abird4
New Member
- Region
- USA
Hello everyone,
I have researched and ridden the above bikes and am looking for input from the forum before I pull the trigger. Sorry in advance for the long post!
I am 6'0", 210lbs, 30in inseam. I enjoy mountain biking on intermediate trails, and I live near the Blue Ridge Parkway. I generally don't like riding in traffic. The Parkway isn't bad traffic-wise, but the climbs are tough. Hence my decision to look for an e bike. I have the idea that I might like to do a multi-day tour someday. I am focusing on bikes that have dual battery capacity but have not entirely ruled out the idea of carrying an extra battery when needed. That would open up the possibility of the Vado 5, which I have not had a chance to ride yet.
Looking at bikes from two LBS with good reputations. I rode an Allant+ 9.9s and a Domane ALR at the Trek shop and decided a road bike is not for me. I like the Allant+ 9.9s (in large) a lot, riding position was comfortable, smartphone interface was a plus. Price ($6300 plus whatever it costs to add the second battery--I think at least another $1000?) was the highest of the group by a fair margin. Having owned a number of motorcycles all of which I bought for less money, these prices seem a little rough, but it is what it is.
The Specialized/Gazelle shop had a Vado in medium which I did not ride because focused on dual battery and thought I needed a large. I rode a C380+ and Ultimate T10+ in medium. Riding position was upright, compact, which led me to think a large would be more appropriate. I liked the belt drive of the C380+, and I have researched it enough that I think I am comfortable with the trade-offs. They went ahead and ordered a high step in large even though I had not fully commited. It would need to be the high step to accommodate the dual battery.
I then went to another bike shop 90min away and rode an Ultimate T10+ in large. Riding position was still quite upright, but comfortable. The deal breaker was the standover height--uncomfortably high. I then rode the Ultimate T10+ in medium again. The riding position was quite similar to the large, actually, and I liked that it felt more nimble. Stems on the M and the L were both adjusted to the most level, neutral position away from the rider. Even though the upright position felt great in the parking lot, I have concerns that it would feel less great on a long climb, although maybe leaning my body forward could make up for this. I believe they could adjust down 10 degrees which might help. The C380+ actually comes with a 100mm stem instead of the 80mm stem of the Ultimate, which would help. And of course I could always swap out for a longer stem.
I rode one more bike, the Medeo T10+ in large. I didn't quite gel with it as much. It had a less upright position, with longer reach, even with with the stem adjusted almost all the way up. I found it less comfortable, at least in the parking lot. I found it less zippy and nimble which may be partly related to tires.
My priorities are 1) bike that fits and 2) range. Belt drive and price are considerations but not deciding factors.
When I rode the Ultimates in M and L and the Medeo in L in quick succession, the bike that put the biggest smile on my face was the Ultimate T10+ in medium. I actually rode it with the power off, before I realized it, and thought it felt great. Which makes me lean toward the c380+ in medium. I need to feel solid about the fit, and will talk to the LBS about that. And, it does not hurt to get input from folks who are not trying to sell me a bike!
I have researched and ridden the above bikes and am looking for input from the forum before I pull the trigger. Sorry in advance for the long post!
I am 6'0", 210lbs, 30in inseam. I enjoy mountain biking on intermediate trails, and I live near the Blue Ridge Parkway. I generally don't like riding in traffic. The Parkway isn't bad traffic-wise, but the climbs are tough. Hence my decision to look for an e bike. I have the idea that I might like to do a multi-day tour someday. I am focusing on bikes that have dual battery capacity but have not entirely ruled out the idea of carrying an extra battery when needed. That would open up the possibility of the Vado 5, which I have not had a chance to ride yet.
Looking at bikes from two LBS with good reputations. I rode an Allant+ 9.9s and a Domane ALR at the Trek shop and decided a road bike is not for me. I like the Allant+ 9.9s (in large) a lot, riding position was comfortable, smartphone interface was a plus. Price ($6300 plus whatever it costs to add the second battery--I think at least another $1000?) was the highest of the group by a fair margin. Having owned a number of motorcycles all of which I bought for less money, these prices seem a little rough, but it is what it is.
The Specialized/Gazelle shop had a Vado in medium which I did not ride because focused on dual battery and thought I needed a large. I rode a C380+ and Ultimate T10+ in medium. Riding position was upright, compact, which led me to think a large would be more appropriate. I liked the belt drive of the C380+, and I have researched it enough that I think I am comfortable with the trade-offs. They went ahead and ordered a high step in large even though I had not fully commited. It would need to be the high step to accommodate the dual battery.
I then went to another bike shop 90min away and rode an Ultimate T10+ in large. Riding position was still quite upright, but comfortable. The deal breaker was the standover height--uncomfortably high. I then rode the Ultimate T10+ in medium again. The riding position was quite similar to the large, actually, and I liked that it felt more nimble. Stems on the M and the L were both adjusted to the most level, neutral position away from the rider. Even though the upright position felt great in the parking lot, I have concerns that it would feel less great on a long climb, although maybe leaning my body forward could make up for this. I believe they could adjust down 10 degrees which might help. The C380+ actually comes with a 100mm stem instead of the 80mm stem of the Ultimate, which would help. And of course I could always swap out for a longer stem.
I rode one more bike, the Medeo T10+ in large. I didn't quite gel with it as much. It had a less upright position, with longer reach, even with with the stem adjusted almost all the way up. I found it less comfortable, at least in the parking lot. I found it less zippy and nimble which may be partly related to tires.
My priorities are 1) bike that fits and 2) range. Belt drive and price are considerations but not deciding factors.
When I rode the Ultimates in M and L and the Medeo in L in quick succession, the bike that put the biggest smile on my face was the Ultimate T10+ in medium. I actually rode it with the power off, before I realized it, and thought it felt great. Which makes me lean toward the c380+ in medium. I need to feel solid about the fit, and will talk to the LBS about that. And, it does not hurt to get input from folks who are not trying to sell me a bike!
