Electric Bikes

Having ditched standard TV and basically only watching YouTube these days, I was intrigured by a few Fisherman's Life videos where he took off on an E-Bike and went camping with ultralight gear.  It made me start thinking about how having a E-Bike could be very useful in extending range for shore fishing, something that his channel has inspired me to do more of during the winter months when RF season is closed to boating. 

I really know nothing more about these things than their basic design and specs.  I wanted to know if anyone out there has experience with them, things to look out for when purchasing, options that you love, etc.  Being a big guy, i'll need a decent motor, suspension and good brakes.  Been looking at this one on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B097DMCYD8/ref=redir_mobile_desktop?_encoding=UTF8&aaxitk=20b395c061c8972f61cf67971b1fb1c2&hsa_cr_id=4085040530001&pd_rd_plhdr=t&pd_rd_r=8223fd7e-9950-422e-ad33-6154bd57a0c5&pd_rd_w=7KX5n&pd_rd_wg=wzdnw&ref_=sbx_be_s_sparkle_mcd_asin_0_img

I'm thinking that the EBike might be a ton of fun on beaches for perch fishing, and be able to ride a decent ways with minimal effort to fish away from busy places.  Or in places like Davenport where there are long stretches of trails between parking spots, and maybe some good trails that are not as often frequented.  I've seen a couple videos of people riding on sand after deflating tires, but it looks like soft sand might be a bit more difficult than riding the edge of the sea line.  It would also be fun to set off in some of the bigger parks and fish the shoreline, covering a lot of ground, and maybe even try some ultra-light camping during the summer when it's warm. 

Anyway, curious if people are into E-Bikes, have recommendations on places to test ride them, other uses for them, etc.  It seems like a fun way to get out and explore. 

I like e-bike personally. It's fun as hell.
I would love to know as well who is making the best bang for the buck. I might be in for one just because.

I just got back from a ride on my Lectric eBike. It's a lot of fun.
I bought two so the wife and I can cruise around together. Haven't used it for any fishing related rides yet. It would probably be nice for fishing along the American River bike trail. 

My wife has a white bike, mine is black. Both are step-thru for easy access. Tote and OTB have Lectric brand bikes also.

https://lectricebikes.com/collections/ebikes/products/xp-step-thru-black

There's a lot of bikes to choose from. Do your homework!

Al


https://lectricebikes.com/collections/ebikes

More info:

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=89331.0

Thanks Al!  Doing some research now, and not going to buy one until after paying the big ol' property taxes and insurance for my house.  But I am hoping I can get one by the end of the year.  Really curious about riding on sand, not a lot of info there.  Found a local shop that sells them, so I'll probably visit them and see what they think.  But the 4" wide tires look pretty good for sand, still not sure what is the tradeoffs are.

Before you commit to buying a e bike look into kits to outfit a older bike you used to ride! I’ve built out a couple, and for a fraction of the price it’s just as much fun! Turned older cruzer and specialized mountain bikes. Obviously you won’t have the super rad disc breaks, or fat tires making then ride extra plush. However it’s a good intro to e bike for less than $500

Had a friend running a Rad Powered e bike for stripers last season and had a great time running fat tires. He slayed

I have a rad mini for about 2 years now and its great. I use mine for fishing all the time. Great for road and gravel but havent taken on sand.

I own a Onyx RCR which is capable of everything you're looking for and more. On a full charge w/a extended 50AH lithium battery I can average 120 MPC (Miles Per Charge) in ECO mode (up to 20MPH). 100 MPC in Normal mode (up to 40 MPH), and 80 MPC in Sport (up to 55 MPH). With the 3 inch dirt tires it can handle any terrain you can think of including snow. It's also American made, relatively lightweight (140 lbs.) and easy to maintain. I load it in the back of my truck and use it for my non-kayak adventures to various fishing spots in NorCal. I also use it for getting around town or commuting. I know of one kayak owner who pulls her Hobie Compass around with an Onyx. Anyway, it might be a lot more than you're willing to spend but as far as ebikes go this is one versatile machine. Good luck on your search. 

https://www.onyxmotorbikes.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=ppc&utm_campaign=8123943962&adgroupid=84276071699&utm_term=onyx%20rcr&gclid=Cj0KCQjw8eOLBhC1ARIsAOzx5cEQ9ZgJdNnq_3REHrROMI7YwdRx6YQcHQbIy2PIsPWVz-BMf42gvI4aAs99EALw_wcB

That thing looks pretty bad ass!  Will check it out!  Thanks! 

Thanks Al!  Doing some research now, and not going to buy one until after paying the big ol' property taxes and insurance for my house.  But I am hoping I can get one by the end of the year.  Really curious about riding on sand, not a lot of info there.  Found a local shop that sells them, so I'll probably visit them and see what they think.  But the 4" wide tires look pretty good for sand, still not sure what is the tradeoffs are.

Hey Al, here's a couple videos on riding on the beach.



I have a Rad Rover and love it. I know HoJo has a RadMini Step-Thru. I don't know about riding on the beach though. It doesn't really work well on the soft sand, but I guess it's ok if you just cut over to the hard sand it'll be ok. You'd have to clean your chain real good after you ride on sand. Take your time choosing your bike. You have a ton more choices now in different price range.

ernest

Yep, watched those and it did give a bit of some insight.  Not sure they paint the full picture or not, they are just some test rides.  But maybe there are better tires for sand, idk, just wanting more info.  If I see one I can rent and they allow it, i'll go and do it and see for myself.  There are looooong stretches of beaches where there is little access, and if you could fly down them and find some good holes to fish, sounds like it would be a ton of fun!  But it's not really a deal breaker if that's not really doable, there are a lot of great uses for these bikes I'm interested in.  Namely just another way to get out and enjoy the outdoors.  But as a fisherman, i'm drawn to the idea of using it for fishing 

Yep, watched those and it did give a bit of some insight.  Not sure they paint the full picture or not, they are just some test rides.  But maybe there are better tires for sand, idk, just wanting more info.  If I see one I can rent and they allow it, i'll go and do it and see for myself.  There are looooong stretches of beaches where there is little access, and if you could fly down them and find some good holes to fish, sounds like it would be a ton of fun!  But it's not really a deal breaker if that's not really doable, there are a lot of great uses for these bikes I'm interested in.  Namely just another way to get out and enjoy the outdoors.  But as a fisherman, i'm drawn to the idea of using it for fishing 

get really really good at cleaning it. You see how fast things we don't clean get rusted out after just one trip, imagine that but on a bike that's not designed for salt use

Knowing how electronics and salt love each other, i'd be paranoid about cleaning it afterwards.  Probably even put dialectric grease on the batter connections and make sure things are as waterproof as possible.  But have a cheap pressure washer that would clean it in a few minutes, so not too worried about keeping it clean. 

I would hesitate before spending money to ride an ebike on the beach. Chances are they will be banned there. Originally ebikes were meant to be electric assist with pedal power for most forward movement. Ebikes quickly evolved into electric motorcycles with pedals as an evolutionary vestige. I think one can envision multitudes of fast moving mechanical devices moving among pedestrian beach users walking on the sand and having a picnic. Conflict is inevitable. There are those who would ride carefully and slow but also those who do not. I've seen increased use of ebikes on mountain bike trails and dislike it. My feeling here is that mtb biking is meant to build and test physical endurance not increase distance and speed by non human powered means. On the roads for all powered vehicles I'm fine with it and can see beneficial uses such as a grocery trip to carry a load.

After trying a few, I want to get one too! Ariel & Shifra have really nice ones. My friend Greg got the Jetson Bolt Pro from Costco for like $500 and it is surprisingly well-built for the price. And it would easily fit inside the Jah Runner.