This happen to you ?

[brommieinkorea]

So lately ,because life's circumstances dictate, I only ride a Brompton.
But, people who obviously don't cycle, think it's an "E-bike" and all too frequently ask stupid questions. " how fast does it go ?" " how far does it go?" Does anyone else who usually rides a folder get this crap ?

 

[sevenfourate]

“As fast and as long as you pedal”: said with a smile: seems a great answer to me ……😁

 

[brommieinkorea]

Yep, usually just say it depends on how steep and long the hill is, but it's still annoying.
Also, since electric motorcycles (e bikes) aren't bicycles, I do feel a little offended by the assertion that I'm using an e-bike.

 

[simongt]

Sometimes I wish my workbench was a bit tidier.

Does anyone else who usually rides a folder get this crap ?

Nope. After ten years riding my Brommy, the only observations I tend to get is about the advantages of having one.

 

[Drago]

"About 80."

"A couple of hundred miles on a charge."

Just humour them, it's not their fault they were dropped on their heads as babies.

 

[Fastpedaller]

Someone recently said I was riding a clown's bike

 

[steveindenmark]

So lately ,because life's circumstances dictate, I only ride a Brompton.
But, people who obviously don't cycle, think it's an "E-bike" and all too frequently ask stupid questions. " how fast does it go ?" " how far does it go?" Does anyone else who usually rides a folder get this crap ?

I have had Bromptons for about 8 years. Wherever you go, people ask questions. That is part and parcel of owning something different.

 

[Tenkaykev]

If I stop for a short period I often swing the bottom under so it rests on the roller rack. I've been asked on a couple of occasions if my bike is broken.

 

[oxoman]

As a non e-biker i got accused recently by a plastic plod of having an illegal e-bike. When I protested my innocence he pointed at my carradice bag on the back, after laughing at him and asking him whereabouts the motor was he pointed at the back wheel. I laughed again and said he needed specsavers or retraining in e-bike identification. At this point he got mardy, so I showed him the contents of the bag on the back, after a funny look from him as he went red and said oh sorry I thought you had a battery. The best of it is several
e-scooters and bikes had gone by him and his mates whilst dealing with me. For info my comutte bike is a Moda Bolero triple touring bike with 700c wheels. PS not a lover of e-bikes unless ridden by someone who needs one for a proper reason, fat / lazy / unfit or entitled is not a good reason IMHO.

 

[Drago]

unless ridden by someone who needs one for a proper reason, fat / lazy / unfit or entitled is not a good reason IMHO.

Fortunately it's a good thing that your opinion counts for zero when other people are making their transport choices.

I'd far rather see someone on an ebike than in a car.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

I sometimes get asked if my recumbent is electric. I take it as a compliment, as they can’t believe quite how athletic I look climbing hills. It is just all part of the experience of riding something different.

 

[oxoman]

Fortunately it's a good thing that your opinion counts for zero when other people are making their transport choices.

I'd far rather see someone on an ebike than in a car.

As with all people we all have differing opinions. The one thing I don't do is force it on anyone. Call me old fashioned but I'm all for right or wrong male female etc. Just for reference a few mates have ebikes as does my own lazy brother and with the exception of a bit of brotherly banter we behave. The ones that really get my goat are hoody brigade with man bags that have the kind of bike that does 30 plus mph and doesn't care where they go on them.

 

[Drago]

Would you either he were even more lazy and drove his car?

Even on an ebike he's still getting more exercise than 95% of the population.

Your fixation with ebikes sounds to me more like sour grapes because you don't have one. If they don't float your boat then fair enough, but you should not measure others by your own preferences. One say someone will do it back to you over something important and it won't be so jolly when it's you on the other end of someone else's prejudice.

Legal ebikes riders aren't doing any harm so why should we even bother wasting energy on an opinion?

 

[Punkawallah]

Fortunately it's a good thing that your opinion counts for zero when other people are making their transport choices.

I'd far rather see someone on an ebike than in a car.

I’d rather see someone sat on an e-bike than sat on a couch. If nothing else it could mean one less hospital bed occupied when I need one :-)

 

[mitchibob]

So lately ,because life's circumstances dictate, I only ride a Brompton.
But, people who obviously don't cycle, think it's an "E-bike" and all too frequently ask stupid questions. " how fast does it go ?" " how far does it go?" Does anyone else who usually rides a folder get this crap ?

Never got e-bike question when living in London, but since moving back to the valleys, often get asked if it's electric (I guess having head unit might make them think that as well, that or hub gear). Most refer to as my 'happy shopper' bike, especially when it's got borough bag on it.

Someone recently said I was riding a clown's bike

Pretty sure I had that one since being back in the valleys too. Still, if 99% of people think that, means I'm less worried about security when at the pub... can leave it slightly folded, and people think it's either broken, or can't figure out how to ride it, and so it's fairly safe against theft. I've only ever seen one other brommie locally, and not very regularly, so it's an unknown joke bike to most.

The "how fast" and "how far", and the "doesn't small wheels mean you have pedal more" questions, get them anywhere.

If riding up the Bwlch or Rhigos, I definitely get the 'fair play riding that up here', but then, I don't find it particularly harder doing climbs on it than road bike. Descent is a bit more fun on road bike though.