Outdoor Adventure EBike (camping, trail riding, etc)

[NomadV]

Good Afternoon Everyone, FNG here, but I figure this is the place to get advice on EBikes.
A little background, we are soon to be stationed in Nevada and with all of the riding, hiking and camping options there vs here in GA, I’ve started looking into EBikes.
I’m looking for something to handle sand and rock trails, mountains and mud all while pulling a small trailer with our camping or other needed gear.
I’m not currently leaning towards one brand over another (even the 3 wheel Bikes), but with some offering mil discounts of up to 20% (QuietKat and Rambo are 20% and Bakcou is 10%) it does hold some sway. So far my concerns with the “big name” folks out there is what I’ve read regarding pretty terrible customer service when it comes to dealing with issues.
So with that, I’m open to the advice of you folks with more experience in this realm.
Thanks everyone

 

[indianajo]

Having to deal with wind in this area, I highly recommend carrying your cargo with a stretch cargo bike instead of a trailer. I hauled 2 shelf units home last week, have carried a 6000 btu A/C, 32" TV, 5 gal ag chemicals up top, and 60-80 lb groceries in the panniers weekly.
2.1" tires should handle all those terrains plus the grassy fields I ride in sometimes. Don't ride power on across muddy rock, steel, or wet wood bridges. People have fallen. I use kenda knobby tires; if the knobs >3/32" I don't get flats.
Mine is a yubabike bodaboda for small people. they have a high bar frame for large people. It has frame mounts for a front basket so I don't steer the load up there. My bike has been trouble free for 8000 miles. Adjusted one shifter stop, broke one fender with my foot. Normal wear items, tires, brake shoes, chain (5000 miles) have been replaced. Look at the list of "known problems" for any brand you are thinking about. Some bikes have steel wheels & cables, some bikes have scrap metal, like Rad.
Other stretch frame vendors xtracycle, kona ute (the original), Surly(steel frame), Magnum, m2s, reiss & mueller (high end & expensive), pedego stretch (expensive, many warrenty stations), blix packa (24" wheels). This is the cargo category forum: https://electricbikereview.com/forums/forum/cargo/
There are front bucket bikes, very expensive because of the remote front steering with chain drive. Also looks to be more wind drag than my model. There are 20" wheel on one end models, which I avoided because I can't always miss the potholes. there is rain or previous cars to cover them up. there are 20" tire on both end models like Tern GSD & HSD, for people that have perfect pavement like in Germany. Certainly teeth rattlers here in Indiana. There are two wheel in the front tipping models, which I view as a rolling joke instead of serious transportation. There are two wheel in the back models, which fall over if turning over 10 mph.
For alternate opinions see the camping & touring forum: https://electricbikereview.com/forums/forum/touring-travel/ John Peck loves his trailer setup.
Happy shopping.

 

[reed scott]

Good Afternoon Everyone, FNG here, but I figure this is the place to get advice on EBikes.
A little background, we are soon to be stationed in Nevada and with all of the riding, hiking and camping options there vs here in GA, I’ve started looking into EBikes.
I’m looking for something to handle sand and rock trails, mountains and mud all while pulling a small trailer with our camping or other needed gear.
I’m not currently leaning towards one brand over another (even the 3 wheel Bikes), but with some offering mil discounts of up to 20% (QuietKat and Rambo are 20% and Bakcou is 10%) it does hold some sway. So far my concerns with the “big name” folks out there is what I’ve read regarding pretty terrible customer service when it comes to dealing with issues.
So with that, I’m open to the advice of you folks with more experience in this realm.
Thanks everyone

Both Quiet Kat and Bakcou use bikes made by Frey. If you can stand the 4 month's wait and dealing through Alibaba (as many people here have successfully done ) you can get a top of the line bike like the Bakcou Storm or the 'Jeep' bike for a couple thousand less. I have a rebadged Frey AM1000 and it is a sturdy, quite powerful bike. I haul a single wheel trailer with it I got from Quiet Kat.

 

[NomadV]

Having to deal with wind in this area, I highly recommend carrying your cargo with a stretch cargo bike instead of a trailer. I hauled 2 shelf units home last week, have carried a 6000 btu A/C, 32" TV, 5 gal ag chemicals up top, and 60-80 lb groceries in the panniers weekly.
2.1" tires should handle all those terrains plus the grassy fields I ride in sometimes. Don't ride power on across muddy rock, steel, or wet wood bridges. People have fallen. I use kenda knobby tires; if the knobs >3/32" I don't get flats.
Mine is a yubabike bodaboda for small people. they have a high bar frame for large people. It has frame mounts for a front basket so I don't steer the load up there. My bike has been trouble free for 8000 miles. Adjusted one shifter stop, broke one fender with my foot. Normal wear items, tires, brake shoes, chain (5000 miles) have been replaced. Look at the list of "known problems" for any brand you are thinking about. Some bikes have steel wheels & cables, some bikes have scrap metal, like Rad.
Other stretch frame vendors xtracycle, kona ute (the original), Surly(steel frame), Magnum, m2s, reiss & mueller (high end & expensive), pedego stretch (expensive, many warrenty stations), blix packa (24" wheels). This is the cargo category forum: https://electricbikereview.com/forums/forum/cargo/
There are front bucket bikes, very expensive because of the remote front steering with chain drive. Also looks to be more wind drag than my model. There are 20" wheel on one end models, which I avoided because I can't always miss the potholes. there is rain or previous cars to cover them up. there are 20" tire on both end models like Tern GSD & HSD, for people that have perfect pavement like in Germany. Certainly teeth rattlers here in Indiana. There are two wheel in the front tipping models, which I view as a rolling joke instead of serious transportation. There are two wheel in the back models, which fall over if turning over 10 mph.
For alternate opinions see the camping & touring forum: https://electricbikereview.com/forums/forum/touring-travel/ John Peck loves his trailer setup.
Happy shopping.

Thanks for the info. My biggest Hangup I’m having with a lot of the companies is that I have yet to find one where people talk about the quality of their customer service. If it was a bike I could just take to a local shop and have everything handled it wouldn’t be a big deal to me

 

[reed scott]

Thanks for the info. My biggest Hangup I’m having with a lot of the companies is that I have yet to find one where people talk about the quality of their customer service. If it was a bike I could just take to a local shop and have everything handled it wouldn’t be a big deal to me

What part of the country do you live in? There ARE ebike mechanics scattered around who will work on any bike within reason. Additionally it is not rocket science to do most of the work necessary on Bafang motored ebikes. Even changing out the motor is pretty much plug and play. Of course if you get into the high dollar 'Eurocentric' bikes this is not the case. There you are chained to a dealer as far as motor work is concerned and those bikes are not trailering vehicles. Given your stated use for your bike or bikes I solidly recommend a Bafang mid drive bike. If you are budget minded the 'hunting bike' crowd is HIGH dollar compared to Frey and Biktrix. Midway up the price structure right now is Wattwagons with their Hydra offering. Ordering now is at least a 4 month wait.

 

[NomadV]

What part of the country do you live in? There ARE ebike mechanics scattered around who will work on any bike within reason. Additionally it is not rocket science to do most of the work necessary on Bafang motored ebikes. Even changing out the motor is pretty much plug and play. Of course if you get into the high dollar 'Eurocentric' bikes this is not the case. There you are chained to a dealer as far as motor work is concerned and those bikes are not trailering vehicles. Given your stated use for your bike or bikes I solidly recommend a Bafang mid drive bike. If you are budget minded the 'hunting bike' crowd is HIGH dollar compared to Frey and Biktrix. Midway up the price structure right now is Wattwagons with their Hydra offering. Ordering now is at least a 4 month wait.

That Hydra one is really damn cool, but I wonder if it would work with panniers and a trailer.

 

[reed scott]

That Hydra one is really damn cool, but I wonder if it would work with panniers and a trailer.

Oh yeah. No problem. Any decently powered mid drive with a thru axle can pull a trailer with ease. Robert Axle Project will fit you up with the correct axle and fittings to pull a 'bob' type trailer. That is, the 'hunting type' trailers the 'hunting bike' guys sell. Personally I don't plan to even put a rack on my Hydra other than maybe the light weight type that clamps to the seat post. Just for tools and tubes and incidentals. You raise a point though. Does the Hydra have fittings for a bolt-on rack? Don't know. My single wheel trailer has a massive pannier rack over the wheel.

 

[NomadV]

Oh yeah. No problem. Any decently powered mid drive with a thru axle can pull a trailer with ease. Robert Axle Project will fit you up with the correct axle and fittings to pull a 'bob' type trailer. That is, the 'hunting type' trailers the 'hunting bike' guys sell. Personally I don't plan to even put a rack on my Hydra other than maybe the light weight type that clamps to the seat post. Just for tools and tubes and incidentals. You raise a point though. Does the Hydra have fittings for a bolt-on rack? Don't know. My single wheel trailer has a massive pannier rack over the wheel.

I def want to hear about it when you get it! I was just showing them to my wife at lunch. We will be moving to Vegas in a couple months and I plan on ordering after we get settled and recover a bit from the cost.
I’m trying to convince her to get one vs her current bike she rides around base on and pulls the kids in one of the little kid trailers. Figure the pannier would allow me to carry day ride stuff for everyone

 

[reed scott]

I def want to hear about it when you get it! I was just showing them to my wife at lunch. We will be moving to Vegas in a couple months and I plan on ordering after we get settled and recover a bit from the cost.
I’m trying to convince her to get one vs her current bike she rides around base on and pulls the kids in one of the little kid trailers. Figure the pannier would allow me to carry day ride stuff for everyone

I'm beginning to think I may have to get a two wheeled trailer for the dog. I got him to get in the 'bob' trailer but he hates it. And when he shifts around or jumps out it makes the bike squirrely as all get out. Dog hauling was the main reason I got a trailer.

 

[NomadV]

I'm beginning to think I may have to get a two wheeled trailer for the dog. I got him to get in the 'bob' trailer but he hates it. And when he shifts around or jumps out it makes the bike squirrely as all get out. Dog hauling was the main reason I got a trailer.

We have a Newfoundland and I’d have to get a big trailer to carry that horse of a dog!!! Not to mention one that can handle a load of over 150lbs

 

[dmark]

Biktrix Juggernaut: The owner Roshan often posts in the Biktrix subforum. I also exchanged emails with him when I bought my Ultra.

I think Biktrix is good for a starter bike. If you want to go with the pricier Watt Wagons, I would consider the CrossTour.

 

[reed scott]

We have a Newfoundland and I’d have to get a big trailer to carry that horse of a dog!!! Not to mention one that can handle a load of over 150lbs

Yeah, really! Is it true that Newfoundlands are actually just black Saint Bernards? Once upon a time I happened upon a guy with his Newfie on Malibu beach. He was smacking a tennis ball as far as he could out into the ocean with a racket. That dog was diving into 6 ft rollers like they were pond waves to get that ball and swimming out more that fifty yards to get it. One of the most impressive dog feats I have ever witnessed. And he was just doing it over and over and over. Guy had his dog in some killer shape.

 

[reed scott]

Biktrix Juggernaut: The owner Roshan often posts in the Biktrix subforum. I also exchanged emails with him when I bought my Ultra.

I think Biktrix is good for a starter bike. If you want to go with the pricier Watt Wagons, I would consider the CrossTour.

True. However Roshan offers upgrades that take the FS Juggernaut well beyond 'starter' level.

 

[NomadV]

Yeah, really! Is it true that Newfoundlands are actually just black Saint Bernards? Once upon a time I happened upon a guy with his Newfie on Malibu beach. He was smacking a tennis ball as far as he could out into the ocean with a racket. That dog was diving into 6 ft rollers like they were pond waves to get that ball and swimming out more that fifty yards to get it. One of the most impressive dog feats I have ever witnessed. And he was just doing it over and over and over. Guy had his dog in some killer shape.

They are the water equivalent to a St Bernard I would say. They are called “Nanny Dogs” because of how they are with kids. But in addition to that, they are very protective, not in a guard dog way, but more in a t me rescue you type of way. They are often used as lifeguards and frequently save people from drowning. I’ve even seen videos of them jumping from helicopters into the water and saving people. And the way their hair is, it’s like they don’t even get wet all the way (which makes bathing a pain).
My daughter is 2 and the dog is only a year and 100lbs and they just lay on the floor together and the dog follows her all around the house and barks if she starts to do anything that she thinks may be dangerous. It’s crazy