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> And then you get into all the compatibility problems - many e-bike conversion kits are sold with a freehub that's not the correct size for modern cassettes (comes with HG 9-speed, need an HG 11-speed, XD, XDR, or Microspline freehub). Axle widths and axle type (bolt, QR, thru-axle).

To be fair, all of these problems exist when doing work on normal bikes too.

Yeah, I got so fed up with all that BS I just completely stopped riding bikes and went 100% longboard instead. They are so robust, simple and predictable.

I own bikes and a longboard and the later is not really a replacement for the former anyway.

You see a lot of skaters carrying their skate in a bikepack by bike to the skatepark. Surely if skating is their passion and the longboard would be a perfect medium/longer distance solution they would use one to carry their smaller skateboard to the skatepark. Yet you never see that.

Of course it depends on your commute and the quality of the pavement where you live. Right now I'm blessed with smooth asphalt pavement and a nice gentle slope most of the way to work, and then I can skate flat + walk a steep hill going home.

Previously I lived in London and commuted by longboard there as well. Obviously flat but the surface quality of the pavement was a lot worse, so my knees did complain more.

Doesn't that just shift the increased maintenance burden to your body?

My body tolerates water and mechanical stress significantly better than whatever poor excuse for metallurgy is coming out of Shimano these days. Apart from enshittification and MBA bullshit, there is absolutely no reason they can't make a bottom bracket last twenty years.

Not to mention the fact that the last place you want to add a bunch of mass is the front wheel of a bicycle.

I don't think it's that big a deal outside racing applications.

Is the entirely correct? When there is side wind, a big guy on deep wheels sure has an easier time than a little guy on deep wheels.

The amount of braking you can apply before flying over the handlebars decreases significantly the more you move the center of gravity forward.

People who can ride shift their entire body back when emergency braking, which is much more significant than some added weight on the front wheel.

People who can't ride usually don't go OTB because of the torque around the front wheel (i.e. the entire bike rotating), they go OTB because they can't handle (or aren't ready for) the sheer force of the deceleration, it makes their hands fold.

> hope you don't ride a small frame

That bike bottles are so small seems to be due to small frames. 750ml is about the max normal size. I’ve tracked down some 950ml ones, but I’m sure you could go larger with a decent sized frame.

They make 1L bottles, but that’s larger than normal and probably special order.

Most of the batteries for e-bike kits look to be at least the size of a 1L bottle, if not even larger.

Or a used one. I mean if part of the bikes old anyway. I got a used one for ~$250 though I've since spent $100+ fixing stuff.

Cassette compatibility isn't going to be a problem with a front wheel conversion kit.

Fair, though you still have axle standards to consider. If it's a QR bike, it's pretty straightforward. But, most new bikes (in the US) are through-axle and disc brake.

Yes.

Well said. And then... even after all that, it's probably not legal, and no insurance company will insure the bike or you if you get into an accident.

I’m sure if I get hurt on my bike, my medical insurance coverage will not care at all whether the injury is from riding an e-bike.

If I hit somebody else on my bike… I don’t think I have insurance for that liability? I don’t think my auto or homeowner’s insurance policy mentions me riding bikes at all, let alone an exclusion for DIY e-bikes.

Often, in the US, your normal home-owners/renters policy has some level of umbrella liability coverage. Check with your plan to be sure.

The problem is (IMO) e-bikes that are more "motorcycle" than "bicycle". Which includes a massive number of the kits.

There currently is no national framework for classifying e-bikes. There's the 3 tier system that some industry groups use, but it directly conflicts with most state's moped/motorcycle regulations.

Safe bet for an e-bike is a "class 1" bike from a major brand. 20mph cap, no throttle, the most "bicycle" of the 3.

Class 2 bikes keep the 20mph cap, but add a throttle (don't need to pedal). This probably makes it a moped or small (50cc) scooter in some states.

Class 3 removes the throttle, but bumps the top speed to 28mph. Again, this speed probably makes it a moped or scooter (or possibly even a full motorcycle).

And then there's the e-bikes that are more motorcycle than bike. 30+mph, powerful engines, and the pedals are truly vestigial. Supe73 and Surron bikes fall in this category.

IIRC The 3-tier system is law in California. Of course, many people use more powerful bikes and there's little enforcement.

US Law, i.e. Federal Law, for e-bikes is 15 U.S.C. 2085(b) and additionally Title 28 Chapter I Part 36 Subpart A § 36.105.

Pedaled vs throttle is an ablest issues; not everyone has picked up on this.

Huh, interesting that regulation exists (and since 2008?), as basically nobody follows that 20mph speed limit. Certainly the options from Specialized, Trek, etc usually provide assist to 28mph.

I’m ambivalent about throttles - much more concerned about the mass and speed of some e-bike when they inevitably get used on sidewalks, multi-use paths, etc.

Fair points, but that’s exactly my point—you’re assuming rather than knowing for sure. Medical insurance probably covers you, but some policies exclude high-risk activities or DIY mods, so it’s not always that simple.

And if you don’t think you have liability coverage, that’s exactly the risk. If your policy doesn’t mention bikes, it’s more likely not covered than automatically included. The more you do things outside the norm—like DIY e-bikes—the higher the chance standard policies don’t cover it.

Not saying you’re wrong, just that it’s worth checking so you don’t get caught off guard.

In my case (not US), home insurance cover bikes but not ebikes or escooters. For that you need a dedicated plan (<50€ per year). If I remember correctly, without that additional plan, I'm covered for my own injuries, but I'm on the hook for any injury I may cause in case of accident.

I _just_ went through this when my child had an ebike accident (AAA, southern california). You need specific ebike insurance. Auto/homeowners doesn't apply for different reasons.

Would it be different for non-e bikes?

Oddly, yes. A regular bike accident would have been covered. And it would have been covered on a moped as well even though she's too young to have a license.