E-bike counseling - which e-bike is best for city cruising?

[Alena Bartakova]

Hello e-bike community! First of all, thank you for this blog - it's a valuable mine of information!

I have been thinking about getting an e-bike for some time now, since I don't own a car and getting around can be a little difficult. I own a "normal" bike, but with San Diego hills, biking to work can be a delicate business. Last week, I finally took my courage in my hands and test-rode the IZIP Zuma bike that I saw at REI and whose design I really liked (the only thing that lessened my enthusiasm was the "beach cruiser" title - not exactly what I had in mind - but the title doesn't' really matter). Before spending a significant sum on an e-bike, however, I want to know my other options.

So this is what I am looking for:

• an e-bike that would allow me to perform my daily commutes, usually 5-10 miles/day, mostly with pedal-assist
• range is more important than speed
• a discrete look, that wouldn't attract attention (I am very worried about theft, having been victim of that for my normal bike); maybe a possibility to remove the battery easily to take it with me - definitely not a design in which the battery is visible and could be removed with some tools/violence, but not designed to come off easily.
• a decent battery
• possibility to attach a backpack/basket to the bike
• a good customer service/warranty

Overall, I want a comfortable city e-bike - my price range would be $2000 - $2500. I am a girl, 5'11'', 154 pounds, and reasonably fit.

Thank you for your help!!!

 

[JoePah]

Well Court seems to like your choice as his review of the Zuma (2013 version and the newer one) were both pretty good. If you like that style of cruiser, relaxed position biking, then it's a great deal.

Since you're in San Diego there are a number of EBike shops that carry this bike and many others... Take some for a test ride. As far as getting a good Ebike for a reasonable price, that cruiser is hard to beat. This Pedego city commuter also seems to be well liked by a few members here.

 

[Admin]

Hello e-bike community! First of all, thank you for this blog - it's a valuable mine of information!

I have been thinking about getting an e-bike for some time now, since I don't own a car and getting around can be a little difficult...

Hey Alena, glad the site and this forum has helped you! The Zuma is a great choice and given your height of 5'11" the high step version would probably work great. Currie Technologies makes that bike and they are based in nearby Simi Valley. The company has a good warranty and has been in business for many years... The Zuma can take fenders, lights and a rear rack but you'll have to add them yourself (it does have braze-on threaded eyelet points though so it's pretty easy).

If you wanted to get a fully featured ebike that already has all of the accessories and still maintains a nice "stealth" look that won't attract unwanted attention consider the Easy Motion Neo City. This bike has a couple of sibblings that are very similar including the Neo Street and the new EVO Eco Lite but those ones use 26" wheels and given your height the larger 700c wheels on the Neo City might be best.

Lots of people here on the forums have also liked the IZIP Dash which is rack-ready and uses a larger but still quiet 500 watt gearless hub motor whereas the Easy Motion bikes use a smaller but geared 350 watt. All of these bikes are in your price range and these are some of the best companies around. Here's a full list of city-style ebikes to check out and I'd be happy to follow up with you about any specific questions. Sounds like you've got it mostly figured out