Electric Bicycle Recommendations

[twise625]

I have been considering purchasing an electric bicycle - mostly for in town, bike trail riding. Anyone have a recommendation on a reliable make/model? Should I consider purchasing used? Will local bike shops work on electric bikes if they did not sell them?

 

[Passepartout]

I've considered it myself. I think that ship has sailed. Bikes (both pedal powered and electric) have been snapped up since the Covid lockdown started. First to get sold out were the traditional bike brands, then the lesser knows ones. And the less expensive ones. Now there are long waitlists for Chinese bikes. My SIL bought a RAD electric last week for delivery in October.. For me, and where we live, that's pretty much the tail end of bike riding season. So I'm waiting. Maybe I'll spring for one after the new year for delivery in like April.
There are tons of reviews of electric bikes, so I would check those before parting with the couple of thousand bucks for a good one, and shop local bike shops. As to whether they will work on bikes they haven't sold, like any business, I'm sure it's on a case by case basis. If they have the time they would do work for pay, but I suspect their buyers would get priority service.

Jim

 

[twise625]

I've considered it myself. I think that ship has sailed. Bikes (both pedal powered and electric) have been snapped up since the Covid lockdown started. First to get sold out were the traditional bike brands, then the lesser knows ones. And the less expensive ones. Now there are long waitlists for Chinese bikes. My SIL bought a RAD electric last week for delivery in October.. For me, and where we live, that's pretty much the tail end of bike riding season. So I'm waiting. Maybe I'll spring for one after the new year for delivery in like April.
There are tons of reviews of electric bikes, so I would check those before parting with the couple of thousand bucks for a good one, and shop local bike shops. As to whether they will work on bikes they haven't sold, like any business, I'm sure it's on a case by case basis. If they have the time they would do work for pay, but I suspect their buyers would get priority service.

Jim

Had not thought about the fact that I am late to the party! I am sure you are right that used supply is low right now.

 

[Brett]

I have been considering purchasing an electric bicycle - mostly for in town, bike trail riding. Anyone have a recommendation on a reliable make/model? Should I consider purchasing used? Will local bike shops work on electric bikes if they did not sell them?

A little over a month ago I got a Trek Electra Townie ebike from Conte's bike shop in Virginia Beach. I use it mostly on bike trails and nature preserves / wildlife areas and sometimes on roads. It's a lot of fun !

 

[Cornell]

I have one -- bought 2 years ago. Trek Verve +. Love it more than I can describe. Best purchase ever. I use it a lot in lieu of my car now for short errands.

 

[Cornell]

I used this website when I bought mine to help make my selection https://electricbikereview.com/

 

[Cornell]

I recommend you get one that has a battery on the frame of the bike rather than a rear carrier. A good electric bike dealer will explain the rationale for why.

 

[Passepartout]

Had not thought about the fact that I am late to the party! I am sure you are right that used supply is low right now.

Here's an article from bicycling.com (seems legit) with lots of in formation and reviews: https://www.bicycling.com/bikes-gear/a22132137/best-electric-bikes/

Jim

 

[DavidnRobin]

I have been considering purchasing an electric bicycle - mostly for in town, bike trail riding. Anyone have a recommendation on a reliable make/model? Should I consider purchasing used? Will local bike shops work on electric bikes if they did not sell them?

WOW! One of my favorite topics!
It is very important to do your due diligence before buying.

Parts on eBikes can wear down faster - brake pads, chains, and cassettes.

I bought a Hardtail eMTB last year and then traded to a FS eMTB as I needed the rear suspension (hard bumps too tough on my back/neck).

I bought a 2020 Trek Rail 7 (w/ new Bosch e-motor) and love it - I have put on 700 miles in about 4 months. I am doing hard trails that I would never been able to climb w/o the pedal assist. I did a trail ride of 15 miles in 1:45 with 2500ft elevation change - never could do that w/o the e-bike.

I would recommend buying a new model as the technology is ever changing.

It is correct to buy from a place that can service them. I ran into this issue with a brake caliper issue. It is tough to service bikes, or get parts, in these Covid times. That should resolve eventually, but a hassle now. I have been waiting 10 days (and counting) to get a new chain.

As to the type to buy? That depends on your needs and money willing to spend. I would not think of an eBike as a normal bike. I use my eMTB for normal street riding all the time. With the pedal assist - I don’t care if the tires are big or the bike heavier. I can ride my eMTB anywhere - whereas a road bike can’t ride on most dirt trails (and certainly not single tracks).

So... important to think about what kind of riding fits best for your needs - remembering you can go further with ease.

I can’t out pedal my battery - so consider the battery. Motor position and bike geometry is also important.
Good brakes! eBikes are heavier.

Good luck - let us know how it works for you. I am out biking almost everyday. My health and shape has improved. eBiking is not cheating exercise-wise, I am getting great exercise, and getting outdoors far away from the crowds.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Cornell]

I'd like to emphasize the comment that ebiking isn't "cheating" -- I am using my ebike now for errands, etc. By having an ebike, I'm using a bike MORE than I used to. Hope that makes sense.

 

[MommaBear]

I have one -- bought 2 years ago. Trek Verve +. Love it more than I can describe. Best purchase ever. I use it a lot in lieu of my car now for short errands.

I also have the same one, love it, has made the difference between being able to bike or not bike.

 

[PamMo]

We had a blast on an eBike tour in Cabo, and thought they were great, but wondered if we'd ever REALLY use one at home? It's a pretty expensive toy to just take up space in the garage. After lots of hiking during our Covid quarantine, we decided it would be fun to get a couple of eBikes for going on some longer trails, not serious mountain rides like David is doing, though. We also wanted folding bikes, so we could pack them up in our cars when we start normal travel again.

We looked at the reviews on the website Cornell noted above, and ordered a couple of Lectric XP's to play around with. If we don’t use them, or want to move up to better bikes, we'll give them to our kids. It's taken almost two months to get the bikes delivered. The first arrived yesterday, and we couldn't wait to try it out - we were like little kids with a new bike in the park! We're looking forward to the second arriving on Friday so we can hit the trails. https://electricbikereview.com/lectric-ebikes/lectric-xp/

 

[DavidnRobin]

1800 miles!

with breaks due to broken collarbone, cracked ribs, weather and moving to Sonoma Co (NorCal).
Now have one of the top MTBing locations in my backyard (Annadel State Park)
Now… waiting for our precious rain to end.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[PamMo]

Impressive, David! Enjoy the rain. Hopefully it isn't TOO much all at once. Our kids are going to get dumped on in the Sierras!

 

[magmue]

Bumping this 4 yo thread after reading this long-form NYT article today (should work without a paywall)

DH and I bought e-bikes a few years back, and I had two relatively minor (thank goodness) accidents in the first year. And then we got a golden doodle and were more focused on getting to the dog park than riding bikes. Anyway, our e-bikes have been neglected.

 

[Cornell]

A lot of these problems are with “e-motos”. I hear lots of people cry “ban e-bikes!” especially for certain age groups. These same people don’t understand the differences between a class 1 e-bike and an e-moto.

 

[easyrider]

Bumping this 4 yo thread after reading this long-form NYT article today (should work without a paywall)

DH and I bought e-bikes a few years back, and I had two relatively minor (thank goodness) accidents in the first year. And then we got a golden doodle and were more focused on getting to the dog park than riding bikes. Anyway, our e-bikes have been neglected.

We bought a couple with the Covid stimulus check. They weighed about 60 pounds and were fold-able. They would easily fit in the back of our suv's. It was kind of a hassle traveling with them and we really didn't ride them enough on trips to really make it worth it. They did take up more room in the garage than I liked. I think the kicker was losing a key at the Grand Canyon only to find it in my t-shirt pocket on our way back to Sedona, lol.

I think we spent about $1,000 a bike and sold them with less than 100 miles on them for $200 a bike.

Bill

 

[Brett]

A lot of these problems are with “e-motos”. I hear lots of people cry “ban e-bikes!” especially for certain age groups. These same people don’t understand the differences between a class 1 e-bike and an e-moto.

I'm in one of the older age groups with a class 2 e-bike --- hope I'm not banned !

 

[Nxferisn]

Spending a bit more upfront often saves money later in repairs. Cheap motors can be a headache.

 

[artringwald]

I put many miles on my bike, but I'm not quite ready for an ebike. I have several friends with them, and they love them. What I don't love is watching ebikes going 20+ mph on wooded trails where you can't see around the curves. I worry about walkers with dogs and small children getting hit by those heavy bikes. What's the hurry? I usually bike mid afternoon, so it's not like they're commuters. Slow down and enjoy the scenery. We have some beautiful trails in the Twin Cities.

 

[Brett]

I put many miles on my bike, but I'm not quite ready for an ebike. I have several friends with them, and they love them. What I don't love is watching ebikes going 20+ mph on wooded trails where you can't see around the curves. I worry about walkers with dogs and small children getting hit by those heavy bikes. What's the hurry? I usually bike mid afternoon, so it's not like they're commuters. Slow down and enjoy the scenery. We have some beautiful trails in the Twin Cities.

You will know when you are ready for the "pedal assist".
We ride ebikes but not on wooded trails, mostly big wide straight rail-to-trail bike trails and very low traffic suburban roads

 

[moonstone]

Spending a bit more upfront often saves money later in repairs. Cheap motors can be a headache.

And the cheap batteries in those are the ones catching fire. There have been so many catch fire and when the bike is parked in a garage or even a house while charging the whole place is gone. A 2000+ sq ft house near our home in Ontario just burned down yesterday from that. The owner said he put his bike in the garage to charge then they all went out for dinner. When they returned the fire dept was trying to save some of his home. The fire was too far advanced by the time the neighbours saw smoke so the house is gutted and their dog was killed!

Our FL condo management company is requesting that all e-bike & e-scooter owners provide a photo of the UL rating stamp on the bike/scooter as well as the one on the battery charge cord. Many off shore ones are not UL (or CSA in Canada) rated.


~Diane

 

[SmithOp]

I like the Lectric brand, the new XP4 is a nice e bike with better wheels than the earlier versions, the fat tire wheels were unstable on sharp turns. Prices are the lowest I've seen.

I've bought a floor model E-Lux from a local builder 10 years ago and it's still going strong. The brand just merged with another company.

My wife uses a tadpole e-trike, Sunseeker, with electric upgrade. She loves it since she is not able to balance on a two wheeler since her stroke. We ride exclusively on the beach bike trail.