Looking for my first ebike

R

Rollerkat

New Member
Hi there! Looking for advice from the experts on my first ebike purchase.
I'm looking mainly at the big three, since I'd like to go through a local shop. Test rides are pretty limited at the moment, so I'm hoping to narrow down choices with your input until I can get in to try them out.
Here are some of my main parameters:
  • Looking for a bike for fun, to get in better shape, and run errands around town without having to search for parking. Thinking typical range would be around 5 miles but with weekend rides around 20ish.
  • I'm in Seattle, so being able to take steep hills is key--this is the main reason I haven't been riding my non-electric bike, truth be told.
  • I'm not confident in heavy traffic, so I'd be mostly sticking to neighborhood roads and paved (but rough) city trails.
  • I prefer a step-through; I'm 5'4", 135lbs, so looking at a fairly small frame.
  • Easy maintenance and reliability are a must.
  • price--no hard cutoff, but under $3500 hopefully.

Some of the top picks that I've gathered from this site are the Specialized Como or Vado (but I'm not sure which models would be most appropriate) or Trek Allant. Please let me know if you have other ideas or input on the top features I should prioritize. Thanks in advance!
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the replies!
I was thinking a mid drive; I was mostly thinking the big 3 based on ease of maintenance, getting parts, etc., and what's most available nearby.
Thanks for the allant info--good to know!
I hadn't really considered the Amiti, but definitely worth a look, so thanks for that.
 
Rollerkat said:
Hi there! Looking for advice from the experts on my first ebike purchase.
I'm looking mainly at the big three, since I'd like to go through a local shop. Test rides are pretty limited at the moment, so I'm hoping to narrow down choices with your input until I can get in to try them out.
Here are some of my main parameters:
  • Looking for a bike for fun, to get in better shape, and run errands around town without having to search for parking. Thinking typical range would be around 5 miles but with weekend rides around 20ish.
  • I'm in Seattle, so being able to take steep hills is key--this is the main reason I haven't been riding my non-electric bike, truth be told.
  • I'm not confident in heavy traffic, so I'd be mostly sticking to neighborhood roads and paved (but rough) city trails.
  • I prefer a step-through; I'm 5'4", 135lbs, so looking at a fairly small frame.
  • Easy maintenance and reliability are a must.
  • price--no hard cutoff, but under $3500 hopefully.

Some of the top picks that I've gathered from this site are the Specialized Como or Vado (but I'm not sure which models would be most appropriate) or Trek Allant. Please let me know if you have other ideas or input on the top features I should prioritize. Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Hi Rollerkat,
Welcome to the forum
Have you considered the Gazelle Ultimate T10 which looks like a quality ebike and is getting good reviews
electricbikereview.com

Gazelle Ultimate T10 HMB Review | ElectricBikeReview.com

Price: $3799.00 | Model Year: 2020 | A feature-rich and purpose-built trekking Ebike loaded with great accessories, highly adjustable and approachable step-thru design, engineered and assembled in the Netherlands and specifically designed to withstand salty and wet environments
electricbikereview.com electricbikereview.com
 
Have you looked at these:

www.giant-bicycles.com

LaFree E+ (2019) | Giant Bicycles US

Here’s a totally unique and invigorating new way to ride. This new E-bike lets you ride farther with less effort. Explore neighborhood streets, ride for fitness...
www.giant-bicycles.com www.giant-bicycles.com

I live on hilly Whidbey Island, and my E+2 handles hills like a champ!
 
Thanks! I love the look and sound of the Gazelle options you guys have offered, but they're not carried widely around here...it looks like one shop does have the Medeo T9 classic and an EasyFlow to try.



Patricia--great to know! How do you feel about the battery placement on the back? Do you feel like it throws off your balance at all?
 
Rollerkat said:
Thanks! I love the look and sound of the Gazelle options you guys have offered, but they're not carried widely around here...it looks like one shop does have the Medeo T9 classic and an EasyFlow to try.



Patricia--great to know! How do you feel about the battery placement on the back? Do you feel like it throws off your balance at all?
Click to expand...
The battery is not that heavy, compared to the motor, and has not affected my balance at all. I actually like the placement - I like having my step through clear of obstacles :). I could not be happier with my bike!
 
Specialized Turbo e-bikes (Vado and Como) are excellent climbers and look gorgeously. There are supply issues currently, and these e-bikes do not come cheap.
 
Rollerkat said:
Hi there! Looking for advice from the experts on my first ebike purchase.
I'm looking mainly at the big three, since I'd like to go through a local shop. Test rides are pretty limited at the moment, so I'm hoping to narrow down choices with your input until I can get in to try them out.
Here are some of my main parameters:
  • Looking for a bike for fun, to get in better shape, and run errands around town without having to search for parking. Thinking typical range would be around 5 miles but with weekend rides around 20ish.
  • I'm in Seattle, so being able to take steep hills is key--this is the main reason I haven't been riding my non-electric bike, truth be told.
  • I'm not confident in heavy traffic, so I'd be mostly sticking to neighborhood roads and paved (but rough) city trails.
  • I prefer a step-through; I'm 5'4", 135lbs, so looking at a fairly small frame.
  • Easy maintenance and reliability are a must.
  • price--no hard cutoff, but under $3500 hopefully.

Some of the top picks that I've gathered from this site are the Specialized Como or Vado (but I'm not sure which models would be most appropriate) or Trek Allant. Please let me know if you have other ideas or input on the top features I should prioritize. Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
For hills with a step through frame I'd suggest you test ride a Specialized Como 5, https://www.specialized.com/us/en/t...296?color=264303-170296&searchText=90420-3102 . Its mid-drive motor develops 90Nm of torque, plenty to climb just about any hill. Its 604Wh battery will give you dozens of miles of range, even with hills. The step through model provides easier access than the Vado model. As a bonus the extra $ gets you nicely upgraded brakes for the hills and higher quality drive train components for smoother shifting. We ride the Vado 5 ebike in our very hilly town. It's equipped with the same motor and battery. We have no problems with the steepest of hills, even loaded with groceries.

The Como 4 is under your budget and is also nicely equipped. The motor develops ~75Nm of torque and comes with a 500Wh battery. This may be enough for your needs. A couple of test rides will tell.

Have fun shopping, and be sure to let us know how it's going.

Ride On!
 
Hi all, just wanted to share what I ended up with! I'm over on Montana for a visit and the local bike shop had the Specialized Vado and Como in stock, so I tried both...and ended up with a Vado 5.0 (mostly because it was the only one they had with the step-through. It's probably way more bike than my riding skills deserve, but I love it. Went on my first trail ride today. Now to figure out all the accessories...
 

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