Newbie looking for knowledge about Ebikes.

[Ron750]

My wife and I were riding our bikes last Spring, and we realized it gets harder to get back in shape every year. So we looked at some ebikes, but we quickly became confused at all the choices. So we never bought any.
I’m also looking at RVing when we retire, and might want to go with ebikes for local transportation.
I’ve learned a lot about motorcycling and RVs from forums, so I’m joining here.

 

[fooferdoggie]

I always say if possible go to a local Shop and try them out. Makes a huge difference in understanding how they feel to ride

 

[Ron750]

I always say if possible go to a local Shop and try them out. Makes a huge difference in understanding how they feel to ride

Thanks. I definitely plan to buy from a dealer. It’s very difficult to find out which bikes are sold through dealers, that have the features I want.
I’ll start a thread on that.

 

[fooferdoggie]

Yes ask about the features you want. E bikes got me back to riding. My body does not work right and I don’t have a lot of energy. With a ebike I can ride fast even when I am really low maybe kit as fast but close.

 

[J.R.]

Thanks. I definitely plan to buy from a dealer. It’s very difficult to find out which bikes are sold through dealers, that have the features I want.
I’ll start a thread on that.

I don't know where in Wisconsin you are, but if you can make your way to Crazy Lenny's in Madison, they have all the bikes you could want to test.

eBike Store | Crazy Lenny's Electric Bikes | Madison

Crazy Lenny's Electric Bikes is the largest single-location ebike store in the USA. We carry 30 different brands and 300 different models of bikes. Check out our website to see what we have in stock or come into our store to test ride an ebike.

www.crazylennysebikes.com

 

[Wagonrd]

My wife and I were riding our bikes last Spring, and we realized it gets harder to get back in shape every year. So we looked at some ebikes, but we quickly became confused at all the choices. So we never bought any.
I’m also looking at RVing when we retire, and might want to go with ebikes for local transportation.
I’ve learned a lot about motorcycling and RVs from forums, so I’m joining here.

Lots of good info from these comments. The best comment is to ride an ebike before buying it, never order online based on the BS presented in their ads. Also, if you are an offroad er, ride the bike on the kind of dirt roads and trails you intend to haunt. Gearing for level pavement is vastly different than uphill mountain forest service roads. Happy trails.

 

[DrJay]

I agree to visit a local bike shop that is knowledgeable about ebikes. My suggestion would be to try a mid drive system and a rear hub system as they are completely different in feel, efficiency and hill climbing ability. My dealer allowed me to take the bike out of the parking lot on an 8 mile test ride.

 

[Wagonrd]

Hooray for taking a test ride, a vital step in deciding what to buy. A lesson learned: If you are a forest service road or single track mtb'er get the lightest ebike available. Plan on $6K. Get the smallest chainring possible, like 16 teeth, and the largest teeth cogset possible, like 50 teeth from boxcomponents.com, or a stock 11-42 9 speed cogset. Mid drive ebike motors like to spin, and when the battery cuts out from low voltage you can pedal home instead of pushing.

 

[WinterKill]

If you live in western Wisconsin HarryS pointed me to the ebike challenge March 28th & 29th in Minneapolis.

E-bike Challenge.com - E-bike Challenge Minneapolis

Test the latest e-bikes on an outstanding indoor test track at the E-bike Challenge in Minneapolis. April 2 - 3, 2022. Minneapolis Convention Center.

ebikechallenge.com