3 thoughts, do as you like.
The Atlas wheels/spokes came through perfectly on my bike, and at about 750 miles of combination light off road and on road/hard pack, with this 300 lb butt in place the whole time, they have remained true without spoke tension issues. I'm an amateur wheel builder, so I'm picky about such things.
Second, you might see if you could work out a deal where you paid your local shop to assemble and go over the bike for you? This may provide both of you a certain level of security. Bonus here would be they could likely set the bike up for your preferred riding position - which can be a big deal in itself.
Last, and certainly the most controversial, I would not even consider a bike without a throttle. A hard deal breaker here, but to be absolutely fair, clearly that may have something to do with my age, and degree of physical fitness. From a safety standpoint, in the 7 years I've been riding e-bikes, there have been 3 occasions where that throttle has allowed me to ride home after various accidents. Uncomfortable certainly, but still mobile. Then there's the convenience of using the throttle to get the bike moving from a stop (those first few feet where you are collecting your balance), and having an ace in the hole if you find yourself over extended (for any reason). This is like an auto trans in a car, or power steering. Sure, you can get away without either feature in a car, but would you buy a car without either/both? The throttle is there if/when you need it, and even if you NEVER used it, there is little downside to having it available.
3 thoughts I much appreciate, thank you AHicks.
I'm very happy to hear your wheels and spokes arrived in working order. I'm guessing the delivery service is a major factor in how the bikes arrive. From my experience I have more confidence with UPS than FedEx and I think Evelo uses UPS. Nothing personal against FedEx, but for my area it's not the best, has a different driver for every delivery (high turnover?) often in their own car/van and the hub is miles and miles away. UPS hub is around 25 miles away and I usually have the same driver. I even asked him about delivering a bike and he said he's delivered a few and that they're heavy. No doubt!
I researched spoke adjustment and would skip having a bike if I
had to do that myself. Not even sure what wheel truing is? Oh, I looked- they are the same thing.
I admire your wheel, spoke enthusiasm.
I did visit the 2 closest bike shops and they showed zero interest in helping with a D2C bike. Well, I didn't actually bring it up with one guy but it was obvious. I'm not even sure how helpful he would be if I bought a bike from him directly. The other owner told me straight up NO and then added; liability, parts, no knowledge about bikes he doesn't sell. Fine, I understand, he's busy enough and doesn't need/want D2C business.
The bike shop where I bought my current bike
might help out with assemble, set up/adjustments. He was listed as an option to have a Priority bike delivered to his shop for set up and adjustment through their affiliate; Beeline Connect maybe? I did stop in recently and spent about an hour (he wasn't doing anything but drinking coffee).
After looking me up on his computer, he was able to remember how I wanted a belt drive and IGH which he didn't have in early 2020 so I bought a Giant Cypress from him. He again offered me a Townie and said it's his most popular selling model. No thank you.
He said he did agree to sign up with Beeline Connect and had heard of Priority, but hadn't heard
much or gotten any bikes to assemble. Had not heard of Evelo.
He said there were some "outfits" offering to
sell him the
opportunity to be listed as a place to take delivery and set up D2C bikes. He declined.
He said he was intrigued with Vvolt ebikes (I had already decided they are not for me - lower powered motor, lesser battery and designed for street riding).
His interest was because Vvolt was started by the people that started a bicycle rain gear or clothing company
that he was really impressed with.
He also brought up the issue of ebike battery fires and his (legitimate) fear with that. Next, stating that he would fix a flat or something like that as long as it meant he didn't have to have the battery in his shop or near his person. So, after all that, who knows? I may drive the 95 miles or so and speak to him once again about the Evelo Atlas.
There is one more bike shop I visited (the 4th) that is a possibility (1 1/2 hour drive freeway) I got different responses from different people but I could check again.
.....have I already said all this before somewhere? Sorry if that's the case.
As far as the throttle goes, I do see it as a positive. Each time I brought it up in the shops I visited I got different responses. The 2nd visit to the local-ish bike shop, Gazelle vender, the owner told me that he and his sales person, both of whom I spent time with, said that after I left they discussed throttle options for me. He said they didn't come up with anything. Basically, what he was saying is that none of the brands they sell have a throttle option. Throttles are not allowed on trails or bike paths here and there's a grey area as far as street legal. Enforcement is a whole 'nother topic!
