How wrong am I?

[Phyz]

I'm jumping back onto a bike after too many years away and love the idea of an ebike. I've been binging reviews left, right, and center because I'm so out of the loop in terms of knowledge.

I'm finding myself attracted to the Trek Verve+ 3. I hope to do some commuting, bike path riding, suburban grocery market / restaurant / errand runs, pleasure cruising, and maybe some touring.

While I'm at it, I'm pondering the functionality of the high-step. If I load up with a trunk bag / panniers, why not go with a step-through. I'm in America: can I rock a step-through without surrendering my man card? (I promise I'll go with black rather than light teal!)

I know the age-old conventional wisdom is that you need the diamond frame for strength and stability. But all the modern-era reviews of step-throughs mention that the strength and stability is there. So I'm just not seeing the point of the high-step. Easier to mount on a carrier / rack? Seems like a weak reason.

I'm 6'1" and ... 250-260 lbs? (haven't own a scale for years). But I'm tall in the torso, not in the legs: inseam 32". So I think a Large would work well enough.

The Verve+ 3 doesn't seem to have made it out onto shop floors yet, so it looks like I'd need to order it and rely on Trek's ... 30-day love it or leave it? satisfaction guarantee.

Anyway, let me know if I'm wrong and which—if any—other models I should consider. TIA.

 

[DaveMatthews]

Might as well check out Giant for some various options including step through

 

[Phyz]

Might as well check out Giant for some various options including step through

Is there a particular Giant model that you like?

 

[MAPC]

Take a look at the Specialized Turbo Como as well.

 

[MAPC]

Also....is the Verve+ 3 a Class 1? I'd recommend a Class 3 like the Specialized.
If Class doesn't matter to you, or if you prefer a Class 1, the Verve does look nice.

 

[Phyz]

Is there any reason to worry that there are/will be places/paths where Class 1 is allowed but Class 3 is forbidden?

 

[MAPC]

Is there any reason to worry that there are/will be places/paths where Class 1 is allowed but Class 3 is forbidden?

Probably best to think about where you are likely to ride. Where I live there are very few, if any, regulated areas.

 

[PatriciaK]

Yep - previous versions of the Trek have not been as good on hills as the comparably priced Giant La Free line - not sure if the latest Trek Verve+ is any better. Also, for the same amount of money, you can get a belt drive model with the La Free.

 

[Phyz]

Verve+ 2 was powered by Bosch Active. Verve+ 3 is powered by Bosch Active Plus.

 

[PatriciaK]

Verve+ 2 was powered by Bosch Active. Verve+ 3 is powered by Bosch Active Plus.

I would try to ride both, on hills, before making my choice.

Fair notice: I own a La Free, and I love it . The area where I live is pretty hilly, and my knees also love my bike!

 

[MAPC]

I’m curious- does anyone know if the Verve 3 is class 1 or class 3? No reviews of it yet and can’t tell from the Trek site.
My LBS sells both...I didn’t really consider the Trek due to the killer deal that Specialized was offering last month on the Vado and Como 4.0’s.

 

[PDXzap]

Class 1.
From:

Verve+ 3 Gen 2 - Trek Bikes

Discover your next great ride with Verve+ 3. See the bike and visit your local Trek retailer. Shop now!

www.trekbikes.com

"A lightweight Alpha Gold Aluminum frame, a 250-watt Bosch Active Line Plus motor capable of sustaining speeds up to 20 mph..."

 

[Phyz]

I’ll certainly check out the LaFree. Trying it on hills may be a challenge here in Sacramento because this town to unforgivably flat.

The belt drive is intriguing.

I worry a bit about the forward travel on the pedal putting your foot so close to the front wheel when turning.

I’m too dumb to know if the placement of the battery should worry me at all.

 

[PatriciaK]

I’ll certainly check out the LaFree. Trying it on hills may be a challenge here in Sacramento because this town to unforgivably flat.

The belt drive is intriguing.

I worry a bit about the forward travel on the pedal putting your foot so close to the front wheel when turning.

I’m too dumb to know if the placement of the battery should worry me at all.

Battery placement is not a problem for me. Though I have thought on occasion about getting a basket for the front to use for groceries.

I have the lower priced E+2, which has traditional chain instead of belt, and no integrated lights. I waffled for months between the two models until my LBS had a sale that knocked another few hundred bucks off the price of my model.

I would technically be a small frame, but when I rode it I experienced the toe hitting you mentioned - when I sized up to medium, I didn't have the issue any more. I think the guy doing the review was a taller guy riding a medium, rather then large, frame.

 

[Gordon71]

Is there any reason to worry that there are/will be places/paths where Class 1 is allowed but Class 3 is forbidden?

The park near me has a series of gravel bike/walking trails. There is a sign at all entrances that reads Class 2 and 3 forbidden,20MPH. In my case,I have a Rad Rover step through which is Class 2. Before I ride those trails I unplug my throttle which effectively converts it to Class 1.

 

[DaveMatthews]

Is there a particular Giant model that you like?

Well I have a 2019 Fathom E+2 but that doesn't seem close to what you're looking for.
You can see them here...

Men's Electric Bicycles l ebike l e-bikes | Giant Bicycles US

Shop Giant for top performing e-bikes and electric bicycles. Get on your way more efficiently than ever before with a Giant off-road or city E-bike. Get your electric bike today.

www.giant-bicycles.com

 

[MAPC]

Class 1.
From:

Verve+ 3 Gen 2 - Trek Bikes

Discover your next great ride with Verve+ 3. See the bike and visit your local Trek retailer. Shop now!

www.trekbikes.com

"A lightweight Alpha Gold Aluminum frame, a 250-watt Bosch Active Line Plus motor capable of sustaining speeds up to 20 mph..."
[/QUOTE

I would have ruled it out based on that...nice looking bike though, and Trek makes good product.

 

[Phyz]

I don't foresee a need for speed in the kind of riding I anticipate, so Class 3 isn't tugging that hard on me. I like the Abus key-to-like system for battery and locks. Bosch seems bulletproof to my neophyte eye. Logistically, Trek seems like the easiest to buy through an LBS here in Sacramento during COVID lockdown.

 

[MAPC]

I don't foresee a need for speed in the kind of riding I anticipate, so Class 3 isn't tugging that hard on me. I like the Abus key-to-like system for battery and locks. Bosch seems bulletproof to my neophyte eye. Logistically, Trek seems like the easiest to buy through an LBS here in Sacramento during COVID lockdown.

Definitely not a bad choice but I'd suggest you also look at Turbo Vado/Turbo Como...should be just as easy to find locally. Compare and see which one is best for you.

 

[Phyz]

Definitely not a bad choice but I'd suggest you also look at Turbo Vado/Turbo Como...should be just as easy to find locally. Compare and see which one is best for you.

Thanks for that. I looked at the Como 4.0 and there is a lot to like.

The range on that cassette is insane. Styling is great. Through-axles are solid. Saddle looked comfy. Charge-port placement and battery port cover are thoughtful and well designed. Bluetooth connectivity is a plus.

But the belly vents for the motor looked like a dust magnet, and people complain about grinding in the motor. The price point seems high, but not a deal-breaker. Tail light just under the seat is a miss. I guess I could add a rack for trunk/panniers on my own. And plastic fenders?