Since we’ve talked about e bikes, I think the link below is worth sharing.
My bike is pedal assist, not a scooter.
While I may not have the energy & endurance I had pre MBC, the e bike compensates for that.
During covid, it has allowed me to escape my “bubble.” I could safely cycle outside away from others.
It’s been wonderful therapy too I clear my brain when I ride.
Thanks for posting this! I've been interested in e-bikes for a while, but hesitant to buy one because I didn't feel like I had enough information to pick the right one for me. This article will get me started. As great as Ibrance and letrozole are, they've taken a toll on my endurance and an e-bike might be the solution to get me back on the road.
Susan
Hi Susan ! I don’t know if the ‘Cube’ brand (with Bosch battery) is available over there (I’m in the UK) but I can highly recommend it ...they’re expensive but top notch ! It’s a step- through ...so easy to get on and off .
Mine is the ‘Cube Touring Hybrid 500 Easy Entry e-Hybrid 2019, 46cm height’ (I’m 5ft 3 inches tall), if you want to look it up for ideas for what to look out for .
I love my e-bike and can’t wait for the Spring to get it back out ( I got a recumbent exercise bike for gentle indoor exercise over winter , but prefer to be out in the open !). Hope this helps ! Take care! x
Thanks for the info! Unfortunately, I don't see where they sell Cube bikes here in Texas, but it does give me a good start as to what to look for in an e-bike. I've tried riding regular bicycles here, but being on Ibrance/letrozole for so long has taken a toll on my endurance and an assist would be just the thing. We're getting into perfect riding weather - mid-70s f (or 24 celsius), but the wind is gusting at 35 mph - ugh!
Hope you get to ride again soon!
Take care
Susan
Susan — I bought a Cannondale after testing several bikes. I learned that torque is important. But I can’t remember why any more!
When you test ride, be sure to ride it up a nearby hill. You should notice it is easier to scale. One bike I ride wasn’t noticeably better so I kept looking. You still pedal but those inclines and hills are less daunting now.
I regularly used a road bike so this is a big change for me. It is wonderful how it’s expanded my range of rides.
Good luck.
Thanks for the info! I just looked up Cannondale ebikes and that may be the one! Well, after the new HVAC unit...
I am a big fan of my ebike - I am named after her ‘BellaE (as in ebike). I took the plunge when I was diagnosed and have not looked back. They are expensive but worth it. Most stores allow you to test run some bikes and staff can advise you on what bike will fit your needs.What I will say is they are heavy, weighing 20lbs plus. I have to take a wheel off to get it into my car which is not an easy job. My friend who has MS has a bike carrier with a ramp which we put our bikes on when we want to go and ride somewhere new.
The benefits definitely outweigh the negatives though. You can ride your bike without getting tired, you can ride further than you can on a bike without assist, the assist makes riding an enjoyable experience, even though you may not feel like you have done a massive workout, your fitness levels will improve, you get to see so much more of your surroundings.
So, anyone thinking of buying a bike, don’t think - buy - you won’t regret it.
Clare
Everyone - please be extra careful with the e-bikes!!! EVERY friend we know who has tried an ebike has had a serious accident on it, sooner or later! My bf and I are avid cyclists so I've continued cycling as best I can throughout all my treatments and would never use an ebike. But we are shocked at the endless reports we keep getting from all our friends who have been injured on ebikes - dislocated shoulder, painfully bruised ribs, deep abrasion to the shin that took 8 weeks to heal, broken shin that put her in a wheelchair for 6 weeks, just to name a few. The ages of these people range from 50-80 years old.
Annie — I am curious: are they riding scooters or pedal assist e bikes?
My bike is pedal assist. In other words,, I must pedal and cam control how much of a boost I give it. It’s top speed is 20 mph but only when I’m riding down hill. That is my same speed downhill on my regular road bike.
I’ve seen other so called e bikes which are really a moped. Those bikes don’t require pedal power.
I agree it is imperative to be extra extra careful.
Not sure about all of them. Probably a combination of both. In most cases they said the bike got out of their control due to being unfamiliar with the controls as they were learning to use it. Although one case was because he took his dog for a walk with his ebike and the dog got excited by a passing rabbit and crossed in front of the bike, causing him to crash as he avoided running over his dog!! That one probably doesn't count, lol.
I agree that you have to be extra careful with our conditions (bone Mets etc) riding any bicycle ! I at the age of 56 bought an e-bike at the start of the pandemic a year ago . I love my e-bike but only cycle in open areas / countryside near to my home and not in built up areas ...fortunately I haven’t ever come off my e-bike ... I am just sensible and extra careful when out on it . Mine is a Cube step- through (so easy to get on and off ) and has a good Bosch battery ... it’s max speed is 20 miles an hour downhill , but that can be controlled by me . Mine too is a pedal assist bike and not one of the moped types , which would be much more dangerous! Didn’t Simon Cowell come off a powerful one the day it was delivered to him , while he was testing it (and he admitted to not having read the instruction booklet !!).
Looking forward to getting mine out soon in the Spring ... too blustery this week here ! Take care x
I believe Cowell’s bike wasn’t just pedal assist but had a throttle too. I read his bike went as high as 50 mph!
That’s a motorbike as far as I’m concerned.
I tested an e bike with a throttle. I decided I don’t need that kind of acceleration. It’s too fast and too much giddy up. 😀
The pedal assist with the battery suits my riding purposes perfectly.
Totally agree with you. My husband and I tried some while on vacation in California. These were pedal assist but also had a throttle button. I didn’t use the throttle as I didn’t like how quickly it engaged or the increase in speed. I had a close call with it when I was off the bike and simply parking it. I accidentally pressed the throttle as I moved the handle bars and the bike just took off, no pedalling!!!!
My bike and my husband’s are Giant E-bike Explore 2019 & 2020. He loved mine so much I convinced him to get one so he could keep up with me! Bosch sport drive motor with good torque. The torque is what helps you get started when pedalling.
Hope this helps
Susie
Hi Martha,
I've heard good things about e-bikes, but haven't bought one myself. I have a bike stuffed away in my shed that I haven't ridden in a while and an exercise bike that I pinched from my dad (I told him about it!) So I tend to use my exercise bike quite a bit and I don't worry about a gust of wind or a motorist knocking me down. We do have to be careful, especially if we have bone metastases. That was one of my biggest concerns for about a year or so following my diagnosis while I was working on strengthening my bones. I was scared of tripping over and breaking a bone. Walking in icy conditions really worried me.
Sophie
Sophie — interesting you mention windy days. Today was my first ride of the spring and it was a bit windy.
I’ve learned that my e bike makes managing moderate gusts and winds better — I don’t have to fight the wind or the bike as much.
Of course, I use good sense and don’t ride in a Nor’easter!
As for walking in icy conditions, I too am extra careful. I bought these things that attach to my boot bottom that are called Tracks. They have good spikes/clamps that reliably grip the walking paths. I bought mine from LL Bean. I recommend them for peace of mind.
I have stage 4 bone mets, and i ride an exercise bike in my basement every morning. the sun shines in the sliding door, and on good days i can let the fresh air in. I have a playlist of tunes on my tablet to pedal by and i`m up to 10 miles a day at 2 resistance! I ride almost every day tho occasionally i just can't. So what! I haven't really lost any weight but my legs seemed well toned. I need to be able to stop when i need to. If i rode an actual bike, i may not have the stamina to get back, so this works for me. And i can ride when its snowing! Lol
That is a great set up you have with the sunshine and the ability to get a nice breeze via the sliding door. What a nice 4 season option.
Enjoy!
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