First e-bike purchase help! Please :)

[steve mercier]

May I ask what size frame do you need? Can you fit a 16.5" frame? Here is the piece that fits on beneath the quick-release to attach a MEC Trailer. If your bike has room for this it will work!

 

[tomjasz]

Seems a wimpy motor for towing, but the Bosch experts here can answer. I support a lot of Bafang mid-drive users. The BBSHD and the newest mid drives from Bafang are being used commercially to haul trailers and push pedicabs. See Biktrix for Bafang mid drives.

 

[steve mercier]

With regards to to the Bosch motors, they have new improved motors for 2020. Therefore a substantial discount is in order before you should buy a new 2019 or older( my thinking is at least $500). The Performance CX is the uphill king of course ,but I would hasten to say that you can get up any hill with any motor. The Active line will get me up an 18% grade but does so slower than the Active plus which is slower than the Perfomance which is slower than the Perfrormance CX . To me the best of both worlds is a Performance CX with a Bikespeed delimiter which will climb and speed! IF you are pulling a trailer up an 18% grade you may want at least an Active Plus motor.

 

[dblhelix]

One more question regarding this bike - does anyone know if it will work with a bike trailer (the ones to pull kids around in)? I think they attach through the middle of the wheel and it doesn't work with all bikes i don't think? Thanks!
Melissa

I think most of the kid trailers have an adapter that you run the rear skewer through. This bike has a 9mm skewer, 135mm hub spacing. I’d contact the kid trailer manufacturer with this info, then follow-up with the bike shop you are considering for bike purchase.

 

[dblhelix]

Seems a wimpy motor for towing, but the Bosch experts here can answer. I support a lot of Bafang mid-drive users. The BBSHD and the newest mid drives from Bafang are being used commercially to haul trailers and push pedicabs. See Biktrix for Bafang mid drives.

I think the key issue is combined weight of trailer+kid(s). She’s good to 50-60 lbs.

 

[melmb]

With regards to to the Bosch motors, they have new improved motors for 2020. Therefore a substantial discount is in order before you should buy a new 2019 or older( my thinking is at least $500). The Performance CX is the uphill king of course ,but I would hasten to say that you can get up any hill with any motor. The Active line will get me up an 18% grade but does so slower than the Active plus which is slower than the Perfomance witch is slower than the Perfrormance CX . To me the best of both worlds is a Performance CX with a Bikespeed delimiter which will climb and speed! IF you are pulling a trailer up an 18% grade you may want at least an Active Plus motor.

That’s really good to know! Thanks! Do you know when they will start putting these new Bosch motors on bikes? I don’t know when Gazelle plans to start using them. They aren’t really putting a year stamp on the CityZen. Just continuing with the same bike a few months into 2020. So not sure it is going to be any different but getting the updated motor would be great. Thanks!

 

[steve mercier]

That’s really good to know! Thanks! Do you know when they will start putting these new Bosch motors on bikes? I don’t know when Gazelle plans to start using them. They aren’t really putting a year stamp on the CityZen. Just continuing with the same bike a few months into 2020. So not sure it is going to be any different but getting the updated motor would be great. Thanks!

I have seen a few models of Trek bikes(Powerfly and Allant) with them already in my LBS.

 

[melmb]

I have seen a few models of Trek bikes(Powerfly and Allant) with them already in my LBS.

Great - is there a way I can tell if it is the updated Bosch performance line motor by looking at the Gazelle bike?

 

[steve mercier]

Great - is there a way I can tell if it is the updated Bosch performance line motor by looking at the Gazelle bike?

Good question. They call it the Gen 4 series and it is SMALLER than the previous ones but if you cannot tell by looking you should ask the dealer to show you the paperwork .

 

[dblhelix]

Great - is there a way I can tell if it is the updated Bosch performance line motor by looking at the Gazelle bike?

Heads-up. The bike in the video is a 2020 model but appears to have the Gen2, not Gen4 motor. This could be why the price has dropped $1k. It is not unheard of for a 2020 bike to have the older Gen2 motor. For example the R&M Nevo and Homage 2020 motors still will have Gen2. It’s all about when the manufacturer decides to upgrade the motor.

I’d ask your prospective dealer to be sure.

Edit: the HS is still rocking Gen2, so it’s a safe bet the T9 is as well.

 

[steve mercier]

There is nothing wrong with taking a previous Gen motored bike with say a $750+ cdn discount. (-: you can spend the savings on a nice trailer.

 

[dblhelix]

There is nothing wrong with taking a Gen 3 motored bike with say a $750+ cdn discount. (-: you can spend the savings on a nice trailer.

I corrected my post to reflect that our bikes (Performance Line) are actually referred to as Gen2 as the ActiveLine series became Gen3.

 

[melmb]

I corrected my post to reflect that our bikes (Performance Line) are actually referred to as Gen2 as the ActiveLine series became Gen3.

Right yes - makes sense. Assuming there is nothing wrong with the Gen 2 performance line motor i assume I am getting if I buy the t9 soon I am ok with getting it for the reduced price and saving the money vs the updated motor I think! Really appreciate your help explaining this!

 

[steve mercier]

Right yes - makes sense. Assuming there is nothing wrong with the Gen 2 performance line motor i assume I am getting if I buy the t9 soon I am ok with getting it for the reduced price and saving the money vs the updated motor I think! Really appreciate your help explaining this!

Yeah now you can use that info as a bargaining chip when you negotiate the final price.
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[steve mercier]

Here is a comparable bike, same price from Giant Vancouver, fyi. http://www.giantvancouver.com/ca/bikes-quick-eplus.

 

[steve mercier]

and another from Trek ,also same price; https://www.trekbikes.com/ca/en_CA/...d-bikes/verve/verve-2/p/28299/?colorCode=grey

 

[steve mercier]

So my point is that is the Gazelle's original price was too high and I would negotiate as if $3300 is the full retail asking price. Don't get me wrong ,I think it is a very cool bike!

 

[melmb]

So my point is that is the Gazelle's original price was too high and I would negotiate as if $3300 is the full retail asking price. Don't get me wrong ,I think it is a very cool bike!

Oh yes nice. I really like the Giant one. So it’s just Bosch Vs Yamaha now! Yamaha motor has more torque for sure.

 

[steve mercier]

Oh yes nice. I really like the Giant one. So it’s just Bosch Vs Yamaha now! Yamaha motor has more torque for sure.

Show us a pic when you get your new steed. You may have already seen this one but it does have a front shock for $200 and it is a 2020. more. https://www.capsbicycleshop.com/product/cube-touring-hybrid-one-500-step-thur-12671.htm

 

[dblhelix]

Show us a pic when you get your new steed. You may have already seen this one but it does have a front shock for $200 and it is a 2020. more. https://www.capsbicycleshop.com/product/cube-touring-hybrid-one-500-step-thur-12671.htm

Looks like there’s a bonus to visiting this shop: a museum!