First e-bike, 5'7", < 3k, big hills, commuter

[Myztiq]

Hello!

I am looking for an e-bike for my wife, she's a relatively new bike-rider, and we're hoping to get something she can ride as a commuter bike.

Important details to know:

• 10 mile ride with about 600ft incline at the end.
• 5'7" tall
• Ideally a bike under 3k

We just test-rode the new 2020 Magnum Navigator. It was just a bit too big for her liking, too tall, and the weight will take some getting used to either way..

Our current ideas to try out:

• Magnum Metro
• Blix Aveny
• Gazelle CityZen T9
• Specialized Vado 4.0 step through (or women’s)

Runner Ups:

• Ride1up 700
• Aventon Level

Do you have any other suggestions? Does anyone here own any of these and can comment to their experiences?

 

[Dewey]

Trek Verve+ 3 Lowstep, Cannondale Tesoro Neo X 3 Remixte, and Gazelle Medeo T9 HMB low-step would all be good to test ride.

 

[CashMoney]

My 5'2" wife commutes 9 miles round trip on a Ride1Up 700 ST. She likes it. It is a heavy bike, but she seems to handle it well. In the past couple years she has done a few triathlons but she was not much of a biker before that. I think the 700 is a great value, but with your higher budget, you might look at something lighter.

 

[Myztiq]

My 5'2" wife commutes 9 miles round trip on a Ride1Up 700 ST. She likes it. It is a heavy bike, but she seems to handle it well. In the past couple years she has done a few triathlons but she was not much of a biker before that. I think the 700 is a great value, but with your higher budget, you might look at something lighter.

I think most e-bikes we're looking at are around the 60lb range. Saving $$ is great! We'll check it out.

The Cannondale Tesoro Neo X 3 Remixte looks really really nice, we'll see if we can find a deal of an earlier model around here. At the very least, more things to test ride!

 

[FlatSix911]

Hello!

I am looking for an e-bike for my wife, she's a relatively new bike-rider, and we're hoping to get something she can ride as a commuter bike.

Important details to know:

• 10 mile ride with about 600ft incline at the end.
• 5'7" tall
• Ideally a bike under 3k

We just test-rode the new 2020 Magnum Navigator. It was just a bit too big for her liking, too tall, and the weight will take some getting used to either way..

Our current ideas to try out:

• Magnum Metro
• Blix Aveny
• Gazelle CityZen T9
• Specialized Vado 4.0 step through (or women’s)

Runner Ups:

• Ride1up 700
• Aventon Level

Do you have any other suggestions? Does anyone here own any of these and can comment to their experiences?

Based on your requirements, take a look at a mid-drive motor from BikesDirect or Crazy Lennys... great for climbing hills.

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products...cycles/ebikes-electric-bikes-elite-eurban.htm

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products...es/ebikes-electric-bikes-elite-eadventure.htm

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[TomD]

Lenny's has advertised the Bulls Lacuba E45 mid step for $2180 a few times over the past 3 months. Not sure if they still have any. I would call Lenny's to inquire. That may be a good option that doesn't break the bank.

Another EBR member picked up an Atom step thru for under $2K shipped. Thees might be another fine choice (with speed dongle for commuting):

https://www.crazylennysebikes.com/shop/bh-atom-street-2/ (26" tires)

https://www.crazylennysebikes.com/shop/bh-atom-city-wave-2/ (28" tires)

 

[TomD]

If you are not in a rush you could look at the Frey CC. I just got mine. Around $3.5K shipped from Frey in China. Mid step. Ride is super plush, extremely stable at speed, and I can throttle up the steep 700' hill home at the end of my ride at 15mph if I want. Insane power. Downside is it is a heavy beast at over 70 pounds and if you use the power it will consume the battery. Her commute would easily work though. It's a head turner wherever I go.

(Link Removed - No Longer Exists)

 

[indianajo]

Based on your requirements, take a look at a mid-drive motor from BikesDirect or Crazy Lennys... great for climbing hills.

I was surprised a 67" person was offered a 27.5"wheel bike to try out, the magnum metro. I would think a 26" wheel bike like the magnum ui6 would be more the proper size.
Mid drive bikes except the rare yamaha & shimano driven models, are like a drug. Once the rider is addicted to power all the time, it is difficult to go back to an unpowered bike. I use power to control the effect of headwinds, which can increase the elapsed time of my commute by 80% Normally I ride unpowered for heart/lung maintenance. Having extra lung capacity might be important these days.
The magnum bikes are geared hub motor bikes, which can both climb hills under 1000 ' elevation (heat limit 20 minutes full power uphill) and be ridden unpowered.
Equivalent models without dealer maintenance/setup are M2s. Less money up front, less help if the bike gets a bug.
The metro had hydraulic brakes, which is IMHO a pricey way to require a visit to the bike shop every 2500 miles. The cylinders can leak when backed off to fit a new set of pads. I'm quite happy stopping 320 lb gross down 15% grades with cable pull caliper brakes. I adjust my calipers for wear every 1000 miles in 5 minutes with one allen wrench.
A step through bike with both no-drag hub motor and torque sense assist is the xtreme catalina https://electricitycycles.com/products/x-treme-catalina-500w-48v-step-through-cruiser-commuter-ebike
Only one I know that combines the features. I would like to point out I find cheap PAS to be totally unsuitable for bad pavement - the one I bought wouldn't go below 11 mph.

 

[Myztiq]

We went out yesterday and test-rode a few e-bikes, once she got on the Specialized Vado 3.0 from 2018 (https://www.specialized.com/us/en/womens-turbo-vado-3-0/p/128998) she fell in love. We bought it and are waiting for the shop to tune it up before picking it up tomorrow!

Ended up getting it for $2,750 before taxes. Seems like it's a pretty decent deal, the battery is only 460Wh, but that should be more than enough for her 20 mile total round trip commute.

Thanks for all of the suggestions!

 

[FlatSix911]

Congrats! You will not be disappointed with the Vado.

 

[TomD]

Also good you bought from LBS with warranty as Specialized had some issues with prior model year Vados. Buddy of mine loves his 2018 Vado but had quite a few issues until Specialized replaced the faulty electronics.

 

[steve mercier]

I was surprised a 67" person was offered a 27.5"wheel bike to try out, the magnum metro. I would think a 26" wheel bike like the magnum ui6 would be more the proper size.
Mid drive bikes except the rare yamaha & shimano driven models, are like a drug. Once the rider is addicted to power all the time, it is difficult to go back to an unpowered bike. I use power to control the effect of headwinds, which can increase the elapsed time of my commute by 80% Normally I ride unpowered for heart/lung maintenance. Having extra lung capacity might be important these days.
The magnum bikes are geared hub motor bikes, which can both climb hills under 1000 ' elevation (heat limit 20 minutes full power uphill) and be ridden unpowered.
Equivalent models without dealer maintenance/setup are M2s. Less money up front, less help if the bike gets a bug.
The metro had hydraulic brakes, which is IMHO a pricey way to require a visit to the bike shop every 2500 miles. The cylinders can leak when backed off to fit a new set of pads. I'm quite happy stopping 320 lb gross down 15% grades with cable pull caliper brakes. I adjust my calipers for wear every 1000 miles in 5 minutes with one allen wrench.
A step through bike with both no-drag hub motor and torque sense assist is the xtreme catalina https://electricitycycles.com/products/x-treme-catalina-500w-48v-step-through-cruiser-commuter-ebike
Only one I know that combines the features. I would like to point out I find cheap PAS to be totally unsuitable for bad pavement - the one I bought wouldn't go below 11 mph.

I disagree with you IndianJo about the brakes. When my life may be on the line I want the stopping power of good hydraulic brakes with big rotors. The stopping distance difference can be shocking.