"Homer Simpson" researching ebikes - long time, no ride...

[Tss]

5'7", 290 lb, 66 year old disabled vet been pouring over the internet websites & you tube videos for a couple months. I am looking to move into Eugene, Oregon from a nearby rural setting, then get rid of my auto. I am NOT mechanically-inclined, not a speed demon, safety-oriented, and hoping to find my LAST means of transport (reliability, longevity, etc.) with this, my first ebike purchase. So many possibilities! Four have made their way onto my "list" so far:
Electric Bike Company Model S , EProdigy Magic Pro , Gazelle Arroyo C8 HMB Elite , EVELO Aurora Limited. I am hoping to get test rides on the middle two this coming week locally; the Evelo maybe next week up in Seattle - can't get down to southern CA for the first one though. If anyone has any thoughts on these, or any other ebikes that you feel might fit my particular situation (budget up to 5k), I would really appreciate feedback. Thank you all so much for sharing on these forums! Tim

 

[Mulezen]

Disabled Vet also though with four years on you. Most important is good local support (LBS) I got the Trek Super commuter 7 though I wish I would have gotten the 8. The New Trek Allant 8 would work for you. Other companies like Specialized and Giant with a national presence also. I’ve been intrigued by what I’ve read about the Evelo with its belt drive and internal gearing. Speed demon or not get a class 3 unless this limits you from local trails

 

[Feliz]

I have the Magic Pro and wouldn't really recommend it.

 

[indianajo]

Uh, how are you getting the groceries home? The home store supplies? I live without a car, get help from the wife who drives everywhere, once or twice a year. I have the rear panniers (bags), an extra aluminum frame on top of the standard rack, the battery hung off the fixed "breadbasket" mount in the frame on the front, and can gross 80 lb cargo without popping the 2" tires. I can carry boards & pipe hung from the front handlebar by string and tied to the back with string. I ride 70 miles a week in the summer & 20 in the winter, 1/3 electrically summer, 0% electrically winter.
I use the cargo bike left, which I converted myself from a yubabikes bodaboda. The extra 6" in the frame puts my weight on the front wheel, avoiding chin on the road incidents that happend on the 3 previous bikes, MTB's and cruisers with steel baskets. Too much weight on the back lifts the front, contributes to front wheel snapping sideways on obstructions, is my theory. 4 times in 5 years, broke it the last time.
Already built electric cargo bikes are xtracycle, pedego stretch, radwagon, yuba mondo, reiss & mueller various . I don't recommend the drop frame bodaboda shown left because it is for small people like me. My pants legs should be 28" but I cant buy them that short. Rad has a really cheap DD motor, I recommend that for only the flattest terrain. You said you are not handy, probably should buy a turnkey bike, preferably from a dealer. I'm using a geared hub motor suited for the 72 short hills out near my summer camp. Mid drive bikes require chain maintenance. I mostly change tires (2000 miles) cables (2 years unless HiQ like the jaguar stainless I bought for replacement) and brake pads (4000 miles). I find 5/32" thick knobby kenda tires don't get flats until the knobs are about 1/16", where I change them out. Flats are a p*** with cargo. I carry a full set of tools, 2 tubes & a lyzene pump everywhere. Also a 7' x 12 mm steel cable & master lock. My lights are aftermarket, screwed to rack in the back, rubber band mount in the front.
See the cargo bike category in the "by type" forums below. I wouldn't buy a front bin cargo bike unless you live in an area with very low wind. We get 28 mph in the face a lot of fall days.
I'm a 69 yo fully abled vet , except my viet nam era knees won't let me run anymore, or walk downstairs without a handrail. No cartlege. The more I pedal the less my knees hurt. Go figure. (see Dr. Ken Cooper). I bought electricity because 28 mph headwinds can make my 3.5 hour commute from camp a 6 hour ordeal human powered. After 5 hours my a** hurts from sitting down. I don't need THAT much exercise.

 

[MarkF]

I like the Evelo with belt drive. That's the one I wanted anyway but was out of my price range

 

[OrTrek]

Can't say what to get Tss. But you're moving to a bike Mecca. Great infrastructure. #3 per PeopleForBikes - even better than PDX. So would assume Eugene has some very good dealers - which IMO is vital.

Love the Oakridge/Westfir area. Summit Lake - best kayak lake in the state. I really don't know your complete situation, but it may not be best to completely abandon the auto. Get whatever bike for the "city" AND (if you don't already have one) a JeepTJ, XJ, older gen Tacoma/4Runner or Ford Ranger or a Gen 1 or 2 Subaru Forester (they're all bullet proof and rust free if from OR) and you're golden for the Cascades and Coast ranges around you. Just guessing from where you're from you'd miss the "boondocks".

 

[AHicks]

The older I get, the more I struggle with the concept of completely abandoning a car of some sort as well (even if it's a beater).

Bike idea is great, but you need a plan B.

 

[Tss]

Really appreciate all the responses. Two points stand out for me: the value of a LBS regardless of which ebike I ultimately choose & rethinking my view on retaining my auto down the line. Tomorrow is my test ride day in Eugene (OrTrek - I currently do live in Westfir btw); looking forward to that. Thank you all for the advice & perspectives. Tim