First ebike. Have four options NEED HELP

[MikeExcel]

Hello everyone. I am looking for help on deciding on what ebike to buy. I want to buy an ebike from Amazon.

I want a foldable ebike because I live in an apartment in NYC. The bike will be used to travel to and from college about 2 miles away. The bike will also be used to make deliveries with postmates all over Manhattan NYC.

I am 5 foot 11 inches tall weighing in at 200 pounds.

I've read a bit about psi. And learned 20 inch wheels might be bad for someone of my size. I read that a fat tire bike might be better for me. But I was also told fat tire bikes aren't good for the city streets. Also learned that 500w would be best for someone around my weight.

1 is my current top choice.

1. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0764JT1JN..._-h9qCb6E1G3E7

2. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KR33XVW..._Lh9qCb56MY720

3. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07K2TTVXG..._Oh9qCb4HZEQK7

4. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DNFPFHP..._Ij9qCb82CSX4J
Does anyone know if "expert" assembly is actually needed for these bikes or can one do it efficiently with an instruction manual?
Does anyone know if I can mount a bike rack to the fat tire bikes?

Bike racks for fat tires

1. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AUY2OW...colid=5YVD3TTLAWKS&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

2. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007Y5EP7S/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

I decided to buy the 4th bike option. Thank you all for your help and opinions. I am now looking to learn about the psi needed for. My wheels considering my weight.

Thank you for your help in advance.

 

[ez3putt]

The Goplus 20 was very easy to assemble. There were no instructions, but a video is available. Removing all the packing material took more time than the actual assembly. I assembled my wife's without assistance in about thirty minutes.

 

[6zfshdb]

First off, welcome to the forum! You'll find many knowledgeable folks here who will be glad to help with any questions you have.

For someone your size and weight, I wouldn't worry about 20" wheels. The smaller footprint makes them easier to fold, transport and store. Fat tires will offer a slightly better ride but do produce more drag, making them a bit harder to pedal. The electric assist compensates for this but, in general, range will be slightly less than a thin tire bike with the same size battery.

While all the bikes you mentioned will likely serve your needs, I would look into service after the sale. Are parts available? Are you able to work on a bike yourself? If not, is there a LBS nearby that will do the work for you? Buying online does have some risk unless it's from a reputable dealer.

While many e-bikes on the market today are overpriced, you generally get what you pay for. Your above choices will serve you well in the short term but they aren't high quality. I wouldn't expect them to last as long as a name brand bike.

For the price though, you will probably be happy with any of the bikes you mentioned.

 

[harryS]

The Natko Spark has a funky rear roller brake. Might be hard to get replacements, so that's one to avoid. WIth lower cost products like these, owners need to learn how to service and adjust the bicycle parts, like the brakes, and shifters. Being able to tighten a pedal or fiddle with handlebars is something you should know. Youtube videos will teach you. Bike mechanics are simple.

I weigh 195, better than the 215 I used to weigh, and we have three 20" ebikes with skinny tires pumped up to 60 PSI. My wife's 20" is full suspension. Rides nice. Mine have none. I stand when I see bumos ahead. Have had two pinch flats, which is when a wheel hits a steep curb/hole and the tube is squashed. My wife prefers the maneuverabilty of a 20" bike. I like them because I can squeeze them into my packed garage (too many bikes) .

I've seen a Sondors Fold and a Radmini fat tire, but never ridden them. They look to be quite bulky if folded, but probably worth it for the better ride. I want to get my wife a 20" fat tire bike, which will allow her to ride packed gravel trails more safely.

At only 2 miles, you could do that on a standard folder. I'd be concerned abut theft in NYC, as I would be in Chicago. I ride in Chicago but have never left a bike alone there.

 

[dblhelix]

Hello everyone. I am looking for help on deciding on what ebike to buy. I want to buy an ebike from Amazon.

I want a foldable ebike because I live in an apartment in NYC. The bike will be used to travel to and from college about 2 miles away. The bike will also be used to make deliveries with postmates all over Manhattan NYC.

I am 5 foot 11 inches tall weighing in at 200 pounds.

I've read a bit about psi. And learned 20 inch wheels might be bad for someone of my size. I read that a fat tire bike might be better for me. But I was also told fat tire bikes aren't good for the city streets. Also learned that 500w would be best for someone around my weight.

1 is my current top choice.

1. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0764JT1JN..._-h9qCb6E1G3E7

2. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KR33XVW..._Lh9qCb56MY720

3. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07K2TTVXG..._Oh9qCb4HZEQK7

4. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DNFPFHP..._Ij9qCb82CSX4J
Does anyone know if "expert" assembly is actually needed for these bikes or can one do it efficiently with an instruction manual?
Thank you for your help in advance.

I have ridden a folding e-bike all over Manhattan (a Tern Vektron w/ 20”x2” wheels). 1) I notice that your first option is about 11 lb heavier than my bike, which is already a bit heavy, Is your apartment a walk-up? I would think about how you will be getting the bike in and out of your apartment. I agree with @harryS that a standard folder should at least be considered. Much easier to carry and even take into a classroom. 2) The 20” wheels should be fine. My only concern — and this is anywhere — is that the wheels are just the right size for getting stuck in potholes.

 

[MikeExcel]

The Goplus 20 was very easy to assemble. There were no instructions, but a video is available. Removing all the packing material took more time than the actual assembly. I assembled my wife's without assistance in about thirty minutes.

Thank you very much for your reply. I was wondering if it was easy or not. Doesn't seem too bad

 

[MikeExcel]

First off, welcome to the forum! You'll find many knowledgeable folks here who will be glad to help with any questions you have.

For someone your size and weight, I wouldn't worry about 20" wheels. The smaller footprint makes them easier to fold, transport and store. Fat tires will offer a slightly better ride but do produce more drag, making them a bit harder to pedal. The electric assist compensates for this but, in general, range will be slightly less than a thin tire bike with the same size battery.

While all the bikes you mentioned will likely serve your needs, I would look into service after the sale. Are parts available? Are you able to work on a bike yourself? If not, is there a LBS nearby that will do the work for you? Buying online does have some risk unless it's from a reputable dealer.

While many e-bikes on the market today are overpriced, you generally get what you pay for. Your above choices will serve you well in the short term but they aren't high quality. I wouldn't expect them to last as long as a name brand bike.

For the price though, you will probably be happy with any of the bikes you mentioned.

Thank you for your welcoming. This place already seems amazing.
It's good to hear that 20 inch wheels won't be an issue I was really worried about that. I will learn to work on my own bike over time and there are also many bike stores around me so I shouldn't have a problem with parts. But that is a very good point I've heard batteries don't last super long which is why I am looking for removable batteries. I just need this bike to last me a year maybe two at max. Until I get some cash saved up. About the fat tires. I'll more than likely be using. Pedal Assist mode 90 percent of the time so it should be too much of a problem I'm also not really going for top speed.

 

[MikeExcel]

The Natko Spark has a funky rear roller brake. Might be hard to get replacements, so that's one to avoid. WIth lower cost products like these, owners need to learn how to service and adjust the bicycle parts, like the brakes, and shifters. Being able to tighten a pedal or fiddle with handlebars is something you should know. Youtube videos will teach you. Bike mechanics are simple.

I weigh 195, better than the 215 I used to weigh, and we have three 20" ebikes with skinny tires pumped up to 60 PSI. My wife's 20" is full suspension. Rides nice. Mine have none. I stand when I see bumos ahead. Have had two pinch flats, which is when a wheel hits a steep curb/hole and the tube is squashed. My wife prefers the maneuverabilty of a 20" bike. I like them because I can squeeze them into my packed garage (too many bikes) .

I've seen a Sondors Fold and a Radmini fat tire, but never ridden them. They look to be quite bulky if folded, but probably worth it for the better ride. I want to get my wife a 20" fat tire bike, which will allow her to ride packed gravel trails more safely.

At only 2 miles, you could do that on a standard folder. I'd be concerned abut theft in NYC, as I would be in Chicago. I ride in Chicago but have never left a bike alone there.

The bike will mostly be on campus or at home or when I'm doing deliveries it'll be outside for about 3min. I'll definently be getting a decent lock then improving with a kryptonite lock later on. Thank you for your concern. I don't see myself riding in dirt much or loose gravel. It's mostly just city streets and sidewalks. But the road does get bumpy depending where I am. I'm am beginning to learn towards fat tires the more I think about all the small bumps. It's good to get further reassurance that 20 inch wheels is enough thank you. I am not to worried about storage space. It'll most likely go in the corner of my room folded up when I am not using it. The main problem I see with fat tire bikes is that they don't have a rear rack that I would need when doing deliveries. I have two racks I am looking at since I'll need to add them to a fat tire bike.

 

[MikeExcel]

I have ridden a folding e-bike all over Manhattan (a Tern Vektron w/ 20”x2” wheels). 1) I notice that your first option is about 11 lb heavier than my bike, which is already a bit heavy, Is your apartment a walk-up? I would think about how you will be getting the bike in and out of your apartment. I agree with @harryS that a standard folder should at least be considered. Much easier to carry and even take into a classroom. 2) The 20” wheels should be fine. My only concern — and this is anywhere — is that the wheels are just the right size for getting stuck in potholes.

Thank you for your concern and your help on deciding on a bike. I have an elevator so moving the bike in and out of the building will not be a problem. The bike will be locked up on campus when not in use. It will most likely be locked up on campus, in the corner of my room or locked up outside a random building for about 3 min will I complete a delivery. I will be updating the post with a rack I believe would fit the fat tire bikes. I prefer the 1st bike on my list because it has front suspension and already has a rack. But fat tire is sound more and more like the better choice incase of bumps or cracks in the road. But it seems that the none fat tires aren't too bad either just have to be more attentive to the terrain.

 

[Credible Hulk]

I'm guessing you already ordered your bike? You chose a folding fatbike?

I just went through the decisionmaking process to buy an ebike, and I started on Amazon. One thing I've learned about major purchases from Amazon is **check the manufacturer's website first!** I picked out a bike from Amazon, they wanted $200 for shipping. Went to the manufacturer's site, found the exact same bike - free shipping, AND they throw in LED head and tail lights, along with a rear rack and a phone holder for the handlebars! I prefer to deal directly with the manufacturer for a major purchase anyway. Their customer service is usually far superior to Amazon.

If you haven't bought your bike yet, the company I ordered my bike from offers two e-foldies, one is a fatbike. They're 48v so they have more power and range, which is needed for fatbikes because of the rolling resistance. I almost bought the fatbike, but I'm looking for something full sized that will last a few years. All of their bikes are quite affordable. My link is for the US site but they have a Canadian site as well.

BTW the fatbikes are fine for the city, especially if you live in an area with a lot of cracks and potholes in the pavement. I had a full sized Sondors fatbike and it really smoothed the roads out. In fact it was almost fun to run over small potholes just so I could feel the smoothness. There was some noise from the tires as it rolled, but not a big deal. Fatbikes are real head turners and you'll be sure to get people stopping you and asking questions.

I hope you enjoy your new bike, you'll have to keep us posted on how things go with it.