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A comment on Electric Bikes Won Over China. Is the U.S. Next?.

Re:Electric Bikes Won Over China. Is the U.S. Next? by rckclmbr on Friday June 03, 2016 @06:30PM (#11833728)
I rode a manual bike for several years, and bought an e-bike about a month ago for my 25-mile (round trip) commute. It's been amazing. I still get cardio (albeit not as much), I don't have to change in my lycra, don't have to shower when I get to work, and the commute is actually faster than driving (the 101 sucks). I'll still do the occasional ride on my old bike, but it's mostly e-bike now.
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Re:Electric Bikes Won Over China. Is the U.S. Next? by kennell on Friday June 03, 2016 @07:05PM (#11833874)
What e-bike are you using?
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Re:Electric Bikes Won Over China. Is the U.S. Next? by rckclmbr on Friday June 03, 2016 @09:36PM (#11834472)
Stromer ST2
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Re:Electric Bikes Won Over China. Is the U.S. Next? by sk5t on Friday June 03, 2016 @09:59PM (#11834534)
Do these really sell for $6K+? I'd love to have an electric assist option for my 30 mi round trip, but the cost is a tough pill to swallow... $3K I'd do in a minute.
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Re:Electric Bikes Won Over China. Is the U.S. Next? by rckclmbr on Saturday June 04, 2016 @09:55AM (#11836323)
Stromer ST1 is about that much. ST2 doesn't buy you much more tbh, it has a GPS and theft protection, little bigger battery. $3k actually seems to be the magic number where ebikes are good. Also, as others have said, building your own is a cheaper option. At 30mi you would likely want to charge at work (I do anyway, it's easier on the battery).

Also, FWIW, I was debating a second car (married w/kids) or the bike, and am 100% satisfied with my bike and the price I paid for it

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Re:Electric Bikes Won Over China. Is the U.S. Next? by arkem on Friday June 03, 2016 @10:12PM (#11834575)
I commuted on an electric bicycle (and didn't own a car) in 2010-2012 on a eZee Torq http://ezeebike.com/bikes-and-options/torq/ it cost less than 2k.

I'm a bit out of touch of the latest developments in the market (I walk to work these days) but I'm sure you can find plenty of good options under 3k.

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Re:Electric Bikes Won Over China. Is the U.S. Next? by mrigor on Saturday June 04, 2016 @08:04AM (#11836030)
Bafang BBS is a nice alternative. Goes on the crank shaft and converts most bikes to electric. More powerful than Stromer for fraction of the cost...
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Re:Electric Bikes Won Over China. Is the U.S. Next? by driverdan on Saturday June 04, 2016 @09:37AM (#11836269)
Try craigslist. There are often cheaper ones available used. Keep in mind that 30 mi is on the high end of what most ebike battery packs can do.
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