Need eBike recommendation

[Marci jo]

Nancy B,
Congrats on your search for an ebike. You are in for lots of fun and many, many smiles.
I too have what I consider legs that are "vertically challenged". No doubt it's difficult to find a bike that's not half way into the stratosphere.

This is a Liv Amiti E+ made by Giant. Liv is Giant's line of bikes for smaller cyclists.
What intrigues me about the bike, aside from it's pretty frame and color, are the fame sizes. Not only does it come in med and large, but also small and extra small, a rarity in bike world.

Full disclosure from me, I haven't ridden one but if I were looking for a new ebike, this bike would be under consideration. Not sure if it comes with a throttle.

Looking forward to a pic of your new ebike!

 

[FlatSix911]

Dimension A of Motobecane e urban is 22". Way too big for a person with 29" or 30" sleeves.
I've ridden an 18" frame with 30" sleeves, but she might be happier with a 17 or 16 frame at 61" tall.

The frame size is measured by the seat tube length... K=420mm = 16.8"

 

[Nancy B]

I have throttle but can't say I've ever truly needed it. If you get a heavy bike (or load it up with a lot of weight) the throttle assist assist from a dead stop can be useful. A lighter bike with good torque sensing will greatly mitigate the need. The other scenario is you're just tired and don't want to pedal to get full assist. Again, nice, but not necessary.

Thanks for your input

 

[Nancy B]

You all have been so helpful! I really appreciate it . I have another question....Pedago is the only bike shop in Las Vegas that has electric bikes with a throttle and I don't like Pedago bikes. If I purchase an ebike with throttle online, I don't think bike stores here will work on it. What are your thoughts on this?

 

[TomD]

Look into velofix. Seems they service Vegas.

Las Vegas

velofix Las Vegas offers Mobile Bicycle Repair and services throughout the Las Vegas Valley including Henderson, Boulder City, Lake Las Vegas, Aliante, Pahrump, Summerlin, Southern Highlands, Blue Diamond, Red Rock, Mt Charleston, Lee Canyon and The Las Vegas Strip. Las…

www.velofix.com

 

[PatriciaK]

You all have been so helpful! I really appreciate it . I have another question....Pedago is the only bike shop in Las Vegas that has electric bikes with a throttle and I don't like Pedago bikes. If I purchase an ebike with throttle online, I don't think bike stores here will work on it. What are your thoughts on this?

Just curious, what are the reasons you want a throttle? What are the conditions under which you imagine wanting/needing to use it? Have you tried bikes both with, and without?

 

[TomD]

I think good torque sensing is more important than throttle. I have both, mid drive with throttle (without torque sensing), and a mid drive with torque sensing (without throttle). I use throttle very rarely when my legs are tired and don't want to pedal hard to get full assist. Also, on a steeper hill I might use the throttle to help get going (to compensate for lack of torque sensing), but with torque sensing I can just put full weight on the pedal from a stop and get moving without needing throttle. On a heavier rear hub bike you might find throttle helpful to get moving, even on flat ground, since you are also fighting centrifugal forces with motor weight in the rear wheel. But I think it's better to just go with a lighter mid drive bike unless you are looking for more of moped than a bike. Personally I ride my bike to get exercise so lack of throttle is not a big deal.

 

[indianajo]

. If I purchase an ebike with throttle online, I don't think bike stores here will work on it. What are your thoughts on this?

I use mine frequently to get through green lights instead of being out in the middle of 6 lanes on the yellow, or to get away from attacking dogs. Legislators that outlawed throttles never were bit by a dog riding a bike. The idea came from Europe where dogs don't own the roads as they do here. I never saw a loose dog in Germany in 82, and we were out in the farm country & hunting preserves. Europe also has great bike lanes. We don't.

 

[Explorer-1]

You all have been so helpful! I really appreciate it . I have another question....Pedago is the only bike shop in Las Vegas that has electric bikes with a throttle and I don't like Pedago bikes. If I purchase an ebike with throttle online, I don't think bike stores here will work on it. What are your thoughts on this?

You have to check with the Bike shop. Many will work on any bike, some won't work on any electric bike. See if you have a convenient bike shop near you and drop in and talk to them.