A folder (or stander) for groceries and fun

[wooz]

Hello!

As I await my tax refund and perhaps a small bonus from work, I'm trying to choose which e-bike I'll be buying next month.

Use Case/Features

• Ability to get et at least two heavyish bags of groceries from the store.
• Must fold or stand on its end (like the Tern HSD)
  • Right now I have a bike room at my apartment building, I might not have one in the future, and we already have two full-size bikes.
• Approachable for my wife, who would be interested in riding it to accompany me when I ride my non-electric for exercise.
  • "Finicky" steering or handling are a big turn off for her, must handle decently.
• Bonus: Trolleyable when folded for taking on transit.
• Bonus: A throttle would be nice but not required.

Budget: $1600-3000

Bikes being considered:

• RadMini StepThru
  • Likes: Affordable, has throttle, rollable when folded, approachable, looks fun.
  • Dislikes: Would cost extra to have it assembled, no rack included.
• Tern HSD
  • Likes: Looks fun-capable while also offering a ton of cargo space, stands on end, local dealers appear to carry it.
  • Dislikes: Tern's model number system is so confusing. It's so hard for me to tell the differences between the models and what I really need/want, no throttle.
• Tern Vektron
  • Likes: Fun, approachable, very foldable, transit capable, trolleyable
  • Dislikes: Tern's model # system, no throttle, unsure how much cargo I can fit, at the top (and perhaps beyond) price range.
    

Thoughts on these? Am I missing any key bikes?

 

[Dewey]

Tern HSD has some useful storage features like the folding handle post and seatpost allowing you to carry it in a station wagon/SUV/Minivan without needing a rack. I think I‘d save up for the P9 Performance model, the standard P9 has the Bosch Active Line Plus with 50nm torque, but the P9 Performance has the Performance Line motor with 63nm torque which would better suit hill climbing. The P9 Performance model is only available from a small number of dealers including Propel, New Wheel, & G&O Family Cyclery.

The Tern Vektron like the HSD has Tern’s excellent Andros adjustable stem, and an optional longer handlepost if you’re a taller rider, it is a lighter folding bike with better components than the RadMini.

 

[harryS]

In tight spaces ,.... 20x4" tire vs 20x2" tire, or Radmini vs Tern.