Need help on final choice of first ebike

[Bayou life]

I’m new to ebikes and have narrowed my search down to 2 bikes
My problem is they are about the same price and the only difference is one has a throttle. The FLX Trail and the Volt Enduro. Any thoughts would be most helpful.

 

[Kathy Smith]

I like throttle and miss it on my bike that doesn't have it.

 

[JoePah]

Hi, have you ridden these bikes?

FLX doesn't look street legal, throttle speed is 25 mph, pedal assist is 40? mph... Is that bafang mid drive reliable?

https://electricbikereview.com/flx/trail/

https://electricbikereview.com/foru...iew-first-100-miles-from-a-bike-newbie.13488/

 

[mrgold35]

I get equal use from my throttle on my Radrover trail and work commuting. I've used my throttle to:
- help push my +70lbs ebike up inclines and a flight of stairs
- get across intersections faster and accelerate to cruising speed sooner on work commutes
- less shifting needed or adjusting the PAS levels if you just need a short burst or more power (make a green light, up a slight steep incline, sandy patches, etc...)
- helps over obstacles when pedaling would make contact
- help if you need to start pedaling up an incline
- I had a few equipment failures and wipeouts when I couldn't pedal and I use the throttle to get home

 

[Bayou life]

Hi, have you ridden these bikes?

FLX doesn't look street legal, throttle speed is 25 mph, pedal assist is 40? mph... Is that bafang mid drive reliable?

https://electricbikereview.com/flx/trail/

https://electricbikereview.com/foru...iew-first-100-miles-from-a-bike-newbie.13488/

Hi, have you ridden these bikes?

FLX doesn't look street legal, throttle speed is 25 mph, pedal assist is 40? mph... Is that bafang mid drive reliable?

https://electricbikereview.com/flx/trail/

https://electricbikereview.com/foru...iew-first-100-miles-from-a-bike-newbie.13488/

Unfortunately I have not been able to ride these bikes. They are both factory to consumer items.
As for the throttle and the pedal assist I’ve read that you can set those for the speeds that you would like.
They both have good reviews but from others are saying the throttle will be a little bonus.

 

[Bayou life]

Unfortunately I have not been able to ride these bikes. They are both factory to consumer items.
As for the throttle and the pedal assist I’ve read that you can set those for the speeds that you would like.
They both have good reviews but from others are saying the throttle will be a little bonus.

But thanks for telling me to check and make sure it will be street legal. I didn’t even think about that.

 

[JoePah]

The Administrators will not be pleased wit this , but I suggest you look into buying a well known premium brand demo model from Crazy Lenny.. For the same money.

And you shouldn't buy any ebike until you've demo'd a few of them...even if its not the model you end up buying.

 

[mrgold35]

Some local laws have restrictions with ebike that can exceed 20 mph. You might be limited to roads only, follow all rules as a motor vehicle, no sidewalks, helmet laws for certain ages, and you may not be able to use paths for walk/jog/ pedal bikes only. My local laws classify my Class II Radrover fat tire ebike the same as a regular pedal bike. I can go anywhere a regular bike can go. That comes in handy if I need to ride the sidewalks either side of the road, able to ride walking/jogging/hiking/mtb paved or dirt trails, ride the opposite way on one-way streets, or have the same access (unless restricted) as other bike in local/state/federal parks.

I don't know how law enforcement would know a Class I, II, or III ebike from each other (I couldn't tell you unless one rode past me at 28 mph).

 

[elyhim]

Everyone will tell you where you can/can't ride. No one knows what the laws will be next year.

I would buy a bike supported by a local bike shop, no throttle and from a company that has made bicycles in the past with a good history.

Also - Demo ride at least SOME ebikes before making decisions.

 

[mrgold35]

Why no throttle?

 

[Bayou life]

Why no throttle?

Everyone will tell you where you can/can't ride. No one knows what the laws will be next year.

I would buy a bike supported by a local bike shop, no throttle and from a company that has made bicycles in the past with a good history.

Also - Demo ride at least SOME ebikes before making decisions.

That’s good advice. I agree laws change all the time as they learn more about ebikes.
I have rode a few electric bikes before; emotion evo, x treme,giant dirt-e and a Sonders.

 

[Mr. Coffee]

...
I don't know how law enforcement would know a Class I, II, or III ebike from each other (I couldn't tell you unless one rode past me at 28 mph).

That isn't the biggest problem or even a very big problem with a non street-legal e-bike.

The big problem is that if you actually get hit by a car or some such the insurance companies will use the fact that your bike wasn't street legal to make sure they don't have to compensate you for medical expenses, physical therapy, or to replace your bike.

 

[Bayou life]

That isn't the biggest problem or even a very big problem with a non street-legal e-bike.

The big problem is that if you actually get hit by a car or some such the insurance companies will use the fact that your bike wasn't street legal to make sure they don't have to compensate you for medical expenses, physical therapy, or to replace your bike.

Great point. From everything I have read , the FLX is a class III. Does anyone know if that is true.

 

[Nova Haibike]

Great point. From everything I have read , the FLX is a class III. Does anyone know if that is true.

Their site says, "Speed limit: adjustable to your local regulations," and "Max speed 28 mph (45 kph), 20 mph with throttle only." So if you adjust the speed limit to 28 mph, it is a Class 3.

 

[CMSMc]

I became a member because I read a post in which someone was considering buy a M.A.T.E. eBike through the Indiegogo I placed an ordered with them on 08/22/2017. The MATE eBike company did not meet any of the delivery dates nor were they responsive. After three and a half months I contacted my credit card company due to nondelivery and a lack of communication. Indiegogo was of no help. Research MATE I was lucky I got my money back. I will purchase an eBike from a bike shop.

 

[JoePah]

I became a member because I read a post in which someone was considering buy a M.A.T.E. eBike through the Indiegogo I placed an ordered with them on 08/22/2017. The MATE eBike company did not meet any of the delivery dates nor were they responsive. After three and a half months I contacted my credit card company due to nondelivery and a lack of communication. Indiegogo was of no help. Research MATE I was lucky I got my money back. I will purchase an eBike from a bike shop.

Consider yourself very lucky.. If you search this site you will read about a woman who crashed her brand new M.A.T.E and suffered some serious injuries.. The front wheel came off in the first 20 miles.. The company blamed her.

 

[elyhim]

That isn't the biggest problem or even a very big problem with a non street-legal e-bike.

The big problem is that if you actually get hit by a car or some such the insurance companies will use the fact that your bike wasn't street legal to make sure they don't have to compensate you for medical expenses, physical therapy, or to replace your bike.

Civil Suits are a thing... But you SHOULD know the laws - Check People For Bikes" and see the ebike laws.

 

[harryS]

All my ebikes have throttles, even though I ride with pedal assist. It's just a handy accessory.

When I power up a bike, having a throttle is an easy check to see if the motor and display works. I've had the chain come off the rear gear on two different bikes and the throttle allowed me to get off the path away from traffic, as opposed to coasting down. And of course, it's nice for a faster start when crossing the street. Finally if you're crossing a lot of flooded bike path, where the water is above the lowest pedal, lift the feet and throttle thru.

 

[Bayou life]

All my ebikes have throttles, even though I ride with pedal assist. It's just a handy accessory.

When I power up a bike, having a throttle is an easy check to see if the motor and display works. I've had the chain come off the rear gear on two different bikes and the throttle allowed me to get off the path away from traffic, as opposed to coasting down. And of course, it's nice for a faster start when crossing the street. Finally if you're crossing a lot of flooded bike path, where the water is above the lowest pedal, lift the feet and throttle thru.

Thanks for the information. I think I will be buying FLX Trail. I believe it offers more for what I want to do. I can set the bike to the class I want and still have the throttle for when I need it.
Thanks for all the great advice from everyone.
See y’all on the trails in Seattle very soon.

 

[Rooster]

Hi, have you ridden these bikes?

FLX doesn't look street legal, throttle speed is 25 mph, pedal assist is 40? mph... Is that bafang mid drive reliable?

https://electricbikereview.com/flx/trail/

https://electricbikereview.com/foru...iew-first-100-miles-from-a-bike-newbie.13488/

It's no more illegal than many others, for instance, Biktrix ultra does well over the legal limit as does the juiced bikes hyper fat and there's more so nobody seems to be bothered by that.