New to the forum--very helpful resource! Forgive me for any naiveté; I'm in the information-gathering stage and there's a whole lot I don't know.
I bought a Radwagon for my wife a couple years ago, which we love. I understand it's not a high quality piece of cycling machinery, but it serves its purpose. I'm an avid "traditional" cyclist (mostly mtb, but also gravel and some road), and sometimes bike commute to work, but sweat/weather/lack of motivation keeps me from riding as much as I'd like. When my wife isn't using the Radwagon, I enjoy using it for commuting, and still get a decent workout on the hills, ending up more active than I would have been otherwise. For that reason I've been contemplating an e-bike for myself, trying to familiarize myself with options. I don't need a cargo/utility bike--rear rack will suit me fine. I also would like to hit as low a price point as possible, trying for that sweet mix of quality and value.
I first considered another Rad product, but then thought I might be able to save a few dollars and get more of what I want: a traditional bike I can swap parts out from my other bikes if needed. I have looked at bikes direct, and am interested in the Shimano mid drive they have. I then realized Bafang makes a lot of the motors on their other e-bikes, which led me to the mid drive conversion kit idea. I have an extra commuter style bike--Kona Smoke--currently set up as a rigid fixed gear mountain bike I seldom use (imagine that) that would be a great candidate for the mid drive . . . but then started reading info on here that would discourage me from the Bafang (warranty issues with a manufacturer so far away, no local service/repair work). I can service the bikes currently in my stable, with the exception of electrical work on the Radwagon.
I would put gears (derailleur/cassette) as well as the 750w mid-drive on the Kona and be ready to roll for $800, on a bike with quality components, which seems attractive to me at this point. Please let me know what else I should be thinking about.
Thanks in advance
I bought a Radwagon for my wife a couple years ago, which we love. I understand it's not a high quality piece of cycling machinery, but it serves its purpose. I'm an avid "traditional" cyclist (mostly mtb, but also gravel and some road), and sometimes bike commute to work, but sweat/weather/lack of motivation keeps me from riding as much as I'd like. When my wife isn't using the Radwagon, I enjoy using it for commuting, and still get a decent workout on the hills, ending up more active than I would have been otherwise. For that reason I've been contemplating an e-bike for myself, trying to familiarize myself with options. I don't need a cargo/utility bike--rear rack will suit me fine. I also would like to hit as low a price point as possible, trying for that sweet mix of quality and value.
I first considered another Rad product, but then thought I might be able to save a few dollars and get more of what I want: a traditional bike I can swap parts out from my other bikes if needed. I have looked at bikes direct, and am interested in the Shimano mid drive they have. I then realized Bafang makes a lot of the motors on their other e-bikes, which led me to the mid drive conversion kit idea. I have an extra commuter style bike--Kona Smoke--currently set up as a rigid fixed gear mountain bike I seldom use (imagine that) that would be a great candidate for the mid drive . . . but then started reading info on here that would discourage me from the Bafang (warranty issues with a manufacturer so far away, no local service/repair work). I can service the bikes currently in my stable, with the exception of electrical work on the Radwagon.
I would put gears (derailleur/cassette) as well as the 750w mid-drive on the Kona and be ready to roll for $800, on a bike with quality components, which seems attractive to me at this point. Please let me know what else I should be thinking about.
Thanks in advance
