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ebike battery use

So, I have been using a pedelec bike for three months now. It takes a bit of getting used to. Initially there’s the guilt of not having to use as much effort as a normal bike. But you get over that, after a few windy, rainy, or less desirable cycling days. Just let the motor assist you! 

I previously commuted on a normal bike daily for more than 10 years, and my body’s not getting any younger. Hence the assistance.

But, you do still have to put the effort in. It’s only a “pedal assist” bike – the motor assists you at a % of the effort you are putting in (courtesy of a clever built-in computer).

With the Bosch Active Line Plus; in ECO mode the motor assists you with +40% of your effort. TOUR mode assists with +100% of your effort, SPORT +180% and TURBO +270% (I’ve never used TURBO in ernest, yet).

To quote Bosch, “The motor output depends on the pedaling force you apply. If you apply less force, you will receive less assistance than if you apply a lot of force. The eBike drive automatically switches off at speeds over 15.5mph”

There’s a handy eBike Range Assistant here: Range Assistant

But the reason for this post is to document my actual experience of a 500WH battery’s performance to date.

I have consistently found the below to be true, this is a record of the week at the end of March 2023.

The morning temperature has been between ~5-9°c, returning at 10-15°c.

The ride is relatively flat, with slight inclines. It has patches of stop/start bends and obstructions – this affects battery use as you tend to use more getting back to normal ~14 – 17mph speeds.

It’s a 8 mile each way commute, and I keep it in ECO for 90+% of the way.

After a full ~5hour charge the computer initially says anything between 100-80 miles potential range in ECO mode.

See below, on Monday it initially read 85 miles range (in ECO) and by the time I got into work it read 66 miles, suggesting 19 miles use over an 8 mile ride.

However, on the Tues, Weds & Thurs rides home I actually gained potential miles range between work and home, I can only guess this is due to wind-assistance, extra effort put in, ambient temperature… etc? 

Monday ride in: 85-66, 19 miles used over the 8 mile stretch
Monday return: 66-60, 6 miles used
Tuesday ride in: 60-45, 15 miles used
Tuesday return: 45-50, 5 miles range gained!
Wednesday ride in: 50-35, 15 miles used
Wednesday return: 35-37, 2 miles range gained.
Thursday ride in: 37-20, 17 miles used
Thursday return: 20-22, 2 miles gained.
Friday ride in: 22-12, 10 miles used
Friday return: 12-3, 9 miles used (poor route in the dark through town)

This is the first time in 3 months that I have risked 5 days on a single charge, but it has performed as suggested on day one; 80 miles over 5 days on a full charge. I usually recharge after 3 or 4 days use.

So, onwards.

Perhaps commuting by bike is an option for you.

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Bike

Pedal Assist…

**** 26-11-22 UPDATE to the post below ****
**** BIKE STOLEN this week ****

6 Nov. 2022 – I am not getting any younger. Birfday looming…

After 12 years of commuting by bike in and out of Leicester, I have decided a little assistance might be welcome.

You can read about my decision to ‘get my bike out’ ‘A Celebration of Cycling’ From ‘Good, Bad, & Ugly‘, to ‘I sold my car‘, to the BBC and ‘Melton Road‘…

After doing ~15 miles a day for many years, I have been researching the new ‘pedelec’ options for a considerable time.

A pedelec (pedal electric cycle) is a type of low-powered electric bicycle where your pedalling is assisted by a small electric motor. If you stop pedalling you don’t go faster, it will not assist at more than 15.5mph. You can boost the assistance levels if needed, on such as a hill or against wind (more assistance uses more battery).

I love my old belt-drive Gazelle Ultimate bike and I would recommend the setup to anyone; see more here ‘My Gazelle Ultimate‘. but assistance beckons.

After much research the obvious choice was a Gazelle ebike, and specifically the upright Gazelle Grenoble belt-drive ebike. Alas, the supply chain of bikes from Europe is currently very poor – no GGs in my size in the UK til next spring. So I looked for similar. There’s not much similar – Dutch upright style posture, hub-gears, quality components, belt-drive… but…

Roll on the Raleigh Motus GT. It has all the elements I wanted except the much loved Gates’ belt-drive, (but a belt is an option for the future).

It’s a chain driven pedelec. It has Shimano Nexus hub gears, so no derailleur gears to mess with. The seating-handlebar configuration is upright rather than sport. It’s a step-through frame so no crossbar to hurdle. The motor etc is Bosch Active Line Plus. It has eight gears with four levels of assist. To get the most from a charge you would cycle in Eco mode, but for example if the wind’s against you, or on hills, you can boost up the modes.

So, and to came to pass (an early birfday/Christmas present), I am now riding a Raleigh Motus ebike. Using my old ‘Red’ panniers, my old Widek chrome bell, and my well-worn Brooks saddle. We’ll see how it goes…

For the reasons why I bike to work, see here; “Just a person, on a bike…”

And, for other bike related witterings, see here; ‘bike stuff’

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Bike

Airless tyres – an update…

So an update on the post in January: ‘Airless Tyres‘

Back in Feb 2011 I said ‘Never in a month of Sundays…’ but now on 2020, it’s my 10th year ‘commuting by bike’, or rather simply riding a bike to and from work daily.

You can read about it here: Think again? – Feb 2011 – ‘Never in a month of Sundays…’

OK this year, 2020, it’s been a tad different for all of us – not much commuting from April through August #Leicester #lockdown.

But onward the bike’s still seen >1200 miles to date this year.

Airless Tyres

In January’s ‘Airless Tyres‘ post, I reported on my move to a Tannus Airless 40mm tyre on the rear wheel.

I kept the ‘puncture-resistant’ 35mm Marathon Plus tyres on the front, but in March the Local Bike Shop fitted Tannus Armour under the Marathon Tyre.

Thankfully there’s still a few LBS around as you’ll need the tyres fitted properly. I use the bike daily for work in all weathers and I was looking to reduce the worry of potential punctures and tyre pressure maintenance etc.  It’s just a commute; I am not trying to break records or burn off the beer; I ride in a relatively relaxed manner and have found ‘the ride’ with these Tannus adaptions great.

Alas, the surface conditions the commute deals with are still significant. So after 1200 miles here’s the wear:

 

Tannus Airless New
Tannus Airless 1000miles

Tannus Airless New
Tannus Airless 1000 m

 

Initially it was a firm (as good traditional tyres), I did not notice any difference in 35mm pumped, and 40mm airless.

After 1200 miles of wear the ride is still good, but the airless tyres are noticeable as you can see above. They now feel softer and have flattened – but, for my needs, the ride is still good. We’ll see what another 1000 miles does. Tannus say they are good for 5000 miles! But I fear they are not familiar with Leicester’s ‘bike routes‘.

The front wheel’s Tannus Armour under Marathon Plus tyres are much less of a concern, and perhaps the combo of  Marathon’s 5mm thick puncture guard PLUS Armour’s 15mm foam protection to the centre (and 2mm to the sidewall), is ultimate winner? Do I go for this on the back…?

They are not for everyone, but for now I am enjoying the puncture free worries.

There’s an ‘airless’ commercial review here and a more personal review here if you’re interested.

 

Also, if you’re interested there’s a few bike related Notable Reads… here.

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Bike

Airless tyres?

It has surprised me that I seemed to post only two bike posts last year!

It’s been more than eight years riding a bike to work daily (Velocipeding), more than 30,000 miles, and I’m now riding my ninth winter, brrrrr! Back in Oct 2017 I switched to my Gazelle Ultimate S8. Guidance and advice from friends and Future Cycles in Leicester has proved worthwhile – I am extremely pleased with my bike.

I thought I had made all the adaptions I was gonna make: The Gates belt, the Shimano gears, extended handlebars, Marathon Plus tyres, Brooks saddle, etc. but…

Puncture!

This week for the first time in about 3 years I had a puncture on the way to work. A right pain in the arse when it’s dark, cold and you’re 3 miles from work and 5 miles from home. (I scooted 3 miles to work on the pedal!)

I’ve had the ‘puncture-resistant’ Marathon Plus tyres since 2016 and I have to say they have been great.

I was thinking about options like slime etc, then touched on the subject of airless tyres, and after a little deliberation I thought let’s give it a go!

I rely on my bike, after selling the families second car that we used once a week. I use the bike daily for work in all weathers and although I had not had a puncture in three years I could do without the stress of potential punctures and tyre pressure maintenance etc.

Airless Tyres

So I am trying a Tannus airless tyre on the rear wheel – I’ve kept the Marathon on the front. I read somewhere that ~80% of punctures occur on the rear wheel as it takes the weight etc.

The first ride back from The Shop, I have to say felt no different! I understand the Tannus tyre is relatively lighter than the Marathon. I have moved from 35mm to 40m which I had been thinking of anyway due to the surface conditions the commute deals with. As it’s just a commute; I am not trying to break records or burn off the beer; I ride in a relatively relaxed manner so the ride is still great.

You will probably the tyre/s fitted properly so once again your LBS will be worth its weight in gold. If you live in or around Leicester I recommend the guys at Future Cycles!

The initial reactions are great! Time will tell, I’ll let you know.

Update March: I now have Tannus Armour on the front, under my Marathon Plus. Feels great! Will update on the Airless rear tyre in due course.

UPDATE: You can read an update here: https://julesprichards.wordpress.com/2020/09/19/airless-tyres-an-update/

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Bike

Bike Gadgets – Lights

Another Bike Gadgets post. A quick shout out to Serfas UK.

I have used Serfas lights for 7 years now. I wrote in Nov 2011 abouth my Serfas ‘True 250’ . Alas, sadly the LBS is no longer there – It seems t’internet has taken over the world.

In 2016 my True 250 it took a battering and Leicester based Walkers, who stock Serfas lights came up trumps and put a new rubber clasp in the post!

Sorry to say my bike took a tumble in the dirt last year and the True 250’s mount took another battering – after 7 years of regular winter use. That’s every day, twice x 45mins use, clipped on & off the handlebars twice a day. That’s about 1500 uses x45mins. The light works fine but the mount is shattered and strong glue only lasts so long.

Time for an upgrade!

And there’s no need to break the bank!

Although the internet has its uses, it can’t quite replace a good LBS, and the folks at Future Cycles Leicester always have a good selection of stuff to peruse!

Yes, you can spend! and OK you may want to go night riding at speed in some cavernous God forsaken forest or the-like – but really, for simple commuting, who needs more than 500 lumens? I got by fine with 250 for years.

For less than £40, for me, the Serfas e-lume 500 does the job well!

I cycle for 8 miles twice a day, using shared paths, off the road for ~7miles.

I do occasionally set the light on to it’s highest setting in bad weather for the darker riverside parts of the ride, but for the pavements and short stretches of road, I just need to be seen and the lowest setting is fine.

I have to say, I do sympathise with pedestrians issues about the brightest lights on bikes, and I regularly have to look to the floor as when people on bikes with the brightest lights come beaming towards me (and why flashing!?). I won’t make an issue here, but I do wonder is there really a need for more than 500 lumens on a shared pedestrian path when other people are approaching? Slow down dude, life’s too short to get there early!

Anyway just to say – the e-lume 500’s doing great, and when I had an issue with the strap, the folks at Serfas UK jumped and speedily sorted me out again. Thanks Abi!

All good!

If you’re interested, you can read about my Camera and bone conductor Headphones here:
https://julesprichards.wordpress.com/2018/10/14/biking-gadgets/

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Bike

Biking Gadgets

Ok, I’m not a gadget type of person, and yes, my philosophy is ‘just get on and ride’, but we all enjoy toys.

You don’t ‘need’ all that must-have cycle-stuff that’s papped out but the cycle sites, and you don’t need all that ‘get while you can’ stuff in the Aldi-etc catalogues.  Yes, I went through the phase a few years back when I  got the under-garments, the over-garments, and the middle-garments. There were cycling socks, the cycling shades, cycling gloves and cycling shoe covers, LOL!

Yes, if you are going on a long cycling venture, you will need to kit up with some of this stuff. Yes, all that stuff has its uses, but for most of us who are just riding a bike to work, or to town, then look at people in some other places (remember Europe!?), who don’t even classify it as cycling, it’s just riding a bike!

I cycle 8 miles to work, and 8 miles back, and have done for 8 years. If it’s raining I wear a coat, if it’s cold I put on a few layers and gloves, etc. I don’t usually wear long trousers unless it’s near freezing.  Incidentally, it rains much less than you might imagine. I don’t pelt it, it’s not a race, I am simply riding a bike instead of walking, getting a bus, or driving a car. At work, I change into my work clothes.

So all the bits and bobs, that the cycling culture pedals out, are not essential. But back to gadgets…

Non-essential gadget number 1, the Helmet Camera.

If you’ve read my other bikey posts, you’ll know that I have moved from biking by road to biking by path. Motor vehicles mixed with people-powered transport is far from ideal. Although I ride primarily off-roads, a gadget I have not been able to drop is my helmet camera. Not essential I agree, but since I have been using one I have filmed so much dangerous driving – I’ve become aware, that should the worst happen, it would be my word against theirs, and having it on film MAY give some leverage to may carers or those left behind.

My camera simply records on a loop of about 10 days worth of rides. I habitually charge it each night along with my phone etc. Having a record of some rides is also good for posterity! I am not sure if my Dogcam / Road Hawk Bullet Ride R+ camera is still available for sale, but it was a budget price, and considering it’s used daily and still going after 4 years it’s been well worth the money. You can see footage from it here – RECORDINGS – These are uploaded at a low-quality, the original is really good but they are meaty video files.

Find out more here: Camera

Non-essential gadget number 2, the Bone Conduction Headphones.

Again, I ride primarily a bike off roads – about ~1mile of my 8 miles is mixed with motor traffic. With this in mind, I sometimes enjoy the company of Radio 3 etc in the mornings.

It was an impulse purchase and to be honest I didn’t think it would work, but this relatively cheap budget version works really well! And it’s Bluetooth, so no wires!

Leaving my ears clear to hear anything from my surroundings, the sound is transmitted through the skull, the node sits just on the cheekbones, it really is amazing. Admittedly on busy areas where traffic is heavy, you struggle to hear quieter elements of the sounds but this is to be expected. When away from the motor traffic, what you can hear is great – both bass and treble, voice and music, is clear and has depth.

Find out more here: Headphones

So, yes a lot of the cycle culture kit is not needed but these two toys I use daily, and along with my belt-drive Gazelle, biking to work is a blessing!

 

 

 

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Bike

Belts, not chains, a year on.

It’s been another year, and about ~3280 miles. Last September I switched from my old Specialized bike to a delightful Gazelle Ultimate S8.

I’d consulted the guys at Future Cycles Leicester about a bike:

  • with a quality belt drive, so in needn’t deal with chain wear and maintenance.
  • with quality hub gears for the same reason as above.
  • that would take the rigours of a 16miles a day UK cycleway(lol) commute

Over many years I have discovered that an urban commute, with a chain/gear mechanism, picks up so much muck and dirt that regular clean, degrease, lube etc is essential! This is not great if you don’t enjoy regular bikey cleaning, tinkering, adjusting and all that stuff – also this can be expensive if you don’t keep an eye on your machine or don’t get quality gear. This is not the case with a quality hub and belt setup. You can read about my Gazelle from Future Cycles Leicester, here: Gazelle Ultimate S8.

Over the last year, I have had no issues with my S8. The belt has done its thing and the gears have been a dream. The bike has had two full washes, the belt just needed a rinse with water. The gears have needed no attention.

OK, it takes ~40 minutes not 4 and my whole mantra is to slow down not speed up but hey!

This will be my eighth winter riding a bike to and from work. A colleague said to me recently “I felt for you in the bad weather, but I guess there must be something you enjoy about it?”, and it struck me that it’s been a long time since I thought I must be mad, why don’t you take the car?. Yes, years back, I did think like that! The transition from automobile user to a more pedestrian way of travel is not easy. I guess my habits & rituals have changed my mindsets.

A lot of our reactions and attitudes to life can be down to our perspective and the way we frame things. Yes, it’s easily said. Life throws curved balls and can be horrific. The human condition is a very shadowy thing. But, we can try to culture a language and narratives that focus on the breath, the light, and the essential things that matter.

So if I became President it would be belts, not chains, and low maintenance movement for all. It would be fresh air and free exercise for all. It would be regularly pujas, pauses, thank-yous and sorrys. Yes, there would still be the shadowy human condition, but we might be more in touch with a human spirit that can, with a little help from friends, seemingly move mountainous shadows.

 

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Sit up and breathe!

 

My daughter says ‘there’s no such thing as perfection, only improvement’. I’m told, it’s what her teacher says.

 

The old bars.

You may remember my old ‘Specialized’ bike above gradually transformed from the standard off-the-self bike, to a more relaxed sit-up and breathe kind of thing.  My riding style gradually changed from:
A. Trying to co-exist with traffic, ‘cycling’, riding a bike with a similar driverly attitude and outlook.
to…
Z. Aiming to be more aware of person, place, and surroundings: adopting a more mindful way.

So although my delightful ‘Gazelle Ultimate S8‘* was pretty much perfect, after a trip to France I found room for improvement.

My new S8* adopted my previous Jones Bend H-Bar® 660. However, I still had that slight niggle that I wanted to relax even more.

You’ll see from my random selection of bikes in France, that people abroad generally ride in a more relaxed manner; sit-up and breathe.

Driving home I found myself following a Gazelle with an extended handlebar stem – I decided, that’s what I want!

And so, the great people at Future Cycles Leicester replaced the limited length break and gear cables on the S8 with longer ones, and added a new stem… ‘simples’.

Old Stem…

New Stem…

Boom, boom, and triple boom! Sit-up and breathe. If you can, just ride a bike!

*My Gazelle Ultimate S8, what can I say, an utter delight: read more here.

 

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Just a person, on a bike…

This May it’s been 7 years, and roughly 25,000 miles, since I started using a bike to get to and from work daily.

To the prospect of ‘cycling to work once a week?’, I recall adamantly thinking ‘never in a month of Sundays!‘ – it was seriously not an option. However, after a month or so I found myself riding to work and back daily.

Mindsets have changed since 2011 (sadly the cycle infrastructure has not!). You can see posts, from my dalliances with ‘the media’ to Bike Books here: https://julesprichards.wordpress.com/bike/

Back in 2011, my primary aim was to save money, and get some exercise – little did I know then how it also ‘might’ change the way you see the world. I thought I’d just relook at some figures.

I initially commuted 7 miles each way, then for a year I did 10 miles, now I am back to 8 miles each way. Below is an update to my previous ‘Commute’ costs post.

Current 2018 fuel costs:
Driving ~8 miles @ 7.5mpl, £1.26p/litre, costs £1.35 each way, that’s £13.50/week.

You can read about a previous bus, car, bike experience and costs here: Commute

So simply on fuel, I’m saving us ~£13.50/week.
That’s 39 weeks x £15 = £526/year.

Yes, I know I’m lucky to be able to ride a bike to work, yes there are some jobs where it’s not possible, but there are a lot of jobs where IT IS POSSIBLE!  You may recall, when it was initially suggested that I could cycle to work once a week, my response was ‘never in a month of Sundays!‘ – it was seriously not an option!  The idea was simply crazy!

(i) I’d get wet and cold and be a gibbering wreck when I got to work.
(ii) I really don’t fancy the ride home after a day at work.
(iii) It’s too far.
(iv) It would take too long.
(v) The traffic would be a nightmare.
(vi) I like my radio in the car.
(vii) There’s always a reason why not to…

It may take a while to chage habits and routines but after a few months cycling daily, I found…
(i) Buzzing! and ‘up for it’ when I get to work. (The weather is not an issue if the right clothing’s worn, and inclement weather is much less frequent than you think!).
(ii) Take it from me, surprisingly the ride home is a great tonic!
(iii) It’s not as far as you think.
(iv) At an average rush-hour, by bike’s not much more than by car.
(v) Don’t be part of the traffic! 94% of my commute is OFF main roads!

(vi) Radio* in one ear on the bike is fine (low volume). and ride off-road where possible.  (*BBCRadio3 AM, BBCRadio6 PM)
(vii) Eliminate the negative, accentuate the positive…

It has taken me years to rediscover, there’s a lot to unlearn, perspectives change and the world becomes quite a different place.

I am not a follower of the sport of cycling, worthy though it is. Just as an average driver is probably not a follower of Rallying or Formula 1, exciting though they are. I am not a lycra lover. I don’t (anymore) try to beat my time! I don’t think you should have to “dress like a cyclist” to ride a bike – practical ‘normal’ clothes can be found to suit most purposes. It’s just riding a bike to get from a to b.

The simple act of riding a bike is good for so many reasons – personally, socially, mentally, physically, community, interaction, pace, progress, ambition… all can be fed by a new way (an old way) of experiencing things.

Perhaps think again, and perhaps cycle again?

You can read my previous Celebration of Cycling post here.

You can see my bike related posts here: bike

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Bike

Gazelle Ultimate

And so it came to pass…  after six & and half years and roughly 20,000 miles the ‘old faithful’ has been exchanged –  I trust its new owner will enjoy it as I did. See the history of my old Specialised here: Bike (pre Sept 2017)

One of the reasons for the upgrade – chain & chain-set wear & maintenance, gear wear and maintenance.
Over the last 6 years, I have discovered that bike commuting 12-20 miles a day takes a large toll on the mechanics of a bike. The condition of our roads and bike paths throws dust, debris and all manner of crud into the mechanisms of a bike. Without regular cleaning and maintenance parts wear. Even with cleaning and maintenance parts wear! The novelty (and cost) of this is ok for some, but I am not naturally a dirty-hands bloke. I have to put a thankful word in, to the lads at City Cycles in Thurmaston – great service always!

Onwards…

So a Gates ‘Belt Drive’.
Gates say “Free yourself from oily, rusty chains… Clean. Smooth. Strong. … last longer than chains, never need grease and are nearly maintenance-free … goodbye to high-maintenance bike chains. Say hello to simplicity and fun.”
We’ll see.

 

And ‘Hub Gears‘.
The Shimano Alfine 8 speed. Shimano say “a stylish and sophisticated way to enjoy the ultimate urban riding experience”. Reviews are good: “…does an impressive work … you don’t have a problem with its weight … rapid and silent functioning … unpretentious maintenance”
We’ll see.

 

And the ‘Gazelle Ultimate S8‘.
I researched a good selection of belt drive city bikes. The interweb’s got a lot of good things to say. Thanks also to input from friends like 42 Bikes Dave and his research into a ‘Bike For Life’. Ultimately (forgive the pun), I landing on Gazelle, supplied locally by Future Cycles in Leicester.

Time will tell of course, but after a few good runs, I have to say “I am very pleased”! The ride is quiet, smooth and solid. The gears are simply a delight. I wondered if the gears would be enough but no worries there; flat out on the straight and down to near bottom for the few ‘hills’ on my commute (short sharp inclines).

A few tweaks to the delivery from the Netherlands. All thanks to amiable folks at Future Cycles in Leicester.

  • I have retained my old Brooks Flyer saddle. It’s likely a friendly pair of old boots. The saddle that came with the Gazelle was hot and definitely not as comfortable.
  • I have again opted for Marathon tyres, and moved from 32mm to 35mm to take a bit more of the tree-root-hit out of the ride.
  • I have also kept my Jones handlebars and well worn Ergon grips.  The bars are a more classic design that allows the rider to sit up more.

As I have said many times before, my riding style over the years, has changed from:
i. Trying to co-exist with motor traffic, riding a bike with a similar driverly attitude and outlook.
Towards,
ii. Aiming to be more aware of place and adopting a more contented, mindful way…

Enough for now – just to say thanks again to the folks at Future Cycles in Leicester, and of course to the mensen(?) at Gazelle UK and the Netherlands.