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Home to work is between 6 and 7 mile but fairly hilly (Rossendale to Accrington) used to do 50/50 bike/car but had a few years of just bike. Then took on a rescue dog so Im walking ~12mile a day with dog and at work, coupled with commuting and I was getting fatigued so started using car again.
Was looking at various car alternatives including 50cc moped, 125cc on a CBT, Bafang 750w conversion or an off the shelf ebike. i noticed Rutland cycles were doing a Trek Conduit for £1299 with 2 years 0% (RRP £2600) so bought it.
Its a hybrid style bike with fairly upright riding position.
First commute today - my observations are;
1. The 15.5mph limit is utter crap. Ebikes feel great when you first pootle up and down the street but in the real world of commuting it is soooo limiting. My average speed is slower than on my steel gravel bike with 35c's so where I make up for it on hills I lose on the flats!
2. Forget trying to pedal above the 15.5 limit, the bike is heavy and leaden due to battery, motor etc so you spend half the time watching the display to keep below 15.5mph
3. Admittedly I've arrived at work fresher due to less cardio but my legs are feeling it due to trying to pedal above the 15 limit.
4. Its more dangerous. On my gravel bike - on the flatter sections I can ride faster so take 'a full block of space' - on the ebike im stuck at just above 15mph....everywhere!
So far im a bit....meh about it. I think I need to change routes to the hilly traffic avoiding route, and figure a way to increase the speed limit to 20mph. Im not wanting a 30+mph ebike monster but the 15.5 limit is just unworkable for experienced riders/commuters.