ebikes of today 10 years on

Electrically assisted bikes, trikes, etc. that are legal in the UK
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mattheus
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Joined: 29 Dec 2008, 12:57pm
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Re: ebikes of today 10 years on

Post by mattheus »

The silver lining is that if one is thrown away, that is considerably less damage/waste than a small/cheap car.
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Audax67
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Re: ebikes of today 10 years on

Post by Audax67 »

Both my e-bikes are conversions that can revert to being just bikes any time. The suppliers are local and can recondition the batteries. Getting rid of the old cells is their problem, and since they'll be handling them in bulk I'd presume they'll have some sort of set-up to do it.
Have we got time for another cuppa?
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Carlton green
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Joined: 22 Jun 2019, 12:27pm

Re: ebikes of today 10 years on

Post by Carlton green »

mattheus wrote: ↑25 Sep 2024, 1:19pm The silver lining is that if one is thrown away, that is considerably less damage/waste than a small/cheap car.
I suppose you’re right, but when the relative lifetime mileages are factored in then the picture is less positive. The right thing to do is to do away with built in obsolescence … but that’s not going to happen. It seems to me that bike conversions are likely the better way to go than new e-bikes (at least with conversions there’s hope of replacing old parts and the chance to re-convert).

A neighbour has an e-bike but it’s never used so the battery is likely now both dead and irreplaceable (obsolete/non-available), that situation is likely not uncommon and the bike is effectively waiting to be scrapped. A total waste and not so good for the environment.
Don’t fret, it’s OK to: ride a simple old bike; ride slowly, walk, rest and admire the view; ride off-road; ride in your raincoat; ride by yourself; ride in the dark; and ride one hundred yards or one hundred miles. Your bike and your choices to suit you.
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francovendee
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Joined: 5 May 2009, 6:32am

Re: ebikes of today 10 years on

Post by francovendee »

Audax67 wrote: ↑25 Sep 2024, 5:29pm Both my e-bikes are conversions that can revert to being just bikes any time. The suppliers are local and can recondition the batteries. Getting rid of the old cells is their problem, and since they'll be handling them in bulk I'd presume they'll have some sort of set-up to do it.
It was the route I ended up choosing. If I wanted to I could remove it or if it failed replace it with another motor and battery.
A lot of smart looking ebikes seem to have the battery as part of the frame. This looks nice but the choice of a battery replacement must be very limited. I went for a bottle battery and they are easy to obtain.
If we were all content with this style or a rack battery, then replacements would be more readily available.
Getting people to use an ebike instead of a car is good for the planet but we should also consider how they can be made to last.
A bike for life?
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