Best Urban ebike

[alphacarina]

if i had a $4000 limit for a NYC commuter this is the bike i would get! it has all the things you need for NYC. with E-Bikes my rule is find a bike that delivers what i need and then some! i know what riding in NYC is like and you need to be prepared! I would go with a Biktrix Juggernaut Duo, you can choose your own motor(hub/BBS02/M620Ultra and battery size single or dual battery!

That looks VERY sturdy! - If I was going to spend $4K on a bike in NYC, it would have to be very sturdy - Sturdy enough to carry a 200 pound chain and a 25 pound padlock everywhere I went! My number one criteria would be . . . . something cheap enough that I wouldn't cry when it went missing

Don

 

[Akrotiri]

That looks VERY sturdy! - If I was going to spend $4K on a bike in NYC, it would have to be very sturdy - Sturdy enough to carry a 200 pound chain and a 25 pound padlock everywhere I went! My number one criteria would be . . . . something cheap enough that I wouldn't cry when it went missing

Don

200lb chain and 25lb padlock?

Didn’t even know those exist. Unless you weigh 75lbs carrying that would have you exceed the weight limit for any e-bike.

 

[ElevenAD]

That looks VERY sturdy! - If I was going to spend $4K on a bike in NYC, it would have to be very sturdy - Sturdy enough to carry a 200 pound chain and a 25 pound padlock everywhere I went! My number one criteria would be . . . . something cheap enough that I wouldn't cry when it went missing

Don

this is true but you just have to take extra precautions in NYC,i know guys who have been commuting in the city,locking their ebikes outside for the past 3 years with no theft issues just never make your bike the easiest target! BTW, those little 12dollar bike alarms can often be more helpful than a $100 lock! whatever locks you are using ad an alarm or 2.

 

[Alaskan]

I’d be remiss if I didn’t throw the Allant+7 in the ring. Under $4k, front suspension, great Bosch CX motor, 27.5 x 2.25 tires, not bulky but not a lightweight. Simple, tough and reliable with a fantastic Trek support network.

Add to that the Trek support and service network which in the USA is really second to none. If your experience is like many of ours, there are few other companies quite as committed to keeping you on the road and rolling.

Unless you are a good bike mechanic, have the time, know how and tools, some of the internet bikes you are considering could turn into a real hassle. Their lack of local service and reliance on a phone line or email and parts mailed to you to do it yourself, could turn out to be labor intensive, steep learning curve and a real disappointment.

 

[Coolbob]

@Marrduk24

I can't speak to the other bikes on your list, but I am really pleased with the Momentum Transend E+ I purchased last July. It's been 100% trouble free and it's quick, the assist feels really natural and even with the 375W battery it's got plenty of range for me to make 2 or 3 rides on a charge (2021 versions have a 500w battery). I've added a few accessories including a Topeak rear rack so I can slide in a Topeak basket for shopping, MTX bag when I'm playing Pickleball or just want a place to store layers of clothing I take off as I ride or MTX bag with panniers for more storage; depending on my needs for the day.

I like the Transend E+ so much we bought a Vida E+ for my wife two weeks ago. The seating is much more upright than the Transend with it's higher and more swept back handlebars, the seat is larger and softer and the geometry is a bit more like a cruiser style bike. The Vida is a class 1 whereas the Transend is a class 3, but she isn't as spirited as I am so that's not an issue. The Vida also has a slightly smaller chainring, better for hills. The only challenge I ran into with the Vida is the geometry of the frame along with the wife's low seat height caused interference between the Topeak Explorer rack bag/basket and the seat. I bought a Topeak Uni Super Tourer rack which has adjustable height and modified it slightly to set it lower than it's regular minimum height, now it's only 1.5" above the rear tire so our Topeak bags and the basket fit just fine and she can easily swing her leg over any cargo on the rack.

 

[Marrduk24]

Thanks all.
Curious how juiced vs Rad vs ride1up be Aventon compare.

juiced cross-current S2
Aventon level
Ride1up 700

they all sort of feel similar.
Radmission feels like a really easy to ride, fun, single gear city bike. More comparable to Ride1up roadster, but I like specs of Radmission more.

 

[Urban Coyote]

All

I live in NYC and here is my main criteria for eBike

1. Upright position
2. Comfortable to drive on pothole filled manhattan roads
3. Ideally range > 20 miles
4. Something not too bulky
5. Price under $4000

based on research I had done last year, I had shortlisted priority current and giant momentum transcend. I also had gazelle ultimate T10+ and C380 in my shortlist. Also had Aventon Level and Ride1up 700 in my shortlist.

I saw ride1up announced prodigy and it looks really interesting but won’t be available until 2022.

it wasn’t originally on my list but I am wondering it Rad Mission 1 meets most of my criteria.

meanwhile I have been getting around town on either my Dualtron eagle pro or citi electric bike (like it a lot).
What would be your top pick for my top 3 criteria above?

Have you considered any of the Rad bikes? I just got a Rad Runner and I love it. It’s very fun and the large tires will be good on the potholes. I also have the Rad Rover, but it’s definitely bulky! They are a great company to deal with, and I think the quality is amazing for the price.
I see you mentioned the Rad Mission, which also looks like a great bike, and is next on my list! The Mission is more of a forward riding position though, rather than upright, and the narrower tires won’t be as good on potholes as fatter ones.

 

[Marrduk24]

Have you considered any of the Rad bikes? I just got a Rad Runner and I love it. It’s very fun and the large tires will be good on the potholes. I also have the Rad Rover, but it’s definitely bulky! They are a great company to deal with, and I think the quality is amazing for the price.

I am looking at Rad Mission. I have 60 lbs as sort of the mental upper limit and that’s their only bike under that weight.

 

[steve mercier]

All

I live in NYC and here is my main criteria for eBike

1. Upright position
2. Comfortable to drive on pothole filled manhattan roads
3. Ideally range > 20 miles
4. Something not too bulky
5. Price under $4000

based on research I had done last year, I had shortlisted priority current and giant momentum transcend. I also had gazelle ultimate T10+ and C380 in my shortlist. Also had Aventon Level and Ride1up 700 in my shortlist.

I saw ride1up announced prodigy and it looks really interesting but won’t be available until 2022.

it wasn’t originally on my list but I am wondering it Rad Mission 1 meets most of my criteria.

meanwhile I have been getting around town on either my Dualtron eagle pro or citi electric bike (like it a lot).
What would be your top pick for my top 3 criteria above?

Of the bikes you listed I would prefer the Gazelle