I am looking for an Ebike to use for work and pleasure. Comfort and climbing hills with ease. Taking off fast do to being in traffic is also important. Comfort meaning I'm sitting up pretty straight. I am short and 58 but I like to ride on light trails also. Work use would be going place to place in LA. Parking the car and carrying some things to businesses. I am also thinking I need good battery life. I enjoy reading this forum and I'm looking forward to suggestions
Looking for my first Ebike comfort and hill climbing plus fast take off at a stop light
- Thread starter JOHNCAZ
- Start date
Throttle for taking off fast. Cruis-ish frame for upright sitting. Some suspension for light trails, and fat-er tires 2"-2.3".
Don't know what "good battery life" means - this is a bike, not 5,000 lbs electric car. At least 500-600 WH battery, considering throttle use.
Many choices from 1.5K and up. This EG maybe: https://electricbikereview.com/eg/maui-500-ex/.
RadCity might work too, cheaper, bigger battery, but boy, is thing thing heavy: https://electricbikereview.com/rad-power-bikes/radcity-step-thru/
Or go talk to Myron since you're in LA. They are near Fullerton station.
Don't know what "good battery life" means - this is a bike, not 5,000 lbs electric car. At least 500-600 WH battery, considering throttle use.
Many choices from 1.5K and up. This EG maybe: https://electricbikereview.com/eg/maui-500-ex/.
RadCity might work too, cheaper, bigger battery, but boy, is thing thing heavy: https://electricbikereview.com/rad-power-bikes/radcity-step-thru/
Or go talk to Myron since you're in LA. They are near Fullerton station.
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Both models will give you 40 miles with some PAS with these batteries. Maybe 25-30 miles without PAS for a lightweight person on easy terrain if you drive slowly.
If you want 40 miles without any pedaling - don't know. It's going to be heavier and fewer choices (given your other criteria). Likely, more money too.
If you want 40 miles without any pedaling - don't know. It's going to be heavier and fewer choices (given your other criteria). Likely, more money too.
D
Deleted member 803
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Seems like an Elby is perfect for you. Step thru, 90 mile range, and throttle that can take you up to 28 mph just by sitting.
Rad Mini. I am short also, 67 and love the Mini and the fat tires. 300 miles with 100 miles off pavement. I have had no problems. I did add a suspension seat post. The new Minis have front suspension. The hand throttle is great in town. You do not have to pedal if you do not want to.
To clear it up....
The OP didn't specifically ask about step-through, it's just that comfy upright position (and general comfort for a short rider, which includes getting on and and off the bike) often lead to step-through frames.
About range... The OP didn't tell what their requirement of 30-40 miles meant - with max PAS, with min PAS, or throttle-only. So... feel free to assume...
Normally, when ebike range is specked "25-40 miles" - like Rad Mini or EG or many other - the higher number means with minimal motor assistance and maximum input from the rider. The lower number is with max PAS or throttle-only, and keep in mind that this is approximate, it might say 25 miles but you can burn through the battery within 12 miles if you drive uphill on max throttle.
Elby specs suggest 80 miles, but I'm sorry to disappoint you, - this is with minimal motor assistance. Reviews reported 20-25 miles with max PAS, in line with other bikes of similar battery size.
The OP didn't specifically ask about step-through, it's just that comfy upright position (and general comfort for a short rider, which includes getting on and and off the bike) often lead to step-through frames.
About range... The OP didn't tell what their requirement of 30-40 miles meant - with max PAS, with min PAS, or throttle-only. So... feel free to assume...
Normally, when ebike range is specked "25-40 miles" - like Rad Mini or EG or many other - the higher number means with minimal motor assistance and maximum input from the rider. The lower number is with max PAS or throttle-only, and keep in mind that this is approximate, it might say 25 miles but you can burn through the battery within 12 miles if you drive uphill on max throttle.
Elby specs suggest 80 miles, but I'm sorry to disappoint you, - this is with minimal motor assistance. Reviews reported 20-25 miles with max PAS, in line with other bikes of similar battery size.
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Mike Burns
New Member
I would consider the Voltbike Elegant. Snappy acceleration for a factory bike. Good on hills and running the battery to empty took exactly 35 miles mostly in top gear on pedal-assist level 7 in very hilly terrain including about 2 miles rolling terrain with throttle only and a few 0-20 full-throttle runs. I usually budged for about 28-30 miles and consider anything more a gift. Look at the hill profiles in the Henryville, Mt. Pocono, Tannersville, Stroudsburg, PA area for where I tested it. Reasonably light, especially for the price point and has good brakes. Good balance between stability and maneuverability. Getting 40 miles without pedaling will at least double the cost and add weight. Take your charger to work with you or get a spare for work. Pedals well if you do empty the battery. If you swapped the tires for a smooth tread such as the Maxxis Hookworm, you can significantly increase your distance and ease of pedaling. I am using them on a 6000-watt full-suspension enduro bike conversion. Great traction on anything but snow, mud, sand, and deep loose gravel and a 20-percent increase in range on that bike.
That's the thing, 40 miles without any pedaling = a lot or battery weight. There is no way around it. Even 30 can be tough.
Volt Elegant battery is average size. 35 miles on PAS 7 with pedaling sounds very good for this battery. Put it in PAS 9, and it will drop to 30 miles or less. Throttle all the time and it will be less than 20.
OTH, manufacturers can adjust PAS 1 so low that it hardly provides any assistance, and then 500WH battery will run few hundred miles... only you won't fee it
Volt Elegant battery is average size. 35 miles on PAS 7 with pedaling sounds very good for this battery. Put it in PAS 9, and it will drop to 30 miles or less. Throttle all the time and it will be less than 20.
OTH, manufacturers can adjust PAS 1 so low that it hardly provides any assistance, and then 500WH battery will run few hundred miles... only you won't fee it
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