Hello, I'm new to the forum and need some help choosing the right e-bike. I am after a casual cruiser bike with upright position and so far I have looked at Specialized turbo como and Bulls sturmvogel Evo. But having trouble choosing, what's the main diffence between these bikes and which one would you go for or i there some bikes that I have missed that are similar.
Help choosing first e-bike
- Thread starter Zapper
- Start date
NWMI
Member
Hi Zapper,
I am in the same boat as you....want a casual cruiser but the number of choices, different technologies, and the prices are all overwhelming. It has been a real crash course in trying to decipher this and this website including Court's outstanding reviews and this forum have been invaluable. (Thank you so much Court!)
I too was looking at the Como which is a really nice bike but it is quite expensive and the battery is $ 1,000 while others are $ 500, which seems crazy but if that's the bike that you like, you pay a $ 500 premium on the battery when it needs to be replaced.. It's also only a Class 1 (see below). And looking at the Sturmvogel Evo now, that's a nice bike as well.
As usual, the different technologies, mainly hub drive vs mid drive each have their advantages. This video gives a nice overview of some things that you will want to understand.
The one checkoff that you will probably want to make sure the bike has is hydraulic disc brakes.
One of the first, simple choices is how fast do you want to go? 20 (Class 1) or 28 (Class 3) mph. Class 2 also goes 20 but has a throttle which eliminates the need for pedaling to get motor assist.
Mike's Bikes on the forum is extremely knowledgeable and helpful and he turned me on to Aventon Pace 500 (see recent thread on here). Class 3, great bike and reviews, at an amazing price point. Unfortunately they are out of stock.
Then I stumbled on to the Ariel W-Class. Class 3, amazing power and battery size, torque sensor (instead of cadence), great styling (subjective) and a great price. It's pretty heavy but it's also got the power and battery. It's a cruiser beast
and my current favorite.
Trying to find something for my wife, but it's not easy, especially if you want a decent Class 3 at a reasonable price or even a Class 1. These things are crazy expensive.
I think that we are going to take a test drive tomorrow just to see how we like ebikes and try to understand if we really want a Class 3, or if Class 1 is plenty.
Hope that helps and keep me posted because I am looking for the same thing....casual cruiser with upright position.
I am in the same boat as you....want a casual cruiser but the number of choices, different technologies, and the prices are all overwhelming. It has been a real crash course in trying to decipher this and this website including Court's outstanding reviews and this forum have been invaluable. (Thank you so much Court!)
I too was looking at the Como which is a really nice bike but it is quite expensive and the battery is $ 1,000 while others are $ 500, which seems crazy but if that's the bike that you like, you pay a $ 500 premium on the battery when it needs to be replaced.. It's also only a Class 1 (see below). And looking at the Sturmvogel Evo now, that's a nice bike as well.
As usual, the different technologies, mainly hub drive vs mid drive each have their advantages. This video gives a nice overview of some things that you will want to understand.
The one checkoff that you will probably want to make sure the bike has is hydraulic disc brakes.
One of the first, simple choices is how fast do you want to go? 20 (Class 1) or 28 (Class 3) mph. Class 2 also goes 20 but has a throttle which eliminates the need for pedaling to get motor assist.
Mike's Bikes on the forum is extremely knowledgeable and helpful and he turned me on to Aventon Pace 500 (see recent thread on here). Class 3, great bike and reviews, at an amazing price point. Unfortunately they are out of stock.
Then I stumbled on to the Ariel W-Class. Class 3, amazing power and battery size, torque sensor (instead of cadence), great styling (subjective) and a great price. It's pretty heavy but it's also got the power and battery. It's a cruiser beast
and my current favorite.Trying to find something for my wife, but it's not easy, especially if you want a decent Class 3 at a reasonable price or even a Class 1. These things are crazy expensive.
I think that we are going to take a test drive tomorrow just to see how we like ebikes and try to understand if we really want a Class 3, or if Class 1 is plenty.
Hope that helps and keep me posted because I am looking for the same thing....casual cruiser with upright position.
Last edited:
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Same posts in two sections. I'm moving a member's comment from the other thread here:
Dewey
"Two very nice ebikes there, do you have any bike shops near you that sell and service them? One difference between the two is the Specialized uses derailleur gearing, while the Sturmvogel uses a Shimano Nexus 8 internal geared hub, I’m partial to the latter because I find the ability to shift gear when stopped very useful in urban traffic. Court has a Cruiser Bikes and a City Bikes category of reviews on this website, they’re a good place to start."
Dewey
"Two very nice ebikes there, do you have any bike shops near you that sell and service them? One difference between the two is the Specialized uses derailleur gearing, while the Sturmvogel uses a Shimano Nexus 8 internal geared hub, I’m partial to the latter because I find the ability to shift gear when stopped very useful in urban traffic. Court has a Cruiser Bikes and a City Bikes category of reviews on this website, they’re a good place to start."
elliot friedman
Active Member
I've said it before:
Test ride as many as you can in your price ranges. You'll know which feels most comfortable for you regarding comfort, positioning and performance, and then inquire as to reputation and reliability. Form usually follows function, but I do have to include "style" because it's always a good feeling to have a smile on your face as you approach your ride to get on.
Test ride as many as you can in your price ranges. You'll know which feels most comfortable for you regarding comfort, positioning and performance, and then inquire as to reputation and reliability. Form usually follows function, but I do have to include "style" because it's always a good feeling to have a smile on your face as you approach your ride to get on.
keithd
Active Member
I am strongly leaning toward the Como because of a great dealer in my area. I have found the Como to give me the most bicycle like feeling also pedals well when motor is off. Some things to consider is do you want or need a throttle? My state laws "E-bikes are defined as “electrically powered bicycle,” so long as the e-bike’s motor is under 750w, has a maximum speed of 20mph, and has fully operable pedals. The same rules of the road apply to both e-bikes and human-powered bicycles.» E-bikes are not subject to the registration, licensing or insurancerequirements that apply to motor vehicles"
So beware what may be coming down the road as to legislation.
So beware what may be coming down the road as to legislation.
NWMI: Price of the battery is some thing to consider. The only class that is legal and classified as a bike i Sweden where I live is maximum 20mph and pedal assist.
Angela M: Sorry for double posting saw that Help Choosing an Ebike was avalible after posting the first one and couldn't delete it.
Dewey: I'm like you more leaning towards Shimano Nexus 8 internal geared hub because of maintenance.
elliot friedman: I have one bike shop near me selling the Specialized brand but no e-bikes in stock. It's more common than uncommon that you have to do your research and buy it online and there is where place like these are so great.
keithd: You have a good point regarding the most bicycle found feeling, this is something reviewers should consider. I will visit my local bike shop and see what they have to say. Im after a nice bike that works both with and without battery and that have a battery in frame style.
Angela M: Sorry for double posting saw that Help Choosing an Ebike was avalible after posting the first one and couldn't delete it.
Dewey: I'm like you more leaning towards Shimano Nexus 8 internal geared hub because of maintenance.
elliot friedman: I have one bike shop near me selling the Specialized brand but no e-bikes in stock. It's more common than uncommon that you have to do your research and buy it online and there is where place like these are so great.
keithd: You have a good point regarding the most bicycle found feeling, this is something reviewers should consider. I will visit my local bike shop and see what they have to say. Im after a nice bike that works both with and without battery and that have a battery in frame style.
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