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

[Jeremy McCreary]

So there are at least a few lighter weight single speed belt drive options like the Gravelster/Roadster as well as Babymaker II....

OK, there are a lot of really strange product names in the ebike world. (Just scroll through the "Step-thru" thread if you need convincing.)

But in what universe do ebikes and baby-making overlap? If there are e-positions I don't know about, I'd like to correct that.

 

[Jewellbaby]

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?

Howd it get stolen? From your home? No lock or what?

 

[Marquezdl]

I was swimming at the Medellin swim center. I had a very good quality combination padlock and 3 relatively light cables. The thief used a cable or bolt cutter and snipped through all 3 cables. In the future I will go back to chain as I used for my triumph!

 

[Jewellbaby]

Sorry to hear. I would think a bike would be safer in such a public place. Wish you luck on the new one!!

 

[Readytoride]

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

Sorry about that. I missed the line where the OP wanted a bike less than 44 lbs. Apparently that rules out the Gazelle at 55 lbs.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I wonder how someone who had a Vado could set for a lesser e-bike.

 

[Marquezdl]

Really easy Stefan! My priorities are different than yours and being in my mid 70’s, my my riding habits, patterns, and style are different. different strokes for different folks..there is room enough in the ebike tent for all of us, even luddites like me who want a singlespeed ebike

 

[Stefan Mikes]

even luddites like me who want a singlespeed ebike

I would not take my lightweight 10-speed Vado SL to the hills of Medellin If you want walk it up, it is your choice Why don't you buy yourself a most lightweight non-ebike then?

 

[PSm]

Really easy Stefan! My priorities are different than yours and being in my mid 70’s, my my riding habits, patterns, and style are different. different strokes for different folks..there is room enough in the ebike tent for all of us, even luddites like me who want a singlespeed ebike

I’m with you M-. I much prefer single speeds (analog or ebike), and to me it is just more fun than geared bikes the majority of the time (along with the other benefits of less weight, fewer components and less maintenance).

 

[Marquezdl]

I would not take my lightweight 10-speed Vado SL to the hills of Medellin If you want walk it up, it is your choice Why don't you buy yourself a most lightweight non-ebike then?

Mostly because I don’t want to! I want a single speed e-bike, preferably with belt drive and disk brakes and a good torque sensor system.