Narrowed it down to these 2 Cruiser bikes

[erider_61]

After many months of reading reviews I have decided on 1 of these ebikes. The Electric Bike Co model C or Ariel Rider W class. Both have features I want but not available on both. I ride a mountain bike 6km to a grocery store and back 2-3 times a week. So the EBC with the basket & rear rack is a plus. No bosses for a rack on the AR, but it has 7 gears vs 1 on the EBC. Both are around the same price point, but the AR has torque sensor vs cadence on the EBC. I prefer the look of the AR in red as well. Anyone own either of these and have any remarks good or bad to help me choose?

 

[ebikemom]

Trying the two bikes will make the decision easy, I bet, because bike isn't the sum of its parts--how the controller behaves, how the bike rides, what it FEELS like really matter. Any way to hop on these two bikes and take them for a spin?

I wouldn't worry about torque versus cadance--ride it and see what you like. I like the cadance sensor because it kicks in immediately when there is pedal motion, and it is great for commuting and recreational trail/city/suburban riding. Lots of stuff online about the supposed superiority of torque sensors, but really, it's a preference thing and a what-works-for-you thing.

I do LOVE having 7 gears. A must for hilly areas. That would decide it for me, since I live amongst hilliness and on the top of the highest point in my town. Gears and pedal assist are great partners that work together, and gears are awesome if you don't want to constantly be asking the bike for more electric assist--gears allow you to keep a consistent cadance as you ride, even with hills. If you live in a flat area, # of gears wouldn't be an issue for you.

Love the cruiser stylilng! Happy shopping!!!

 

[Calicoskies]

I have the EBC and just wanted to point out that the bike has the drop out for gears to be added, also Sean the owner will adjust the one gear for you if you want to adjust top speed. I have three bikes and two have gears, to be honest I leave it in top gear most of the time anyway and I am in hilly areas. Bike is very powerful. I did a pretty good review which you likely have read already on here but if you have specific questions I will be glad to help. There may be some other color choices not on website and may want to call and ask, I know they do custom but that gets pricing. Want to say it was Orange from the latest video or Black with Police written on the side but you could be asking for trouble with that one.


When I asked about the 7 speed kit via email this is want I was given, a little bit of marketing but agree:

You are more than welcome to add a 7 speed kit to the bike - however we would recommend you use the bike for a week or two before doing this - the reason is

1. 7 speed mechanical gears are notoriously unreliable

2. They are very costly to maintain

3. The chain has a high likelihood off coming off during each ride

4. Cable actuated brakes erode, stretch and rush over time leading to endless tweaking and constant adjustments

5. The motor already comes with 5 levels of assist - 20% all the way to 100% assist

6. You have the ability to add 100% per through your throttle should you need any extra gearing

7. Your electrical gearing is 1000 times more reliable that the mechanical gearing


A regular bike shop can install a basic 7 speed kit on your bike for around $100-$200 depending on your preferences.

Please try the bike before you add on this expense - only one of our customers has add the gears after purchase and came back and told us he now never uses his mechanical gears - and in fact agrees with us now


Hope this helps

Kind regards

Sean Lupton-Smith
Lupton-Smith Holdings
7702418132

 

[Calicoskies]

I wanted to mention that the EBC bike does not come with a external charger so if you want to charge indoors you will need to buy that or park the bike inside. It uses a internal system with the cord comes out just like a vacuum cleaner and auto retracts back in. I guess this may work when you have a garage close to a outlet but I am in a warm climate and am not leaving my battery outside in the heat or unsupervised.

 

[Feliz]

I would have the Ariel in a heartbeat but as far as I know they're not available in Canada, I have a Pedego Interceptor Platinum and as far as I'm concerned the Ariel is a better bike and a lot less money although I don't know about customer service which has been excellent so far from Pedego. I'm biased though as I rode Ariel motorcycles back when I could see and had hair.

 

[erider_61]

I would have the Ariel in a heartbeat but as far as I know they're not available in Canada, I have a Pedego Interceptor Platinum and as far as I'm concerned the Ariel is a better bike and a lot less money although I don't know about customer service which has been excellent so far from Pedego. I'm biased though as I rode Ariel motorcycles back when I could see and had hair.

I have already been in touch with Ariel Rider & shipping would be $450 US to my location. Both of these bikes appear to only be available online. Also the AR comes in a limited edition 750 Watt version that does have bosses for a rear rack. In Canada max is 500 Watt so I am waiting to hear back if I can get the 750 frame with a 500 Watt motor. I think the only other option for grocery hauling would be a cargo trailer although I would prefer not going that route.

 

[erider_61]

I wanted to mention that the EBC bike does not come with a external charger so if you want to charge indoors you will need to buy that or park the bike inside. It uses a internal system with the cord comes out just like a vacuum cleaner and auto retracts back in. I guess this may work when you have a garage close to a outlet but I am in a warm climate and am not leaving my battery outside in the heat or unsupervised.

Is the entire battery pack not removable? That is pretty much a deal breaker as the bike will be stored in an outside barn and Canadian winters are not battery friendly.

 

[Calicoskies]

The battery comes out but it has a built in 2 amp slow charger. I bring my battery inside and use the 5 amp sold separately charger. It is nice to have options I guess. Canada has a max of 500 watt output of the motor. You can get a 750 watt and as long as you set the software to limit it to 10 amps x 48 vdc you are legal. I also have VoltBike which is a Canadain Company which sells the same 750 watt bike with us USA folks set to 750W and the local guys to 500 watt to be within guidelines. EBC has a California shop that you can pick up a bike at by the way. Think my shipping was $250 but that was not International. Voltbike does flat $50 shipping which is nice. The EBC is a road bike (do not take off pavement) but wanted something for sand and trails so went with a Voltbike Yukon 750 Fat Tire which is great.

Keep the questions coming us ebike people like to talk about their bikes.

 

[Feliz]

I like the CCX and there's 12% off in Canada now and we get the better battery and charger. I have a VoltBike Yukon, great bike.

 

[erider_61]

I like the CCX and there's 12% off in Canada now and we get the better battery and charger. I have a VoltBike Yukon, great bike.

What is the CCX?

 

[Calicoskies]

The CrossCurrent, think he was stating he likes it but not the type Bike you were looking at.

 

[CodyDog]

Like the looks of the first bike a lot!

 

[Feliz]

Like the looks of the first bike a lot!

Agree, really nice.

 

[AHicks]

I would not buy an e-bike with a battery mounted on a rear rack. I think if you ride one just one time you'll agree. It adds a really off balance feel to the whole bike. The lower you mount that battery the better you'll like it....

 

[Feliz]

I would not buy an e-bike with a battery mounted on a rear rack. I think if you ride one just one time you'll agree. It adds a really off balance feel to the whole bike. The lower you mount that battery the better you'll like it....

I can't even notice it, I have a Pedego Interceptor with a huge battery mounted on the rack and heavy hub motor and it handles fine as far as I'm concerned, as good as my mid drive and low battery Haibike. I find bike geometry makes a bigger difference. I rode motorcycles with a huge gas tank high between my knees all my life though so maybe I'm just immune to it.

 

[AHicks]

Feliz, I have to pull the top of the bike toward me, leaning it over at about a 45 degree angle to mount/dismount. When pulled over to this angle, the weight of the battery just wants to lay me and the bike right on down.

If this were a step through, or if you have no trouble swinging your leg up over the rear rack and seat with the bike nearly upright, I would imagine you might never notice.

Then again, maybe it's just me. -Al

 

[ebikemom]

I feel quite balanced on my bike with a rear-mount battery. It is heavy to lift the rear of the bike, however.

 

[Feliz]

Feliz, I have to pull the top of the bike toward me, leaning it over at about a 45 degree angle to mount/dismount. When pulled over to this angle, the weight of the battery just wants to lay me and the bike right on down.

If this were a step through, or if you have no trouble swinging your leg up over the rear rack and seat with the bike nearly upright, I would imagine you might never notice.

Then again, maybe it's just me. -Al

Oh, I agree on mounting and dismounting but I blame that on the hight of the bike rather than battery location. I'm 80 years old with not much flexibility and I've been too stupid to purchase a step thru, I'm looking for a nice comfortable upright step thru now.

 

[erider_61]

I am 6ft and long legs so step over the bar is not an issue for me