If you’re going to spend this much on bicycle, you should also have some spare parts and maintenance skills. Spare tires, tubes, shifter cables, brake parts, and the tools to install them will be a must.
@Jeffro Especially having the means to fix a bike without a shop nearby only with just the gear on your back. Extra spares/repair kits would be a great trade.
@@kiellinn6233 I’ve put that skill set in my wheel house. I still have the bicycle repair stand I got for a high school graduation present 35 years ago.
Maintenance cost of a bicycle and an e bike is pretty low compared to a vehicle, good luck trying to get a car computer to work or replace one during shtf unless you've accounted for all the parts that could fuck up after the fact and put them in a faraday cage. An ebike with a little bit of electrical knowledge is much simpler than a gas engine, and easier to repair
I’ve never driven a car in my life and probably never will. I can go very far on my bike. And I can pull massive amounts of weight with it. No need for a car.
I'm a cyclist in my 70's, planning on getting a new Mountain bike for my 80th, should last till 100, ha. Not ready for an EBike, maybe one day when I start to slow down.
My dads the same, about to turn 70, has health issues though so not as capable as hed like but he spent his adult life doing multisport so very fit. Mum suggested an ebike since he cant bike as much as he use to, he refused and wont get one as long as he can still turn the pedals , i think that mindset will keep him going till hes a bagobones haha! I think shes gonna get one to join him, first time shell be able to keep up in 45 years haha :) happy riding
Ive built 10 e bikes and know that their reliable and very powerful tools to get in the backcountry from a to b. The center motor eats chains that can cost a 120 euros. The hubmotor setup has the motor weight (6-8kg) rear and has not as good manouvreability. Batteries can last 5-10 years even in tough use. I recomend a fullcover helmet like in motorcross, maybe the shields and armour too.
Outstanding video! You are 100% On Target! I've got my e-fat bike setup for carrying 7 days of food, gear , shelter, comms. Also just recently figured out how to solar charge it off-grid and in the field. Absolutely stoked about this topic and happy you're covering it. 👍
To do what he's talking about, you need, 2, 3 or 4 extra CHARGED batteries. It takes min. of 4 hrs to get to 80%. And that's a smaller battery. You ain't getting fully charged with a 200 watt panel. You're gonna be sitting around all day, probably longer--assuming the sun is even out. C'mon, guys. Use your head.
It's a great prep to get you out of the big cities & the traffic jams onto the open road & your bug out location where you'd have all the stuff you'll really need to survive.
I also got a bycicle ( just a traditional one ) recently , in part because I want to go back in shape, and another because it's a means of transport not subject to fuel crisis, easily evades traffic and because I was my happiest and most independent in Japan when I had my bycicle
@@frankmundo4300 I am thinking I need one if only to make faster the 6 km trip to my grandchildrens school for emergency pick ups. I will have to be able to haul 80 lbs and fishing gear as well.
a bicycle is very underrated. a great intermediate between being on foot and a vehicle. they make travel a lot easier without needing fuel or high maintenance. also help with physical fitness which is perhaps the most underrated thing of all in the prepping community.
I have been prepping for 11 years with my Salsa Mukluk FatBike. I bike with manpower 100-120 miles a week year round avg 15-16 MPH. I know the trails and how long it takes me to get to certain areas here in MInnesota. I have been out in -20 degrees for up to 3 hours. I have perfected the art of Fat Biking over the past decade for a grid down scenario. So if I need to get somewhere quickly I have the ability to do it.
Unless you own a secret luxury basement bunker you're a target for cannibalistic marauder. If you own a secret luxury basement bunker you are just postponing the inevitable. Prepping is just glorified stupid boy scout games, it's fun but don't expect to survive when the SHTF.
@@Craigslist420 Cannibalistic marauders will hunting everything regular hunters hunt except they have one more item on the menu, other hunters. There's roughy 8 billion people on the planet, that's a lot of food. SHTF will be a criminal's fantasy, where they get to use all their prison skills without any repercussions.
I'd say unless you're in a back country environment like what is shown here consider a regular bike and an e-scooter. E-scooters are way cheaper, have similar speed/range and can easily be folded up for storage. I keep one in the trunk of my vehicle. The safe storage temperature for my particular scooter is 120F. I keep a Bluetooth thermometer in my trunk and it rarely reads that high in the summer. Plus having experienced past knee injuries that severely limited my flexion I'd prefer the scooter.
@@jabbawoods gotcha. You're absolutely right. I'm lucky in that my climate would never reach those lower temps. I have to watch the temp more carefully in the summer months, but usually if I'm in the shade it is almost never a problem
@@cardiogirl798 varies. If you're looking at the ones that cost less than $1K then generally 200 to 225lbs. Most all of them that are more than $1K are in the 300lbs range. Keep in mind that a rider that's over a weight limit would likely still be able to ride but speed/range will be significantly affected. You'll be able to find TH-cam reviews from riders of varying weight classes that can attest to a particular model
@@cardiogirl798 gotcha. well depending on your budget you may be able to mount a seat or handle bar basket on some of the more premium scooters. Nothing beats a bike for carrying a payload (small pets), but the one thing with a scooter is that it can fold up and would be easier to load into a car. I do like the swappable battery feature of some of the e bikes but the price range on those are often in excess of $3K
I will stick with my horses and pack mules to get out and up high, where my(our) hideout is for long term off grid living. A bike would not get us up there. We can also move our livestock up high as well with the horses and pack mules. The livestock which if needed will be a food source in addition to our hunting and trapping.
@@MichaelScarchilli-M4Marketing If you have ever read history books, you would know that mountains aren't preferable for sieges. Unless they have an RPG
Love my 2018 $1400 Rad Rover e-bike. Now they're $15-1600. I got it specifically as a bug out or neighborhood patrol bike, but it has turned into something I ride regularly just for fun.
Wouldn't it be better if you just made your own from scratch? I have plans to buy a frame, then attach not only a battery turning it into an ebike, but you can also attach a motor kit, turning it into a hybrid. Giving you three modes of power, man power, electric power, and gas power. In the event that you run out of ejuice, kickstart the motor. When you run out of both, at least you can still pedal. Not to mention building one yourself with a conversion kit featuring all of the above will still cost considerably less.
Simply having a frame with wheels (bicycle) allows you to mount all your gear on and no weight on you. Really helps in hot climates, back packs reduce cooling.
As I now work 3mi from home I've recently dropped us to a 1 car family and I've got a decent quality ebike. I'm in the UK with frequent grim weather and I'm still loving it 4 months in! I need to sort some solar as I never thought of it as a prep.
I like bikes, but preffer the mechanical ones. I got a used 21-gear trekking bike from my father which he used in the 90ties for long bike tripps in Alsace-Lorraine. So it is about 25 years old. I changed the cain and brakes twice and the tires from time to time. I also bought a bike trailer for it, which could carry 100 Liter space or up to 80 kg. It also has a steel lid. I use this bike daily and it keeps me fit almost for free.
Something that may be of interest is the usage of a dynamo hub. These are able to generate electricity while you are pedaling. They are mainly used for on-demand lighting for cyclists at night. As far as my understanding, this could be used to charge other devices or batteries while you are on-the-go, but it could require a rectifier if you are charging DC devices. Though, the major downside is that their generation is extremely low. I think the max is 3 watts.
Not very efficiently. You may get slightly more range, but it would be insignificant. The power would only be generated going down hill and coasting. Much like a non plug in hybrid car.
@@stuarthirsch That's pretty much what I thought and is the reason why cyclists tend to only use them for their lights at night, and if they are lucky, to charge their phone on-the-go.
@@swervedriver5260 Mine came with an option to buy them. You may need a front or rear rack to drape them over the rack and then tying them to the lower struts. Mine is a cheap set but I'm sure there are quality sets in bike shops, ebike shops or motorcycle accessorie shops.
During the early phases of the Vietnam War, most the supplies moving down the Ho Chi Minh Trail was by bicycles (up to 500lbs per load), with the seat removed from its post and an extension rod stuck into the end of a handlebar. The loads were draped over the straddle bar and tied on. The human walked along steadying the load with one hand and steering with other. The bike could be laid down quickly in the event of a surprise (ambush or bombing raid), with the “cyclist” returning fire or taking cover as needed. In an apocalyptic scenario, the “cyclist” would retain the seat and extract the steering rod for normal cycling after the load was off. What humans have done humans can do.
If ya drove a Cummins powered ferd, the hardest part of the apocalypse is trying to get all the electronic bikes un-jammed front the front bumper.... Hahaha
I wouldn't put Bafang motors at the top of the range, I think that honour goes to Bosch. Mid drive motors are definitely the way to go especially for hilly terrain and off road. I've got some old Ray Bans just like your cameraman's in a drawer. I bought them back when the lens were made of glass, they were cheap and they were owned by Bausch and Lomb.
If you pull a lightweight trailer you can put a solar panel on the trailer and charge a second battery while you are traveling. Then swap out the batteries.That could significantly extend your range. Terrain willing.
The sad thing for me is that most of this awesome stuff reviewed and said “you need this!” Or whatever can cost more than a used car. I just wonder how long until you’re actually saving money with these types of purchases.
I agree. The way I prep: If I will use it regularly when nothing bad is going on, I buy it. So we bought solar. But I wouldn't buy an expensive e-bike on the whim that I may perhaps someday use it to bug out. I'll figure out what to do if it gets that bad.
Unless you own a secret luxury basement bunker you're a target for cannibalistic marauder. If you own a secret luxury basement bunker you are just postponing the inevitable. Prepping is just glorified stupid boy scout games, it's fun but don't expect to survive when the SHTF.
Just a note : I used a Bike for about 10 years, sometimes on the ice. A trick I used to have for the battery is that I used to put a small jacket on top of it, but I already used to have my battery inside a small backpack as well. Keeping it warm helps a lot. I used to have tires with some spikes too which I would put on when it was icy.
OK Nate, you convinced us before, but the wife bought 2 ebikes for a Christmas present for us. Not the full bore off road specials, still off road style with middle range tires as well. The wife went for the 'we can get to the next village without using the car', and 'some exercise', and yes I think pairing an ebike with a drone gives you several kilometres rekky capability if the shizzyfizzybaby. So, done not cheap, but I think will be worth it. See, some people are listening to you, so keep going, thumbs UP.
Most already do, it's a feature called regenerative breaking so you store a little juice when breaking or going down hills. As the other commenter mentioned, you won't go very far pedaling with it on as the drag will wear you out quickly.
Of course there's having all the right tools to do running repairs on the go. A pump, puncture kits spanners. Survival outdoors with a bike got its own set of rules and criteria, bet Canny cud do 10 shows just on bikes. Knowing how to charge one on the go is essential knowledge.
Nice bike but I've had mine for 5 years now, it's a Pedego Stretch the cargo bike that is made by Pedego. It carries up to 450 lb I still do 20 mph and has gone as far as 35 miles. The new Stretch are now two-wheel drive with a 52 volt and 17 1/2 amp which boost your speed and power to climb hills. I recently upgraded my batteries to that one, so now I can put one battery away in a Faraday box. It is a very tough built bike and weighs 75 lb. Yep it's expensive but check it out I think some of you would be happy to see that.
Awesome video, 10K price tag 🏷 is outside my budget but would be fun to have. Post grid down - mobility without the noise has huge appeal! Great video CP!
I also have a nice steel e-bike [forget expensive aluminum] that I go everywhere with- $780. total. This old guy can now handle hills, headwinds, off-road, etc with no strain
If you shopping for a ebike then try to get one that has hybrid option of pedal-assist and full throttle. Also there are ebikes that have water-resistant designs that store the batteries in the frame or in a rigid container. I got a folding ebike so that helps in saving space. And personally I like 20" fat tires more, they are easier to repair and do not require as much pedaling to get moving. Lastly to protect my tires I inserted cut out old bike inner tubes around the rim to prevent interior puncture from rim and I also installed floor mat cut outs to protect tire inner tube fron external puncture... I have no flats for 6 months now.
Ok you asked: there are no fenders. If in rain and/or mud you will be soaked and muddy and anything you are wearing! Plus a lot of water will find it’s way into the motor area? Then if cloudy weather for a stretch hard to fully charge battery. Anyway to plug in to charge? Not being a sick but to me This is pretty expensive and for rich people! lol:) I would buy a small off road vehicle myself for that price. But did put some questions in. But we watch you and you are great and have great ideas and equipment. We enjoy your show. We are ready as we can get with our means! Thanks!
Good info… know that once the power drops off the e-bike becomes a “boat anchor” compared to any good quality mtb. I have both a $2,800 Boar E-bike ( 62 lbs) and a $5,200 carbon Trek (17 lbs) and the Trek would be my emergency bike the Boar would be for my wife until it ran out of juice then we’d switch up and keep on going.
My younger neighbor bought two of these. They get about 30 miles per charge??? With a small trailer or child carrier they go to the grocery store, etc. I think they are super cool...
I really like my simple mountain bike with chopper handle bars a good seat and cargo back part...but would love a cheaper or expensive electric easy attachment
Fenders would add slight weight but keep you dry. Front and rear carrier racks are really worth their weight. They allow you to carry wood or a deer or a partner. Don’t forget you can carry weight on your bike and still walk it using low throttle.
The immediate issue is theft. I have an Etrike that has a large lock and heavy chain. Chains can be cut and locks can be picked. I do not leave it exposed for longer than a few minutes.
this is the very reason i have not bought one yet. i would be to worried about theft that i would not use it. go in the store for 5 min come out and................gone!!! there needs to be more conversation about how to minimize this glaring issue that no one will talk about
@@arnoldreiter435 You can add trackers to a bike till they find it and toss it or break it. Another issue is the range of the tracker. You have to use it as quickly as possible for it to be any good.
I can only imagine relying on the bike and then having a tire go out/battery fail. That it essentially turns into either useless or a really heavy regular bike.
Having spare parts and a little planning can go a long way. Spare tubes (6 or more) perhaps a few brake pads. Perhaps cable linkage. The backup battery he spoke of, plus one more to store away. An extra charger/ wiring and even a charging setup similar to what he showed as backup. That is a lot. But buy-in parts and save it up over a few years. Keep plugging away. Plan it out. Think up solutions not just problems.
Bike tyres don't usually "go out" but they do wear out over time. Tubes can get holes but are easy to patch and cheap to replace, 10-15 minutes is all it takes to replace a tube for me. I only use thorn resistant tyres now so very rarely get punctures. Battery systems on ebikes are simple and easy to diagnose, basically just a modified battery powered drill. A basic multimeter will trace any problems down but I have never had an issue.
Other parts you absolutely need are chains and spare cassettes. Mid drive motors put a lot more stress on the drivetrain. If you're not careful, you can end up with really short chain and cog lifespan. As chains wear, the distances between the pins slowly lengthen. If you don't change it soon enough, it'll cause premature wear on your cassette too. Another factor to consider is that the 9 -12 speed drivetrains use narrower, more expensive and fragile chains than bikes that use 7-8 speed drivetrains. A replacement 8 speed chain can be as cheap as $12, whereas the higher spec versions can sometimes be triple or quadruple that price. Hydraulic brakes are generally very reliable, but you'll still want to get the supplies and learn how to do a brake bleed. Mechanical disk brakes are a lot simpler, and bombproof, but you need to make regular adjustments to them to keep them performing well.
Your advice is on point again CP! The Province of BC just issued a 30L fuel restriction on residents in the southwest for non-essential vehicles. A result of the floods and other ...
I retrofitted my 25 year old bike with a Bafang Mid Drive. Beyond zipping around for short trips without the need for a car, I full well agree with CP on the value of stealth the eBike provides. The pedal-assist is great for folks with older knees and it is light weight enough to put in a truck for outings from your primary encampment. Highly recommended whether you choose high-end, low-end, or diy. Great Topic CP!!!!
The question about powering the e-bike honestly should be a no brainer especially if the prepper has been working towards independence from the grid in the first place. What if the grid failed?what impact would it have on a person if there were already measures taken to be totally off the grid in the first place. I think there's a mindset and I'm guilty of it too, that there is some degree of that dependence we have on the grid we work so hard to be separated from. As you've said, these bikes can be powered by the user or solar. Very beneficial if the battery fails or you break a panel. If your worried about carrying extra gear, you work to become physically stronger. If one truly wants to be prepared one has to prepare the mind, not just have all the fancy gear and weapons. All the prep and the fancy gear won't mean shizzy if you're not mentally and physically prepared. When I hear a question like this I have to ask, "Well how ready are you really?" Mindset. Practice. Training. It was one of the peeves I had about "The Walking Dead". They were reliant on cars. Camped like newbies. That farm? How was it powered? The biker was the only believable survivor and maybe the Asian kid. The rest should have been zombie fodder in the beginning. 😆
Very happy with my Rad mini from Rad power bikes. Very similar to your Rambo but it folds in half. Works great on dirt roads or around town. Knobby 4 inch tires. I love my Rad mini. Best thing I ever bought for local errands. Pull right up to the front door. Love it. Very stealthy too.
Great video, but I'm going have to disagree with you on the "fat tires are better for snow" concept. Depending on the amount of snow. I've ridden bikes in the city during the snow and it's not easy. Just like with a car, having thinner tires are going to slice through the snow and get you down to the ground. Bigger tires are going to want to float in the top and make it harder to ride. Again, all depends on the depth of snow and where you're riding but take a look at the difference between winter rally cars and off road trucks. Completely different application and completely different tires.
Ebikes are still a very new concept in South Africa. So still very pricey however I feel that this would be a great asset in the modern world. Feul in SA is at an all time high and chaos is just around the corner; so this is a great time to get one of these.
There aren't any Zombies yet thank God! I'd have to agree with you though, I'd rather be incognito than speeding through uncharted territory. I would value this prep as a means to escape huge hordes of banked up traffic to get to my bug out & real transportation though!
I would argue preserving technology would be critical in restarting a new society. Look how Myanmar society basically collapsed again this year and how it did not affect you or your family. Collapses will happen but humanity will go on, and unless you decided to give up, theres always the potential for a better tomorrow. Prepping should not be about resigning yourself to the end of humanity. It should be about surviving emergencies so that you can eventually move on and start rebuild again
And fixing an ebike electronics would be simple you just need a throttle and a switch, and you can make a switch from aluminum, and make a redstone esque resistor with graphite and a piece of paper
⚠ I bought the Blix VIKA+ folding electric bycicle that has a maxim distance of 40 miles on a flat road with using only the electric battery motor. Top speed is 20 mph. Weight of the Blix Vika+ bike is only 35 pounds and cost $1,600 dollars.
One of the greatest benefits of electric vehicles is that they need much lesser maintenance than fuel powered. Some may argue that electronics are not easy to repair if they brake down but this does not make it better for fuel powered vehicles. Even the fuel powered today are filled to the rim the electronics.
The big mistake bike users make, that causes the chain to come off its spokes, is trying to shift through a lot of gears at once. Changing gears should be done one gear up/down at a time, letting the chain seat the teeth before attempting another change in its position. Fuel costs are going to go WAY UP, so having a bike is paramount for mobility. The three wheelers are probably going to be the best option for most people during the transitional phase, prior to any Shizzy events. If you reside in a hilly area, then an E-Bike will be a must, to avoid having to push your bike uphill. No bike in my estimation, is going to be useful, without baskets, where you can haul small amounts of daily needs or gear, you shouldn't have on you back. A gun / bow rack across the handlebars is a must for those going into the wilderness. Know this, that what is coming is big trouble and your greatest challenges will be in the form of badge wearing officials who are not arriving for you, but for their higher needs or agenda. If you decide to go into the wilderness, then understand that you are subjecting yourself to the most hazardous lifestyle imaginable, with zero tolerance for failure.
I have a full throttle ebike with massive power, a pedal trike geared for pulling {albeit very slowly cuz I'm old}, and a bicycle - all with the same trailer hitch . . . as well as two trailers and a wheel mounted 2k generator with a battery charger and an air pump. I have a solar charger and extra batteries. The ebike and trike both take the same wheel/tires, and all are trail worthy. The bicycle is great for short quick trips, easily packs on top of a trailer, and can pull a trailer itself in a pinch. I've tested multiple configurations and can pack enough for a weekend or for a life on the road {at least a couple years} for me and the pup. The worst part of this setup is visibility on the road or trail. It's a rather long train. I can always break it up though, and move it piecemeal.
Limited usefulness. If you are bugging in, then you are not going to be going anywhere for a long time. It will be too dangerous to travel for at least 90 days and probably the first year. If you are bugging out to your location, it is likely you will need more carrying capacity than a bike can provide. You are also a much easier target as you move through populated areas. Remember bikes need some kind of trail or pathway. Natural obstacles, walls, fences etc will stop you in your tracks and force you to adjust your path. Even if you do your best to stay away from roads and structures, this will likely not be entirely possible. This is a toy that "might" be useful. Not in the top 1000 things your should have for SHTF.
That's why I'd stick with a basic 80s bike. Much lighter than an eBike so can be shouldered or pushed over obstacles, and cheap enough that if you needed to discard it for any reason you're not going to cry at the cost. Ideally I'd have thought anyone bugging out on a bike should do so with caches of supplies already buried in suitable locations.
Riding bikes for over a thousand miles at a time, I can say that both the electric and the gas powered bicycles have been a tempting consideration. With learning what to carry to have a fully self supported tour, I've suffered through being overpacked to eventually know more about how to carry less while still keeping needs met. Even with the electric grid still intact, ebikes are almost, but not quite right for me, because of the time it takes to charge and the likelihood of beaking down without easily sourced parts in most areas. It all may change with technologies advancing, but for now, a simple inexpensive bike with easily sourced parts gets me oftentimes over 100 miles per day. The one key difference of course is the caloric intake vs electric energy. It's said that every ten pounds of cargo slows you down about 1 mph. What I'm getting at is there are balancing acts happening between too much weight or bulk(with wind resistance) causing breakdowns and needing to have enough food water and equipment to be fully self sustained. Unless you want to hunker down every time the weather changes, you want to have equipment that holds up to mud and rain and snow. A simple bike can be more easily maintained. I hope to see the day an affordable electric bike can surpass a regular bike in these factors. Its close but seems not quite there.
I put a 50 CC gas Engine on a Bikecycle last year, 120 miles per gallon at 40 Miles per hour. To fast for me. This winter I'm putting an Electric Motor on another bike. I'll be throwing a Solar Renenerator into my Bikecycle Trailer and testing it out Camping next year. They are so quiet, and my Triathlon days are 55 years behind me. Adding a motor to my Bikecycle has given me many more years of riding. I might Swap out the 80 CC gas motor with a 30 CC because I have no need to go 45 miles per hour. My reflexes are not as good as they used to be. I estimate my Electric Bike Conversion Project will run about $500 with me doing the labor. I like the flexible solar panels CP demonstrated. Perfect for my Bike Trailer with some solid state Storage. TY CP.
How about electric motorcycles? If you're "willing" to pay up to 15K for a ebike, why not reach into the 20K region and get a electric motorcycle? At least with a electric motorcycle it's street legal and much more robust then the best heavy duty ebike.
You can also get a 48V 2000W Pure Sine Wave inverter for around $120 to connect to the Bafang Battery XT60 connector on the Banfang Battery conversion kit. The more expensive Samsung Cells will deliver 2000W (best to keep under 1000W load) so the 48V 17A (800 Whr) battery can be use for emergency Power Supply. A $50 48V MPPT charge controlled will also be able to solar charge the Bafang battery as well if using a XLR connector from 24V solar PV i.e. 200W of solar for $300. A portable Solar Generator as the Battery just doesn't need to only power the eBike electric motor. You could even power a refrigerator, microwave oven, hammer drill etc with this battery/inverter.
Spot on! We live in a place with one road in only.. if something happens to that road, we might need our bikes to go around the obstacle or our KTM adventure motorbike if there is enough road for it.
I have been thinking the same thing for quite a while, that a bike is necessary. I have a Raleigh crossover, but one of these electrics makes a lot of sense. Kind of funny that you are a dealer for Rambo bikes, because I had David Morrell (who wrote Rambo) as a professor at the University of Iowa in the early 80s, and he was talking in class about how he visited the set of the movie. Great guy, David Morrell -always had time to talk to you, and a Canadian, too -but you probably already knew that. Love your channel, btw...really down-to-earth advice. One exception would be, that low carb is the way to go for survival...good proteins and good fats...carbs are not necessary and play havoc with your system (which is why we have so many diabetics, pre-diabetics, and obese people in America...carbohydrates).
I used to like this channel, but more and more it’s clickbait or buy some ridiculous item “needed” for doomsday. An electric bike? Really???? This guy has become money hungry
Nice, definitely useful, but bloody expensive too. My mountainbike now is 18 years old, still working perfectly. A lot lighter too, which is nice if you have to cross some kind of obstacle. I've hauled mine on my back over a pass, I really don't see myself doing that with this thing. A regular bicycle will last a long time, especially if you have one of the older style dutch ones that were built to last and perform, not mad from mostly aluminum, but steel. A bit heavier than aluminum ones, but with a lot of carrying capacity. I carried almost 200 pounds through the Atlas mountains on my bicycle, so one can carry a lot of weight. Less maintenance. Just as silent. It does require one to build up stamina, but that is part of the plan anyway.
after having owned a Stromer bike for over 5 years, yes it is fun and powerfull but these electric bikes are very vulnerable to failures: anything goes wrong with the electronics and it is a very useless paperweight. Electronics, sensors, motor, I had them *all* replaced over the last years... and worst part: nothing you can fix yourself, you depend on replacement parts from the dealer. The bike works great, until it stops working. It throws an error code and it's game over. I am in the market for a new bike, probably with the pignon gearbox and a rubber belt instead of the metal chain. By the way, these bikes eat the sproket cassets like it's nothing....
Thankyou for your expert opinion. I trust someone with true hands on experience to know the products capabilities & limitations. For me the saying goes: It's the Turtle who always WINS the race! Plus the turtle has a very big club! 🤣😂
I luv my fat Tire ebike .I would recommend getting one aswell as the Burley flatbed trailer ,light weight ,portable as it can breaks down partly . Load 100 lb max load 😋
Yeah. I can buy a fifth hand bike for 20 euro. Why spend loads of money on this?? A battery scooter has a 20-25mph top speed on flat ground. 200 euro. Good idea, but a bike is a bike and nothing beats leg power. I've seen that this bike weighs 60 pounds, but my fifth hand one weighs 25. Wouldn't like to pedal that bad boy home, up a steep incline. Good idea, but stick to the preparedness. Not the business promotions. Then again, I hate bikes in general. Just get fit and walk everywhere. Respect. Keep safe.
Great video ! Well thought out and planned as usual ! Thanks for putting in the time to research these products you present in your videos. I personally think 🤔 that they fit the bill for people that are physically challenged or medically challenged (such as asthma) which prevents a long haul on a regular peddle bike 🚴. Or terrain challenged with steep hills. Thanks again !
Agree 100%. Rigging up a rail adapter, traveling by night, charging by day would be a great experiment. When fuel is too expensive, just getting the fuel on battery can be a great advantage. Nobody says you have to use the motor, metabolic health is the best prep there is.
I have a quietkat apx 155 watt bike top speed 45 miles ph .. used it on my Colorado elk hunt.. brought a back up battery. Both batteries lasted a month. Solar power works well. 65 to 70 miles per battery
Most people think of e-scooters as the cheap 300w rental ones you see in cities and don't know how far the high-end ones have come. Check out the Dualtron Ultra 2 offroad scooter. 6700w, 55+ mph, full suspention, dual motor, 70+ miles of range in eco mode on one charge, hydraulic brakes. Folds up and fits in a trunk. Only downsides, they are NOT cheap, and dont have as many mounting options as a bike for SHTF. If you want to see a crazy ebike check out the XION CyberX or the Sur-Ron X.
If you’re going to spend this much on bicycle, you should also have some spare parts and maintenance skills. Spare tires, tubes, shifter cables, brake parts, and the tools to install them will be a must.
@Jeffro Especially having the means to fix a bike without a shop nearby only with just the gear on your back. Extra spares/repair kits would be a great trade.
Yeah sure I think that was called being a kid before 2000...
@@acanadianineurope814 Agreed. I disassembled, cleaned, greased and reassembled my first coaster brake hub when I was 12 years old.
@@kiellinn6233 I’ve put that skill set in my wheel house. I still have the bicycle repair stand I got for a high school graduation present 35 years ago.
Maintenance cost of a bicycle and an e bike is pretty low compared to a vehicle, good luck trying to get a car computer to work or replace one during shtf unless you've accounted for all the parts that could fuck up after the fact and put them in a faraday cage. An ebike with a little bit of electrical knowledge is much simpler than a gas engine, and easier to repair
I’ve never driven a car in my life and probably never will. I can go very far on my bike. And I can pull massive amounts of weight with it. No need for a car.
You're a smart angry old man.
yes which rima to u have, mine get bend if u carry 40 kgs load
I'm a cyclist in my 70's, planning on getting a new Mountain bike for my 80th, should last till 100, ha. Not ready for an EBike, maybe one day when I start to slow down.
My dads the same, about to turn 70, has health issues though so not as capable as hed like but he spent his adult life doing multisport so very fit. Mum suggested an ebike since he cant bike as much as he use to, he refused and wont get one as long as he can still turn the pedals , i think that mindset will keep him going till hes a bagobones haha! I think shes gonna get one to join him, first time shell be able to keep up in 45 years haha :) happy riding
Ive built 10 e bikes and know that their reliable and very powerful tools to get in the backcountry from a to b.
The center motor eats chains that can cost a 120 euros.
The hubmotor setup has the motor weight (6-8kg) rear and has not as good manouvreability.
Batteries can last 5-10 years even in tough use.
I recomend a fullcover helmet like in motorcross, maybe the shields and armour too.
5to10 years yea right dude
Got one for $560.
Gently used...
I have only built 1 but it's a mid drive with a 3 speed internal gear hub no derailer
@@Matthias_Fischer I wouldn't want to have that if shtf u can't carry shit riding it
@@Matthias_Fischer I have a car
Outstanding video!
You are 100% On Target! I've got my e-fat bike setup for carrying 7 days of food, gear , shelter, comms. Also just recently figured out how to solar charge it off-grid and in the field. Absolutely stoked about this topic and happy you're covering it. 👍
Store in a metal box to protect electronics from attacks.
how does it perform in cold weather?
@@jabbawoods As he said, the battery does loose some of it's capacity in cold weather. But the fat tires would be good on snow.
@OH8STN Ham Radio - Looking forward to a video on that Julian! de HA5RV
To do what he's talking about, you need, 2, 3 or 4 extra CHARGED batteries. It takes min. of 4 hrs to get to 80%. And that's a smaller battery. You ain't getting fully charged with a 200 watt panel. You're gonna be sitting around all day, probably longer--assuming the sun is even out. C'mon, guys. Use your head.
It's a great prep to get you out of the big cities & the traffic jams onto the open road & your bug out location where you'd have all the stuff you'll really need to survive.
I also got a bycicle ( just a traditional one ) recently , in part because I want to go back in shape, and another because it's a means of transport not subject to fuel crisis, easily evades traffic and because I was my happiest and most independent in Japan when I had my bycicle
I understand your happiness about bicycles. My goal is to do my prep runs into town on my bike. 32 kms for groceries.
@@elizabethraworth64 I recommend a ebike at that distance or a comfy seat
@@frankmundo4300 I am thinking I need one if only to make faster the 6 km trip to my grandchildrens school for emergency pick ups. I will have to be able to haul 80 lbs and fishing gear as well.
I use mine all the time.
Good reasons all way around.
a bicycle is very underrated. a great intermediate between being on foot and a vehicle. they make travel a lot easier without needing fuel or high maintenance. also help with physical fitness which is perhaps the most underrated thing of all in the prepping community.
I have to agree.
These are expensive, to be sure, but if I can outrun my wife with one of these, then I'm in.
"I don't have to outrun the bear; I just have to outrun you."
Yes, when she reads your comment. 😱
LMFAO..... Glad I dont have one of those anymore.... nuff said. LOL
@@ES-mc3cc She's worse than the bear...trust me.
One less thing to worry about!....LOL
I'd love to have one of those Ebikes honestly. Let's you take breaks and still keep moving fast.
I have been prepping for 11 years with my Salsa Mukluk FatBike. I bike with manpower 100-120 miles a week year round avg 15-16 MPH. I know the trails and how long it takes me to get to certain areas here in MInnesota. I have been out in -20 degrees for up to 3 hours. I have perfected the art of Fat Biking over the past decade for a grid down scenario. So if I need to get somewhere quickly I have the ability to do it.
Well done.
The trail systems would be easier to maintain than roads in a grid down situation.
Unless you own a secret luxury basement bunker you're a target for cannibalistic marauder. If you own a secret luxury basement bunker you are just postponing the inevitable. Prepping is just glorified stupid boy scout games, it's fun but don't expect to survive when the SHTF.
@@PeterKnagge 4 years of food 20 acres secured, Ninja Skills, Plenty of armor and bang bang juice. Not worried one bit.
@@Craigslist420 Cannibalistic marauders will hunting everything regular hunters hunt except they have one more item on the menu, other hunters.
There's roughy 8 billion people on the planet, that's a lot of food. SHTF will be a criminal's fantasy, where they get to use all their prison skills without any repercussions.
I'd say unless you're in a back country environment like what is shown here consider a regular bike and an e-scooter. E-scooters are way cheaper, have similar speed/range and can easily be folded up for storage. I keep one in the trunk of my vehicle. The safe storage temperature for my particular scooter is 120F. I keep a Bluetooth thermometer in my trunk and it rarely reads that high in the summer. Plus having experienced past knee injuries that severely limited my flexion I'd prefer the scooter.
Don't forget there is a bottom end on the temperature for the battery too. You don't want to freeze the battery.
@@jabbawoods gotcha. You're absolutely right. I'm lucky in that my climate would never reach those lower temps. I have to watch the temp more carefully in the summer months, but usually if I'm in the shade it is almost never a problem
@@cardiogirl798 varies. If you're looking at the ones that cost less than $1K then generally 200 to 225lbs. Most all of them that are more than $1K are in the 300lbs range. Keep in mind that a rider that's over a weight limit would likely still be able to ride but speed/range will be significantly affected. You'll be able to find TH-cam reviews from riders of varying weight classes that can attest to a particular model
@@cardiogirl798 gotcha. well depending on your budget you may be able to mount a seat or handle bar basket on some of the more premium scooters. Nothing beats a bike for carrying a payload (small pets), but the one thing with a scooter is that it can fold up and would be easier to load into a car. I do like the swappable battery feature of some of the e bikes but the price range on those are often in excess of $3K
I will stick with my horses and pack mules to get out and up high, where my(our) hideout is for long term off grid living. A bike would not get us up there. We can also move our livestock up high as well with the horses and pack mules. The livestock which if needed will be a food source in addition to our hunting and trapping.
So what happens in the shtf if marauder types come for all your livestock and your camp? Defend to the end or get out silently with your Ebike? 🤔
@@MichaelScarchilli-M4Marketing If you have ever read history books, you would know that mountains aren't preferable for sieges. Unless they have an RPG
Electric bicycles can be geared to be incredibly efficient. Only using the motor to maintain higher speeds.
Love my 2018 $1400 Rad Rover e-bike. Now they're $15-1600. I got it specifically as a bug out or neighborhood patrol bike, but it has turned into something I ride regularly just for fun.
I do the same with my 2015 front-hub e-bike. All we need for long-term emergency is some extra electronic parts, the control box especially.
Love mine! And they still work just fine without the battery power. But they’re great for going up steep hills or riding against the wind.
Major advantage in lower 48 is we have a massive rails to trails system that can be traveled without being seen on common roads.
Wouldn't it be better if you just made your own from scratch? I have plans to buy a frame, then attach not only a battery turning it into an ebike, but you can also attach a motor kit, turning it into a hybrid. Giving you three modes of power, man power, electric power, and gas power. In the event that you run out of ejuice, kickstart the motor. When you run out of both, at least you can still pedal. Not to mention building one yourself with a conversion kit featuring all of the above will still cost considerably less.
That is what I am thinking. I need a super heavy duty one. Probably a cargo trike.
Wow, can you actually have three ways of moving the bike? Does it need 3 tires?
Nice Idea you should make a vid about it. I’d watch it.
iReturns: I agree building a custom version is a great idea for the mechanically inclined at must less cost. Powered by solar, gas and human.
Really heavy
Simply having a frame with wheels (bicycle) allows you to mount all your gear on and no weight on you. Really helps in hot climates, back packs reduce cooling.
Burley has some great trailers.
As I now work 3mi from home I've recently dropped us to a 1 car family and I've got a decent quality ebike. I'm in the UK with frequent grim weather and I'm still loving it 4 months in!
I need to sort some solar as I never thought of it as a prep.
This is why I come here. For exactly this. One thing I'd want on a bike is the ability to carry items as I travel. In front and in back
I like bikes, but preffer the mechanical ones. I got a used 21-gear trekking bike from my father which he used in the 90ties for long bike tripps in Alsace-Lorraine. So it is about 25 years old. I changed the cain and brakes twice and the tires from time to time. I also bought a bike trailer for it, which could carry 100 Liter space or up to 80 kg. It also has a steel lid. I use this bike daily and it keeps me fit almost for free.
Something that may be of interest is the usage of a dynamo hub. These are able to generate electricity while you are pedaling. They are mainly used for on-demand lighting for cyclists at night. As far as my understanding, this could be used to charge other devices or batteries while you are on-the-go, but it could require a rectifier if you are charging DC devices. Though, the major downside is that their generation is extremely low. I think the max is 3 watts.
I have 2 of them I will install, one for each back tire of my trike.
Not very efficiently. You may get slightly more range, but it would be insignificant. The power would only be generated going down hill and coasting. Much like a non plug in hybrid car.
@@stuarthirsch That's pretty much what I thought and is the reason why cyclists tend to only use them for their lights at night, and if they are lucky, to charge their phone on-the-go.
those hubs have been around for decades, yet they are useless for any meaningful generation.
What I like about my ebike is it will easily carry my backpack and has saddle bags for extra cargo. Good times without too much effort.
Yep.
Which saddlebags work best with an e-bike?
@@swervedriver5260 Mine came with an option to buy them. You may need a front or rear rack to drape them over the rack and then tying them to the lower struts. Mine is a cheap set but I'm sure there are quality sets in bike shops, ebike shops or motorcycle accessorie shops.
The things you will do to make great content... 👓 Hats off to you, bud!
During the early phases of the Vietnam War, most the supplies moving down the Ho Chi Minh Trail was by bicycles (up to 500lbs per load), with the seat removed from its post and an extension rod stuck into the end of a handlebar. The loads were draped over the straddle bar and tied on. The human walked along steadying the load with one hand and steering with other. The bike could be laid down quickly in the event of a surprise (ambush or bombing raid), with the “cyclist” returning fire or taking cover as needed. In an apocalyptic scenario, the “cyclist” would retain the seat and extract the steering rod for normal cycling after the load was off. What humans have done humans can do.
"Shizzy hits the Fizzy" sounds like a delicious drink! making my mouth water and thirsty!
Would it be vodka or tequila ?
Vodka
@@frankmundo4300 I need more vodka in my preps.
If ya drove a Cummins powered ferd, the hardest part of the apocalypse is trying to get all the electronic bikes un-jammed front the front bumper.... Hahaha
Get one with a Heated Tail-gate, for winter time pushing....maybe something Bright RED, to stand out better, broke down along the road.
Safety First.
Good to see you here man.
Unless your windshield's bulletproof, I don't see that working out to terribly well in your favor my man.
Oh snap....ebike on Canadian Prepper! Welcome to the club bro
@@tomjjackson21 ill check it out if it's at any of the shows out west.
I remember you and me had a conversation about this😁
Thanks!
I wouldn't put Bafang motors at the top of the range, I think that honour goes to Bosch. Mid drive motors are definitely the way to go especially for hilly terrain and off road.
I've got some old Ray Bans just like your cameraman's in a drawer. I bought them back when the lens were made of glass, they were cheap and they were owned by Bausch and Lomb.
If you pull a lightweight trailer you can put a solar panel on the trailer and charge a second battery while you are traveling. Then swap out the batteries.That could significantly extend your range. Terrain willing.
The sad thing for me is that most of this awesome stuff reviewed and said “you need this!” Or whatever can cost more than a used car. I just wonder how long until you’re actually saving money with these types of purchases.
Thing is, this isn't about saving money, it's about USING money to save LIVES when money is useless.
I agree. The way I prep: If I will use it regularly when nothing bad is going on, I buy it. So we bought solar. But I wouldn't buy an expensive e-bike on the whim that I may perhaps someday use it to bug out. I'll figure out what to do if it gets that bad.
@@miketheskepticalone6285 that is, if you have money to blow though.
About the same amount of time as the 4WD, that is until you meet the first cannibalistic marauder's IED!
Unless you own a secret luxury basement bunker you're a target for cannibalistic marauder. If you own a secret luxury basement bunker you are just postponing the inevitable. Prepping is just glorified stupid boy scout games, it's fun but don't expect to survive when the SHTF.
I have an ebike and escooter I absolutely love them both and trust me when I say you can fix it with garbage if you know what to look for
Just a note : I used a Bike for about 10 years, sometimes on the ice. A trick I used to have for the battery is that I used to put a small jacket on top of it, but I already used to have my battery inside a small backpack as well. Keeping it warm helps a lot. I used to have tires with some spikes too which I would put on when it was icy.
We use to tape hand warmers to them to keep the battery warm. It helped but sadly in the winter you loose range.
OK Nate, you convinced us before, but the wife bought 2 ebikes for a Christmas present for us.
Not the full bore off road specials, still off road style with middle range tires as well.
The wife went for the 'we can get to the next village without using the car', and 'some exercise',
and yes I think pairing an ebike with a drone gives you several kilometres rekky capability if the
shizzyfizzybaby.
So, done not cheap, but I think will be worth it.
See, some people are listening to you, so keep going, thumbs UP.
I wish ebikes would have a technology to turn our pedaling into stored energy
exacly and not to carry stupid panels on my back
Most already do, it's a feature called regenerative breaking so you store a little juice when breaking or going down hills. As the other commenter mentioned, you won't go very far pedaling with it on as the drag will wear you out quickly.
Dynamo hubs. Though they don't generate much.
Best thing... you can hook up a bicycle trailer and increase your carry capacity... ultimate bugout bag!!
Of course there's having all the right tools to do running repairs on the go.
A pump, puncture kits spanners.
Survival outdoors with a bike got its own set of rules and criteria, bet Canny cud do 10 shows just on bikes.
Knowing how to charge one on the go is essential knowledge.
Nice bike but I've had mine for 5 years now, it's a Pedego Stretch the cargo bike that is made by Pedego. It carries up to 450 lb I still do 20 mph and has gone as far as 35 miles. The new Stretch are now two-wheel drive with a 52 volt and 17 1/2 amp which boost your speed and power to climb hills. I recently upgraded my batteries to that one, so now I can put one battery away in a Faraday box. It is a very tough built bike and weighs 75 lb. Yep it's expensive but check it out I think some of you would be happy to see that.
Awesome video, 10K price tag 🏷 is outside my budget but would be fun to have. Post grid down - mobility without the noise has huge appeal! Great video CP!
2k wow, and here i imagined like 1k maybe 2k
10k? I have a Lectricbike (ebike) and I love it. Think I paid $600.
I also have a nice steel e-bike [forget expensive aluminum] that I go everywhere with- $780. total. This old guy can now handle hills, headwinds, off-road, etc with no strain
If you shopping for a ebike then try to get one that has hybrid option of pedal-assist and full throttle. Also there are ebikes that have water-resistant designs that store the batteries in the frame or in a rigid container. I got a folding ebike so that helps in saving space. And personally I like 20" fat tires more, they are easier to repair and do not require as much pedaling to get moving. Lastly to protect my tires I inserted cut out old bike inner tubes around the rim to prevent interior puncture from rim and I also installed floor mat cut outs to protect tire inner tube fron external puncture... I have no flats for 6 months now.
I use a rokon 2x2 motorcycle perfect for bugging out with and has lots of options
Ok you asked: there are no fenders. If in rain and/or mud you will be soaked and muddy and anything you are wearing! Plus a lot of water will find it’s way into the motor area? Then if cloudy weather for a stretch hard to fully charge battery. Anyway to plug in to charge? Not being a sick but to me This is pretty expensive and for rich people! lol:) I would buy a small off road vehicle myself for that price. But did put some questions in. But we watch you and you are great and have great ideas and equipment. We enjoy your show. We are ready as we can get with our means! Thanks!
*sigh* fenders are now 'optional equipment'. You can still ride bike without electric help.
Good info… know that once the power drops off the e-bike becomes a “boat anchor” compared to any good quality mtb. I have both a $2,800 Boar E-bike ( 62 lbs) and a $5,200 carbon Trek (17 lbs) and the Trek would be my emergency bike the Boar would be for my wife until it ran out of juice then we’d switch up and keep on going.
I’d always carry 2 extra batteries. Or double your expected distance of travel
@@addiroids However that also means you have 2 batteries to recharge.
@@stuarthirsch And more weight to carry.
@@Tezos_Baker or just get an ebike that doesn't have crap range
My younger neighbor bought two of these. They get about 30 miles per charge??? With a small trailer or child carrier they go to the grocery store, etc. I think they are super cool...
I really like my simple mountain bike with chopper handle bars a good seat and cargo back part...but would love a cheaper or expensive electric easy attachment
Fenders would add slight weight but keep you dry. Front and rear carrier racks are really worth their weight. They allow you to carry wood or a deer or a partner. Don’t forget you can carry weight on your bike and still walk it using low throttle.
The first thing I get for my bikes is fenders or mud guards. 👍
The immediate issue is theft. I have an Etrike that has a large lock and heavy chain. Chains can be cut and locks can be picked. I do not leave it exposed for longer than a few minutes.
this is the very reason i have not bought one yet. i would be to worried about theft that i would not use it. go in the store for 5 min come out and................gone!!! there needs to be more conversation about how to minimize this glaring issue that no one will talk about
@@arnoldreiter435 You can add trackers to a bike till they find it and toss it or break it. Another issue is the range of the tracker. You have to use it as quickly as possible for it to be any good.
I am a Rambo e-bike dealer and I can tell you these bikes are an incredible asset. I am also a prepper.
I can only imagine relying on the bike and then having a tire go out/battery fail. That it essentially turns into either useless or a really heavy regular bike.
Having spare parts and a little planning can go a long way. Spare tubes (6 or more) perhaps a few brake pads. Perhaps cable linkage. The backup battery he spoke of, plus one more to store away. An extra charger/ wiring and even a charging setup similar to what he showed as backup.
That is a lot. But buy-in parts and save it up over a few years. Keep plugging away. Plan it out. Think up solutions not just problems.
Bike tyres don't usually "go out" but they do wear out over time. Tubes can get holes but are easy to patch and cheap to replace, 10-15 minutes is all it takes to replace a tube for me. I only use thorn resistant tyres now so very rarely get punctures. Battery systems on ebikes are simple and easy to diagnose, basically just a modified battery powered drill. A basic multimeter will trace any problems down but I have never had an issue.
Other parts you absolutely need are chains and spare cassettes. Mid drive motors put a lot more stress on the drivetrain. If you're not careful, you can end up with really short chain and cog lifespan. As chains wear, the distances between the pins slowly lengthen. If you don't change it soon enough, it'll cause premature wear on your cassette too. Another factor to consider is that the 9 -12 speed drivetrains use narrower, more expensive and fragile chains than bikes that use 7-8 speed drivetrains. A replacement 8 speed chain can be as cheap as $12, whereas the higher spec versions can sometimes be triple or quadruple that price.
Hydraulic brakes are generally very reliable, but you'll still want to get the supplies and learn how to do a brake bleed. Mechanical disk brakes are a lot simpler, and bombproof, but you need to make regular adjustments to them to keep them performing well.
Your advice is on point again CP! The Province of BC just issued a 30L fuel restriction on residents in the southwest for non-essential vehicles. A result of the floods and other ...
I retrofitted my 25 year old bike with a Bafang Mid Drive. Beyond zipping around for short trips without the need for a car, I full well agree with CP on the value of stealth the eBike provides. The pedal-assist is great for folks with older knees and it is light weight enough to put in a truck for outings from your primary encampment.
Highly recommended whether you choose high-end, low-end, or diy.
Great Topic CP!!!!
Planning on running around after SHTF in an old-school diesel that can burn just about any oil.
Oil will run out very fast
@@CanadianPrepper For some.
Marauders will look at you and the dinner bell will start ringing in their heads
5:02 i heard that foldable solar panels dont last that long. is this more long lasting than normal foldable solar panel?
I love your new self aware, humorous turn.
The question about powering the e-bike honestly should be a no brainer especially if the prepper has been working towards independence from the grid in the first place. What if the grid failed?what impact would it have on a person if there were already measures taken to be totally off the grid in the first place. I think there's a mindset and I'm guilty of it too, that there is some degree of that dependence we have on the grid we work so hard to be separated from. As you've said, these bikes can be powered by the user or solar. Very beneficial if the battery fails or you break a panel. If your worried about carrying extra gear, you work to become physically stronger. If one truly wants to be prepared one has to prepare the mind, not just have all the fancy gear and weapons. All the prep and the fancy gear won't mean shizzy if you're not mentally and physically prepared. When I hear a question like this I have to ask, "Well how ready are you really?" Mindset. Practice. Training. It was one of the peeves I had about "The Walking Dead". They were reliant on cars. Camped like newbies. That farm? How was it powered? The biker was the only believable survivor and maybe the Asian kid. The rest should have been zombie fodder in the beginning. 😆
Very happy with my Rad mini from Rad power bikes. Very similar to your Rambo but it folds in half. Works great on dirt roads or around town. Knobby 4 inch tires. I love my Rad mini. Best thing I ever bought for local errands. Pull right up to the front door. Love it. Very stealthy too.
They are expensive and DON'T recharge from pedaling. If they did, I would be all over it.
Buy in few years. That's what I will do. Now they are expensive...just like 1st iPhone. More producers will be into it.
They should charge by pedaling, sucks they don't
The best setup is extra batteries with a pull behind car that has solar charging system. Charge on the go or supply direct power.
Bikes are the ultimate vehicle. No harm to the planet.
what planet and what harm? stop trusting everything they tell you.
Absolutely! Have two ET Cycle with up to 150km per charge.. running them on our solar system from our off grid 🚌 .. perfect solution 👌🏿
Great video, but I'm going have to disagree with you on the "fat tires are better for snow" concept. Depending on the amount of snow. I've ridden bikes in the city during the snow and it's not easy. Just like with a car, having thinner tires are going to slice through the snow and get you down to the ground. Bigger tires are going to want to float in the top and make it harder to ride. Again, all depends on the depth of snow and where you're riding but take a look at the difference between winter rally cars and off road trucks. Completely different application and completely different tires.
I used to ride with some semi-pros in the winter. I have to agree, a good mtn bike tire is about as fat as you wanna be....
Ebikes are still a very new concept in South Africa. So still very pricey however I feel that this would be a great asset in the modern world. Feul in SA is at an all time high and chaos is just around the corner; so this is a great time to get one of these.
Better off on foot . Moving to fast keeps your eyes off your surroundings. Makes you a good target .
Sgt of Marines
Semper Fi
There aren't any Zombies yet thank God! I'd have to agree with you though, I'd rather be incognito than speeding through uncharted territory. I would value this prep as a means to escape huge hordes of banked up traffic to get to my bug out & real transportation though!
I have two brand new mountain bikes in the shed for just in case reasons. All the stuff to keep em moving too. Mine are old school pedal yourself.
I would argue preserving technology would be critical in restarting a new society. Look how Myanmar society basically collapsed again this year and how it did not affect you or your family. Collapses will happen but humanity will go on, and unless you decided to give up, theres always the potential for a better tomorrow.
Prepping should not be about resigning yourself to the end of humanity. It should be about surviving emergencies so that you can eventually move on and start rebuild again
And fixing an ebike electronics would be simple you just need a throttle and a switch, and you can make a switch from aluminum, and make a redstone esque resistor with graphite and a piece of paper
⚠ I bought the Blix VIKA+ folding electric bycicle that has a maxim distance of 40 miles on a flat road with using only the electric battery motor. Top speed is 20 mph.
Weight of the Blix Vika+ bike is only 35 pounds and cost $1,600 dollars.
I hate forgetting my ‘go to’ shades. Cant be prepared for everything
Otherwise it would have been a 15 minute Gilbert Godfreid impression
One of the greatest benefits of electric vehicles is that they need much lesser maintenance than fuel powered. Some may argue that electronics are not easy to repair if they brake down but this does not make it better for fuel powered vehicles. Even the fuel powered today are filled to the rim the electronics.
The big mistake bike users make, that causes the chain to come off its spokes, is trying to shift through a lot of gears at once. Changing gears should be done one gear up/down at a time, letting the chain seat the teeth before attempting another change in its position.
Fuel costs are going to go WAY UP, so having a bike is paramount for mobility. The three wheelers are probably going to be the best option for most people during the transitional phase, prior to any Shizzy events. If you reside in a hilly area, then an E-Bike will be a must, to avoid having to push your bike uphill.
No bike in my estimation, is going to be useful, without baskets, where you can haul small amounts of daily needs or gear, you shouldn't have on you back. A gun / bow rack across the handlebars is a must for those going into the wilderness.
Know this, that what is coming is big trouble and your greatest challenges will be in the form of badge wearing officials who are not arriving for you, but for their higher needs or agenda.
If you decide to go into the wilderness, then understand that you are subjecting yourself to the most hazardous lifestyle imaginable, with zero tolerance for failure.
I have a full throttle ebike with massive power, a pedal trike geared for pulling {albeit very slowly cuz I'm old}, and a bicycle - all with the same trailer hitch . . . as well as two trailers and a wheel mounted 2k generator with a battery charger and an air pump. I have a solar charger and extra batteries. The ebike and trike both take the same wheel/tires, and all are trail worthy. The bicycle is great for short quick trips, easily packs on top of a trailer, and can pull a trailer itself in a pinch. I've tested multiple configurations and can pack enough for a weekend or for a life on the road {at least a couple years} for me and the pup. The worst part of this setup is visibility on the road or trail. It's a rather long train. I can always break it up though, and move it piecemeal.
And that's it. It's a pity you can't see your miracle) unless ...;)
Limited usefulness. If you are bugging in, then you are not going to be going anywhere for a long time. It will be too dangerous to travel for at least 90 days and probably the first year. If you are bugging out to your location, it is likely you will need more carrying capacity than a bike can provide. You are also a much easier target as you move through populated areas. Remember bikes need some kind of trail or pathway. Natural obstacles, walls, fences etc will stop you in your tracks and force you to adjust your path. Even if you do your best to stay away from roads and structures, this will likely not be entirely possible. This is a toy that "might" be useful. Not in the top 1000 things your should have for SHTF.
That's why I'd stick with a basic 80s bike. Much lighter than an eBike so can be shouldered or pushed over obstacles, and cheap enough that if you needed to discard it for any reason you're not going to cry at the cost.
Ideally I'd have thought anyone bugging out on a bike should do so with caches of supplies already buried in suitable locations.
Riding bikes for over a thousand miles at a time, I can say that both the electric and the gas powered bicycles have been a tempting consideration. With learning what to carry to have a fully self supported tour, I've suffered through being overpacked to eventually know more about how to carry less while still keeping needs met. Even with the electric grid still intact, ebikes are almost, but not quite right for me, because of the time it takes to charge and the likelihood of beaking down without easily sourced parts in most areas. It all may change with technologies advancing, but for now, a simple inexpensive bike with easily sourced parts gets me oftentimes over 100 miles per day. The one key difference of course is the caloric intake vs electric energy. It's said that every ten pounds of cargo slows you down about 1 mph. What I'm getting at is there are balancing acts happening between too much weight or bulk(with wind resistance) causing breakdowns and needing to have enough food water and equipment to be fully self sustained. Unless you want to hunker down every time the weather changes, you want to have equipment that holds up to mud and rain and snow. A simple bike can be more easily maintained. I hope to see the day an affordable electric bike can surpass a regular bike in these factors. Its close but seems not quite there.
The part with the USSR anthem literally made me crack up, given i like such anthem
I put a 50 CC gas Engine on a Bikecycle last year, 120 miles per gallon at 40 Miles per hour. To fast for me. This winter I'm putting an Electric Motor on another bike. I'll be throwing a Solar Renenerator into my Bikecycle Trailer and testing it out Camping next year. They are so quiet, and my Triathlon days are 55 years behind me. Adding a motor to my Bikecycle has given me many more years of riding. I might Swap out the 80 CC gas motor with a 30 CC because I have no need to go 45 miles per hour. My reflexes are not as good as they used to be. I estimate my Electric Bike Conversion Project will run about $500 with me doing the labor. I like the flexible solar panels CP demonstrated. Perfect for my Bike Trailer with some solid state Storage. TY CP.
How about electric motorcycles? If you're "willing" to pay up to 15K for a ebike, why not reach into the 20K region and get a electric motorcycle? At least with a electric motorcycle it's street legal and much more robust then the best heavy duty ebike.
Why would you pay $15K for an ebike when you can build one for less than $1K?
You can buy them for less than 1000 . My wife and I picked a pair of them for less than 1500
@@mynameisnobody5462 I've built 3 for 1k, including my 52v 750w mid mount Bafang.
@@ebikeengineer ya I didn't know how much they were because I didn't look before and was surprised that the were kind of affordable.
You can also get a 48V 2000W Pure Sine Wave inverter for around $120 to connect to the Bafang Battery XT60 connector on the Banfang Battery conversion kit. The more expensive Samsung Cells will deliver 2000W (best to keep under 1000W load) so the 48V 17A (800 Whr) battery can be use for emergency Power Supply. A $50 48V MPPT charge controlled will also be able to solar charge the Bafang battery as well if using a XLR connector from 24V solar PV i.e. 200W of solar for $300. A portable Solar Generator as the Battery just doesn't need to only power the eBike electric motor. You could even power a refrigerator, microwave oven, hammer drill etc with this battery/inverter.
Spot on! We live in a place with one road in only.. if something happens to that road, we might need our bikes to go around the obstacle or our KTM adventure motorbike if there is enough road for it.
I have been thinking the same thing for quite a while, that a bike is necessary. I have a Raleigh crossover, but one of these electrics makes a lot of sense. Kind of funny that you are a dealer for Rambo bikes, because I had David Morrell (who wrote Rambo) as a professor at the University of Iowa in the early 80s, and he was talking in class about how he visited the set of the movie. Great guy, David Morrell -always had time to talk to you, and a Canadian, too -but you probably already knew that. Love your channel, btw...really down-to-earth advice. One exception would be, that low carb is the way to go for survival...good proteins and good fats...carbs are not necessary and play havoc with your system (which is why we have so many diabetics, pre-diabetics, and obese people in America...carbohydrates).
Disgraceful sunglasses
I've riden a ebike before, absolutely loved it, the one I was one had a top speed of about 24mph, and had about a 45 minute drive time.
I used to like this channel, but more and more it’s clickbait or buy some ridiculous item “needed” for doomsday. An electric bike? Really???? This guy has become money hungry
Nice, definitely useful, but bloody expensive too. My mountainbike now is 18 years old, still working perfectly. A lot lighter too, which is nice if you have to cross some kind of obstacle. I've hauled mine on my back over a pass, I really don't see myself doing that with this thing.
A regular bicycle will last a long time, especially if you have one of the older style dutch ones that were built to last and perform, not mad from mostly aluminum, but steel. A bit heavier than aluminum ones, but with a lot of carrying capacity. I carried almost 200 pounds through the Atlas mountains on my bicycle, so one can carry a lot of weight. Less maintenance. Just as silent. It does require one to build up stamina, but that is part of the plan anyway.
Better no e bike … better normal MTB … e Bike is tooooo heavy if battery is crashed … but I have a normal MTB with a trailer .., perfect 🔥🔥🔥✌️😂✌️🔥🔥🔥
SO when are you posting the follow-up video to this one ???????
after having owned a Stromer bike for over 5 years, yes it is fun and powerfull but these electric bikes are very vulnerable to failures: anything goes wrong with the electronics and it is a very useless paperweight. Electronics, sensors, motor, I had them *all* replaced over the last years... and worst part: nothing you can fix yourself, you depend on replacement parts from the dealer. The bike works great, until it stops working. It throws an error code and it's game over. I am in the market for a new bike, probably with the pignon gearbox and a rubber belt instead of the metal chain. By the way, these bikes eat the sproket cassets like it's nothing....
Thankyou for your expert opinion. I trust someone with true hands on experience to know the products capabilities & limitations. For me the saying goes: It's the Turtle who always WINS the race! Plus the turtle has a very big club! 🤣😂
I luv my fat Tire ebike .I would recommend getting one aswell as the Burley flatbed trailer ,light weight ,portable as it can breaks down partly .
Load 100 lb max load 😋
Yeah. I can buy a fifth hand bike for 20 euro. Why spend loads of money on this?? A battery scooter has a 20-25mph top speed on flat ground. 200 euro. Good idea, but a bike is a bike and nothing beats leg power. I've seen that this bike weighs 60 pounds, but my fifth hand one weighs 25. Wouldn't like to pedal that bad boy home, up a steep incline. Good idea, but stick to the preparedness. Not the business promotions. Then again, I hate bikes in general. Just get fit and walk everywhere. Respect. Keep safe.
If your in a cold climate you can always change out the tires and stud them for ice and snow conditions
Carry a spare chain. I like hub driven motors. If your chain breaks you can use electric power, if your motor breaks you can still pedal.
One of the best Pros I can think about this bike is that it gets people into fitness
Yes, without the sweat and exhaustion. You feel that you've exercised, but haven't "overdone".
Great video ! Well thought out and planned as usual ! Thanks for putting in the time to research these products you present in your videos. I personally think 🤔 that they fit the bill for people that are physically challenged or medically challenged (such as asthma) which prevents a long haul on a regular peddle bike 🚴. Or terrain challenged with steep hills. Thanks again !
I have an e bike and love it. Mine cost about $2500. It is a quiet Kat and you can buy a solar panel that will hook into the battery.
Agree 100%. Rigging up a rail adapter, traveling by night, charging by day would be a great experiment. When fuel is too expensive, just getting the fuel on battery can be a great advantage. Nobody says you have to use the motor, metabolic health is the best prep there is.
Can you do a EDC or load out with full gear shelter,clothing,food,first aid etc. Packed on the ebike in a SHTF scenario.
I have a quietkat apx 155 watt bike top speed 45 miles ph .. used it on my Colorado elk hunt.. brought a back up battery. Both batteries lasted a month. Solar power works well. 65 to 70 miles per battery
Most people think of e-scooters as the cheap 300w rental ones you see in cities and don't know how far the high-end ones have come. Check out the Dualtron Ultra 2 offroad scooter. 6700w, 55+ mph, full suspention, dual motor, 70+ miles of range in eco mode on one charge, hydraulic brakes. Folds up and fits in a trunk. Only downsides, they are NOT cheap, and dont have as many mounting options as a bike for SHTF. If you want to see a crazy ebike check out the XION CyberX or the Sur-Ron X.
Put a trailer w a jackery and the panel in the back w a couple dozen water filters and live forever.
Good lights are essential for all bikes.