Help choosing step-through -- Moustache Lundi 7.1 or Specialized Turbo Como 3.0?

[GaleL]

Hi!

I had hip replacement surgery 5.5 months ago, but have cycled a lot in my past.

Now I want an e-bike with a women's step-through style frame.

I've looked at many, but these two are my faves. I would appreciate some insight. : )

Moustache Lundi 7.1

Moustache

www.citecycles.com

- easy for me to mount due to the very low step-through
- has a built-in lock that locks the frame to the rear wheel
- advertised as having a higher range than the Specialized Como

Specialized Turbo Como 3.0 Low-Step

Turbo Como 3.0 650b - Low-Entry

Turbo Como is all about making you feel good. The ride is as smooth as it looks, and Turbo Como’s efficient design helps you get more out of every pedal. Ride

www.citecycles.com

- comfortable seat

After reading the stats, I don't understand which has a more powerful motor. Perhaps someone might care to explain.

 

[Art Deco]

I know nothing about the moustache except that I have heard it's very heavy. There are lots of bosch motor riders on here that can comment on the motor.
I ride a 2019 Como3. It weighs about 45lbs with the weak E series motor / small battery. I ride in a hilly part of Pennsylvania.
My motor is rated for about half the torque of the big Comos (the 4 and 5) that can climb the rocky mountains, although all three are still rated at the same 250 watts.
Torque matters for hills, headwinds, and hauling heavy loads.
I climb some serious hills, but with very serious efforts.
I am a casual rider, old and out of shape, and I love my bike, but I don't recommend it for people who need a lot of power.
Comfortable, maneuverable, high quality, fun, but not intended for real extreme use.

 

[GaleL]

I know nothing about the moustache except that I have heard it's very heavy. There are lots of bosch motor riders on here that can comment on the motor.
I ride a 2019 Como3. It weighs about 45lbs with the weak E series motor / small battery. I ride in a hilly part of Pennsylvania.
My motor is rated for about half the torque of the big Comos (the 4 and 5) that can climb the rocky mountains, although all three are still rated at the same 250 watts.
Torque matters for hills, headwinds, and hauling heavy loads.
I climb some serious hills, but with very serious efforts.
I am a casual rider, old and out of shape, and I love my bike, but I don't recommend it for people who need a lot of power.
Comfortable, maneuverable, high quality, fun, but not intended for real extreme use.

Thank you, Art Deco. I appreciate the time you put into your thoughtful reply. The Moustache is indeed heavy, but it comes with more accessories (fenders, bike rack, frame lock) than the Como, so that might account for some of the additional weight. The 2021 Moustache Lundi 27.1 weighs 55.8 lbs. The 2021 Specialized Turbo Como 3.0 weighs 46.1 lbs. It's quite a difference!

Thank you for explaining torque in relation to wattage, and a little bit about your 2019 Como 3.0.

I won't be hauling heavy loads, and don't expect to (but might) go up serious hills or experience strong headwinds.

I, too, am old and out of shape. I want comfort, ease of mounting the bike (during my recovery from hip replacement surgery), maneuverability, and quality - no extreme use. I love the wind on my face. When you find a bike you love, it's a wonderful thing!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

For one, the 460 Wh battery in Vado 3.0 is bigger than the 400 Wh in Lundi, and Specialized electronics is far better.

 

[GaleL]

Thank you, Stefan! Do you know anyone who has a Moustache, though? I tried the Como 3.0 and Moustache yesterday at the same store. The Moustache was so much easier to mount than the Como, what with the hip. I haven't tried a Vado yet.

 

[st0ut]

IMHO
I think you need to consider support and maintenance. IF you are only going to be riding near your LBS that you bought the Mustache from then its not a big deal. But if you go a wandering the odds of finding a Mustache bike shop my be fairly difficult vs a Specialized dealer.

Also Moustache appears not to sell regular bikes. Which means they are probably not the manufacturer of the bike they are buying components from other sources and assembling them. If something goes wrong... the finger pointing starts.

 

[GaleL]

IMHO
I think you need to consider support and maintenance. IF you are only going to be riding near your LBS that you bought the Mustache from then its not a big deal. But if you go a wandering the odds of finding a Mustache bike shop my be fairly difficult vs a Specialized dealer.

Also Moustache appears not to sell regular bikes. Which means they are probably not the manufacturer of the bike they are buying components from other sources and assembling them. If something goes wrong... the finger pointing starts.

THANK YOU very much for your thoughtful reply. Okay! My mind is made up. I tried the Moustache and the Specialized Como 3.0 again today. I found the Moustache Lundi 27.1 very uncomfortable and the Specialized Como 3.0 much better! Yesterday, my experience was the exact opposite! So now, thanks in part to your reply, my mind is made up. There are few bike shops in BC that carry Moustache bikes, but a great many carry Specialized bikes. The Specialized Como 3.0 it is! THANK YOU!!!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Thank you, Stefan! Do you know anyone who has a Moustache, though? I tried the Como 3.0 and Moustache yesterday at the same store. The Moustache was so much easier to mount than the Como, what with the hip. I haven't tried a Vado yet.

@steve mercier rides an Moustache.

 

[GaleL]

@steve mercier rides an Moustache.

Thank you! I tried the same two bikes again today and, oddly, I found the exact opposite. The Moustache Lundi was uncomfortable and the Specialized Como 3.0 was better. But my knees are quite high, so the seat should be higher, but at that point I will be standing on my tip toes when I come to a stop sign. Not a good thing. Perhaps these stores are selling bikes that don't fit people properly because they are running out of stock. I never received a proper fitting, come to think of it.

 

[GaleL]

THANK YOU very much for your thoughtful reply. Okay! My mind is made up. I tried the Moustache and the Specialized Como 3.0 again today. I found the Moustache Lundi 27.1 very uncomfortable and the Specialized Como 3.0 much better! Yesterday, my experience was the exact opposite! So now, thanks in part to your reply, my mind is made up. There are few bike shops in BC that carry Moustache bikes, but a great many carry Specialized bikes. The Specialized Como 3.0 it is! THANK YOU!!!

Do you think the Specialized Turbo Como 3.0 Low-Step, size SMALL, the bike shop person says fits me might be too small for me? When I cycle, my knees are quite high, but the bottoms of my feet completely touch the ground when I stop. If the seat is raised, my knees will be better, but I will be on my tip toes. Is that alright? I'm a 5'6" female.

 

[st0ut]

HI Gale,

I am 5'9" on a giant Explorer medium frame seat post all the way down.

tip toes...
this is an individual skill. can you track stand? what is your comfort level.
I can track stand for a bit. normally I'll use the curb on the right foot as a crutch but during a left hand turn from a stand still it is a track stand or tip toe.

luckily not tooo many of those.

Have the LBS do a fitting for the bike. The most important thing with a bicycle is FIT. adjust the stem seat height etc until it works for you

 

[GaleL]

HI Gale,

I am 5'9" on a giant Explorer medium frame seat post all the way down.

tip toes...
this is an individual skill. can you track stand? what is your comfort level.
I can track stand for a bit. normally I'll use the curb on the right foot as a crutch but during a left hand turn from a stand still it is a track stand or tip toe.

luckily not tooo many of those.

Have the LBS do a fitting for the bike. The most important thing with a bicycle is FIT. adjust the stem seat height etc until it works for you

Thank you so much for your thoughtful response, stOut. You're absolutely right! I was just thinking it over on my way home from the bike store, that I have not yet received a proper fitting for size and/or adjustments - just a couple of glances and a salesman's decision to put me on a SMALL... probably because they don't have a MEDIUM.

I use a curb to the right as a crutch for taking off on my regular cruising bike - a Men's Miyata 310. (I'm female so it's not all that comfortable.) I can do a track stand on that bike - well, I could before my hip replacement surgery 5.5 months ago.

But e-bikes are a new thing for me, heavier, etc., and no experience on them, so my confidence is a tad low. On my regular bike, I'm doing the track stand, tip toe, and using the curb and it's not conscious - you know what I mean - but on the e-bike I'm nervous, in strange surroundings, and only given maybe a 5-minute test ride in a small busy parking lot. Arrgggghhhh!

I'm 5'6" but with a short torso and long legs. So I just wrote a note to the manager of the shop saying I won't put a down payment on the bike until after a fitting and sizing, or at least a sizing.

Thank you so much for caring!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Do you think the Specialized Turbo Como 3.0 Low-Step, size SMALL, the bike shop person says fits me might be too small for me? When I cycle, my knees are quite high, but the bottoms of my feet completely touch the ground when I stop. If the seat is raised, my knees will be better, but I will be on my tip toes. Is that alright? I'm a 5'6" female.

Gale: Como Low-Step has been specifically designed the way you should be able to stand on the ground with both feet while seated. It is unique design made for comfort. If you otherwise feel comfortable during the ride, the size is OK.

 

[Jimbo08]

Specialized makes the Como 3.0 in S and L. Only the non-stepthru model is available in a medium and XL, I believe.
I work in a shop that sells Bosch and Shimano equipped bikes, and the full line of Specialized bikes. And I am certified to work on each brand. I personally own a small Como and a large Vado. And my very active 5'2" wife had a hip replacement last August (2nd time on that hip at age 65). I am 5'9". So I can appreciate your situation.
I ride both bikes, falling close to the break line for small vs large sizing. On the Como we slam the saddle down for her and I can raise it high enough for me to fit it properly too. Besides a proper rear carrier the only other addition to both our bikes has been a Thudbuster seat post for comfort.
At 5'6" the proper fit for you on the Como would most likely be a small. It would leave room for a suspended seat post if you want one. The large frame would certainly have a more 'airy' feel to it, but might be a tight squeeze to add the suspended seat post comfort feature as you would have to lower the seat a lot.

 

[GaleL]

Specialized makes the Como 3.0 in S and L. Only the non-stepthru model is available in a medium and XL, I believe.
I work in a shop that sells Bosch and Shimano equipped bikes, and the full line of Specialized bikes. And I am certified to work on each brand. I personally own a small Como and a large Vado. And my very active 5'2" wife had a hip replacement last August (2nd time on that hip at age 65). I am 5'9". So I can appreciate your situation.
I ride both bikes, falling close to the break line for small vs large sizing. On the Como we slam the saddle down for her and I can raise it high enough for me to fit it properly too. Besides a proper rear carrier the only other addition to both our bikes has been a Thudbuster seat post for comfort.
At 5'6" the proper fit for you on the Como would most likely be a small. It would leave room for a suspended seat post if you want one. The large frame would certainly have a more 'airy' feel to it, but might be a tight squeeze to add the suspended seat post comfort feature as you would have to lower the seat a lot.

Thank you for your insightful reply, Jimbo08. On my size S test rides, the seat post was adjusted as far down as it would go. I suppose raising it some will alleviate the knee bend. I might not be able to mount the size L easily due to the hip surgery and an operated leg with muscles that are still a bit weak, or I might not feel safe perched on it once I do. TWO surgeries on the same hip, one at at 65? Recovery is exhausting, but it's better than living in pain. I hope she has made a full recovery!

This morning I will go to confirm what size I truly need. Thank you!

 

[GaleL]

Gale: Como Low-Step has been specifically designed the way you should be able to stand on the ground with both feet while seated. It is unique design made for comfort. If you otherwise feel comfortable during the ride, the size is OK.

Thank you, Stefan!

I ended up buying the bike today - putting a deposit on it until I can pick it up. The manager spent an hour with me, adjusting the seat almost millimetre by millimetre. It was a good experience. It ended up being comfortable, but I might have it adjusted upwards once I have confidence in myself riding it. So thank you very much for your input. I do appreciate it.

 

[GaleL]

Thank you, Stefan!

I bought the bike today - put a deposit on it. The manager spent an hour with me, adjusting the seat almost millimetre by millimetre. It was a good experience. It ended up being comfortable, but I might have it adjusted upwards once I have confidence in myself riding it. So thank you very much for your input. I do appreciate it.

 

[GaleL]

Specialized makes the Como 3.0 in S and L. Only the non-stepthru model is available in a medium and XL, I believe.
I work in a shop that sells Bosch and Shimano equipped bikes, and the full line of Specialized bikes. And I am certified to work on each brand. I personally own a small Como and a large Vado. And my very active 5'2" wife had a hip replacement last August (2nd time on that hip at age 65). I am 5'9". So I can appreciate your situation.
I ride both bikes, falling close to the break line for small vs large sizing. On the Como we slam the saddle down for her and I can raise it high enough for me to fit it properly too. Besides a proper rear carrier the only other addition to both our bikes has been a Thudbuster seat post for comfort.
At 5'6" the proper fit for you on the Como would most likely be a small. It would leave room for a suspended seat post if you want one. The large frame would certainly have a more 'airy' feel to it, but might be a tight squeeze to add the suspended seat post comfort feature as you would have to lower the seat a lot.

UPDATE: This morning I went to the bike shop. I asked the manager for a full fitting and to adjust the seat. He spent one hour adjusting it gradually and watching me ride the bike each time, until he said, "That's a good seat height. You are definitely a size SMALL because the arms reach of a M/L would be too great." I might want the seat higher after my confidence in my ability to ride the e-bike grows. I put a deposit on the e-bike and will pick it up next week. YAY! What a relief! Your thoughtful comments put me at ease and gave me the confidence to request a proper fitting. Thank you!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Congratulations Gale! May your Como bring you a lot of fun and happiness!
(Wear helmet. Just saying).

 

[GaleL]

Congratulations Gale! May your Como bring you a lot of fun and happiness!
(Wear helmet. Just saying).

Thank you! Oh, yes - I have a good helmet already. I think I will need a strong lock - probably a Kryptonite.