HELP with first e-bike selection

[e-ocean]

HELP! I am looking to purchase my first e-bike, and am totally overwhelmed by the choices.

I am 5’11’’, 180 lbs
I will be a weekend rider, located in the East Bay hills (SF Bay Area).

I am hoping to find a Class II or Class III that can be downgraded due to local laws. I will be riding bike paths, trails, and hills (5-10% grade)
Trail riding will be fire roads, and gravel roads, nothing too technical

Looking for a all terrain e-bike or e-MTB style
Like my riding position to be forward rather than upright

I've been doing a ton of research on the forums and have decide on these specs as being most important to me:

cadence/torque sensor (with throttle)
rear hub drive or mid drive
500W or 750W motor
Front or full suspension
hydraulic disc brakes
2.3” to 3.5” tires
26-27.5” wheel
17-19” frame
mileage (30 miles+)
torque 60Nm+
Budget < $3500

So far, I have only tested one e-mtb (Giant Talon 29’er) as there are not a lot of affordable LBS in my area besides Trek, Pedego, etc. that are out of my price range. I am pretty settled on buying online, but would like the opportunity to return if fit doesn’t work out...

The models I have been looking at due to having some of the specs I am looking for are:
RadPower
Bixtrix Juggernaut
Evolo Aries Mid Drive or Delta X
Voltbike Outback
Juiced CrossCurrent
M2S R750

Thanks!

 

[Dewey]

Are you looking for guidance on the buying experience from owners of those brands eg how easy it to return a RadPower vs a Biktrix? What level of after-sales support folk are getting from mail order bikes? Those are good questions that are often discussed if you check out the brands you're interested in here https://electricbikereview.com/forums/categories/discussion-by-brand-user-reviews.168/

You should get more responsive customer service buying from a local bike shop. Is the throttle a must? You're ruling out Class 1 ebikes from quality brands like the Yamaha YDZ Torc, Giant Explore E+, or eMTB's using the Shimano Steps motor, which have good warranties.

 

[e-ocean]

I am looking for guidance on whether the specs I have identified would be good for a first e-bike, and if any owners recommend specific brands that meet those specs. I am hoping to avoid the return aspect by making an informed choice, but I would probably rule out any brands that don't offer return on a bike that does not fit me, unless I can try it first.

 

[Dewey]

The bikes you list should meet your specs, as you are concerned about returns I suggest reading the returns policy of each retailer to find out who pays for shipping, assembly/disassembly, and if there is a restocking fee. RadPower is trying harder by listing local test ride options. The others you're going to have to ask in local SF bike shops and online cycling and ebike forums if anyone who owns that type of bike is local to you and willing to let you test ride.

 

[ChezCheese:)]

If we don't patronize local bike shops, we will soon not have any, and then where will you go when you need something fixed or adjusted? You watch every video and read every review, but it's really down to what feels best. I had only ridden one and thought it was great (and it still is), but I went down the rabbithole of online research, and thought another make and model would be thr one I'd choose. I tried it at the ebike shop and didn't like the way it felt. So I tried 3 others. My legs were getting tired, so I resolved to come back another time. And I did, and tried 4 more, including the last one I'd tried the first time around. Then I went to 3 other bike shops and tried a bunch more. And I finally decided on that one I'd tried twice, a bike (BH Atom Diamond Wave Pro) made by a company I'd never heard of (BH?? Who dat??) If I had gone with only online research, I would have made a mistake, is my point. Buying an ebike online is penny wise and pound foolish, unless you have no other choice.

 

[AHicks]

If we don't patronize local bike shops, we will soon not have any, and then where will you go when you need something fixed or adjusted? You watch every video and read every review, but it's really down to what feels best. I had only ridden one and thought it was great (and it still is), but I went down the rabbithole of online research, and thought another make and model would be thr one I'd choose. I tried it at the ebike shop and didn't like the way it felt. So I tried 3 others. My legs were getting tired, so I resolved to come back another time. And I did, and tried 4 more, including the last one I'd tried the first time around. Then I went to 3 other bike shops and tried a bunch more. And I finally decided on that one I'd tried twice, a bike (BH Atom Diamond Wave Pro) made by a company I'd never heard of (BH?? Who dat??) If I had gone with only online research, I would have made a mistake, is my point. Buying an ebike online is penny wise and pound foolish, unless you have no other choice.

Just to provide a counterpoint, so much of this buying at a dealer (LBS) depends on several factors, not the least of which is if you can/are willing to provide your own service. If no, you have limited choices. The other big one, easily as important as the first, is regarding your local dealers. Some are totally up tight about e-bikes with very snooty attitudes regarding them. They either don't handle them at all, or they handle only high end bikes - that they know very little about when pushed for detailed answers regarding them.

If you are lucky enough to have access to a down to earth shop with staff that's pleasant to deal with and are well informed, consider yourself lucky, and do try to support them!

Point being, not all of us have dealers that are worth buying from. That does not mean you should avoid dealing with one, possibly visiting when you are seeking out parts for instance.

 

[FlatSix911]

I am looking for guidance on whether the specs I have identified would be good for a first e-bike, and if any owners recommend specific brands that meet those specs.
I am hoping to avoid the return aspect by making an informed choice, but I would probably rule out any brands that don't offer return on a bike that does not fit me, unless I can try it first.

Take a look at BikesDirect... http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/ebikes-electric-bikes-at-near-wholesale.html

 

[jim6b]

The OP's spec's include a wide range of the ebikes on the market. As we enter the winter months many of those bikes will go on sale, especially those that are being replaced by newer models. Mark downs of 30% (1/4 to 1/3rd off) can be had. This puts $5,000 bikes within range.

For example, Trek has replaced the Super Commuter models and the Cross-rip. Dealers with inventory will be looking to move out their inventory to make room for the new models. Same, to a lesser degree goes for the Specialized Vados. Suggest you familiarized yourself with these models and others up to $5k, so that if you walk into a dealer and see one that fits your specs and your price point . . .

 

[FlatSix911]

HELP! I am looking to purchase my first e-bike, and am totally overwhelmed by the choices.

I am 5’11’’, 180 lbs
I will be a weekend rider, located in the East Bay hills (SF Bay Area).

I am hoping to find a Class II or Class III that can be downgraded due to local laws. I will be riding bike paths, trails, and hills (5-10% grade)
Trail riding will be fire roads, and gravel roads, nothing too technical

Looking for a all terrain e-bike or e-MTB style
Like my riding position to be forward rather than upright

I've been doing a ton of research on the forums and have decide on these specs as being most important to me:

cadence/torque sensor (with throttle)
rear hub drive or mid drive
500W or 750W motor
Front or full suspension
hydraulic disc brakes
2.3” to 3.5” tires
26-27.5” wheel
17-19” frame
mileage (30 miles+)
torque 60Nm+
Budget < $3500

So far, I have only tested one e-mtb (Giant Talon 29’er) as there are not a lot of affordable LBS in my area besides Trek, Pedego, etc. that are out of my price range. I am pretty settled on buying online, but would like the opportunity to return if fit doesn’t work out...

The models I have been looking at due to having some of the specs I am looking for are:
RadPower
Bixtrix Juggernaut
Evolo Aries Mid Drive or Delta X
Voltbike Outback
Juiced CrossCurrent
M2S R750

Thanks!

I'm also located in the Bay Area... great riding weather year-round.

Based on your specs, the Shimano Steps mid-drive mountain bikes would be a good match.

$1699
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products...es/ebikes-electric-bikes-elite-eadventure.htm

$2699
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products...ikes-hal-e29-electric-mountain-bikes-29er.htm

$3499​

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products...ebikes-hal-eboost-electric-mountain-bikes.htm

 

[e-ocean]

Thanks for the comments and suggested resources. I ended up test riding about 10 Emtbs @ LBS' including the Giant Fathom_E, Specialized Turbo Levo, Magnum Peak, and Easy Motion Atom. I settled on a 2018 Easy Motion Atom X largely due to the quiet Brose S motor, stealthy design, and competitive pricing. Patiently awaiting its arrival...