Hunting a unicorn?

[steve mercier]

Took my first step into the rabbit hole this afternoon ... rode a specialized Cumo ? Como ? Whatever it was, it was nice. And spendy.And it fit inside my van.

Now you have it! Mid-drive or bust.

 

[Art Deco]

Not sure about "Middrive or bust" .. I'm basically cheap and enough of an enginneer to say that should NOT cost that much ... but still a nice bike from a LBS, that is important to me. but I set up a test ride with another LBS for whatever Treck is selling in a middrive next week. We will see ...

 

[GypsyTreker]

With external bike racks you have to consider that if you drive through a rain storm the bikes electrics are being pelted by rain at car speeds.

This is true. So far putting plastic bags over the switch, screen and throttle seems to have worked well through the few seriously drenching cloud bursts I have been caught in. If I am stationary a waterproof bike cover does fine. The controller on my bike is well sealed and the hub has not had issues. I chose a low end bike because I had no intention to change our current mode of road tripping, (Crosstrek/Aliner) however if we were to get a cargo van ( I just don't see $3+ gas on a prolonged basis anymore) to tow our pop up the bikes or at least mine could be kept inside. I would even look at a f/s fattie Hai seriously.

 

[dmark]

Biktrix Kutty folding bike with 750W (peak) Bafang hub motor, removable 48V 10.5 Ah battery, pedal assist and throttle, 8-gears, 20x4 tires, fenders, and rear rack for $1.6k

Specialty

Kutty eBikes are versatile and so handy. Equipped with a powerful rear hub motor, they're also fast and fun. A Biktrix Kutty folding electric bicycle is the eBike you can take everywhere you want to go.

www.biktrix.com

 

[dmark]

HPC Recon-M folding bike with 750W-2000W Bafang mid-drive, 48V 12.4-?35 Ah battery, pedal assist and throttle, standard MTB geometry, fenders, and rear rack starting at $3.8k

Recon-M

Inspired by Military design and based off of the legendary Montague Paratrooper frame, this folding bike offers high performance with ZERO compromises. Featuring high quality components and an incredibly folding frame, the HPC Recon offers unmatched portability while offering the same high...

hpcbikes.com

 

[Art Deco]

This is true. So far putting plastic bags over the switch, screen and throttle seems to have worked well through the few seriously drenching cloud bursts I have been caught in. If I am stationary a waterproof bike cover does fine. The controller on my bike is well sealed and the hub has not had issues. I chose a low end bike because I had no intention to change our current mode of road tripping, (Crosstrek/Aliner) however if we were to get a cargo van ( I just don't see $3+ gas on a prolonged basis anymore) to tow our pop up the bikes or at least mine could be kept inside. I would even look at a f/s fattie Hai seriously.

I wondered about how to cover bikes on a rear rack at 60+ mph, just hadn't gone that far yet. I doubt that my usual old tarp, duct tape, and bungee cords approach was recommended.

My van is diesel, so no cheap gas for me - but I get an honest 19mpg on a four ton vehicle, so I can't complain. Doesn't sound like your "low end" bikes have given you any reason to complain either. Good for you!

 

[Art Deco]

HPC Recon-M folding bike with 750W-2000W Bafang mid-drive, 48V 12.4-?35 Ah battery, pedal assist and throttle, standard MTB geometry, fenders, and rear rack starting at $3.8k

Recon-M

Inspired by Military design and based off of the legendary Montague Paratrooper frame, this folding bike offers high performance with ZERO compromises. Featuring high quality components and an incredibly folding frame, the HPC Recon offers unmatched portability while offering the same high...

hpcbikes.com

View attachment 51537

So a 26 inch middrive folder does exist ... and man are those unicorns ever expensive! Since I found out that I can stuff a couple of regular sized bikes inside the van, the folding has become a non issue for me, but still a nice find. Thanks anyway.

 

[Art Deco]

Ok, some updates on this search. BTW, this is all the fault of FlatSix911, SteveMercier, and GypsyTreker.

Recent rides are All Full Sized Middrives ...Specialized Como, Giant La Free, Townie 10D, and Trek Verve 3. Rented a pair of Trek Verve 2s for a weekend testdrive, and now consider those as the minimum acceptable bikes. Way over my original $1500 budget ... and I need to buy 2 bikes, 2 helmets, and all the accessories after modifying my campervan.

 

[FlatSix911]

Ok, some updates on this search. BTW, this is all the fault of FlatSix911, SteveMercier, and GypsyTreker.

Recent rides are All Full Sized Mid drives ...Specialized Como, Giant La Free, Townie 10D, and Trek Verve 3. Rented a pair of Trek Verve 2s for a weekend testdrive, and now consider those as the minimum acceptable bikes. Way over my original $1500 budget ... and I need to buy 2 bikes, 2 helmets, and all the accessories after modifying my campervan.

Glad to help a fellow engineer and EBR member.

Are you now looking for a pair of bikes to share the same battery and charger? Here a few recommendations:

His and her frame design with Shimano Mid-Drive E5000/6010M Front Suspension Hybrid $1,699

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

(Link Removed - No Longer Exists)

His and her frame design with Suntour E25 Rear Hub-Drive, Front Suspension Hybrid $1,299

 

[Nova Haibike]

Are you now looking for a pair of bikes to share the same battery and charger? Here a few recommendations:

His and her frame design with Shimano Mid-Drive E5000/6010M Front Suspension Hybrid $1,699

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

Bikes Direct has some poor bikes. Don't buy their cheap traditional bikes thinking you are getting a $700 bike for $300; they are $300 bikes. I have built those from the box and the quality is meh.

That said, their more expensive bikes are actually pretty decent. I have not seen these e-bikes in person, but they are very well spec'd. Even lacking reviews I would say they are good, and a good deal.

 

[FlatSix911]

Bikes Direct has some poor bikes. Don't buy their cheap traditional bikes thinking you are getting a $700 bike for $300; they are $300 bikes. I have built those from the box and the quality is meh.

That said, their more expensive bikes are actually pretty decent. I have not seen these e-bikes in person, but they are very well spec'd. Even lacking reviews I would say they are good, and a good deal.

I Agree, BD is definitely a mixed bag... stay away from the low-end stuff and you will be fine with the higher-spec Ebikes.

They have a well-respected line of Shimano E7000/E8000 mid-drive EMTBs and a new line of lightweight speed Gravel/Road bikes.

I would like to see Court do a few independent reviews on EBR.

Hot New eBikes! Save Up to 63% Off Electric Bicycles +FREE SHIP 48

Keep watching this page Hot New eBikes! Save Up to 63% Off Electric Bicycles +FREE SHIP 48

www.bikesdirect.com

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

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products...s-electric-gravel-road-bikes-emulekick-sl.htm

 

[Art Deco]

So this is what Iended up with. Turbo Como 3s. Almost complete opposite of what I thought i wanted when I started this search. After too much time on EBR and more test rides than my last few cars combined. Thanks to all of you

 

[Art Deco]

Hello All. I need some help with bikes for myself and my wife. Our commutes are short, but we live at the top of a serious mile long hill, and like many boomers we both need to lose 20 or 30 pounds. We have pretty good trails here in Pennsylvania for recreational cycling - the famous GAP rail trail is only one of many close by.

We have only ridden 2 ebikes so far, both were rear hub motor bikes in the $1500 range: 500w Voltbike marineers with 20 inch wheels and 250w Electra townies with 26 inch wheels. The Voltbikes folded, but were heavy, uncomfortable on a long ride, and seem overpowered (wheelies), while the townie was comfortable but seemed too weak for any real hills. But, I suspect that most decent ebikes would work so far.

However;

I bought a small camper conversion van for retirement travels. Once the van is set up on blocks, awning extended, and it is hooked up to water and such, it is immobile untill we break camp.

We will need electric assist to get into towns and tourist attractions, with hills and headwinds, and probably to haul groceries back to camp. Space inside the van is tight, but there is a space under the bed/dinette area and a space behind the drivers seat where we might store a couple of folding bikes, as an alternative to leaving expensive full sized ebikes on a hitch rack.

Folding bikes with 26" wheels are rare, and I suspect there may be a reason for that. One dealer compared them to steering a wet noodle. The only full sized folding electric bike I know of is the Sonders step. I know nothing about Sonders, but the LBS hates them. I found 2 companies selling full sized folders online - Montigue trail bikes and Bazooka beach bikes - and am now considering having one of them electrified. Hopefully, someone here has a better idea.

SHOW us YOUR PIX here .... Odd, WeiRd ,UnUSuAl or EyE CaTchIng things from your rides

I would love to see some more pics of your Montague and I'm sure I'm not alone. 👍 👍👍 After 18 years or so of riding "legacy"/non eMontagues, and knowing how tight the space was in my plane, when econversions first came on my radar I assumed they would not be practical for my particular...

electricbikereview.com

 

[Scarlet/Fire]

Hello All. I need some help with bikes for myself and my wife. Our commutes are short, but we live at the top of a serious mile long hill, and like many boomers we both need to lose 20 or 30 pounds. We have pretty good trails here in Pennsylvania for recreational cycling - the famous GAP rail trail is only one of many close by.

We have only ridden 2 ebikes so far, both were rear hub motor bikes in the $1500 range: 500w Voltbike marineers with 20 inch wheels and 250w Electra townies with 26 inch wheels. The Voltbikes folded, but were heavy, uncomfortable on a long ride, and seem overpowered (wheelies), while the townie was comfortable but seemed too weak for any real hills. But, I suspect that most decent ebikes would work so far.

However;

I bought a small camper conversion van for retirement travels. Once the van is set up on blocks, awning extended, and it is hooked up to water and such, it is immobile untill we break camp.

We will need electric assist to get into towns and tourist attractions, with hills and headwinds, and probably to haul groceries back to camp. Space inside the van is tight, but there is a space under the bed/dinette area and a space behind the drivers seat where we might store a couple of folding bikes, as an alternative to leaving expensive full sized ebikes on a hitch rack.

Folding bikes with 26" wheels are rare, and I suspect there may be a reason for that. One dealer compared them to steering a wet noodle. The only full sized folding electric bike I know of is the Sonders step. I know nothing about Sonders, but the LBS hates them. I found 2 companies selling full sized folders online - Montigue trail bikes and Bazooka beach bikes - and am now considering having one of them electrified. Hopefully, someone here has a better idea.

I love bikes and support local- but if the lbs has a bad attitude about your EBike- go elsewhere,in this whacked and rapidly changing economy- if the lbs doesn’t embrace ebikes frankly they have lost my business- Be like Gumby - Stay Flexible