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Electric Bikes for hunting #7405599 01/15/19 09:52 PM
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NMGW Offline OP
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Has anybody used one? Which one did you use? And any recommendations about what to look for, or more important to me, what to stay away from. Thanks in advance..... up

I am at the age where I know I need a little help to cover the distance for where I hunt "mostly New Mexico" and I will not own an ATV "My Choice". So looking hard at bikes to give me the 4-5 miles I need to cover usually to get back to where I want to hunt. Let me know what you experience with them is.

Thanks, Gary


New Mexico: Not Really New, Not Really Mexico
Re: Electric Bikes for hunting [Re: NMGW] #7405635 01/15/19 10:19 PM
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How would the electric bike hold on the mountains in New Mexico? Better check with the GW.


Born to Hunt/Fish
Re: Electric Bikes for hunting [Re: NMGW] #7405638 01/15/19 10:22 PM
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One of my church friends on the lease with me this past season, brought a Kwiet Kat (sp?) out on some trial basis from a local upscale-for-wannabes feed/ranch store. I think he had two flats in a few minutes, even with goop-filled tires. In his defense, it is a mesquite-choked pasture in west Texas. Even though he's a bit of a spazz, he's one in-shape SOB and jogged the rest of the way to where he told his uncle to wait for him with the truck. It was cool looking, what I saw of it at the cabin. laugh


Right now I use an '86 Bronco that I've spent a stupid amount of money on. But, I am considering a UTV, depending upon the next place I hunt.


...and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. Gen. 1:28
Re: Electric Bikes for hunting [Re: YellowDog] #7405657 01/15/19 10:43 PM
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NMGW Offline OP
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Originally Posted by YellowDog
How would the electric bike hold on the mountains in New Mexico? Better check with the GW.

Great question, and as long as it is less than 750W I am good to go.


New Mexico: Not Really New, Not Really Mexico
Re: Electric Bikes for hunting [Re: NMGW] #7405733 01/16/19 12:02 AM
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titan2232 Offline
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The only recommendation from me is it better have a damn windshield. No reason to rough it anymore



Re: Electric Bikes for hunting [Re: NMGW] #7405745 01/16/19 12:13 AM
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don k Offline
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If you are at the age that you need a little help I sure are hell wouldn't ride a bike.

Re: Electric Bikes for hunting [Re: don k] #7405774 01/16/19 12:42 AM
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Originally Posted by don k
If you are at the age that you need a little help I sure are hell wouldn't ride a bike.



I agree 100% with Don K.

Re: Electric Bikes for hunting [Re: don k] #7405790 01/16/19 12:53 AM
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Originally Posted by don k
If you are at the age that you need a little help I sure are hell wouldn't ride a bike.



Wisdom




LETS GO BRANDON
Re: Electric Bikes for hunting [Re: don k] #7405797 01/16/19 01:04 AM
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NMGW Offline OP
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Originally Posted by don k
If you are at the age that you need a little help I sure are hell wouldn't ride a bike.

Ok valid point, but a lot of places I hunt have trails that go for 4-5 miles back into wilderness and do not allow motorized vehicles. An electric assist bike can get you there in 20-30 minutes versus a 1.5 hour hike. Will also save some energy to actually hunt.


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Re: Electric Bikes for hunting [Re: NMGW] #7405941 01/16/19 03:17 AM
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There are a couple of forums for motorized bicycles, most of the info is for gas engines, but they both include the electric conversions.

https://motoredbikes.com/ https://motorbicycling.com/


Combat Infantryman, the ultimate hunter where the prey shoots back.
_____________"Illegitimus non carborundum est"_______________

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Re: Electric Bikes for hunting [Re: NMGW] #7405957 01/16/19 03:32 AM
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This letter from the forest service says electric bikes count as motorized vehicles.

https://peopleforbikes.org/wp-conte...sAndTrailManagement_final-Fed-2016-1.pdf

Re: Electric Bikes for huntin [Re: Whiptail] #7405985 01/16/19 04:07 AM
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Originally Posted by Whiptail

This letter from the forest service says electric bikes count as motorized vehicles.

https://peopleforbikes.org/wp-conte...sAndTrailManagement_final-Fed-2016-1.pdf


On NFS land, any trail or road you can ride a motorcycle on you can also ride an E-bike on. Otherwise it’s off limits on NFS land. Also keep in mind that in most places, motorcycle (I.e. motorized I.e. E-bike access) is closed down during hunting season. Granted this is also a policy from 3 years ago. Personally, their ruling shows how narrow minded they are. People sitting behind desks making decisions on outdoor activities. I can’t prove that though, but it sure as heck seems that way. Just my opinion.

That being said, if you need assistance getting further back into the woods, riding a bike is not for you. I am an avid Mtn biker and have raced all through Texas and competed in 7 day stage races in British Columbia. I consider myself to be in good shape but I would never consider riding a bike in the back country unless the trails traveled were low grades, and wide enough for a trailer to follow behind. If not, you have a whole lot of issues to consider.

Too sttep or rocky - you are getting off and walking. How many times do you want to do that? Riding a bike with a loaded down pack and a rifle - better be sure footed and agile enough to mount and dismount easily. Flats - it’s not if but when and how frequently. Bike maintenance - if something fails can you fix it. Battery fails or runs out of charge - you able to pedal it back home? Most e-bikes are 30-40lbs. That’s heavy. You aren’t gonna ride that bike in clod hopper hiking boots are you? If you kill something and don’t have a trailer, you able to put 40-100bs of meat on your back and ride a bike?

Not saying people don’t do this, because they do & it works quite well for them. However, generally these are for agile hunters looking for an edge or to try something new. Someone with a bum knee, back disability etc, it’s more hassle than help in my opinion.

For me, I’ll just hike it in.

If you do feel the issues above aren’t concerns for you and want to give it a whirl, absolute most important things to look for are: full suspension (shock in front and back), battery life, hill assist (I.e. if you get off and hike a bike because it’s too steep or rocky does it have a low gear that you can put it in that essentially has the bike electronically go at or about the same speed as you walk so you don’t actually have to push the bike up hill). Chain versus belt driven. (Chains are dang near indestructible but belts have improved significantly - look at common motorcycle companies using either or) and lastly weight. You will need to pedal at times, maybe more often than not to save battery. The heavier it is the more effort you’ll have to put into pedaling.

Last edited by Theringworm; 01/16/19 04:29 AM.
Re: Electric Bikes for huntin [Re: NMGW] #7406082 01/16/19 12:57 PM
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For numerous reasons, a very impractical idea

Re: Electric Bikes for huntin [Re: NMGW] #7406090 01/16/19 01:16 PM
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One of the hunters on our lease reps a brand of electric bikes. I have seen no downside to them. He says they have about a twenty mile range using just the electric assist. I rode one around the house and couldn't believe how much power these things have. Its like a light weight dirtbike that doesn't make any noise.

Re: Electric Bikes for huntin [Re: NMGW] #7406198 01/16/19 03:20 PM
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Re: Electric Bikes for huntin [Re: NMGW] #7406209 01/16/19 03:44 PM
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No go in wilderness areas, they are motorized and mechanized by definition of the USFS.

Re: Electric Bikes for hunting [Re: Creekrunner] #7406308 01/16/19 05:05 PM
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Originally Posted by Creekrunner
I think he had two flats in a few minutes, even with goop-filled tires.


This was the experience from someone I know that used them.

Re: Electric Bikes for hunting [Re: NMGW] #7406379 01/16/19 06:41 PM
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CMC uses a mountain bike to get around while hunting. There are several threads on here about his escapades on his bike.

The flats issue? Not a major problem for someone that knows how to deal with them. Kevlar tires with puncture proof tubes and liners help, but it takes money, time and research to get past that problem.


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Re: Electric Bikes for hunting [Re: Brother in-law] #7406405 01/16/19 07:09 PM
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Ouch - pricey!


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How about that Brandon!
Re: Electric Bikes for hunting [Re: ChrisB] #7406613 01/16/19 11:12 PM
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Originally Posted by ChrisB
One of the hunters on our lease reps a brand of electric bikes. I have seen no downside to them. He says they have about a twenty mile range using just the electric assist. I rode one around the house and couldn't believe how much power these things have. Its like a light weight dirtbike that doesn't make any noise.


The only down side I see to them is will they work underwater. We had a mud hole on our place this year that was mud dang near up to the headlights on my Tahoe and no way around it. Lots of mud on leases this last season.

With that said, I looked at one at one of the Bow shops in Houston, if they weren't so dang expensive I wouldn't mind having one if they get around as good as some say they will.


Thanks, Billy
Re: Electric Bikes for hunting [Re: NMGW] #7406628 01/16/19 11:30 PM
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As much as I love mtn biking and want to try this I think it’s only really geared towards certain hunting situations and locations. I support it a 100% though if you can make it work.

Don’t be fooled by the 20-25 mile battery life. That is highly dependent on rider weight, bike weight (if you add gear to the bike I.e. bags or a trailer) and more importantly terrain/resistance (mud, rocks, wind). Though not specified I would assume it’s based on an average weight man 70kg, with an avg weight bike 45-50 lbs riding on a flat/level smooth surface. Bump the weight of the rider, weight of the bike, add mud, gravel, rocks or wind resistance on an uneven surface or elevation and that’s going to drop significantly.

No doubt they look pretty cool and the potential could really pay off, but there are a lot of negatives. Before you drop cash like that, gear up and take a standard mountain bike for a spin just to get an idea of what it’s like touting a pack and a rifle. Oh.......and you’ll fall off at some point so be prepared to scratch up that rifle. peep

Last edited by Theringworm; 01/16/19 11:31 PM.
Re: Electric Bikes for hunting [Re: NMGW] #7406794 01/17/19 02:42 AM
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I think it’s great idea. Market is growing for sure.


Donate to TX Youth hunting program.... better to donate then to waste it in taxes

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Re: Electric Bikes for hunting [Re: NMGW] #7406811 01/17/19 02:56 AM
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wouldn't mind one but how in the heck am I gonna haul the deer on the Handle bars. confused2

Re: Electric Bikes for hunting [Re: NMGW] #7406841 01/17/19 03:20 AM
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My buddy uses them in WA state mountains 9 miles in, kill Elk ride out in the same day.... He said it's the most awesome thing ever invented... [Linked Image]

As you can see in the pic, they have a 2 wheel trailer....

D

Re: Electric Bikes for hunting [Re: NMGW] #7407085 01/17/19 02:27 PM
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I can see my tired old arse peddleing one when the battery goes dead!!! But they must work, seems like lots of people are buying them.


Thanks, Billy
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