I have joined the electric bicycle club

[MillCreek]

I never thought I would say this, but I have joined the electric bicycle club. I am going to Orthopedics later this week to see what they have to say about my bilateral hip pain and reduced range of motion.  I have dug out the PT exercises from my bout of trochanteric bursitis a few years back, and have been doing them for about 2.5 weeks.  I have not noticed a change in the pain level or range of motion, which does not fill me with optimism.

I was casting about for what I could do to stay on a bicycle, if I could not throw a leg over my road/MTB bikes. Some people in my informal riding club have gone over to the electric side, and they seem pretty happy about it.  I was looking to see if I could find an electric bike with a low stand over height so I could mount and dismount it, and one made with quality components that I could work on myself, at least the mechanical components.  

So to make a long story short, I have just came back from the electric bike shop, where I ordered a Tern HSD 8si: https://www.ternbicycles.com/us/bikes/471/hsd-s8i  It has a Shimano Nexus 8 internal hub, A Gates carbon belt, Magura hydraulic brakes, a Bosch Active Line Plus mid-drive motor and 400 watt Bosch power pack.  It can carry an impressive amount of cargo, which bodes well for riding to the local microbreweries and coming home with a crate of beer. I took a test ride and was amazed how the motor even on the low setting made the hills so much easier.  And I was pleased to discover that I could turn off the power altogether and just pedal normally.  On the flat in top gear and power off, I was easily cruising at 20 mph plus.  Years ago, I had a Dahon Mu XL with a Nexus 8 internal hub, and I loved that bike.  The fact that the Tern is a cousin of the Dahon with a similar layout sealed the deal.  The price is the same as a decent used car, but it should last me for a long time.

So come what may, I will have at least one bicycle I can ride.  I will be diligent with any recommendations for treatment, etc., but if I still can't get on the motorcycle by this time next year, I might as well sell it.

[Ron]

My place of employment has a mens Electra Townie E-bike on the floor. I would love to have it for tooling around town, it's pretty sweet.

I still prefer to suffer riding under my own power on singletrack dirt trails.

[MillCreek]

My local REI nor the online store carries that particular model of the Tern.  I called my local store, and they cannot special order individual bikes that the corporation does not carry.  Bummer, since that would have really helped the dividend.

[Ron]

E-bikes are huge right now and as the prices start to drop they will become even more popular.

I think there being both Tern and Dahon was the result of a falling out in the original company. I don't recall who was first but one of them split off from the other.