e Bike On Board?

[dirtdoc1]

I've been thinking about getting a folding e-bike to keep on my boat. I cruised the Pacific North West last year and found that the lack of transportation on the various islands that I stopped at was an issue. I'd like to be able to run to the store to get supplies when I pull in to port or anchorage. I'd also like to be able to explore the different towns that I stop at while cruising and maybe the trails too. Some of the harbors had a grocery store close by so I was able to buy what I needed and keep cruising.

I guess my question is - how many of you cruisers have an electric bike on board and how often do you use it? If you do use it, how useful is it? If you do have one and find it useful - what kind do you have?

I've got my eye on the Gocycle G3 but it's not cheap! I want to make sure that I'm really going to use the thing and not waste my money.

Thanks

 

[Maldwin]

I love the go cycle, and they are coming out with a new one in late spring which is meant to be easier to fold.
I currently have a Ford branded Pedego which I ride around Jupiter Island but it is 60lbs, so unwieldy on the boat. The go cycle would be much better for your use.
Best,
Maldwin

 

[tiltrider1]

I don’t have an ebike. I do have a high end road bike. It’s primary purpose is exercise while vacationing. However, it has been a bit of a life saver at times. Once road 12 miles to a marine store to get a macerater pump. Another time road 4 miles to buy a tool I needed. Many times I have gone for an exercise ride only to discover a better grocery store or farmers market.

Now the bike is always onboard

 

[Insequent]

I'd order one of these if I was in your part of the world
https://www.ridecarbo.com/

 

[ranger58sb]

We have a couple of folders. Not e-bikes, which would be too heavy for me to schlepp around the boat, fling into a dinghy, shift from boat to dock, etc.

-Chris

 

[Codger2]

I bought a Pedego Intercepter about a year and a half ago for my wife. I spent $3.5K as it is loaded with extras. She rode it 5 times and then complained that her knees were really bothering her so she rides no more. It's an incredible bike but I get my exercise on the flybridge, pushing buttons on the electronics. Anyone interested?

 

[Flybull]

These are bitchin'...

https://www.jupiterbike.com/

 

[MiltonP]

I have a Carbo on order. Should hopefully ship in March. Will post about it once I get it onboard.

 

[JohnEasley]

A few months ago, we bought a couple of Rad Mini's. They're a bit on the heavy side but they fold easily, have great range and are very comfortable. They'll be going with us when we cruise this summer and when we cast off permanently.

 

[Clam Digger]

A company called Hill Topper ( https://www.electric-bike-kit.com) makes kits that changes any bike or folding bike into a electric bike. They have four kits, 8, 12, 20, & 40 mile ranges using lithium batteries. The prices range from 599.00 - 899.00. You simply change out your front wheel to theirs with a built in motor in the hub, attach the control button to the handle bar, and put the small battery in the basket or attach it to the frame. We have had one for several years and love it. Ride the bike normally or press the button when you want to go electric. The top speed on ours is 15 mph.

 

[Seevee]

A little different, I have a tandem electric bike, made by Daymak.

The pix looks like it's plugged into the pedestal.... no, just parked there. While it's a tad heavy at 50 lbs, I can quickly take off the battery and the seats, turn the front handlebars sideways, and lift it onto the boat an up the stairs where it's stored on the flybridge rail. Works GREAT.

It can be a bit of a challenge getting it up and down single handed and one will use a bike (or anything) depending on how easy it is to launch. I use mind ALL THE TIME! Rarely a stop where I didn't get it down, unless wx was bad. Toured with it, grocery and parts stops and just fun, but it was not fast using electric alone.

If one has the slightest inkling to biking, I'd say GET ONE and try it out. There's many used ones out there to try.

And they are super handy for just getting around, shopping, restaurant stop, etc. Mine will hold a lady, plus two backpacks of groceries and a few cases of beer. Great bike!

 

[AKDoug]

A little off topic, but when I was in Anacortes the Harbormaster's office loaned out bicycles. It made me wonder how many other places had loaner bikes in the harbor? For me it was a complete blessing and some of the bikes had racks and baskets for hauling your stuff... My boat is small enough having a bicycle on board would be problematic, and the salt exposure would make upkeep hard.

 

[Woodland Hills]

Terns are popular here perhaps due to the ultra fat tires which soften the bumps and do batter in sand or gravel. Actually 1/2 of the bikes you see in Key West are fat bikes, they are really getting popular. Or maybe 1/2 the bikes that I notice are fattys........

 

[wkearney99]

A little off topic, but when I was in Anacortes the Harbormaster's office loaned out bicycles. It made me wonder how many other places had loaner bikes in the harbor? For me it was a complete blessing and some of the bikes had racks and baskets for hauling your stuff... My boat is small enough having a bicycle on board would be problematic, and the salt exposure would make upkeep hard.

THIS. I get hung up on the cost-per-use equation. The limited number of times we'd actually use the bikes versus their cost, and hassle to store/deploy them, keeps making me not want to get any. Especially not the e-bike style.

However, the wife keeps pushing the idea, so it's on my 'to do' list to visit a local e-bike shop to see what sort of electric-assisted ones are available.

Me, I don't mind walking or riding some marina rattle-trap bike.

 

[Benthic2]

I have a Rad ebike and really love it. They make a small folding bike as well.

https://www.radpowerbikes.com/products/radmini-electric-folding-fat-bike

 

[wkearney99]

Fat tires are great for comfort, but at 67 lbs and still pretty big folded I'm hesitant to picture hauling three of them in/out of the engine room...

 

[Cat Daddy]

I had a Prodeco Phantom X2, a well made bike built in Ft Lauderdale. About $1500 as I recall six years ago. It's a bit heavy but worked great. It cannot swim however and lithium batteries mixed with salt water create fire. I miss that bike.

Rafe

 

[wkearney99]

It cannot swim however and lithium batteries mixed with salt water create fire.

As in, whoops, >splash< sizzle.. boom?

 

[AdmiralS]

These are bitchin'...

https://www.jupiterbike.com/

+1 for Jupiter

We will be getting 2 of these in the coming months. Saw them at the Annapolis show and really liked them.

 

[Cat Daddy]

As in, whoops, >splash< sizzle.. boom?

Was in Key West and just returned from the grocery store. Rode out on the dock to unload. While stepping onto the boat a 30 kt gust blew the bike over and it fell between the boat and dock into 9' of water. I had it out in in 5 minutes or so, and while rinsing the bike with fresh water the battery started to smoke. By the time I got it open a small flame was present. That's when it stopped being an electric bike. I still used it as a normal bike but corrosion was a constant battle.

Rafe

 

[dirtdoc1]

I had a Prodeco Phantom X2, a well made bike built in Ft Lauderdale. About $1500 as I recall six years ago. It's a bit heavy but worked great. It cannot swim however and lithium batteries mixed with salt water create fire. I miss that bike.

Rafe

Thanks for bringing up that salt and lithium = fire. Has anyone heard of this being an issue with the e-bikes in a salt water environment? I've heard that the Gocycles are designed with boaters in mind.

Thanks!

 

[willpep]

Good article on Panbo re: ebikes

https://www.panbo.com/the-continuing-search-for-a-great-boat-ebike-sondors-fold-edition/

He has an obsession.

 

[hmason]

I would also be concerned about theft.

 

[Benthic2]

Any boating eBike is going to be a compromise as range and ruggedness are desireable traits, but weight is not. When looking at weight, remember that a heavy battery can be removed and moved seperately. A bigger battery is a good thing since it will give more speed and range and can power a bigger motor. I see some bikes that have a 250 watt motor, and I would caution against these unless you are willing to provide most of the propulsion, and just want a little help. One nice thing about the Rad bikes is they have a "walk mode" that moves the bike at walking speed.

There are also 2 modes of propulsion. "Pedal Assist" meaning you have to pedal and the motor helps you, or "Throttle Mode" where you don't have to do anything but twist the handgrip and away you go. Some areas have different laws for the different types. Its not a big deal as I can't ever imagine a policeman stopping a sensible bicyclist to ask about his propulsion system, but be aware that some eBikes are restricted in some places ( espcially bike trails ! )

 

[HopCar]

When Dauntless was tied up behind my store, Richard used an electric bike to get around. It seemed to work very well for him. He let me ride it once and it was a lot of fun. I don’t know if he carried it across the Atlantic with him.

 

[ctjstr]

I guess we're a bit old fashioned. We just bungee our street bikes up to the rail on the port side forward. Easy to hand over the side and retrieve. I'm sure some day we'll regret not having some power to use, but so far it works.

 

[Wxx3]

I would also be concerned about theft.

And corrosion
And dropping it in the water.

I had one, i bought in Miami in 2014.
Used it extensively there and then hardly after.
But I dragged it half way around the world.
Electrics stopped working.
I have it to a guy who worked on my boat in Mexico.

When i get back to Dauntless next month, I'll buy a cheap, old plain bike, as i don't want to put sny e money into it.

 

[AusCan]

I'd have to strap it on the deck if I had one, and I'd would be very high maintenance.

I just rent one if I'm in a place where I want to pedal around to go sight seeing. Any touristy town on the coast usually has a place where you can rent a bike.

Lime electric scooters & bikes are popular rentals here. Pick up and drop off with an app. $1 for 30 minutes. Why buy one?

 

[FF]

"I would also be concerned about theft."

The simple cure is to spray the bike with multiple colors of any old paint , same as with a new outboard..

How many dudes want to be seen stealing a pink and yellow girls bike?

Resale value = 0

 

[sbu22]

Have an acquantance who picked up 3 Bird or Lime scooters (must be Birds - they're black) at a police auction for $25 each - deemed abandoned by the city. Apparently they had scores of them for sale - he got to pick the ones he wanted. He then bought the Chinese hack kit on ebay for about $30 each. Spent a Saturday installing hack - says there are crystal clear instructions - takes a little soldering and a crazy security head screwdriver. Now they are running and used for ?

Might be a budget solution.