[boxcardavin]

I daily a Felt Nine E-20, it's a mountain bike with front suspension. I also have a Cube 400 and a Juiced u500 cargo bike.

I recommend spending $3k on a bike with a Yamaha or Bosch motor, it's easy to justify that crazy price if you look at the money you'll save in gas/payments/gym expenses. Most importantly, I enjoy my commute now and I feel like a part of the city in a way that car commuting doesn't give you. Also, get a pedal-assist bike not one with a hand throttle, trust me it's not better to have a throttle.

Disclaimer: My new startup is ebike related but I'm not going to be selling any bikes or hardware.

[celticninja]

One of the benefits of cycling to me is the work out that I get twice a day commuting to work. Doesn't the e-bike take the work out of cycling?

[jbergens]

You can choose how much help you want from the motor and you normally go faster with a ebike (using a bit less muscle power). I shaved a few kilos off my weight by using an ebike for a few months.

If you like your bike commute and don't mind getting sweaty you might prefer a normal bike.

[boxcardavin]

No, I still expend enough power to keep my heart rate at ~160bpm during my ride, but now I cut my commute time in half and I ride more than twice as often.

[dreamcompiler]

An ebike is just a lowpass filter for hills. Does a flatter route take the work out of cycling?

[celticninja]

My route to work is flat, so if I get an assist on the flat then I get less of a workout.

[dreamcompiler]

In that case you're right. I live in the mountains and my ebike makes it possible for me to bike at all.