Category: Electric Bicycle
Rio Tinto Stadium Ride — Go Real Salt Lake!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zm9yMBT5eTw
I take a ride around the Real Salt Lake stadium, home of RSL in the American MLS. I’m riding one of my favorites, my Juiced Bikes Scorpion. I got lucky and caught the empty stadium on a sunny day! After that, I head down to the freeway to give you the full experience. This is some legit urban riding, mixed together with a slow ride around a peaceful, empty stadium. Fun to take my ebike out for a ride on a sunny day.
I’m lucky I have balance and can walk, so I can still enjoy devices like this. It’s a big step down from the motorcycles I rode for 50 years. But in other ways, it’s not a step down. I can’t go as fast or as far, but it’s still exciting, and now I have full access to my immediate world. I can ride on roads, trails, dirt, sidewalks and even around the stadium. I can go farther and faster than my mobility scooters.
People like to tease me when I’m riding my ebike with my wife while she rides a pedal bike. They say I’m “cheating.” I think there are a fair number of people who view ebikes as cheating, but I don’t. I feel more of FINALLY. I started with a lead-acid battery ebike. Lithium batteries have opened the door to capabilities that I’ve wanted, but couldn’t get previously.
That being said, the battery ran out before the end of my ride. Pedaling that 100 lb. bike was not cheating. Go RSL!!
#juicedbikes #rsl #scootercowboy
https://www.juicedbikes.com/ https://www.rsl.com/
00:00 Introduction 00:12 Today’s Ride – Real Salt Lake 00:42 Ride Starts 01:16 Arrive at Stadium – East Side 01:45 Courtyard 02:45 Leaving Courtyard 03:28 Front Office – West Side 04:10 Team/Equipment Entrance 04:37 South Entrance 04:59 South Exit 05:34 Looking West From State St. 06:02 Main Entrance 06:42 Heading for the Freeway
Traveling With A Mobility Scooter — Hawaii on Wheels!
Have you ever wondered about traveling with a mobility scooter? I did, until I took my scooter to Hawaii. In this video I talk about my experience traveling with a lithium-battery folding Glion SnapnGo. How did I do it? I show you. Also, I rented an ebike and rode along the coast. If you have limited mobility, this video might help with understanding the opportunities you might have. Come along with me to Hawaii! Traveling with a mobility scooter.
The video is quick because I was on a family vacation and I wanted to stay focused on the family and the vacation. But I did grab some shots and video and I put this video together because I think the information is important. You can read all about traveling with scooters on the scotly oter’s promotional pages, they have pictures of perfectly groomed people smiling brightly as they zoom along on their adventure. But that’s marketing, what is it really like?
I was nervous about how things would work with the lithium-powered scooter. I had ridden my kickscooter through lots of airports, but never a mobility scooter. I found all the documentation I could beforehand and printed out my scooter’s manufacture documentation in preparation. But they never checked anything about the battery. I did have to remove it and take it as a carry-on. But they also let me leave it on the scooter other times. I would just say be ready.
I also talk about renting an ebike for a ride along the coastline. That was really nice and really fun. It was $50 for 2 hours and they had the bike set up with a comfort seat and a basket. That was my first time renting an ebike, I would do it again.
In the end, the trip went well and I found it was easier to travel with my mobility scooter than I expected. I think a big part of the reason it went well is I had the right scooter in the Glion SnapnGo. There are options for traveling with a mobility scooter, but if you want to travel by air you will have to meet their requirements, and not every scooter can do that.
Thanks to everyone on my trip who treated me kindly, and there were many. Aloha.
#scootercowboy #mobilityscooter #glion
FAA Regulations: https://www.faa.gov/hazmat/packsafe/wheelchairs-mobility-devices Glion SnapnGo: https://getglion.com/product/new-snapngo/ Southwest Airlines: https://www.southwest.com/ Hawaii: https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/best-places-to-visit-in-hawaii 00:00 Introduction 00:40 Checklist 01:12 Ebike Coastline Ride Footage 01:43 Airline Check-In and Procedures 02:21 On the Ground 02:43 Ebike Rental 03:20 Flying With Lithium
Jetson Bolt Pro — Ride, Review & Crash
Today I take my Jetson Bolt Pro for a ride and give you a review. The crash happens at 6:17. If you want the full ironic setup start at 5:40.Wear a helmet is the lesson! This is a 14″ 350w bike, lots of fun to ride. I GPS test the speed. Great around a campground and my grandkids love to ride it. The handle bars fold down and the seat is removable so it’s easy to put into a vehicle. But there are a couple of things you need to be careful with. Like wheelies! Other than that, love this bike! Jetson Bolt Pro: https://ridejetson.com/products/bolt-… Bell Sanction Helmet: http://tinyurl.com/32trrn97
The crash was surprising to me. I’ve ridden this bike for a couple of years and haven’t had any problems like that. Luckily, and I mean luckily, I had my helmet on. I landed flat on my back and my head hit the pavement. I didn’t break the helmet or anything like that, but it would have been a completely different story if I hadn’t been wearing my helmet. I ride often and many times I don’t wear a helmet. I do try to wear a helmet if I’m riding on the street. I wear it when I’m riding off-road. But when I’m out riding recreationally or just out for a quick rip, many times I don’t wear a helmet. This has gotten me thinking about it more.
I really like this bike. My entire family, every age, likes to ride this bike. LOTS of people like this bike. Communities have sprung up around this bike and modifying this bike. I want to get one of these taillights from a company that sells Jetson Bolt accessories, fafomodz.com.
While this bike is great for having fun, I wouldn’t want to ride it very far. It’s a micro bike, and it’s fun to a point. If I was riding any distance at all or wanted speed I would jump on one of my regular sized bikes. But if I want some mobility and I don’t want to ride a scooter, this is a great choice.
Summer Mountain Trail Ride – 20″ Fat Tire Folding Bike
#scootercowboy #ebikes #vitilan
I live in the American West and it gives me a variety of places to ride. This ride video is in the summer, riding a mountain trail. I love the views, the blue skies and the wildflowers. I had audio issues, so this has a soundtrack, you can turn it down if you like. I’m riding a 48v 16ah 750W Vitilan i7 Pro. Multiple companies sell this frame, so if you are looking at buying this type of ebike, be sure to check the specifications. These bikes can look the same and perform quite differently.
This is a folding 20″ fat tire bike. It is easy to put in the back of my vehicle and take it places. This bike weighs 80 lbs, 20 lbs less than my non-folding 20″ fat tire bike. The suspension is great, especially if you upgrade the rear shock. The seat height is adjustable so it can be set up for a variety of people to ride. I switched out the thumb throttle for a half-twist and the response has smoothed out and made it better to ride. There’s a lot to like about this bike. It’s great for a ride like this.
Vitilan recently update this bike to version 2.0 and it now comes with either a 16 ah or 20ah battery. https://www.vitilanebike.com/products/i7-pro-folding-full-suspension-electric-bike?variant=43319802888370
Ebike laws are changing now that so many people have ebikes. I’ve tried to be conscious about the bikes I’ve purchased and the trails I ride them on. I haven’t gone higher than a 750W motor because once you do you are no longer an “ebike” in some of the states that I ride in. I try to follow the markings for the trails. Because of my age and physical condition, I could never be out in the outdoors like this without the aid of an ebike. I’ve been scowled at, yelled at and had long discussions with other riders about what is and what isn’t legal to ride on trails.
There are so many different types of bikes now, and so many more people riding them, that places traditional bicyclists had to themselves are now impacted. And after someone stays in good shape and works hard to climb up a mountain trail, I can can see how they would get a bit miffed when an ebike goes cruising by. But people are crawling all over everything. It’s not just ebikes that are disruptive. UTV’s didn’t exist a few decades ago, now they are driving over everything and having a far bigger impact on the available space to recreate than ebikes. People who don’t ride ebikes don’t know which bike is what, so the confusion is quick and real. We are having to adjust to each other.
So I’ve learned to take it on the chin, but sometimes I don’t. Just depends on the situation. But when I have a talk with most people they don’t have a problem with someone like me riding an ebike on mountain trails.
Juiced Bikes Scorpion – Small Town Ride
Took my Juiced Bikes Scorpion out for a ride in a small town. For this ride I turn on my helmet microphone for some commentary. It’s a ride with some adventure mixed in! You’ll see as it goes along.
This is my 4th summer riding the Scorpion, and I’ve got over 2000 miles on it. Juiced Bike is re-releasing this bike with a larger 1000W motor, bigger 15ah battery, and knobbies. One of the first things I did was switch out the tires for knobbies. My bike has a 750W motor (which makes it legal for more trails) and an off-road controller. So I can ride my bike in Class 1, Class 2 or Class 3.
This is one of my favorite ebikes to ride. Super comfortable, easy step-thru frame and passenger seat, upgrade option.
Vitilani7 Pro Spring Campus Ride
Here’s a ride video from this spring, took my Vitilan i7 Pro up to the university and rode around campus. I don’t like reviews where someone just goes through the specs. It’s good ti know the specs, but what I really want to know is how it performs. And not just hopping on an ebike and taking it for a spin, but how does it perform over time and in different situations.
That’s why I make these ride videos, so people can see the machine in the situation. What’s it really like to ride? How does it respond to different conditions? How do people react to it? You can’t know these things without putting in some miles.
I was able to switch out the thumb throttle for a half-twist throttle and it makes the riding experience much more enjoyable. It is easier to control the speed at slow speeds and accelerates smoother. I also replaced the lower shock with a air shock and that has greatly improved the ride as well. It gives a softer feeling, feels like it should, rather than how it did.
My kickstand broke off and I contacted Vitilan. They tried to get me to take a plastic clamp-on kickstand to fix it, but that didn’t sound fair after I just bought the bike a short time ago. I held out and they send me a new swingarm, but they won’t pay for the repair. So I have to find time to switch it out. Ugh.
I’ve been working on my audio/video setup and I’ve made some improvements. They don’t start for a few videos, but it has taken some time to find a good setup and get comfortable with it. More coming.
Also, I’ve made a recent purchase of an amazing mobility scooter, the Afikim S4, more to come on that.
I ride every day, rain or shine. Sharing my experiences with other mobility users.
#mobilityusers #vitilan #vitilani7pro #ebikes
Vitilan i7 Pro – Urban Ride
The snow has melted and it’s time to hit the streets! You can see what it is like to drive this bike in traffic. Vitilan i7 Pro urban ride. See the bike in traffic. I ride throttle only, top speed around 26-27 m.p.h. Used to get top speed of 28 m.p.h. until I added Flat Out and the bag. The acceleration is good off the line and the top speed is good. Can handle a hill too. I am wearing my full-faced motorcycle helmet, felt appropriate on the street. Also helps keep my head warm when it’s cold out.
I’ve put around 80 miles on the bike up to this point. It’s great. It’s easy to load into my SUV, I don’t fold the bike, just the handlebars. I strap it down and it is easy in and out. I’ve taken it on the train, no problem. I’ve been using it on a work shoot this week where parking is extremely limited. I park a little bit away, then pop out my bike and head to the site. I work as a photographer, so I use the bike to move around the site that I’m shooting and it was fantastic.
Still wish it had a twist throttle, my first attempt failed, but I’ll find one. I’m going to replace the shock and see if I can’t get a better ride.
Be careful out there. Stop talkin’ and ride!
#vitilan #vitilani7pro #insta360
Bike: Vitilan i7 Pro https://www.vitilanebike.com/products…
Flat Out: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08X6JSXB8?…
Camera: Insta 360 https://www.insta360.com/product/inst…
Bag: Rock Bros 35L https://tinyurl.com/4rdep7ea
Bag on Aliexpress tinyurl.com/4k3nt2fc
Hafny E13 Mirror https://tinyurl.com/uh9d8bun
Schwinn Comfort Bike Seat https://tinyurl.com/aw7wdu25
Vitilan i7 Pro Desert Trail Ride
Vitilan i7 Pro on a single track dirt trail ride in the desert foothills. This is a stock Vitilan i7 Pro out of the box.
I found the bike capable and ready-to-go out of the box.This bike has more than enough speed and power for any casual rider. It’s potent. I took it out and rode it hard in tough conditions and it came through. I didn’t crash and it didn’t break! I wouldn’t recommend a ride like this for an inexperienced rider, but if you know how to ride, this bike is good fun off-road.
I lowered the tire air pressure to around 8 PSI and put on a Schwinn comfort seat (big improvement). I changed the settings to allow full throttle all the time and moved the throttle control to the right side. Also added Rock Bros bag which stayed secure throughout the ride. You can see my GoPro on my helmet, had to improvise because the handlebars are too thin for my mount. You can also see the shadow of my 360 camera that I used to shoot this video.
As an over 60 rider, my joints aren’t good, and as you can see in the video, stepping over the frame on this bike is right at my limit. I’ve found some tricks to getting on and off, but it’s a bit of a challenge. I have an ebike with a step-thru frame and it’s much easier to get on and off. Aside from that, I do pay a substantial price in pain after a ride like this. I can only ride like this occasionally, not every day. I got an ebike with suspension because I want a softer ride. But when I’m feeling it, I can also put that suspension to work on the trail.
The Vitilan or Rock Bros 35L bag is a perfect fit for this bike. I got the Rock Bros version because I liked the muted logo, but it’s essentially the same bag. Very convenient for taking things along on the ride. It can be removed quickly and easily.
Be careful out there.
#vitilan #vitilanebike #vitilani7pro
Vitilan i7 Pro: https://www.vitilanebike.com/products…
Schwinn Comfort Seat: https://www.amazon.com/Schwinn-Comfor…
Vitilan Bike Bag: https://www.vitilanebike.com/products…
Rock Bros Bike Bag: https://www.amazon.com/RockBros-Water…
HafnyE13 Mirror: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08BJDYCXG?…
Vitilan i7 Pro Snow Ride
Got a new ebike, the Vitilan i7 Pro. It’s 48v 750W 16aH, which keeps it legal on the trails and as a bike in my state and many others. It has an impressive set of features for an entry-level bike. But calling this entry-level isn’t fair. This ebike will get a lot done. I’ve only had it for a short time, and this is one of the first rides I took. It has been snowing and I got tired of waiting so I took it out for a ride in the snow to see what it could do. Overall, I was impressed. It seemed to be able to handle the snow without much trouble. When you combine snow, ice and mud it gets sketchy, but it’s sketchy for any two-wheeled vehicle. The first part is just snow on a grass field, the second part is trail riding. This is the ride I took to the place where I took this photograph.
I’ve since ridden it off-road on dirt trails, I’ve got another video coming with that, but thumbs up for the Vitilan i7 Pro off-road! More later.
Does a Seat With a Back Make A Difference? Sunlite Backrest Saddle
Picked up this seat, wasn’t sure what difference it would make, if any. Synopsis: A seat with a back makes a big difference for stability. I would buy it again.
This is the seat I bought, the Sunlite Backrest Saddle, 9″x11″. It was the cheapest I could find at the time (~$35 at time of purchase). I bolted it onto my eBikeboard and took it for a spin. It took a little getting used to, but the difference was obvious from the first ride. Now I’m quite comfortable with it and it’s hard to describe why it would make a difference. Maybe just because it keeps me from shifting around in the seat as much.
I would like a seat that is softer and had a better tightening mechanism for the back brace pad. It’s pretty lightweight, which good and bad. The size is good, it’s comfortable enough and it’s not obnoxious on the scooter. The seat pan is plastic, so I don’t know how much abuse it can take. I would like something a little softer and better built, so maybe I’ll spend more money next time and try to get a nicer one. All-in-all, it gets the job done!
