HappyNaturalist
Member
- Region
- USA
Hi everyone,
I’m a small-to-average size, later-middle-aged woman looking for an ebike to use for daily commuting & running errands (mostly within a 3-10 mile radius), as well as recreational riding. Although I’ve enjoyed cycling in the past, I’m a bit out of practice more recently. I’ll be riding in a suburban community with some gentle hills and very few roads with dedicated bike lanes. That said, there are a number of beautiful bike paths in our area which I also hope to enjoy.
After doing some research and test riding a few bikes these are my current preferences and priorities (subject to change with additional data), in no particular order:
Size. Of the five bikes I’ve test ridden so far, the best riding experience was on a Pedego Interceptor with 24” wheels - mostly I think because it was so much smaller than any of the others. (Unlike some other manufacturers, Pedego actually varies frame dimensions by size, not just the wheels.) Although I’m 5’5”, I have always preferred bikes where I’m at the top end of the suggested height range rather than the lower. (Second favorite riding experience was on a S/M Cannondale Neo 4.)
Money. My budget started out around $1500-2000; current budget extends to ~$3000. (That Pedego was a bit above budget at $3695.) Finding the right bike at a lower price would be awesome.
Motor. Having a throttle is important to me. Even though I don’t anticipate using it much, having it is a real confidence booster. (Really, don’t bother trying to talk me out of this - I have read a lot of the discussions about this question and I know what my personal preference is.)
Mid-drive vs. hub-drive… undecided. I’ve test-ridden both and can’t say I really have a specific preference. For what it's worth I really enjoyed the feel of the Cannondale Neo 4 motor (a Bosch Active line) and my husband (who’s a bit of a DIY bike mechanic) thinks DIY work will be easier on a mid-drive bike (on everything except the motor, of course). I also know there are not a lot of mid-drive bikes with throttles, since European bikes generally don’t have this, so I'm open to either.
Battery location. I think I'd rather have the battery on the down tube. I am concerned about how the bike will balance with even a small load of groceries on the rear rack if there is already a heavy battery up there.
Accessories. Racks, fenders and lights are a must but I’m okay adding them myself. A front/handlebar basket is also a must, but again I’m okay adding this.
Derailleur. Gears are a must. The terrain near me is too varied for a single gear “beach cruiser.” No preference for a specific number of gears. (I just know I transitioned through gears a lot when riding a regular bicycle.)
Weight. This is a concern for me. I know these bikes are heavy - but keeping at/around 50 pounds (or less) is preferable. (It’s important to me that I am able to lift the entire bike myself. I can handle 50# bags of dog food fine, but I think adding another 10-15 #s would be pushing the limit for me.)
Frame style. I prefer a low-rise or step-through version of more traditional frame styles - not a fat tire bike.
Brand / manufacturer. No preference, though quality and reliability are both very important. Name brand components are great, though I know some of the dedicated ebike companies are having good, unbranded components made for them by the same manufacturers. (Also, I know nothing about determining the quality of a battery…. While I don't need a huge range and I won't be climbing up San Francisco's hills, I do want the bike to have enough power so climbing the hills in my area won't be a problem.)
Brakes. Hydraulic brakes preferred. (This seems to be the way most newer models are going.)
So, all of that means my ideal bike might be something like this:
A small framed (14-15”) mid-drive bike with a throttle, hydraulic brakes, and removable battery in the down tube by a reliable/well known manufacturer using quality/brand-name components (including the battery) for <$3000. Bonus points if it comes with racks, fenders and lights. Additional bonus if the throttle is on the right handle.
Does such a thing exist or am I searching for a unicorn?
Living in the south, I am unfortunately limited in the brands and models that are available to me to test ride. I am hesitant to buy a bike without ever having ridden it, however that may be what I have to do. I like the fact that Espin offers a 7-day full return policy and I almost bought one just to try it, but when I looked more closely at the frame dimensions, I wasn’t sure how much I’d actually like it. I tried the REI City Co-op 2.2 and really didn’t like it. Both the seat and seating position were uncomfortable and the feeling of riding it was kind of blah.
I am not in a hurry - though If I find what I'm looking for soon enough, it would be nice to be able to take advantage of current sale prices. (Plus I am excited to start riding more!) That said, if there is a new model coming out in 2022 that fits my needs/desires, I can wait. I’m looking at this as a long term investment - if I choose well, I hope to be the one who rides it enough to exhaust (& replace) the battery!
Thank you for taking the time to read - I appreciate any suggestions you might have for bikes to consider as well as insights for anything I'm overlooking!
I’m a small-to-average size, later-middle-aged woman looking for an ebike to use for daily commuting & running errands (mostly within a 3-10 mile radius), as well as recreational riding. Although I’ve enjoyed cycling in the past, I’m a bit out of practice more recently. I’ll be riding in a suburban community with some gentle hills and very few roads with dedicated bike lanes. That said, there are a number of beautiful bike paths in our area which I also hope to enjoy.
After doing some research and test riding a few bikes these are my current preferences and priorities (subject to change with additional data), in no particular order:
Size. Of the five bikes I’ve test ridden so far, the best riding experience was on a Pedego Interceptor with 24” wheels - mostly I think because it was so much smaller than any of the others. (Unlike some other manufacturers, Pedego actually varies frame dimensions by size, not just the wheels.) Although I’m 5’5”, I have always preferred bikes where I’m at the top end of the suggested height range rather than the lower. (Second favorite riding experience was on a S/M Cannondale Neo 4.)
Money. My budget started out around $1500-2000; current budget extends to ~$3000. (That Pedego was a bit above budget at $3695.) Finding the right bike at a lower price would be awesome.
Motor. Having a throttle is important to me. Even though I don’t anticipate using it much, having it is a real confidence booster. (Really, don’t bother trying to talk me out of this - I have read a lot of the discussions about this question and I know what my personal preference is.)
Mid-drive vs. hub-drive… undecided. I’ve test-ridden both and can’t say I really have a specific preference. For what it's worth I really enjoyed the feel of the Cannondale Neo 4 motor (a Bosch Active line) and my husband (who’s a bit of a DIY bike mechanic) thinks DIY work will be easier on a mid-drive bike (on everything except the motor, of course). I also know there are not a lot of mid-drive bikes with throttles, since European bikes generally don’t have this, so I'm open to either.
Battery location. I think I'd rather have the battery on the down tube. I am concerned about how the bike will balance with even a small load of groceries on the rear rack if there is already a heavy battery up there.
Accessories. Racks, fenders and lights are a must but I’m okay adding them myself. A front/handlebar basket is also a must, but again I’m okay adding this.
Derailleur. Gears are a must. The terrain near me is too varied for a single gear “beach cruiser.” No preference for a specific number of gears. (I just know I transitioned through gears a lot when riding a regular bicycle.)
Weight. This is a concern for me. I know these bikes are heavy - but keeping at/around 50 pounds (or less) is preferable. (It’s important to me that I am able to lift the entire bike myself. I can handle 50# bags of dog food fine, but I think adding another 10-15 #s would be pushing the limit for me.)
Frame style. I prefer a low-rise or step-through version of more traditional frame styles - not a fat tire bike.
Brand / manufacturer. No preference, though quality and reliability are both very important. Name brand components are great, though I know some of the dedicated ebike companies are having good, unbranded components made for them by the same manufacturers. (Also, I know nothing about determining the quality of a battery…. While I don't need a huge range and I won't be climbing up San Francisco's hills, I do want the bike to have enough power so climbing the hills in my area won't be a problem.)
Brakes. Hydraulic brakes preferred. (This seems to be the way most newer models are going.)
So, all of that means my ideal bike might be something like this:
A small framed (14-15”) mid-drive bike with a throttle, hydraulic brakes, and removable battery in the down tube by a reliable/well known manufacturer using quality/brand-name components (including the battery) for <$3000. Bonus points if it comes with racks, fenders and lights. Additional bonus if the throttle is on the right handle.
Does such a thing exist or am I searching for a unicorn?
Living in the south, I am unfortunately limited in the brands and models that are available to me to test ride. I am hesitant to buy a bike without ever having ridden it, however that may be what I have to do. I like the fact that Espin offers a 7-day full return policy and I almost bought one just to try it, but when I looked more closely at the frame dimensions, I wasn’t sure how much I’d actually like it. I tried the REI City Co-op 2.2 and really didn’t like it. Both the seat and seating position were uncomfortable and the feeling of riding it was kind of blah.
I am not in a hurry - though If I find what I'm looking for soon enough, it would be nice to be able to take advantage of current sale prices. (Plus I am excited to start riding more!) That said, if there is a new model coming out in 2022 that fits my needs/desires, I can wait. I’m looking at this as a long term investment - if I choose well, I hope to be the one who rides it enough to exhaust (& replace) the battery!
Thank you for taking the time to read - I appreciate any suggestions you might have for bikes to consider as well as insights for anything I'm overlooking!
Bike size and weight make a difference in how confident I feel while riding the bike.
