• pc486@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    0·
    2 days ago

    I feel pretty safe with all this but it still honestly scares the crap out of me riding at 30+mph with cars.

    30mph is pretty cooking. I only get up to those speeds when I’m riding downhill (thanks 18% grades). If you can, especially when not on the road with cars, try slowing down a bit. A 20mph collision (or allision) is much safer than at 30.

    At 30mph speeds, definitely look at motorcycle gear. Illuminate your bike (good rear and front lights). Consider a mirror on your handle bars or helmet. Maybe take some online courses on how to ride a motorbike and translate it to your fat bike.

    FortNine did a nice little short about this space, though mostly so folks stop pestering motorcyclists about the danger on the roads. The reality is the cars are the danger for both motorized bikes and pedal bikes. Defensive techniques are your only option.

    • artificialfish@programming.devOPEnglish
      0·
      2 days ago

      I live in a very hilly city. The motor can easily do 20 up a steep hill and then gravity 30 down. Thats without my contribution. With my contribution it can go even faster.

      • pc486@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
        0·
        2 days ago

        A similar situation to me then. The speed really picks up when going downhill, especially on a heavier bike like an ebike! I’ve done 45 mph on my recumbent without any effort. At least I was keeping up with the cars!

        I have one more recommendation then: stress test your brakes! I’ve burned up a few sets of pads, even bluing out a set of rotors. Breaking power drops as the rotor temperature gets higher (“fade”) and I’ve nearly lost all my brake power before. You know, like at the end of a hill where there’s a busy intersection controlled only by stop signs. Fun.

        Make sure you can stop with plenty of brake power left at the bottom of your hills. If you find it lacking, then consider harder pads and the associated rotors that can handle the pads. Mountain bike pads, semi for full metallic, are a good place to look. Careful with the extra hard pads (full metal/ceramic) because they must be matched with a rotor that can handle such a hard compound.

  • FartsWithAnAccent@fedia.ioM
    0·
    3 days ago

    What bike and what tires?

    I’d go with full SNELL/DOT/ECE rated gear though, dress for the slide and all that.

    Be careful of the sellers you go with too, Amazon sellers may or may not be reputable but some have been known to sell expired gear (helmets have a shelf life), used gear as new (never buy used safety gear), or outright counterfeit gear that will not keep you safe.

    Quality safety gear has saved my life, it is not worth taking chances with.

      • FartsWithAnAccent@fedia.ioM
        0·
        3 days ago

        Motorcycle shops will likely happily sell you gear, but be wary of Harley lol - they are like the Snap-On of motorcycles in terms of cost.

        Micromobility includes motorcycles though they aren’t as popular as ebikes lately. If I recall correctly, @dudeimmacguyver@kbin.earth is a moto nerd, so they have have some good suggestions.

        Brands may also vary by market so if you mention if you’re in UK, US, EU, CN or whatever, that might help in terms of vendor and brand suggestions.

        Not familiar with the tires on that bike, but it might not be a bad idea to have some inserts in those tires to help prevent a catastrophic blowout at speed. I use Tannus Armour in my efatbike, it reduces the range but protects from flats and provides limited run-flat capability.

        Maintain your bike meticulously, because an accident at that speed can be life altering or even fatal. Be safe!

  • _haha_oh_wow_@sh.itjust.worksMEnglish
    0·
    3 days ago

    I don’t ride that fast, but if I did, I would not be getting PPE off Amazon. Get DOT/SNELL rated full gear, full face protection, same as you would wear riding a motorcycle because those are motorcycle speeds but on a fatbike that isn’t designed to stably go those speeds.

    • artificialfish@programming.devOPEnglish
      0·
      3 days ago

      Ok, where do you go for that? Do you get fit?

      The bike is going it’s designed specs. It’s an Aventon Adventure 2. I haven’t modified it. I can just pedal it up from motor 20 to man power 30.

  • PerogiBoi@lemmy.caEnglish
    0·
    3 days ago

    Get spoke reflectors. Super cheap, super easy to install, and your wheel lights up in the dark.

  • Dagwood222@lemm.eeEnglish
    0·
    3 days ago

    Get a more high visibility jacket.

    I used to love riding my bike in traffic, until I started taking driving lessons.

    I was looking for the bikers and missed them pretty often.

  • Ada@lemmy.blahaj.zoneEnglish
    0·
    3 days ago

    I’m lucky enough to not have to ride with cars. That being said, I don’t ride at that velocity either