Going electric
Some people say it’s cheating but I know they’re curious. You see, I’ve bought an electric bike, a pedal-assist Gazelle. And the question I’m being asked is: why would you want an electric bike? Yes, I’m fit and a seasoned bike rider and I have a trio of bikes in the garage. However, there’s a problem that I haven’t been able to solve with them. My work commute. Riding 28 kilometres each way for several days a week is a fair dinkum ride. I can ride the commute on my Vivente Tourer but combined with a full day’s work, the commute becomes exhausting and isn’t a sustainable choice.
In 2017, going multi-modal brought me a partial solution. I’d ride my tourer to the closest tram station (13kms away), lock up my bike and catch the tram to work. The commute was long, the tram cost more than I think public transport should, and at times I felt stifled by the tram’s constant stopping and starting. Especially when I looked longingly out the window at bicycle riders pedalling past. The multi-modal choice works but still isn’t ideal.
I knew an electric bike would find a place in my life at some stage. Now, is that time. The technology behind electric bikes has advanced. Battery lives have extended. Ease of operation has improved. There is a wider range of brands and styles to choose from. And I have a need for a sustainable commute that isn’t dependent on a car. The costs of fuel and maintenance are an incentive to leave the car at home. So too is traffic gridlock – being stuck in traffic isn’t how I want to spend my time.
I chose a Gazelle Chamonix T10 pedal-assist bike. The bike uses a Bosch motor that is activated by my pedalling. If I stop pedalling, the motor stops assisting. Hence, the term ‘pedal-assist’. And I can regulate how much I allow the motor to assist by choosing one of five modes: OFF (in which I am completely under my own pedal power), ECO, TOUR, SPORT and TURBO. On a fully charged battery, the bike’s software estimates ECO mode will power me about 120 kilometres and TURBO about 56 kilometres.
This data is calculated by the Bosch software and screened on a digital display mounted to the handlebars. On that dashboard display, I can also read my current speed, average speed, maximum speed, trip time, odometer and clock (all without needing my prescription glasses too 🙂 ).
My Gazelle came with plenty of useful features.
My Gazelle came with plenty of useful features. It has a rear pannier rack that acts as a mount for the bike’s battery and also has handy luggage straps. I use the straps for carrying my raincoat when rainy skies are up ahead and and also for my breakfast esky. I’ve added an Ortlieb waterproof pannier bag that has excellent reflector features for riding before or after dark (which will happen when I commute through winter).
There are also front and rear lights powered by the battery and easily turned on and off via the dashboard display. The bike has a key-operated lock built into the rear wheel. It has mudguards, chain guard and a skirt guard too for flowing frocks! The Dutch think of everything. They’ve even included a walk-assist option which means the bike helps me if I have to wheel it anywhere. With the bike weighing in at around 24kgs (with battery but without any luggage), that’s a handy feature.
My Gazelle has me arriving at work not feeling excessively hot and sweaty. And not feeling spent. I feel energised after an enjoyable ride, having let TURBO mode carry me up the hills. On the way home, I can put a little more effort in if I like, or not. Either way, I’m more active than I would be sitting in a car or on a tram. Then there’s the fresh air in my lungs and the sunshine on my face (sometimes it’s rain, but I don’t mind a rainwater facial spa for free). Plus I have a commute that makes me less dependent on the car. That’s my kind of solution.
Dashboard in the centre and I’ve added a Quadlock to hold my iPhone.
Iced lemon tea for the ride home.
a bike for all seasons 
Reblogged this on Cycling Geelong and commented:
For those of you considering the e-bike option, here’s another seasoned cyclist’s view of her new wheels, and her reasons for choosing an e-bike.
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Thanks 🙂 Going electric is definitely worth thinking through – it’s a big investment but I’m happy I made it.
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Thanks for this great article on why you chose an e-bike. I’ve seen a few in recent months – the most recent at the Bike Friday gathering in Bendigo last weekend, where there were several different versions.
We also have two e-trikes (specially made Triobikes) used for Cycling Without Age in the Multicultural Aged Care facility in Geelong. Each power-assisted trike takes two passengers on a slow bike ride to a local park and beach. The electric assist means that the cyclist/pilot doesn’t need to be over-fit to take part in the program.
Keep those pedals turning…
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What a great use of the electric assist! I think we’ll see them used more widely as people start to see how and where they could pedal with that extra power. It will never replace my pedal power bike-riding but the pedal-assist definitely has a place in my bicycle lifestyle. Thanks for your comment – it’s great to read about other people’s experiences. Good cycling!
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I get this completely. Anything that helps a cyclist to keep cycling has got to be good! I’ve spoken to older people too who have been able to keep cycling, or take it up again, now that they have electric bikes. I think they’re great!
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When I was researching to buy an electric bike, I met someone who had converted his push bike to electric so he could keep riding with his mates. He had a muscular medical condition that meant he couldn’t keep the pace with them like he used to. The electric bike gave him the power to keep riding and enjoying his social network. I was impressed with that.
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I have one also. It’s the best thing you can do for a long daily commute
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Great to hear John. The pedal-assist is certainly making my commute do-able.
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So interesting – thanks Gail. I’m considering one of these for my ‘next’ bike, ideally in a decade or two, when ordinary cycling might become a bit much for me. Hadn’t thought of using it to commute to work though (perhaps because my own commute is 140kms return!)
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I always thought I’d buy one when I was older too or if I moved to live on a hill or among hilly terrain. But it was the long commute that did it. (By the way, 140kms receives an exemption from the long commute category – that’s a tour!)
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Hi Gail, Your new commuting arrangements sound very civilised especially if the route includes dedicated cycling paths away from the hassle of other traffic. Perhaps, in time, you will be joined by a bevy of other cyclists who favour ebiking as the way to get to work.
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Unfortunately, my commute requires some road riding Margaret. But I can tell you this… with my eBike I have excellent acceleration when taking off at the lights!
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How exciting Gail! Who would have thought bikes with motors could be so sophisticated? So many options.
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Doing the research on the electric bikes was quite a task Robyn. There are more features to consider compared to a conventional bicycle. Added to this, there are many different eBikes to choose from and they vary considerably in riding style, performance and price. The Gazelle model I chose received Choice Magazine’s highest rating so that was a factor in my decision.
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I knew you would research any purchase carefully. I’m so glad you’re happy with your choice. We’ve always bought a report from Choice for ant big purchases in the past. It’s a great service. And yes, I expect your range will extend now.
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The Gazelle is a nice choice. I’m newish to ebiking and went through three versions in five months before really understanding their capabilities and my requirements. At 68, I’m only interested in riding for health and leisure, but a full suspension Merida has opened up the terrain for me. I can go over most surfaces and take the bumps with comfort. I’ve started a blog to record my rides for other senior cyclists who hate roads. I’d love you to visit. Keep blogging and spread the word
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Hello eBiker, health and leisure are wonderful outcomes of cycling. And I find those benefits still flow through with riding an eBike. I find it fascinating when I meet people who seem to think that riding an eBike is inactive, or somehow not ‘real’ bike riding. Perhaps I should let them take the Gazelle for a ride 😉 Thanks for telling me about your blog. I always enjoy learning about different trails and tips for riding them. My best wishes, Gail.
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About to buy one for the same reasons myself, I have a few road bikes that I cover lots of miles on but none of which are a solution to commuting. Gazelle is my choice too and I found your article searching for pictures of someone with a Gazelle fitted with Ortlieb bags. Good to know they can be used as that’s also my choice. Can I ask tho, is the pannier on the lower section under the battery? Looks that way and it’s kind of the only way I could see it working with the battery obstructing access to the top rails.
best regards
Chris
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Hi Chris, great to hear about your eBike choice. I’m enjoying mine very much. I still enjoy riding my other bikes but the eBike is still a better solution for my work commute.
About the Ortlieb panniers… yes they fit on the next rung and it takes some fiddling to adjust the clasps to they’re in the right position. But then they’re fine. And definitely an excellent choice for durability and being waterproof. I’ve had a set of Ortlieb rear panniers on my tourer for over 6 years now and I can always rely on them in the rain. The set I bought for my eBike are high-vis at night too.
Hope that info is helpful.
Best regards, Gail.
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Many thanks Gail, very helpful.
I’m just waiting a week for Gazelle to reveal the new Orange C8, better range and lighter motor and better lights they tell me. Then I’ll get my order in so I can get it in November. Have decided on the back roller plus now you’ve reassured me they’ll fit on there.
It only takes me 5 minutes longer by road bike than motorbike but I’d rather get there in my office clothes and not have to change so this will be perfect.
I rode 86 miles to the bikes shop today, just to have another look 🙂
Take care
Chris
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That’s terrific Chris. Sounds like you’ve got it sorted 🙂 Good riding! Gail
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Hi Gail,
Just got my 2019 Orange C8 HMS and started using it this week.
So far so good. Adds about ten minutes to my journey time over the motorbike but that’s no problem at all, it’s way more pleasant despite the total lack of cycle infrastructure here. Getting the hang of what the gears and motor are doing on the hills here was tricky at but I understand it now.
Hope your commute is stll going well.
PS I got an Ortlieb pannier on there too, all good!
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Hi Chris, thanks for writing!
That’s great to hear. I also found that I had to get the ‘feel’ of the eBike gears and power of the motor. While riding an eBike is similar to a conventional bike, the feeling of the bike is a little different and it responds differently too. I still notice this difference when I’m swapping between my bikes but once I’m on the eBike, I settle into it quite quickly. I agree, the work commute is way more pleasant 🙂 What city are you riding in Chris?
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Hi Gail,
I’m in currently windy, freezing, sleety Yorkshire. I ride into Huddersfield each day. No bike lanes, shoulder to shoulder with traffic that thinks you shouldn’t be there. Couple of miles of bus lane you can use into town but that runs out as you hit the centre putting you back in the car lines. Upside is that they are mostly stationary the last 2 miles or very slow so not really a problem. Sounds awful put like this but I’m used to it! I’d love Delft NL style lanes tho. I go there a lot just to ride!
Ride home into a 30mph wind in sleet last night. With a smile on my face as the bike took care of the wind 😊
But roll on summer!
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Yikes! That’s a top effort Chris. Summer will be a breeze for you after cold, windy winter. It’s a great feeling riding past the cars when they’re stuck in traffic. That freedom makes the difficult parts of the ride worth it!
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Breezing past those stuck cars easily balances things and yes, freedom is the word!
Hopefully some of them will join us!
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