Intro from Northern Virginia, near Washington DC

[Hilary W]

Hello All,

I recently started looking at e-bikes when DMV told me I am too blind to drive . Seriously, I still see reasonably well, just not as clearly as I once did. It's probably not a good idea to go as fast as a car does down the road, but it is possible to get almost anywhere I need to go at the slower speeds a bike goes on mixed use bike paths and neighborhood streets. Aside from the exercise, a bike would reduce my dependence on others for running small errands. It would also allow me to explore a larger world than the 1 square mile my sore knees and ankles can carry me.

My biggest issue is I haven't ridden a bike in over 30 years except when I tried my sister's too big bike last year and had problems balancing. I am only 5'1", so most bikes are too big for me. So I've started looking at e-trikes, but found that most of the upright ones have a tendency to tip over if you turn too fast. The advantage over a two wheeled bike fades for me. I'm back to square one, looking at e-bikes that are suited to a short person and that have some carrying capacity. The most serious contender is the Rad City step-through, but I am open to any other suggestions. Oh, and any advice about getting started again and helpful accessories would be appreciated!

 

[indianajo]

Welcome the the site & bicycling (again).
Some short people like the Liv brand. Rad has 17 complaints for loose spokes in the known problems thread; I view their brand as a lifestyle accessory instead of a bicycle.
If you are going to buy groceries off the bike, the drop frame yubabike bodaboda left that I ride is made for short people. My leg inseam is only 28" although i have a long back. Quality and performance of my 2017 version has been superb. I have 6000 miles on it.
Weight behind the back axle tends to lift the front wheel, and contributed I think to 4 spills onto my chin over the handlebars on mountain bikes and a savannah cruiser. The stretch frame cargo bike loads your weight onto the front wheel and the groceries on the back.
An even smaller cargo bike is the blix packa, with 24" wheels.

 

[zzRider]

Hello All,

I recently started looking at e-bikes when DMV told me I am too blind to drive . Seriously, I still see reasonably well, just not as clearly as I once did. It's probably not a good idea to go as fast as a car does down the road, but it is possible to get almost anywhere I need to go at the slower speeds a bike goes on mixed use bike paths and neighborhood streets. Aside from the exercise, a bike would reduce my dependence on others for running small errands. It would also allow me to explore a larger world than the 1 square mile my sore knees and ankles can carry me.

My biggest issue is I haven't ridden a bike in over 30 years except when I tried my sister's too big bike last year and had problems balancing. I am only 5'1", so most bikes are too big for me. So I've started looking at e-trikes, but found that most of the upright ones have a tendency to tip over if you turn too fast. The advantage over a two wheeled bike fades for me. I'm back to square one, looking at e-bikes that are suited to a short person and that have some carrying capacity. The most serious contender is the Rad City step-through, but I am open to any other suggestions. Oh, and any advice about getting started again and helpful accessories would be appreciated!

Welcome Hilary! I am in Herndon, near the W&OD Trail...maybe we will cross paths there.

Right about trikes tipping over if going into corners too fast. I converted my wife's Schwinn Meridian single-gear trike to an 1000 watt e-trike earlier this year and it's FAST! We ride around the neighborhood sometimes and I can't keep up with her on my 350watt eMTB. But it will tip if not careful.

Trikes with 2 front wheels are pretty stable, I think. Not many choices out there but may be an option for you.

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/59/d1/42/59d142a3c313478707c5aed5b500f320.jpg

 

[Hilary W]

Welcome the the site & bicycling (again).
Some short people like the Liv brand. Rad has 17 complaints for loose spokes in the known problems thread; I view their brand as a lifestyle accessory instead of a bicycle.
If you are going to buy groceries off the bike, the drop frame yubabike bodaboda left that I ride is made for short people. My leg inseam is only 28" although i have a long back. Quality and performance of my 2017 version has been superb. I have 6000 miles on it.
Weight behind the back axle tends to lift the front wheel, and contributed I think to 4 spills onto my chin over the handlebars on mountain bikes and a savannah cruiser. The stretch frame cargo bike loads your weight onto the front wheel and the groceries on the back.
An even smaller cargo bike is the blix packa, with 24" wheels.

zzRider,

Thank you for the welcome and the advice! I appreciate you pointing out the loose spoke issue on the Rads, and was thinking that's simply something that needs checking on the initial assembly, but I'll look a little closer at the "known issues". I hadn't really thought about a dedicated cargo bike because of limited space, but will definitely give the Yuba and Blix a look. Good ideas!