Hi,My first post.I have been learning a lot from this site but also confused a lot. I am an old guy that rode daily until a few years ago.I had a stroke and heart problems.I now want to get back to riding.I know I can ride now but worried about how far. Thats why I decided to go electric. I find so many options on brands ,etc.I want something that pedals close to a normal bike when not using the motor. I would like to stay in the $1000/$1500 area for a first bike .Is that possible ? Any suggestions as to brands,hubs,power,etc. thanks in advance.
A lot to learn
- Thread starter vincev
- Start date
Art Deco
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Selinsgrove Pennsylvania
Are you in an area with a good local bike shop? Most of them will rent you a bike for a day or a weekend to test out, however very few carry sub $2000 ebikes. Those are mostly online only.I can say that the big three Specialized, Giant, and Trek make ebikes that ride like a mechanical bike, rather than like a mini bike like so many 20 inch wheeled ebikes. My turbo como rides just fine without assist on flat land, and it's a 50 pound bike.
PatriciaK
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Pacific Northwest and Piedmont Triad
This is what I ride:
www.giant-bicycles.com
It's a mid drive, and feels very natural - great on hills, too! The dealer network is extensive.
This is another option in your price range:
www.aventon.com
It's a rear hub drive, and it has a throttle, which may come in handy if you get tired and don't want to pedal.
LaFree E+ (2019) | Giant Bicycles US
Here’s a totally unique and invigorating new way to ride. This new E-bike lets you ride farther with less effort. Explore neighborhood streets, ride for fitness...
www.giant-bicycles.com
It's a mid drive, and feels very natural - great on hills, too! The dealer network is extensive.
This is another option in your price range:
Pace 350.2 Step-Through | Electric Cruiser Bike | Aventon
The Pace 350.2 Step-through ebike goes on throttle and pedal assist. This electric bike includes a 350W hub-drive motor and large comfortable tires. It gives you the ultimate balance in comfort and power. Shop Now!
www.aventon.com
It's a rear hub drive, and it has a throttle, which may come in handy if you get tired and don't want to pedal.
You may want to consider a bike that is approachable, easier to get on and off and easier for balance, like a step through or a bike with 20 tires. I have heard mid drives are smoother to pedal but they are out of my price range and most do not have a throttle. Someone posted info about Ariel C - mid drive, step through frame, nice specs. It was about $. 1700. I think the ride1up 500 step through is nice ($1200)(hub motor). They also offer the slightly cheaper and lighter Core5 without a suspension fork. Another nice affordable step through is the Espin Flow. I have heard some older people like the Electric XP, easy to get on and off, sturdy, 4 inch tires, goes up to 28, throttle, shimano shifters, disk brakes. It folds. Decent battery. No suspension but some people add a suspension seat post. Comes assembled. It is only $ 899. I have heard that have a vet discount. I am sure some people will scoff that they are cheap bikes but the people that have them seem to like them. Speed seems easily controlled. Comes with rack, fenders and lights. The Rad runner is also a popular inexpensive 20 inch tire bike. Under $1000, and they also have discounts. I think it is heavy 60-65 lbs.
Dallant
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
I had some similar health issues but have come back mostly by riding analog bikes. Climbing hills is where I really needed the most help and where I decided ebikes were in my future. I spent 3 years waiting for Trek to build the support infrastructure and an evolved group of ebikes to pick from. My Allant +7 is 47.5 lbs but rides much lighter than that. I ride the majority of time with the motor off but when I’m in need, it’s really powerful and smooth. That said, it’s a $3500.00 ebike. Just make sure you test drive as many as you can.
Good luck!
Good luck!
I was actually reading about the Aventon Pace 500 and it sounds like a nice bike .This is what I ride:
LaFree E+ (2019) | Giant Bicycles US
Here’s a totally unique and invigorating new way to ride. This new E-bike lets you ride farther with less effort. Explore neighborhood streets, ride for fitness...
It's a mid drive, and feels very natural - great on hills, too! The dealer network is extensive.
This is another option in your price range:
Pace 350.2 Step-Through | Electric Cruiser Bike | Aventon
The Pace 350.2 Step-through ebike goes on throttle and pedal assist. This electric bike includes a 350W hub-drive motor and large comfortable tires. It gives you the ultimate balance in comfort and power. Shop Now!
It's a rear hub drive, and it has a throttle, which may come in handy if you get tired and don't want to pedal.
PatriciaK
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Pacific Northwest and Piedmont Triad
Yes, most Aventon owners love their bikes. I recommended the 350 because the 500 is pretty zippy starting from a stop - many folks find that disconcerting, though I understand there are ways to deal with that.
Check out the Aventon owners forum here for details...
Dallant
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
It all depends what you're looking for but I might point out that the Allant +7 weighs two lbs less, comes with controller, front & rear lighting, rack, fenders, Bosch 4th Gen motor (with firmware update coming in the next month), comes assembled, and has a nation-wide network of Trek dealers. And yeah, I know it’s twice the price. Just throwing it out there.
Thanks,will do.
I looked up the videos and it sounds like a really nice bike but a little too rich for my first one.I have to see how I do with one before I get into an upper end bike.Thanks for the info.It all depends what you're looking for but I might point out that the Allant +7 weighs two lbs less, comes with controller, front & rear lighting, rack, fenders, Bosch 4th Gen motor (with firmware update coming in the next month), comes assembled, and has a nation-wide network of Trek dealers. And yeah, I know it’s twice the price. Just throwing it out there.
FlatSix911
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Silicon Valley
Vince, welcome to EBR... lots of good advice is available on this forum.
Take a look at the Best Affordable EBike reviews on EBR as a good place to start.
Best Electric Bikes of 2025
We have tested over 100 e-bikes this year and these are the best electric bikes of 2025! Fat tires to the city e-bikes and everything in-between.
electricbikereview.com
Budget-conscious? Here’s our top picks for the best affordable electric bikes of 2020. You can have confidence in the capabilities of these ebikes. You’ll notice that we don’t go too cheap with these winners, because we’ve found that the very cheapest products do not use reliable or replaceable parts, and they usually lack warranty and customer support. Our chosen ebikes have more dependable motors, batteries, and drivetrains. When comparing affordable ebikes, it’s wise to rely on common sense; “you get what you pay for” and “if something seems too good to be true, it probably is”. Our top three picks are summarized below. For more details, including why we chose each model, check out our full list of the best affordable electric bikes.
6zfshdb
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Northeast Pennsylvania
There are other considerations than just the bike itself. Where will you store it? How will you transport it? Most E-bikes weigh 2 - 3 times what a conventional bike does. You may be able to lift a conventional bike onto a vehicle rack, push it up a steep grade or carry it upstairs but perhaps not with a heavier E--bike. Bikes with throttles or walk assist features can be a help with some of these chores. A throttle can also be a safety feature should you have a medical problem while riding. It can get you home if you are unable to pedal for some reason.
Although you may be able to swing your leg over a high bar bike now but consider the future. E-bikes are expensive and you'll want to ride it for as long as possible. A step thru model might be a good choice as a hedge against future health issues.
Although you may be able to swing your leg over a high bar bike now but consider the future. E-bikes are expensive and you'll want to ride it for as long as possible. A step thru model might be a good choice as a hedge against future health issues.
Thanks ! Something to consider. Transporting to the trails and getting it on the truck
Art Deco
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Selinsgrove Pennsylvania
Transporting and charging can both be a pain, but by considering them before purchasing, you will see what works for you. You may need a ramp to get them up into your truck, but most people don't. You will only lift one end of the bike at a time, after all, so unless you buy a 90 pound bike it's unlikely to be an issue. Likewise charging isn't a big issue for short rides of a few hours, but can be an issue for all day rides.
Aventon Pace 350 or Pace 500. I would get a step-through frame. Not as sexy but comfortable.
Pros: lightweight, seatpost angle comfortable for non-powered pedaling, cheap and has shops/dealers (most bikes in this price range are online-only, no dealers). Adding lights and rear rack will increase the cost by $50-200 depending mostly on the lights, and will make it ~49 lbs for Pace 350 and 52 lbs for 500. Still lighter than some other at that price.
Cons: reportedly lower quality motor than (more common) Bafang. It costs $300 for a new wheel with motor already laced in. No suspension fork - not a big deal on easy trails.
After Covid-19 lockdown in China and in the middle of summer now many shops have low inventory, many accessories on Aventon site are Sold-Out and new bikes from the factory have 2 months lead time. Though, shops occasionally have bikes in stock. Assembling costs $100-150, some dealers might not charge but don't count on it. Doable on your own if you are handy.
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FlatSix911
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Silicon Valley
Vince, here are the top three Affordable Ebikes as rated by EBR... hope this helps.
Best Affordable Electric Bikes of 2020
Budget conscious? Here’s our top picks for best affordable electric bikes of 2020. You can have confidence in the capabilities of these ebikes. You’ll notice that we don’t go too cheap with these winners, because we’ve found that the very cheapest products do not use reliable or replaceable parts, and they usually lack warranty and customer support. Our chosen ebikes have more dependable motors, batteries, and drivetrains. When comparing affordable ebikes, it’s wise to rely on common sense; “you get what you pay for” and “if something seems too good to be true, it probably is”. Our top three picks are summarized below. For more details, including why we chose each model, check out our full list of the best affordable electric bikes.
Rad Power Bikes RadCity Step-Thru 3 Review
- Premium
- MSRP: $1,499
- MODEL YEAR: 2020
Electric Bike Company Model Y Review
- Value
- MSRP: $1,699
- MODEL YEAR: 2019
December 20, 2019
Ride1Up 500 Series Review
- Affordable
- MSRP: $1,099
- MODEL YEAR: 2019, 20
BigNerd
Well-Known Member
I’m in the same range as the OP and considering Aventon, Ride1Up, Sondors, and Espin.
For me the sale price of the Espin Sport at $1199 is compelling but it seems like a lesser known brand/bike than the other 3.
It’s too bad most of these online sites don’t have in-stock bikes that you can get immediately.
For me the sale price of the Espin Sport at $1199 is compelling but it seems like a lesser known brand/bike than the other 3.
It’s too bad most of these online sites don’t have in-stock bikes that you can get immediately.
The reason why I didn't specifically mention RAD and Ride1Up was their substantial weight, making it difficult to pedal non-powered - one of the OP requirements. RAD City is particularly heavy at 65 lbs, and has a direct drive motor that creates a drug when non-powered.
Electric Bike Company Model Y looks beautiful, functional and affordable but, but..... It's battery is proprietary and difficult to remove, not something you can do every day. $1,700 standard model is single-speed, 7-speed upgrade brings the price up to 1,830 plus 180 shipping, total $2,010. It does have a nice frame and I like that they assemble their bikes in the US, so there is less chance of damage in slow boat from China, unlike with other online retailers. Though others mostly don't charge for shipping and will exchange damaged parts for free.
Not that Aventon Pace is a much better bike that others mentioned here, - it will be a compromise decision. It's difficult to choose with a budget that low, plus the requirement to easy pedal un-powered, plus the preference to deal with local shop.
Electric Bike Company Model Y looks beautiful, functional and affordable but, but..... It's battery is proprietary and difficult to remove, not something you can do every day. $1,700 standard model is single-speed, 7-speed upgrade brings the price up to 1,830 plus 180 shipping, total $2,010. It does have a nice frame and I like that they assemble their bikes in the US, so there is less chance of damage in slow boat from China, unlike with other online retailers. Though others mostly don't charge for shipping and will exchange damaged parts for free.
Not that Aventon Pace is a much better bike that others mentioned here, - it will be a compromise decision. It's difficult to choose with a budget that low, plus the requirement to easy pedal un-powered, plus the preference to deal with local shop.
Ravi Kempaiah
Well-Known Member
- Region
- Canada
- City
- Halifax
Sorry to hear about your stroke. My father had a stroke in 2014 and it changed his life for the worse.
E-bikes will help you greatly in gaining strength and re-building your cardio. I have a friend who has a shop in Indiana and I am happy to connect you to him.
You could also look at this bike. It comes with Shimano E-8000 motor and really nice components. For $2000, it is an exceptional bike:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2019-Felt-...250w-Shimano-Steps-58cm-X-Large/193187944518?
Good luck with your search and I am sure E-bikes will make a positive impact in your recovery.
