Sharonlasser
New Member
Hi! I have been looking at the TREK Electra Vale ebike.. what do you think of it?
Need opinion on ebike selection
- Thread starter Sharonlasser
- Start date
byunbee
Well-Known Member
What are your requirements? The recommended bike will vastly differ based on how you will ride, where you will ride, how much power you need, budget, whether you want throttle or PAS only, etc.
Browneye
Well-Known Member
Nice bike...and Trek backing it up. 
Spec wise, it's very similar to Specialized Como - worth a look.
And Giant has the LIV Amiti, another similar bike with a little nicer spec - Deore and 700c wheels.
All similarly priced. All similar application - what I call a 'beach cruiser on steroids'.
Electric Bike Company is another one, hub-drive though, and more beach-cruiser oriented. Less $$.
You can't go wrong with any of them IMHO.
Spec wise, it's very similar to Specialized Como - worth a look.
And Giant has the LIV Amiti, another similar bike with a little nicer spec - Deore and 700c wheels.
All similarly priced. All similar application - what I call a 'beach cruiser on steroids'.
Electric Bike Company is another one, hub-drive though, and more beach-cruiser oriented. Less $$.
You can't go wrong with any of them IMHO.
Sharonlasser
New Member
Sharonlasser
New Member
I am a 69 yr old young female 
, good shape, I want to ride farther and train to ride stronger, so PA, not throttle. I will ride on all terrains, except very rough ones. I want to ride as much as possible, an hour or two rides to start. My budget is around 3,000+
, good shape, I want to ride farther and train to ride stronger, so PA, not throttle. I will ride on all terrains, except very rough ones. I want to ride as much as possible, an hour or two rides to start. My budget is around 3,000+
byunbee
Well-Known Member
Based on your goals (to get more fit and ride longer) and terrain (tarmac, fire roads, mild trail), I would recommend gravel oriented bike with front suspension since it's an all arounder. WIthin your price range, assuming $3000 is out the door budget, the following maybe good choices. I'm sure there are more that others can call out, but these are that come to mind. They are all reliable mid-drives and would provide a much more natural riding experience than a hub drive motors. They all will have local support.
www.giant-bicycles.com
www.giant-bicycles.com
www.specialized.com
Explore E+ 4 STA (2020) | Trekking bike | Giant Bicycles US
The new Explore E+ is engineered to help you make the most of every journey. The ALUXX aluminum frame features a step-through design, making it easier to mount and dismount while carrying bags or panniers. Its powerful ...
www.giant-bicycles.com
Roam E+ STA (2021) | Trekking bike | Giant Bicycles US
Engineered with a lightweight ALUXX aluminum frameset and a new SyncDrive Core motor, Roam E+ is all about versatility. Blending the best qualities of a mountain bike and a road bike, it encourages you to explore more a...
www.giant-bicycles.com
Made for riders, by riders. | Specialized.com
From seasoned pros and weekend warriors, to kids and commuters—if you ride, we’re for you. We believe bikes have the power to change lives. This simple truth drives us to be—and do—better.
www.specialized.com
reed scott
Well-Known Member
Go with Trek or Giant for bike shop support and trustworthiness of the brand. Test ride several bikes. Get the correct size bike for you. Think about suspension. Get a bike you will grow into. That is, don't buy a bike you won't like a year from now. Challenge yourself.
Alaskan
Well-Known Member
Much of the advice you get on forums is not in your interest. Most people are trying to justify their own choices by urging you to buy what they bought. Whatever you do, don't listen to anyone who tells you not to listen to the advice of others...Hah, I guess that eliminates me
The best thing you can do is be as precise as you can about how often and under what conditions you think you are going to ride. This will help a knowledgeable dealer guide you to a bike that will serve you best.
If you are like most of us you will ride your ebike more often and further than you ever imagined possible. Spending more money on a better built, safer, more reliable bike will be one of the best decisions you ever made. And I suspect I am not alone in that once I got going with my first ebike, I discovered latent capabilities within myself that lead down the road to longer. more athletic, endurance riding, something that never occurred to me going into it. Buying a better, more versatile bike at first kept me riding longer till I could afford the kind of bike that I eventually learned would be right for me. That process took over a year.
Add a grain of salt to the advice you get here. Some of it can be quite good and well informed but there are occasionally shills hiding in the corners, promoting their new brand. And then there is the fact that individuals riders often exhibit confirmation bias in their comments just wanting to give them affirmation for their choices.
Do it your self/retrofit guys can't imagine why someone would spend good money on a manufactured bike from the ground up ebike. Fans of low priced, Chinese made, hub motor bikes would not be caught dead on center drive bikes. Fans of German made equipment really don't hardly bother looking at bikes from other countries. Some people will never even look at a bike without a throttle, while other would never have a bike with one. fans of a particular brand will insist the one they chose is the only one to buy.
If you are like most riders, you are not a mechanic, don't have the know how, tools, time or interest in converting a bike to an ebike or maintaining your production bike. Some of us live for this stuff others just want to ride. Most will need help from a local bike shop. Don't expect people at that shop to care about keeping your bike running smoothly if you bought a bike on line.
The only support you will get from an on line seller, if you are lucky, is phone help to diagnose the problem and they send you parts to replace yourself or you will pay a local shop to replace for you.
If you decide that building out an ebike is not for you, it is likely best to spend a little more and have a dedicated local shop standing behind the sale in who's interest it is to keep you happy and rolling along.
The most common comment I have heard from new ebike owners is almost always something like: "I never imagined I would be riding a bike this often or this far" Buying a cheaper, mass produced bike may or may not give you the same quality of "whoopee!!" experience that boosts you right into an enthusiastic embrace of ebiking.
All too often people who buy lesser bikes seem to arrive at regrets sooner because the bike's inherent limitations just never quite enabled it to do what they want. Personally I ended up spending way more than I initially thought I would or should. Given how much time I now spend on my bike, something I never could have imagined, I am glad I spent what I did and got a bike I can count on, that enhances my enjoyment every time I ride it.
My advice: Make an honest assessment as to how you will be riding, road or trails, easy grades or mountain trails, commuting, exercise/fitness or touring. Take your time but don't get bogged down in research paralysis.
Find the local bike shops that carry Trek, Specialized and Giant. Test ride lots of bikes until you find the one that puts the biggest grin on your face and the people selling it you like the best. Then, if you can possibly afford it, pay more than you first thought you were willing to spend. The pain of paying out some more money wears off quickly. The joy of riding a bike that really suits you will endure long into the future every time you saddle up.
The best thing you can do is be as precise as you can about how often and under what conditions you think you are going to ride. This will help a knowledgeable dealer guide you to a bike that will serve you best.
If you are like most of us you will ride your ebike more often and further than you ever imagined possible. Spending more money on a better built, safer, more reliable bike will be one of the best decisions you ever made. And I suspect I am not alone in that once I got going with my first ebike, I discovered latent capabilities within myself that lead down the road to longer. more athletic, endurance riding, something that never occurred to me going into it. Buying a better, more versatile bike at first kept me riding longer till I could afford the kind of bike that I eventually learned would be right for me. That process took over a year.
Add a grain of salt to the advice you get here. Some of it can be quite good and well informed but there are occasionally shills hiding in the corners, promoting their new brand. And then there is the fact that individuals riders often exhibit confirmation bias in their comments just wanting to give them affirmation for their choices.
Do it your self/retrofit guys can't imagine why someone would spend good money on a manufactured bike from the ground up ebike. Fans of low priced, Chinese made, hub motor bikes would not be caught dead on center drive bikes. Fans of German made equipment really don't hardly bother looking at bikes from other countries. Some people will never even look at a bike without a throttle, while other would never have a bike with one. fans of a particular brand will insist the one they chose is the only one to buy.
If you are like most riders, you are not a mechanic, don't have the know how, tools, time or interest in converting a bike to an ebike or maintaining your production bike. Some of us live for this stuff others just want to ride. Most will need help from a local bike shop. Don't expect people at that shop to care about keeping your bike running smoothly if you bought a bike on line.
The only support you will get from an on line seller, if you are lucky, is phone help to diagnose the problem and they send you parts to replace yourself or you will pay a local shop to replace for you.
If you decide that building out an ebike is not for you, it is likely best to spend a little more and have a dedicated local shop standing behind the sale in who's interest it is to keep you happy and rolling along.
The most common comment I have heard from new ebike owners is almost always something like: "I never imagined I would be riding a bike this often or this far" Buying a cheaper, mass produced bike may or may not give you the same quality of "whoopee!!" experience that boosts you right into an enthusiastic embrace of ebiking.
All too often people who buy lesser bikes seem to arrive at regrets sooner because the bike's inherent limitations just never quite enabled it to do what they want. Personally I ended up spending way more than I initially thought I would or should. Given how much time I now spend on my bike, something I never could have imagined, I am glad I spent what I did and got a bike I can count on, that enhances my enjoyment every time I ride it.
My advice: Make an honest assessment as to how you will be riding, road or trails, easy grades or mountain trails, commuting, exercise/fitness or touring. Take your time but don't get bogged down in research paralysis.
Find the local bike shops that carry Trek, Specialized and Giant. Test ride lots of bikes until you find the one that puts the biggest grin on your face and the people selling it you like the best. Then, if you can possibly afford it, pay more than you first thought you were willing to spend. The pain of paying out some more money wears off quickly. The joy of riding a bike that really suits you will endure long into the future every time you saddle up.
FlatSix911
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Silicon Valley
The Trek Electra Vale is a nice bike for casual commuting and hybrid cruising.
Take a look at the EBR list of Best Electric Bikes of 2020 and select the category that best suits you.
Best Electric Bikes | ElectricBikeReview.com
Looking for the best electric bike for your lifestyle and budget? As of today, we have reviewed 1225 electric bicycles. EBR conducts the industry’s most complete and objective reviews. Reviewing electric bikes is all we do. Since 2012, we have helped millions of people find and choose the best...
electricbikereview.com
Table of Contents:
- Best Affordable Electric Bikes
- Best Folding Electric Bikes
- Best Electric Fat Bikes
- Best Class 3 Electric Bikes
- Best City Electric Bikes
- Best Commuting Electric Bikes
- Best Cruiser Electric Bikes
- Best Full Suspension Electric Bikes
- Best Hardtail Electric Mountain Bikes
- Best Electric Cargo Bikes
- Best Electric Road Bikes
Electra Vale Go! 9D EQ Review | ElectricBikeReview.com
Price: $4199.00 | Model Year: 2020, 2021, 2022 | A feature complete hybrid electric bicycle with cruiser-inspired geometry and style. Large paint-matched aluminum alloy fenders keep you dry, minimalist rear rack for pannier bags offer utility, and integrated Spanninga lights and reflective tires...
electricbikereview.com
Dallant
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
The Electra Vale looks good. Did you read the EBR Review? Only one size frame? Best of luck!
My wife test rode a Trek Verve+3 Lowstep which is very similar to that and really liked it. We ended up ordering an Allant+7 Lowstep because she wants to do some rougher trails and because it shares many components with my Allant+7 regular frame.
My wife test rode a Trek Verve+3 Lowstep which is very similar to that and really liked it. We ended up ordering an Allant+7 Lowstep because she wants to do some rougher trails and because it shares many components with my Allant+7 regular frame.
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