Replacing a stolen e-bike! Decisions, decisions, decisions

[Marquezdl]

My 2022 Specialized Turbo Vado 4.0 was stolen here in Medellin over2 months ago. It’s looking mighty unlikely it will be recovered. So I have been thinking a lot about how I used my TV, what I liked and what I disliked about it, what kind of riding I actually do, and what I would like in a new e-bike.
So I am looking for suggestions for brands/models that fit into the following criteria:

Maximum weight ready to ride less than 20 kg. 20 kg is absolute max. I would much prefer to stay under 15 kg

No active suspension

Belt drive

Class 1 or 2. I don’t need a speed pedelec

I am a long time single speed bicyclist and I highly value light weight and mechanical simplicity. As much as possible I want to be able to pretend at 74 years old that I am on my old DeRosa single speed. I just need some help on the very steep climbs in Medellin. I got into single speed bikes because I have always disliked derailleurs and I would strongly prefer avoiding a derailleur if possible

Any suggestions on brands/models?

 

[Taylor57]

My 2022 Specialized Turbo Vado 4.0 was stolen here in Medellin over2 months ago. It’s looking mighty unlikely it will be recovered. So I have been thinking a lot about how I used my TV, what I liked and what I disliked about it, what kind of riding I actually do, and what I would like in a new e-bike.
So I am looking for suggestions for brands/models that fit into the following criteria:

Maximum weight ready to ride less than 20 kg. 20 kg is absolute max. I would much prefer to stay under 15 kg

No active suspension

Belt drive

Class 1 or 2. I don’t need a speed pedelec

I am a long time single speed bicyclist and I highly value light weight and mechanical simplicity. As much as possible I want to be able to pretend at 74 years old that I am on my old DeRosa single speed. I just need some help on the very steep climbs in Medellin. I got into single speed bikes because I have always disliked derailleurs and I would strongly prefer avoiding a derailleur if possible

Any suggestions on brands/models?

You sound like a good candidate for a Ride 1 Up Gravelster. Checks many of your boxes. Comes in about 16 Kilos. Not sure on shipping to Columbia?

Roadster v3 Ebike - Ride1Up

Designed with a torque sensor featuring Ride1Up's Intui-Drive technology, this new iteration of the iconic ebike comes with an improved frame design while staying loyal to the minimalistic and clean design of the stealthy Roadster v2.

ride1up.com

 

[Art Deco]

I thought of that bike as well, but don't know your feelings about a DTC (direct to consumer, no LBS support) bike.

 

[Slaphappygamer]

I was also going to recommend ride1up. I got the 700 series. It was packaged well and had clear instructions for assembly. I’ve had no issues with the bike, except flats. After my third flat in as many weeks, I installed tannis armor and haven’t had any issue since.

The roadster also has a second battery option. It mounts to the water bottle bosses. Over Black Friday, I saw the price dip to about $800 for the Roadster V2. The Gravel edition is a bit more.

Not sure how it will fare climbing hills. I guess that would depend on the load.

 

[PSm]

You sound like a good candidate for a Ride 1 Up Gravelster. Checks many of your boxes. Comes in about 16 Kilos. Not sure on shipping to Columbia?

Roadster v3 Ebike - Ride1Up

Designed with a torque sensor featuring Ride1Up's Intui-Drive technology, this new iteration of the iconic ebike comes with an improved frame design while staying loyal to the minimalistic and clean design of the stealthy Roadster v2.

ride1up.com

If you are able to get it in Colombia, I am a huge fan of the Ride1UP Roadster (which I got before the Gravelster was available).

Have ~ 8000 miles on mine, and it has been able to handle just about everything throw at it.

Handles most hills no problem, just slower to go up 10-15% grades. Above that, more of a challenge, and requires much effort.

Have done imperial and metric centuries, though I did get the extender battery. Max distance I’ve gotten with only the internal battery was 60 miles, with low or no assist for almost all the ride. Typical range 20-25 miles with only internal battery using moderate pedal assist, and averaging 18+ mph. Easily double that range with the added external battery.

Really is a dream for a single speed aficionado, that likes a belt drive, no derailleur, and very little maintenance. Based on your description, seems like a perfect fit (if you can get it where you are?!).

 

[Slaphappygamer]

If you are able to get it in Colombia, I am a huge fan of the Ride1UP Roadster (which I got before the Gravelster was available).

Have ~ 8000 miles on mine, and it has been able to handle just about everything throw at it.

Handles most hills no problem, just slower to go up 10-15% grades. Above that, more of a challenge, and requires much effort.

Have done imperial and metric centuries, though I did get the extender battery. Max distance I’ve gotten with only the internal battery was 60 miles, with low or no assist for almost all the ride. Typical range 20-25 miles with only internal battery using moderate pedal assist, and averaging 18+ mph. Easily double that range with the added external battery.

Really is a dream for a single speed aficionado, that likes a belt drive, no derailleur, and very little maintenance. Based on your description, seems like a perfect fit (if you can get it where you are?!).

Please share the regular weighted load. How much does you plus cargo normally weigh? I feel a bit strange asking, but it’s important information. If your weighted load is similar to the OP, then they will have a better idea of what performance to expect.

 

[PSm]

Please share the regular weighted load. How much does you plus cargo normally weigh? I feel a bit strange asking, but it’s important information. If your weighted load is similar to the OP, then they will have a better idea of what performance to expect.

Rider + cargo = 180 lbs (82 kg). Yes, the OP load and fitness will certainly be the biggest factors.

One more detail: I think the steepest grade I’ve done with the Roadster is around 23%, which required highest PAS 5 assist and my full effort. Was do-able, but stretching the limit. Since I put an aftermarket display on it, I was able to see that it was putting out about 550 watts peak.

Other thing is that the Roadster has a 64x20 gear, while the Gravelster has a 64z22, which will be slightly better for hills. Oh, and the Gravelster has a Gates belt, so easier availability of replacements if needed, and should last longer.

 

[tomjasz]

Zen

 

[Taylor57]

Zen

How much does the Zen weigh?

 

[Marquezdl]

In my case, I often stop and buy my supply of fruit ( Mandarin Oranges, Pineapple, Yellow Dragon Fruit, Bananas, and Grenadillas) before I start up the grade to my apartment. That tops out at over 25% on 2 short pitches. It was relatively easy on the Turbo Vado. On a good day with no load I could make it on my old Specialized Sirrus.
figure 100 KG load weight.

 

[BikerG]

I am a long time single speed bicyclist and I highly value light weight and mechanical simplicity. As much as possible I want to be able to pretend at 74 years old that I am on my old DeRosa single speed. I just need some help on the very steep climbs in Medellin. I got into single speed bikes because I have always disliked derailleurs and I would strongly prefer avoiding a derailleur if possible

Sorry about your loss.

Same here, at one phase I rode nothing but fixed gear and single speed, road and mtb, for about a dozen years. And at 70 years old I still ride my fixed gear around town from time to time. Love the simplicity of these machines.
But last year I finally broke down and got my first E-bike…. And what a game changing experience! I can now ride like if I were 30 years younger…. lol

 

[Marquezdl]

Yep! What I discovered is that for me, a lightweight ebike (probably singlespeed) might be the perfect ticket to ride into my late 70’s…I hope! I am now fine with the idea of getting off and walking up the hills when my knees are saying “think again old man”

 

[PSm]

Yep! What I discovered is that for me, a lightweight ebike (probably singlespeed) might be the perfect ticket to ride into my late 70’s…I hope! I am now fine with the idea of getting off and walking up the hills when my knees are saying “think again old man”

Other thoughts:
- The Ride1UP Gravelster looks so much like a regular analog bike, it might be less tempting for theft
- No experience with this brand or model, but another option might be the Tenways CGO 600 Pro, which ticks some the same boxes

 

[Readytoride]

Gazelle C380+. 1 have two. Amazing bike, beautifully made. Carbon belt drive that is silent and powerful. This bike is a fabulous ride for this 70 year old lady. Love it for my area wide rural gravel roads for the "no chain so no fuss" maintenance.

 

[Taylor57]

Gazelle C380+. 1 have two. Amazing bike, beautifully made. Fabulous ride.

For 5 grand, I'll take 4 Gravelsters!!

 

[AvalancheRun]

For 5 grand, I'll take 4 Gravelsters!!

We have a couple too. The Bosch drive unit is definitely the star of the show, followed by the paint. It’s kinda hard to understand why they cost $5k tbh. My wife loves hers but finds the ride to be stiff (she’s too short for a suspension seats). Heavy bikes. Vado 4/5 is a better designed bike imo and a better value.

 

[Readytoride]

Vado is a better designed bike and a better value? Not in my opinion.

Case in point: My Vado 4.0's motor imploded on me during a charity ride about 4 miles from the finish. Absolutely destroyed itself even though I had never been rough with the bike or motor. Had to have hubby drive the car to where I was stranded to pick me up. I was livid. The bike was 5 months out of warranty and Specialized didn't care and refused to consider a free replacement motor even though the bike had less than 2k miles. Cost me $700 to have the motor replaced and they could only replace it with the same motor that had the same weakness that caused the original implosion. I learned afterwards that this motor issue was a well know problem with the Vado. Had I been aware, I never would have purchased the bike.

So it gets used very rarely anymore. I no longer trust the bike not to strand me out in the wild again. Such a shame because I have two batteries for it to allow me to go 60 miles easily on any long rides. Now it just sits. The only time I use it is when I ride locally with a friend that also has a Vado (3.0 which didn't have the motor issue).

The Gazelles, on the other hand, are amazing Class 3 (28mph assist) bikes. Expertly built, comfy, and powerful. It's my go-to-go-anywhere bikes - one for daily rides and to get grity on the gravel roads, the other (painted to match my electric truck) kept clean and pristine for the charity rides.

 

[EMGX]

You must have missed this in his original post "20 kg is absolute max". The gazelle is a 25kg bike.

 

[PSm]

You must have missed this in his original post "20 kg is absolute max". The gazelle is a 25kg bike.

He missed that detail in the OP. Gravelster / Roadster is 15kg. The only thing I prefer more than my Roadster is my analog SS that I got down to under 8kg.

 

[EMGX]

So there are at least a few lighter weight single speed belt drive options like the Gravelster/Roadster as well as Babymaker II, maybe others IDK. Great if a SS works for you but gearing choices are pretty limited, especially with a belt drive where you can't just change gearing at will with chainring rear cog changes like with a chain drive. Don't you ever feel that you would like some choice in gearing depending on how you feel or your ride route on any given day? I know it wouldn't work for me but to each his own.
If stretching the envelope is an option something like a Priority Continuum Onyx offers a belt drive with a CVT hub that comes in at 14kg. Add a Swytch front wheel kit for an additional ~3kg (if the review below is accurate) and you have a 17kg bike including fenders/lights/pedals and kickstand. I don't have that bike but I have experience with front hub motors and found them to work fine. Also have a bike with Nuvinci N360 CVT hub - not my preference because of weight but it does work very well and offers a wide gear range. I don't have personal experience with the Swytch kit but my elderly neighbor has one and it enables him to ride up and down our neighborhood road which gains 400+ feet in 1 mile with very steep segments up to 20-25% grade according to my Garmin. I also saw a couple riders with Swytch kits riding around Crater Lake in Oregon on vehicle closure days - they seemed to be having no problems at all on a long, very hilly route. The Swytch kit looks like a very neat and simple installation that can be removed at will, if desired. No idea about availabilities in Columbia.

PRIORITY CONTINUUM ONYX

The Priority Continuum Onyx is the ultimate all-season, ready-out-of-the-box, belt drive commuter and touring bicycle.

www.prioritybicycles.com

https://www.cyclingelectric.com/reviews/swytch-kit-ebike-conversion-kit-review#:~:text=The%20big%20news%20for%20generation,x%2036mm)%20weighs%201%2C076g.