E-Bike Recommendations

Welcome to a Special Supplemental May Edition (SSME) of Miles Peddled (MP).

The response to the May edition of MP, in a word, was "underwhelming." Thus, management at MP has chosen to issue a SSME in an effort to boost circulation.

The main subject of the SSME will be: E-Bike Recommendations.

Before we get to the subject matter of this issue, however, a quick story regarding the origin of the name MILES PEDDLED is in order. As many of you know, management at MP enjoys numerous outdoor activities including biking, hiking and drinking. One of management's favorite activities is kayaking and this is the origin of the name MP.

There is a wonderful website called MILES PADDLED. The website is https://milespaddled.com. This website is the best and most informative website for Midwest kayaking. Check it out – you will not be disappointed. MILES PADDLED is the standard to which this humble publication MP hopes to achieve one day.

In all likelihood, MP will not reach the level of MILES PADDLED, but as stated by Daniel Burnham:

"Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men's blood and probably themselves will not be realized. Make big plans; aim high in hope and work…remember that our sons and grandsons are going to do things that would stagger us. Let your watchword be order and your beacon beauty."

Management at MP feels compelled to give you some background information before diving right into specific e-bike recommendations. First, the issue of the various types of biking must be addressed. As most of the subscribers know, there are basically 3 types of bikers; to wit: road bikers; mountain bikers; and trail/urban/trek bikers (TUT). Road bikers see nothing but their tire in front of them because their head is down. Mountain bikers cannot see the forest for the trees. This leaves us with the TUT bikers, who have their head up and can see for miles and miles. (Playlist recommendation: The Who 1967 – I Can See For Miles and Miles; covered by Vanilla Fudge funky version.) Thus, MP will only be making bike recommendations in this category.

This brings us to our second issue which is the bike frame. There are basically 3 types of bike frames in the TUT category which are as follows:

· High Step – Think traditional men's bike.

· Mid Step – Think modified mountain bike.

· Low Step or Step Through – Think Divvy bike.

Each frame style has its own advantage and disadvantage. A high step bike has more structural integrity and thus, can carry greater loads. * It is, however, more difficult to mount and dismount.

A step through has less weight carrying capacity but is much easier to mount and dismount. This type of bike is good for the older riders, particularly those with bad knees or those who are height challenged. Most of the subscribers to MP fall into 1 of these 2 categories.

Editor's Comment: Future editions of MP will be making a conscious effort to appeal to a younger audience to ensure that this publication continues into the 22nd Century; or at least until July of 2021.

The mid step frame has a little bit of each of the above.

* For those subscribers that are engineers, now wannabe schoolteachers, please note that the engineering department at MP, headed by Art Vandelay, has not tested the structural integrity of the bike frames listed herein. Nonetheless, Art stands by the statements set forth above.

The third issue that needs to be discussed are the various classes of e-bikes. They are as follows:

· Class I:

E-bikes that are peddle assist only, no throttle, and have a maximum assisted speed of 20 mph.

· Class II:

E-bikes that have a maximum speed of 20 mph, but are throttle assisted.

· Class III:

E-bikes that are peddle assist, generally with no throttle, and a max assisted speed of 28 mph.

Management at MP believes that the ability to flow with traffic is actually a safety advantage. Hence, all of the recommendations set forth below will be in the Class III category.

The fourth and final issue that must be addressed is the cost of an e-bike. A good e-bike must have a decent motor that will not break and a lithium battery that will last. These items cost money. Generally speaking, it is difficult to find a quality e-bike for less than $1,000.00. This is particularly true if the battery system is integrated into the bike. All of the recommendations set forth below have the battery integrated into the down post.

Now that we have set forth the parameters, here are the recommendations listed from lowest to highest priced:

· Aventon Level $1,699.00

· Dost Drop and Kope $2,799.00

· Specialized Turbo Vado 4.0 EQ and Turbo Vado SL4.0 EQ $3,750.00

· Gazelle Ultimate 10+ HMB $3,999.00

· Riese & Muller Charger 3 and Charger 3 Mixte starting at $6,089.00.

If by chance this publication is read by a bike manufacturer or dealer and they would like to have their bike recommended by MP, please send cash or a free bike to MP. This will do the trick!

Please recall that in the May edition of MP, management recommended the website electricbikereview.com. This website has an excellent review of each of the recommendations set forth above.

Now on to a new segment of MP, that being the trivia/quiz section. For your reading pleasure, this Month's questions are as follows:

· First E-Bike:

When was the first patent issued for an e-bike? (There is some debate on this issue, but MP is going to use the authoritative source of Wikipedia who states that the first U.S. patent was issued on December 31, 1895 to Ogden Bolton, Jr.).

· Symbolism:

As many of the subscribers have probably noted by now, there is a new logo for MP. Please note that the logo was not chosen at random. There is symbolism to the selected logo. Use your imagination. (The bike riding position is upright, and the bike is moving to the left. Management at MP will always move to the left).

Now it is time for the "tease." What will June bring other than flowers? To most subscribers' chagrin, there will be a June issue and it will outline 5 of the best local trails to ride for a day or as part of a bike trekking adventure.

Until next month – Adios My Friends and Remember to R, R & R!