How do you cope with the attention your Ebike draws?

M

mickk

100 W
Joined
Aug 18, 2008
Messages
105
I dont really have time to chat when I stop Ive gone from 10 min to 5,3,1 sorta thing. Ive been stopped once a week for a chat about my bike, people are genuinely interested. I dont want to deter them, so Im considering this option.

"50k on a charge at 28kph, 7 cents to charge" here is the guys card, on the back is a forum address, sorry gotta go".

Does everyone else get stopped for a chat?
 
When I saw the title of your thread, I thought of exactly the solution that you suggest, a sort of business card to hand out with a smile and the excuse that you have to dash. Maybe someone here can offer business cards by the 100 for folks to buy AND/OR a printable PDF of an endless-sphere "business" card for folks to download and print locally? This would be a good promo for the Sphere - and a good solution to the "gettaway" problem.
 
Luckily, I don't get much attention. It's not generally recognized as an ebike. I've had people just ask me about the bike itself, and they're like "Wait, what?" when I tell them it goes 30mph (if I'm stuck at a light even that long).

+1 on the ES cards.
 
Obviously I like to talk, but it's usually limited to the length of a red light at the bike path. I stay sorta stealthy to anybody not allready on a bike.
 
fechter said:
The little pre-printed info card would be great as long as you keep a bunch handy.
Click to expand...
Does the THE imply there is already a card in existence, Fetcher? If not, why don't we have a competition thread for all the Graphic Artists amongst us to design the best card? And a subsequent poll to judge the best to make into a pdf for download?
 
I get more comments becuase I ride a recumbent trike.
Most don't even realise that is powered, unless I tell them!
 
Freddyflatfoot said:
I get more comments becuase I ride a recumbent trike.
Most don't even realise that is powered, unless I tell them!
Click to expand...
You need a sign on the back that says:
"Stop me and buy one" :lol:
 
Lol.. almost every day.. i actually had a guy follow me in his SUV last week for a few km's until he finally pulled up and rolled down the window and shouted for me to pull over for a moment.. found a safe place to stop and had a 30 minute chat..

business cards are good.. just flip a card and explain you gotta run.. mose people have internet and say thank you.

Red light conversations are also common. but it's all good.
 
Ypedal said:
Red light conversations are also common. but it's all good.
Click to expand...
If I haven't misunderstood that diabolically, your sign needs to be:
"Try me, I'll stop for one" :mrgreen:
 
Used to get inquisitive people every where I went, but then I learned where to lock up the bike that wouldn't draw any attention... behind bushes, backs of buildings, alleys etc. etc. Plus I live in a tiny town so I think people are just used to it at this point. Not to mention that this summer saw a dramatic increase in local long boarders, mini-trucks, electric scooters etc. etc. All kinds of contraptions out there now! :D
 
I get a ton of attention on my little bikes, and zero attention on my Bullit build. Rode with some guys for about 20 minutes and they didn't realize it was electric at all.


I am very close to printing up business cards. Since I am a bidness I guess I should
 
My first ebike was beautifully ratty with lots of rust and mismatched components, a huge in-your-face chunk of a hub motor up front with tons of wild wires hanging all over the place, very obviously electric. The effect was only multiplied when my godly body graced it, the combined aura of awesome envelopped us in blue flames of win so people would get overwhelmed and not even think about asking. I can't blame them, can't handle that much awesome, it would only make them lamer by comparison. After all I'm hot cause I'm hot and they not cause they not. Anyways all my following bikes (except one) have been made subtle enough to not really seem electric at first glance, I'm already too sexy for my own good without that.
 
^^^^ ROFLMAO ^^^^ Particularly liked---> "the combined aura of awesome enveloped us in blue flames of win"

I like the idea of business cards...
 
I have an electric Ninja 250. To be honest, I'm kinda bummed that more people don't ask me about it. Since it looks and rides like a motorcycle, they don't realize it's electric. I sometimes get a strange look as they try to figure out why it doesn't make any noise.

- Brad
 
I do everything within my power to remain stealth. Plus, I live in a very small town. Everyone is so used to seeing the crazy guy on the fast, black, low bike that I don't even get a head turn most of the time anymore.

Matt

Hey Brad, ho goes it? :wink:
 
I usually answer the how much, how far, how fast questions. I don't mind usually. I'd like to see a few more e-bikes around. :D
 
Only been pulled over like 2 times from the same guy. He was interested in a gas powered bike. He was a big man. :lol:
 
Ypedal said:
When on the Chaos i give out the

60km range ( really 80 +.. but i keep it honest ) reaction = :p
40 km/h +, reaction = :)
3500 $ + , reaction = :shock:
Click to expand...

Yeah, that's pretty much what I get, and mine only cost like $1,500. :eek:
 
I give the $3,500 answer to people who ask. When I do, the reaction I almost always get is "Wanna sell it?"

Most people realize a decent scooter costs that (or more) and a scooter just does not have the cool factor. Plus, I do alot of pedalling and get my exercise.

Matt
 
I'm pretty anti-social, don't much talk unless I have to. But every time I ride to the store or something on my 2WD, people want to talk, and I answer as many questions as I can. Since it is obviously not a regular mountain bike; with big battery packs, lots of instruments on the handlebars and those two big things in the middle of the wheels, it attracts more notice than something a little more subtle.

I like the idea of an ES business card to hand out.

If the 'bosses' want to authorize an official one, a contest (with no prize other than personal satisfaction), the winning design could be uploaded to any of several reasonably priced online small batch printers, (I've used zazzle and vistaprint with good results) and people that want something professionally printed rather than the hassle of printing them off themselves can order them pretty cheaply and easily.

In fact, you wouldn't have to be a computer graphics designer to put one together... You could actually design one using the easy design tools on some of the printer's sites,
 
I think its a good idea. Given what Endless Sphere does, itll be great publicity, targeted marketing for freeeeeeeeeeee!
 
My Schwinn Electric Stingray is so cheesy that it's neat. Anywhere I go I get asked about it. The same things: speed, Range, Cost along with, is that a real motor? I have been asked if I want to sell it at least a half dozen times. My MTB is, what is that thing on the front wheel a Brake? Or whats with all the Wires? Everyone thinks that sounds good, But it is cold, I'll stay in my SUV.
 
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