Just got back on a bike. Out of shape and over 60. What to do? Start off E-asy with an E-Bike! Thanks to @friendlymoose for the invite and running the group!
I haven't been on a bicycle for probably a decade (or two). While of course we lived on them as kids, I used to even take a bike on long hunting trips into the woods at public conservation areas to get back where it was too far for others to walk.
I'm pretty out of shape for normal bike riding, and don't jog because of knee / ankle injuries. I started looking at all the e-bike options since we moved into a subdivision area with a lot of quiet streets. I thought it was time to give it a try.
I went with an Aventon Aventure2 model. They were running a special over labor day that included a free extra battery. This was just too hard to pass up.
I've only been on a few rides so far, but loving it. Even as a newbie, I went on a 12 mile ride without any issue (other than my butt falling asleep around the hour mark). I've since replace the stock seat with the "Wittkop" extra padded memory foam model in the first pic.
I've been going back to more regular rides of 6-8 miles. This takes me about 30 minutes of very casual cruising, just enough to keep the heart pumping without over-exerting.
This model is a step-thru, which is easier for us folks with short legs and limited mobility to get on and off without having to throw our legs way up over the seat.
It came with a little screen that tells you the speed, distance, and boost mode (Eco, Tour, Sport, Turbo).
I also added a cellphone holder that can display mapping and trail apps.
It has Shimano gears and a little thumb shifter on the right side handlebar just like a regular 10 speed bicycle from the old days.
The battery is locked in with a key required for removal (see the keyhole just above the battery). This helps prevent theft (batteries are expensive!), but makes it very quick and easy to pop the battery out to charge or swap out for super long rides. It can also be charged while still on the bike.
I added the adjustable water bottle holder later.
This is what's called a "fat tire" bike. The tires are 4 inches wide. This supposedly provides better traction for off-road trails and sand. I haven't tried this out yet, but one of my eventual desires is to ride it on the beach.
There is a basic map that can zoom in and out for more or less detail included in the free Aventon app. I found it very adequate for riding the streets around the subdivision and not get lost in the maze of cul-de-sac roads here.
There is also an "Alltrails" app and I'm sure others available for the more adventurous. I may get out to some of the nearby trails eventually.
Other specs and info:
The Aventure2 is a "torque sensor" bike. This means that in pedal assist mode, it automatically adjusts the level of boost to your pedaling effort and feels much like a normal bike (except easier).
You can manually choose from 4 different levels, Eco, Tour, Sport, Turbo that you can then either simply use the thumb throttle on the left handle bar to power you, or will automatically adjust to your pedaling effort.
I found in Eco mode, and about third gear just barely having light, slow pedaling effort cruised me around at about 12 mph. In Sport mode about 15 mph. If I increased my pedaling to a faster mode, it would easily bump me up to 20 mph. 20 mph is the limit out of the box. However if you use the Aventon app to change the settings, you can bump that up to 28 mph. I was easily able to hit 30 mph with some faster pedaling on flat pavement.
The bike is powered by a 750 watt motor and is rated at 60 miles distance on a charge. In theory, if you strap the free extra battery on back and swap it out, you could go 120 miles. This will of course vary depending on which mode, how much you pedal vs. just push the button, etc.
In my real world usage, I made two 6 mile trips and an 8 mile trip in eco mode and still had over 85% battery remaining.
I'm impressed and loving it so far. I really like the distance I can cover vs. the short distances that walking exercise provides, and this seems like it will be great to help rebuild the supporting knee muscles without over-exerting them or my stressing my ankle which starts to ache after a couple miles walking.
Stay tuned for more updates and another review after a few months usage.
That is cool. I just have an old mountain bike that my dad gave me, but I have been looking into e-bikes for a bit now. I think if I got one I would like one that has the assist feature. That way I am still doing some of the work, but I have that little boost when I need it.
Yes, this one can do pedal assist, or just push the thumb and go. For the hardcore folks, you can also disable the pedal assist and just use nothing but legs! I doubt I'll get back to that, or at least not very far, but it's nice to have the options. I honestly thought I would be using turbo or sport all the time, but it's really quite pleasant to just cruise around in eco mode at 12-15 mph.
What is the weight like on the bike. I've heard that some of those if you don't use the pedal assist it's quite difficult to just pedal because many of them are so heavy. It sounds like you picked a winner for sure!
All e-bikes are going to be much heavier than their non-e counterparts. This one is right about 75 lbs (34 kilograms).
I've seen many comparable that are over 85 lbs. (38 kg),.
It's easy to push along, (even has a a walk-along mode). But definitely a bit heavy to lift. Will be careful about which type of vehicle hitch carrier I get for it. I wasn't too concerned about that initially, but after riding around the neighborhood, I'm actually pretty keen to take it out to some of the trails. Wishing I had bought it in Vermont when I had all the trails right there!
Wow, that is pretty hefty! You are quite right about your old stomping grounds. No shortage of Subaru's with bike racks buzzing around that state!
I'm an e-bike user, too and my bike is the city bike type for girls while my husband got an e-bike VTT. We also have little passengers with us behind our seats. We have a bike trailer for the kids when it's just me who needs to bike to go to the park.
Niiiiiiiiiiice! On those e-bikes you still need to pedal, right? So that counts, I guess xDD
Friends of mine used e-bikes when I was delivering food on two wheels. They'd often offer me the bikes for a spin, but I always refused. Too afraid I'd like them, was the excuse. They are fun!
Well it depends on the bike. On this bike model and many others, no you don't have to pedal, you can just push the button and go. It's actually easier to pedal just a bit to kick in the boost than it is to have to hold the thumb button down imho.. There's also different gears available like a regular 10 speed so you can choose how much resistance you want for the pedaling. It's very nice to have the different options.
Have you noticed any gains on the strength and flexibility of your legs. Or is it too soon?
I still have 3 old school mountain bikes here. And from time to time ride them about the yard here. I no longer take them on the road. Too dangerous out there...
Too early for any changes but could feel the legs after ride.
I hear you on the traffic. Only the quiet private roads for me. I can tell I will definitely want to do some woods trails though.
Heard so much about E bikes and I can't stop imagining how easy it'll be in riding.
It adds extra speed, right?
More just extra power to the pedaling so that it takes less leg power. This does result in more speed than light pedaling alone, but I'll bet that experienced and strong legged non e-bikers can generate much more speed on their own. It's great for us older beginners, or those with less leg power.
Nice bike. Recalling those days long past, biking was a daily routine, not so much for the exercise but for getting to wherever you wanted to go. Growing up in the country a bike was a necessity.
I love the idea of a padded seat, the last bike I rode was about 10 years ago and it had one of those banana-looking seats that had your butt hurting as soon as you looked at it.
The step-through is also another great idea surely making it a heck of a lot easier to mount and dismount.
Hopefully, your solar power will be online soon and the charging of the batteries won't cost you a single penny.
A great way to get in shape, just as long as you use the pedal mode now and then. 😁
That's a really nice bicycle. An e-bike is a great choice I think. You can get support depending on your fitness and the conditions your cycling in. Even if you don't have the energy yet you can still cover large distances and still exercise!
I wish you many safe kilometers and will be waiting for more cycling adventures from you.
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I don't know about bicycles, but yours looks so powerful and brutal, professional. 👍
Thanks, I'm happy with it for sure.
That is very nice of you! The frameset looks brutal and durable, and this saddle (unlike the narrow and sporty one I use myself) is especially good for uneven forest roads... or lack of road :)
All in all - convincing bike! 😎 !BEER
This is not the super wide like some. Just barely wider than the factory, but much better memory foam padding. I read that the super wide can be uncomfortable on longer rides work plus, but not experienced enough myself to know.
I am not experienced either... always tend to choose sport ones, so did not try all the variety available out there. Tho I do know it can be very individual, so a good option is to try every model yourself, not relying on others impressions. 😎
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