Replacing stolen Como - what now?

[AliciaM]

My guess is that after riding a Como, you may be a little harder to please on the non performance related parts of the ebike experience ... things like geometry, aesthetics, ergonomics, fit and finish, etc. are things that Specialized seems to do quite well compared to some others.
This is strictly my own non expert opinion, and you know about opinions on the internet, especially since I ride a Como.

I also suspect I have been very spoiled by that Como, and may go back to it. I just dread giving up the space in the apartment. My partner is 6'6" and his XL Como lives in the apartment, too. I'm going to need to rent a house to accommodate our bikes at this rate.

 

[AliciaM]

Torque sensing is really nice. It is not on cargo bikes yet. Take your choice - I dont like the pitching off part of MTB's. I think maybe I can adapt a torque sensor to feed parallel the throttle input on my bike with lunabike mac12 kit, but stay tuned, all my meters were stolen 9/14 and I'm not doing anything creative with electronics right now.

Thanks for the tips. Sounds like you have some serious skill! I didn't have any problem carrying groceries on the Como, but then I'm generally not carrying much at a time. I don't have the means to store a cargo bike, and yes, they do get stolen from secure areas in SF, unfortunately. (House garage break-ins to steal bikes are quite frequent in my neighborhood.) Anything I buy will have to live in my apartment with me. I also don't see myself taking a cargo bike out for a 50 mile fitness ride...

 

[Art Deco]

I also suspect I have been very spoiled by that Como, and may go back to it. I just dread giving up the space in the apartment. My partner is 6'6" and his XL Como lives in the apartment, too. I'm going to need to rent a house to accommodate our bikes at this rate.

And then there is the dreaded equation that says the correct number of ebikes = N+1 where N = current number of ebikes.
Happy Hunting to you, and I'm sorry we live in a world where theft protection is a big part of the all ready too complex buying decision .

 

[Akrotiri]

I‘m 45, a woman in average American shape, and have a kneecap that chronically dislocates. I used to ride traditional group road rides in my better-knee days, but thought those days were long gone. A pal introduced me to ebikes and it’s been life-changing. I can ride again! Sadly my fun Specialized Como 4.0 low step was stolen in an apartment complex bike cage burglary on Christmas. It’s worth replacing, but now that I’ve ridden a bit I‘m thinking a different bike might suit me better. I’d thought about a Vado SL, but they’re on a year long wait list and I can’t even find a small to test out. So, I’ve got a Goldilocks problem:

Things I liked about the Como:
- Torque sensing - it felt like it knew what I wanted when I wanted it. Telepathy!
- Beast on SF hills, I’d whizz past road cyclists
- Comfy as heck
- Took a beating - rough roads? Wet pavement? A little gravel? Muni tracks? No problem!

Things I didn’t like:
- Too heavy to pedal unassisted much of the time
- A little too upright
- Wide cornering
- Cumbersome in tight spaces, especially the apartment elevator, walking busy sidewalks, etc.
- Eco mode too powerful, I’d prefer a workout (now realizing I could have adapted via Mission Control)

Wants:
- Sportier with a decent number of gears for fitness riding
- Grocery getter - I rarely drive in the city and loved piling stuff on the rear rack or in panniers
- Wider wheelset - doesn’t have to be fat, but gravel wide or wider
- Safe brakes for SF hills
- Easier to get in and out of the apartment and elevator than the Como (I won’t be using that bike cage again. Angle grinders abound. )
- I’ll be using this to commute a short distance to the clinic, hit the park across town, and put more mileage on and hit the beach at Pacifica or head over the bridge to Salsalito.
- Repairable at the LBS. I can manage basics like changing a tire, installing a rack, or fixing a slipped chain, but bleeding brakes? Diagnosing battery problems? Nah.

Budget: up to 6k, but of course I’d prefer something more affordable. (I’m a nurse, not a programmer.

Ideas:
- Specialized Vado SL: feels impossible in this shortage
- Gazelle T10+
- Liv Thrive
- Cannondale Neo
- I’ve even considered modifying a Creo to sit more upright, but it seems silly to weigh a road bike down with groceries. I’m worried it’ll be too aggressive geometry wise for my out of shape core, too.

Open to other ideas!

First off sorry about your bike getting stolen. I hate thieves. Hopefully the thief couldn’t sell your Como and started using it instead and ended up crashing and got seriously injured.

I would recommend looking at the Trek allant line of bikes or even the trek powerfly line. The allants come in 20 mph limit and the speed versions which top out at 28mph. The allant 7&7s both have front suspension. The 8&8s is full rigid with slightly higher end components and the 9s is a full carbon frame with top tier components.

The powerfly line is even more interesting as you can get a full suspension but limited to 20mph on all models or front suspension. Some of them are “equipped” which means they come with fenders and rear rack. Hope this helps in your search.

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[McCorby]

I would recommend looking at the Trek allant line of bikes or even the trek powerfly line. The allants come in 15mph limit and the speed versions which top out at 28mph. The allant 7&7s both have front suspension. The 8&8s is full rigid with slightly higher end components and the 9s is a full carbon frame with top tier components.

The powerfly line is even more interesting as you can get a full suspension but limited to 15mph or front suspension. Some of them are “equipped” which means they come with fenders and rear rack. Hope this helps in your search.

I believe she lives in the US, so it’s 20 mph, not 15 mph.

 

[Akrotiri]

I believe she lives in the US, so it’s 20 mph, not 15 mph.

Yes you are correct I’ll edit it

 

[AliciaM]

I would recommend looking at the Trek allant line of bikes or even the trek powerfly line. The allants come in 20 mph limit and the speed versions which top out at 28mph. The allant 7&7s both have front suspension. The 8&8s is full rigid with slightly higher end components and the 9s is a full carbon frame with top tier components.

Thanks for the suggestions! For some reason I'm not finding many Treks in town, but I appreciate the model suggestions. I'll ask around today and see if anyone has them available for test ride.

 

[Johnny]

In terms of comfort I would probably go with a bike having a decent front suspension however these offerings are usually in the 50lbs range.
You should also state if 28mph is a must or 20mph is enough.
If 28mph is not a must then your choices are quite a lot. Yamaha's offerings in the 2-3k range are light and powerful.

 

[Art Deco]

@AliciaM
I have no personal experience with this bike since the only authorized Montigue dealer within 100 miles of me doesn't stock the brand. Order with deposit only, no test drives, etc..

But their conventional bikes have a pretty good rep among sailors, aviators, RV owners and the space challenged. And there may be a better LBS near you in the city than near me in the boonies.

Seems expensive for what you get, but if what you get is what you want it's all good , I guess. Link to EBR review.

Montague M-E1 Review | ElectricBikeReview.com

Price: $3599.00 | Model Year: 2020, 2021 | A full sized folding electric bike with premium parts all around. The Shimano STePS E6100 drive unit is an efficient, quiet, lightweight, and narrow to keep the bike compact when folded. The 10-speed Shimano drivetrain uses a reliable Deore derailleur...

electricbikereview.com

 

[AliciaM]

I have no personal experience with this bike since the only authorized Montigue dealer within 100 miles of me doesn't stock the brand. Order with deposit only, no test drives, etc..

Interesting! I’ve never seen these bikes sold in SF.

 

[Art Deco]

Nope. I have never seen one anywhere. But I know that boat, airplane, and RV sites (and magazines, remember those?) have run occasional positive reviews on the brand for years.

I assume you checked @Court 's review and I believe @FlatSix911 is a fan of that motor. He can tell you more.

The components seem good, and Court doesn't do free reviews often (ever) , so he thought it was something special.

I would want to check one out if I were in your position. Full sized folders are rare b/c of frame flex and Court said there wasn't any noticable flex.

 

[AliciaM]

Nope. I have never seen one anywhere. But I know that boat, airplane, and RV sites (and magazines, remember those?) have run occasional positive reviews on the brand for years.

I assume you checked @Court 's review and I believe @FlatSix911 is a fan of that motor. He can tell you more.

The components seem good, and Court doesn't do free reviews often (ever) , so he thought it was something special.

I would want to check one out if I were in your position. Full sized folders are rare b/c of frame flex and Court said there wasn't any noticable flex.

If I could find one I’d take a look! Never seen ‘em.

 

[FlatSix911]

Nope. I have never seen one anywhere. But I know that boat, airplane, and RV sites (and magazines, remember those?) have run occasional positive reviews on the brand for years.

I assume you checked @Court 's review and I believe @FlatSix911 is a fan of that motor. He can tell you more.

The components seem good, and Court doesn't do free reviews often (ever) , so he thought it was something special.

I would want to check one out if I were in your position. Full sized folders are rare b/c of frame flex and Court said there wasn't any noticable flex.

Based on Courts' recent review, I like almost everything about the Montague except the weight... 55 lbs is a lot for smaller folks to carry up a flight of stairs.
Summary

• A full sized folding electric bike with premium parts all around. The Shimano STePS E6100 drive unit is efficient, quiet, lightweight, and narrow to keep the bike compact when folded.
• The 10-speed Shimano drivetrain uses a reliable Deore derailleur and offers a wide 11 to 32 tooth spread. Shimano Hydraulic disc brakes are reliable and easy to actuate.
• Good ride comfort due to higher volume 28" x 1.75" tires, adjustable SR Suntour suspension fork, high-rise swept-back handlebar, and ergonomic grips.
• Excellent safety upgrades including reflective tires with built-in puncture protection and premium integrated lights from Herrmans; the headlight has side windows and is rated at 100+ lumens.
• Industry-leading folding design allows the bike to become very compact and stay folded without rattling or coming undone. Unique levers and latches do not rattle or come unscrewed easily.
• The purpose-built frame offers low step-thru standover height without introducing frame flex, wires and cables are all internally routed and additional protection was added at the main joint.
• Due to the non-removable rear rack and aluminum alloy fenders, this folding e-bike isn't super lightweight at 55.2lbs. Tubing on the rear rack is not standard and may not work with all clip-on panniers. No bottle cage bosses, or USB charging ports... which is too bad given the optional smartphone Bluetooth app. The button for changing menus on the display is not easy to reach when riding.

 

[Mr. Max]

So very sorry that your bike got stolen on Christmas! That completely sucks!! I own a 2020 Vado 4 and have ridden the heck out of it this Pandemic year (about 5000 miles). Now in 2021, I'm leaning towards keeping the Vado as my commuter, but buying a second e-bike in 2021 to expand my bike joy. I'm going back and forth between a Creo and a Levo. Obviously, they're really different bikes. My LBS has both of those bikes in their rental fleet. I've rented both of them for a number of weekends before winter set in, which was an awesome treat!

Now what I'm getting at is once you pick your new bike out, consider buying it from out of state and having it shipped to you. I'll bet not all of America has an e-bike shortage. I live in rural NH. My LBS has an abundance of e-bikes. What they have a shortage of are non-e-bikes. I just talked to them yesterday, they're not worried about getting any model e-bike from Trek or Specialized. I haven't looked for a few weeks, but the last time I was in there I saw they had a fair number of Comos in stock. Buying a bike from the East Coast may not be practical, but I'll bet somewhere in the US, the bike you want is in stock and that it can be shipped to you. Then your favorite Bay Area bike shop can service it. Your LBS may even be able to facilitate the deal like how car dealerships transfer cars between dealerships sometimes. Anyway, something to think about. Best of luck!!

 

[Art Deco]

OK. TMI, Too Much Information. But the question was about the motor on S.F. Hills. Or any hills.

 

[FlatSix911]

OK. TMI, Too Much Information. But the question was about the motor on S.F. Hills. Or any hills.

Got it now... the Shimano 6100 motor is capable of climbing any SF hill in the proper gear with 60 Nm of torque.

 

[Art Deco]

Thanks @FlatSix911 . BTW member @vincent has the conventional Montague with a Bafang ? conversion . Might be lighter.

 

[vincent]

mine is definitely lighter than 54lbs- that being said i have only lifted it without the battery, of course mine has a 14ah 48 volt battery so much bigger

and the folding specs are smaller than this new ebike too...

when it get it back will try to get a weight on it and some pics etc
just got in some bigger tires so will see how much that adds

i will just start a new thread on it somewhere and list all those other montague kit bikes i saw

 

[AliciaM]

Thanks so much for all of the info and suggestions! This forum is fantastic.

It looks like my only option in town right now in a small frame is to just replace the Como. I think I’m purchasing the last small Como in SF. The shops can get Vados, Comos, and Creos, but it takes a month or two. Vado SLs are nowhere to be found in a small frame right now.

After taking that Medeo out my knee is no bueno today. I think I’ll be on the Como until I can get surgery.

 

[Art Deco]

Thanks so much for all of the info and suggestions! This forum is fantastic.

It looks like my only option in town right now in a small frame is to just replace the Como. I think I’m purchasing the last small Como in SF. The shops can get Vados, Comos, and Creos, but it takes a month or two. Vado SLs are nowhere to be found in a small frame right now.

After taking that Medeo out my knee is no bueno today. I think I’ll be on the Como until I can get surgery.

Sounds like you made a great choice. Oh, BTW Stop by the Turbo Vado Como Users Club in the Specialized forum and lets us know how you and Como # 2 are getting on.