First EBike - Felt or Optibike or Something Else?

[AlexD]

First, thanks for such a helpful forum. I'm looking for an ebike with the following requirements:

1. A daily 10 mile commute each way.
2. Main reason I'm looking for an ebike over a regular bike is that the commute starts with a long, steep hill - rises in elevation a bit over 400 feet over a little less than half a mile. Thus, I want a good climbing bike. From my research, it appears a mid-drive motor is what I want.
3. I want a pedal assist bike, a class 1 or class 3.

There is a local ebike dealer that has Felt Verzae and Felt Sporte in stock. After looking at the reviews on this site, these seem like great options for what I want. At $4000, though, they are pricey. I saw someone else on these forums recommend an Optibike Pioneer Allroad, and at $2800, that seemed a much better fit for how I wanted to use the bike. However, the Optibike website now lists the Pioneer bikes for $3500, so with shipping it's not much different than the Felt.

Are there any other models I should be looking at? Would really like to find something under $3k that fit my needs.

Thanks!

 

[JoePah]

I wouldnt spend that much for a commute like that, esp for a first ebike. Call Lenny about his demo bike and close outs.

http://www.crazylennysebikes.com

 

[MLB]

The Pioneer Allroad is apparently a chinese built bike rebadged by Optibike and available for less than 2k direct (last year) if the thread about them (from last year) is correct.
Most any E bike would serve the purpose. A geared hub or mid drive would be the strongest climber.
If you want to spend the money for a premium brand, you're not likely to regret it IMO.

 

[George S.]

The slope of that hills works out to around 16%. That is more than most hub motors are designed to climb, so the mid-drive makes sense.

Depends on how willing you are to spend that much. Haibike is supposed to have a Yamaha mid-drive bike for $2500, and there are some other under $2,000 models for bike shops due in the US soon.

Otherwise, there are a lot of Bafang BBS equipped mid-drive bikes. Lectric Cycles sells completely assembled kit bikes, for example, if you don't want to build a kit.

It's not a very long commute, so you are buying an ebike to get up a hill. You can add the precise capability that you need to any bike (within reason) for under $1,000 at Luna Cycle, (mid-drive) motor and battery.

 

[AlexD]

Thanks all for the advice. Went to Rocket Electrics bike store today to rent the Pedego City Commuter for a day, basically just to get a feel for using an electric bike. One thing I definitely realized is that I want something that rides more like a hybrid bike than a cruiser. Also realized I have no use for a throttle, as I'd always use it in pedal assist mode.

I decided to go with a Biktrix Stunner. At $1399 for preorder, I think that's a great deal (fully understanding the risk of a preorder). Also got a good review here, and for me it seems like adding a bike rack and changing out the seat will be perfect for what I want.

 

[Tara D.]

That's exciting! Can't wait to hear how the Stunner works out for you.

 

[JoePah]

Good choice Alex. Hope it works for you. Great price

 

[PJungnitsch]

I've had the Biktrix fatbike for the summer on a 10km commute and it has been excellent, I'd fully expect the Stunner to be as good. Met the man behind Biktrix in person and he seems very keen.

 

[Lenny]

Thanks for mentioning us, @JoePah .
If any of you are interested in test riding E-bikes, we will fly you to Madison.
How many bike shops are willing to do that?

 

[Doker44]

Thanks for mentioning us, @JoePah .
If any of you are interested in test riding E-bikes, we will fly you to Madison.
How many bike shops are willing to do that?

Really great offer for those of us that dont live close to a shops. Very nice way to spread the hobby of E-Bikes.

Mr. Crazy Lenny ,
I have two questions.
1) I know nothing about bikes much less e-bikes, when you get orders from other states how much does the person (say me) that receives the bikes have to put together typically and how technical is it to get riding.
2) Since I will not have any local support if something breaks under warranty do you have any plan in place for these types of situations?

Keep up the good work of promotion E-Bikes

Doke

 

[MLB]

I've purchased 1 new bike from CL and 1 used bike that was purchased there. Both fabulous experiences. The bike was delivered complete. No setup to do. Great to deal with. The best prices.
That's really an amazing offer. The chance to do back to back to back comparisons would be fun as HE!! and their deals can't be beat.
if I was thinking about an Ebike, I'd be taking them up on that offer!

 

[Lenny]

Really great offer for those of us that dont live close to a shops. Very nice way to spread the hobby of E-Bikes.

Mr. Crazy Lenny ,
I have two questions.
1) I know nothing about bikes much less e-bikes, when you get orders from other states how much does the person (say me) that receives the bikes have to put together typically and how technical is it to get riding.
2) Since I will not have any local support if something breaks under warranty do you have any plan in place for these types of situations?

Keep up the good work of promotion E-Bikes

Doke

Thank you.
Sometimes we do get customers who live 3-4 hours away from the nearest ebike store.
In such cases, we ship the bike to your local bike store and they will handle all the assembly for you. If something breaks under warranty, we ship the part to your LBS at our cost.
If you need more details call me @608-575-8711 or come visit us for a day.