E-bikes Yes Or No: My Story So Far

Just over a year ago my family bought me a pedal assist e-bike. Yes we could have gone with a bike that was under $1000 from Walmart or Amazon. but instead we decided to shop local. My Dad and I both sought out advice and decided on the bike I have now.

Some of the advice we were given is: 

Buy from a store you trust and service’s what they sell. This allows repairs and warranty work. 

Do not buy a department store bike. 

Do not buy knock off batteries (buy the correct battery for the bike) they are a fire hazard. 

Do not leave a charging battery unattended. 

 Buying a cheaper bike might seem like a quick win but in the long run it will cost you in repairs (if you can find someone to fix it) or having to replace the bike sooner. 

I ride my bike almost every day. Some trips like going to the mall or my dentist I still use my non e-bike or Hamilton Bike Share. I have done a few rides that for me. would have been impossible on a non electric bike. I have been to Brantford Ontario (80 and 100 Km), Paris Ontario (120 Km). Oakville Ontario (95 Km) and even Malton Ontario (150 Km). 

After working out some initial bugs with the bike like breaking spokes (rebuild the rear wheel), a mistake I made when washing the bike and having to get the battery replaced. I have also had routine maintenance done on the bike like brake pads and cables checked and replaced. 

I have been able to participate in multiple rides a day, in different parts of the city and still do my day to day errands. Towards the end of the summer we purchased a extra battery that I will carry with me on really long rides or when I have a few rides in a day and just the need the comfort of a fresh battery at the end of the day. 

 

In 2021 (the last full year I rode my non ebike) I rode 2084.2 Km according to Strava. in 2023 (Not quite finished) 5,934 Km recorded on Strava (A time or 2 I forgot to press record) Just the other day a little over 1 year I reached 7000 Km on the bikes odometer