They look interesting but are they worth the trouble and expense to find them??
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
Where? For what use?
Posted by
2527 posts
More electric assisted bicycles seem to be available through firms offering bicycle trips in Europe. As a side note, about two years ago, I visited a large bicycle factory in Germany. It had two production lines....one devoted entirely to electric assisted bicycles. So there must be a market for them.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
16359 posts
I have noticed that e-bikes are often offered by companies doing bike tours in hilly regions of France and Switzerland. Don't know about other areas. My sister ended up with one in Park City Utah recently, when the bike rental shop didn't have any more regular bikes in her (small) size. She is very athletic (ran Boston Marathon a few years ago) and would not have thought to try one. But she admitted to me that she actually loved it. They rode up to Deer Valley, an ascent of some 1,000 feet that they might not have done otherwise in the short time available for their ride. So. . . if you would like a little power assist now and then, an e-bike might be worth it. but I don't know how common they are or how much extra they cost.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
16359 posts
If you are curious about them, here is a model that is under development here in the US: http://www.faradaybikes.com/ The Faraday weighs in around 40 pounds. I have a hunch the European production models weigh a bit more. But if the option of an e-bike will convince you to join a bike tour, go for it.
Posted by
OP
Edmond, Oklahoma, USA
5 posts
Looking at using a few in the Tirolian Alps near Reutte Ehrwald. I'm having a hard time determining availability. Family of 4 2-e-bikes &2 mountain bikes.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
16359 posts
The website Movelo.com/de lists stations for rental and recharging E-bikes all over Germany and Austria. Here is the list for the Reutte region: http://www.movelo.com/de/naturparkregion-lechtal-reutte/?region=60&typ=region It lists four places for rental, among them Gutshof zum Schluxen, which I believe is a place Rick recommends. You could call them and ask.
Posted by
Bainbridge Island
3111 posts
Wow. That Movelo website says it is available in 60 languages. I didn't try them all, but I did try Catalan, Russian, Slovenian, Japanese, and a few others. it worked. How do they do that?