Considering Juiced RipCurrent bike (vs. RadRover) for a large/tall rider.. Have a few questions please!

[wrangler6061]

So.. looking at buying my first ebike. I'm a big guy (6'4", 265 lbs) - and due to too many low back surgeries, I need a very upright posture. My budget is in the $1800 or less range. Strongly considering a RipCurrent (NOT the S model!) with the XL frame. (Was also looking at the RadRover..but the Ripcurrent seems to have more frame size options.. hydraulic brakes/52V battery/9 speed cassette...torque sensor). Plus Ripcurrent is now on sale for $1699... A few questions for the experts...

1 Any comment on the quality and responsiveness of Juiced technical support? I've never purchased a bike from a mail order company.. so... customer support needs to be strong (i.e. in the past, if I had major issues with my "regular" bikes that I couldn't fix myself, there was my local bike dealer down the street where I bought the bike...) Feel free to comment on RadPower customer support if you think it is a game changer plus or minus!

2. I do realize the RipCurrent has somewhat raised handlebars already. I suspect I'll need to raise them higher still with a stem riser. Anyone know how much "slack" is in the various cables?

3. If there are other bikes you would STRONGLY recommend in this price range ($1800 is an absolute max) - please say so!

Thanks!!!

 

[Stephen Merritt]

there's a lot of choice right in your budget area if you wait for stock, but not much if you need it soon... The only company's that got back to me in a reasonable amount of time after asking questions were Evelo and Rize...

 

[TMH]

Sorry I can't help regarding Juiced's customer support (I have never needed to use it) but as a rider of similar dimensions (same height, although you're carrying about 15# more than me) I can state that my XL frame RipCurrent S offers a very comfortable and upright riding position. And it appears from the pics on the site that the frame, bars, bar height, reach, etc. is the same between the S and non-S models.

At our height I normally find that I need to have the seat extended pretty far up in order to get full and efficient leg extension on the pedal stroke. As such, the seat generally ends up much higher than the bars, and I find the need to put some sort of stem riser on bikes for comfort. I have never felt the need to do this on the RCS.

I might suggest that you look at the generally well regarded NCM Aspen/Aspen Plus bikes. My little sister was cost constrained and she ended up getting an Aspen and loves it. Looks like it doesn't have the riser bars like the RipCurrents, but bars/risers are pretty easy to change inexpensively, and most bikes have the extra cable to do so. Then you can decide whether you are most comfortable with straight riser bars, swept back bars, etc.

Good luck in getting your first e-bike.

 

[wrangler6061]

Thanks for the feedback..

 

[AHicks]

My vote: Ripcurrent

Maybe noteworthy. I'm 6'2"/315 and a young 69 years old - with a sore back from too many years of horsing around with stuff just like this. My latest bike is a medium frame. I can still get full leg extension and I think it's much easier to swing my leg over.

Bike previous was a 29'er, sold because it felt way too big....

 

[ElevenAD]

The rip current is faster and more powerful so if your carrying some extra weight its a no brainer! The RC allday.

 

[vincent]

Agree, would get the juiced over rad

the component difference is worth the little bit of extra costs

 

[wrangler6061]

Thanks for all of the replies.. Truly.. my biggest concern in making my final decision, is spending $1800 bucks on a bike effectively from a "mail order" company - be it Juiced or RadPower.... It isn't the purchase itself.. it is "service after the sale"... I realize RadPower is probably the biggest name (and maybe better customer service?) .. and can't argue all the advice that the Juiced bike is worth the few hundred bucks more than the RadPower bike.. for the better componentry.. I'm pretty competent as far as working on the bike mechanicals... I'm concerned about the electronics... i.e. how good are companies like Juiced on doing problem determination over the phone?

 

[AHicks]

Between them, and the help available here, I think you'll be in pretty good shape - assuming you aren't planning on spending a lot of time riding salty beach sand or dousing down the electronics with a hose while washing. In other words, using it with a little common sense.

Oh, and we all had to make that giant leap of faith for the first e-bike. I think about 99.9% of us were rewarded with this giant grin that won't go away for weeks..... The e-bikes have altered a LOT of lives permanently.

Leap required for the 2nd bike much easier!

 

[wrangler6061]

Thanks AHicks!

 

[wrangler6061]

Thanks to everyone!