No local availability of e-bike I want - what to do?

[EmilyRides]

My nearby LBS is a dealer for a particular brand of bike/e-bike but doesn't have any in-stock, nor does the manufacturer. However, a web search reveals a distant bike shop (halfway across the US) does have the size/model I am interested in. Is it possible to order from the distant bike shop and have it sent to a LBS for assembly, then pick it up there? In the past I've always bought an in-stock model from an LBS, or ordered directly from the manufacturer, or bought used on Ebay. None of those options will work this time around, so I am not sure exactly how to do this. Thanks in advance!

 

[Alaskan]

My nearby LBS is a dealer for a particular brand of bike/e-bike but doesn't have any in-stock, nor does the manufacturer. However, a web search reveals a distant bike shop (halfway across the US) does have the size/model I am interested in. Is it possible to order from the distant bike shop and have it sent to a LBS for assembly, then pick it up there? In the past I've always bought an in-stock model from an LBS, or ordered directly from the manufacturer, or bought used on Ebay. None of those options will work this time around, so I am not sure exactly how to do this. Thanks in advance!

This is done quite frequently, on both sides of the pond.

Ask your LBS if they will make the arrangements to have the far away bike shipped to them for assembly and fitting. It will gain them a steady customer and there is no good reason for them to say no. If they do, this is not the shop you would want to depend on going forward anyway.

 

[EmilyRides]

Thanks, Alaskan! Glad to know that this is done frequently. I will certainly check with the LBS. This is not a shop I've dealt with in the past, but they seem to have a good reputation, so hopefully they will be amenable.

 

[Alaskan]

Thanks, Alaskan! Glad to know that this is done frequently. I will certainly check with the LBS. This is not a shop I've dealt with in the past, but they seem to have a good reputation, so hopefully they will be amenable.

Best of luck and please let us know how it works out. Will this be your first ebike? You appear to be a fit and experienced rider. I am curious what bike you are looking to buy. Please share that with us, if you care to.

 

[PedalUma]

Some brands have internal policies against this. Sometimes you can buy a bike from a shop as an online purchase and they will include shipping. One California chain, Mike's Bikes has Wheelsmith Gold Label shipping. For a small fee, the bike is fully assembled and tuned. Then re-boxed for shipping. We joke that it sounds like Will Smith the actor. And what is 'Gold Label' anyway? I look forward to seeing what you picked.

 

[EmilyRides]

Alaskan, Yes, this will be my first e-bike. I'm 61 now but have been riding since my 30s and have owned a boatload of bikes over the years: road, mountain, hybrid, tandem, fat, recumbent, folding; you name it, I've probably owned and ridden it! Ha! But I'm slowing down and can't hang with my very speedy hubby any longer, even though I am still fit for my age. I am tired of riding solo and have been researching e-bikes for the past two years; have had "crushes" on many, but after considering many factors, I think I'm pretty much settled on the Kona Dew-E (or perhaps the ECOCO, which is sized the same but is a step-thru and not quite as sporty). I'm not even sure that the link I found online for a Small is valid any longer, because when I go to the shop's site and look at their inventory, it's not there, so it may be an old link. So I may end up having to wait for a 2023, but I'm going to give it a shot. The very few I've found online have been larger sizes. Thanks!

 

[Alaskan]

Kona has a corporate retail shop here in Bellingham about a mile and a half from where we live. I can ride down there and check in with them if you like. Let me know.

My wife rides a Trek Allant and loves it. She has two years on you but is still quite athletic athletic and fit

 

[Art Deco]

I rarely reply on here anymore, but I have to say that offer from you, Richard, is exactly what makes you (and EBR) special .

 

[Alaskan]

I rarely reply on here anymore, but I have to say that offer from you, Richard, is exactly what makes you (and EBR) special .

You are too kind sir. Just trying to help a fellow cyclist.

 

[PedalUma]

@Art Deco. It is so very good to here from you. @EmilyRides, what about a Marin? The company is based in my hometown and has excellent support. Bikes must go through their dealers. This one is a Sausalito. Like a Kona or Surly it has plenty of places to add accessories, racks and bags. The long wheel base is comfortable to ride. It is like a more sporty Como.

 

[TrevorB]

@Art Deco. It is so very good to here from you. @EmilyRides, what about a Marin? The company is based in my hometown and has excellent support. Bikes must go through their dealers. This one is a Sausalito. Like a Kona or Surly it has plenty of places to add accessories, racks and bags. The long wheel base is comfortable to ride. It is like a more sporty Como.
View attachment 130223

The Kona comes with, lights, mudguards which are nice haves plus more relaxed riding position judging by handlebars.
Marin has nicer and wider gear range drivetrain 10spd Deore vs 9spd Alivio.

 

[EmilyRides]

Kona has a corporate retail shop here in Bellingham about a mile and a half from where we live. I can ride down there and check in with them if you like. Let me know.

My wife rides a Trek Allant and loves it. She has two years on you but is still quite athletic athletic and fit

Thanks for the generous offer, @Alaskan! No need to do that yet; let me check with the LBS here first for a status. Plus, after a lengthy discussion with my dear husband, I may be looking at some additional makes/models as well. He thinks I am selling myself short and that this should be my dream bike. I do like Kona as a brand, though, and at my size, my options are more limited than a taller human. I'm going to run through other options once again just to see if there is something I missed. I remember looking into the Trek Allant awhile back and will revisit that one, as I can't recall why I nixxed it at the moment.

 

[EmilyRides]

@PedalUma, Thanks for the recommendation of the Marin -- I hadn't seen that one but will have a look.

 

[PatriciaK]

Thanks for the generous offer, @Alaskan! No need to do that yet; let me check with the LBS here first for a status. Plus, after a lengthy discussion with my dear husband, I may be looking at some additional makes/models as well. He thinks I am selling myself short and that this should be my dream bike. I do like Kona as a brand, though, and at my size, my options are more limited than a taller human. I'm going to run through other options once again just to see if there is something I missed. I remember looking into the Trek Allant awhile back and will revisit that one, as I can't recall why I nixxed it at the moment.

I think it's most always best to test ride as many different bikes as you can before your first purchase, even if you have a specific brand/model in mind. Until you're actually on the bike, it's hard to know what fits you best. Even brands you know and love as "regular" bikes may not be what you're looking for when you go "e" .

 

[Alaskan]

I think it's most always best to test ride as many different bikes as you can before your first purchase, even if you have a specific brand/model in mind. Until you're actually on the bike, it's hard to know what fits you best. Even brands you know and love as "regular" bikes may not be what you're looking for when you go "e" .

Sage advice.

 

[Lbrava]

One thing to note (if buying online site unseen which is kinda the way of the world right now) is size/geo of the bike. As one manufactures sizing call out like small/medium/large can be completely different than another. If you buy site unseen I suggest you go to LBS find a bike that fits get geo spec. and make sure the bike you order is a close match doesn't have to be exact but close works. Also a lot online sellers are very helpful & you shouldn't have problem buying site unseen.
I was in the same boat no local seller had what I wanted so I rode some mediums & large bikes found out a "large" Trek was a great fit. But the bike I bought was a "medium" that has almost exact same geo as the Trek large.

 

[Bikeknit]

I had to wait several months for my Dew-e but I'm glad I did. My local shop in Kansas City had a small Dew-e last time I was in there. Maybe your shop can make a trade with another shop. Not sure why Kona is still struggling with supply issues. I love their bikes.

 

[Captain Slow]

Emily I'm curious, what is the particular brand and model of bike you're interested in. Aren't there bikes from competitors that are quite similar? I understand wanting a particular brand and model, but given supply chain shortages during covid you often have to take what you can get.

As an example I had my eye on a Cervelo Caledonia and was planning to buy one in 2021 and then SRAM announced eTap Rival and I really wanted it right away. No word from Cervelo if they would have it on a Caledonia so I checked to see what would come with it and I found the Specialized Aethos which is similar, but admittedly a different style of bike. I bought it on the first day I could order it and I've loved the bike.

 

[EmilyRides]

I agree with the recommendation to test ride, but when you're 5'1", finding any bike to test ride other than a child's model has always been difficult. Throw in a pandemic, supply-chain issues, and availability of bikes at a super low, and it becomes nearly impossible. I have bought bikes with and without test rides in the past, and I've had equal success each way. I do know my geometry needs (only too well), so that does help.
@Captain Slow, I have looked at a large variety of e-bikes online, and very few meet my criteria. Either they weigh more than 50 lbs (a non-starter for me) or are just too big and unwieldy for someone 5'1" and 100 lbs, which tends to go hand-in-hand with the first, or the price point is beyond what I am willing to spend. I also don't want a noisy motor (or one with drag when riding without it), so I rule out any bike with a Bosch. I stated up top the bike I was most interested in, the Kona Dew-E, and frankly, I haven't found a whole lot comparable to that particular model in specs, weight, quality, at that price point. The Specialized models (Como, Vado) are $1800 more than the Dew-E and don't seem to be worth that much more, in my mind. I'm not willing to compromise too much since I plan to keep this bike for a good long time, and I want to get it as close to right the first time rather than ending up with a boat anchor I'll have to turn around and sell later. The bikes I currently own are a 2004 Bike Friday Pocket Crusoe, a 2007 Trek Pilot 5.0 carbon roadie, and a 2011 Jamis Dakar MTB, if that is any indication how long I like to keep beloved bikes that fit me well. I would rather wait for the 2023 models than end up with something I won't ride because it just isn't the right fit for me.

ETA: If anyone has any suggestions for me, I'd be happy to look into them. I did look at the Marin mentioned above, but it also appears to be out of stock, and I believe there was something else about it I didn't like when I checked online.

 

[RandallS]

If there's a local Giant dealer, their female focused brand "Liv" have bikes in XS sizing.
I've a friend with an Amiti E+2 and she loves hers. Her husband has the equivalent model from Giant.

The Yamaha motor is relatively quiet and with the battery out, would undoubtedly be less then 50 lbs but they don't list weights on their website.

I am not sure, but I would imagine pricing would be similar to the Kona.

Link to US LIV

Maybe worth a look - best of luck in sourcing your new ride.