Ordered two Ebikes today

[Cajundaddy]

Originally Posted by Tobra

I am going to be that guy.


Budget some dough for protective gear, helmets at the very least.

We do wear bike helmets and generally long sleeves when going for a ride but... While these are capable of going 28 mph I rarely want to do that. We typically cruise in 4th of 7 gears with minimum pedal assist. When climbing we downshift and ramp up the pedal assist so we can crest the climb easily but never really going very fast.

Just like canyon carving, it's important to know your personal limits and stay within them. The most fun riding is catching a loop bike trail around a lake or out to a destination for lunch. Avoid car traffic, avoid riding over your head, and live to ride another day.

[Tobra]

Oh yeah, wear real shoes, no sandals, even if you don't plan to pedal.

[Deschodt]

Just looked at lectric based on this thread, certainly practical but they look like mini bikes used on race track paddocks... What other brand does the collective recommend with a bit more style, not too pricey, and similarly US supported ?

[cantdrv55]

Rad Power Bikes

[rattlsnak]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

I'm surprised they are so inexpensive, I would have thought twice the price. Might be something to consider biking 2 miles into Harvard Square without arriving hot and sweaty.

Originally Posted by cantdrv55

Lectric has an even cheaper model that starts at $799. Single speed, like a BMX, and motor assist only.

Originally Posted by stevej37

My Propella was $1099

Depends on what you’re looking for.. The MTB versions are @15K..

[herr_oberst]

Originally Posted by Deschodt

What other brand does the collective recommend with a bit more style, not too pricey, and similarly US supported ?

If I was in the market for an e-bike I'd start at any FLBS that sold Specialized, or Trek bicycles first, if nothing fits your needs there, then try Giant or Canyon. And does your town have a shop that sells e-bikes exclusively? That might be a place to look, too, but some of those have a sort of fly-by-night feel to me and make me think service might not be a top priority - if indeed they're even around in a couple few years.

[stevej37]

check out Propella...https://www.propella.bike/

[Cajundaddy]

Originally Posted by Deschodt

Just looked at lectric based on this thread, certainly practical but they look like mini bikes used on race track paddocks... What other brand does the collective recommend with a bit more style, not too pricey, and similarly US supported ?

Everyone has different wants so there is probably an e-bike out there that suits you. We wanted sport cruisers, reasonably light, quality hardware, long range. Got these:

https://www.momentum-biking.com/us/transend-eplus?partnumber=2103216204

[look 171]

Originally Posted by Deschodt

Just looked at lectric based on this thread, certainly practical but they look like mini bikes used on race track paddocks... What other brand does the collective recommend with a bit more style, not too pricey, and similarly US supported ?

Style is subjective. I bought my younger boy a Ride-1-UP couple years back. Its been fine, simple, and not too much electronics to deal with. If this matters, it goes 22 with thumb throttle only, but will go 28mph with pedal assist with little effort on the flats. There are 5 levels of assist, so pick one. He rode it a few times and is now on a regular bike with me once a week. I don't know about him, but I am having the time of my life when we go out.

Shimano drive train so repairs are simple and plenty. I bought through the net, but exchange a few emails with owner and discovered he's in San Diego. We drove down to pick up ours and I hear support is general pretty good. Still, if I have the bucks, just like Herr oberst suggested, I would buy a Specialized, Trek, or Giant only because there are many specific shops across the country that will service them. Since I do all my own work on bikes, it really doesn't matter which brand. I will change parts to make it work. I have already ordered a Shimano XT Shifters and rear derailleur for it. Not because what came with the bike isn't working, I like a fast accurate shifting and and feel that's jsut me being an anal bike nut job. Like I mentioned earlier, we have a Grizzly which has a ton more power, selectable two wheel drive with mmuch longer range, 50 miles without pedal assist. I took the Ride-1-up on a 40 miles round trip with me pedaling like a mad man throughout the ride with 30% battery left.

Here it is. we have the 700 series https://ride1up.com/

[silver912e]

Took mine to the beach and had a blast riding along the surf!

[look 171]

One more thing about ebikes, weight. Not that it will bog down the bike or limit its speed or acceleration but getting it on and off the truck or the bike rack. My Grizzly is about 100 lbs, so that was a bear to get it on the bike rack just go go camping. There's no way I can carry that big thing on it by myself. I am used to 15.5 lbs road bikes

[87maniac]

Weight is a Huge factor.

You'll feel it most at the end of a long exhausting ride,

-or worse, when a malfunction turns it a 'non motorized' boat anchor
and the motor assist/driveline will no longer turn the rear wheel,
you have to push it all the way back
where you parked your rig with the bike rack.

- A removable battery is Very helpful.
(try lifting 65lbs up to rack height w and w/o battery.)
- The lightest frame available is ideal.

Invest in a high-quality HD bike rack!
Caution, most off-the-shelf 1 1/4" receiver hitch will flex and bend.
I use a custom HD 2" hitch bolted to the frame. when loaded with
two full suspension ebikes, I can jump up and down on the rack with
no flex, rock solid!

[cantdrv55]

My wife pulled this buggy with our 60 lb puppy in it around the Grand Canyon.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by cantdrv55

My wife pulled this buggy with our 60 lb puppy in it around the Grand Canyon.

awwww........now that's the best reason for getting one ever!

[stevej37]

The Propella 7 speed e-bike weighs 37 lbs.
Easy to lift into my swagman bike carrier.

[Hugh R]

Get them tomorrow, I'll report back. Ten days from order to delivery is OK Exact same bikes as posted right above.

[Hugh R]

They came in today, like the one shown above,white, I have to say:

1. the packaging is first rate, took me 20 minutes to unpack each, now I have a pile of bubble wrap and stryrofoam to get rid of.

2. Came 60% charged,

3. Had to put air in the tires which they indicated before I bought them.

4. Build quality is very, very good, good fit and finish and paint jobs,

5.Everything was adjusted well, and I was a bike mechanic in college,

6. Clear directions on the first ride, seat adjust, handle bars, power settings so it doesn't get away from you on your first ride.

7. Down and up a 5% grade for a mile was nothing,

8. The headlight and tail light are just OK, but haven't really tested them in the dark, dark. they make an upgrade, but you can buy a generic flame thrower flashlight to attach to the handlebars for cheap, Same I would imaging for a rear light.

9. Downside, absolutely nothing, this thing is great.

10. I'm going to cruise it around Santa Clarita, CA until I move it and the RV to Saint Augustine, FL next Spring, then I'll be running it up and down the FL beaches

11. Fenders are important, lots don't come with them, these do, if you're in rain, its kind of nice.

12.Oh, bought Schwinn helmets, them or Bell, you know the motorcycle helmet guy,s lots of trash on Amazon and other places. Consumer Product Safety Commission certified.I

[Bill Douglas]

Good!

You're going to have fun with you new toys Hugh. Looking forward to some photos.

[Hugh R]

Tomorrow maybe

[Hugh R]

Road them a few miles today, no issues, ran a good ten miles on mostly electric, climbed my 5% grade one mile hill without a hint of slowing down. maybe more miles tomorrow. Added factory mirrors, phone holder, and Amazon bike alarm and a flat folding bike lock, behind the seat tube.