Magnum Ui6 vs Metro ?

[gonyere]

I've spent the last two days driving around and trying out several different e-bikes at local shops, and have it narrowed down to either the Magnum Ui6 or Metro. The local shop is selling the Ui6 for $1699 and the Metro fr $2199. Aside from the Metro having one more gear and hydraulic disc breaks, I can't find any major difference between these two bikes, stats-wise online, and was wondering if anyone could give me a good reason for why I should spend the extra $500 on the Metro? Thanks in advance!!

 

[indianajo]

If you have really steep hills, a 32 tooth rear sprocket is useful. Mine are 15% so I need that. Otherwise a 28 tooth biggest rear sprocket is fine. When a rear hub motor addition forced me from pedal bike 8 speeds to 7, I could never find a 7 speed freewheel in stock with a 32 big one. Was in the catalog, available only overseas I suppose.
Hydraulic brakes are IMHO for bragging. When you change pads and push the pistons in, they might leak, which means you need a new caliper. Cars certainly frequently do that. Read maintenance forum about hydraulic disk maintenance. Pads last 4000 miles or more.
My cable pull tektro disk brakes are fine, even down the 15% grade. I adjust the pad in about twice a year to keep handle position the same. It takes longer to take the pannier (bag) off to reach the back adjustment than it does to turn the adjuster. I turn the bike upside down to do this.
For ultimate smoothness you can change the cable to stainless steel polymer coated, which costs about $15. I did when I broke the front cable after 15 months. Special parts are available from modernbike.com and thebikeshopstore.com
$500 extra is worth it for a suspension if you're going fast. 10 mph, fixed suspension is okay on 2" tires. But you didn't say anything about a suspension being available.

 

[FreeWheelie]

One thing i noticed with the Ui6 is that the motor cut off is only on the left brake, seems to limit the ability to use one hand driving for hand signals or other things.

 

[gonyere]

Both have the same front fork with suspension (SR Suntour NEX Spring Suspension). There are some very big hills, and a good bit of 15% grade and some thats even steeper... I don't think I quite understand what the motor cut off only being on one brake means - is does that mean I could potentially have the motor keep going while braking?

 

[indianajo]

Yes I hooked up only one brake handle with cutoff. I have a stop sign at the end of ten feet of even steeper than 15% grade. The cross highway is busy so I like to use the electricity to boost me across the lanes quickly. The brake cutoff was forcing me to pedal my way to start. Difficult to coordinate & slow. So with the one brake not cutting off the motor, I can start the motor before actually releasing the rear brake without the switch, which keeps me from rolling backwards. Or falling off the seat & pedals; which I did once without any motor help.