Big guy needs help

[Shan]

Hi all,
Very grateful for this site and all the awesome information. But it is expansive.... I’d love a little help in choosing the right ebike.

I am 6’6” and weigh 270lbs. Ex football player who has fallen a bit out of shape. I love cycling but need some motorized motivation to get going again....

I’d like to use the bike to commute to work AND drop my daughter off at school via a quick release toddler seat to attach to a rear rack. Her school is 2 miles from my house and work is another 17. So it’s basically a commuter bike with some cargo capability....

I tested a rad cargo bike, but didn’t love it. A little too stretched for commuting. But I would like a good sized, strong, durable, reliable bike with plenty of power to get all this weight moving.

I’d like to keep the price tag under $3000 as I think I’ll be coming back for an emtb before Long. Value is of primary interest, but it appears pricing is pretty efficient for these products.

Any guidance on specific bikes, or additional research or reviews is much appreciated!

 

[Dewey]

The Pedego store in Redmond, WA participates in the Certified Pre-loved Pedego program, ask if they can supply a used 28" City Commuter step-through. They claim they put someone 6'4" on a stock 28" city commuter and he was "very comfortable on it". It has an adjustable handlebar stem you can raise quite high, and the handlebars are normal bicycle width rather than the wider cruiser bars on their other models. You'll be able to clamp a child seat like a Yepp Nexxt Maxi on the rack and mount the bike without hitting your leg or foot on the rack, child seat, or your daughter, add a front basket for your bags. The heavy duty 12 gauge spokes mean the wheels can take the weight. 38 miles round trip is a stretch so ask if they can supply the larger 15ah battery. New this set up would cost more like $3,500 but if you buy a used ex-demo or rental you will keep within your budget even with the upgrades/accessories, and get a 12 month warranty.

 

[MisterM]

Why not just buy a mid motor emtb to start? Put some road tires on, or buy a second wheelset and can use as a commuter and a trail runner - two birds, one stone. Rear hub motor bikes don't offer such flexibility.

Biktrix offers a hardtail with various wheel options (can request additional optional wheelset). I don't know anyone else who offers 3 different wheel choices on same frame (Link Removed - No Longer Exists) Comes with a rack that you could place a child's seat on. Powerful 750w Bafang mid motor that can handle heavier loads (320# rated). They claim "up to" 36mph. Rigid front fork is standard but you can request a suspension fork. Biktrix is very flexible.

Personally, I'd consider paying a bit more and buying the Ultra (1000w) version (more power), which has torque sensor for more natural bike feel (rather than a cadence sensor found on less expensive bikes).https://www.biktrix.com/collections/bikes/products/juggernaut-ultra-1000

 

[Bruce Arnold]

Hi all,
Very grateful for this site and all the awesome information. But it is expansive.... I’d love a little help in choosing the right ebike.

I am 6’6” and weigh 270lbs. Ex football player who has fallen a bit out of shape. I love cycling but need some motorized motivation to get going again....

I’d like to use the bike to commute to work AND drop my daughter off at school via a quick release toddler seat to attach to a rear rack. Her school is 2 miles from my house and work is another 17. So it’s basically a commuter bike with some cargo capability....

I tested a rad cargo bike, but didn’t love it. A little too stretched for commuting. But I would like a good sized, strong, durable, reliable bike with plenty of power to get all this weight moving.

I’d like to keep the price tag under $3000 as I think I’ll be coming back for an emtb before Long. Value is of primary interest, but it appears pricing is pretty efficient for these products.

Any guidance on specific bikes, or additional research or reviews is much appreciated!

Take a look at Juiced Bikes RipCurrent S and CrossCurrent S. Even with the biggest battery you would be within your $3K budget, and I'd really suggest getting the biggest battery. I'm pretty happy with my 17Ah battery, but would like to have the 52V 21Ah battery they offer now. I own the CrossCurrent S. I'm somewhat bigger than you (but losing weight the more I ride) and it meets my needs just fine as far as the motor providing ample assistance and being strong enough to manage my weight. Given your height you'd want the XL frame. I love my CCS. I use it for commuting, errands, and recreation. I have COPD so a regular pedal bike is out of the question. With this bike, if I get short of breath, I can up the pedal assist while I catch my breath, and then reduce it again so I'm getting more of a work-out. Couldn't be happier.

I feel that I have to add one caveat, though. Juiced Bikes is notorious for over-optimism regarding delivery dates. You will get it, and you will love it, and it's a fantastic value financially for what you get, but you will probably wait longer than you thought you would. For instance, they are currently taking orders for what they say is a June delivery date. They are consistently 4 weeks behind their estimates. If they say June and you get it in July, it's irritating. If they just said July, you'd be eager but not frustrated. I was willing to wait the extra time to get my CCS, and have not regretted it one minute, but when I recommend Juiced, I feel like I have to mention this too.

There are other bikes that will meet your needs and I hope some of the other riders will chime in with their favorites.

 

[Shan]

Thank you for the guidance! I’m really coming around to the idea of a hard tail with rack. How challenging is it to swap out wheels on mid drive motor bikes? Special tools required? Does it take a long time?

Thanks to all for comments!

 

[MisterM]

Thank you for the guidance! I’m really coming around to the idea of a hard tail with rack. How challenging is it to swap out wheels on mid drive motor bikes? Special tools required? Does it take a long time?

Thanks to all for comments!

With a mid-motor, there's no difference than a normal bike to change wheels. Can be done in a few minutes.

 

[tomjasz]

Thank you for the guidance! I’m really coming around to the idea of a hard tail with rack. How challenging is it to swap out wheels on mid drive motor bikes? Special tools required? Does it take a long time?

Thanks to all for comments!

Yes, you will need a crank puller, a Shimano BB tool, and a lock ring spanner. OR a tool from California bikes, OR a Bafang tool. Both still require a crank puller.

Check out youtube install videos! So many great ones. BBS02 and BBSHD are the same for installation.

 

[MisterM]

Yes, you will need a crank puller, a Shimano BB tool, and a lock ring spanner. OR a tool from California bikes, OR a Bafang tool. Both still require a crank puller.

Check out youtube install videos! So many great ones. BBS02 and BBSHD are the same for installation.

? He wasn't asking how to swap motors - only about swapping wheelsets on mid-motor bikes.

 

[tomjasz]

? He wasn't asking how to swap motors - only about swapping wheelsets on mid-motor bikes.

Oh well, quick read meant I wasted time...

 

[rich c]

Pay serious attention to the weight capacity of the bike. No idea how much your daughter weighs. Figure in her backpack, your backpack, and both of your weights. Pretty sure you're getting into cargo bikes only. Just your weight takes you over the common 250 limit on most bikes. You have to remember that eBikes are higher speed bikes. It's incredibly tough to stop a 65 pound bike with 350 pounds on it, from over 20 mph. Also very tough on spokes! Hydraulic brakes only, larger gauge spokes only. I would not begin to fudge on weight limits when my daughter's life is in the equation.

 

[Ravi Kempaiah]

Hi all,
Very grateful for this site and all the awesome information. But it is expansive.... I’d love a little help in choosing the right ebike.

I am 6’6” and weigh 270lbs. Ex football player who has fallen a bit out of shape. I love cycling but need some motorized motivation to get going again....

I’d like to use the bike to commute to work AND drop my daughter off at school via a quick release toddler seat to attach to a rear rack. Her school is 2 miles from my house and work is another 17. So it’s basically a commuter bike with some cargo capability....

I tested a rad cargo bike, but didn’t love it. A little too stretched for commuting. But I would like a good sized, strong, durable, reliable bike with plenty of power to get all this weight moving.

I’d like to keep the price tag under $3000 as I think I’ll be coming back for an emtb before Long. Value is of primary interest, but it appears pricing is pretty efficient for these products.

Any guidance on specific bikes, or additional research or reviews is much appreciated!

There is one bike that will suit your needs perfectly!
It's the last years Xduro Trekking 4.0.

Everything on that bike is built for heavy duty use and commuting. Just replace the rack with something that will carry 50kg and you could carry a small infant or a toddler. it has wide rims and tires for heavy loads, the Bosch CX motor is very good one if you don't mind the 20mph limit. The bike comes with shimano XT/Deore drivetrain and Magura brakes that can stop 300lbs cargo nonchalantly.

Head over to the nearest Haibike dealer and ask them for a 60cm frame. I believe some 60cm frames are left at $2799 price and ask them to swap out the rack for a heavy duty one and you are still within your budget of $3000 for a really good bike.

here is how it looks like and 60cm frame would be perfect for you (I am 6ft and ride a 52cm frame).

 

[Shan]

Thank you for the great information!

How seriously should one take stated weight limits? Where does the risk reside? Could these limits be extended with stronger wheels, better brakes, etc? What specific oem/aftermarket brakes or wheels would you recommend?

With the precious cargo of my daughter, along with myself and my stuff— the weight will be over 300 lbs. perhaps as much as 325....

I’d prefer to not ride a cargo bike as I think it will take away from overall enjoyment on the commute.

Thank you for the insights

 

[tomjasz]

Well maintained better quality V brakes with KoolStop Salmon or grey eBike pads can be superior to many hydraulic systems. My cable actuated hydraulic beat out a dozen mediocre full fluid systems. Speed aalso plays a part. I’m like a broken record on this, but, who has really tested panic braking distance?

Sorry, Ravi and Rich, you guys gave great advise, I don’t mean to be disrespectful. Just a pet peeve, especially with kit builders. Those $150 fat bikes from Wally World have discs...

 

[Dewey]

I agree with Thomas, the linear pull brakes on my 700c bike with aluminum rims I converted work well in wet or dry stopping the weight of me, the steel frame, and a trailer. Recently I had the shop renovate two vintage Raleigh 3-speed Sports bicycles with the original side pull caliper brakes, I had mine converted to aluminum rims with Kool-Stop Salmon pads, the other has kept the original chrome rims and normal pads, I feel a noticeable difference in stopping power on my bike vs my wife's. But then I generally pedal around 15mph, I'd consider disc brakes if I wanted a speed pedelec.

 

[Fishwater]

While I agree older cable pull & v-brakes work well I wouldn’t choose them over quality discs, especially hydraulic brakes. With 300-325lbs of weight I’d plan on upgrading brakes regardless of what I bought nor would I skip the right bike otherwise due to cable actuated disc brakes, it’s all part of the set up once you buy a bike.

 

[tomjasz]

While I agree older cable pull & v-brakes work well I wouldn’t choose them over quality discs, especially hydraulic brakes. With 300-325lbs of weight I’d plan on upgrading brakes regardless of what I bought nor would I skip the right bike otherwise due to cable actuated disc brakes, it’s all part of the set up once you buy a bike.

This end up a hot button and often divisive topic on forums so I'll drop it after one more comment. Having ridden a couple of bikes now with "quality hydraulics", I still contend that riders are not testing the limits as many of us did on our motorcycles. I have ridden, recently, a bike with a $600 Hope braking system. They were awesome, but I don't see many of the brands seemingly most popular here with anything near the braking power. I encourage all to take a friend and do some avoidance exercises, do some panic braking exercises, and KNOW what your brakes are or are not capable of. Unless we actually know the performance at the speeds we ride at...well it's all blather.
I KNOW how my brakes will perform at my max speed.

Below ia an exercise list from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. Many are beginning to approach speeds where other MSF principles could be life savers.

Me? I slowed down. I like my 20MPH ride with outstanding mileage. But again, I KNOW exactly how my brakes work under duress. Thanks

 

[Dewey]

Thanks for posting Thomas that's a useful list, I've had to steer through a rear tire skid when braking from 20 to 0 mph when someone stepped off the sidewalk in front of me. at least some of those exercises were practised in a city cycling class I took offered by my local cycling group, they also added one where you had to brake while throw your backside off the back of your saddle until you were lying on your stomach in preparation for an emergency dismount, I can see why they taught that drill but I doubt my reaction would be to throw myself off the back of the bike, particularly as I often ride with panniers that would catch my legs and trip me up (one reason why I fitted a front basket). I can think of one ebike specific addition, how to control an ebike when dismounted if you accidentally activate a live throttle, it's caught me by surprise a couple of times since I fitted it last month but because I had one hand under the saddle I was able to stop the bike taking off.

 

[tomjasz]

Thanks for posting Thomas that's a useful list, I've had to steer through a rear tire skid when braking from 20 to 0 mph when someone stepped off the sidewalk in front of me. at least some of those exercises were practised in a city cycling class I took offered by my local cycling group, they also added one where you had to brake while throw your backside off the back of your saddle until you were lying on your stomach in preparation for an emergency dismount, I can see why they taught that drill but I doubt my reaction would be to throw myself off the back of the bike. I can think of one ebike specific addition, how to control an ebike when dismounted if you accidentally activate a live throttle, it's caught me by surprise a couple of times since I fitted it last month but because I had one hand under the saddle I was able to stop the bike taking off.

WOW!!! A training class! Outstanding info on that dismount. I want to learn more! Where is this incredibly progressive bicycling city? If you have any links to info please share. I WILL spend some time this evening Googling for additional information. Safety and rider skills are something not often discussed. I learned something new.

 

[Dewey]

Sure, the City Cycling class offered by the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA), I live in Arlington, VA, but it's a DC/MD/VA region wide group. Email [email protected] and I'm sure they would be happy to give you more info, I don't know if they publish a manual but they should be able to give you a list of drills covered. They were very friendly when I told them I would be bringing an ebike they politely asked I turn off the motor during the exercise drills, and they don't recommend wearing toeclips during the class as some of the emergency maneuvers wouldn't be possible. They had at least 3 instructors so one could stand either side of you at the emergency stop point on the circuit they had marked out with cones.

 

[Bruce Arnold]

Pay serious attention to the weight capacity of the bike. No idea how much your daughter weighs. Figure in her backpack, your backpack, and both of your weights. Pretty sure you're getting into cargo bikes only. Just your weight takes you over the common 250 limit on most bikes. You have to remember that eBikes are higher speed bikes. It's incredibly tough to stop a 65 pound bike with 350 pounds on it, from over 20 mph. Also very tough on spokes! Hydraulic brakes only, larger gauge spokes only. I would not begin to fudge on weight limits when my daughter's life is in the equation.

Good points!