1hr20 with a backpack on and I don't have the legs to do it myself!

Derestricting it will void all the warranty and as someone else mentioned, I've yet to see a workable hack for that motor.
You're missing the point of an e-bike, it's not about speed, it's about being able to do the ride day in day out without knackering yourself.

I've done similar distance commutes (on normal bikes) and I'd have to either pick my days carefully (getting the train or driving sometimes) or I'd have to accept that come the weekend, I would not want to even look at my bike because I'd be so tired. On an e-bike, I could have done a week of commuting and still have been fresh for weekend riding. It's not about the speed.

If you want to go faster, buy a moped or motorbike.

I would look at Hambini's video about one of Ribble's Al alloy frames and the comments about their customer service before buying one of their bikes.

That sexist misogynist egotistical pillock is the absolute last person I would ever listen to.
Note as well he's only seeing the frames that customers have sent him so there's a strong element of "survivorship bias" in that - ie you're only seeing the very very few that break, not the many thousands being ridden around with no issues whatsoever.

[mei]

90km a day is a lot.
90x5days=450km a week.
You will wear through your bike components quickly.
You will at least need a new chain every month´ish and tyres every 2ísh months.
Brakes (pads/rotors) replaced often from rust/wear.
Quickly will add up.
Do you have GOOD kit to wear when it´s rainy/cold.
Commuting in all weathers is very hard on a bike (rain and road salt).
You will not feel like cleaning your bike after a day in work and at least 2.5hours total of cycling in the rain (even if it is assisted).
In my view this idea is not viable, you will want to chop the bike up in to little pieces within 2 weeks (if you had the strength, LOL) as you will be knackered all the time which will make you miserable.
Is there any alternative for part of the journey such as a train?

[Cowsham]

90km a day is a lot.
90x5days=450km a week.
You will wear through your bike components quickly.
You will at least need a new chain every month´ish and tyres every 2ísh months.
Brakes (pads/rotors) replaced often from rust/wear.
Quickly will add up.
Do you have GOOD kit to wear when it´s rainy/cold.
Commuting in all weathers is very hard on a bike (rain and road salt).
You will not feel like cleaning your bike after a day in work and at least 2.5hours total of cycling in the rain (even if it is assisted).
In my view this idea is not viable, you will want to chop the bike up in to little pieces within 2 weeks (if you had the strength, LOL) as you will be knackered all the time which will make you miserable.
Is there any alternative for part of the journey such as a train?

Was thinking the same but maybe one of those direct drive hubs would last longer. My commute isn't every day and has similar unsociable hours so I do get rest days but doing twice that distance on an ebike is a long sit in the saddle 1.5 hours at least each way I'd say.

[Yossarian]

Car / motorbike.

[Cowsham]

Find work closer.

[horizon]

This has been discussed before. The general consensus was that an ebike isn't a solution to a very long commute: weather, components and fatigue will all play their part. The actual distance isn't the problem: it's the fact that you are under pressure, twice a day, in the dark, every day. And all that after a tiring day at work. Occasionally it might probably be a refreshing change but as a basis for working at one's best, I doubt it. As others have suggested, work closer, work some days from home, go by car or motorbike.

NB I'm not saying anything against ebikes here (I'm sure one would live up to expectations), but about the human factor. An ebike to solve the problem of a tiring ten mile commute each way - yes, that would be interesting and doable.

[eileithyia]

I would also consider the safety aspect of derestricting an ebike. Recently I was waiting to pull out of my side street onto a major road, I had eased forward to see past parked car when I realised the cyclist i could have pulled out in front of was approaching at an unreal speed.. unreal in the fact he was dressed in hoodie / trackie bottoms and boots on a MTB... as he passed in front it was clear that it was an ebike... but he was clearly travelling at nigh on 30mph.... I could so easily have percieved him to be a 'normal' cyclist on an ordinary bike with time to pull out... with dire consequences. I've seen him a couple of times around town travelling at high speed.