Help buying mid priced (1-2K) 2nd e-bike

[Tyler S]

My Izip Ultra bit the dust (maybe battery, but mechanic isn’t positive and for $500 I’m not gonna replace it) after 2 years and about 5k miles. Looking for another bike without breaking the bank, but have a better idea of what I want this time around, including:

- torque sensor + throttle
- 50+ Newton’s
- 500w minimum motor if rear hub dd
- rear rack mounts
- at least mechanical disk brakes

Would be awesome to get:

- mid drive motor
- hydraulic disc brakes
- class 3 (28 mph)
- purpose built frame

But the budget is pretty firm and tops out at $1800 - 2K - especially after the guv-ment took all my tax return money...any suggestions or opinions on what’s out there?

 

[Ravi Kempaiah]

My Izip Ultra bit the dust (maybe battery, but mechanic isn’t positive and for $500 I’m not gonna replace it) after 2 years and about 5k miles. Looking for another bike without breaking the bank, but have a better idea of what I want this time around, including:

- torque sensor + throttle
- 50+ Newton’s
- 500w minimum motor if rear hub dd
- rear rack mounts
- at least mechanical disk brakes

Would be awesome to get:

- mid drive motor
- hydraulic disc brakes
- class 3 (28 mph)
- purpose built frame

But the budget is pretty firm and tops out at $1800 - 2K - especially after the guv-ment took all my tax return money...any suggestions or opinions on what’s out there?

For people to better assist you,
You should mention the following.

The kind of riding you plan on doing (commute, recreational, MTB)
Budget (you have already done this)
Location where you live
Gender, age (helps in suggesting bikes).

 

[Tyler S]

For people to better assist you,
You should mention the following.

The kind of riding you plan on doing (commute, recreational, MTB)
Budget (you have already done this)
Location where you live
Gender, age (helps in suggesting bikes).

Thanks! I’m a 40 year old guy and will use for commuting (12 mile round trip with pretty significant uphill on way back) - I live in Arlington VA and commute into DC.

 

[Ravi Kempaiah]

Thanks! I’m a 40 year old guy and will use for commuting (12 mile round trip with pretty significant uphill on way back) - I live in Arlington VA and commute into DC.

Here are some options:

1. Izip path plus $ 1500 (Mid-tier , mid-drive.)
   (Link Removed - No Longer Exists)
   Rated 50 Nm torque and the motor is smooth
   Hydraulic brakes
   Rear rack
   Well within your budget and in stock if you are 5ft 6" to 5ft 9"
   Available within your driving distance
   
   
   
   
2. Orbea Keram 10 $1979 (upper tier, mid-drive)
   https://www.orbea.com/us-en/bicycles/outlet/outlet/keram-mtb/cat/keram-10-usa
   Bosch performance line rated at 63Nm torque
   Upper end of your budget
   Much nicer Air fork
   Much better Shimano Deore M654 brakes
   Shimano XT drive train
   Available online and via local Orbea dealers.
   
   
   
   
   
3. Izip E3 Moda (upper tier, mid-drive) $2249
   Slightly above your budget but it's a very nice bike
   Class 3, 28mph Brose motor
   4-piston hydraulic front, 2 piston hydraulic rear
   Rear rack and integrated lighting standard.
   Perfect for commuting with those beefy design and tires.
   Most mid-drives do not have throttle
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. Magnum UI6. $1950
   Decent rear hub with more than enough power.
   Has throttle and 25mph top speed in pedal assist.
   620Whr battery gives you plenty of range (good for 3 commute days)
   Hydraulic brakes
   Rear rack and lights come standard.
   
   

 

[AZOldTech]

My Izip Ultra bit the dust (maybe battery, but mechanic isn’t positive and for $500 I’m not gonna replace it) after 2 years and about 5k miles. Looking for another bike without breaking the bank, but have a better idea of what I want this time around, including:

- torque sensor + throttle
- 50+ Newton’s
- 500w minimum motor if rear hub dd
- rear rack mounts
- at least mechanical disk brakes

Would be awesome to get:

- mid drive motor
- hydraulic disc brakes
- class 3 (28 mph)
- purpose built frame

But the budget is pretty firm and tops out at $1800 - 2K - especially after the guv-ment took all my tax return money...any suggestions or opinions on what’s out there?

If class 3 raw speed and hydraulic brakes are important to you look also at the Aventon Pace 500 and Aventon Pace 500 Step-Through for $1399. Advantages include true class 3 speed of 28mph, better gearing (11-36T 8 speed), good range with ubiquitous Reention Dorado 48V 11.6Ah battery (you can upgrade it to 13, 14, 16, 17.5 or 21Ah since it's a standard Reention battery), good tires, hydraulic brakes, plus 2 different colors (deep black and SoCal Sand) and 3 different sizes (small/medium/large) plus a step-through (small/medium) and 2 additional colors (Chalk White and Seleste) for a better bike fit.

BE AWARE that the Aventon does NOT come with a headlight or a tail light, however you can get a great and brighter and flashing 400 lumen USB rechargeable headlight AND tail light for only $19 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01FZ5H124/

Also the Aventon does NOT have a suspension fork. If you want to add a suspension fork the Aventon has a tapered head tube so you have a lot of options (and inexpensive ones starting at $60 for the Suntour XMT/XCT) to upgrade. Also the Aventon comes with a 3Amp charger for 11.6/3=3.87 hrs to full charge.

Also the bike comes with all the eyelets needed to add 3rd party fenders and rack.
https://www.aventon.com/pages/aventon-pace-500
https://www.aventon.com/pages/pace-500-step-through-ebike

 

[ebikemom]

Yikes, I can’t imagine a bike failing with so few miles and years. Maybe go with a brand that stands behind its bikes better?
Maybe spend more and get a higher quality ride that will last longer, so you can ride it for years? That would be more economical in the long run? I’m a commuter too so I feel your pain. Yamaha has a 3 year warranty. Pedego has a two year warranty. Find a bike with a great warranty and service? I hope you are back on the road and smiling soon!!!

 

[Tyler S]

Great refs, appreciate them. Aventon seems like a good bike but believe it just has cadence pedal assist right? Afraid that’s a bit of a deal breaker for me as I’ve gotten used to the torque.

Here are some options:

1. Izip path plus $ 1500 (Mid-tier , mid-drive.)
   (Link Removed - No Longer Exists)
   Rated 50 Nm torque and the motor is smooth
   Hydraulic brakes
   Rear rack
   Well within your budget and in stock if you are 5ft 6" to 5ft 9"
   Available within your driving distance
   View attachment 31882
   
2. Orbea Keram 10 $1979 (upper tier, mid-drive)
   https://www.orbea.com/us-en/bicycles/outlet/outlet/keram-mtb/cat/keram-10-usa
   Bosch performance line rated at 63Nm torque
   Upper end of your budget
   Much nicer Air fork
   Much better Shimano Deore M654 brakes
   Shimano XT drive train
   Available online and via local Orbea dealers.
   View attachment 31881
   
   
3. Izip E3 Moda (upper tier, mid-drive) $2249
   Slightly above your budget but it's a very nice bike
   Class 3, 28mph Brose motor
   4-piston hydraulic front, 2 piston hydraulic rear
   Rear rack and integrated lighting standard.
   Perfect for commuting with those beefy design and tires.
   Most mid-drives do not have throttle
   
   View attachment 31883
   
   
4. Magnum UI6. $1950
   Decent rear hub with more than enough power.
   Has throttle and 25mph top speed in pedal assist.
   620Whr battery gives you plenty of range (good for 3 commute days)
   Hydraulic brakes
   Rear rack and lights come standard.
   View attachment 31884

Excellent stuff - much appreciated! Will check these out. What are your thoughts on the crosscurrent S vice the above bikes?

 

[Tyler S]

Yikes, I can’t imagine a bike failing with so few miles and years. Maybe go with a brand that stands behind its bikes better?
Maybe spend more and get a higher quality ride that will last longer, so you can ride it for years? That would be more economical in the long run? I’m a commuter too so I feel your pain. Yamaha has a 3 year warranty. Pedego has a two year warranty. Find a bike with a great warranty and service? I hope you are back on the road and smiling soon!!!

Yeah pretty annoying - thought I was safe with an Izip in terms of quality/established brand. I did buy it in 2016 and it was one of the last new ones available (built in 2014) so had been sitting on a shelf (but I also got a deal). And I hear ya on spending more - the catch is that I’m likely to move overseas summer 2020 and would probably not use the bike much after that date so I’m limited on how much I can really put in now with that time horizon.

 

[ebikemom]

That all makes sense. One thought: If you only need the bike for a year-ish, then replacing the battery of your current bike might be the most economical way to go. Can the dealer get in a new battery to try for troubleshooting purposes?

 

[steve mercier]

I like Ravi's picks ....of those I would prefer the Orbea but for the budget minded I would give the Magnum a long look on value since it already has lights, fenders, a rack and a big battery.

 

[Dewey]

Hi Tyler, I live in Arlington VA, ride a Class 2, and commute home uphill from DC. Bicycle Space in DC carries BagiBike brand, the BagiBike B27 is beyond Class 3 with a 500w 48v rear hub motor, 30mph, for 2099 maybe you could talk them down to 2 grand.

BagiBike is capable of 30mph under power so would be considered a Motor Driven Cycle under DC law and is supposed to meet your home states registration requirements. As the Virginia DMV can’t register without a VIN frame # you will be SOL if you get in an accident. VA ebike Max is 25mph so at 30mph you would be riding an unregistered uninsured moped in Virginia. But given the chaotic traffic downtown your speed might actually help you take the lane and ride like a motorcycle, particularly if you ride in on Lee Hwy & take the traffic lane on Key Bridge to M St, coming home Lee Hwy has a less steep gradient than the Custis Trail or any other hill up from Rosslyn so would be a good choice.

 

[Tyler S]

Thanks all - went to a LBS today and they offered me essentially any of the following bikes for 1800 (felt bad as they weren’t able to get me an appropriate fix for my Izip):

- 2017 Izip mid-drive Peak w Traz-x 350 w motor (60 miles on it, had issue with factory motor so they took it as a trade in and put in new motor)
- Easy Motion Atom Diamond Wave (mid drive step through) 2018 new, 2018
- Easy Motion 27.5 Evo (https://electricbikereview.com/easy-motion/evo-27-5/)

- Or for 1600 the 2018 Easy Motion Cross

I’m leaning toward the Peak, which I like the most with a throttle plus torque pedal assist, speed up to 28 mph. The Atom might be the best bike but I didn’t like the beach cruiser feel. And I love the way the EM cross looks, but the throttle only works in throttle mode and with only 350 w motor (37nm torque) I don’t think it has the power I want. Thoughts?

 

[Dewey]

- 2017 Izip mid-drive Peak w Traz-x 350 w motor (60 miles on it, had issue with factory motor so they took it as a trade in and put in new motor)
- Easy Motion Atom Diamond Wave (mid drive step through) 2018 new, 2018
- Easy Motion 27.5 Evo (https://electricbikereview.com/easy-motion/evo-27-5/)
- Or for 1600 the 2018 Easy Motion Cross

I thought it was the 2016 model year that was the last year for the Peak with Transx motor they switched to Bosch CX from 2017. Court’s review shows the earlier model as having a cadence sensor, 20mph so Class 2, and boost button rather than a graduated throttle. Given your interest in a torque sensor you would be happier riding the Evo 27.5 or Cross, and comparing those two is the Cross this model? I thought after the 2017 model year the Cross line switched to a 48v/500w hub Motor although it would still be Class 2/20mph with the throttle not working in PAS as you mention.

 

[Deleted member 4210]

If you want a Torque sensor, and all the benefits of the Magnum Ui6, go with a Surface 604 Rook or Colt. it has hydraulic brakes instead of mechanical that are on Magnum. Better price point too, and they'll be shipping in a few weeks. Personally I like their Shred even better, with 2.8" thick tires for awesome road comfort, and ability to withstand potholes and other road junk better than road tires. They ride nicely on pavement but can be taken off road. Option for 14 ah battery too.

Though just had a customer install a 21ah battery on his Rook. He bought the battery aftermarket. He'll likely get 100 miles of range , but the other benefit is if he operates it (keeps charging) between 20% and 80% of full, he'll still have good range, and greatly increased battery life.

 

[Tyler S]

I thought it was the 2016 model year that was the last year for the Peak with Transx motor they switched to Bosch CX from 2017. Court’s review shows the earlier model as having a cadence sensor, 20mph so Class 2, and boost button rather than a graduated throttle. Given your interest in a torque sensor you would be happier riding the Evo 27.5 or Cross, and comparing those two is the Cross this model? I thought after the 2017 model year the Cross line switched to a 48v/500w hub Motor although it would still be Class 2/20mph with the throttle not working in PAS as you mention.

Yeah I’ve been looking into that as well on the peak and trying to figure out what the deal is - I think you’re right and it’s a 2016. I’m gonna ditch this LBS as they don’t seem to know what they’re selling...