Greetings from Ireland: Some questions on geometry (Body& Bike)

[Calahonda52]

First post here.
.
Looking at my first e-bike, have rented them across 4 continents so understand the basics

Am 6'1, 67, and have lower back disc issues and my C3,4 & 5 are not the most flexible.
Have been taking several brands of bikes for test spins.

One bike that I particularly like, the Haibike 120Nm fly-on, does not offer the option of raising the handle bars by fitting a longer "head-stem" if thats the correct terminology.
The problem with the bike geometry on the one I tried is that with the saddle at the correct height for pedalling, I need the h/bars to be about 4" higher to be able to see ahead comfortably.

this is a size 48, what ever that means, and the supplier has penned the following when I asked about getting a 50 or 52.



Hi ,
Using stem risers is not recommended on this bike.
Currently, there are no high rise bars available for this bike either (the handlebars have specific routing for contol cables)
If you are able to stand over a larger sized 50cm bike, the head tube is bigger giving a greater stack height.
It's worth bearing in mind that a larger bike will have a longer reach too.
Best advice is to visit a dealer to discuss sizing and geometry.

I asked about the reach:

Reach relates to how long the bike is.
If the reach is too short for you, the result can be excessive pressure on your hands, and possible knee contact with the handlebars.
If the reach is too long, and your back is not very flexible, or if you have low core strength, your body will compensate by moving your shoulders forward so you can reach the handlebars. This can result in neck, shoulder and back pain.
As mentioned previously, the best advice is to visit a store and try the bikes, as this all depends on your body geometry too.


Would welcome any insights on bike verus human geometry.
Thank you.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

@Calahonda52, what exactly Haibike model you have in mind?

Most of Haibike e-bikes have the standard A-HEAD stem. There are standard 3" stem-raisers for A-HEAD system mounted on the steering tube and the setup is very easy. Haibike may not recommend it but it is how I raised my handlebars on my Turbo Vado that is also equipped with the A-HEAD stem.

The next option is to replace the handlebars with the swept-back ones.

P.S. It does not need to be a Haibike. Most "city" e-bikes allow riding in upright position.

 

[Calahonda52]

Thanks Stefan
its this one, hardtail MTB which is what I want to get.
This one has 120Nm torque and is c $7,700 here so it needs to work!
(Link Removed - No Longer Exists)

Am now looking at the Giant range as there is a dealer where I live and the nearest haibike dealer is 100 miles away.
The advice I am getting is buy close to a service shop unless you are an expert...
Thanks again.
C52

 

[Stefan Mikes]

All e-bikes that borrow their design from mountain-bikes are equipped with the A-HEAD stems and are made for a forward (sporty) riding position. Unluckily all Haibikes are made very similarly to one another.
Perhaps you indeed could look at the Giant bikes and find one with more convenient riding position?

 

[Stefan Mikes]

@Calahonda52,

I found two fantastic Giant e-bikes available in Ireland, just to meet your needs:

DailyTour E+ 2 Low Step Through Electric Bike (2020) | City & Hybrid bike | Giant Bicycles Ireland

This versatile and practical E-bike is ideal for daily use in a variety of environments. It comes with all the built-in features you can think of, including a kickstand, lights, fenders and racks—all neatly designed and...

www.giant-bicycles.com

DailyTour E+ 1 Low Step Through Electric Bike (2020) | City & Hybrid bike | Giant Bicycles Ireland

This versatile and practical E-bike is ideal for daily use in a variety of environments. It comes with all the built-in features you can think of, including a kickstand, lights, fenders and racks—all neatly designed and...

www.giant-bicycles.com

Both seem to have proper geometry, low step, automatic assistance, gears in the rear hub, Yamaha motor.

If were to buy a bike today, one of them would be my choice!

 

[Calahonda52]

Thanks you fro doing the research ! are they suitable for off road, in your opinion?

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Well, depending what type of off-road. Fire-roads and easy trails would be OK; it is the trekking bike type. I ride Specialized Turbo Vado with a rigid fork and 2" tyres and I handle easier off-road terrain easily myself. Don't try mountain biking or single track where technical skill is required though. The point is: If you really climb, you have to lean on the handlebars; if you ride downhill, you need to move your body behind the saddle. According to your health description, technical riding is not for you (all e-MTB require the forward riding position).

 

[Calahonda52]

Thanks Stefan, now we are getting to the meat of the discussion, what is possible/not possible/suggested etc based on my medical issues and what I want to do.
There will be very little on road cycling in this project, unless I bring it with me to places like the Netherlands.

Just go add, can you plan a few lines or point me towards what the Class 1,2,3 ratings mean in the US. Over here, as you will know, its all pedelec, which is a bit of a pita when I have experienced the different power on demand ones all the way down from Santa Cruz to San Diego on a 56 day trip in 2016

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Regarding Classes, there are these European rules, which I have read apply to Ireland:

Normal e-bike (American Class 1). It has to be limited to 25 km/h, the motor can be up to 250 W, no throttle allowed. No registration, no insurance, bike lanes can be used.
S-Pedelec, European Class L1e-B (American Class 3). The motor can be up to 4 kW, the assistance limit is 45 km/h. It is an MPV and as such:

• It has to be registered, taxed and insured as a moped
• It comes with the EU Certificate of Conformity so it can be registered
• Only public roads can be used but no bike lanes
• The e-bike has to be equipped with all-day lights, and a horn
• Wearing the helmet is obligatory

I ride Specialized Turbo Vado 5.0, which is an S-Pedelec and similar rules apply. My e-bike is registered in Poland, taxed, insured and it has got a registration plate.

American Class 2 (throttle only) is not allowed in the EU.

Now. If you have money to burn, there is the ultimate e-bike, the German made Riese & Mueller Homage. Key features:

• Full suspension, so you can tour on very bad roads. Even the rack is suspended!
• Can be equipped with one or two batteries, making massive 1000 Wh battery capacity in the latter case
• Low-step
• Can be equipped with the derailleur OR with Enviolo stepless gears in the rear hub. The latter version is equipped with a carbon belt instead of the chain
• Is delivered either as a regular 25 km/h e-bike or as an S-Pedelec (the HS version; HS = High Speed)

The R&M e-bikes are the Rolls-Royce of electric bikes.

Homage – Relaxed in town and country | Riese & Müller

Expand your horizons: introducing the comfortable low-step-through bike with a Control Technology chassis.

www.r-m.de

As I said before, a good trekking e-bike such as Giant DailyTour should be sufficient for gravel or fire-roads or country roads. If you are concerned with comfort, the Riese & Mueller is something hard to beat. One of our users here rode over 16000 km over last year on the Homage (David Berry). Another user rode 45000 km for a trip from Paris to Thailand over the Himalaya (another R&M model). But the Homage has a rather low stem, which might not be good for you. Still, I believe the handlebars could be risen.

Please ask @David Berry for his experiences if you are interested with the Homage.

 

[Calahonda52]

Thanks, nice gear! however the lack of service close to where I live will be an issue so I think I will stay with the Giant. However I will go look at them.