Heavy Rider, need suggestions

[gkochner]

Hello all! I am looking to buy my first ebike to use as a recreational ride as well a commuter bike for when I move in the fall. My commute is expected to be about 10 miles one way at most (any further and I'd drive), but my biggest concern is finding a bike that can handle my current weight (290 lbs.) I'm hoping riding to work will also help me lose some weight as I don't plan to use throttle only a lot when riding.

I've done a bunch of research but so many brands don't list their weight limits or payloads for their bikes so it's hard to know what I can safely ride. I'd ideally like to stay away from fat tire bikes just because they're so heavy, but will go that route if it's my best option.

I will say the bike that I keep coming back to is the Ride1Up Vorsa but I live in the Midwest and am hesitant to get a bike I'd have to do all the maintenance on myself (I've read shops will only work on ebikes they sell but I could be wrong).

Any thoughts/suggestions would be great!

 

[mrgold35]

I really like my Himiway ebike. They have options from mid-drives and rear hubs in step thru, hard tail, and full suspension designs with many with at 300-440lbs max weight. I'm +300lbs (add another +/- 30lbs for rack bag, riding gear, water, tools, etc..). I added a wider Cloud-9 seat, larger pedals for my size 14 shoes, longer seatpost for me being 6'3", and adjustable stem handlebar riser for a more upright riding position.

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[6zfshdb]

I'm also a heavy rider and carry a lot of gear. After fighting broken spokes for years on several previous bikes, I switched to mag wheels. It limits your choice of bikes though, unless you can find one to retrofit'. My current Pedego Platinum Interceptor is rated to 450#.

 

[Roamers]

but my biggest concern is finding a bike that can handle my current weight (290 lbs.

My 2020 Gazelle C380 step through didn't appear to mind me at around 310; I'm sure it's happier with me at 260. The bike shop didn't flinch at my weight when I bought it. I also don't ride it hard like I did bikes 50 years ago.

 

[Old-tool-guy]

I have the Fold1 which i am very happy with except for the range. The Fold1Plus solves that issue. I’m 260 on a good day and it doesn’t have any problems. I got this because of the low step-over height, and the footprint is smaller than my Ride1Up cruiser (which we really like). I don’t use the folding feature so i can’t comment on that.

 

[indianajo]

Stretch frame cargo bikes bias your weight to the front tire, allowing heavy riders to use 26"x2.1" tires at 55 psi. My Yuba bodaboda allows 80 kg on the rear carrier. It has been replaced by the kombi with 200 kg capacity. They have 2 frame sizes. I carry up to 100 lb cargo on the rear and have never broken a spoke, or even tightened one, in 12000 miles. I only weigh 160 lb however.
A brand with more dealers is the Momentum. Their website locks up my computer so I can't tell you the name of the cargo model. It is not the Voya which came up to my web search for their cargo bike.
I prefer a 26" tire model to the 20" wheel models, to keep my teeth from rattling on potholes, pavement separators, speed bumps. In the rain or following cars through a light, you cannot always see the holes and bumps.

 

[stompandgo]

Velotric Summit (440 pounds total weight, bike weighs 65 pounds unloaded)
Aventon Adventure 3 or M (400 pounds total weight, bike weight varies but 75 pounds or less)
Any decent cargo bike like the Cannondale Cargowagen

 

[gkochner]

Velotric Summit (440 pounds total weight, bike weighs 65 pounds unloaded)
Aventon Adventure 3 or M (400 pounds total weight, bike weight varies but 75 pounds or less)
Any decent cargo bike like the Cannondale Cargowagen

The Summit is appealing, but having to pay extra for fenders and a rack make it less appealing than other options I've found.

I'd prefer to stay away from cargo bikes since I'd like the feel to be like my a standard bike (high-step, no additional framing, 26"+ wheels, etc.)

 

[RunForTheHills]

It's worth calling some nearby shops to ask if they will work on the bike you are interested in. Not all shops will only work on bikes they sell.

 

[mrgold35]

Any ebike shops, Facebook groups, or any ebike rental places within a several hours radius to test ride? It is a different experience between regular tire compared to fat tire, cadence compare to tq sensor, OR hub compared to mid-drive.

Class II 20 mph max rear hub with throttle are fall off a log easy to learn and very forgiving if you haven't ridden in awhile. Rear hub usually come in at a lower price compared to the average mid-drive.

 

[gkochner]

Any ebike shops, Facebook groups, or any ebike rental places within a several hours radius to test ride? It is a different experience between regular tire compared to fat tire, cadence compare to tq sensor, OR hub compared to mid-drive.

Class II 20 mph max rear hub with throttle are fall off a log easy to learn and very forgiving if you haven't ridden in awhile. Rear hub usually come in at a lower price compared to the average mid-drive.

I test rode an Aventon Level 3, Aventon Avenutre (hub drive), a Segway ebike (didn't know the name and the rep wasn't familiar either), and a Velotric Discover 3. Out of those, I liked the Level 3 the best. The Aventure felt too heavy (same with the Segway) and they had fatter tires.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

I test rode an Aventon Level 3, Aventon Avenutre (hub drive), a Segway ebike (didn't know the name and the rep wasn't familiar either), and a Velotric Discover 3. Out of those, I liked the Level 3 the best. The Aventure felt too heavy (same with the Segway) and they had fatter tires.

Welcome aboard! You were wise to do these tests.

Aventon and Velotric are both solid, quality brands with well-designed bikes and large nationwide dealer/service networks. The last is important. You may be able to train and tool up for mechanical repairs, but electrical repairs might require diagnostic tools and proprietary parts only dealers have access to.

The Aventon may or not have something like Velotric's SensorSwap feature. The Discover 3 probably does. This valuable feature allows you to switch between torque-sensing and cadence-sensing assist on the fly with a single button press.

My wife's Velotric Breeze 1 has it. Comes in handy when she needs more assist than torque-sensing mode will give her for the pedal force she's willing to generate at the time. She typically uses it in brief spurts in lieu of the throttle.

I've ridden the Breeze enough to know that it's a good value and a fun, competent ride. Presumably ditto for the Discover. Ditto also for my neighbor's Aventon Level.2.

Finally, if you don't have a specific need for fat tires — like riding in snow or deep loose sand — I'd stay away on a bike intended for commuting.

 

[gkochner]

Update!

After arguably WAY too much research, I've narrowed down my list to 4 bikes:

• Velotric Summit 2
• Ride1up Vorsa
• Mokwheel Tarmac
• Euphree Stellar Falcon 2

I like all of these for numerous reasons, but each stands out in different features/specs. I plan on test riding the Summit 2, Tarmac, and Stellar Falcon 2 at my local e-bike shop that carries all 3 and will hopefully have a decision made from that (assuming I can test them all). Being unable to test the Vorsa is a bummer, especially since it's the lowest priced of the 4, but it is what it is.

If anyone has thoughts/feedback on these 4 bikes, I'd love to hear from you.

Note: my reason for not keeping the Aventon Level 3/4 REC on my short list is due to the weight limit being only 300 lbs. which is too close to my current weight for my comfort/peace of mind. I am considering it, along with a Gazelle Medeo, Gazelle Ultimate, and Priority Current Plus as a next bike as I hope to lose some weight and will feel better/safer riding those.

 

[Roamers]

I hope to lose some weight and will feel better/safer riding those.

Good luck on your mission. Over the last 7 years I've gone from. 335 to 258; 40 or so to go; although I can't attribute much of it to bike riding. 2990 days straight tracking on My Fitness Pal.

 

[mrgold35]

I've started out with just a bike and ended up adding so much more down the road. Those little things can start to add up over time to get close to +/- 50% of the purchase price of the ebike.

I would factor in accessories and mods down the road like:
- rear and/or front rack
- rack bag w/ or w/o panniers
- commuter backpack (I like the backpack because I can secure valuables or use when we hit the farmer's market.)
- helmet (decide between w/ or w/o air vents for all season riding)
- riding gear (padded shorts, rain gear, cold weather gear, UV protection shirts, riding shoes, eye protection, etc..)
- ebike upgrades (different saddle size, mirrors, suspension seatpost, larger ergo grips, handle bar extender, larger pedals, extra battery, 2nd water bottle holder, cell phone holder, etc...)
- routine bike maintenance (clean/lubricate chain, removing wheels for repair, bike repair stand, brake pad replacement, cleaning supplies, checking tire PSI, etc...)
- flat repair (manual/electric air pump at home and away, tire sealant, tire liners, tools, spare tube, etc..)
- additional aftermarket lights (I like front/rear strobe lights for daytime riding compared to a solid light, my ebike only come with solid lights and I added aftermarket)
- vehicle bike rack (1.25" or 2" hitch, hatch/trunk mount rack, add harness for rack lights, locks, cover, etc...)
- double checking your homeowner's insurance covers your ebike. I'm covered with my insurance home and away under my home policy.

Probably the hardest part to get into bike riding shape was my rear end. I wouldn't skimp on a good saddle if you are having issues with constant "tush" soreness months later.

 

[gkochner]

I've started out with just a bike and ended up adding so much more down the road. Those little things can start to add up over time to get close to +/- 50% of the purchase price of the ebike.

I would factor in accessories and mods down the road like:
- rear and/or front rack
- rack bag w/ or w/o panniers
- commuter backpack (I like the backpack because I can secure valuables or use when we hit the farmer's market.)
- helmet (decide between w/ or w/o air vents for all season riding)
- riding gear (padded shorts, rain gear, cold weather gear, UV protection shirts, riding shoes, eye protection, etc..)
- ebike upgrades (different saddle size, mirrors, suspension seatpost, larger ergo grips, handle bar extender, larger pedals, extra battery, 2nd water bottle holder, cell phone holder, etc...)
- routine bike maintenance (clean/lubricate chain, removing wheels for repair, bike repair stand, brake pad replacement, cleaning supplies, checking tire PSI, etc...)
- flat repair (manual/electric air pump at home and away, tire sealant, tire liners, tools, spare tube, etc..)
- additional aftermarket lights (I like front/rear strobe lights for daytime riding compared to a solid light, my ebike only come with solid lights and I added aftermarket)
- vehicle bike rack (1.25" or 2" hitch, hatch/trunk mount rack, add harness for rack lights, locks, cover, etc...)
- double checking your homeowner's insurance covers your ebike. I'm covered with my insurance home and away under my home policy.

Probably the hardest part to get into bike riding shape was my rear end. I wouldn't skimp on a good saddle if you are having issues with constant "tush" soreness months later.

Great feedback/suggestions! If I don't like the saddle the bike comes with, I'll probably take the one off my current bike. I'll definitely need to figure out how to mount a backpack to the rear rack as I'd rather not wear it when commuting, but otherwise everything else should be easy to figure out.

 

[PedalUma]

@indianajo is correct. Get a compact cargo bike. A used one is great, then convert it.