I’m now a few days into using an electric cargo bike (a Tern GSD) as my primary form of transportation. It’s…awesome.

Paul Cantrell

#BikeDiary Answering @harpaa01’s question:

At first I •hated• the Enviolo CVT (continuous variable shifting). My instincts were all wrong. I rubbed a spot on my thumb raw trying to move it the ways it didn’t want to be moved.

TL;DR: You still have to stop pedaling to shift in anything but •tiny• increments. You therefore still end up shifting in discrete steps, not continuously adjust as you accelerate (as I’d wrongly imagined). BUT…

Aaron (@[email protected])

@[email protected] one factor I’m thinking about for future bikes is the ability to move from a complete stop. E-bikes are a big improvement over standard bikes (esp with throttle) but I still find it’s a little slow to get going, especially if I wasn’t downshifting several gears before stopping. I’ve heard CVTs can be a great solution for that; was this a concern for you? And what were your experiences?

Mastodon (mastodon.social)

kimu

@inthehands welcome to the ebike world! You may also want to check out the tags #BikeTooter & #BikeNite. I ride a Tern NBD & my spouse rides a Tern Quick Haul, and they’ve helped us move from being a 1-car family to a mostly-not-driving family. The Tern upright posture takes a while used to, but once you used to it, it’s so comfortable!

Marcos Dione

@harpaa01 @inthehands we have a plain Yuba Kombi to which we slapped an electric kit. The 0 to moving is snappy[1], the biggest challenge it to get used to the kids changing your balance in those critical moments.

[1] maybe too much. From my non motorized bike experience, I keep a foot on the raised pedal when stopped, and the system feels the weight as force and tries to start moving. Maybe I should talk to the BRM who installed it.

Paul Cantrell

@harpaa01 #BikeDiary …I don't know if it loosened up with usage or I just got better habits or what, but I like it just fine now. It works. It’s not futuristic and amazing, but it works well. And one •huge• advantage: you can shift back down to the lowest gear when at a complete stop, no problem. That means starting from a dead stop is perfectly fine, even if you didn't have a chance to prep for it while decelerating.

CVT remains one of the few things that's not aaaawwesome.

Paul Cantrell

@mdione @harpaa01
I find myself adjusting the assist controls a fair bit as I ride. Pedestrians, narrow place? Assist 0/4 or 1/4. Needing to move through an area quickly, maybe get out of traffic, running late? 4/4 (“turbo”). Wanting to start quickly but not too quickly? 1/4 or 2/4 (“tour”) etc.

Maybe just because I’m used to a manual car transmission, this constant adjusting feels natural and even helpful.

Paul Cantrell

@kimu
Thanks for the hashtag tips! The upright posture just clicked for me right away. Still getting used to the limits of turning, but as far as comfort, it instantly felt right!

dimsumthinking

@inthehands all of that. My only complaint is that the striker for the bell was mounted on a flimsy spring and is long gone

Rachael Ludwick

@inthehands We have a bunch of cargo bikes -- my retires mom has a big front box trike, partner has a pakster (front box) and we had to just give up and got a shed just for bikes (we don't have a garage.) The storage issues with ebikes are real and since they are often pricy bikes few are going to want to lock up outdoors (even if there is a place to). A lot of apartment buildings have car parking but not bike, etc. It is a real challenge. Thank you for sharing yours.

Paul Cantrell

#BikeDiary Quick build notes for anyone specifically considering a Tern:

- Just get the lockstand extensions
- Just get the wide decks
- Just get the side lights
- Consider the belt drive if you’ll be riding in bad weather
- Consider a battery cover if you'll be riding in the cold
- Consider Tannus Armour inserts (fewer flats)
- All the bag, seat, rack, and passenger shelter choices are good choices, exactly what they seem to be on the web site; go based on expected usage & needs

Paul Cantrell

#BikeDiary Figuring out my locking / security strategy has been a joooouuurrney. I’ll post details on where I ended up later, but one big thing that’s easy to write up now:

There is bicycle insurance that’s a lot like car insurance: theft, yes, but also damage, liability, medical. Who knew? I got this one: https://velosurance.com It was a quick online application, and it will run me ~$33/month. Reasonable enough for what it gives. Hell of a lot cheaper than car insurance!

clew

Davits???

@inthehands

Laura Savino

@inthehands Me too actually (down to the squeals of glee)!! I just got my GSD last week, and I can’t believe how when I arrive at home or work, I feel hopeful and energized just walking in the door. How can a commute be joyful?!

Opposite research experience, though: I heard about a place with month-to-month rentals and ordered the one model that could schlep two kids. I customized nothing and am in love

Paul Cantrell

@clew
Hopefully it doesn’t come to that!!

clew

Ideally davits so reliable that you could load the bike on the porch and GET ON IT and lower away and then bike off pronto.

(Singing chanteys.)

@inthehands

Paul Cantrell

@clew
There once was a Tern in a Twin City
and the name of that Tern was the GSD

Paul Cantrell

@savinola
Great minds think alike!

(Apparently many great minds, since half the models and parts seem to be backordered)

Paul Cantrell

@r343l
The GSD’s vertical storage is brilliant; once it’s in place, it’s great. It’s the steps that are the killer. Doesn’t help that the pedals come so low to the ground at their low point.

If only I had the skill/strength to fully lift the thing up the stairs….

Brian Marick

@dimsumthinking @inthehands You can get these bikes in the US? I idly peeked and it seemed to be a Europe bike.

Paul Cantrell

@marick @dimsumthinking Oh, you can very much get them in the US. They’re based in Taipei IIRC.

dimsumthinking

@marick @inthehands yes - though at times supply is limited. I ordered mine at a local shop and they had to cancel my order so I got mine at REI. I’ve had it for four years and didn’t use it as much this year as others. As Paul said, it was the test ride that sold me. The electric is only an assist - I’m still biking but it smooths out hills and stops. I have the foldable one so I can put it in my car. It is quite heavy