@Taylor57
Considering my experience with the Sport, although the bike is great, my next ebike purchase will most likely be through an LBS.
I had to take my Sport to shop to get it checked out anyways, if I'm upping my budget (like you), I might as well go the full service route for peace of mind.
I know there are lots of happy Frey owners, but that's still an "Internet" purchase... have you looked at Haibike? Those are usually in stores too... I'm considering the Yamaha Cross Core or if I find a bag of gold, the Vado SL.
Riding both a Riese & Muller Delite as well as a Trek Allant +9.9s my best advice is to go with the full suspension bike. As much as I enjoy riding the Allant with its snappy, responsive, sporty ride, if I had to chose just one bike I would go with the full suspension Delite.
What no one has mentioned is that the full suspension bike is not only more comfortable but it offer better control and safety. A suspension keeps the tires on the ground and allows the bike to "float" above them. When a zero suspension bike goes over bumps it breaks contact with the ground. This results in a diminution of braking and reduction of control steering through curves. The brakes only work and the bike will only turn when the tires are in contact with the road surface. Any loss of contact is a reduction in braking and steering.
If you are going to be using the bike as a vehicle replacement. The value of having a high quality bike that will be more durable and dependable cannot be overstated. Given that even the best bike will need occasional service and repair, paying the extra money to get it from a good LBS with a trained mechanical team and a commitment to keeping your bike running reliably and safely is well worth it.
I can't say enough good things about the Riese and Muller full suspension touring bikes (Delite and Homage) but they are a premium bike at a premium price. Both the Bulls Iconic Evo TR1, recently reviewed by Court , and the Moustache Friday FS are full suspension touring bikes that look worthy of a careful look and closer to your stated budget.
BULLS ICONIC EVO TR 1 SPEED Review | ElectricBikeReview.com
Price: $5599.00 | Model Year: 2020 | A unique full suspension cross country commuter electric bike designed for comfort and speed, Class 3 rated 28mph performance reduces commute times, high volume Schwalbe tires offer comfort and stability in a variety of terrains, wider Boost hub spacing and...electricbikereview.com
Electrical Bikes powered by Bosch - Moustache Bikes
Moustache is the strong belief that the electric bicycle represents an incredible opportunity for the development of bicycle use! We believe it is the perfect tool to leave the car in the garage.moustachebikes.com
Where are you located? That Moustache is very well equipped with the 625 battery, Supernova lights and horn, fenders, etc. Propel is a Bulls and Moustache dealer with locations in Longbeach, California and Brooklyn, NY. The biggest problem these days is availability with the covid rush on bikes and all.Right now I am probably leaning towards the Iconic with the upgraded display. Now it's just a matter of where I would buy it and how long it would take to get my butt on it! It appears my LBS is a Trek dealer but I see nothing about Bulls...
Where are you located? That Moustache is very well equipped with the 625 battery, Supernova lights and horn, fenders, etc. Propel is a Bulls and Moustache dealer with locations in Longbeach, California and Brooklyn, NY. The biggest problem these days is availability with the covid rush on bikes and all.
Did you upgrade your display?I’ve got the Bulls iconic speed 2021. Having ridden the prior year model in 44cm, the 21 is a huge upgrade. The price is $1000 more at 6500 but it is worth it. The bike is a lot quieter and more responsive and includes a seat dropper post. I’m loving this bike right now.
I will tell you in my opinion you should go with the largest frame that you can. I went with the 54 cm and I am 6 feet 210. The bigger frame really makes the bike float over imperfections and it is quieter as well. There’s a lot more structural integrity like a RM.
Did you upgrade your display?
I like the look of this Frey in this color scheme. How should I order? From Frey or Aliexpress?