Newbie
- Thread starter Jamjan
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indianajo
Well-Known Member
Welcome to the site.
If you don't want to do your own service, buying from a local shop gives you some chance of support. Pedego has a lot of outlets, you might be able to find a dealer about anywhere in N. America. The other big two, if I read right, are juiced & trek. The last one is not reviewed here, my searches indicate.
Be sure to read over the threads about bike transport racks on general discussion, parts and accessories threads. Weight to get it into a rack is important with some arrangements, not on others.
Picking how far your are going to go determines battery size. Picking how fast you are not going to go helps you decide if you want to pay for a suspension or not. Suspensions or fat tires are necessary above ~25 mph and maybe lower.
Picking how much exercise you want determines if you want mid drive or hub drive. People that like to pedal in most circumstances, need low drag hub drives or the yamaha mid. People that are going to use electricity all the time, and a taxi/friend/wrecker in case of failure can be served well by mid-drives.
Have fun shopping, and later riding.
If you don't want to do your own service, buying from a local shop gives you some chance of support. Pedego has a lot of outlets, you might be able to find a dealer about anywhere in N. America. The other big two, if I read right, are juiced & trek. The last one is not reviewed here, my searches indicate.
Be sure to read over the threads about bike transport racks on general discussion, parts and accessories threads. Weight to get it into a rack is important with some arrangements, not on others.
Picking how far your are going to go determines battery size. Picking how fast you are not going to go helps you decide if you want to pay for a suspension or not. Suspensions or fat tires are necessary above ~25 mph and maybe lower.
Picking how much exercise you want determines if you want mid drive or hub drive. People that like to pedal in most circumstances, need low drag hub drives or the yamaha mid. People that are going to use electricity all the time, and a taxi/friend/wrecker in case of failure can be served well by mid-drives.
Have fun shopping, and later riding.
ebikemom
Well-Known Member
Welcome! Ebike shopping can be a lot of fun. As you learned, it is about the riding experience. If you go with Pedego, do find a local shop and test-ride if you can, as there have been controller changes and the bikes in the shop may ride a bit differently than the one you rented. There were some "problem" controllers in a recent batch. The fix for those went out to local stores last week, according to a post I read from a Pedego employee on their owners group facebook site. I am a Pedego owner, but have no financial connection to Pedego (or to this forum). I'm just a happy e-cyclist who feels great when others also take up and enjoy ebiking!
As a motorhome traveler, you might find Pedego to be enjoyable because of the opportunity to connect with local dealers during your travels, either for service or to get tips about trails, etc., in the area you are visiting.
I purchased Pedego because I enjoyed the bike I test-rode, and because I wanted the dealer network since we see our ebikes (we have four) as a long-term purchase. Yes, Pedego costs more, but we are not mechanical people, and I also wanted to buy from a well-established company. We have found our local dealer to be cheerfully helpful. We have not had lots of problems, but ebikes have many electrical connections. Recent example: My son had an "error 7" message. I took the bike in, and they ran diagnostics. They found nothing wrong with the diagnostics or on a test-ride, but said that if we see "error 7" again, he will replace the throttle (which is what "error 7" relates to). My husband had a controller problem that the dealer thought might have been caused by a minor accident. The dealer fixed the bike for no charge for parts or labor.
Whatever bike you choose, I recommend test-riding and getting a bike that can be fit well to you, for the sake of safety. Some older riders get themselves into trouble by doing too much too soon, or when they choose bikes that don't fit them. It's important to have the bike fit to you as part of the purchase process. That can be done by swapping out handlebars, for example, which we needed to have done to get a good fit for our son. Our dealer also spends time with customers to help them acclimate to their bikes, if that is needed.
We LOVE our ebikes. I am so sad that the weather is turning, but I plan to keep riding as long as I can through the Fall and winter!
I'm glad you have joined us here on the forum. Whatever brand of bike you end up buying, you will find fans of that bike here, and lots of help from other members. I'm always interested in learning about different kinds of ebikes, so this forum is a fun place to be.
As a motorhome traveler, you might find Pedego to be enjoyable because of the opportunity to connect with local dealers during your travels, either for service or to get tips about trails, etc., in the area you are visiting.
I purchased Pedego because I enjoyed the bike I test-rode, and because I wanted the dealer network since we see our ebikes (we have four) as a long-term purchase. Yes, Pedego costs more, but we are not mechanical people, and I also wanted to buy from a well-established company. We have found our local dealer to be cheerfully helpful. We have not had lots of problems, but ebikes have many electrical connections. Recent example: My son had an "error 7" message. I took the bike in, and they ran diagnostics. They found nothing wrong with the diagnostics or on a test-ride, but said that if we see "error 7" again, he will replace the throttle (which is what "error 7" relates to). My husband had a controller problem that the dealer thought might have been caused by a minor accident. The dealer fixed the bike for no charge for parts or labor.
Whatever bike you choose, I recommend test-riding and getting a bike that can be fit well to you, for the sake of safety. Some older riders get themselves into trouble by doing too much too soon, or when they choose bikes that don't fit them. It's important to have the bike fit to you as part of the purchase process. That can be done by swapping out handlebars, for example, which we needed to have done to get a good fit for our son. Our dealer also spends time with customers to help them acclimate to their bikes, if that is needed.
We LOVE our ebikes. I am so sad that the weather is turning, but I plan to keep riding as long as I can through the Fall and winter!
I'm glad you have joined us here on the forum. Whatever brand of bike you end up buying, you will find fans of that bike here, and lots of help from other members. I'm always interested in learning about different kinds of ebikes, so this forum is a fun place to be.
Thanks for all the help. I guess I will spend much time this winter researching our purchase. I was looking at some brand claiming the bike could go 40 MPH. I never want to go that fast on a bike. Just looking for reliability so when we are visiting the beach or or a quaint mountain town we can get around at a leisurely pace and get back without struggling. It will be great passing by backed up traffic in the bike lane. My local bike shop carries Giant brand but not happy that they have no throttle capability. If i’m out biking an get a leg cramp then I can’t get home without assistance. I want something that I can just go without pedaling if needed. Appreciate the helpful comments and suggestions.
indianajo
Well-Known Member
You may want to shop quickly, the 25% tarriff that started Oct 1 will cause major price increases by spring. There could be closeout prices on leftover 2018 stock about now. Pedego owners said on Nightly Business Report that even moving their production to another country, their costs will go up $300 a bike. But don't buy a bike that doesn't fit. Posture choice (upright, relaxed, or head down and forward ) and distance seat to headtube (17", 19", 21" are common sizes) can't be fudged too much. The bikes have to be right for your bodies.
I absolutely needed a throttle in case of injury, is the reason I bought electric drive. I don't want a car with airbags, don't have phone service at my summer camp, and got stranded one time out there with a pulled leg muscle from tree disposal. I almost ran out of food that time before I healed enough to get back to town.
I absolutely needed a throttle in case of injury, is the reason I bought electric drive. I don't want a car with airbags, don't have phone service at my summer camp, and got stranded one time out there with a pulled leg muscle from tree disposal. I almost ran out of food that time before I healed enough to get back to town.
christob
Well-Known Member
Also consider bike weight if that will be a factor loading and offloading your bikes while using the motor home, depending on your age, strength, etc—and perhaps influenced by whether you’d stow them on a hitch rack or some other solution.
Since you don’t need those crazy high speeds, it sounds like you can limit your searches to Class2 or Class3 ebikes. I’ve got a class3 (mine’s a throttleless model, and will asssit to 28mph max)—though I don’t actually spend much time above 20mph in the majority of my rides, as it turns out. (Yes the extra power/speed I can tap into can be fun and exhilarating but I think I could have been likely as happy on a Class1 {no throttle} or Class 2 {has throttle}.)
Since you don’t need those crazy high speeds, it sounds like you can limit your searches to Class2 or Class3 ebikes. I’ve got a class3 (mine’s a throttleless model, and will asssit to 28mph max)—though I don’t actually spend much time above 20mph in the majority of my rides, as it turns out. (Yes the extra power/speed I can tap into can be fun and exhilarating but I think I could have been likely as happy on a Class1 {no throttle} or Class 2 {has throttle}.)
john peck
Well-Known Member
Go to Electric Bike Reviews & study what´s there, what you are willing to spend, & how you´d prefer to ride. I followed those reviews
for years before I pulled the trigger on the bike that suited me best. Don´t wait that long. There are some good affordable rides out
there. I just waited for the technology to evolve.
You might want to look at the hit numbers by brand on this forum to see which bikes are getting the most attention.
for years before I pulled the trigger on the bike that suited me best. Don´t wait that long. There are some good affordable rides out
there. I just waited for the technology to evolve.
You might want to look at the hit numbers by brand on this forum to see which bikes are getting the most attention.
ebikemom
Well-Known Member
You can get a rack with a ramp attachment, so you don't have to lift the bikes to load them on the rack, if using a rack is your plan. There are a couple of brands of racks that can carry ebikes that have ramp attachments.
Did you mention folders above? No rack needed then, but folders also are still quite heavy. If lifting is a problem, than folders would not be the way to go, though you could also carry folding bikes on a rack and folding for storage would be handy if you have a long season when riding isn't possible.
I suggest doing test rides and making a selection based on proven reliability and the riding experience.
Really appreciate the advice. The weight doesn’t scare me now but as I cross the age of 60 I am sure I need to consider that factor. I have no idea about how these things work but I am quite handy with most mechanical things. I love the Pedego since service centers are all over but I can buy two Rad’s for the price of one Pedego? I will purchase a rack to place on the back of my Jeep. I like the idea of the ramp to load but again they are twice as expensive as other racks without ramps. I don’t mind spending money but I really like to get value for my dollars.
ebikemom
Well-Known Member
My bike tech (who doesn't work for a bike shop--he has an independent bike repair shop) said that Pedego components are higher end than Rad components (he particularly likes the large disc brake rotors), and though I think the rear wheel of the Pedego is a pain to remove, the bike tech said it's the easiest hub drive rear wheel he's worked with. Of course, that doesn't completely explain the price difference--Pedego's dealer network and 2 year warranty costs them plenty, and those costs are passed along to customers. For us as a family of four ebikers, the Pedegos were expensive, but we are not mechanical/handy sorts, so it has been great to have that dealer nearby. The dealer has been very generous with loaners, also, so, for example, when my husband's bike needed warranty service and parts took time to arrive, he had a loaner for the entire time so didn't skip a beat with his commuting and recreational riding.
I hear great things about Rad also, and hear that they handle warranty work through LBS by reimbursing the bike owner, and that they can deliver a bike to an LBS for assembly (service paid by the bike purchaser). Maybe someone here can chime in about how all of this works for Rad bikes.
I hear great things about Rad also, and hear that they handle warranty work through LBS by reimbursing the bike owner, and that they can deliver a bike to an LBS for assembly (service paid by the bike purchaser). Maybe someone here can chime in about how all of this works for Rad bikes.
I do have two Pedego shops that are not far and would love that convenience since this is new technology for me. I have rode a Pedego and would love to go that route. I think they have Kevlar tires and some other very nice features. Really a hard decision. I am sure they are quality made. If you don’t mind my asking what was the “warranty work” that they performed?
I was in the same boat.. I rode a pedego ridge rider and loved it. I believe my wife rode an interceptor.. They were the first ebikes we ever rode.. Very nice dealership and salesman. When I was told the prices I thought there must have been a mistake.. Nope.. We ended up with a Haibike for me and a Gazelle for my wife and saved about 3 grand over buying the pedegos. Our dealer is a half hour further away and it seems like it's just the owner that does all the work on the bikes. It was a gamble but both bikes also have 2 year warranties however there's no way we'd get loaners and I've heard of guys waiting six weeks for a replacement rear wheel for a haibike. The pedego dealer network is a HUGE plus and might be worth the extra $$$, especially if you aren't familiar w/ working on bikes or don't want to mess with them if something goes wrong.
ebikemom
Well-Known Member
@Jamjan , to answer your questions about the work the dealer has performed for us ... We have four Pedego bikes that we bought in late April. Here's a summary of things the dealer has done for us. ONE of these was caused by a defect in the bike. The rest were little things we could have fixed ourselves (loose screws, loose connectors, equipment changes, changing a flat) and a problem caused by an accident, but all were fixed for free by the dealer.
Husband's bike (City commuter):
I hope that helps!
Amy
Husband's bike (City commuter):
- WARRANTY REPAIR: hub motor had a loud noise, the dealer replaced it, ordering a new motor and re-lacing the wheel. He said that this was a very rare defect that he hadn't heard of happening before. The dealer provided a free loaner for the duration that they had the bike (over two weeks).
- controller-to-battery connection broken, dealer things it was caused by a fall, causing error messages and loss of power. 3 hours of trouble-shooting and repair work. No charge to us, even though the cause was likely the accident. Dealer drove to our house to pick up the bike. Brought a loaner, which H used till his bike was repaired. No charge for the loaner.
- Mileage: 2500
- I asked for no throttle when we purchased our son's bike, because I thought it would make it easier for him to adjust to the bike. Once he was comfortable to the bike without the throttle, I asked them to install the throttle. No charge.
- Loose connection causing an error message. They found it and fixed it, no charge.
- Throttle surge, caused by a loose connection. Checked and re-seated connectors. Said they'll replace the throttle if it happens again. No charge
- Noisy motor, we thought, but it was a loose chain guard. Screw tightened. No charge.
- Handlebars didn't suit my son. Swapped out for City Commuter handlebars. No charge.
- Mileage: 1300
- flat tire repaired. No charge.
- bike exchanged for a different color, not because we requested this, but because they offered when they heard our daughter wasn't happy with the color of her bike. No charge.
- Mileage: 550
- Noisy motor, I thought, but it was a loose fender. Screw tightened. No charge.
- Provided additional bottle of touch-up paint. No charge.
- Mileage: 2300
I hope that helps!
Amy
Feliz
Well-Known Member
Well, I'm an 80 year old Pedego rider and I'm a believer! First they repaired (replaced a part) on my Interceptor, it was a minor issue that could have been ignored but they repaired it and I received calls from both US and Canadian customer service to follow up after it had been repaired.
Then I asked if I could have my standard Interceptor frame replaced with a step through at my expense, I was having difficulty getting my leg over the rear fender and seat, no fault of the bike at all, I had put a few hundred kilos on the bike. Our local dealer (Pedego Oyama) spoke with the Canadian Pedego representative and they offered to switch frames on my bike at no charge to me. They had to sell the bike with my used frame as a used bike at quite a large discount. I asked them why they didn't sell the bike as a new one, it was a new bike except for the frame which never had a mark on it. They said they wouldn't do it, it would be dishonest, who else would do that? I saw the price difference (money they were losing) and paid the dealer most of it, the dealer never ask for a penny. How's that for service?
Then I asked if I could have my standard Interceptor frame replaced with a step through at my expense, I was having difficulty getting my leg over the rear fender and seat, no fault of the bike at all, I had put a few hundred kilos on the bike. Our local dealer (Pedego Oyama) spoke with the Canadian Pedego representative and they offered to switch frames on my bike at no charge to me. They had to sell the bike with my used frame as a used bike at quite a large discount. I asked them why they didn't sell the bike as a new one, it was a new bike except for the frame which never had a mark on it. They said they wouldn't do it, it would be dishonest, who else would do that? I saw the price difference (money they were losing) and paid the dealer most of it, the dealer never ask for a penny. How's that for service?
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