Lightweight all around bike

[SbSteve]

I started this discussion on the Introductions page. Moving it here for more visibility. Basically, as a first e-bike, I'm looking for a light weight fitness style e-bike that will allow me to do some longer rides without feeling too beat up, and also act as a grocery-getter. I might also get into some trail riding, that's why I'm focusing on gravel bikes. I have a budget of around US$ 4k. Light weight is important because I want to be able to lift it up into the back of my truck or move it around the garage easily. Here's what I'm currently considering: Trek FX+ 7s (41 lbs) , Specialized Turbo Vado SL 5.0 (36 lbs) , Canyon Grizl: ONfly CF7 (35 lbs).

The Trek is a nice looking bike, and brand new, but a bit heavy for me. It has a carbon fork, but no front suspension, so it might be hard on my wrists. The Vado SL 5.0 might be easier on my wrists since it has the "Future Shock Boost" stem, but it seems to have limited availability because they just came out with a newer model. The Canyon looks nice, has a front suspension fork, but I can't test ride it since they're a direct-to-consumer brand.

There is a Specialized dealer where I live, but they don't have a Vado SL 5.0. I did test ride the new Vado SL 2 6.0 Carbon, and wow, did I like that bike! I've never ridden a carbon frame bike before. But it's $6k. Hard to believe Specialized has already discontinued the Vado SL 5.0. The Canyon Grizl is also a carbon frame bike and on sale now for $4,200. On paper, it looks like the winner for me, but I don't think the price includes pedals, and I'd probably want to add a rack, so that would up the cost.

I found a Vado SL 5.0 online for a nicely discounted price, but it's the EQ model with the fenders and rack, and I've read that the rack is kind of flimsy. Could I replace the EQ rack with a better rack and re-route the tail light? That might be the best bet for my budget.

Handle bars. The Trek and the Specialized have straight handle bars which I'm accustomed to, and the Canyon has flared drop bars. I've never ridden with flared drop bars, so if anyone has any comments on those, I'd appreciate that.

Thanks for any comments and suggestions!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I have already written my remarks there:

Hello from Santa Barbara California

Hi Folks! I don't have an e-bike yet, but I'm hoping to fix that situation, and that's why I'm here. My current bike is a Trek X-Cal 29er, but I typically don't do much trail riding, mostly just around town on civilized bike paths. I'm looking for a light weight fitness style e-bike that will...

forums.electricbikereview.com

I found a Vado SL 5.0 online for a nicely discounted price, but it's the EQ model with the fenders and rack, and I've read that the rack is kind of flimsy. Could I replace the EQ rack with a better rack and re-route the tail light? That might be the best bet for my budget.

Yes you can do it but it is some pain.

If you can get the Vado SL 5.0 EQ, just ride it and worry about the rack later. That was what I did myself. The only thing I hated on my SL 4.0 EQ (same rack and fenders) was the front fender, which I removed early on. Let me tell you where the issue is:

The rear fender, rack, and tail-light are integrated. If you want to remove the rack, you'll need to remove the rear fender, and either relocate the tail-light or get rid of it. I eventually went through the entire process and decided to remove the tail-light. Now, I use temporary SKS fenders, and an Ortlieb Quick Rack (which is removable). However, I had ridden my Vado SL with the standard rear fender, rack and tail-light for three years until I had enough The rear rack is OK until you start overloading it, and I was regularly overloading that flimsy rack...

 

[BlackHand]

The Canyon looks nice, has a front suspension fork, but I can't test ride it since they're a direct-to-consumer brand.

FWIW, you're not all that far in the grand scheme of things from a test ride.

Visit the Canyon Showroom Carlsbad

Visit our Canyon Showroom in Carlsbad where you can find your perfect bike size, see all our bikes and have your questions answered.

www.canyon.com

 

[SbSteve]

If you can get the Vado SL 5.0 EQ, just ride it and worry about the rack later.

Good advice, and thanks for sharing your experience.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

FWIW, you're not all that far in the grand scheme of things from a test ride.

Visit the Canyon Showroom Carlsbad

Visit our Canyon Showroom in Carlsbad where you can find your perfect bike size, see all our bikes and have your questions answered.

www.canyon.com

Two miles from my house. Truly a Tiffany's for bicycles on the inside. On glitzy display were all their regular bikes plus TdF-ready bikes, a $20k track bike, etc. All for sale. Great bike porn venue.

When I asked if I could try a Grizl, they said, 'Sure, in the parking lot." Well, you might be able to string together a totally flat 0.2-mile loop with adjacent parking lots. Some test before plunking down $5-6k for a gravel ebike.

When I asked where I could get an ordered bike assembled, they said not here, we're just a showroom. But they mentioned several local shops, including my go-to, Cadence Cyclery in Encinitas. Cadence also sells a lot of very high-end bikes — think Colnago, Pinarello, Specialized S-works, etc. So I know they'd do a great job, but at what cost? I was told around $200-300.

 

[SbSteve]

Ha ha! I love the San Diego area. My wife and I like to visit with our dog because of the great dog-friendly beaches. Next time I'm on vacation there, I'll try to visit the Canyon bicycle museum for a good drool-fest . But there's no way I can just pop down the freeway through LA for a quick test ride. Traffic is reasonable only between the hours of 1 and 4 am.

A test ride in a parking lot has some value as far as evaluating the fit of the frame, the reach, etc. I'd want to check the stand-over height, but I'm mostly concerned about the top tube length and frame reach because on my current non-electric hard-tail mountain bike I feel like I always want to push my butt further back, and often I find my hands get numb.

 

[kevinmccune]

dont believe I would want a carbon fiber anything bike,just stick with the metal frames and a couple of pretty good ones have come to mind stuff that "Lectric vends and I think "ride one up" has a pretty good one these are a little north of $1000 and might be your gateway ebike drug.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

But there's no way I can just pop down the freeway through LA for a quick test ride. Traffic is reasonable only between the hours of 1 and 4 am.

I don't see the problem with making the drive in the wee hours. It's not like you'd be cutting into normal riding hours.
;^}

Our dog loves Cardiff Beach and the Del Mar Dog Beach — the closest where dogs are allowed — and so do we. Of course, we love all beaches, but the dogs remind you to be in the moment with all your senses wide open — especially when they romp together off-leash at Del Mar. Very good for the soul.

Lots of great riding here as well. Bring your bike next time, and I'll show you some of my favorite coast and inland (read "hilly") routes.