The kit didn't work out because it caused a number of problems with the bike and drivetrain even though it was one of the best kits on the market (a geared drive motor). As a result - I gave up on it after only a couple of weeks. In hindsight this is one of the very best things that has happened to me in my life.
I now realise that the extra weight and complexity of the kits outweighs their usefulness by far. I found that if I used the throttle a lot on my kit then I could run out of battery in less than 25km (my return commute). If I didn't use full power to maximise the battery life then I was barely getting enough return from the system to make up for the added weight of the system.
What's more, once the electrics were discarded I very quickly gained fitness and lost weight. To give you some idea, the very best trip I had with the electrics was an average of 21kph or 40m for my commute. On Thursday this week I rode the same route to work on my road bike and I averaged 29.9 kph and completed the trip in less than 30 minutes.
The obvious question is how fast would I be able to go with my current fitness on an ebike? I see this as quite a moot point because A) my current fastest speeds are limited by safety and traffic considerations and B) I would never have gained my current level of fitness if I rode my ebike instead.
So, despite what you think I've actually got a far better idea about ebikes than most. I've test ridden a lot of them (including the very best). I like them and I think they have a limited place as a necessity for those who live in hot climates/don't have end of trip facitilies and for old/infirm people. For everyone else, the only reason is laziness.
Now I'm totally cool with the laziness thing if that means one less car. I really am. I just hope people who buy them understand that there is a significantly greater environmental cost to an e-bike, that they have significantly higher maintenance costs (charging them is the smallest input) than a normal bike, and that their added complexity can mean reduced reliability. I also think that laziness is not reason enough to allow by law for people to ride electric motorcycles (in the guise of pushbikes) on our bike infrastructure so they can avoid paying rego and bypass licencing rules.
Sorry. I also think that bigger motors are just a slippery slope that goes nowhere useful. If you want an electric motorcycle, buy one. Sorry. 
If I were to buy a e-bike I would buy a good quality one like the Gazelle or a similar big factory engineered bike. These are reliable, works well and a pleasure to ride. They are not and attempt at electric motorbikes like most of the kits and for many people are a genuine car alternative. I probably wouldn't bother with a kit because for most the added complexity and maintenance will outweigh the benefits.
Well, that's Comedians ebike 101. I'm hunkered down with my flame suit on.
Discuss
