New to eBikes. Just purchased 3 Folding bikes (Aventon Sinch, Rad Mini 4, EVELO Dash). I think I need help.

[SRTtoZ]

OKAY so I'm new here and it looks like I'm going into this hobby HARD. My only biking experience was when I was a kid and had a huffy, then a mountain bike, probably from Kmart and then a few years ago I picked up a MOTOBECANE $400 Hybrid just for exercise and going back and forth across my local bridge pathway. I loved it until I found out I needed heart surgery. After that I lost interest in the bike just because of the associating with finding out I needed the surgery in that manner and just got rid of the bike and did traditional fitness (walking, jogging, lifting etc). Fast forward 3 years and I'm doing great although I can lose a few pounds and I thought this would be a FUN way to do it. Not only that, it's about getting my ass outside instead of sitting in front of my OLED playing PS5 or Series X. So I end up seeing this ad for either the Rad or the Aventon and off I went, never to be stopped. I haven't actually ridden one of these things by the way. What really excites me is knowing I have no boundaries and I can push further and further away from my house knowing if I get too tired or if I do too much I am one throttle lever away from getting home. Anyway, my plan is to test them all out and put them through their paces near where I live, compare the hub drives to the mid drive, hydraulic disc vs mechanical disc breaks, chain vs Gates Carbon Belt Drive. I want to see if this Dash is the KING OF THE HILL sort of speak like they are saying it is without having to switch out for the speed kit that they offer. Anything else I should test? I was originally just going to get the Rad Mini 4 and the Dash and keep both for fun since 2 folded will fit into the back of my 2018 Crosstrek and I have all the safety equipment back there like the rubber molding and everything. The folding aspect also comes into account with my housing situation. Currently I live in a New York townhouse (The great Hudson Valley) and yes by Valley it means hills and straights, up here, down there, right near the hudson river too. So in a townhouse I really don't have room for 2-3 full sized bikes, but when folded down I can put them in a corner and cover them up, or crap even leave them in the back of my Crosstrek just by removing the batteries to charge them and not leave them in a hot or cold car.

Anyway I'm rambling and the Ambien is kicking in so in the end I will test all 3, if you have any suggestions just ask. My main one is I know the Dash has a mid motor but it's only 350w which everyone keeps telling me is fine but when I see 750w or even 800 peak it makes me think those are going to trounce the Dash even going up hills. We'll see though and overall I just want to see which ones are more fun, smooth, accessible. I know the Rad and Aventon weight in near 70 pounds regardless while the Dash is less than 50 pounds. So maybe that will be much more comfortable to lug around in the back of my car. Anyway Thanks for listening and if want me to perform any specific tests just say so in this thread and it will be done. I should have the Dash and Rad on Monday and since I just ordered the Sinch I'm guessing sometime next week. Cheers!

 

[ElevenAD]

Looks like you have some fun testing in the near future! My guess is you end up keeping the hub bikes and returning the Dash but i could be wrong, i just think the other bikes will be more powerful and comfortable, again i could be wrong because i have never ridden any of them.

 

[ElevenAD]

if i was buying three bikes,i would not buy all folders thats for sure!

 

[vincent]

This is a great way to test out some different bikes and see what you like

cannot wait to hear some feedback on all 3 of these
have fun!

 

[harryS]

Lucky you. If I had those three, I know with my eyes closed that I would keep the Evelo Dash. The 20 x 2.4" tires are more than enough, and the 20 pound weight differential will be felt the first time you have to lift it. Who knows, maybe you will buy a second one.

 

[Taylor57]

One folder is plenty.

 

[vincent]

I disagree, I like folders and think they can be very useful

 

[Katzenjammer]

Well this will be fun - keep us posted.

 

[SRTtoZ]

Trust me if I had the means and unlimited room I wouldn’t have chosen all folding bikes. For now that’s the case but down the line I’m gonna definitely want a full size bike. The new radrover 6 looks mighty nice but it’s gonna be a few months before people get them in hand.

 

[ElevenAD]

Trust me if I had the means and unlimited room I wouldn’t have chosen all folding bikes. For now that’s the case but down the line I’m gonna definitely want a full size bike. The new radrover 6 looks mighty nice but it’s gonna be a few months before people get them in hand.

Well let us know your findings after you have given them a good rip! .....and BTW, there is nothing wrong with sitting in front of the PS5, im still sitting in front of the PS4!

 

[SRTtoZ]

Well let us know your findings after you have given them a good rip! .....and BTW, there is nothing wrong with sitting in front of the PS5, im still sitting in front of the PS4!

lol. I’m still gonna sit in front of my PS5, just not as much as I am now. I’m excited to compare the Dash which is more premium (and double the price) to the other 2. I want to see if you can feel the difference in quality on a regular basis.

 

[SRTtoZ]

The more I look at the Rad Mini 4, the more I think that's going to be the one going back because the battery is such an eye sore. Like I get that they use great parts, have great customer service and all that but their designs leave a bit to be desired compared to Aventon. The more I watch eBike reviews on Youtube, the more I appreciate the designs that integrate the battery into the frame. That Evelo Dash is just downright SEXY.

 

[SRTtoZ]

So the Dash I got yesterday and I've had a ton of fun on it so far but my one complaint (which you can find in the Evelo forum) is the motor isn't that great when on throttle. When you pedal you can feel that extra torque that's in the motor but it doesn't really propel you forward on throttle like a lot of the other bikes. Speaking of other bikes, I just put together the Rad Mini 4 and so far I'm very impressed for a bike I paid $1200 for. The one thing that suprised me compared to the Dash is it's a better folding bike. When you fold up the Rad Mini 4 there is resistance on each folding mechanism so that it doesn't just go limp when it comes apart. That way it's easier to fold up and handle. Yes it's bigger and heavier but the weight is more central where on the dash it's all over the place and feels like folding a human body. The Rad Mini 4 actually rests in the folding position pretty well where the Dash falls to the battery side unless you remove the battery. Overall they are both great bikes but one is more raw (the rad mini 4) with amazing value but the Dash is more refined with the most premium parts. I don't know if it's worth more than double the price though. Still in the try before buy phase.

The unboxing experiences: The dash you just take out of the box and charge. The Rad mini 4 you have to put pieces together and it takes about 30 mins to an hour depending on if you're new to this or have someone helping you. I did it myself and it took me about 45 mins but 15 mins of that was filling the tires with my mini pump lol. Rad has a great Youtube video showing you how to put it together piece by piece and it's pretty easy overall.

 

[PedalUma]

Please post photos!

 

[ElevenAD]

yes this^! Bring on the bike porn!

cant wait to here how the Aventon stacks up! i stick with my original prediction of the Dash getting returned!

 

[vincent]

love hearing about your experiences with these
anxious for the final decisions

 

[SRTtoZ]

yes this^! Bring on the bike porn!

cant wait to here how the Aventon stacks up! i stick with my original prediction of the Dash getting returned!

Funny enough this might happen but I'll trade up for the Aurora Limited. I still LOVE the Dash but it just doesn't seem to have a powerful enough motor for bigger riders (220). I'll get some pics of both as well. I posted a bit more on the Evelo Dash thread about my experiences too which you can read here. Next up, Aventon Sinch.

 

[SRTtoZ]

Just some unboxing shots. I'll get some nice shots tomorrow outside when I take mine across the Hudson River and get some great photos.

 

[ElevenAD]

Wow 220lbs is not super heavy, a 185lb guy with some baggage could easily hit this weight! Imagine if a 235/240lb guy like myself hopped on, not good. Both look great and if it were me i know i would end up keeping all three, i just love E-Bikes and im sure a friend would use it! The Evelo looks sleek with the belt drive but the Rover looks so mean and menacing!

 

[ElevenAD]

So the Dash I got yesterday and I've had a ton of fun on it so far but my one complaint (which you can find in the Evelo forum) is the motor isn't that great when on throttle. When you pedal you can feel that extra torque that's in the motor but it doesn't really propel you forward on throttle like a lot of the other bikes. Speaking of other bikes, I just put together the Rad Mini 4 and so far I'm very impressed for a bike I paid $1200 for. The one thing that suprised me compared to the Dash is it's a better folding bike. When you fold up the Rad Mini 4 there is resistance on each folding mechanism so that it doesn't just go limp when it comes apart. That way it's easier to fold up and handle. Yes it's bigger and heavier but the weight is more central where on the dash it's all over the place and feels like folding a human body. The Rad Mini 4 actually rests in the folding position pretty well where the Dash falls to the battery side unless you remove the battery. Overall they are both great bikes but one is more raw (the rad mini 4) with amazing value but the Dash is more refined with the most premium parts. I don't know if it's worth more than double the price though. Still in the try before buy phase.

The unboxing experiences: The dash you just take out of the box and charge. The Rad mini 4 you have to put pieces together and it takes about 30 mins to an hour depending on if you're new to this or have someone helping you. I did it myself and it took me about 45 mins but 15 mins of that was filling the tires with my mini pump lol. Rad has a great Youtube video showing you how to put it together piece by piece and it's pretty easy overall.

how did you feel about the 20in Fat tires vs the smaller tires on the Evelo? i have only tried the small fat tires offroad and on a farm and they are great for that but i have not really tried them on pavement.