Evelo, Trek, Giant ?

[taprat2]

My husband and I are really struggling when choosing an ebike, He is 6”4” and I am 5’1”. We like the Evelo bikes… mid drive, no chain, auto mode, throttle (important) great warranty. We also considered RAD. These bikes come in one size fits all. When I ride the cruisers, I dont feel completely in control meaning if I need to turn around on a path its difficult for me, I cant do tight enough turns, they feel big but maybe because I am not used to them? I tried a Giant hybrid small frame and it felt good, just like my regular 1994 Trek at home. The problem is Trek and Giant dont have Class 2 and I really want that. Budget about $4000 Suggestions?

 

[Dewey]

There are some models that might work that are foot forward designs with a more relaxed seatpost that can work for shorter riders. The difficulty you had controlling the bikes is a concern, perhaps a smaller wheel might work? Some suggestions: Pedego Interceptor 24” Step Thru, Electric Bike Company Model S with optional 24” wheels, Evelo Galaxy. Then you might go smaller with 20” wheels like a Biktrix Stunner LT 6 in small size.

If you both want to ride the bike I recommend you reconsider Class 1 bikes, the Tern HSD or GSD models are one size frames but with very adjustable telescoping seatpost and handlebar post to accommodate riders from 4'10" to 6'5"

 

[taprat2]

There are some models that might work that are foot forward designs with a more relaxed seatpost that can work for shorter riders. The difficulty you had controlling the bikes is a concern, perhaps a smaller wheel might work? Some suggestions: Pedego Interceptor 24” Step Thru, Electric Bike Company Model S with optional 24” wheels, Evelo Galaxy. Then you might go smaller with 20” wheels like a Biktrix Stunner LT 6 in small size.

If you both want to ride the bike I recommend you reconsider Class 1 bikes, the Tern HSD or GSD models are one size frames but with very adjustable telescoping seatpost and handlebar post to accommodate riders from 4'10" to 6'5"

Thank you. The Galaxy and Pedigo both have the battery on the back...I am not a fan although the way its looking I may have no choice. We plan on purchasing separate bikes. Many bikes that are the one size are 5'2" to 6'0" or 5'4" to 6'3" It really puts us both out of range. I will check out the Biktrix.

 

[indianajo]

Most posters here like to force short people into 20" wheels. Potholes rattle the teeth of short people just as badly as tall people, IMHO. I'd stick with 24" wheel or taller bikes. Stunner comes in a 24" wheel model. It has the battery in the lower frame and a throttle. No small frame. https://www.biktrix.com/pages/stunner-lt-details#specs
Gazelle Arroyo C8 comes in 3 sizes of frames with 26" wheels and an IGH. Meets your budget and is a bosch mid-drive. No throttle. Battery is in lower frame, not on the back. https://www.gazellebikes.com/en-us/gazelle-arroyo-c8-hmb-elite#pim_itemcolorcodeonergb=0,0,0&pim_itemgenderframe=low-step
Kona ecoco has 3 frame sizes, a shimano mid-drive, & 26" wheels. battery is in the lower frame. https://www.konaworld.com/ecoco.cfm
Surface 604 rook has 2 frame sizes, class 2, 26" wheels, battery in the lower frame, torque sensing like a mid-drive. https://surface604bikes.com/products/2022-rook
I don't ever turn around on a path without stopping & putting my feet down. You see the bike I ride left is enormously long, has 26" wheels, but is made for short people. I'm 68" and my legs are especially short, 28" pants inseam. My bones are native Am, not European.

 

[Dewey]

Most posters here like to force short people into 20" wheels.

Er not “forcing” anything, a smaller wheel lowers the center of gravity and the stand over height. But then you know that and are just trolling

 

[taprat2]

Most posters here like to force short people into 20" wheels. Potholes rattle the teeth of short people just as badly as tall people, IMHO. I'd stick with 24" wheel or taller bikes. Stunner comes in a 24" wheel model. It has the battery in the lower frame and a throttle. No small frame. https://www.biktrix.com/pages/stunner-lt-details#specs
Gazelle Arroyo C8 comes in 3 sizes of frames with 26" wheels and an IGH. Meets your budget and is a bosch mid-drive. No throttle. Battery is in lower frame, not on the back. https://www.gazellebikes.com/en-us/gazelle-arroyo-c8-hmb-elite#pim_itemcolorcodeonergb=0,0,0&pim_itemgenderframe=low-step
Kona ecoco has 3 frame sizes, a shimano mid-drive, & 26" wheels. battery is in the lower frame. https://www.konaworld.com/ecoco.cfm
Surface 604 rook has 2 frame sizes, class 2, 26" wheels, battery in the lower frame, torque sensing like a mid-drive. https://surface604bikes.com/products/2022-rook
I don't ever turn around on a path without stopping & putting my feet down. You see the bike I ride left is enormously long, has 26" wheels, but is made for short people. I'm 68" and my legs are especially short, 28" pants inseam. My bones are native Am, not European.

Thank you for the recommendations! Haha my inseam is 28 also.

 

[Dewey]

Thank you. The Galaxy and Pedigo both have the battery on the back...I am not a fan although the way its looking I may have no choice. We plan on purchasing separate bikes. Many bikes that are the one size are 5'2" to 6'0" or 5'4" to 6'3" It really puts us both out of range. I will check out the Biktrix.

As you prefer the battery on the down tube have a look at the Pedego Element (Class 2), Flyer Upstreet 1 and Riese and Muller Tinker (Class 1)

 

[retiredNH]

You might get better advice if you told us where you plan to ride, and what you want the bike to do for you. For instance, do you want help climbing long steep hills? Do you want to cruise local bike paths with a throttle? Do you need assistance starting from a stop? Do you want to go fast? Can you do your own service, or do you want to use a LBS?
Keep in mind the "one size fits all" bikes are squarely aimed at a casual rider who doesn't plan to ride much and wants to get a bike cheap.

 

[Brew61]

Ok not sure where you are and whats available around you, but when my wife and I were looking for bikes we went all around and tried many brands for her. She is also short, 5'2" maybe and found most all bikes to big for her where she felt comfortable handling them.

We found two shops that carried this bike locally, a ES300 LandCruiser 26" Step-Thru. She was extremely comfortable riding this bike and felt very safe being able to handle it. Hers came with a 12 Ah battery so I picked up another 14 Ah battery from Jenny for it, for when we do long rides she does not have to worry.

So far the bike has been excellent and trouble free. Not sure if you can find one near you to try or not. It's not your big brand name bike, but it is a solid bike and she feels really comfortable with it and that whats counts.

Bruce

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[Dewey]

Stunner comes in a 24" wheel model. It has the battery in the lower frame and a throttle. No small frame.

The Biktrix Stunner LT 6 model is available in a small size with 20” wheels https://www.biktrix.com/products/stunner-lt-small
Their upcoming Kutty folding model has an even lower stand over height and says it fits riders above 4’ 8”

Kutty X 2

The Kutty X 2 is a folding electric bike. Powered by a 48V 500W motor, this small and mighty bike can climb up anything in your way. The sleek low-step design makes it easy to get on and off. It’s the perfect companion when space is limited!

www.biktrix.com

 

[taprat2]

Thanks everyone for the recommendations. I decided to go with the Evelo!

 

[Marci jo]

Thanks everyone for the recommendations. I decided to go with the Evelo!

Congrats to you!
Many wonderful miles.
Please share some pics and your adventures.

 

[AHicks]

Thanks everyone for the recommendations. I decided to go with the Evelo!

Hadn't visited that web site for quite a while. They now have some seriously nice bikes available. Their Atlas checks a LOT of the boxes on my list of must haves (oh no!).

 

[Kayakguy]

Thanks everyone for the recommendations. I decided to go with the Evelo!

Seems odd nobody suggested the most sensible solution: swap partners. He needs a tall female person, you need a short guy. Honestly, this is an easy problem.