Jude,
1. Is the e+1 just a superior version of the e+2? Is there anything superior on the e+2?
The e+1 has the belt drive and lights, but otherwise it is the same bike. The LaFree has replaced my belt drive non electric bike (Trek Soho Deluxe). The reason why I liked the belt drive was that most of my bike riding is in town with a lot of stop lights and stop signs. With a belt drive if I miss a light I can downshift at the light without pedaling. My wife and I agreed on $2200 as the top amount I could spend on a ebike when I started looking. So that put the e+1 out. I have had the chain pop off a couple of times on the e+2 I bought and one time it actually jammed and I couldn’t get it back on and had to take it to the bike shop to have them fix it. It took them about 15-20 minutes (no charge). It came off yesterday but I got it back on easily without a problem. Right now I’m thinking the extra money is worth it, lol.
2. Is it normal for my foot to rub the front tire on sharp turns? (5'10 on a medium Lafree frame)
I’ve put almost 300 miles on my bike in a little over 3 months without this happening and I have a medium and am 5-10 with a 30” inseam.
3. Are some folks getting about 60 mile range on average from the bike? (thats what the dealer told me her feedback was from buyers).
I only started keeping track so I can’t tell you for sure. When I first started using the bike I used the auto mode because I had stopped biking very much due to knee problems and need the extra help and didn’t want to think about levels of assist. As I started biking every day I found that I could leave it at level one. I average about 20-30 miles a week on the bike and usually charge it up when it gets down to just two lights which takes about 10-14 days of biking, but most of my biking is on flat, paved streets. Once a week I have to go someplace with a moderate hill climb and I’ll either go up to assist level 2 or auto depending on how I feel. I’m working on biking to my daughter’s house which is 30 miles away, but haven’t found a good way yet. I know that I can make it there and wouldn’t be surprised if I could do it round trip, but I’m bringing along the charger when I do. I last charged the battery on August 16th and have ridden about 30-35 miles and still have 4 lights on.
4. Has anyone out here test ridden other similar bikes (upright positioning, mid drive, comfort-style) and had thoughts on comparisons? (Specialized Como for example)
I had decided to try the Espin Reine at a bike shop about an hour away which is very similar but has a throttle. Because of my knee problems I really wanted to check it out. So I made an appointment and drove down. When I got there they told me the brakes didn’t work so I couldn’t take it out. I noticed that the bike bobbed a lot as they moved it around and there was no lockout on the front suspension. On the way home I decided I didn’t want to deal with a bike shop that didn’t bother to call and let me know I wouldn’t be able to test ride it and that I lived an hour away. As browneye has pointed out the bike shop is just as important as the ebike you get. I ordered the LaFree the next day. I have found that my knees are doing fine and I haven’t needed a throttle. I tried out several rear hub relaxed bikes like the Magnum UI6 and Aventon Pace 500, but to me they were nowhere near the LaFree in value and comfort. Yesterday I had to take my wife’s van in for service so I threw my old non electric in the bike to ride home on as it is much lighter to put in the van and I felt like I should ride it once in awhile. It is a step over and it was very uncomfortable to get on and actually ride. Why did I torture myself for so long? Probably to deny that I’m old (72).
5. How much are replacement batteries and where's the most economical place to buy?
No idea, but I would imagine it would cost about $600-$650.
I’m very happy that I got the LaFree and am biking almost every day and feel great. I live in Oregon and it hasn’t rained much this summer, but I plan on biking through the rainy season. The bike has been even better than I thought it would be for my mental health. Good luck and happy trails, Jude.