Hey Jeremy, the Speedplays are terrible on a dirt/road/gravel bike. If dirt gets stuck in the pocket in the bottom of your shoes, you’ll never be able to clip in unless you take your shoes off and clean it out.
The best I’ve found for mtb and gravel bikes are the Eggbeaters. Even in the mud...
Go to your LBS and try some of their bars, or bars mounted on other bikes, to see what feels best.
My hands go numb after riding for a while so I bought some Zipp CF bars with a large flat area for my hands to rest on. It seems to help a little.
Another vote for trying to get your LBS to have them transfer the bike to them. It’s worth a try.
InCycle did that for our Specialized ebikes we’ve bought from them.
The R/C guys use ammo cans to charge and store their hI-discharge batteries for helicopters. You’ll need to remove the seal so it will vent in case of a fire. They also use cement blocks and stepping stones to form a bunker. They are real cheap at Home Depot.
My wife and I each have three e-bikes, all Specialized, and absolutely no problems.
If you buy a high quality bike, from a reputable shop, you’ll be fine.
Finding a good quality e-bike, that is everything that you’re looking for, for under $2000 each is going to be difficult. Definitely look at what your LBS has, then look for a used one to keep the cost down. Don’t opt for a cheap, no name bike, because it will break and there will be no one to...
You should be able to find a bike shop that has several versions and sizes of what you’re looking for. A test ride will speak a thousand words, just make sure the seat height and fore/aft is adjusted correctly for you. A taller stem can be fitted if you want to sit more upright.
A Specialized...
Do you have a friend or a nearby neighbor that is mechanically inclined? Hydraulic brakes are very simple and should be easy to fix if someone has worked on the brakes on their car or motorcycle. They are very similar to those on your bicycle.
Also, try looking on YouTube for videos on how...
It should have been checked by the seller prior to shipping, but apparently wasn’t. At this point I would just return it or get a refund immediately from PayPal. Sounds like it may give you continuous grief in the future. You don’t want to be on a ride 10 miles from home and it stops working...