Choosing a Hybrid/Comport E-Bike

[SLIMJ]

I'm looking to buy an E-Bike soon and looking for some help/opinions before deciding on which one to buy.

About me: 5-11, 185 lbs, have been riding for 25 years, now riding a 2020 Raleigh C40 Hybrid/Comfort Bike 3x per week mostly on smooth
trails

Budget: Max $3.3K.

Must have:

Upright riding position.
Mid drive motor.
Battery enclosed in frame.
20mph.
Weight < 60lbs

Would like:

One similar to my current bike.
Tires 700 c, Less than 50c wide.
Throttle
Mid drive torque sensor.
Parts and service availability.

Don't need:

Front suspension
Fenders
Rack on back or front
Lights
25mph.

The bikes I'm considering are (In order by current preference):

Trek 2022 Verve+ 3

Accolmile Antelope - 250W M200 Bafang Mid Motor

Trek 2023 Verve+ 2

Avadar C3-Sport Mid-drive Electric Mountain Bike

Rize MD Electric Mid-Drive Bike

Ride1up Prodigy XC

Any help/comments would be appreciated.

 

[Zekeer]

I'm looking to buy an E-Bike soon and looking for some help/opinions before deciding on which one to buy.

About me: 5-11, 185 lbs, have been riding for 25 years, now riding a 2020 Raleigh C40 Hybrid/Comfort Bike 3x per week mostly on smooth
trails

Budget: Max $3.3K.

Must have:

Upright riding position.
Mid drive motor.
Battery enclosed in frame.
20mph.
Weight < 60lbs

Would like:

One similar to my current bike.
Tires 700 c, Less than 50c wide.
Throttle
Mid drive torque sensor.
Parts and service availability.

Don't need:

Front suspension
Fenders
Rack on back or front
Lights
25mph.

The bikes I'm considering are (In order by current preference):

Trek 2022 Verve+ 3

Accolmile Antelope - 250W M200 Bafang Mid Motor

Trek 2023 Verve+ 2

Avadar C3-Sport Mid-drive Electric Mountain Bike

Rize MD Electric Mid-Drive Bike

Ride1up Prodigy XC

Any help/comments would be appreciated.

If 3300 is your max Get a Specialized Como or Vado 3 .

 

[TrevorB]

I'd recommend going for 2.15-2.4 width tires they provide lot more comfort than 2.0 or less tires especially at faster speeds you will be averaging. NB there is significant difference in volume between 2.0 and 2.15 tire more than numbers imply.

 

[dodgeman]

I bought a Verve +3 about a year ago. I like it and have 2200 miles on it. It comes with fenders and a rear rack but they can be removed. It’s has 50 nm of torque and a 500 wh battery.

Compare that to a Verve +2 which has a 40 nm of torque and a 400 wh battery. I do most of my riding on my Verve 3 dialed down to 40 nm of torque but also bump mine up at times going up hills or into a head wind. The way I ride my Verve 3 I have a range of about 50 miles max, a Verve 2 would be around 40 miles probably. I’m about 6’1” 250 pounds so you would get more range. I test rode a Verve 2 and you can feel the difference in power.

I can’t remember the price difference but today it looks like the Verve 2 is about $450 less.

One thing about e bikes is with assist weight is less of a concern. So a bigger, wider, tougher tire is less of a problem. My tires are 50c wide and I appreciate the width when hitting patches of loose gravel.

Wish I knew more about the other bikes you are looking at but I can’t help, no knowledge. Trek has a huge dealer network but that doesn’t mean they are the only one making good e bikes.

 

[AHicks]

For me, when somebody says "hybrid" I think tire size and upright riding position. I agree with @TrevorB's comments, and my own personal experience would lean towards the bigger sizes in the range he mentioned. 2.4" tires work great. Schwalbe has a few (including the Super Moto-X) that work especially great with fairly low rolling resistance at the lower pressures they're designed to run at. HUGE difference in ride.....

At the risk of introducing a huge rabbit hole, have you thought about throttles? I bring that up as I wouldn't consider a bike without one.

Another key question. Who will be getting their hands dirty when this bike needs assembly and/or service? If you're OK with it, never mind, but if you are planning on having this done for you by a local shop, many have a "no e-bike" or "if we didn't sell it, we're not going to work on it" policy. That sort of limits the bikes you can pick from to those sold by local shops - unless you have an understanding in place with one of them. Suggest you don't assume here.... -Al