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

[m@Robertson]

Just to add almost as an aside to what already has been above: I found that by far the best price on a Surly Big Fat Dummy was a bike store in IIRC Vermont or Massachusetts (I am in CA). They shipped directly to me. I unboxed and assembled the bike; then built it into an ebike. The basics of bicycle assembly aren't so bad. In fact I suspect you can get the bike set up well enough on your own to be able to walk it into any LBS for a 'tune up'. So maybe thats an option for you.

 

[EmilyRides]

Thanks @m@Robertson, I may end up having to do that.

@RandallS , Thanks. I actually spent quite a bit of time crushing on the various Liv e-bikes, especially the Rove. But I have a good friend who is an e-bikey (she has an e-mtb and an e-recumbent trike) who pointed out to me that with their 700c wheels, that 42t chainring is going to likely make pedaling difficult without using at least some assist all the time; i.e., the gearing is kind of high for the rolling hills we have around my cycling area. I tend to agree, as the bike I ride most frequently, my Bike Friday (non-e, of course) has 20" wheels, and I am almost always in my 42t chainring. I do use the 52 on occasion for descents, but it has a wide range in back (11-36), so the 42t suffices for most of my riding. So I am actually drawn to ebikes with smaller chainrings (the Kona I like has a 38t) and/or smaller wheels. The latter also help with weight and fit for my size.

I'm actually taking a close look at Bike Friday's e-bike offering, the Ever-y-Day. May end up going that route, as I have been super happy with my custom Pocket Crusoe purchased new in 2004 and have put 1000s of miles on it. Biggest qualm is no local dealers, so if I have a problem with the motor, who would work on it? Yikes.

 

[Alaskan]

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.

Here is a good deal on a fabulous, small, carbon fiber frame ebike with excellent components and weighs just 36 lbs. It has a Bosch speed motor so it is a class 3 with assist to 28mph and a 2x11, 22 speed drive train.. It is a 2022 used but only owned a month with 5 miles on it.
I own a lesser model of this bike and love riding it. For an experienced roady going electric, this would be a good choice that a bike a person can be happy with for years going forward. I have 3,900 miles on mine now, very trouble free just normal expected maintenance and a few bugs to work out when new. REI carries these so you should be able to get service at any REI, if you have one close by. It is a designed gravel bike but has impeccable road manners. A great all around athletic performer.

CANNONDALE TOPSTONE NEO 2 CARBON ELECTRIC GRAVEL BIKE 2022 SMALL USED | eBay

<p>CANNONDALE TOPSTONE NEO 2 CARBON ELECTRIC GRAVEL BIKE 2022 SMALL USED. THIS BIKE WAS PURCHASED 1 MONTH AGO. THE BIKE HAS AROUND 5 MILES ON IT. THE BIKE LOOKS BRAND NEW. YOU CANT TELL IT HAS 5 MILES ON IT. THE FRAME IS FULL CARBON FIBER. THERE IS NOT 1 MARK ON THE BIKE. IT HAS THE FULL BOSCH...

www.ebay.com

 

[EmilyRides]

@Alaskan, Thank you. That is a sweet-looking bike. However, the seller has a couple of questionable reviews (bike never arrived, seller didn't answer questions, bike was not as described, etc) and only an 80% positive feedback rating on Ebay. Too risky to me to spend that kind of money. AND, even more importantly, as someone else said above, a Small isn't a Small isn't a Small. I checked the specs on the Cannondale site, and they recommend the Small in that model for riders 5'4" to 5'9", so it is clearly far too big for me. That is the problem with unisex bikes and why there is still a good reason that some manufacturers make WSD bikes. I do like the looks of some of the Cannondale step-throughs, but I am not a fan of the Bosch motor, for reasons I stated above.

 

[Bikeknit]

@EmilyRides I also found the Kona's checked all of my requirements but I had to wait several months for my bike. I'm a little easier to fit than you are but below are some ideas.

Kona does have a bike fit form on their web site which might make you feel a little more comfortable picking a size. I did this before ordering my bike as I thought my shop was being a bit casual about suggesting a size.

A step-through is more forgiving. So while the Ecoco is not as sporty, it might be a little easier to fit you.

You can ask your bike shop if they will let you test the size when it comes in. Odds are they can sell it to someone else if it really doesn't fit. And they should want you to be happy.

Search Kona's (or sites for other bikes you are interested in) web site on bike shops within a day:s drive and start calling them. Someone might be easier to work with on finding you a bike. Would it be worth a night in a hotel or Airbnb to get the bike you want? Don't assume the listed inventory is correct. Shops that sell more get more bikes.

Does your shop have a non-electric Kona Dew that you could try? Maybe it would make you more comfortable with sizing and just how their bikes ride.They aren't exactly the same configuration but just might give you some thoughts.

I love my Dew-e. Hope you find a bike you love as much.

 

[EmilyRides]

@Bikeknit , Thanks for all your excellent suggestions! I hadn't thought about test riding a Kona Dew to check the sizing. I checked, and the local Kona dealer does have a regular Dew in Small, so I might be able to arrange a test ride and at least decide if that one is a keeper on my very short list at the moment, for when an "e" is available. Thank you very much, and I'll keep you posted!

 

[Prairie Dog]

I realize that Specialized wasn’t in the running but the Tero 3 could be a dark horse. It’s promo’d as a HT mtb but is also listed as an active bike on Specialized’s website (along with the Vado/Como) so it could essentially be ridden on paved surfaces for commuting/touring. Essentially, a bike that can do everything. It might come at a slightly higher price point than the Kona but not by much. It does come shod with 29ers but they would roll quite nicely down the road or off trail but the bike does tip the scales at 50lbs.

36t front chainring mated to a 11-36t cog set, sizing in small (5’1-5’5”), 530wH battery, Brose motor (50Nm torque)

https://www.specialized.com/us/en/turbo-tero-3-0/p/188110?color=317404-188110

Best of luck in your search and hope that your Dew E dream comes to fruition.

 

[EmilyRides]

I realize that Specialized wasn’t in the running but the Tero 3 could be a dark horse. It’s promo’d as a HT mtb but is also listed as an active bike on Specialized’s website (along with the Vado/Como) so it could essentially be ridden on paved surfaces for commuting/touring. Essentially, a bike that can do everything. It might come at a slightly higher price point than the Kona but not by much. It does come shod with 29ers but they would roll quite nicely down the road or off trail but the bike does tip the scales at 50lbs.

36t front chainring mated to a 11-36t cog set, sizing in small (5’1-5’5”), 530wH battery, Brose motor (50Nm torque)

https://www.specialized.com/us/en/turbo-tero-3-0/p/188110?color=317404-188110

Best of luck in your search and hope that your Dew E dream comes to fruition.

Thanks @PrairieDog, I took a look but even though they say it can fit someone 5'1", a lot of that is just marketing hype. The standover of the Small is 773 mm = 30.43". I don't know of anyone my height who has an inseam that long! Mine is 28", so that makes this one another no go. I guess perhaps you're starting to see why this is such a difficult purchase for me. You regular-sized folks have no idea how lucky you are!

 

[Lbrava]

Not sure if you tried these guys, https://flyridesusa.com/ & not sure if they have what your looking for but I'd give em a call. Really helpful sales guy & very knowledgeable of bikes they sell and brands they don't, He didn't mind having several 10-15 minute conversations when I trying to figure out what to buy & sizing the bike. I worked with a guy named Trey.
Good Luck

 

[EmilyRides]

Not sure if you tried these guys, https://flyridesusa.com/ & not sure if they have what your looking for but I'd give em a call. Really helpful sales guy & very knowledgeable of bikes they sell and brands they don't, He didn't mind having several 10-15 minute conversations when I trying to figure out what to buy & sizing the bike. I worked with a guy named Trey.
Good Luck

Thanks! I'd rather work with a shop much closer to me, though. I'm in North Carolina. Seems like a lot of the e-bike dealers and manufacturers are on the west coast. We do have an electric bike shop not too far here in NC, but right now they have almost zero stock.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Thanks @PrairieDog, I took a look but even though they say it can fit someone 5'1", a lot of that is just marketing hype. The standover of the Small is 773 mm = 30.43". I don't know of anyone my height who has an inseam that long! Mine is 28", so that makes this one another no go. I guess perhaps you're starting to see why this is such a difficult purchase for me. You regular-sized folks have no idea how lucky you are!

Yes, I understand completely as both my wife and I come from short stock.

The Tero is also available as a step thru and standover height is listed as 658mm (25”) for a small frame. However, availability then becomes an issue.

Ok, I did a quick check on Pinkbike and came across these from a dealer in Penn St. Close enough?

https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/3357467/

2022 KONA DEW-E For Sale

2022 KONA DEW-E For sale on Pinkbike buysell

www.pinkbike.com

 

[mschwett]

Thanks! I'd rather work with a shop much closer to me, though. I'm in North Carolina. Seems like a lot of the e-bike dealers and manufacturers are on the west coast. We do have an electric bike shop not too far here in NC, but right now they have almost zero stock.

if you're looking for a relatively light step-through bike with flat bars, you can find a couple size small specialized turbo vado SLs within a few hundred miles of north carolina, depending on where you are. you might also find the XS creo (drop bar road/gravel bike) very ridable - my 5'0 daughter can happily ride one - but i don't see any XS in stock on the east coast.

 

[Prairie Dog]

if you're looking for a relatively light step-through bike with flat bars, you can find a couple size small specialized turbo vado SLs within a few hundred miles of north carolina, depending on where you are. you might also find the XS creo (drop bar road/gravel bike) very ridable - my 5'0 daughter can happily ride one - but i don't see any XS in stock on the east coast.

My wife rides a small Creo and she’s just 5’ tall. After a Retul fitting which required reducing the length of her seat post, adjusting the angle of the bars, adjusting the brake levers, a shorter stem, different saddle she’s now sports a more preferable riding position on her bike relative to her size.

She should have required an XS but nothing was available at the time and not sure if this size is adequately stocked by most dealers up here or for that matter anywhere else.

 

[EmilyRides]

Thanks for all the suggestions, everyone! I love the Specialized Creo, but it's above my highest price range, not to mention the availability issue. The Turbo Vado SL also looks great, but again, availability is an issue as well as a few other things I read (have to have a bike shop remove the battery? Can that be right?) In any event, I am more and more inclined towards the Kona Dew-e DL, after comparing it in detail to the basic Kona Dew-e. It's more than I wanted to spend but offers some significant upgrades over the base model. And there are actually a couple of Smalls here on the east coast! The pinkbike one @Prairie Dog found, and another I found at freezethaw.com. So, there is some hope I might actually achieve one this year.
I am going to see if I can arrange a test ride of a non-e Kona Dew at the LBS next week and go from there. I'll keep you posted!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

(have to have a bike shop remove the battery? Can that be right?)

Of course it is right. The concept becomes understandable for anyone riding a Creo or Vado SL or any other SL e-bike. Nothing really different to a modern smartphone; the only difference being that even a skilled user can drop the motor and remove the main battery if necessary. Interesting thing is an SL e-bike can be still ridden after the battery removal, running on a Range Extender battery only.

Of course, the integrated battery concept does not need to be good for everybody. For one, I just keep my Vado SL in my flat, take it with a single hand whenever I need to ride, carry the bike downstairs and I'm just riding! Not doable with a full power e-bike. (Just saying).

The reason I bought a Vado SL as the everyday e-bike.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Thanks for all the suggestions, everyone! I love the Specialized Creo, but it's above my highest price range, not to mention the availability issue. The Turbo Vado SL also looks great, but again, availability is an issue as well as a few other things I read (have to have a bike shop remove the battery? Can that be right?) In any event, I am more and more inclined towards the Kona Dew-e DL, after comparing it in detail to the basic Kona Dew-e. It's more than I wanted to spend but offers some significant upgrades over the base model. And there are actually a couple of Smalls here on the east coast! The pinkbike one @Prairie Dog found, and another I found at freezethaw.com. So, there is some hope I might actually achieve one this year.

 

[dodgeman]

I looked at the place I bought my bike, Bickel‘s in Burlington, Iowa. They actually have a couple in extra small and small. They had a Gazelle and Trek in those sizes, $2500 to $3200 roughly. That doesn’t do you much good unless you want a long road trip but I’d think there‘d be some availability in your area.

Do you need a small size. It seems like at 5’1” tall and a 28” inseam you must have long legs for your height so a small might be the best fit?? Good luck on your search.

 

[EmilyRides]

I looked at the place I bought my bike, Bickel‘s in Burlington, Iowa. They actually have a couple in extra small and small. They had a Gazelle and Trek in those sizes, $2500 to $3200 roughly. That doesn’t do you much good unless you want a long road trip but I’d think there‘d be some availability in your area.

Do you need a small size. It seems like at 5’1” tall and a 28” inseam you must have long legs for your height so a small might be the best fit?? Good luck on your search.

Thanks for taking a look, Dodgeman. I do have longish legs for my height, or at least proportional, not short anyway. Konas don't come in XS, but their Small has appropriate standover and reach for me. Right now I am only looking at the Kona Dew-E DL and am not interested in a Gazelle or Trek for various reasons, but I do appreciate your checking!

 

[EmilyRides]

Update: I got to ride a regular (non-e) Kona Dew in size small today at the local Kona dealer, and it fit me perfectly. So, that clinches my decision. The shop manager is contacting her rep to try to locate a small Kona Dew-e DL for me. I may wait for the 2023 model, as I'm not a huge fan of this year's color, but we'll see. I had so much fun riding the Dew; if I lived in a flatter area, that would be all I'd need for zipping around town.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Update: I got to ride a regular (non-e) Kona Dew in size small today at the local Kona dealer, and it fit me perfectly. So, that clinches my decision. The shop manager is contacting her rep to try to locate a small Kona Dew-e DL for me. I may wait for the 2023 model, as I'm not a huge fan of this year's color, but we'll see. I had so much fun riding the Dew; if I lived in a flatter area, that would be all I'd need for zipping around town.

Glad to hear that you were able to test ride the analog version. Just one more thing to check off on your ‘To Dew’ list. Sure looks like a winner to me.