Confusing choices

[philkef]

Hybrid EBike - looking for a bike that looks like a bike however Shimano/Bosch/Brose motor choice should are confusing. Looking at the $5k AU or €4K or £3k range. No preference on manufacturer of bike. Have ridden a few but likely need to do a couple of weekend rentals before committing.
Thanks in advance

 

[TMH]

"looking for a bike that looks like a bike "

Personally I believe that the Brose mid motor integrates in the cleanest way into the bottom bracket, and many bikes with this motor also integrate the battery well into the down tube, ending up with an e-bike which pretty much looks like a regular bike. And in my opinion you don't give anything up going with Brose. It is quiet (like a regular bike), powerful, and is my personal favorite.

But give the group an idea how you intend to use the bike (commuting, exercise, sand & snow, cruising the neighborhood, trekking/bike camping, all of the above?) and I'm sure that the collective wisdom will give you some great choices.

 

[philkef]

Thanks - the bike will be a commuter for the most part - 25kms each way and hilly/headwind (often, and worse when I am tired!). I would also like to go on longer weekend trips - the trekking bike appeals for this.

 

[Dewey]

There was a good thread on here recently form someone in Aus wanting to buy a commuter ebike https://electricbikereview.com/forums/threads/quality-commuter-recommendation.32539/

Of the bikes mentioned in that thread I like the look of the two Taiwanese brands: Merida espresso, which is a model we can’t get here in the US that has nice components and good Shimano mid-drive Motor; and the Giant Explore E+ that use the Sync-drive series Yamaha PW-derived mid-drive motor, my favorite local bike shop is a Giant dealer and I enjoyed reading Court’s review of the Explore E+ https://electricbikereview.com/giant/explore-e-plus-4-gts/

 

[philkef]

Thanks - what a great community