E Bikes

Larry · May 04, 2023, 09:34:26 PM

I've been thinking about (mostly procrastinating) buying a ebike for nearly a year but recently have gotten serious. I'm looking mostly for a comfortable riding, cruiser style that might be able to handle a gravel road or logging trail....nothing serious off road. Wanting a big motor and battery mostly to help on the hills as I have lung problems.

I've test rode a few and did about 8 miles a few days ago on a Pedego Ridge Rider. The power and speed was great but comfort was terrible. So many choices and I don't really know what I'm looking at. Sticker shock also...a couple are more than my first new car!

Any recommendations?

low_48 · May 04, 2023, 09:58:07 PM

I'd suggest an EMountainBike with some 2.4" wide tires. I owned a fat tire bike as my first eBike and it rode like an army truck. I don't like the idea of a throttle, and ride German eBikes. 2 are Haibikes with Bosch mid drive motors. One is a mtb and the other is a Trekking style. I have one Tad Pole style off road eTrike. 2 tires in the front, one in the rear with a hub motor. It has a throttle. I ride that on old rail trails and it's super comfortable. Seat is like a lawn chair. Stop for a rest and you already have your chair. I'll be passing 15,000 miles soon over 7 years.

gspren · May 05, 2023, 09:00:09 AM

I have and like a RadRunner2 e-bike. I bought it for hunting in southern Delaware where hills don't exist so power wasn't a priority but it does well although you do need to pedal on a big or steep hill, flat or moderate hill it will go on it's own. I wanted a step through frame so when I have my hunting equipment strapped on the rear rack it is easy on and off. I bought an after market seat with more padding and a little suspension.

peakbagger · May 05, 2023, 02:59:27 PM

I have a Bosch Middrive E mountain bike. Its made by a Hungarian company called Gepida but the reality with most bikes is they probably built the frame and almost everything else is from different suppliers. I went with the Bosch mid drive as they build the entire drivetrain including the batteries. Mine is a class 1 pedal assist bike. I have to crank the pedals in order to get assist. It has three assist levels with the highest assist being decidedly torquey. Class 1 bikes are limited to 20 mph assist. Class 2 have throttles and are usually banned from bike only paths. Class 3 have a throttle and higher assist speeds. I have a mountain bike rail trail near me, not really smooth enough for regular bikes but great for my mountain bike. I did the length of it (about 70 miles) last summer. I usually pedal somewhere without the assist on and then use the assist to double back to my car.

Be aware there is a lot of chinese junk built out of low grade batteries and components. There really is no consumer testing so anything goes and chines E bike (and scooter) batteries are the cause of lot of fires.

stavebuyer · May 05, 2023, 03:30:00 PM

Yamaha TW or Honda Trail before they outlaw them. :D

Larry · May 05, 2023, 09:15:05 PM

In NW Arkansas we've been building hiking/biking trails for a few years now. Think we are getting close to 300 miles and the trend is full speed ahead on more trails. Trails range from fairly flat paved to single track forest trails that the most hard core mountain bikers would appreciate. The trails have two things in common, they are beautiful/well maintained and don't allow anything with a ICE.

I really like that Honda Trail bike and did consider it, but since I don't want to ride on streets/highways I would only get to use it going roundy round on my few acres or when I go to the National Forest. The National Forest is about 45 minutes away.

If I choose wisely with a ebike, I'll be able to frequent the close by local trails every few days and also use it in the National Forest when I have more time.

stavebuyer · May 06, 2023, 04:32:48 AM

I have an E-bike and enjoy riding it but we have no dedicated bike trails anywhere close. Twisty cow path county roads are abundant and start at the mailbox. So are free roaming dogs. The big draw for me about the Honda Trail is that it requires no preparation. Nice day and have an urge to a take spin hop on and go Loading up a bike to go ride it turns it into a boat. An all day event planned around the weather. If I had a maintained bike trail network just down the road it would change the math.