I have been shopping for an ebike to allow me to ride on the 20-30mile rides my husband enjoys. He definitely does hills, and they are my biggest challenge, I can't even do a slope. Well, I couldn't even do a simple slope last fall. Now I can't do anything because I have spent the past 8 months fighting cancer, going through chemo, surgery, etc. I need something that can do a LOT of helping as I try to get my strength and stamina back.
The search started almost a year ago when I went to try out a $1000 ebike at a local ebike store. The sales person had me compare it to a $1200, and I preferred the $1200 enough to justify the extra $200. Then he had me compare it to a $1400, then a $1750, then a $1999, etc. The last one I tried was a Bulls Lacuba Wave and I LOVED it but I couldn't justify spending the money for the Bulls, but couldn't talk myself into buying any of the lesser bikes because they were really lacking the intuitive pedal assist feel the Bulls had. After that we bought me an ebike at Costco (since you can't test ride them) and HATED it. It was either no assist or too much assist. It went back! Now, I am ready to spend the money on a high quality ebike, around $3500, but at that amount of money, I want to make sure I have done my research.
I haven't ridden the Bulls Lacuba Wave in almost a year, so with the hope of trying it again and comparing it to some others, we went to a bike store that said they had it in stock. They didn't, but I tested a Gazelle Arroyo C8 HMB Elite. I think I liked it, but the frame was too big for me, so I couldn't really tell. Then we went to a different store and I tried a Specialized Turbo Como 3.0 Low-entry. I really liked the riding position, but the assist didn't feel as good as either the Bulls or the Gazelle. But the sales person said that could be adjusted with an app after purchase. Anybody know if the Specialized would feel as easy to get moving from a stop as the other 2 if I could adjust things in the app?
I want something easy maintenance and reliable, and an article I read about the Bulls says they use Brose motors and that they aren't reliable. So, I could really use suggestions on bikes that I can try locally (SF Bay Area, so lots of bike stores) that are reliable, easy to get serviced, and ride as nice as the Bulls and Gazelle.
The search started almost a year ago when I went to try out a $1000 ebike at a local ebike store. The sales person had me compare it to a $1200, and I preferred the $1200 enough to justify the extra $200. Then he had me compare it to a $1400, then a $1750, then a $1999, etc. The last one I tried was a Bulls Lacuba Wave and I LOVED it but I couldn't justify spending the money for the Bulls, but couldn't talk myself into buying any of the lesser bikes because they were really lacking the intuitive pedal assist feel the Bulls had. After that we bought me an ebike at Costco (since you can't test ride them) and HATED it. It was either no assist or too much assist. It went back! Now, I am ready to spend the money on a high quality ebike, around $3500, but at that amount of money, I want to make sure I have done my research.
I haven't ridden the Bulls Lacuba Wave in almost a year, so with the hope of trying it again and comparing it to some others, we went to a bike store that said they had it in stock. They didn't, but I tested a Gazelle Arroyo C8 HMB Elite. I think I liked it, but the frame was too big for me, so I couldn't really tell. Then we went to a different store and I tried a Specialized Turbo Como 3.0 Low-entry. I really liked the riding position, but the assist didn't feel as good as either the Bulls or the Gazelle. But the sales person said that could be adjusted with an app after purchase. Anybody know if the Specialized would feel as easy to get moving from a stop as the other 2 if I could adjust things in the app?
I want something easy maintenance and reliable, and an article I read about the Bulls says they use Brose motors and that they aren't reliable. So, I could really use suggestions on bikes that I can try locally (SF Bay Area, so lots of bike stores) that are reliable, easy to get serviced, and ride as nice as the Bulls and Gazelle.