UphillBothWays
Member
I thought I would post this, as it has taken me much time to learn and consider all the options. Just like buying a house, if you have a budget on the lower side for Ebikes, you have to decide what is most important to YOU. I just spent a month learning, testing, and deciding. I am female, 64, 5'4", and pretty average weight/ability. I have been biking a few times a month on a regular hybrid Schwinn, but had to get off half the time to walk the bike up the hills near where I live. So, time for a little assistance: After much testing, I decided on the Aventon Pace 500. My budget was under $2000, but preferred to be closer to $1500.
Here are all the things I considered:
I WANTED a mid-motor, as I think it has a very smooth and easy system. I could not find one in stock that also had a STEP THROUGH AND THROTTLE, and in my price range. REALLY wanted the FLX Step Thru, which HAS IT ALL, and then some. Price is $2049, and includes all the add ons too. This, IMO was the BEST of all, BUT, their delivery isn't until mid August. So, that was a bummer. Add that to the assembly charge from Velofix and you are up to $2250.
My 'must have's' included LOW step through, Hydraulic brakes, throttle, good components, and enough power to get me around and back home. YOU HAVE to think about how you are going to get it assembled, and knowing myself, I would have ended up having to have someone else do it, or at least check it...There are companies who assemble them for you, like Velofix, but that costs about $150-$200. If you buy from a bike store, you have it fitted to YOU, with no additional cost to assemble. Da! AND the ability to take it into that bike store or ANY store that sells that brand for tune up or repair was also a factor to consider. Most bike stores will NOT work on a Rad, or Flx, other online brand. So, if you don't know a lot about bike repair, THAT is a big factor to consider.
THROTTLE: for me, that was something I wanted. If I am exhausted, or have knee or foot pain, I want to be able to motor it home without my having to pedal. If I am somewhere where I am doing most of the work, and Assist is very low, or even off, and I encounter something I have to quickly get around, that throttle scoots me quickly without any hesitation. There is a feature I like about Aventon's throttle: YOU HAVE to be pedaling to work the throttle. That's good, because I don't want to accidentally press it, and have the bike get away from me if I am not ready.
WEIGHT: Some bikes weigh a LOT! Some up to 67 lbs! Aventon: 49 lbs, and less when you take off the battery. For me, I like to ride unassisted or on a low assist and do a lot of the work. But, if the bike is heavy, it get's very difficult the minute you have any incline. If I want to put it on a rack, I can lift the Pace. I could not lift the others. WAY too much bike for me. I also liked the way the battery is positioned. When the battery is in the middle, it feels more centered. And their's is more integrated. The Rad seems like it's in the way, and some others have it on the back rack, which when adding some cargo would make it too off balance for me.
PROS: It's priced at $1399. Add the fenders if you need them (I'm in sunny Ca, so I don't), rack and lights, and you still haven't spent more than $1600. A seat suspension will add another $34. Handlebars are adjustable. Wider tire. Not too wide, but just right. Size and weight are great. Good enough components, motor, Hydraulic brakes. Great power, and FAST.
CONS: It doesn't come with fenders, rack, suspension, or lights. Fenders and rack are cheap enough to add on. I do wish it had integrated lights, but those are also pretty easy to add on, and I am not going to be riding at night anyway. I have added a cushier seat and suspension seat post, also pretty inexpensive. Those things are all cheap enough.
FINAL Thoughts: I would have liked to get the FLX Step Thru. But, it would have been considerably more money once I paid for assembly. Wasn't available for months, so was out of the question. MANY of the reasonably priced ones are sold out right now. Also check out the ARIEL RIDER. Seems to give you a lot for your money too, although also sold out. The Blixtrix is super nice, but heavier, not as low a step through, and much more costly. Benno Joy is nice, but twice the price. I liked how the Gazelle rode, but it didn't have a throttle, so I passed. So, back to Aventon Pace 500- I'm still WAY under budget, and have the ability to go to a bike store for repair. I think it's a better bike than the RadCity. I will update later after I have had time to access.
Here are all the things I considered:
I WANTED a mid-motor, as I think it has a very smooth and easy system. I could not find one in stock that also had a STEP THROUGH AND THROTTLE, and in my price range. REALLY wanted the FLX Step Thru, which HAS IT ALL, and then some. Price is $2049, and includes all the add ons too. This, IMO was the BEST of all, BUT, their delivery isn't until mid August. So, that was a bummer. Add that to the assembly charge from Velofix and you are up to $2250.
My 'must have's' included LOW step through, Hydraulic brakes, throttle, good components, and enough power to get me around and back home. YOU HAVE to think about how you are going to get it assembled, and knowing myself, I would have ended up having to have someone else do it, or at least check it...There are companies who assemble them for you, like Velofix, but that costs about $150-$200. If you buy from a bike store, you have it fitted to YOU, with no additional cost to assemble. Da! AND the ability to take it into that bike store or ANY store that sells that brand for tune up or repair was also a factor to consider. Most bike stores will NOT work on a Rad, or Flx, other online brand. So, if you don't know a lot about bike repair, THAT is a big factor to consider.
THROTTLE: for me, that was something I wanted. If I am exhausted, or have knee or foot pain, I want to be able to motor it home without my having to pedal. If I am somewhere where I am doing most of the work, and Assist is very low, or even off, and I encounter something I have to quickly get around, that throttle scoots me quickly without any hesitation. There is a feature I like about Aventon's throttle: YOU HAVE to be pedaling to work the throttle. That's good, because I don't want to accidentally press it, and have the bike get away from me if I am not ready.
WEIGHT: Some bikes weigh a LOT! Some up to 67 lbs! Aventon: 49 lbs, and less when you take off the battery. For me, I like to ride unassisted or on a low assist and do a lot of the work. But, if the bike is heavy, it get's very difficult the minute you have any incline. If I want to put it on a rack, I can lift the Pace. I could not lift the others. WAY too much bike for me. I also liked the way the battery is positioned. When the battery is in the middle, it feels more centered. And their's is more integrated. The Rad seems like it's in the way, and some others have it on the back rack, which when adding some cargo would make it too off balance for me.
PROS: It's priced at $1399. Add the fenders if you need them (I'm in sunny Ca, so I don't), rack and lights, and you still haven't spent more than $1600. A seat suspension will add another $34. Handlebars are adjustable. Wider tire. Not too wide, but just right. Size and weight are great. Good enough components, motor, Hydraulic brakes. Great power, and FAST.
CONS: It doesn't come with fenders, rack, suspension, or lights. Fenders and rack are cheap enough to add on. I do wish it had integrated lights, but those are also pretty easy to add on, and I am not going to be riding at night anyway. I have added a cushier seat and suspension seat post, also pretty inexpensive. Those things are all cheap enough.
FINAL Thoughts: I would have liked to get the FLX Step Thru. But, it would have been considerably more money once I paid for assembly. Wasn't available for months, so was out of the question. MANY of the reasonably priced ones are sold out right now. Also check out the ARIEL RIDER. Seems to give you a lot for your money too, although also sold out. The Blixtrix is super nice, but heavier, not as low a step through, and much more costly. Benno Joy is nice, but twice the price. I liked how the Gazelle rode, but it didn't have a throttle, so I passed. So, back to Aventon Pace 500- I'm still WAY under budget, and have the ability to go to a bike store for repair. I think it's a better bike than the RadCity. I will update later after I have had time to access.
