New from Northern KY

[jpa2825]

Looking at E-bikes at I approach 50th birthday. Lots of hills near the Ohio river and all the roads home from a joyous ride are uphill. I've proven to myself that I WON'T go ride my Trek road bike (light as a feather) because I don't want to climb huge hills at the end of my ride.

Looking at options and hoping my wife can be convinced to buy it for me (or let me buy it for myself) for my 50th!!! In a perfect world, she sees me having fun on my E-bike and wants one herself allowing us to go out and ride together.

Like the Treks (Conduit+, Dual Sport+ and XM700+) and the price point is not toooooo ridiculous. Trying to compare with other options and this site has been a huge help.

 

[Saratoga Dave]

Same story, just about two weeks ahead of you and mine was a Cannondale touring bike. I just went over 200 miles on my week old ebike and am loving it. We're getting ready to buy a Pedego for my wife as well now, probably early next week.

Mine is an e-Joe Koda, and I am going to write up a little 200 mile assessment of the whole thing over in the brand forum in a day or so. It's been great.

 

[Over50]

Similar story in too many ways! About to turn 51 and looking for my first ebike. Very little inventory or ebike dealers in my area so unable to try any of the leading bikes on my list w/out travelling to do so. I still have to convince the wife to let me commute to work on ebike and this is proving to be the biggest challenge. She's convinced I'll be run over in this car crazy city in which I live. But I've mapped some good routes and I'm working on her. Hopefully with the 51st birthday coming up I can get the 'green light' and get ready to put down that deposit! I also really like those two Treks (Conduit+ and the XM700+). I've got the XM in my 'top 4' and over the Conduit because of the Bosch system plus the 28mph speed. Best of luck to you.

 

[Over50]

...Very little inventory or ebike dealers in my area so unable to try any of the leading bikes on my list ...

I stopped in at my local Trek dealer today to buy a pannier for my regular bike. Surprised to see an XM700+ in stock! Earlier in the summer they told me they might be able to get one if pre-paid but practically no chance they would have another one for regular stock/inventory prior to the 2017s being released. They let me take a test ride - my very first ebike ride! The Bosch system was so responsive it left me surprised even though I've read all the reviews and watched the videos here. It responded instantly to the brakes and the pedals. In a middle gear and middle assist level it would quickly and quietly get me to 15-16mph. So definitely convinces me that a 15 mile one-way bike commute for me is attainable. It was tempting not to buy the bike on the spot but it was a 55cm frame and I had zero stand over clearance. At least to me, a novice, the bike was impressive.

 

[jpa2825]

I stopped in at my local Trek dealer today to buy a pannier for my regular bike. Surprised to see an XM700+ in stock! Earlier in the summer they told me they might be able to get one if pre-paid but practically no chance they would have another one for regular stock/inventory prior to the 2017s being released. They let me take a test ride - my very first ebike ride! The Bosch system was so responsive it left me surprised even though I've read all the reviews and watched the videos here. It responded instantly to the brakes and the pedals. In a middle gear and middle assist level it would quickly and quietly get me to 15-16mph. So definitely convinces me that a 15 mile one-way bike commute for me is attainable. It was tempting not to buy the bike on the spot but it was a 55cm frame and I had zero stand over clearance. At least to me, a novice, the bike was impressive.

Wow, what a rare find. How tall are you / what is your inseam. At 5'11" I would think a 55cm would be a good frame size for me but ebike sizing is all over the place. What part of MI are you in?

 

[Over50]

I'm 5'9" with about a 29.5 inseam. At 5'11" you would probably handle that 55cm better than I did. The dealer is American Cycle and Fitness in Royal Oak Mi.