Finding an Ebike that checks enough of the boxes

[TWBKR]

Looking for a new ebike and having trouble finding one that checks all the boxes I want. Wondering if anyone knows any brand/models that might check more of the boxes. I separated into the mandatory must haves and the preferred ones that I might be able to compromise on. If I cant find one that checks enough boxes, may have to wait until new models come out that might meet enough boxes. Appreciate any suggestions on some brands that might fill all of the must haves and enough of the nice to haves.

Mandatory Features

1. Class 2, can be used throttle only. Min 20 mph, preferred 25 mph or more
2. Internal hub, Nexus, Rohloff, etc. for low maintenance
3. Front fork, air suspension preferred, but would consider spring
4. Fenders and rear rack
5. Disc brakes, Hydraulic preferred
6. Mid-step through or might consider full step through, if looks are acceptable
7. Decent looks leaning more towards a mountain bike looks, as opposed to a cruiser.
8. Small enough frame or smaller frame options to fit my height 5'4"

Preferred Features

1. Belt drive – for low maintenance, and nice to have some kind of chain / cable guard. Like a Gates, or maybe some other brand.
2. Rear suspension – optional, can consider aftermarket seatpost shock absorber instead
3. Mid-drive motor to take advantage of rear gear changing, but can consider rear hub motor, but assume cant have a rear hub motor, if I need the internal hub, so this may be a given if have an internal hub, unless it is a front drive motor, which I dont see, except for aftermarket DIY ebikes.
4. Concealed battery, concealed cables built in frame
5. Decent range – battery size
6. Will be used mostly as a commuter, but want an all road type of bike that can also handle some dirt/gravel roads, day trips

Best option seen so far is the Optibike Allroad Pioneer Limited. Only drawbacks are no belt drive option, no concealed battery, and no rear suspension, average looks, and not sure on frame size. Or just saw the Velec Elite R48M that is a class 2, drawbacks would be full step through looks not as appealing to me versus mid-step through. Not a Gates with the middle belt guide, but looks ok, and not sure on the reliability of the motor brand. I like the looks of the Riese & Muller Charger Mixte HS or Homage HS, but these are not class 2. Same for the Wallerang M.01X or the Bulls Lacuba EVO E8 Step Thru. The eProdigy Magic Pro is a class 2, although not crazy about the cruiser styling and prefer a more aggressive styling of a mid step through, and would want a front suspension, but guess the front fork could be changed aftermarket. Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[Mr. Coffee]

A few thoughts:

You can get the R&M bikes in a non high-speed version that are class 1 but not class 2.

Fenders and rear racks are easily added on the aftermarket, and ones you purchase and select yourself are often of higher quality and more functional than the ones that come stock. So you needn't get too emotionally attached to what comes with the bike.

If you are considering mostly an on-road bike, and most of that riding on paved roads, then the suspension fork might be overkill and the full rear suspension almost certainly is. You will likely do fine with a decent suspension seat post and possibly a suspension stem. A lot of people happily ride gravel all the time without a suspension bike and rarely cause themselves or their bikes significant injury. Others on this site might have different opinions on that, but that is my $.02.

For technical reasons few mid-drive bikes have throttles. That seems to be gradually changing but your requirements certainly narrow your selection.

Can you be more specific about "decent" range? In general class 1 mid-drive bikes with a wide-range gearing system (at least a 1x11, preferably a Rohloff Speedhub) will be the most efficient and give you the most range for a given battery size. I'd suggest playing with Google maps to get an idea of what your commute is like and then use things like the Bosch Range Calculator to get a feel for how much battery you'll need.

 

[Mr. Coffee]

Oh, bonus links about suspension stems:

https://www.amazon.com/Redshift-ShockStop-Suspension-Stem-deg/dp/B07BV675P2

 

[Nova Haibike]

Mandatory Features

1. Class 2, can be used throttle only. Min 20 mph, preferred 25 mph or more
2. Internal hub, Nexus, Rohloff, etc. for low maintenance

This cuts your list way, way down. There are probably only a handful of mid-drive bikes with a throttle; you're limited to a Bafang, Dapu, or some oddball brand motor. I can't even think of one, not with an IGH and belt drive.

 

[TWBKR]

Thanks for the feedback. I have an ebike now with a spring fork suspension (Suntour NEX) and like it. Even though a lot of riding is on pavement as opposed to gravel / dirt roads, it is often uneven / bumpy pavement, or sometimes may go off a curb, so I do like some dampening in the suspension, at least in the front fork, if not rear. I was thinking maybe an air suspension fork would be better versus a spring suspension, mainly for weight savings, but not sure if there is much weight savings. My current ebike is pretty heavy at 65 lbs, so was thinking it would be nice to have a bit lighter. Rear suspension is pretty low on my nice to have list. And maybe I can compensate by getting a seat suspension, providing I can find one that doesnt make the seat too high for my height.

Yes, I do notice my choices limited substantially with Class 2 and internal hub criteria, but I really want those 2 things, so are on my mandatory criteria list. Saw the new Evelo Aurora and that one looks nice. Drawbacks for me on this one would be having chain drive instead of Gates belt drive. Also, it is a bit heavy at something like 65 lbs. And not sure I like the center kickstand, versus a side stand. The center kickstands tend to be a bit more heavy and bulky and can clip the ground when going up/down a curb and that custom frame tube doesnt look like it would fit a standard side stand mount and doesnt have a lower frame tube either to put it on. On my current bike, I removed a center kickstand and put on a side mounted kickstand and much prefer the side mounted stand for the general ease of putting it up and down, less weight and doesnt get in the way and scrape curbs.

Definitely like the R&M bikes, like the Homage HS or Mixte HS, but the big deal killer is not offering a Class 2 option.

Yeah, I can add aftermarket rack and fenders, provided the frame has accomodations for these. I notice some ebikes have a custom rack built into the frame, like the Evelo Aurora, which has its pros and cons. Generally they are stronger, but usually add more weight and cant use many custom clip on bags or pannier bags, as some have much thicker rack tubings.

Regarding acceptable range, I was thinking in terms of 40 miles with average middle speed use.

 

[tcr]

I understand from recent conversation with James Beck at Evelo that they are considering a Gates Carbon Drive for the loaded Auroras that will made available by around March of 2019. I have already ditched my interest in the Piaggio Comfort, and am definitely targeting a loaded Aurora for myself in that time frame, even without the belt drive (but that would be great addition).

 

[Dewey]

Biktrix Stunner has a 5-speed Sturmey IGH and a Bafang BBS02 with throttle

 

[indianajo]

I have an 8 speed Sturmey IGH I installed on a mountain bike in 2017. At about 500 miles the shifter clip started popping off and the selector whangs into 8th gear, which is unrideable except downhill. Takes laying on the ground face up (hair in the dirt) plus pliers to get the shifter clip reinstalled. Does it again about every mile. For that reason I consider the Sturmey IGH except the pull rod shifted 3 speed to be unsuitable for people that actually ride their bikes. I can't see that the 5 speed would be any different than the 8 speed.

 

[TWBKR]

I understand from recent conversation with James Beck at Evelo that they are considering a Gates Carbon Drive for the loaded Auroras that will made available by around March of 2019. I have already ditched my interest in the Piaggio Comfort, and am definitely targeting a loaded Aurora for myself in that time frame, even without the belt drive (but that would be great addition).

Thanks. The Aurora looks like a contender. Has class 2, and can override 20 mph speed limit up to 25 mph for off-road. And if they add the carbon belt drive, that would be another advantage in the plus column. Also, its size can accommodate shorter people.

The only downsides for me are the dual center mount kickstand. Had a bike with this before and I did not like it. It was pretty heavy, so added a lot of weight. Took more effort to get the bike up, as one had to lift the rear end to help get it up on the kickstand, and it rode quite low, so scraped sometimes, like when going up or down curbs. I actually removed it and put on a side kickstand and like that much better. And with the Aurora custom frame, looks like there is no lower frame tubing in the rear to attach a side kickstand. But, not a deal breaker assuming the dual kickstand doesnt scrape going on or off curbs and not too heavy.

Also, I wonder about the custom rack built into the frame, if the wider tubing will fit the clips on an Ortleib pannier bag. The rack tubing looks pretty thick, which is nice for more sturdiness and weight holding capabilities, but I wonder if some clip on rack attachments will fit.

But, Aurora and Optibike probably check more of the boxes, thus far. Stylewise, I probably prefer Aurora styling. I like the battery integrated into the frame styling, as opposed to the Optibike Allroad Limited where it looks like a regular bike where they just stuck a battery on it, as an afterthought.