You're viewing the comments posted on the entries, photos, and maps for this journal. Want to add a comment of your own? Click anywhere you see the icon within a journal entry. Go to the most recent entry in this journal.
Hi Mike, our bikes are using mid drive torque sensing motors. In the case of Dodie's, it the Bosch Active Plus while mine is the Bosch Active. Dodie's battery is 500 wH while mine is 400 wH. Both bikes have Nexus 7 speed internal gearing. Those are the basics in terms of the equipment, with the mid drive and torque sensing being the key features (as opposed to hub drive cadence sensing.. Mid drive torque sensing also gives a totally natural feel to the bike, while cadence sensing can seem more like a motor bike. And any use of a "throttle" is not on, and illegal in Europe anyway).
The other main thing about range is that we always use the absolute minimum assist level possible. That helps us to end days exhausted, because on minimum assist the heavy/loaded touring bike turns into the equivalent of a heavy unloaded regular bike. But even pedaling an unloaded regular bike all day can be tiring.
On the flat, without headwind, the bikes could deliver at least 120 km. What they did not like was lots of significant hills - the type we would have been pushing the bikes up in other years. Then the range could be just 60 -70 km.
You can see something like Dodie's bike at the first link below. Her model has the battery on the front of the seat tube, which was good, keeping the centre of gravity low. The second link has lots more on range - there are so many factors - like rider's weight, type of gearing, etc.
https://www.victoria-fahrrad.de/modell/victoria-e-trekking-7-5/
https://www.bosch-ebike.com/ca/service/range-assistant/
Stay tuned for a page I will add to this blog with more on what we found out about e-assist on this trip!
Sorry to hear that Dodie's knee(s) have blown up but at least you managed to complete your ride.
Steve, could you please post a link to the spec sheets of your bikes.
I was impressed by some of the daily distances that you achieved without stopping to recharge!
Mike
Hah! I have been plotting to build this style of bed into each of the kids new bedrooms (uh, eventually).
7 years agoI like the rogue blue ones invading the field of pink. Fight the power little larkspurs!
7 years agoThis makes me happy, have fun with the Paxmaniacs!
7 years agoIt was a wonderful day and a great start to our adventure!
7 years agoAn interesting aspect of the ships were the large starboards that were used to stabilize sailing vessels before keels were used. Most of the ships were old wooden, fishing vessels with large starboards on both sides.
7 years agoSay hi to Ken and Judy from Andrea and Bruce! We keep threatening to move into their basement until the USA returns to its senses.
7 years agoWow, Steve, you are so good at documenting all this! And for the record, we can't begin to thank you and Dodie enough for the great time we have had tagging along with you and the wonderful anticipation we have for the trip ahead that you have so greatly (and generously) enabled. I'm sure many of your readers are rather jealous of us!
I can't promise to be nearly as good at this journaling thing, but I'm trying!
Well, 15 Euros, that is :) But yes, a really decent price.
7 years agovery good, Andrea, thank you!
7 years agoThe Dutch have a way with flowers, all right. These are just gorgeous.
7 years agoWorms, yes, aka lawn oysters, lol!
7 years agoAha, of course they are. Rather pretty when planted in broad stripes like this, aren't they?
7 years ago
Welcome home! We will have to come down (with a donation from the Old Time Bakery) for a visit! Hope that Dodie has a good rest and that her surgery gets scheduled soon! We enjoyed reading all about your trip and look forward to again getting some good travel advice from you both!
7 years agoSue and Jim