I ditched my car for a month of e-biking. Here’s what I learned

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Outdoors News

Aventon,Aventon Abound,E-Bikes

I spent a whole month testing various styles and models of e-bikes to see if I could meet all of my needs with just two wheels. Here's everything I learned.

Since settling into my life as an “e-bike guy,” I’ve been testing new bikes left and right. So when someone suggested trying to replace my car with an e-bike for a month, it didn’t take much to convince me. With a growing variety of bikes at my disposal, it sounded exciting to challenge myself and to find out just how much of my normal routine could be maintained with two wheels and a battery.

Related Unconstrained by this experiment, my wife was occasionally still picking up dinner and groceries with her car, especially when the weather was rough . But after a few days, I finally opted to try a grocery run with my Aventon Abound, a cargo bike that came with some optional panniers for just that type of occasion. I had no issues strapping on a few cases of sodas or water and stuffing the panniers with food, and I was back home and unloading it all in just a few minutes.

Week 2: rain or shine, but preferably shine After a week, I started gravitating more toward versatile bikes like the Velotric Nomad 1 and Rad Power Bikes Radster Trail. Though they’re classified as off-road bikes, I loved how they were also exceedingly capable commuter options. Their wider tires and better suspension were preferable for some of the poorly maintained roads in my town, and they offered me a moderately longer range than some of the other bikes.

Rain gear could no doubt have mitigated at least some of my comfort issues, but it still felt dangerous to ride in heavier rainstorms due to visibility being reduced for everyone on the road. It also wasn’t fun contending with puddles without knowing if a deep pothole was lurking beneath them. And since braking required more lead time and lower pressure to ensure I didn’t skid, I had to be even more mindful about my speed and surroundings.

Watching my wife become increasingly interested in getting out and about once she got her hands on “the prettiest one” taught me a valuable note about choosing an e-bike: aesthetics matter. While there’s no denying that function, safety, and comfort should be top priorities, picking a bike that fits your vibe as much as it does your mechanical needs is likely to make you want to ride it even more.

The downside to the moped form factor, however, is that it makes pedaling less comfortable, due to the lower seating position that can’t be adjusted. So I was still breaking out my other bikes for family trail treks and fitness-focused outings. But when I was tired and didn’t feel like putting in much work on a hot day, the Revv1’s throttle-focused ride was just what I needed.

Aventon Aventon Abound E-Bikes Ride1up Ride1up REVV1 E-Bike

 

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