Electric Bicycle

IAman added an electric motor to his bicycle a while back (a year ago? Two?) and now he reports.

Latest finding on ebikes, my being near many ebike stores (& 60 years of riding bikes)

• Disk brakes are much smoother than rim brakes,  I will retro fit my bike with a front disk, 70% of stopping force.  The rear frame would be more difficult to retrofit.
• My midmotor aluminum ebike is more than comparable to the $3500+ midmotor bike on the market.
• I like my ebikes 48 volt, 11 amp power, not too little, not too heavy.
• My thumb paddle  throttle gives me the boost and control I need to overcome the inertia starting off.
• twist grips look clean,  but are not as tactile as levers.
• A step through frame like the Pedego Boomerang would be nice, but will have to wait for one to popup in used sales.
•  I am used to my big soft seat,  anything harder and normal is not comfortable.
• 20 mile range is more than enough,  any longer ride rewards me with a sore butt.
• 24 mph is fast enough,  the wind noise becomes unbearable and I would not want a accident at that speed.
• A cheap lightweight open top pannier is better than heavier buckled zipped expedition pannier, for <20 mile rides.
• Riding without a bell is childish, foolish, selfish and anti social.
• Biggest advantage to ebike is conquering hills.
• Cafe locks look like a good idea for quick stops.
• Lights of any sort are an improvement over possibly being missed in a shadow or darkness and ending up in the emergency room. Plus they are nice for differentiating fellow bicyclists on trails from the foliage and background distractions..
• HiViz clothing works.
• As much as Seattle and Portland are touted as "Bicycle cities"  Too bad, but I differ.  
• Inclimate weather much of the year
• Too Hilly
• Seattle streets and bikeways too lumpy
• Traffic calming needed
• Seattle seems like street department cannot keep up
• Too many cars, going too fast
• Good news: seems drivers are more aware and courteous to bicyclists than in years past.