Hello from Minnesota - Looking for first e-bike

[Jakupnorth]

Hey I've always ridden but it's been a few years since kid duties made it tough to commute on a bike. With covid much less need for that!

I was look at the Trek Verve+ 3 which looks great but the cost is definitely on the edge of what I'd like to spend. Also the Cannondale Neo EQ (I had a Cannondale mountain bike I LOVED that someone stole in college).

I'm 6'2 and fairly fit - just want something with a little boost so I can ride to work easily but also ride 15-20 into the city and have plenty of energy for a run. Has to be low maintenance.

Any suggestions appreciated!

 

[Teddcl]

Hi,
Fellow Minnesotan here, bought a Specialized turbo Como 3 a few weeks ago and having a blast with it. Based on the description of what you're looking for I would definitely recommend that you check out the Specialized turbo Vado line. I'm 6'3" and the Como XL frame is a great fit, Vado models are also available in XL.
Good luck with your search,
TC from MN

 

[Alaskan]

Lots of bike for the money

2019 Haibike SDURO Trekking S 9.0 Hi Step

Low prices on 2019 Haibike SDURO Trekking S 9.0 Hi Step. 0% APR financing available. Excellent customer service. Click now to learn more.

shopsandiegoflyrides.com

 

[indianajo]

I'm 6'2 and fairly fit - just want something with a little boost so I can ride to work easily but also ride 15-20 into the city and have plenty of energy for a run. Has to be low maintenance.

I'm fairly fit for a 69 year old, but 25 mph headwinds can extend my 3.5 hour commute to summer camp to 6 hours of 144 bpm. TOO MUCH exercise. So winter of 2018 I installed a geared hub motor. I ride it power off the first 25 miles, then 61st to 77th hill and last 6 miles I let the motor do the work. Geared hub motors don't drag power off. Magnumbikes.com sells a variety of geared hub motor bikes, and has dealers in major cities too. I converted the yuba bike left myself with an ebikeling motor & luna battery, before magnum came up with a cargo bike frame. The bodaboda left is special for short leg people, though. I carry groceries weed killer & lawnmower parts out to the summer camp, where I stay 5 days at a time.
If you really have to have the motor on all the time, and seriously want to change the chain every 1000 miles, only mid drives yamaha, brose, & shimano can be ridden power off without drag. I got 5000 miles out of my first 8 speed chain since the power doesn't go through it.
You're close enough to Crazy Lennie in WI to make a trip over worth your while.

 

[Jakupnorth]

Thanks that's interesting. I will check out Crazy Lennie if I get a chance!

 

[tomjasz]

where in minnesnowta?

 

[Jakupnorth]

Hopkins!
Someone else suggested a Copenhagen wheel which looks interesting.

 

[Marci jo]

Congrats on your search for an ebike.
Your test rides will help narrow the field. And if possible, try renting.
You mentioned low maintenance. Obviously ebikes are more complex than a non powered bike, so depends on your definition of low maintenance.

 

[pxpaulx]

Thanks that's interesting. I will check out Crazy Lennie if I get a chance!

I'm down in Carver, welcome to the forums! I've been to Lenny's at least twice, it is worth the drive especially if you are new to ebikes - the selection is unmatched here, and you just aren't going to get anywhere near the prices they run.

If you check their site now under the specials/overstock page they have a couple of bikes from a European brand (Gepida) which have a bosch mid-drive - 1 of them is a speed pedelec as well, bigger battery (500wh) and it'll go faster if you want...doesn't mean you need to ride it at 28mph though!

gepida overstock

 

[Jakupnorth]

A single speed with belt drive seems appealing...

I'll definitely be doing some test rides in the near future, probably buy from a local shop so they can handle the maintenance for me. I should probably get my Zen on and do it myself but it's also nice to support them...

 

[tomjasz]

Hopkins!
Someone else suggested a Copenhagen wheel which looks interesting.

Interesting but not very practical. I'd consider other options.

 

[Jakupnorth]

On my list so far are the following. I have to admit that style is at least as important as substance to me since I'm no road warrior and I like nice things.
Specialized Turbo Como (the Vado seems a little much for me)
Civia Parkway
Cannondale Treadwell Neo
Going to see about getting test rides...