Looking For A Full Suspension Skinny Tire Step Through Commuter

[PCeBiker]

I live in a rural area and my road used to look a lot like that first photo after even a few hours of rain. My road used to be primarily clay. Oh how the redneck kids love to go mud bogging out here. I finally got a hold of our township and the road commission. They ditched our road on both sides and crushed about two feet of gravel into the road. It can still get bad, but you no longer require a lift kit and 4 wheel drive to get to your house.

We've got similar problems around here, but they have to barricade the roads instead, then fix the roads after the floods.

Not trying to hate on mud bogging(yes, I really am) but there is a time and place for everything.

I used to love shooting 30 foot rooster tails of mud 40 years ago.
My friends and I used to cover each other in mud if we stalled our bikes in the muck.

Can't do that that on an e-bike though.
500 Watts just doesn't cut it.

I rode my old e-bike to the grocery store a couple of years ago when there was 2" of slush on the sidewalk.
The ebike bogged down and stalled. Not even enough power to push through slush.

It is only a 250 Watt direct drive hub motor and I was going slow (so very little torque) but still ??!!

I had to walk beside the bike and use the throttle.
At least it had enough power to get itself through so I didn't have to push it.

 

[February]

$500 does not buy you even a good pedal bike. I deeply regret you wouldn't have a chance to experience what a good e-bike really is

I rode one of the first commercially available ebikes with assist and throttle back in the mid aughts. It was my brother's. So I haven't missed out completely. But yeah, I'm in a different world than some of you when it comes to what is available. Still, love my cheap VIVI! I don't regret the purchase and I would buy it again in a heart beat. At my price point, this is what a new ebike looks like. I see some used one's showing up on Craigslist already that must have initially cost over $1,000. My day may yet come. For a lot of us Americans, surviving the next four years means a lot of ugliness, hurt and hunger. Such is life.

 

[February]

We've got similar problems around here, but they have to barricade the roads instead, then fix the roads after the floods.

View attachment 187013View attachment 187014




I used to love shooting 30 foot rooster tails of mud 40 years ago.
My friends and I used to cover each other in mud if we stalled our bikes in the muck.

Can't do that that on an e-bike though.
500 Watts just doesn't cut it.

I rode my old e-bike to the grocery store a couple of years ago when there was 2" of slush on the sidewalk.
The ebike bogged down and stalled. Not even enough power to push through slush.

It is only a 250 Watt direct drive hub motor and I was going slow (so very little torque) but still ??!!

I had to walk beside the bike and use the throttle.
At least it had enough power to get itself through so I didn't have to push it.

Ah, no hate for the mudboggers, let the kids be kids I say, just wish people wouldn't do it where they know they are creating real problems for others. Everyone has acreage where I live. A neighbor a few miles away excavated a motocross course on their property for their son. Any one of my neighbors could make a safe fun mudbogging course, but I think most of the kids are taking their mudboggers to the Dunes At Silver Lake, Michigan now:

 

[PCeBiker]

I wanted a full suspension ebike as my first ebike but didn't want to spend the extra $500-$1000, so I bought a hard tail.
(my old e-bike for groceries doesn't count. It was just a toy and didn't cost much more than my skateboard)

The next year the full suspension ebike I wanted was on sale for $2,200 so I bought that.
Then, three months later, it was available in the color I wanted and the Huge 25 ah battery was available for only $150 more than the 19 ah that I got.

Ohh well.
I still love my full suspension e-bike, but I haven't riden the hard tail since I got the full suspension e-bike.

 

[Yak]

I'm already using the lowest pedal assists to counter the weight of my bike. An extra few lbs will not make a difference. On a long enough scale, everything breaks down and needs replacing. No bike is maintenance free. I've heard all the arguments for and against full suspension. Those who argue for, aren't just arguing for comfort. My spine is riddled with arthritis, I have shot disks, one replaced and one fusion with more to go. I walked with a cane for two years before my laminectomy. Also have two shoulder surgeries (done in my mid 40's), same ones my father had in his mid 70's. I'm a survivor of chronic pain in the most literal of sense. I shouldn't even be alive. For me and others those bumps and dings no matter how small can truly cause harm and it all adds up. There are pros and cons to everything. For me and others like, the downsides of good, well tuned, full suspension are far outweighed by the benefits. I'm getting a suspension seat post, because that's what I can afford. My bike is a fair weather only, upright, commuter, not a gravel or mountain bike. Full suspension makes sense.

Same story if I were going to buy a moped or motorcycle, I'm sorry, but I wouldn't even consider either if my only option was hard tail with a spring saddle. To each their own, but I hope some of this helps you understand why we want full suspension. I'm not attacking those who don't care for it, for silly reasons or, for legitimate ones like you expressed.

I'm in the same boat. Injured back for around a year that refuses to heal.

Are suspension seat posts any good for people with lower back problems?

 

[PCeBiker]

,.. the numbers are upside-down .

The throttle does rotate in the normal direction, so they did install a North American throttle.
I don't know where the throttle is or which way it twists on that e-bike for sale in England?

Thinking about it some more, the original European version of may not have had a throttle?

They may have just flipped the handlebars over and added a twist throttle on the right where a throttle would be located for the North American market?

 

[PCeBiker]

Are suspension seat posts any good for people with lower back problems?

It can only help.
A seat that works for you can make a huge difference as well.

Seating position makes a big difference as well.
Sitting up straight is generally a lot easier on your back. (but puts more weight on your butt.)

 

[Mr. Coffee]

I'm in the same boat. Injured back for around a year that refuses to heal.

Are suspension seat posts any good for people with lower back problems?

What you need to do is not ask questions on forums. Find a physical therapist who knows about bikes and can help you get set up with something that will work for you. If you live somewhere with a decent LBS I'd start there because chances are someone who works there will have seen a physical therapist at one time or another and can recommend one to you. Failing that if there is an REI in your part of the world I'd start there.

 

[Yak]

What you need to do is not ask questions on forums. Find a physical therapist who knows about bikes and can help you get set up with something that will work for you. If you live somewhere with a decent LBS I'd start there because chances are someone who works there will have seen a physical therapist at one time or another and can recommend one to you. Failing that if there is an REI in your part of the world I'd start there.

What's an LBS?

My chiropracter said he thinks it's ok for me to ride but not to over do it. Said to sit upright with a slight lean forward.

There is an REI in my area.

 

[Mr. Coffee]

What's an LBS?

Local bike shop.

I'd really strongly recommend getting referred to a health care professional (physical therapist, probably) who knows about bikes and cycling. They can give you the best advice.

The fact that your chiropractor thinks it is okay for you to ride a bike is good, but to get into a properly and safely set up bike for you it is wise to get some professional advice. It isn't like you can replace your back if you really mess it up.

 

[Yak]

Local bike shop.

I'd really strongly recommend getting referred to a health care professional (physical therapist, probably) who knows about bikes and cycling. They can give you the best advice.

The fact that your chiropractor thinks it is okay for you to ride a bike is good, but to get into a properly and safely set up bike for you it is wise to get some professional advice. It isn't like you can replace your back if you really mess it up.

Good points.

 

[Yak]

Good points.

There are two bikes I would love to pull the trigger on and would immediately if I knew how my back would hold up.

My med' insurance is such that it will take weeks to months to have my back looked at by a physical therapist.

Wondering how the tariffs may affect prices and when they may kick in.
Would obviously like to buy before they kick in when and if they in fact do.

Thinking about buying a lower end bike ($2,500) and living with the fact that I may not
be able to ride much or only use a throttle. Worst case scenario I could sell it used.

​