Akrotiri
Well-Known Member
- Region
- Europe
Based on your stated needs and rather high mileage any of the e-bikes you listed would be good for you.
Except the Rad Rover and Pedego.
Help a ebike newbie (AKA what bike should I get?)
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Except the Rad Rover and Pedego.
new2ebike_eh
New Member
- Region
- Canada
- City
- Calgary area
Looks like Argyll has undated that listing for the Bulls bike....price stayed the same but now shows a 2019 rather than a 2021.
Good catch, thanks. Not sure its worth a look.
I had a quick test ride with an Allant+ 7 today. That CX motor is nice and the battery removal system is as advertised, however it was pointed out to me if its locked outside while at work and the battery is in the office charging, the exposed electronics are susceptible to rain/weather since its opening is on the side. The Cube's system, while a bit more cumbersome has its opening under the frame and has a shield, so it seems more weather friendly. Also the Allant is a nice bike, but its a bit boring looking, at least the Cube bikes have some personality, haha.
Another question for the group; is there any benefit for concern in regards to having a welded on pannier rack? The Cube bikes (the Touring Pro and the Kathmandu) have welded racks, while the others, such as the Trek have bolted on. I can see pros and cons for both, like a bolted on pannier is replaceable should it ever get damaged, but it can't carry as much weight. A welded rack could carry more weight, but what happens if it snaps/gets damaged so it can't be fixed? Is the whole frame garbage?
Also was doing some reading on warranties, It looks like the frame on the Cube is warrantied for 6 years, and 2 years on general defects, but is it true that Trek bikes are warrantied for life? That appears to be what im reading...
Thanks again...
DaveMatthews
Well-Known Member
You could get a cover for the whole bike, or just the battery cavity. Regarding the rack, not sure what you're planning to carry but most decent bolt on racks will handle 20lbs +.
I wasn't aware you can get a cover for the battery cavity, thanks. Any ideas on where to look? I found a "battery cover" on the Trek site but that doesn't appear to be the same thing.
Right, I should specify, the weight capacity of the pannier is less of concern as I am unlikely to carry that much weight on the back (the bolted Trek pannier will hold 50lb, apparently), but I am wondering if a there's any welded vs bolted issues I should be aware of. Ive never had a bike with a pannier rack before, so this is new ground for me.
john peck
Well-Known Member
My advice for a 1st time e-biker, get something ´affordable´, You don´t want to ruin a $4k bike with a rookie
mistake. Secondly, are you really sure you want to ride in urban traffic every day? Believe me, ´stuff happens´!
I´ve got the scars to prove it. If I had to commute into a city, I´d get as close as possible by bus & go the rest
of the way on one of those little, folding electric folding scooter thingys. (jez sayin´)
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
He wouldn't with any of the discussed e-bikes. These are classy and proven e-bikes.
Tips: In your situation, I would say go for the e-bike that you love visually, so Cube. I think the rack would outlive the electrical part of the e-bike... And there's a warranty, isn't it? Just don't overload the rack.
P.S. I'm riding roads with traffic almost on every single day. With proven e-bikes.
Akrotiri
Well-Known Member
- Region
- Europe
You can order/purchase a spare battery cover from your Trek LBS, costs $60.
Yes the Trek frames have lifetime warranty.
john peck
Well-Known Member
Youŕe right Stefan, Just buy the prettiest bike & don´t worry about it. Your dependents will be fine without you.
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Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
The OP has stated his needs and budget. He wouldn't be happy with a Chinese stamped 20" throttle-equipped folder with 750 W B-motor.
Users buying e-bikes mentioned by the OP are just happy riders. Because quality does not come free.
john peck
Well-Known Member
I´m not trying to sell any kind of bike! I´m fine with whatever he chooses. I just hope he lives somewhere
with a bike-oriented infrastructure with bike paths & lanes, because no matter how one spins it, cycling in
heavy traffic is dangerous!
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Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
He lives in Canada, eh?
DaveMatthews
Well-Known Member
I don't feel safe riding to work. I've tried it 4 or 5 times maybe more. The only available routes have sections with large heavily laden trucks, and they are not going slowly at all.
I actually realized that 95% of my commute route would be on protected bike paths mostly on quiet residential streets, mainly thanks to a new bike grid expansion that covers almost 50 blocks in the direction and area I need to go. I appreciate the concern, but im not going on any main commercial truck routes or freeways.
I thought I would bump this thread with an update, and a question specifically for Canadian users.
Soon after my last post above, I purchased a Cube Kathmandu E500 Touring, and used it for about 1000km of commuting and other short-ish city trips over the good weather months. I enjoyed it, solid, good power from the motor to get going, relatively easy to handle despite it being a pretty big bike even for me, the chain only fell off once. It did start to creak a bit under strain/heavy pedalling, but other then that was up to the task.
However one thing really really bugged me, and I worried about this before I bought any bike, is the 32 km/h (20mph) limit we have in Canada. (For those who don't know, we technically don't have "classes" in Canada, but basically what are known as Class 1 and Class 2 bikes are "legal" here, not Class 3s.)
After tweaking my 14km one-way route a few times to make it more efficient, I ended up with long, straight stretches of quiet bike path with the bike maxed out, and found that I could really really really REALLY use more speed, especially when trying to get to work on time.
Before I bought the bike, and even now in the "off season", I went around asking LBS's, mainstream manufacturers, and even the Government if there's any way to get a bike with a 45km/h (28mph) limit, even if it had to be registered under a moped classification, or a like. Basically I got canned vague responses that quantified to "no".
Recently, I dug deeper. Lo and behold, I found that DOST bikes, a Canadian bike company none the less, will in fact ship you a bike that "is kept at 750w" if you ask them to. What? I've been told for almost a year that this isn't a thing. How did I miss this before?
So I ask any Canadian users on here; have you had this same max-speed issue? Did you find a way around it? Are there any other companies that do this? Yes I know there's a hack I could try with the Cube, but it voids the warranty and could brick the bike, Im not up to trying that. Plus if I end up trying to sell it in the wake of finding a faster bike, I rather not mess with it.
Any thoughts are appreciated. Thanks!
Soon after my last post above, I purchased a Cube Kathmandu E500 Touring, and used it for about 1000km of commuting and other short-ish city trips over the good weather months. I enjoyed it, solid, good power from the motor to get going, relatively easy to handle despite it being a pretty big bike even for me, the chain only fell off once. It did start to creak a bit under strain/heavy pedalling, but other then that was up to the task.
However one thing really really bugged me, and I worried about this before I bought any bike, is the 32 km/h (20mph) limit we have in Canada. (For those who don't know, we technically don't have "classes" in Canada, but basically what are known as Class 1 and Class 2 bikes are "legal" here, not Class 3s.)
After tweaking my 14km one-way route a few times to make it more efficient, I ended up with long, straight stretches of quiet bike path with the bike maxed out, and found that I could really really really REALLY use more speed, especially when trying to get to work on time
.Before I bought the bike, and even now in the "off season", I went around asking LBS's, mainstream manufacturers, and even the Government if there's any way to get a bike with a 45km/h (28mph) limit, even if it had to be registered under a moped classification, or a like. Basically I got canned vague responses that quantified to "no".
Recently, I dug deeper. Lo and behold, I found that DOST bikes, a Canadian bike company none the less, will in fact ship you a bike that "is kept at 750w" if you ask them to. What? I've been told for almost a year that this isn't a thing. How did I miss this before?
So I ask any Canadian users on here; have you had this same max-speed issue? Did you find a way around it? Are there any other companies that do this? Yes I know there's a hack I could try with the Cube, but it voids the warranty and could brick the bike, Im not up to trying that. Plus if I end up trying to sell it in the wake of finding a faster bike, I rather not mess with it.
Any thoughts are appreciated. Thanks!
DaveMatthews
Well-Known Member
My Giant has the same limitation of course. That said it doesn't seem to bother me at all. Like your Cube, the only way around it is a dongle, or the manipulation of your magnet setup.
The big 3 (and others) keep their tools/cards close to their chest when it comes to manipulating the speed limits, so you're likely out of luck there.
Those that use Bafang and similar motors often use controllers that let you change the top speed. The big 3 etc. don't.
Best of luck!
The big 3 (and others) keep their tools/cards close to their chest when it comes to manipulating the speed limits, so you're likely out of luck there.
Those that use Bafang and similar motors often use controllers that let you change the top speed. The big 3 etc. don't.
Best of luck!
I see you updated your post. I was going to say as a former Pedego owner and current Rad owner look into your other better options. And since you have regular bicycle experience try to find a Class 3/28mph option. I won't give up my throttle. I don't use it very often but its to nice to completely loose it. My commute is 14 miles one way and I've lived with 20mph just fine. But I did briefly own a Class 3 and kinda miss the extra speed. I find that no amount of extra speed will save me on my commute. All the cars do 55 minimum in a 45 speed limit zone, and drive like idiots on top of that! I need to film my commute one day, its pretty crazy.
Thanks for the update and if you buy a DOST please do a write-up!
Thanks for the update and if you buy a DOST please do a write-up!
Thanks Dave, good to know, that seems obvious to me now, but for some reason it wasn't 10 months ago, lol.
Thanks Scooter. Why do you say that about the Pedego and Rad bikes? Just because you find them cheap and not worth it? That seems to be a common trend from many owners, I read a post the other day about how a Rad owner's bike was basically disintegrating on him after 300miles... which seems... bad.
Totally fair, I'm not 100% sure going how much time going 14km/h faster will actually save me, but the route I take suggests its very plausible, minimal lights and traffic, long straights. etc, even if I can get 5 minutes shaved off it will be worth it. I basically want to use this thing as a 2nd vehicle, as my SUV is horrible on gas in the city (but great for camping trips), and faster top speed will help (I'm pretty sure).
Ive been trying to find another other company that will do this, and so far I don't think there is one, Dost might be it. If I can get around the sizing (a 19" frame is small for me), I've been trying to figure out if I should go the regular Kope model or the CVT version... perhaps I can post that in another thread...
Thanks Scooter. Why do you say that about the Pedego and Rad bikes? Just because you find them cheap and not worth it? That seems to be a common trend from many owners, I read a post the other day about how a Rad owner's bike was basically disintegrating on him after 300miles... which seems... bad.
Totally fair, I'm not 100% sure going how much time going 14km/h faster will actually save me, but the route I take suggests its very plausible, minimal lights and traffic, long straights. etc, even if I can get 5 minutes shaved off it will be worth it. I basically want to use this thing as a 2nd vehicle, as my SUV is horrible on gas in the city (but great for camping trips), and faster top speed will help (I'm pretty sure).
Ive been trying to find another other company that will do this, and so far I don't think there is one, Dost might be it. If I can get around the sizing (a 19" frame is small for me), I've been trying to figure out if I should go the regular Kope model or the CVT version... perhaps I can post that in another thread...
I actually love my RadRunner. Thing is a little tank. I use the term Cheap and Cheerful describing it but I have no regrets in purchasing it. But I secretly want a Class 3 mid-drive with a throttle, and that want is far from my RadRunner. Plus I have a weak spot for 20" wheels and step-thru. So.......
My Pedego was just slow and clunky. Quality for the price AND local support. There are many better choices for the price point. Had around 1000 miles on it when I sold it.
My Rad had the crank arm come loose and a front hub needing some attention but I was on top of it. Once sorted/gone thru I really like it. Luckily I have pretty good mechanical ability and don't mind spinning my own wrenches. I have around 2000 miles on it currently.
Also had a E-Lux Malibu GT. It was just a handful at any speed over 15mph. I was actually more tired riding the E-Lux to work than the RadRunner. It's currently on consignment. The word "commuter" should never be used when talking about a Malibu GT. Has 400 miles on it.
Hope that helps.
My Pedego was just slow and clunky. Quality for the price AND local support. There are many better choices for the price point. Had around 1000 miles on it when I sold it.
My Rad had the crank arm come loose and a front hub needing some attention but I was on top of it. Once sorted/gone thru I really like it. Luckily I have pretty good mechanical ability and don't mind spinning my own wrenches. I have around 2000 miles on it currently.
Also had a E-Lux Malibu GT. It was just a handful at any speed over 15mph. I was actually more tired riding the E-Lux to work than the RadRunner. It's currently on consignment. The word "commuter" should never be used when talking about a Malibu GT. Has 400 miles on it.
Hope that helps.
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