E-Bike for petite woman

[TheProfaneAngel]

Hi everyone,

I'm super new to this forum and actually everything bike-related because I haven't owned a bike since I was 13 haha.
Anyway, I need some help to find a bike that'll fit my needs. A bit about myself:
I'm in my twenties, 5 feet and weigh 110 pounds. I'm currently living in a farm in MA and need the bike to take me to the nearby cities (max commute would be 18 miles one way - although I can always cut that in half by taking the bus). I have opted for an e-bike because there are too many regulations around scooters in MA. However, a few years ago I suffered an accident in which I broke my tailbone, which makes it very difficult for me to ride bikes with the traditional saddle.

Here's what I'm looking for in a bike. I know I'll have to compromise some of these, but this is the "ideal" version of what it would look like:
- Foldable
- Light
- Can go 15-20+ mph
- Range of at least 20 miles w/o pedal assist
- Can go up some hills (not too steep)
- Removable battery
- Comfortable seat
- And of course, cheap. I really can't afford anything more than $800.

Of course some of these can be switched out. Like if it's super compact, I don't need a removable battery and if it goes less than 20 miles, pedals would be nice. LCD screen, basket and USB port would also be nice, but not necessary.

Some of the bikes/scooters I've been looking at are:
Genesis Transformer
Genesis Commuter
LEHE K1S
Airwheel E6
Airwheel E3
Urb-E Sport
So far I'm leaning towards the Genesis Transformer, but I can't find many reviews and the 15-mile range is a bit of a turn off.

Thank you for your help! Can't wait to hear what you have to say.

 

[Shoestring]

Welcome TPA, these are MY opinions regarding your situation. The eco bikes you selected are not suitable for a 20 mile commute, no way no how! I think these are death traps on the road, the small wheels will be very unstable. A pot hole of any size will be an instant catastrophe. 20 miles at 20mph takes a pretty decent bike with moderate power, especially with little or no pedal assist. A quality battery alone will run you $500.

With your $800 budget you could: get a decent used bike, a craigslist special- $150, A front geared hub motor kit $400, and a battery (an inexpensive one) $2-400 range. Put it all together and get the job done. Your expectations are borderline unrealistic. Don't cheap out, your safety is on the line.

 

[J.R.]

@TheProfaneAngel

I agree with @Shoestring. The bikes you list are mostly "last mile" options for urban commuters. For comfort, safety and a bike that won't beat you up, larger wheels and tires are in order.

BH Easy Motion is one of the top ebike manufactures and if your budget would stretch to it I would suggest the Evo Street. BH also makes a more affordable version of the Street; the EasyGo Street. Less power and smaller battery, but a rock solid bike, that with effort pedaling should get you 15+ miles per charge.

Here is Court's EBR review of the BH Easy Motion EasyGo Street:

https://electricbikereview.com/easy-motion/easygo-street/

Crazy Lenny's Ebikes has the 2016 EasyGo Street on sale at present for $780.00

(Link Removed - No Longer Exists)

Full disclosure, I own an Easy Motion and I purchased it from Lenny, but I do not work for either company. I do think Lenny's offer presents an amazing value. It may not check all your boxes, but worth consideration.

Also check out EBR's affordable ebikes:

https://electricbikereview.com/category/affordable/

 

[TheProfaneAngel]

Thanks for the answers! I know my expectations are unrealistic, but unfortunately I can't afford to spend more than that. $800 is already a stretch for me. I saw the Sondors bike which I really liked, but pretty sure I won't be able to ride it since I'm so short.

 

[pxpaulx]

Thanks for the answers! I know my expectations are unrealistic, but unfortunately I can't afford to spend more than that. $800 is already a stretch for me. I saw the Sondors bike which I really liked, but pretty sure I won't be able to ride it since I'm so short.

Did you read all through jrs post? None of the bikes you listed will travel as far as you need, and they are all extreme compromises. As was already said, they are last mile solutions not fifteen mile bikes!

 

[Jolly]

I agree with @JR and @pxpaul. Those bikes you listed will not cut it. There are a some bikes on courts affordable list will fit the bill like the followings.

https://electricbikereview.com/watseka/xp/
https://electricbikereview.com/vilano/pulse/
https://electricbikereview.com/vilano/ion/
https://electricbikereview.com/electrobike/dash/
https://electricbikereview.com/sondors/kickstarter-ebike/

Good luck

 

[Trail Cruiser]

Hi everyone,

I'm super new to this forum and actually everything bike-related because I haven't owned a bike since I was 13 haha.
Anyway, I need some help to find a bike that'll fit my needs. A bit about myself:
I'm in my twenties, 5 feet and weigh 110 pounds. I'm currently living in a farm in MA and need the bike to take me to the nearby cities (max commute would be 18 miles one way - although I can always cut that in half by taking the bus). I have opted for an e-bike because there are too many regulations around scooters in MA. However, a few years ago I suffered an accident in which I broke my tailbone, which makes it very difficult for me to ride bikes with the traditional saddle.

Here's what I'm looking for in a bike. I know I'll have to compromise some of these, but this is the "ideal" version of what it would look like:
- Foldable
- Light
- Can go 15-20+ mph
- Range of at least 20 miles w/o pedal assist
- Can go up some hills (not too steep)
- Removable battery
- Comfortable seat
- And of course, cheap. I really can't afford anything more than $800.

Of course some of these can be switched out. Like if it's super compact, I don't need a removable battery and if it goes less than 20 miles, pedals would be nice. LCD screen, basket and USB port would also be nice, but not necessary.

Some of the bikes/scooters I've been looking at are:
Genesis Transformer
Genesis Commuter
LEHE K1S
Airwheel E6
Airwheel E3
Urb-E Sport
So far I'm leaning towards the Genesis Transformer, but I can't find many reviews and the 15-mile range is a bit of a turn off.

Thank you for your help! Can't wait to hear what you have to say.

None of those you mentioned will survive a 15 mile regular trip. You need to pedal it so it can reach 15 miles in one charge. I think you should look at thus one instead;

Here's the full review
https://electricbikereview.com/vilano/ion/

 

[Ann M.]

Anything with wheels smaller than 20" is going to be a squirrely ride with poor handling. If you read Court's review of the Vilano Ion, he mentions that the company may be out of business and the bike does not appear to be available. The sale price on the Easy Motion Easy Go bike does not include freight, add another $200 for shipping to you unless you can work a deal with the shop. I'd also ask if it still has a full warranty and if it was a demo or loaner bike with miles on it already.

I know it's a little dollar stretch, but X-treme makes a lithium powered low-step bike with 26" wheels for $849 -$899, the Trail Climber and that includes your shipping. It's a smaller 16" frame that we've fitted folks shorter than 5' on. It's a decent brushed aluminum frame; however, we did a little modification to the rear rack to allow the seat to go down to it's lowest height. It has pedal assist & throttle and a range of 15 to 20 miles and 7 speeds and a top speed of 20mph, so a full featured bike.

This company also makes a lead acid version with a steel frame that weighs more for $649-$699 and our experience with the SLA version is that the range is more like 15-18 miles.

You can probably find a shop that carries these bikes who will do the assembly and setup which is a real plus compared to buying off the internet with no service option. The tires seem a little thin so we generally suggest putting in tire liners (like Mr. Tuffy's) if you're using this regularly to avoid the annoyance of a flat.

 

[motostrano]

This is the best folding ebike for the money that I know of: http://www.motostrano.com/BLIX-Vika-Folding-Electric-Bike-p/vikaplus.htm

 

[Christopher]

I saw the Sondors bike which I really liked, but pretty sure I won't be able to ride it since I'm so short.

Since you liked the Sondors bike, but at 5'0" tall, I recommend the Watseka XP: https://www.amazon.com/Watseka-Carg...5806082&sr=8-1&keywords=Watseka+Electric+Bike

Also, I agree with everyone else, I would highly recommend for you to buy an ebike instead of one of those scooter-bikes expecting it to transport you 15+ miles on a regular basis.

When you make a decision, please let us know any feedback on the option you chose.


Cheers,
Christopher

 

[Trail Cruiser]

Hi everyone,

I'm super new to this forum and actually everything bike-related because I haven't owned a bike since I was 13 haha.
Anyway, I need some help to find a bike that'll fit my needs. A bit about myself:
I'm in my twenties, 5 feet and weigh 110 pounds. I'm currently living in a farm in MA and need the bike to take me to the nearby cities (max commute would be 18 miles one way - although I can always cut that in half by taking the bus). I have opted for an e-bike because there are too many regulations around scooters in MA. However, a few years ago I suffered an accident in which I broke my tailbone, which makes it very difficult for me to ride bikes with the traditional saddle.

Here's what I'm looking for in a bike. I know I'll have to compromise some of these, but this is the "ideal" version of what it would look like:
- Foldable
- Light
- Can go 15-20+ mph
- Range of at least 20 miles w/o pedal assist
- Can go up some hills (not too steep)
- Removable battery
- Comfortable seat
- And of course, cheap. I really can't afford anything more than $800.

Of course some of these can be switched out. Like if it's super compact, I don't need a removable battery and if it goes less than 20 miles, pedals would be nice. LCD screen, basket and USB port would also be nice, but not necessary.

Some of the bikes/scooters I've been looking at are:
Genesis Transformer
Genesis Commuter
LEHE K1S
Airwheel E6
Airwheel E3
Urb-E Sport
So far I'm leaning towards the Genesis Transformer, but I can't find many reviews and the 15-mile range is a bit of a turn off.

Thank you for your help! Can't wait to hear what you have to say.

With broken tailbone, I recommend a recessed seat for pressure relief in the area (plus this one has springs to absorb road bumps).
https://www.amazon.com/Cloud-9-Crui..._3?_encoding=UTF8&refRID=FX5BG9C3SZYJ8J0VTN0D

I agree with previous replies that you have limited options considering the price range you mentioned.
The Watseka is cheaper but uses heavy lead acid battery (a whooping 78 pound ebike!). More information here https://www.amazon.com/Watseka-Carg...5867495&sr=8-1&keywords=watseka+electric+bike
and here
https://electricbikereview.com/watseka/xp/

The Vilano is lighter since it uses a more advanced lightweight lithium (50 pounds only). I prefer this one and it is still within your price range. More info here https://www.amazon.com/Vilano-Pulse...=8-1-spons&keywords=women+electric+bike&psc=1
and here
https://electricbikereview.com/vilano/pulse/

Good luck!

Addendum:
I used to have a compact folding ebike, it had bad stability and ride quality. For me, the only scenario that justifies compact folding ebike is if you carry it in a small car with limited trunk space. I find the process of folding and unfolding, tedious since you have to make sure no wires and cables are caught on the way and you have to practice and master the steps.

 

[Christopher]

I'm in my twenties, 5 feet and weigh 110 pounds.
- And of course, cheap. I really can't afford anything more than $800.

$800 is already a stretch for me. I saw the Sondors bike which I really liked, but pretty sure I won't be able to ride it since I'm so short.

If $800 is already a stretch in price as mentioned (keep in mind, you will also need to budget for a lock and other accessories), and you really like the Sondors, but beings it is not a step-thru frame for someone standing in at 5'0" tall, then the $550 Watseka XP is an excellent value starter ebike fits all of your realistic needs. Already includes both pedal-assist and throttle-assist, a comfortable saddle, and a weather-proof basket keeping hundreds of dollars in your pocket.

Yes, we all want a lightweight folding ebike for $500-$600, but anyone with folding ebike experience would inform you to either cough up thousands of dollars for a lightweight folding ebike, or buy a $700+ extremely heavy folding ebike to a woman standing in at 5'0" 110lb to try and carry around?

Realistically speaking, the Watseka XP is the best bang for your buck as an affordable starter ebike. With the $300+ savings, you can buy yourself a plush recessed saddle, suspension seat post, a solid lock, and any other upgrades/accessories you prefer to make your ride more enjoyable.


Cheers,
Christopher