This is why I’m a fan of vintage steel bikes. They can last multiple lifetimes, and not just a handful of years.
That’s why I’m doing a similar approach. I nabbed a $50 used bike from my local re-use center, and I’m gonna slap a mid drive upgrade kit on it. Worst case if the motor goes it’s replaceable. And the frame itself is never going to break on me.
This would probably be my ideal. Building an ebike with easily replaceable, nonproprietary parts would ensure longevity and reduce the environmental impact.
I have an ebike but I want to convert my old steel hybrid. Waiting until I can afford a replacement bike though because I want to keep one unpowered bike ready to use for joyriding/exercise.
I also doubt that that would happen, because plain bikes are cheap and simple. They’re also used for sport and stand by etc.
But, like e.g. hand tools, it might be there will be less selection in the future. The very cheapest and the super premium are most likely to have buyers, but in between a lot of potential customers might go for other options.
I’m doubtful that will ever happen, people love bicycles and they’ve been around for over 200 years. Motorcycles didn’t replace them, motorized bicycles didn’t replace them, scooters didn’t replace them, I doubt ebikes will either. If anything, I think ebikes are getting more people into cycling!
I wonder how long it will be until it is difficult to buy a bike that is NOT an ebike.
I hope that doesn’t happen.
The bike industry could kill the bike industry if they aren’t careful.
As nice as ebikes are, they just aren’t as robust as “regular” bikes.
This is why I’m a fan of vintage steel bikes. They can last multiple lifetimes, and not just a handful of years.
That said, I’ll be more than happy to get an ebike when my legs can’t move me on their own.
That’s why I’m doing a similar approach. I nabbed a $50 used bike from my local re-use center, and I’m gonna slap a mid drive upgrade kit on it. Worst case if the motor goes it’s replaceable. And the frame itself is never going to break on me.
Hoping to get it upgraded for spring.
This would probably be my ideal. Building an ebike with easily replaceable, nonproprietary parts would ensure longevity and reduce the environmental impact.
Good luck with the project!
Thanks!
I have an ebike but I want to convert my old steel hybrid. Waiting until I can afford a replacement bike though because I want to keep one unpowered bike ready to use for joyriding/exercise.
That’s totally fair.
If you lived in my area I’d call you insane though lol. My city has so many hills it’s ridiculous.
Hills aren’t so bad if you’re in a granny enough gear, they can take a while though.
I also doubt that that would happen, because plain bikes are cheap and simple. They’re also used for sport and stand by etc.
But, like e.g. hand tools, it might be there will be less selection in the future. The very cheapest and the super premium are most likely to have buyers, but in between a lot of potential customers might go for other options.
I’m doubtful that will ever happen, people love bicycles and they’ve been around for over 200 years. Motorcycles didn’t replace them, motorized bicycles didn’t replace them, scooters didn’t replace them, I doubt ebikes will either. If anything, I think ebikes are getting more people into cycling!