I think I've officially over-researched. Too many options. Too many conflicting opinions.

[vita10gy]

Easy choice. Order a Sport and a Flow from Espin. $2500 for both and call it a day. 2 suspension seatposts from Suntour for $150. Out the door under 3k for both bikes and you have an extra grand to take a nice weekend gettaway.
You're welcome!

That's 2 votes for espin flows. What do they have that's better than ride1up 700 at or like an aventon or somethin?

 

[vita10gy]

I dont want to spend anymore than the OP does and as far as test rides in my area there isnt a whole lot of places to test ride different bikes

It sucks because it would be nice to have some local support, but there's like zero overlap between anything I see anyone on the internet talking about and bikes I can go physically buy.

Maybe it's silly, but I'd rather trust reviewers who have tons of experience, not to mention see if there are any mid/longer term issues with an item, over my impressions of a 5 minute test ride.

 

[mogulskier]

I have yet to ride 50 miles in a day, and I've had my bike about 10 months. 50 miles in a week or a long weekend will happen, but not in a day.

Me too. And I am starting out in the e-mtb world. But the max I've done on my Surface 604 Shred on a single day is 28 miles and that was really pushing it. As it is 12/34 cassette and 32t sprocket, it is a climber, not a long distance road bike.

 

[AHicks]

That's 2 votes for espin flows. What do they have that's better than ride1up 700 at or like an aventon or somethin?

Regarding the Espin vs. R1U700, look at the kickstand placement on the 700, the fact it's too far forward. If that bike is rolled back more than a foot or two, the crank is going to snag it!! That's about the biggest case of thoughtlessness I've seen lately. There's no excuse for more than one model run to be like that. That said, in defense of the 700, the controller is one of the better ones available - for it's adjust ability.

Then, there's the difference in price. Many of us bought/ordered our Espins 3-400 dollars ago.....

 

[PatriciaK]

It sucks because it would be nice to have some local support, but there's like zero overlap between anything I see anyone on the internet talking about and bikes I can go physically buy.

Maybe it's silly, but I'd rather trust reviewers who have tons of experience, not to mention see if there are any mid/longer term issues with an item, over my impressions of a 5 minute test ride.

Is velo fix available in your area? You have to pay, but they service most ebikes, and will even come to your home with their mobile unit.

South Florida

Welcome to South Florida Although relatively flat, South Florida is renowned for its super-fast year round warm weather road rides and super technical trails. Since you can ride year round, trails are extremely well cared for. There are no less…

www.velofix.com

 

[PatriciaK]

That's 2 votes for espin flows. What do they have that's better than ride1up 700 at or like an aventon or somethin?

Espin includes fenders and lights, their assist is reportedly smoother and less of a jolt than Aventon. 500 W motor, 50 mile battery range - looks like a great package for the price...

Flow

The perfect ebike for a casual cruise. Features an upright cruiser frame geometry and step-through for better accessibility. The urban commuter's dream. Flow is an affordable fat tire off-road electric bike with step-through & 20'' x 4” fat tires for added grip and stability that is ready to...

www.espinbikes.com

 

[Taylor57]

Ive ridden regular pedal bike for about 10 years. Ive ridden it 50 plus miles many times. I recently bought an Lectric XP for my wife and for the RV as it was easy to take along. Ive also ridden some of the Sonders bikes. I can tell from my experience that riding a fat tire Sonders bike with no assist was a lot easier than riding an Lectric XP with no pedal assist. I understand the OP point I am there right now myself as I would like to have an ebike myself. I dont want to spend anymore than the OP does and as far as test rides in my area there isnt a whole lot of places to test ride different bikes. Ive looked at Boltons bikes and I think Kyle at Bolton does great reviews and wold be top shelf in customer service as Lectric has been. Taylor57 mentioned the Espin so I have looked at them. The Nero looks like a good deal. I wonder how they are with customer service as that is one item I insist on.

I have purchased 2 Sports from Espin and I have found their CS just fine. I have yet to have one break or have any problems, but any questions I have submitted have been responded to within a day usually. I also own an XP and their customer service has been great.

 

[PatriciaK]

One more thing you might want to research: whether or not Class 2 bikes (those with throttles) are permitted most of the places you plan to ride. Many multi-use and other trails are limited to Class 1 (those without throttles). I believe there's a general thinking here of ride prudently; you probably won't get caught, but, it's good information to have, at any rate.

 

[vita10gy]

One more thing you might want to research: whether or not Class 2 bikes (those with throttles) are permitted most of the places you plan to ride. Many multi-use and other trails are limited to Class 1 (those without throttles). I believe there's a general thinking here of ride prudently; you probably won't get caught, but, it's good information to have, at any rate.

I've tried, but the consensus seems to be

Some people say they're no different under the law. Then there are articles about new laws that would make them the same, which implies they aren't already. And then every locality can have their own rules anyway.

The whole thing is so stupid. We don't sort roads into some roads for Geo Metros where Ferraris aren't allowed because someone COULD go 200 in that car. Except for special practical cases (height/weight) roads are roads and we just set a speed limit.

Edit: I've also seen that sometimes bikes have disconnect-able throttles, and that you can disconnect them and then if there's even an issue you just show them that you've disabled it. I don't know how true that is.

 

[PatriciaK]

I've tried, but the consensus seems to be

Some people say they're no different under the law. Then there are articles about new laws that would make them the same, which implies they aren't already. And then every locality can have their own rules anyway.

The whole thing is so stupid. We don't sort roads into some roads for Geo Metros where Ferraris aren't allowed because someone COULD go 200 in that car. Except for special practical cases (height/weight) roads are roads and we just set a speed limit.

Edit: I've also seen that sometimes bikes have disconnect-able throttles, and that you can disconnect them and then if there's even an issue you just show them that you've disabled it. I don't know how true that is.

When I talked to Espin a couple of months ago, the rep said just unplug it, and it's Class 1

 

[Achterbahn]

Maybe it's silly, but I'd rather trust reviewers who have tons of experience, not to mention see if there are any mid/longer term issues with an item, over my impressions of a 5 minute test ride.

It is OK to trust reviews for most things. I bought my bike sight unseen and I love it. However, I wanted to highlight that the advice around test rides is really good. I know many people who got bikes that were fantastic on paper, but the geometry or the overall ride feeling wasn't a good match in the end. Fit is a big component and it's one of those things that it really helps to test it out.

 

[vita10gy]

It is OK to trust reviews for most things. I bought my bike sight unseen and I love it. However, I wanted to highlight that the advice around test rides is really good. I know many people who got bikes that were fantastic on paper, but the geometry or the overall ride feeling wasn't a good match in the end. Fit is a big component and it's one of those things that it really helps to test it out.

For sure. I'm especially worried about my wife being the cut off height for basically every bike. However it doesn't look like we can test ride anything basically anyone is talking about buying, so I don't know what to make of that.

We were maybe going to rent some Rad bikes, but she decided she doesn't want any of the "moped" style ones. She wants them to "look like bikes".

I think we've settled on the idea that I would just get one, and if she fits, order a second, if she doesn't, go elsewhere and pass on the idea of having 2 of the same bike.

 

[AHicks]

She's considering a "step through" to be moped style?

Have you checked out the "folding" types with 20" wheels?

 

[vita10gy]

She's considering a "step through" to be moped style?

No, she wants a step though. Just not a "mini"/moped style, along the lines of a RadRunner.

RadRunner™ 2 Electric Utility Bike

Our moped-style electric bike is designed to ride like a utility cargo ebike. 300+ accessory combinations help carry everything — even your best friend.

www.radpowerbikes.com

 

[PatriciaK]

If you get her the Espin Flow (you'll have to wait a bit for delivery) you'll have 14 days from delivery to return it, if it doesn't fit. You could get the Sport model, which is the same bike but not step through.

For the money you want to spend, they really seem to be among your best choices (I do not own one, but have been considering for several months for our part-time second home). Their owners seem to really like them.

 

[john peck]

One more thing you might want to research: whether or not Class 2 bikes (those with throttles) are permitted most of the places you plan to ride. Many multi-use and other trails are limited to Class 1 (those without throttles). I believe there's a general thinking here of ride prudently; you probably won't get caught, but, it's good information to have, at any rate.

Just ride; cops aren´t gonna bother to see if you´ve a throttle as long as you don´t ride like a jerk.

 

[vita10gy]

If you get her the Espin Flow (you'll have to wait a bit for delivery) you'll have 14 days from delivery to return it, if it doesn't fit. You could get the Sport model, which is the same bike but not step through.

For the money you want to spend, they really seem to be among your best choices (I do not own one, but have been considering for several months for our part-time second home). Their owners seem to really like them.

I just ordered 1 flow. If it doesn't work for her I'll keep it. If it does we'll order another.

(I've meant to clarify a few times that when I said "2 of the same bikes" I meant the exact same, not his and hers versions. I like the idea of a step through for mine too. Though that blue Sport is damn tempting. Maybe if the flow works for her this one will be hers and I'll get the sport after all.)

Thanks for all the help everyone. I'll post an update eta mid Feb.

 

[AHicks]

Congrats on making your mind up.
Now comes the hard part. The waiting game....

 

[PatriciaK]

Congratulations, and Best of luck - looking forward to your review !

 

[GenXrider]

That's 2 votes for espin flows. What do they have that's better than ride1up 700 at or like an aventon or somethin?

I reviewed these same choices quite a few months back. I like the R1U 700 for its configurable power percentages of each assist level as well as the wider 2.4" tires and the higher top gear.