Help find me a specific e-bike for a lady

[Stefan Mikes]

A friend of mine, female, decided to take a plunge and buy herself an e-bike this Spring. There are the following criteria:

1. A (true) low-step commuter
2. Class 1
3. Mid-drive motor, no throttle. The motor has to be either Brose or Yamaha or Bosch or Shimano
4. From a big American or European brand. (The American brand that exports their products to Europe)
5. List price limited to US$3100

I could say cheaper models of Specialized Como or Vado might do the trick. Other options?

Please help me thinking.

 

[PatriciaK]

Does Giant export to Europe? The La Free E+ models meet all the criteria, though the top speed might be just a bit slow for commuting, depending on what your friend desires in that category.

 

[Dewey]

Bianchi e-Spillo Luxury (Shimano Steps), Gazelle Orange HMB (Bosch), Giant Entour E+1, (Yamaha), Raleigh Jersey Plus (Bosch), Decathlon B'Twin Elops 940 step over (Shimano Steps), Bergamont E-Horizon 7.0 Wave (Bosch). There are loads more German and Dutch brands also in her budget

Curious why does she discount cheaper brands using Bafang mid-drive with torque sensor like the Qwic MN8, or LeGrand Elille 3?

 

[Dewey]

Does Giant export to Europe? The La Free E+ models meet all the criteria, though the top speed might be just a bit slow for commuting, depending on what your friend desires in that category.

Answer: Yes the LaFree model is sold in Europe as the Giant Entour E+ and I agree it would be a good choice

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Curious why does she discount cheaper brands using Bafang mid-drive

Because I do not trust Bafang mid motors ;-)

Does Giant export to Europe? The La Free E+ models meet all the criteria, though the top speed might be just a bit slow for commuting

Yes, they do. I'm not sure about the LaFree availability but it sounds good!
P.S. Warsaw is not that big city

Thank you for your input so far!
--------------
One more note: My friend and I also intend to join group rides with "acoustic" cyclists. The commute is not critical.

 

[Dewey]

Here you go https://www.giant-bicycles.com/pl/entour-eplus-1-cs-lds-2020
Giant have their Polish distributor office in Warsaw so I'd contact them about where she can go to take a test ride https://www.giant-bicycles.com/int/about-us/office/poland

 

[Stefan Mikes]

she can go to take a test ride

Unluckily, it is not that easy in Poland. Dealers typically don't keep e-bikes on stock. Long story, let me spare it.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Still, the advice is good. I'm sure the Giant dealer can import any model, for example this one looks good. The specs are fine.

E.ANYTOUR E+ 1 LDS 25 KM/H M '2020

Firma Giant wymaga aby rower był dostarczony do klienta w 100% gotowy do jazdy, w związku z tym możliwy jest tylko odbiór osobisty w naszych salonach lub dostawa naszym transportem na terenie Warszawy i okolic. Specyfikacja: Rozmiar M Kolor Antracytowy Rama Aluminium - Aluxx SL Widelec RST Volant...

www.bikeman.pl

This one is beautiful. I wonder why the E+ 2 is cheaper than E+ 1?

E.ANYTOUR E+ 2 LDS POWER M '2020

Firma Giant wymaga aby rower był dostarczony do klienta w 100% gotowy do jazdy, w związku z tym możliwy jest tylko odbiór osobisty w naszych salonach lub dostawa naszym transportem na terenie Warszawy i okolic. Specyfikacja: Rozmiar M Kolor Niebieski Rama Aluminium - Aluxx SL Widelec RST Volante ...

www.bikeman.pl

 

[Rick53]

Unluckily, it is not that easy in Poland. Dealers typically don't keep e-bikes on stock. Long story, let me spare it.

Entry Level Como as you mentioned Is probably your best bet : Or Treks Verve +

 

[Dewey]

I'm sure the Giant dealer can import any model, for example this one looks good [Anytour]. The specs are fine.

Depends on her use case, if she just wants a bike to pedal on roads in town the Entour has an IGH which would mean she could shift gear when stopped at a light. If she has steep hills to climb the Anytour uses a slightly more powerful SyncDrive Sport motor (80nm) vs the SyncDrive Life motor (60nm) on the Entour.

 

[AlanDB]

Are Royal Dutch Gazelle ebikes available in Poland? If so, take a look at the Gazelle offerings. They have several models that meet your spec's. I love my 2017 Gazelle Arroyo C8 HMB with the Bosch Performance Line motor and Shimano Nexus 8 internal geared hub shifter.

 

[PatriciaK]

Still, the advice is good. I'm sure the Giant dealer can import any model, for example this one looks good. The specs are fine.

E.ANYTOUR E+ 1 LDS 25 KM/H M '2020

Firma Giant wymaga aby rower był dostarczony do klienta w 100% gotowy do jazdy, w związku z tym możliwy jest tylko odbiór osobisty w naszych salonach lub dostawa naszym transportem na terenie Warszawy i okolic. Specyfikacja: Rozmiar M Kolor Antracytowy Rama Aluminium - Aluxx SL Widelec RST Volant...

www.bikeman.pl

This one is beautiful. I wonder why the E+ 2 is cheaper than E+ 1?

E.ANYTOUR E+ 2 LDS POWER M '2020

Firma Giant wymaga aby rower był dostarczony do klienta w 100% gotowy do jazdy, w związku z tym możliwy jest tylko odbiór osobisty w naszych salonach lub dostawa naszym transportem na terenie Warszawy i okolic. Specyfikacja: Rozmiar M Kolor Niebieski Rama Aluminium - Aluxx SL Widelec RST Volante ...

www.bikeman.pl

The+2 has a chain drive; +1 is belt.

 

[PatriciaK]

Still, the advice is good. I'm sure the Giant dealer can import any model, for example this one looks good. The specs are fine.

E.ANYTOUR E+ 1 LDS 25 KM/H M '2020

Firma Giant wymaga aby rower był dostarczony do klienta w 100% gotowy do jazdy, w związku z tym możliwy jest tylko odbiór osobisty w naszych salonach lub dostawa naszym transportem na terenie Warszawy i okolic. Specyfikacja: Rozmiar M Kolor Antracytowy Rama Aluminium - Aluxx SL Widelec RST Volant...

www.bikeman.pl

This one is beautiful. I wonder why the E+ 2 is cheaper than E+ 1?

E.ANYTOUR E+ 2 LDS POWER M '2020

Firma Giant wymaga aby rower był dostarczony do klienta w 100% gotowy do jazdy, w związku z tym możliwy jest tylko odbiór osobisty w naszych salonach lub dostawa naszym transportem na terenie Warszawy i okolic. Specyfikacja: Rozmiar M Kolor Niebieski Rama Aluminium - Aluxx SL Widelec RST Volante ...

www.bikeman.pl

I've seen that model on Euro sites before - wish it were available in the US!

 

[Dewey]

Because I do not trust Bafang mid motors ;-)

The LeGrand catalog gives the motor model on the Elille 3 model as the G330 which is the Chinese model number for the Bafang M400. Bafang now manufacture their M300, M400 & M420 mid-drives in a new factory in Wrocław. I'm unsure but I would guess LeGrand bikes are assembled in the Kross factory in Przasnysz, the catalog says LeGrand's are designed and constructed there, it's been reported the carbon frames for Kross are made in Poland but Kinesis Industry make aluminum frames for Kross in Taiwan so LeGrand bikes are probably assembled in Poland from parts sourced in Taiwan or China. Kross must be planning to switch to using the Polish-made motor, if they aren't in fact using it already, because of the EU rule of origin Customs Code number 87.11 requiring 45% of the value of bicycle content be made or assembled in Europe before import tariffs are applied.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

My friend deserves something better than a Bafang

I looked at the Gazelle. The models with integrated batteries seem to be beyond the price limit.

So far, the Giant e-bikes we discussed before seem to be the most attractive, specs vs price, looks. Add to it the support of the LBS and we are there.

 

[Oberst]

My friend deserves something better than a Bafang

I looked at the Gazelle. The models with integrated batteries seem to be beyond the price limit.

So far, the Giant e-bikes we discussed before seem to be the most attractive, specs vs price, looks. Add to it the support of the LBS and we are there.

One feature of the LaFree E+1 that might be worthwhile considering is that, while you have 5 assist levels, you can also set it to almost an auto mode where it senses things like inclines, torque, etc and automatically adjusts the assist level for the rider, similar to the Trek EMBT mode

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I didn't even know Giant were a Taiwanese company. That explains different models for different markets. Besides, the frame of my Specialized e-bike was made in Taiwan, too.

 

[Saratoga Dave]

Stefan, does Giant sell their Liv brand in Poland? A women’s specific version of their bikes, supposedly. The Liv Amiti would hit all your points, and they’re very attractive bikes as well.

 

[Marci jo]

Stefan, you mentioned step thru frame. How low of a step thru? Are the Comos/Vados low enough? I would consider my Vado a mid-step but it’s a couple years old. The 2020 frames might be different.

Are any low step Treks available? There might be more options available in Europe than there are here in US. Your friend is fortunate to have access to your experience.

 

[PatriciaK]

I

One feature of the LaFree E+1 that might be worthwhile considering is that, while you have 5 assist levels, you can also set it to almost an auto mode where it senses things like inclines, torque, etc and automatically adjusts the assist level for the rider, similar to the Trek EMBT mode

I ride my +2 on auto assist all the time - the only thing I do is change gears when necessary, and I find it's not necessary very often - usually ride between 3rd and 5th, occasionally downshifting to 2nd if the hill is really big and long, or 8th if I'm on a long flat and want to pedal. I love that feature!