Hi guys, I've been learning so much on this site and am hoping to get some opinions
I am a 5'9" 250lb female with hypermobility, and am looking into buying an electric bicycle. I am currently riding a 20yo mountain bike that really bugs my lower back, no matter how hard I try to concentrate on arching it properly while riding, and am walking up the couple of steeper hills on my commute which doesn't mix well with my knees and Achilles tendon. It's been about 10 years since I've lived somewhere that biking was an option, and I've been pretty frustrated that all these health problems keep getting in the way of being more active. I'm hoping to find an upright e-bike for less than $2,000CAD (~$1,500USD).
One of my concerns is that the cheaper upright-style e-bikes with the swept-back handlebars out there seem to be low-step, and I'm worried about the frame being strong enough as I've read about twisting with heavier riders. Swept-back handlebars aren't a must but being upright is, and it's so hard for me to tell from pics how well the non-swept-back handles actually reach back for you to sit upright. I don't have any problems getting onto my current bike so I'm not too picky about the frame other than the stability. I've also read that a stronger 500W motor would be best, considering my weight plus cargo. I can ride to work on the road but would love the option of being able to trail ride as well, as we have some really awesome mountain trails around here that I've wanted to explore. I'm not sure how well upright riding lends itself to trails though? Especially with the step-over frames, there are a lot of tree roots that I'm guessing might be hard on the weaker frames. I would also prefer a bike that doesn't look too "different" or even obviously electric, as we get a lot of visitors/tourists in the summer and I don't want it to look to tempting for people to steal when it's locked up outside the store or at the beach.
At the moment I'm looking at the iGo Metro Elite from Costco (I've heard they go on sale sometimes,) the Voltbike Elegant, and the RadCity (Step-Thru or not, but the full frame bikes have different handlebars... Not sure if they would work as well for my back?) But there are so. many. bikes out there! Does anyone have any suggestions, or comments on the 3 I mentioned? I live on the West Coast of Canada, so availability seems to be an issue. I won't have the full funds for at least another month, which gives me some time to research and decide. Both the Voltbike and RadCity are also out of stock, and I would wait for the iGo to go on sale, so really another option might be preferable, unless that changes.
Thanks in advance!
I am a 5'9" 250lb female with hypermobility, and am looking into buying an electric bicycle. I am currently riding a 20yo mountain bike that really bugs my lower back, no matter how hard I try to concentrate on arching it properly while riding, and am walking up the couple of steeper hills on my commute which doesn't mix well with my knees and Achilles tendon. It's been about 10 years since I've lived somewhere that biking was an option, and I've been pretty frustrated that all these health problems keep getting in the way of being more active. I'm hoping to find an upright e-bike for less than $2,000CAD (~$1,500USD).
One of my concerns is that the cheaper upright-style e-bikes with the swept-back handlebars out there seem to be low-step, and I'm worried about the frame being strong enough as I've read about twisting with heavier riders. Swept-back handlebars aren't a must but being upright is, and it's so hard for me to tell from pics how well the non-swept-back handles actually reach back for you to sit upright. I don't have any problems getting onto my current bike so I'm not too picky about the frame other than the stability. I've also read that a stronger 500W motor would be best, considering my weight plus cargo. I can ride to work on the road but would love the option of being able to trail ride as well, as we have some really awesome mountain trails around here that I've wanted to explore. I'm not sure how well upright riding lends itself to trails though? Especially with the step-over frames, there are a lot of tree roots that I'm guessing might be hard on the weaker frames. I would also prefer a bike that doesn't look too "different" or even obviously electric, as we get a lot of visitors/tourists in the summer and I don't want it to look to tempting for people to steal when it's locked up outside the store or at the beach.
At the moment I'm looking at the iGo Metro Elite from Costco (I've heard they go on sale sometimes,) the Voltbike Elegant, and the RadCity (Step-Thru or not, but the full frame bikes have different handlebars... Not sure if they would work as well for my back?) But there are so. many. bikes out there! Does anyone have any suggestions, or comments on the 3 I mentioned? I live on the West Coast of Canada, so availability seems to be an issue. I won't have the full funds for at least another month, which gives me some time to research and decide. Both the Voltbike and RadCity are also out of stock, and I would wait for the iGo to go on sale, so really another option might be preferable, unless that changes.
Thanks in advance!