How wrong am I?

[steve mercier]

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.

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.

I really like those bikes ...I had a Verve + 2 as a loaner for a week. I had the hi step frame with the Active line motor. I weight 155 at 5'8 " . I think you might want to get the Active -plus motor at your height and weight. I cannot speak to the stiffness of the step thru. If you want to go faster consider another bike with the Performance line speed or my fave the strongest Performance CX motor. There is no substite for torque.

 

[Alaskan]

The new Bosch gen 4 speed motor with 75 Newton meters torque is a great hill climber. The last two blocks riding up the hill to our house are a 17 degree slope. In sport mode I can climb it in 2nd gear without straining. If you want a class 3 the Allant 7s Stagger (s=speed) is a great bike with the speed motor and a front shock. For $400 less you can go the the Bosch CX version class 1 Allant 7 low step. The CX motor is a much more satisfying and able ride than the active line motor. It is $500 more than the Verve 3 but you get some very meaningful improvements for the $$.

Allant+ 7 Lowstep - Trek Bikes

Discover your next great ride with Allant+ 7 Lowstep. See the bike and visit your local Trek retailer. Shop now!

www.trekbikes.com

Best advice is to test ride them all and then decide. Keep in mind that the most common comment by new ebikers is, "I never imagined that I would ride so often or so far". That being the case I have yet to read comments by anyone wishing they had not spent so much on their bike.

 

[steve mercier]

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

That Trek model looks very good indeed. The Explore E + 2 STA is nice too. My son in law and sister in law have bikes with the same motor and it pulls very strongly up hills too.

 

[Phyz]

The new Bosch gen 4 speed motor with 75 Newton meters torque is a great hill climber. ... If you want a class 3 the Allant 7s Stagger (s=speed) is a great bike with the speed motor and a front shock. For $400 less you can go the the Bosch CX version class 1 Allant 7 low step. The CX motor is a much more satisfying and able ride than the active line motor. It is $500 more than the Verve 3 but you get some very meaningful improvements for the $$.

Allant+ 7 Lowstep - Trek Bikes

Discover your next great ride with Allant+ 7 Lowstep. See the bike and visit your local Trek retailer. Shop now!

www.trekbikes.com

Keep in mind that the most common comment by new ebikers is, "I never imagined that I would ride so often or so far". That being the case I have yet to read comments by anyone wishing they had not spent so much on their bike.

You are clearly a terrible person, Alaskan . You're 100% right in that I don't know what future-me will think of the decision I make. That's why I'm here. And then you go upsetting me to the next model up? Sheesh! My money is not safe around you. It does look like there are some nice upgrades on the Allant+7. Beefier motor, bigger discs, big-boy charger. Now I have to rewatch Court's review...

Anyway, thanks!

 

[Alaskan]

You are clearly a terrible person, Alaskan . Anyway, thanks!

I really didn't need you to tell me this. I'm married

 

[Alaskan]

A

I really didn't need you to tell me this. I'm married

That last one was a Rodney dangerfield inspired retort.

In the interest of truth & fairness I have to say that Nancy, my wife of 37 years, is loving, very supportive, tells me what I need to hear but almost always with kindness.

 

[Black47]

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.

I think that hill just north of the American River on Sunrise would be a good test. I tried out a Trek Verve step thru last year as well as a high step and there was a noticeable difference in ability to climb hills in my opinion and I live in Salem, Oregon. I also test rode a Giant LaFree and would recommend it over the Verve. I really like the local Trek dealer, but the Verve doesn't make it for me. I was all set to buy the LaFree to some knee issues popped up and my wife's business is on hold until who knows when.

 

[Browneye]

You really can't miss with anything from the big-3 - Trek, Giant, or Specialized. They're all great bikes.
Visit as many shops and test as many bikes as you can stand. You'll find one that clicks with you, features and price.

A step-thru is fine, some are mens models and some are definitely ladies models - color and styling. But if that frame style appeals for versatility they are a good solution.

All three brands have reliable assist systems and good range. All are supported by a good dealer network and manufacturer backing. You really can't miss.

Some of the bike paths have a speed class limitation, but California has lumped C1 and C2 together - the only difference is a throttle assist in the C2. None of the Big-3 bikes have a throttle. The C3 are faster bikes which some commuters and serious riders appreciate and require. For many others, the 20mph limit is fine. Most of my riding is with the wife - us two old riders don't even go that fast, so it's a non-issue. Most people are riding 12-15mph casually, and on bike paths, especially if there are pedestrians or traffic. The faster speeds also have a cost in battery capacity and price point as well.

If I was a road-rider and rode with a fast group then absolutely the faster bike would have appeal.

Good luck and let us know what you find out there.

 

[Black47]

I think that hill just north of the American River on Sunrise would be a good test. I tried out a Trek Verve step thru last year as well as a high step and there was a noticeable difference in ability to climb hills in my opinion and I live in Salem, Oregon. I also test rode a Giant LaFree and would recommend it over the Verve. I really like the local Trek dealer, but the Verve doesn't make it for me. I was all set to buy the LaFree to some knee issues popped up and my wife's business is on hold until who knows when.

BTW, I have a belt drive on my non electric bike and I love it since I live in a downtown area where I usually can't go more than two blocks without a stop sign or light. With a belt drive you don't need to be pedaling to shift, so if you miss a light you can down shift while you wait. Since there is more torque on the chain in a mid-drive ebike a belt is probably a better option. One thing is that you should slow your pedaling when you shift with the belt and the gears in the rear hub.

 

[Phyz]

Just shopping for a bike during lockdown is going to be a challenge. Verve+ 3s don’t seem to be out in the world. Many LBSs are flat out closed. Some are open to do repairs / maintenance only. The ones that have hours require appointments, physical distancing, and antiseptic wipedowns before and after.

I’m not in a huge hurry. And I don’t think I could be. As far as I could tell, no one local has Verve+ 3s or LaFree E+1s in stock. They might have Allants, but regular 7s rather than 7Ss, 8s, 9.9s ... ? Step through ... in my size?

Giant says to expect delays on any orders. I don’t know what Trek’s manufacturing situation is.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

It's a pity Phyz you've missed the Specialized sales of Turbo Vado and Como ver 4.0, the one with the double rebate. I can tell you from my own experience you would have not regretted buying one of those, especially in the step-through make.

 

[Phyz]

Once I perfect my Time Machine, first thing I’ll do... well, maybe second. Check that, third. Nope, fourth. Fourth for sure!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Have you ever said what your budget was?

 

[Phyz]

Good point. I’m fairly relaxed at $3000. I can go higher, but I’ll certainly need to fall in love.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

But the belly vents for the motor looked like a dust magnet, and people complain about grinding in the motor.

It is Trek Allant 9.9s that has the grinding motor The Brose motor found in Comos and Vados is the most silent e-bike motor known. Because it produces no noise whatsoever.

I cannot say anything for the Como but I own the Vado (step-through). The fenders in the Vado are so good I rode the e-bike even through liquid mud and guess what? The motor stayed clean. Ask other users of the Vado. I think you could take a closer look at the Vado 4.0. The price is US$3550 now. Or the 3.0 for $2700. Many people considering the Como eventually chose the Vado.

 

[Phyz]

The Vado is a sexy beast, and I’ll dive into it to be sure. The Brose motor noise issue is raised by an actual dealer (Court’s friend, Charlie in DC) at about the 13:00 mark on the Como 4.0 review.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

That must have been an individual case.

 

[Phyz]

Issues of dissatisfaction tend to be magnified in fora and online reviews. But this was a candid insight coming from an actual LBS dealer. He tempered it with praise for Specialized’s technical support, though.

 

[Phyz]

Now leaning heavily toward the Vado 4.0 "Step Through" (mid-step, honestly). I blame the forum!

 

[MAPC]

Now leaning heavily toward the Vado 4.0 "Step Through" (mid-step, honestly). I blame the forum!

I don’t have enough miles on my Vado yet to give you a truly informed perspective but I will say that I am incredibly happy with my purchase.

Just did a quick 5 mile ride around the ‘hood before dinner. I’m not one for marketing hype but Specialized was spot on when they said ‘it’s you...only faster’.