Treehugger - Latest Comments in Schwinn's New Line of Electric Bikes

Re: Schwinn's New Line of Electric Bikes

rolalove — Tue, 08 May 2012 03:23:08 -0000

welll, i buy one electric bike of gladway brand. It is great. Maybe you dont know this brand, but it is really good, the are the manufacturer of electric bikes. If you hope to know more, you can ask me. gladway.rola@gmail.com, i can tell you.

Re: Schwinn's New Line of Electric Bikes

Huizhong — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 10:14:46 -0000

please find our electric bike
http://www.electric-bicycle...

Re: Schwinn's New Line of Electric Bikes

Robert — Tue, 25 May 2010 21:34:56 -0000

I miss spell batteries,>> I have made a mistake in my writing and spelling, so please excuse it!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Schwinn's New Line of Electric Bikes

little tike bike trailer — Sat, 01 May 2010 00:32:42 -0000

I'm a long time cyclist. I do huge pack rides, all day epic mountain bike rides, cyclocross races, fully loaded bike touring, etc. I had no car for a year and had to ride everywhere. Recreational riding and riding out of necessity are two different animals. I would certainly have appreciated a bike with electrical assist for all those mundane miles I rode without the company of other cyclists. Example: That 15 hilly mile ride home from work at 11PM in the dead of winter on mean streets after I'd been working on my feet all day.

Re: Schwinn's New Line of Electric Bikes

kurtlar vadisi pusu — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 19:00:36 -0000

To those dissing it, would you rather people drive a Hummer instead?
Anything that makes non-car transport easier is good.

Re: Schwinn's New Line of Electric Bikes

Johnny — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 19:07:28 -0000

I am grateful to live in such interesting times, I want to see a hydrogen fuel cell bicycle run on a MIT energy storage system.

MIT professor of energy, Daniel Nocera, says he’s developed a process that uses electricity generated from the sun or other renewable sources to split water into hydrogen and oxygen using abundant, non-toxic natural materials. The gases can then be stored and reintroduced into a fuel cell that can produce electricity.

http://earth2tech.com/2008/...

MIT - energy storage system - Giant leap for clean energy

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

cheers

Johnny

Local Bicycle Trader

Re: Schwinn's New Line of Electric Bikes

mikey — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 22:33:28 -0000

What a funny argument this person makes regarding ebikes not belonging on tree-hugger.

I have an ebike because I live on a long steep road. People use my road to train for triathlons. I would not use a bike without an electric motor because my area is hilly in general. The choice is an e-bike or a car. I'll walk the six miles to town if we have a societal crash. I do not feel the need to justify my own choice; I just use this example of why a traditional bike does not work for everyone.

Also, I'm older. I've already injured my knees. Judicious cycling might help strengthen them, but over-use will cause further injury. I have a friend that LOVES cycling. She injured her knees skiing and can't cycle anymore. She loves my bike because she can ride around without feeling pain in her knee.

if this person's logic was followed further, traditional bikes do not deserve a forum on tree-hugger because the production of any bike requires mining for metals, use of fossil fuels for building and transport, etc. Not to mention the plastics and paints. It goes on and on....

Re: Schwinn's New Line of Electric Bikes

PaulAndrewAnderson.org — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 15:30:16 -0000

Ah, the young are so narrow-minded. Its as if the human race has the physical ability to ride a manual-only bike! But in fact, many people who can ride a bike, just do not have the physical endurance to ride one very far. But thanks for thinking about is old folks! Having an electric-assist will open up riding to millions. I'm 50yo and do not own a car; I use PT and walking, and so I am seeking a bike that I can put on the buses front rack! And as for an electric vehicle; keep this in mind: Anyone can generate electricity at home (we are not limited to the grid, folks); solar and wind systems are coming down in price and going up everywhere. I cannot produce fossil fuels at home. Thank you treehugger, for this info!

Re: Schwinn's New Line of Electric Bikes

jeffreydillon — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 03:26:24 -0000

It would not be difficult or expensive to add a few mini solar panels to the bike, say the size of car mirrors. They can be bought all over the world and hooked up directly or with a tiny inverter to regulate the poser charge. Complaining won't get us off oil. It's like complaining about drugs. If I switch from heroin to pot, I would still be on drugs, no? well, think about it, and call it harm reduction, and look for solutions. I'm checking out the e-bikes. they are in the thousands of dollars range, but obviously there is a demand. With an e-bike, I could ride in the winter, having the electricity to help me through. Has anyone ever thought about a mini turbine? If you put a mini turbine on the wheel or handlebar, you could keep those batteries charged.Don't you produce wind when you ride fast? Why can't we get some of those mini trucks from South Korea, and the three wheeled cars from India? Money, power, greed could be holding us all back. Yes, safety considerations, but I live in the middle of nowhere. I'd like to have a low priced fuel efficient vehicle that I did not have to uy on credit, that could give me five or more years of reliable transportation while cutting my oil/gas consumption dramatically. I read many of the messages. At least we are all talking about it. We need to make these things affordable.

Re: Schwinn's New Line of Electric Bikes

MJK — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 06:13:00 -0000

It seems that these electric bicycles should make a commute go faster.

I'm a fat man. A recluse, fat man who doesn't like scrutiny about my appearance or how people talk about me. Comments like the first one (and other snarky ones after) just make me want to stay away, inside a car. Yes, i'm insecure but do people have to judge me?

I just want to get to work in a reasonable fashion.

Re: Schwinn's New Line of Electric Bikes

Chuck — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 01:45:57 -0000

I'm 58 years old and have not ridden a bike since high school. After months of research, I purchased an ebike and am sold on it. In 30 days, I've put 173 miles on my ebike and less than 20 on my car. Today I built a custom carrier out of scrap for trips to the post office and grocery store.

I will be selling my hi pro classic American convertable for an old Honda or Toyota 30 mph beater for days when it's raining hard or trips out of town.

I've been converted.

Chuck

Re: Schwinn's New Line of Electric Bikes

Anonymous — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 16:33:53 -0000

Can anybody guess what happens when you use non-renewable finite resources (metal, batteries,plastics,etc.) for cars, e-bikes whatever to support an exponentially growing population and economy?>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>horse and buggy!

Re: Schwinn's New Line of Electric Bikes

richard — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 16:25:58 -0000

Electric bikes are great! I live in a hilly area, so using a bike for transportation is pure hell on a hot day. Who wants to arrive at work all sweaty? Anyhow, I bought a cruddy old mountain bike at a yard sale for $80 and added a "bike electrified" kit (purchased on Ebay for about $350.00 or thereabouts). Now when I get to one of the tough hills, I push the controller switch with my thumb and up the hill I go, painlessly. I still use my own power to propel the bike, I just use the motor as an assist. The amount of power assist is easily adjusted with the "throttle" switch. The motor is mounted within the front hub, so installation is as easy as replacing the front wheel. The lithium battery pack goes on the luggage rack behind me. The only downside is that the hub motor is pretty heavy, so when I do ride the bike without the assistance of the motor, the weight of the bike is quite noticeable.

Re: Schwinn's New Line of Electric Bikes

Andy H — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 08:21:57 -0000

I have a trek 4 speed cruiser (town & country). I can and do take this little bike all over, into town, on 25 mile treks for fun at 3 am on xmas eve when no cars are out... That's all cool and stuff, but i would really like an electric assisted bike so i can possibly never need a car. If i could ride to the train, then bike rack on bus, then take bike to train to NYC i could work in NYC. There is NO WAY i could do that with my little 4 speed un-assisted. In fact if i had a 21 speed full suspension electric assisted bike i'm pretty sure i could go to the beach from my house in southeastern PA on my own. For people who think these won't get people out of cars, you are wrong. Wasteful? How many bikes could you make from one car? I bike in traffic, and often out-accelerate cars off the line, especially when they are turning. If i had an electric bike i'd feel even safer in traffic knowing i could easily get going especially though tight spots. I await the day when i can afford this kind of bike, get off of welfare and get a local job!

- A

Re: Schwinn's New Line of Electric Bikes

Antonieta dos santos — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 19:00:01 -0000

Good afternoon.

We are a company commercial , on city of Alagoinhas, Bahia, Brasil & I should like of knowing I eat could acquire or import the bicycles eletricas?

Antonieta.

Re: Schwinn's New Line of Electric Bikes

Mr. Tom — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 10:42:59 -0000

Most regular-frame E- bikes will fit on bus bike-racks. [No-one else mentioned this--!?!] I have been Green (=carless) for 10 years! I only drive now when I occassionally rent a car for holidays. My carbon footprint is .06% of average!

Re: Schwinn's New Line of Electric Bikes

cas — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 10:05:02 -0000

dahon tournado or scorpion fx will be my next bike...

i'm trying to ride 25 miles one-way to work, up and down hills (think of san fransisco).

the only downside for electric assit is that when the battery runs down, it's an ancor weight, and not assisting in any way.

getting a lighter, better made, well-fitted bike can make all the difference and then there would be no need for electric assist. the scorpion would be ideal for those with knee/back problems.

Re: Schwinn's New Line of Electric Bikes

Mark H. Hendricks — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 08:46:28 -0000

My Schwinn hybrid comuter bike has 80K miles on it. I also rode a custom built, Dura Ace equiped Torpado for a few years and two mountain bikes of very questionable quality. The fact is, at 52 the mistakes of my youth are catching up to me. I have to climb a Mississippi river valley twice a day to ride to work, one of which is known as the toughest obstacle in distance running. I've fought it for some time, but I am finding some of the fun is going out of my comute and I am too quick to find excuses to use the car. AFFORDABLE electric assist looks better and better to me every day. I prefer the Bion X system and rear drive (no weight on front wheel going up hill), but this looks like a great step in the right direction.

Re: Schwinn's New Line of Electric Bikes

Marge Burnett — Tue, 27 May 2008 12:28:06 -0000

If you havent riden on any of these bikes you just cant imagine what its like riding on one ,

I let a group of friend try mine. they were all amazed and wished they had one.

Some wanted it just to be able to keep up with their kids on long rides. its peddles normally really easy. they all said they wish they could ride it to work.... AND im saying all this dispite the fact that the bike is to darn big for a "17" ladies bike even 5 ft. 10 men fell off of the bike. WE had to cut 2" off the seat so i could touch the ground while sitting. most men were not comforable on the bike. and couldnt ride it With 2inches cut off the seat is over 37 inches from the ground.

Re: Schwinn's New Line of Electric Bikes

Anonymous — Thu, 15 May 2008 16:17:47 -0000

so when is one of you guys going to find a way for the bike to have a generator so it can last longer. after you charge it up from your house or what not. while riding or driving you should put a generator to charge up off of one of the tires. so altho the battery will run out it will take longer to run the battery to die. plus this will make the ride longer.

Re: Schwinn's New Line of Electric Bikes

Will Lieb — Tue, 06 May 2008 17:19:02 -0000

I am looking at one of these bicycles as a way of commuting, but have two questions. First, will I get killed out there on one of these since I will be doing battle with hundreds of SUV's every morning and night (my commute is about 16 miles each way)?

Second, I would have to ride over a fairly long and high hill (from the San Fernando Valley to the Westside of Los Angeles). How do these bikes do on a long uphill grade, such as Sepulveda Boulevard, or on an even more steep canyon road such as Coldwater Canyon?

Feedback on the safety and hill issues would be much appreciated.

Re: Schwinn's New Line of Electric Bikes

steve — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 09:42:45 -0000

This is an area where improved support on the roads makes a huge difference for commuting in most areas. A trip to Denmark or Holland will show you what can be done. It isn't impossible.

The price is not terribly important now. Sure you can get a regular bike and fix it up for much less, sure you can just pedal, but most people won't. If paths improve and people see this as more practical, prices will drop from competition.

The Schwinn's are getting a poor reputation for reliability btw .. if you buy one, make sure it has solid dealer support.

Re: Schwinn's New Line of Electric Bikes

Tom — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 21:26:51 -0000

I just test rode the Ezee Torq and the Schwinn Continental. Both have me convinced this is the solution to hills that would otherwise deter well-intentioned but injured or slightly out of shape middle age folks. Effort is required in both models, but not knee grinding out of the saddle type effort. Between the two, the Schwinn is amazing. It is not as powerful as the Torq, but it feels like a road bike ( and I road bike) and is 30% lighter than the Torq which feels tank-like....Amazingly, here in Seattle, I only found one from a dealer who stepped outside the box and order a floor model. There seems to be alot of FUD and mis-information in the market now about availability and electronics..having a hard time getting up to date info..even the Schwinn site has the wrong picture..the bike I rode was very different....oil companies keeping us down.

Re: Schwinn's New Line of Electric Bikes

brad — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 09:22:18 -0000

Bottom line - there's no way that a $3,000 electric bike will pull significantly more people away from cars than a $200 commuter bicycle...unless you just can't physically ride a regular bicycle.

Re: Schwinn's New Line of Electric Bikes

John Taylor — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 15:58:51 -0000

I have a Schwinn Electric Bike. It is one of the older styles, but still works great.

Young kids won't appreciate the e-power, but older folks sure do.

And, yes, it does replace a car much of the time.