Is an ebike more comfortable than a regular bike?
Question: I’ve been cycling for years, but I’m now 78 and not able to handle the hills and longer distances as well as I used to, and I get aches and pains on long rides sooner than I used to. So I’m looking at ebikes. I think I understand the advantages regarding speed and climbing, but what about comfort? Is an ebike more comfortable than a regular bike? Will it boost my endurance on a ride? —Raymond L.
RBR’S STAN PURDUM REPLIES: An ebike can offer some comfort in that the electric assist makes the physical demands of hill climbing, headwinds and long distances less than they would be on a conventional bike, thus reducing the strain on your back, legs and joints. And less strain usually translates into more time before fatigue sets in, which is one measure of endurance and comfort.
But an ebike can be a double-edged sword. Yes, you are not working quite as hard as you would be on your former bike, but because the ebike makes it possible for you to tackle terrain and distances you might avoid if you didn’t have the electric assistance, you can end up being as uncomfortable as you’d be on a regular bike doing a shorter and flatter ride.
Some might argue that employing the throttle that some ebikes come equipped with makes for a more comfortable ride, but in general, throttle use, which lets you ride without pedaling, negates the exercise advantages ebikes provide. For cyclists who want an ebike to extend their years of riding, I don’t recommend using a throttle. And many ebikes designed for serious riders don’t come with a throttle to start with. In my opinion, if you are able bodied, using a throttle really is “cheating” when on an ebike.
In many ways, riding an ebike is similar to riding a traditional bike. Let’s say you embark on a six-hour ride. Whether your chosen steed is an e-assist or not, six hours in the saddle is six hours in the saddle, and not many of us past age 40 can go that long without some squirming around and at least some minor aches. An ebike may delay the onset of the discomfort a bit, but not for the whole time. And your leg muscles still need to perform repeated contractions the same number of times no matter what kind of bike you’re mounted on. What’s more, the mental endurance demanded by a long ride is much the same with e-assist as without it.
One area where ebikes are less comfortable than regular bikes is when it comes to manhandling them. All ebikes, including even the top-end models, are heavier than their conventional counterparts. And some are a lot heavier. This is not particularly a problem while you are pedaling, since ebike motors are powerful enough to move the heft of the bike and the rider, but the weight can be an issue when you need to take the bike up a flight of stairs or load it on a car rack.
Ebikes are a good way to extend our years of riding, but they are not easy chairs on wheels.
Stan Purdum has ridden several long-distance bike trips, including an across-America ride recounted in his book Roll Around Heaven All Day, and a trek on U.S. 62, from Niagara Falls, New York, to El Paso, Texas, the subject of his book Playing in Traffic. Stan, a freelance writer and editor, lives in Ohio. See more at www.StanPurdum.com.
Most senior riders are riding older bikes with 23 or 25 mm tires. Be road e-bikes have 30 – 34 mm tires or wider. The wider tires and heavier bikes provide a much smoother ride which may lead to less fatigue. I also think the wider tires provide additional safety on roads with poor pavement.
I would think that the most important factor for “comfort” would be bike fit, regardless of whether you got an e-bike power boost or not. So if the e-bike is a well-designed road bike with power assist, it should be just as comfortable as the comparable un-powered road bike. Many e-bikes I see on the road appear to be somewhat modified beach cruisers, and not what I would call a comfortable bike design.
agree
the cheap ones at least, won;t really be in precise frame sizes, the saddles will be big cushiony things, riding position primarily upright [more stress on butt]
plus hub drive ebikes [usually the cheapest type] – G*d help you if you have a rear tire go flat
takes an hour even if you have the tools and spare tube
The most important factor in comfort is bike fit. A well designed and set up e-bike should be just as comfortable as the comparable un-powered bike. Many of the e-bikes I see can be best described as powered cruisers. Getting a good bike fit on one of those will be challenging at best. For comfort, focus on getting a “regular” road bike that has power added to be sure of getting a conventional road bike fit.
I agree. The “powered cruisers” are unlikely to be comfortable during a long day in the saddle. I love my Specialized Creo SL Comp; E5 ebike precisely because it’s designed like a conventional road bike, but built to accommodate ebike fixtures. The Creo is as comfortable as any road bike I”ve ever owned, while giving me what I need to keep riding with my friends who are on regular road bikes.
What, you didn’t buy the S-WORKS Turbo Creo 2? On sale for $14,400 🙂
Yes. But they are not yet being made in as many sizes. My Creo is the smallest one made, but it’s big for me. I had whatever adjustments were possible made to it, and have been able to ride it from SF to LA without any problem. Still, my regular road bikes are a bit more comfortable. I am looking forward to a time when, I hope, they will be popular enough to cover a wider range of sizes!
this reply to bike fitness coach, who said, What, you didn’t buy the S-WORKS Turbo Creo 2? On sale for $14,400 🙂
My reply, No, I went with the Turbo Creo SL when it was on sale for $4500
My e assist bike is a conversion kit. If you have bike you love and are comfortable on there are high quality conversions available . Mine is made by Cycmotor. I installed it on my Rivendell Appaloosa. Rides like Cadillac. It also has a throttle option that come in handy sometimes. At 75 it has expanded my range. When I am tired on the way back I pedal harder to get more assist from the motor.
I recently began riding a Specialized Turbo Creo 2. The only significant difference between that bike and my Roubaix is that the Creo frame seems stiffer (they’re both carbon). As a result, the ride seems a bit harsher. That’s not surprising, as I assume that the frame has to be “beefed up” to handle the battery and motor.
My E-bike is a recumbent design which I find is much more comfortable than my upright bikes. First, no pressure on my arthritic hands and shoulders. Second, the seat design removes the crotch pressure . The result is a much more comfortable ride, especially when I ride an hour or more. I also have an upright E-tandem and E-Mountain bike. The benefits there are lost that the recumbent design affords. All 3 bikes are super fun to ride.
Mike
Due to lung cancer and half my left lung removed climbing hills was tough. I bought a Trek Domane AL+ with the additional battery. It has been a great help that I can still do my old rides (40-60 miles) with climbing. Mostly I use it on level 1 that gives me a little help but on the bigger climbs I use level 3 and up I go. The level of comfort is the same as my other Trek road bikes, time in the saddle has the same effect on these 68 year bones on either bike.
You mention that “employing the throttle” that some e-bikes have.
IF IT HAS A THROTTLE. IT IS NNOT AN E-BIKE. IT IS A ELECCTRIC MOTORCYCLE.
When is the industry, legislatures, and the public going to figure this out?
PS – my e-bike is set up to meet the dimensions used on my other bikes for 30 plus years.
The bigger rubber and tubless tires on most higher end pedal assist road bikes make for a more comfortable ride.
Comfort is very important. I have ridden for many years on a fixed gear and Serotta road bike. Still have both as well as a Specialized Creo XL Expert. Over the past 15 years, I have accumulated more metal parts in my body. Specialized offers the “Future Shock,” which helps to alleviate the discomfort in my shoulders. Also, the E-bike reduces the pain in my knee replacement. I’m 75 and ride with a friend who just turned 82. We both ride our Specialized bikes. I still ride my Waterford fixed gear with tubular tyres. You just need to get out and try different E-Bikes. Warranty and available repairs are important. Specialized is a class 1 and 3 bike, around 28lbs. I would stay away from those heavy, bulky E-Bikes. Not all shop will repair them as well.