Looking for an ebike that can handle a 10 mile round trip commute daily and some light trail riding. Want to spend around $2000 ($2500max). I've done a bit of research and found the RadCity that is well within my price range and has good reviews. However, I know next to nothing about ebikes and would like to know if any of you have experience with the RadCity or other recommendations. My commute has a few hills but nothing crazy and there is about a mile long section with no sidewalk or bike lane that I would need to ride on the dirt/grass. Thanks!
First ebike - looking for input!
- Thread starter trc0011
- Start date
rich c
Well-Known Member
Any ebike will meet your requirements. I don't know what you mean by light trail riding, what is the surface of the trail? If dirt or rock, a tire around 2" wide would be my preference. Narrower on gravel is rough riding, and narrow is tough in soft or damp dirt. Rad has some very effective marketing, but nothing special about the bike.
Nova Haibike
Well-Known Member
I do not know your height, but this is a great bike for the money: https://propelbikes.com/product/haibike-sduro-hardseven-4-0-2017/
J.R.
Member Since 2014
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- USA
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- The Piedmont
I don't know anything about Rad bikes beyond what I've read. People seam to like the bikes they buy and apparently the company is responsive to their customers. That's a good thing.
I would suggest whatever you choose, know what you're buying. Once you get past the "gee wiz, ebikes are cool" phase, it's a bicycle you'll have to live with for a few years at least. Low level components can make long term ownership a misery to live with. Low level drive trains can be noisy, hard to keep adjusted and wear out faster. Cheap suspension forks are heavy and don't perform. They have a wow factor in appearance at time of sale, but really aren't worth 10 cents a pound. Hydraulic brakes, in my opinion, are a must for ebikes. Better stopping power and self adjusting. Pedals, grips, saddle.....
Top of the range isn't necessary, middle of the range is fine for most riders. Quality is important for reliability, if an ebike is to be a transportation alternative.
This will give you an idea of the kind of information available for component hierarchy.
https://www.evanscycles.com/coffees...s-mountain-bike-groupsets-and-their-hierarchy
I would suggest whatever you choose, know what you're buying. Once you get past the "gee wiz, ebikes are cool" phase, it's a bicycle you'll have to live with for a few years at least. Low level components can make long term ownership a misery to live with. Low level drive trains can be noisy, hard to keep adjusted and wear out faster. Cheap suspension forks are heavy and don't perform. They have a wow factor in appearance at time of sale, but really aren't worth 10 cents a pound. Hydraulic brakes, in my opinion, are a must for ebikes. Better stopping power and self adjusting. Pedals, grips, saddle.....
Top of the range isn't necessary, middle of the range is fine for most riders. Quality is important for reliability, if an ebike is to be a transportation alternative.
This will give you an idea of the kind of information available for component hierarchy.
https://www.evanscycles.com/coffees...s-mountain-bike-groupsets-and-their-hierarchy
The trails I would be taking it on are pretty much all dirt and well maintained with some bumps and rocks mixed in. Thanks for your input!
I am 6'0" and 190lbs. Thanks I'll check it out!
Reliability is extremely important to me as this bike will be my only means of transportation for at least a year and a half. I will do more research on this. Thanks for your input!
rich c
Well-Known Member
Reliability can also mean having a source for parts. Choose a brand that has parts support, not just a reseller of Chinese bikes. It's not uncommon for cheap components to fail, and waiting for something to show up from China means you are without a bike for a month. A generic bike can mean generic aftermarket parts will fit, but you have to know what fits and what the connectors are. It's still a supply situation. Some US aftermarket suppliers seem to have parts on constant backorder.
Nova Haibike
Well-Known Member
My guess is you would want the medium size, which Propel is out of stock. Other sellers have it though. The small size would be better if you wanted to do some hardcore mountain biking. Of course the Haibike does not have the accessories like the Rad, but the basic bike is of course higher quality.
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