Need help on choosing my first e-bike! Want to purchase from website.

[Mayne]

Currently I was finding a e-bike helps to go traveling and a little bit off-road trails. Have seen lots of brands but not able to decide. Can anyone help to make the decision?
Have seen many popular brands like Aventon or Heybike. Need thoughts PLS.

 

[sc00ter]

To help narrow the many choices down I'm asking the following:

What type of traveling? Local or transporting said ebike?

Is this for exercise or just getting out of the house?

Budget? Also, why only online purchase?

You handy with a wrench?

I've owned way to many ebikes trying to find the perfect one. I'm now down to 2, a Lectric Xpedition for my wife and I to run 'round the neighborhood and a RadRunner 2 for commuting. The RadRunner was picked for its simplicity and cadence sensor because my commute is more utilitarian. I also prefer the smaller 20" wheels.

 

[chunk]

Try, if possible to ride the bikes that are on your list of possible bikes. Size and ergonomics are important. My first and only e-bike isn't too comfortable for me, but it was cheap enough that I now have a better idea what features and ergo's I want in a future e-bike.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Try, if possible to ride the bikes that are on your list of possible bikes. Size and ergonomics are important.

Agree. Test some promising ebikes at local shops, get a feel for the features you do and don't want, the weight you can tolerate, and how much it all costs. Then come back with narrower questions.

Also, buy online only as a last resort. Sooner or later your bike will need service, and buying locally is the best way to insure that you can get it.

 

[indianajo]

Currently I was finding a e-bike helps to go traveling and a little bit off-road trails.

If you are out alone, it is nice to carry 3 tubes, a folding tire, an air pump, a fairly complete set of tools. My mommy is not going to come pick me up after something breaks, she is deceased. Plenty of water, rain gear, sometimes a map or a gps in a rain pouch. Stretch frame cargo bikes allow one to tote 25 lb of accessories without overloading the rear tire. If you camp off the bike, you may want more weight than that. Some have bosses in the frame to mount a front basket or pannier rack without steering the load. The weight, well I got used to it. Cheapest weight to lose is around your middle and on the thighs & rear. I lost 55 lb biking everywhere instead of driving. When I ride 30 miles to my summer property, I carry 60 lb of groceries, ag supplies, tractor fuel, clean clothes, whatever. In addition to the trouble+rain kit. My bike & kit is 94 lb w/o groceries. I can pedal it up a 15% grade loaded if the throttle has failed in the rain.
I like 26" wheels for saving my hips on potholes. I like 55 psi tires for no drag, 2.1" or 2.4". I like yuba and blix bikes. If you like changing the chain frequently, giant momentum makes a nice mid drive cargo bike. I get 5000 miles per chain on my front hub drive yuba bodaboda (out of production). Motors about the same life, but a power wheel is easier to change than a chain. After a hub motor wears out the gears or the clutch, they pedal home fine with no drag. I have 7 years and 12000 miles on my cargo bike.
No store in a city of <10000000 people will stock a bike for small people except a pink one with rim brakes and a Holly Hobbie logo on the seat. I had to order in my yuba from California, 2500 miles away. I took the measurements of the kiddie diamondback MTB I was riding, looked for something a little different, ordered prepaid. Know your body dimensions and what size frame and preferred seating style you want, before ordering. One size does NOT fit all.

 

[Corben]

I ordered a "Lectic" xp lite 2.0 from their site and it arrived fast, the box was almost perect. The bike appeared to be. MSRP JUST $799.00, free shipping!
I really like it so far. I've rode it few times to work, around the hood, have almost 300 miles on it now.
Broke the front lantern somehow and Lectric is going to replace it for free, no shipping charges...nice company.