this post was submitted on 14 Jul 2025
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Bicycles
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I have a similar feeling for my barely-an-ebike (250w geared folder, ~45lbs, bought on-sale). I sometimes wonder how a non-e bike would compare, it seems like it might be easier so long as I'm half-in-shape (though I don't have a lot of incentive to ride, so I don't exactly stay half-in-shape, so I'd probably need a nice stationary bike too).
Wish I could try out a minivelo, probably not much chance of that in USA particularly not for a cheap price. Maybe a folder that's better-designed than mine (D4S), Brompton is almost a dream (aside from even tinier wheels than 20") except way too expensive. Similarly, a lighter-weight frame like magnesium or titanium would be nice but probably also no.
EDIT: I forgot to say, if I didn't go with a derailleur a retro-direct drive would be neat. Maybe even cool to make a minivelo with that myself, not that I have really anything required to do so (converting it, maybe). Better if it were somewhat easy to swap gears out (like per-season sort of thing).
For me where I live while I would love an ebike, the bus system is free and is pretty frequent so I will just take the bus up the brutal hills and mostly bicycle along flat routes even though the surrounding area isn't flat. I am lazy when I bicycle even though I still obviously get exersize from it lol. Yes though, at least in my narrow usecase scenario an electric bicycle might actually take more work to use, or it might be closer than you would think at least. I am not really lifting the bicycle up too much vertical and maintaining a leisurely pace on flat ground takes almost no effort so..
I would still love an electric version though, some day!