first time buyer

MSK

New Member
I've been researching ebikes for months now trying to find the perfect fit. I am not sure how much use I will be able to get out of an ebike due to weather and the laws in NY. So my budget is approximately $1200 and preferably lower than that. Folding is important because I don't want to leave it outside at work and if the weather is bad, might need to hop on a train (non-folding bikes are not allowed on during rush hour). I have looked online at the A2B Kuo, a couple of eJoes like the Epik Lite, an EZ Pedaler F350, and the X-treme XB (various versions, the 310 caught my eye because it seemed the most updated but I could be wrong).

I have seen mostly positive reviews for the first three and would like to know some of the differences between them, if anyone knows. I saw some bad reviews of the eJoe on Amazon, which is contradictory to what I have seen on this site. Also, the forum seems to have nothing on the X-treme XB, is there something I am missing? It has the most reasonable price by far, which could be great....or suspicious. Any help would be appreciated.
 
X-treme XB is a low quality Chinese import. 90 day warranty and if you have some problem later on, you could end up searching for parts and service.

NYCE wheels have some very nice foldable Bromptons with electric assist and have you looked at EG Vienna ($790) and E-Joe epik ($980)..?

 
I noticed that most posts on this blog gets pretty quick responses, I'm really appreciative. I was suspicious of the X-treme, now it is officially off my list, thank you.

I did have the EG Vienna 250 EX, R Martin, the Vatavio, and ezee quando on my original list of bikes to research, to go along with the eJoe epik lite, the eJoe Epik SE, the Kuo and EZ Pedaler. I just wasn't finding a lot of information about them online, not enough to make a good comparison. I will look more into the Vienna and the Bromptons, thank you for the suggestions. If you, or anyone else, has more information on these bikes, all help and opinions are greatly appreciated.
 
If you, or anyone else, has more information on these bikes, all help and opinions are greatly appreciated.
Hi MSK, welcome to the forums! I've been catching up recently after an extensive road trip to get more reviews. The reason there aren't any on this site about the X-Treme XB is that I haven't seen them in the wild. All of the videos and stuff here are based on me driving to shops or attending shows and if the bikes are only sold online I just don't get to see them very often.

@Ravi Kempaiah is super knowledgeable and helpful here. He's correct about exploring online, I only offer one point of view and the forum is a great place to get further feedback (and share once you do get an ebike). I have more reviews in the works including the Brompton from NYCeWheels, they just take a while to process :)

Regarding your comment about e-Joe having bad Amazon reviews... could you please provide a link? Sometimes people who are new to ebikes are critical online or maybe they received something that was damaged in shipping. It's hard to say, these are delicate and sophisticated machines and no company is perfect. In my own experience e-Joe has been good to work with and has decent products for the price.
 
Hi Court,

Thank you for taking the time to reply, its appreciated. I have, at this point, done extensive online research. Some reviewing websites have warned that the specs of ebikes are not "standarized" so the comparisons can be tricky. Ideally, I would like to try out as many bikes as possible to make the decision and not order one blindly online. This is not easy, considering the lack of stores that sell them.

I went back on Amazon to find the reviews that I mentioned, but was unable to. If it helps, if I remember correctly, one reviewer was not happy with the amount of power that the e-Joe had. I went to Brooklyn last week and tried the e-Joe Epik for myself, though it was my first time on an electric bike and have nothing to compare it to. My next stop will likely be NYCeWheels. I also will stop by a local bike shop that I suspect makes their own, curious to see what they offer.
 
Hi Court,

Thank you for taking the time to reply, its appreciated. I have, at this point, done extensive online research. Some reviewing websites have warned that the specs of ebikes are not "standarized" so the comparisons can be tricky. Ideally, I would like to try out as many bikes as possible to make the decision and not order one blindly online. This is not easy, considering the lack of stores that sell them.

I went back on Amazon to find the reviews that I mentioned, but was unable to. If it helps, if I remember correctly, one reviewer was not happy with the amount of power that the e-Joe had. I went to Brooklyn last week and tried the e-Joe Epik for myself, though it was my first time on an electric bike and have nothing to compare it to. My next stop will likely be NYCeWheels. I also will stop by a local bike shop that I suspect makes their own, curious to see what they offer.
Cool! It sounds like you're taking the right steps to get a bike that will perform and ride the way you need. I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on the e-Joe Epik and the NYCeWheels electric Brompton (and anything else you find). You're right that it's very hard to compare these machines because the parts aren't really standardized (even down to the battery cells). I do my best to provide a qualitative overview and help people narrow down, hearing their actual thoughts is very interesting and I can't wait to hear yours.
 
I test rode the Rad City the other day and except for the saddle being a little uncomfortable, I was very impressed, especially since it's only $1499. Also plan to test ride the Pedego mid-drive Commuter this weekend. It's twice the price as the Rad City, but Pedego has a store near me and I like dealing with someone in person and for maintenance in the future. Links to both are below, and I'd appreciate advice from experienced riders. Thanks!

https://www.radpowerbikes.com/products/radcity-electric-commuter-bike?variant=5032659419167

https://pedegoelectricbikes.com/shop/26-step-thru-city-commuter-mid-drive/
 
Anyone see my post above from a week ago? Would like experienced ebikers opinions on the two bikes, the Rad City vs. Pedego City Commuter.

Thanks!

Matt
 
Hi Court. When do you think you will review the Pedego Conveyor that comes out in April?

I enjoy the depth of your reviews. I’m trying to decide whether to wait to test ride the Conveyor, or get either the Pedego mid-Drive Commuter or Rad City now. Different bikes and different prices, I realize.

Thanks.
 
Welcome to the forum.
Go through all these reviews (and elsewhere too!) and you will be able to zero in on a good bike.

http://electricbikereview.com/tag/folding/

Cheers

Hey Court, Ravi, Dewey and other knowledgeable folks here: If you liked two ebikes equally and one was mid drive but it cost $500 more than one with a rear hub motor, how much of a factor would you make the mid drive? I’m down to either the Magnum Cruiser or the 2018 Raleigh Retroglide. The Magnum is the rear drive, costs $2099. Test drove it and liked it a lot, not sure about the brown tires though. The Raleigh is $2299 but that does not include lights that I’d have the store add, plus the boost button for $50 because it doesn’t come with a throttle and the Magnum does. Anyone know about how much decent front and rear lights for the Retroglide would cost? It is pre-wired for them.

I’m test riding the Raleigh next week. The Magnum comes with all the features I want, no add-ons needed, but I keep reading that a rear hub motor isn’t as good as the mid-drive. Also, the warranty on the more expensive Raleigh is better.

I’m 64 and won’t be climbing many steep hills or going more than 10 miles at a time very often. I guess it comes down to this: Is a mid-drive worth $500 more? I’m already at the top of my budget.

Looking forward to advice from you veteran riders. Thanks!
 
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but I keep reading that a rear hub motor isn’t as good as the mid-drive.

Hub drive is great if you are going to be primarily on the road and slight off-road. Only on steep technical terrain, does the mid-drive shines.
You are misinformed. I can attest it from my personal experience (over 25,000 miles cumulative on ebikes), if you are going to be riding on the pavement, geared hub motor gets the job done well.

What kind of riding you plan on doing, that's what should decide the kind of bike...

If I had an uncle who was 64 and wanted to ride 5-8 miles a day, I would happily recommend the Magnum. It has all the features you want and you will be fine.

Re: mid-drive and hub-drive... we had some long discussions here: https://electricbikereview.com/foru...ve-how-can-i-compare.14635/page-4#post-121891
 
I've been researching ebikes for months now trying to find the perfect fit. I am not sure how much use I will be able to get out of an ebike due to weather and the laws in NY. So my budget is approximately $1200 and preferably lower than that. Folding is important because I don't want to leave it outside at work and if the weather is bad, might need to hop on a train (non-folding bikes are not allowed on during rush hour). I have looked online at the A2B Kuo, a couple of eJoes like the Epik Lite, an EZ Pedaler F350, and the X-treme XB (various versions, the 310 caught my eye because it seemed the most updated but I could be wrong).

I have seen mostly positive reviews for the first three and would like to know some of the differences between them, if anyone knows. I saw some bad reviews of the eJoe on Amazon, which is contradictory to what I have seen on this site. Also, the forum seems to have nothing on the X-treme XB, is there something I am missing? It has the most reasonable price by far, which could be great....or suspicious. Any help would be appreciated.

I bought a Pedego Interceptor with the larger, 48v 13 ah battery three weeks ago and love it. Great power, great fit and finish and quality parts. Put over 100 miles on it. Only issue is I accidentally twisted the throttle once, so I bought the Crampbuster, which lessens that possibility. Very I,pressed with Pedego’s customer service; the shop owner drove the bike to my home in his cargo van. Also, Pedego mailed me a nice goodie bag with reflective wear, water bottle, rain poncho and a license plate holder that says, ”My other ride is a Pedego Electric Bike.”
 
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