E-Bikes... what to look at/buy?

A

Aunt Marg

SF VIP
So, hubby and I have been wanting to buy an e-bike... two, if we can find an e-bike that's affordable enough yet still provides us with a bike where we aren't switching gears continually to help preserve the cassette.

My husband understands e-bikes way more than I ever will, however, am reaching out to anyone here in hopes of garnering a little insight and advice on models, etc.

P.S. John Cycling, I would so love to hear from you on this.
 

As an aside to this, we found what we deem as being the perfect e-bike, both hubby and I fell in love with it right away, however, it's just way out of our affordability range.

The e-bike in question is the Biktrix...

Juggernaut XD Eagle

I love the step-through design, and having something with a dampening/ride system would sure make for a more comfortble ride, but sheesh... I really do hope there's an alternative option for us where we can still get into something that rides nice without breaking the bank.
 
According to hubby, dual drive is the way to go.

This is where I am lost...

90
 

There is a whole thread on e-bikes.
Here is a link to one I contributed to....
Are more people on this forum getting e-bikes?

I love e-bikes. You will see from my post in the other forum I use it as my main form of transport in my town to get around.
Aventon is a great bike at a good price. I paid $1,705 US which includes a military discount of about 5%.
I also got an extra battery at $250.00 (normally $500). I keep one battery always charged as I wear down the one in the bike. I go out for about 45 minutes 4-6 times before it gets below 20% and I put it on the charger.
The most important thing is the quality of the battery. Never get one directly from China or a questionable source. Always get it through the manufacture and only if they conform to UAL standards. Never charge overnight or when you are away from home. Just a precaution I take.
Duel drive? Not needed. Single drive is the only one you actually need. It goes about 25 mph, but you can modify through settings to get to 30 mph, but, who needs to go that fast?
Don't go with a kit to modify a regular bike. Very unsafe. 1) a regular bike is not set up for speed of an ebike. 2) the breaking system needs to be disk brakes, front and back, 3) The frame of an ebike is much stronger, 4) you would probably get a less than quality battery.

They are heavy with the battery in, so hopefully storage is not climbing up and down stairs.

I have no problems with the Aventon. The shipping is quick and it comes with easy to assemble instructions (about 30 minutes to put together).
I got seperate insurance made for ebikes. covered against loss, theft, accidents, etc. $11 a month.
Good luck! You will love an e-bike....8,000 is alot for an ebike. Aventon is much less expensive and the quality is great.
The best purchase I made since retiring.
Get a good lock. If you go with the insurance, you need to buy a lock approved by the insurance company. not a big deal though.
 
Plus that 8K bike doesn't come with fenders or a back rack. Need the fenders so water and dirt doesn't get all over you and the back rack is needed to carry things. I use two types of carry bags for the race; 1) for my drone equipment and 2) for carringing groceries from the General store.
 
Wow! Thank you so kindly for all the info and link, Sippican!

I love the Aventon! Fell in love with it right away. I also fell in love with the Nireeka. Love both styles.

Having an e-bike with a bright headlight is a must for us, as we're going to big on night rides, but aside from that, our list for luxuries and options isn't big.
 
I also opted for the shock mounted seat for $119.00. Well worth it considering the front already has a shock mount.
The tires on the Aventon are not a fat. Fat tires are only needed if you are doing alot of trail riding. I don't
 
Aunt Marg said:
Wow! Thank you so kindly for all the info and link, Sippican!

I love the Aventon! Fell in love with it right away. I also fell in love with the Nireeka. Love both styles.

Having an e-bike with a bright headlight is a must for us, as we're going to big on night rides, but aside from that, our list for luxuries and options isn't big.
Click to expand...
Speaking of night riding, the Aventon has night rear red riding lights and break lights built into the frame. Just like a car.
 
Re: the $8000 price tag, I agree, Sippican, seems so overly expensive.

For us it's going to be all about just getting out and having fun, so we definitely don't need anything too elaborate.
 
Sippican said:
Plus that 8K bike doesn't come with fenders or a back rack. Need the fenders so water and dirt doesn't get all over you and the back rack is needed to carry things. I use two types of carry bags for the race; 1) for my drone equipment and 2) for carringing groceries from the General store.
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Fenders and a transport bag or rack will be a must have for me, would be so nice to be able to stow away little things such as the housekeys, a drink, a snack, even a jacket while away, and I can definitely see myself making treks to the supermarket for things on the bike, so a back bag/rack sits high on my list of e-bike must haves.
 
Sippican said:
Speaking of night riding, the Aventon has night rear red riding lights and break lights built into the frame. Just like a car.
Click to expand...
Wow! This is perfect.

In our search for e-bikes we came across an LED signal light system where the lights insert into the handlebad grips, and boy, is that ever a neat-o option, and it's not expensive.

What a change from my childhood days where bike lights were a generator type system, where a wheel rode up against the bike tire to generate the power to run the light.

We were out for a walk theother evening and a guy went sailing past us on an e-bike. We didn't hear him coming until he was almost upon us, then whoosh, he sped by us. The headlight on his bike was super-bright, and sure enough his bike was equipped with a brake light.

Just think it will be so much fun to venture out after dark when traffic had died down for the day, and have the freedom to scoot around unrestricted.
 
Devi said:
As an aside, I don't think I'd store housekeys on a bike while I went into a store or elsewhere.
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Fortunately, we're good friends with the store manager where we shop, and so I'll have the option to bring my bike right inside for safe keeping.
 
Devi said:
Okay. Or just put your housekeys in your pocket. At least, that's what I'd do.
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You've struck on a major pet-peeve of mine... bulky housekeys.

Have always hated that poking, lumpy feeling of a bulky set of housekeys in my pocket, and have never liked carrying a purse or tote. Being able to free myself from all of that will be a treat. Into the rear bag tote with everything, and away I'll go.
 
Aunt Marg said:
Wow! This is perfect.

In our search for e-bikes we came across an LED signal light system where the lights insert into the handlebad grips, and boy, is that ever a neat-o option, and it's not expensive.

What a change from my childhood days where bike lights were a generator type system, where a wheel rode up against the bike tire to generate the power to run the light.

We were out for a walk theother evening and a guy went sailing past us on an e-bike. We didn't hear him coming until he was almost upon us, then whoosh, he sped by us. The headlight on his bike was super-bright, and sure enough his bike was equipped with a brake light.

Just think it will be so much fun to venture out after dark when traffic had died down for the day, and have the freedom to scoot around unrestricted.
Click to expand...
Funny, yes, sometimes I go flying past people.
If I find myself in a situation where there are too many cars around(usually 3 or 4 in my town is unusual), and I need a quick exit, boy, does it get up and go.
The Aventon has two different modes.
1) is pedel assist - you can set the amount of 'assist' the bike provides by a 1-5 setting. 5 being the more assist. Meaning as you pedal, the bike know how much energy you are using pedaling, and 'helps' with some electric power. I usually have it on a setting of 1. As I start to pedal, it sends a little power to the motor. If I have it set to 5, it will produce more power to 'assist'.
2) The other easier mode is direct throttle. Many time I choose not to pedal at all and just use the throttle lever to get me moving and if I want to get somewhere in a hurry. Usually when I'm at the beach, I don't really feel like pedaling home so I use the throttle all the way.
 
The fenders and back rack are standard on the Level 2 Commuter, pus it doesn't have the big bulky tires.
I went to a local dealer and saw the big fat tires and knew right away it was not want I needed for basic commuting and just riding enjoyment.
 
Sippican said:
Funny, yes, sometimes I go flying past people.
If I find myself in a situation where there are too many cars around(usually 3 or 4 in my town is unusual), and I need a quick exit, boy, does it get up and go.
The Aventon has two different modes.
1) is pedel assist - you can set the amount of 'assist' the bike provides by a 1-5 setting. 5 being the more assist. Meaning as you pedal, the bike know how much energy you are using pedaling, and 'helps' with some electric power. I usually have it on a setting of 1. As I start to pedal, it sends a little power to the motor. If I have it set to 5, it will produce more power to 'assist'.
2) The other easier mode is direct throttle. Many time I choose not to pedal at all and just use the throttle lever to get me moving and if I want to get somewhere in a hurry. Usually when I'm at the beach, I don't really feel like pedaling home so I use the throttle all the way.
Click to expand...
Regarding pedal assist, does this feature auto-charge the battery to help get extra mileage out of the battery?

I can honestly say I'm going to be a rider that relies more on electric power than pedal-power.

One bike shop we visited suggested we buy two batteries, but I didn't understand the rational behind the advice, given that we won't be putting high mileage on with our outings, so I see no justification in forking out the added expense of a secondary battery, other than to pad the pocket of the shop with an additional sale.
 
Aunt Marg said:
Regarding pedal assist, does this feature auto-charge the battery to help get extra mileage out of the battery?

I can honestly say I'm going to be a rider that relies more on electric power than pedal-power.

One bike shop we visited suggested we buy two batteries, but I didn't understand the rational behind the advice, given that we won't be putting high mileage on with our outings, so I see no justification in forking out the added expense of a secondary battery, other than to pad the pocket of the shop with an additional sale.
Click to expand...
No, there is no auto-charge on the batteries from pedaling. I assume because there is little pedaling and not enough to charge the battery.
Ya, the extra battery was because they were having a sale on them at the time. Normally a battery is $500 but had it on sale for $250.00. I'm a sucker for sales...:giggle: Plus I was working at the time so it wasn't a big deal to get it.
 
Aunt Marg said:
So, hubby and I have been wanting to buy an e-bike..
Click to expand...
When I had my hip replacement my surgeon told me to avoid impact exercise, jogging in other words. He recommended swimming and cycling. What I needed was a bike, preferably one without a crossbar, so as to avoid lifting my leg too high, as I would with a crossbar. At a vintage fair I found the perfect answer. A 1922 ladies bicycle. Just the ticket for grocery shopping. There was even a pair of trousers clips in the basket, perfect when your trousers sport a twenty-two inch hem.
holmsley4.jpg
 
horseless carriage said:
When I had my hip replacement my surgeon told me to avoid impact exercise, jogging in other words. He recommended swimming and cycling. What I needed was a bike, preferably one without a crossbar, so as to avoid lifting my leg too high, as I would with a crossbar. At a vintage fair I found the perfect answer. A 1922 ladies bicycle. Just the ticket for grocery shopping. There was even a pair of trousers clips in the basket, perfect when your trousers sport a twenty-two inch hem.
View attachment 312516
Click to expand...
How lovely!

Wonderul story, HC, and love the bike!

But boy, the tires look as though they're one step away from giving way... too skinny and light looking? Do they get the job done adequately?

The basket on the front is so me! Perfect for transporting that small bag of store-bought goodies home safely!
 

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