Hi folks!
I'm looking for an ebike for errands and a short commute (3 mi) with mixed surface (gravel/dirt/pavement) and just one hill, but it's a doozy. In general my area is rolling hills. I used to be an avid rider (road and cross) but my health doesn't allow me to ride anymore, so I'm looking for an ebike as a way to get back out there. I commuted for 12 years in all weather in the midwest. Sometimes it was an adventure!
Ebike wise, I've ridden the Specialized Como, a Townie, Trek Verve, a Detour, and several Raleighs. I had trouble adjusting to the upright position and sluggish handling of all the bikes I rode except the (very expensive!) Raleigh gravel bike. Like driving a tank vs a Mercedes, I guess, after two decades of road bikes!
Important:
torque sensor (for help from standing stops on hills, and also I liked the integration, it felt very natural)
lights, fenders and racks
<3K$, preferably under 2.5
reliability
Cold- and wet-weather hardy
Not so important:
battery life (Most of my planned trips are short, <5 miles)
throttle
max speed
motor size (with my low weight it doesn't seem necessary to have the largest motor)
Nice-to-have:
less dirt-vulnerable drive train (if money was no object I'd go belt drive and internally geared hub, the gravel dust chews up drive train parts.)
not a step-through
a lighter bike
skinnier tires
something I can purchase locally (my LBSes are great and I'd like to support them, plus ongoing support is wonderful)
Me: early 40s, 115 pounds, 5'7" w/long torso & arms, reach more like someone 5'9"
cargo: 15 pounds average, 30 pounds likely on grocery runs.
I know I'm dreaming big here, thanks for any suggestions you can give!
I'm looking for an ebike for errands and a short commute (3 mi) with mixed surface (gravel/dirt/pavement) and just one hill, but it's a doozy. In general my area is rolling hills. I used to be an avid rider (road and cross) but my health doesn't allow me to ride anymore, so I'm looking for an ebike as a way to get back out there. I commuted for 12 years in all weather in the midwest. Sometimes it was an adventure!
Ebike wise, I've ridden the Specialized Como, a Townie, Trek Verve, a Detour, and several Raleighs. I had trouble adjusting to the upright position and sluggish handling of all the bikes I rode except the (very expensive!) Raleigh gravel bike. Like driving a tank vs a Mercedes, I guess, after two decades of road bikes!
Important:
torque sensor (for help from standing stops on hills, and also I liked the integration, it felt very natural)
lights, fenders and racks
<3K$, preferably under 2.5
reliability
Cold- and wet-weather hardy
Not so important:
battery life (Most of my planned trips are short, <5 miles)
throttle
max speed
motor size (with my low weight it doesn't seem necessary to have the largest motor)
Nice-to-have:
less dirt-vulnerable drive train (if money was no object I'd go belt drive and internally geared hub, the gravel dust chews up drive train parts.)
not a step-through
a lighter bike
skinnier tires
something I can purchase locally (my LBSes are great and I'd like to support them, plus ongoing support is wonderful)
Me: early 40s, 115 pounds, 5'7" w/long torso & arms, reach more like someone 5'9"
cargo: 15 pounds average, 30 pounds likely on grocery runs.
I know I'm dreaming big here, thanks for any suggestions you can give!