technomadia - chris
New Member
We've had a pair of eJoe EPIK SE's that have served us well for the past five years - but they have aged badly (especially since we moved onto a boat) and have deteriorated to the point that it is time to replace them.
So what should we get? There are a LOT more Ebike options than when we were last shopping five years ago.
We are looking for great all-around eBikes that are enjoyable to ride (even on moderate trails) without electric assist, but which are comfortable for errand running under power, or getting around on days we’d rather not get all sweaty. They need to have enough range for 25+ mile outings, and enough power to haul around a 250lb rider and a full load of groceries.
Our new bikes need to be small enough to store outdoors in our boat cockpit – full size bikes are too big. Our cockpit allows for bikes to be about 65” long total to be able to be stored off to the side.
Compact bikes with 20” tires seems to be the sweet spot – big enough for trails, small enough for storage on the boat. And weight is important too - when we are ashore, we travel in a camper van with a RockyMounts Backstage swing-out rack that is limited to 60lbs per bike.
This weight limit seems to rule out bikes brands like Rad and Sykl.
Most important – we want bikes that are durable, and which can handle life outdoors stored on the back of a van or in a boat’s cockpit. While we WILL be getting a cover for our new bikes – being regularly left out in the rain should NOT kill these bikes prematurely.
So... Who makes the most weatherproof compact eBikes?
My biggest concerns with our next eBike were reflected right on the first page of the Lectric manual:
For the RV and especially boating community, "wet conditions" are essentially unavoidable, especially for anyone who regularly travels outside the desert southwest.
RVers tend to keep bikes stored outside when stopped, and on outdoor bike racks while traveling. Many full-timers do not even have any possibility for indoor storage.
And on boats - bikes tend to be kept on deck or in the cockpit. Perhaps sometimes covered, but still often exposed to rain, spray, and salt air.
So - any recommendations that fit our needs?
We've shared our research and current short-list in a blog post and video here:
www.technomadia.com
At the moment the new eJoe Epik Swan (500W version) is a top contender - but we are certainly open to other options too.
Thanks in advance!
- Chris
So what should we get? There are a LOT more Ebike options than when we were last shopping five years ago.
We are looking for great all-around eBikes that are enjoyable to ride (even on moderate trails) without electric assist, but which are comfortable for errand running under power, or getting around on days we’d rather not get all sweaty. They need to have enough range for 25+ mile outings, and enough power to haul around a 250lb rider and a full load of groceries.
Our new bikes need to be small enough to store outdoors in our boat cockpit – full size bikes are too big. Our cockpit allows for bikes to be about 65” long total to be able to be stored off to the side.
Compact bikes with 20” tires seems to be the sweet spot – big enough for trails, small enough for storage on the boat. And weight is important too - when we are ashore, we travel in a camper van with a RockyMounts Backstage swing-out rack that is limited to 60lbs per bike.
This weight limit seems to rule out bikes brands like Rad and Sykl.
Most important – we want bikes that are durable, and which can handle life outdoors stored on the back of a van or in a boat’s cockpit. While we WILL be getting a cover for our new bikes – being regularly left out in the rain should NOT kill these bikes prematurely.
So... Who makes the most weatherproof compact eBikes?
My biggest concerns with our next eBike were reflected right on the first page of the Lectric manual:
For the RV and especially boating community, "wet conditions" are essentially unavoidable, especially for anyone who regularly travels outside the desert southwest.
RVers tend to keep bikes stored outside when stopped, and on outdoor bike racks while traveling. Many full-timers do not even have any possibility for indoor storage.
And on boats - bikes tend to be kept on deck or in the cockpit. Perhaps sometimes covered, but still often exposed to rain, spray, and salt air.
So - any recommendations that fit our needs?
We've shared our research and current short-list in a blog post and video here:
Time For New eBikes for our Bus, Van and Boat Life (Farewell e-Joe Epik SE) | Technomadia
Five years ago we were on the hunt for our first folding electric bikes, and we had a very particular requirement - the bikes needed to fold up small enough to store in the front luggage bay on our bus. There was just no place to store full-size bikes with the way the bus and
www.technomadia.com
At the moment the new eJoe Epik Swan (500W version) is a top contender - but we are certainly open to other options too.
Thanks in advance!
- Chris
