HELP! Need advise on picking the right e bike

[PedalUma]

Hmmm......class 3 and under 40 lbs. Might be a challenge.
There’s a Trek Domane+ HP, carbon frame road bike, 37 lbs, Class 3 but it’s around $10,000.
Maybe one of the Cannondales, their bikes are fairly light.
Another point too, removing the battery before loading can bring down the weight.

I made one that is 31.5. Thru frame wiring. The sack is for storage. Not operations. The thing that looks somewhat like a water bottle is the superior cell battery. It is all open source. No dealers required. Zero in to see the wire from the battery to the motor.

 

[archerlc]

Hello, I found this group by accident while doing research on e bikes. The only thing I do know is the size. I would like one that will blend in with the cycling group I ride with. I am getting up there in age, hills have always been an issue and I did not ride at all last year with the pandemic. I will be peddling myself on the flat, I just need assistance on the hills. I like the looks of the specialized turbo Vado 4.0 thoughts? Is there any others I should be considering? Also weight would be an issue as I need to lift it to put on my rack. Thank you all for any guidance you can send my way.

My opinion: Get a mid drive bike. All of the motor brands are good but Bosch is very good. As for bike manufacturers stick with the major four. I have 2 eBikes. The handlebars can be raised by inserting a riser piece.

 

[Lgs0407]

I am almost done making one. Does it look electric? The battery will look like a standard water bottle. It is 80Nm with the torque sensor between the pedals. These bikes ride side by side with the Vado 5.0. I purchased it on Friday PM and sold it after test rides of my other bikes at Noon-thirty on Saturday when 1/2 completed. The new owner has tested Creo's and was going down that path.

What is the product you are using to make it electric?

 

[Alaskan]

For the OP. IF you can find a Cannondale Tesoro Neo X1 I think it might check all your boxes and is under 5k. Personally I would replace that pogo stick seat post with a Kinekt Body Float for much more custom tuned rear comfort and compliance. Otherwise this is a well equipped, nicely designed bike with a very capable shimano 12 speed, 11-51, wide gear range drive train and reliable, Bosch electrical components.

Tesoro Neo X 1

This on-road/off-road ebike is a fully loaded trekking machine. Get out of the rat-race and into the wilderness.

www.cannondale.com

 

[Alaskan]

I would love to find a specialized Vado 5.0, I need the lightest bike I can get. I can’t lift the 40+ pound bike to put on my car. I need a small or xs, I’m only 5’ 2”, and I prefer upright as possible, arthritis. I need a class 3, the people I ride with are fast. I live in central Florida. No Specialized Vado small anywhere. Has anyone heard if they will be making more anytime soon? Or recommend another light bike?

The Specialized turbo Creos and the Trek Domaine HP plus these two are the only sub 40 lb. class 3 ebikes I know of.

Cannondale Topstone Neo Carbon 2

Cannondale Topstone Neo Carbon 2 Speed Electric Bike - 2021 | REI Co-op

Off-road capable and on-road comfortable, the Cannondale Topstone Neo Carbon 2 Speed e-bike is a gravel bike like no other, withpedal assist up to 28 mph and a range of up to 78 mi.

www.rei.com

Niner RLT-E9-RDO

RLT e9 RDO E-Gravel Road Bike

The RLT e9 RDO is a multipurpose e-gravel bike for any adventure. We’re calling it our first e-gravel bike, but it’s more like a pedal-powered SUV.

ninerbikes.com

 

[RunForTheHills]

For the OP. IF y

For the OP. IF you can find a Cannondale Tesoro Neo X1 I think it might check all your boxes and is under 5k. Personally I would replace that pogo stick seat post with a Kinekt Body Float for much more custom tuned rear comfort and compliance. Otherwise this is a well equipped, nicely designed bike with a very capable shimano 12 speed, 11-51, wide gear range drive train and reliable, Bosch electrical components.

Tesoro Neo X 1

This on-road/off-road ebike is a fully loaded trekking machine. Get out of the rat-race and into the wilderness.

www.cannondale.com

View attachment 85056

While the Tesoro does look like a great bike, does a 51 lb front suspension bike with a rack really tick the boxes for someone looking for a lightweight ebike to ride self powered on group rides and just looking for a little help with the hills?

 

[Alaskan]

While the Tesoro does look like a great bike, does a 51 lb front suspension bike with a rack really tick the boxes for someone looking for a lightweight ebike to ride self powered on group rides and just looking for a little help with the hills?

Rack and fenders are easily removed, although some prefer to ride in groups with fenders, especially if they live in a wetter climate zone. On the Tesoro, rear fender stays would have to be fitted if the rack was removed but the fenders remained. As to the front suspension fork, I assumed, as an older rider, the greater comfort afforded by a suspension fork will enable the rider to sustain longer rides, paying less of a price in pain and discomfort after the ride.

As a class 1 (sub 20mph) with flat bars, and a more upright riding position for less than $5,000 this bike ticks most of the boxes for the OP and weighs the same as the Turbo Vado 4 in which he expressed an interest. If one wants to shed much more weight, then carbon fiber is the best way to do that but the price will be driven well beyond the OP's budget. The Trek Allant series might have a model that works but they are pricier and weigh even more.

 

[Lgs0407]

I like the cannondale‘s mentioned above. looking at Trek too at this point too. Nice Bosch batteries. The next biggest issue is finding them locally so I can get service if needed. There is a Trek store in my town. The next closet dealer for a decent e bike Is 50 miles. I may have to venture over to see what they can get. My limit is $5,000 MAX.

 

[RunForTheHills]

Rack and fenders are easily removed, although some prefer to ride in groups with fenders, especially if they live in a wetter climate zone. On the Tesoro, rear fender stays would have to be fitted if the rack was removed but the fenders remained. As to the front suspension fork, I assumed, as an older rider, the greater comfort afforded by a suspension fork will enable the rider to sustain longer rides, paying less of a price in pain and discomfort after the ride.

As a class 1 (sub 20mph) with flat bars, and a more upright riding position for less than $5,000 this bike ticks most of the boxes for the OP and weighs the same as the Turbo Vado 4 in which he expressed an interest. If one wants to shed much more weight, then carbon fiber is the best way to do that but the price will be driven well beyond the OP's budget. The Trek Allant series might have a model that works but they are pricier and weigh even more.

That's true, but the Turbo Vado SL is advertised as 33 lbs and under $5000. A 50+ lb bike would likely do the job for him, but I don't think he would be able to keep up with his group doing 15-17 MPH without using some motor assist on the flats. He is probably used to riding a bike weighing 20 lbs or less.

 

[Alaskan]

Neither the OP nor anyone else has mentioned the Turbo Vado SL which is an awesome bike and also ticks many of the OP's buttons. Having test ridden the Turbo Creo which is a drop bar bike with the same drive train, motor and battery, the only caution I would mention is that with its 35 Nm motor it is not much of a hill climber for an older rider, compared with 85 Nm on a Bosch or 90 Nm Brose as on some of the other, heavier Specialized bikes. If a test ride shows that it provides adequate assist on the hills/mountains the OP is concerned about, then this is indeed an excellent choice.

Reading reviews and getting input from forums like this one are valuable initial steps in sorting out the options and narrowing the list down to a few good options. The final and essential key to ending up with the right bike is the test ride.

 

[PedalUma]

@Lgs0407, I have used a wide array of systems. I like the TS. Here it is on a 41.4 pound bike I finished this morning with an internally geared hub. It is for a Nurse with carpel tunnel who cannot put too much pressure on her wrists and cannot comfortably use hand brake levers. So it is a coaster brake torque sensor. The extra weight is due to the accessories, gel saddle, and the heavy-duty chain and internally geared hub. It does 27.7 with 80Nm. This curvy frame is chromoly, triple butted and handmade in Europe. Check the cup holder and polished crank arms.
The saddle is too high because I test rode it and it is a S/M frame.

 

[Lgs0407]

@Lgs0407, I have used a wide array of systems. I like the TS. Here it is on a 41.4 pound bike I finished this morning with an internally geared hub. It is for a Nurse with carpel tunnel who cannot put too much pressure on her wrists and cannot comfortably use hand brake levers. So it is a coaster brake torque sensor. The extra weight is due to the accessories, gel saddle, and the heavy-duty chain and internally geared hub. It does 27.7 with 80Nm. This curvy frame is chromoly, triple butted and handmade in Europe. Check the cup holder and polished crank arms.
The saddle is too high because I test rode it and it is a S/M frame.

What state are you in? I Have a bike I would love to have that done to.