Looking for reviews on Ecolo-Cycle Optima, Ecola-Cycle Alto and EMMO E-wild fat bike

[Meestro]

My wife and I are looking into getting e-bikes for MY 65th birthday. We have been looking at the Optima for my wife and a choice between the Alto and the E-wild fat bike for myself. I’m hoping to get comments, suggestions from anyone with experience riding/owning any of these bikes. We have also been looking at the Amigo Infinite Step-Thru. So many choices to consider but I hope to narrow it down before I turn 66! Mostly to be used for pleasure riding on paved roads in the suburbs and for day-trips to smaller urban locales.

 

[Angela M.]

Hi and welcome! Happy early birthday. There's a lot to consider when choosing an e-bike so that's great that you've narrowed it down to a few. If you can make a visit to your nearest dealer I'd suggest stopping by and taking some for a test ride.

 

[CodyDog]

What I like about the E-wild fat bike is that it comes with a rigid fork. A lot of ebike manufactures use a cheap heavy spring loaded fork on the fat bikes. Not saying a very good quality front suspension fork isn't good but the quality suspension forks for a fat bike would be something like a Bluto. The cheaper spring loaded forks are very heavy.

I love my Rad Rover but not the low end RST fork it comes with. I am changing it out to a Surly rigid fork for a smoother ride and lighter front end. The fat tires, by nature, should take care of smaller cracks and bumps.

 

[Meestro]

Hi and welcome! Happy early birthday. There's a lot to consider when choosing an e-bike so that's great that you've narrowed it down to a few. If you can make a visit to your nearest dealer I'd suggest stopping by and taking some for a test ride.[/QUOTE


Thanks for your response and suggestion. We are planning on visiting both stores on Thursday in order to compare the Amigo bikes back to back with the Optima, Alto and E-Wild at the second store. Another consideration we have is with regard to servicing. Smaller store in smaller nearby city specializing in three main makes of bikes and the huge store in downtown Toronto where they have a laneway to try bikes. In the end, the ride is a huge factor along with quality components. And I’m excited to see the difference between riding the city bike models in contrast to fat bike. As in acquiring a sailboat it appears that I am really just looking for the best combination of compromises.

 

[Meestro]

What I like about the E-wild fat bike is that it comes with a rigid fork. A lot of ebike manufactures use a cheap heavy spring loaded fork on the fat bikes. Not saying a very good quality front suspension fork isn't good but the quality suspension forks for a fat bike would be something like a Bluto. The cheaper spring loaded forks are very heavy.

I love my Rad Rover but not the low end RST fork it comes with. I am changing it out to a Surly rigid fork for a smoother ride and lighter front end. The fat tires, by nature, should take care of smaller cracks and bumps.

Thanks for your reply. I wondered about the need for suspension on the front forks for the E-Wild given the larger tires. I’m kind of thinking that a spring loaded seat post would be more important on a fat-bike for comfort purposes. Most of my riding will be on paved waterfront trails with my wife but hey, I already own a Model T Ford so I’m used to being bounced around on paved roads at only slightly higher speeds.

 

[Nova Haibike]

Perhaps I am too much of a stickler for details, but I would have a had time taking a company seriously if they cannot show the bikes on their site properly. On both of them, they picture the bikes facing the left, where you cannot see the drivetrain. Also the Ecolo-Cycle Optima is show with the rear rack mounted improperly.