First-time buyer needing help!

[XenoLily]

Looking to purchase an ebike as a car alternative- I live only 3.5 miles from work, and rarely go anywhere else farther than that, so buying a ebike makes more sense to me than a car. I also work extremely early in the morning, so riding the bus isn't an option.

My budget is 1000-1500 MAX$ [monthly financing is a plus!]

I'm not very mechanically inclined, and while enjoy bike riding haven't owned one since I was in middle school, so understanding the various components has me at a loss, but here's some of the things I'd like:

-Throttle!! [my 3 mile ride to work is essentially a giant hill, would take mostly bike path/side walk, also would be good if I get ambushed in the dark, sounds paranoid but seriously you never know]
-Weather [my city is notorious for drastic weather changes, so being waterproof is necessary, be cool if it was good for snow]
-I'm 5'4" and about a 105lb so not something that's massive and ultra heavy
-Fenders and chain guards
-I think 2" tires would be good. The sidewalks are in somewhat disrepair. Should I go for fat tires?
-Reliability! I don't wants chains coming off and whatnot as I probably don't know how to put them back on without youtube assistance, so a brand with great customer service a plus!!!
-Bonus points for something vaguely stylish
- Front light!!!! I will be night riding and absolutely need light, and something powered by the main battery would be awesome!
-bonus points for a small rack to stash my work uniform or something
- I mean, folding would be useful but I'd prefer reliability over that.
-Bonus points for pre-assembled, but I do have a handyman who has built bikes before as backup

Things I don't care about:
-noise
-fancy gizmos like usb ports
-cargo [no kids, no heavy grocery shopping, I only buy what i can walk with]
-super fast speeds [I'm a small girl I just want to get to work without dying]

I was looking at the Ness Icon, Radcity/Rover, and the Addmotor Motan bikes a bit.

I thought about springing for the Motan but hardly see any reviews outside of Amazon, and honestly would prefer not to buy from Amazon. Thought about Radcity but is it just hype?
What about this one" VoltBike Elegant

Really could use some help as I am out of my depth. It's something I've been considering for a very long time and I think I have read enough reviews to be ready to commit to a bike. Any suggestions or recommendations would be wonderful.

 

[Chris Hammond]

You may want to look at Juiced CrossCurrent S or RipCurrent S (fat tire version of the same). It is a little over your price range at $1699, but otherwise they both come completely equipped with everything you want. The do have a cheaper option called the Cross Current Air. It is $1150, but you would need to add fenders, lights, etc.

 

[charlesbrenthirak]

i been looking hard at Rad products. i like the way they answer questions. I did ride an older model rad city and it was soooo nice. I also rode a BULLS EVO and that was really nice... different ride all together. I am checking used bikes now and shops that sell used. I think for noobs an accessible repair guy is key. I'm prolly going with the rad mini but its hard too make up my mind... i think carr--less folks with e-bikes are the new badass's in town

 

[rich c]

New buyers don't understand that at max level of peddle assist, all you have to do is move your legs. The motor does the rest. You barely apply force with your legs. But I've found out that people are very passionate about having a throttle. I still don't fully understand that. Rad is VERY GOOD at marketing, nothing special about the bikes. Fat tires won't make a very good commuter bike. They kind of have this gyroscopic effect and are not as nimble as traditional or even 2" tires. Knobby tires are very noisy as well!

 

[charlesbrenthirak]

appreciate this comment

 

[Nova Haibike]

Of the bikes on your list, I think the Volt is the best choice. The Radcity is slightly better bike, but the size might be an issue (and they are out of stock of the step-thru). I would stay away from the Addmotor, and in my experience, the folding mechanisms on a lot of folding bikes is sketchy, so I would rule out the Ness as well.

If you could stretch the budget to $2K, the Prodecotech Genesis step-thru is spec'd incredibly well for its price.

 

[bob armani]

Looking to purchase an ebike as a car alternative- I live only 3.5 miles from work, and rarely go anywhere else farther than that, so buying a ebike makes more sense to me than a car. I also work extremely early in the morning, so riding the bus isn't an option.

My budget is 1000-1500 MAX$ [monthly financing is a plus!]

I'm not very mechanically inclined, and while enjoy bike riding haven't owned one since I was in middle school, so understanding the various components has me at a loss, but here's some of the things I'd like:

-Throttle!! [my 3 mile ride to work is essentially a giant hill, would take mostly bike path/side walk, also would be good if I get ambushed in the dark, sounds paranoid but seriously you never know]
-Weather [my city is notorious for drastic weather changes, so being waterproof is necessary, be cool if it was good for snow]
-I'm 5'4" and about a 105lb so not something that's massive and ultra heavy
-Fenders and chain guards
-I think 2" tires would be good. The sidewalks are in somewhat disrepair. Should I go for fat tires?
-Reliability! I don't wants chains coming off and whatnot as I probably don't know how to put them back on without youtube assistance, so a brand with great customer service a plus!!!
-Bonus points for something vaguely stylish
- Front light!!!! I will be night riding and absolutely need light, and something powered by the main battery would be awesome!
-bonus points for a small rack to stash my work uniform or something
- I mean, folding would be useful but I'd prefer reliability over that.
-Bonus points for pre-assembled, but I do have a handyman who has built bikes before as backup

Things I don't care about:
-noise
-fancy gizmos like usb ports
-cargo [no kids, no heavy grocery shopping, I only buy what i can walk with]
-super fast speeds [I'm a small girl I just want to get to work without dying]

I was looking at the Ness Icon, Radcity/Rover, and the Addmotor Motan bikes a bit.

I thought about springing for the Motan but hardly see any reviews outside of Amazon, and honestly would prefer not to buy from Amazon. Thought about Radcity but is it just hype?
What about this one" VoltBike Elegant

Really could use some help as I am out of my depth. It's something I've been considering for a very long time and I think I have read enough reviews to be ready to commit to a bike. Any suggestions or recommendations would be wonderful.

Xeon- I agree with Chris regarding the Juiced bikes in either a step thru or a size small frame. The Voltbike looks like it fits also. Not sure where you are located, but there are some shops that stock Juiced for a test ride to see how the geometry on the bike fits your stand over and reach to the handlebars.

I also recommend Easy Motion -The Easy Go bikes listed on their website in the Prior Models category. I particularly like the 'Easy Go Street' which would be a candidate in your price range. We own one and is a great bike for the $$ and carries a great warranty if needed. Easy Go

 

[Deleted member 4210]

I would go with the Magnum Ui5. You should be able to find it on sale for around $1500. (msrp$1699) It has everything you want, and they've been around longer than any of the folks you mention. For that short of a trip, you don't need anything more. Has a rack, lighting, integrated battery, tires slightly over 2" wide. If you advise where you are located, can suggest a shop. Otherwise I'd sell you one if you were close to Chicago. (p.s. they are transitioning to the Ui6, which has a 500,48v watt motor, but otherwise everything else is staying the same, which is great and since the Ui5 is a proven and high selling model.) Stay away from Addmotor, and the others. You aren't getting value with those where you need it, in terms of reliability, and paying extra for stuff on the others you don't need. I could show you the differences in person, which are obvious when you physically see the bikes. Hard to do that over the internet. Ui5 is also a very comfortable ride.

 

[Dunbar]

Depending on how steep the hill is, a hub motor may not be ideal for your commute. The problem is that it is hard time find a mid-drive bike for $1000-1500.

 

[Barry S]

Look at the Voltbike Elegant currently listed at $1349. 500W geared rear hub motor, rear rack. front light, fenders, battery integrated into the tube and step-thru design. They have distribution centers in Canada and US. The review from EBR is on their webpage too. Court starts out sounding unimpressed with the bike until he rides it. I have no idea how it would do on your climb.

 

[Deleted member 4210]

Depending on how steep the hill is, a hub motor may not be ideal for your commute. The problem is that it is hard time find a mid-drive bike for $1000-1500.

Unfortunately, that is a mis-leading generalization. I have dozens of customers, who have more than 10,000 miles of commuting on hub drive ebikes. They can easily get up steep hills. If she was over 250 lbs, and only used a 250 watt hub drive, yeah you could say she would have an issue. But with her being only 105 lbs, and her commute only several miles, a 350 watt or 500 watt hub drive will be MORE than adequate for any hill. Mid-drives are so over-hyped, its really getting to be a nuisance, and mis-leading people into believing they have to have one. Market power from larger firms is trying hard to force people here in the US to buy only mid drives, but the fact remains, that 90% of the world wide sales are hub drives.

Mid-drives CAN be designed to provide more torque at lower speeds, and can be designed to give you more range for a given capacity battery. But that is not ALWAYS the case, and like you said she won't find one in that price range, so the suggestion doesn't really help her with her specified budget limitation. A good mid-drive, and one that has a chance of lasting, because they do indeed depend a lot more on torque out of a smaller package, and appropriately designed internal gearing usually more costly to make, needing sensors and other internal regulation devices, and software algo's, to prevent shredding your drivetrain, and so is typically only going to be found on an ebike that is priced over $3000, or accomplished using a good quality kit conversion if you don't have $3000 to spend. Bosch and Yamaha certainly make better quality mid-drives, and they are big firms so their staying power is more likely, but with the cost of the motor, and their more sophisticated design needs so that they are as reliable as most hub drives can be, you aren't likely to find any on an e-bike that is priced below $3000, unless its being sold as a close out model, and the price is cut nearly in half, or unless a dealer is willing to take next to no margin, which does occur if he has old inventory that is not moving.

 

[Bicyclista]

Even the most reliably bike will need at least a tune-up every six to twelve months. For that reason, it's best to buy from a local bike shop and have them service it. If you must buy direct (say, from Juiced or Rad), find a local shop willing to service the bike. Many traditional bike shops refuse to service electric bikes due to liability.

 

[Dewey]

Thought about Radcity but is it just hype? What about this one VoltBike Elegant

Either of those would be a good choice though both have a 20mph speed limit. The Juiced Cross Current S is certainly quick, also Crazy Lenny's are selling an EG Milan for a grand and a Bagibike B29 for $1,350 plus maybe $300 shipping and either will get up to 28mph pedalling.

 

[Barry S]

Even the most reliably bike will need at least a tune-up every six to twelve months. For that reason, it's best to buy from a local bike shop and have them service it. If you must buy direct (say, from Juiced or Rad), find a local shop willing to service the bike. Many traditional bike shops refuse to service electric bikes due to liability.

Good advice. If XenoLily is set on a particular bike only available online, I'd recommend a call around to a couple of LBS in the area to see if they work on that particular model. Other local ebike riders could also help with recommendations. Quick way to find out if you're going to be on your own or not when it comes to repairs and/or general maintenance specific to an ebike.

Not to stray off the subject, but I look at an LBS willing to work on other ebikes like Sears Vision Center near my home. They offer free adjustments and cleaning of eyeglasses. Now, if you didn't get the eyeglasses there they warn you upfront they're not responsible for any damage and that's the risk you take. However, they're not going to make any new loyal customers by damaging your glasses so they're going to do a quality job. They offer the free service to get you in the door and look around. Hopefully you appreciate the work and the customer service and will consider them the next time you have an eyeglass or contact lens prescription to be filled. Their marketing worked on my wife. Eyeglasses price was good so I can't complain.

 

[Dunbar]

Unfortunately, that is a mis-leading generalization. I have dozens of customers, who have more than 10,000 miles of commuting on hub drive ebikes.

I’ve got about 8k miles on my Cross Current. I weigh 155-160lbs. and can confirm that it does not do well on steep hills. Above about an 8% gradient or so it bogs down and struggles to maintain speed even if I pedal as hard as I can on the highest setting with the throttle mashed. Someone riding even a modestly powered mid drive (400-500W) would effortlessly smoke my Cross Current up a steep hill because of the torque multiplication benefit one gets through the bicycle’s cassette. It really depends on the type of hub motor and what sort of use case it was designed for. OP can also consider looking for deals on close out mid-drive bikes if they want to stay at their current budget. If she has any local e-bike dealers it might be worthwhile to give them a call and see what they have a available in her budget.

 

[Ravi Kempaiah]

I’ve got about 8k miles on my Cross Current. I weigh 155-160lbs. and can confirm that it does not do well on steep hills. Above about an 8% gradient or so it bogs down and struggles to maintain speed even if I pedal as hard as I can on the highest setting with the throttle mashed. Someone riding even a modestly powered mid drive (400-500W) would effortlessly smoke my Cross Current up a steep hill because of the torque multiplication benefit one gets through the bicycle’s cassette. It really depends on the type of hub motor and what sort of use case it was designed for. OP can also consider looking for deals on close out mid-drive bikes if they want to stay at their current budget. If she has any local e-bike dealers it might be worthwhile to give them a call and see what they have a available in her budget.

That's because you have the first generation CC which had a weaker motor and specifically wound for speed, not torque. The CCS may perform better.
There are some 2018 easy motion bikes like Nitro plus 27.5 which have much more powerful motor that is capable great torque. It'll smoke any mid - drive in the market nonchalantly on a moderate terrain.

 

[Dunbar]

That's because you have the first generation CC which had a weaker motor and specifically wound for speed, not torque. The CCS may perform better.
There are some 2018 easy motion bikes like Nitro plus 27.5which have much more powerful motor that is capable great torque. It'll smoke any mid - drive in the market nonchalantly on a moderate terrain.

I don’t think it’s possible to gear/wind a hub motor for high speed without sacrificing low speed torque. If a hub motor is geared/wound for torque it can be a decent climber. So yes, if the manufacturer specs the right motor the bike can climb well. On the other hand, virtually all mid-drives are going to climb well. I rode a fairly low power mid-drive Raleigh bike two years ago that climbed a steep kicker of a hill with ease.

 

[Bruce Arnold]

Just noting that the RipCurrent has 750 watt motor. If XenoLilly can spring for the extra couple hundred bucks, this would check all her boxes.

 

[bob armani]

That's because you have the first generation CC which had a weaker motor and specifically wound for speed, not torque. The CCS may perform better.
There are some 2018 easy motion bikes like Nitro plus 27.5which have much more powerful motor that is capable great torque. It'll smoke any mid - drive in the market nonchalantly on a moderate terrain.

FYI-I see that the Nitro plus 27.5 is not on the Easy Motion US web site. I am led to believe this is a European model on their UK website.