I am trying to identify Ebikes that will allow you to put your foot on the ground while sitting on the saddle. So far I know of the Electra Townie and Specialized Como. I am a 67 year old woman recovering from cancer therapy. I do have a couple of recumbents and a couple of Rans crank forward bikes and might electrify one of those. I also have a Veego Step thru which is fun to ride but I’m looking for something that I could ride comfortably for 60 miles or so that would climb a mountain. So far the Como is the only off the shelf bike I know of that meets all my criteria.
Sit on Saddle. Feet on Ground
- Thread starter Katysax
- Start date
Saratoga Dave
Well-Known Member
Some of the Pedego cruiser style bikes are feet forward, seat lower as well. While a bit heavy, they will sure as hell climb a mountain with you... or for you, for that matter, since they do have throttles.
TForan
Well-Known Member
Climb a mountain ? Really ? I had one cut out on me on a steep hill. My mid drive walks up it , no problemo !
Dewey
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Arlington, Virginia
Tuesday August Live! https://www.tuesdaycycles.com/bikes/pavement/august-live/august-live-womens
Day6 Dream https://day6bikes.com/dream-electric/
Bikesdirect Mango Superbird http://www.bikesdirect.com/products...r-ebikes/e-bikes-ebike-cruisers-superbird.htm
ElectrifyBike KHS Smoothie https://www.electrifybike.com/store/p80/KHS_Smoothie_3_Speed_TSDZ2_Electric_Mid-drive.html#/
Day6 Dream https://day6bikes.com/dream-electric/
Bikesdirect Mango Superbird http://www.bikesdirect.com/products...r-ebikes/e-bikes-ebike-cruisers-superbird.htm
ElectrifyBike KHS Smoothie https://www.electrifybike.com/store/p80/KHS_Smoothie_3_Speed_TSDZ2_Electric_Mid-drive.html#/
At one point I had a mid drive built on the KHS frame. The bike was too big and the rim brakes inadequate to the point of terrifying.
So far the Specialized still looks by far the most suitable. I am hesitant to build an ebike out of one of my Rans bikes because I like them as they are.
So far the Specialized still looks by far the most suitable. I am hesitant to build an ebike out of one of my Rans bikes because I like them as they are.
Dewey
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- USA
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- Arlington, Virginia
I read about that from others on this forum and I'm a bit surprised it's still sold.
Another suggestion (this one has disk brakes) Fuji Sanibel https://www.fujibikes.com/usa/bikes/electric/cruiser-and-comfort/sanibel/sanibel-ls
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mrgold35
Well-Known Member
Would adding a dropper seatpost help? My right knee starts to ache if I have my seat too low. I had to upgrade from a 350mm seatpost to a 420mm one. Dropper seatpost stem could give you some added flexibility if you need to adjust the seat height for regular or mountain riding.
Dropper seatpost looks interesting but doesn’t address my issues. I like to put my feet down when stopped in traffic. For the moment I am pretty happy with the Veego. I try to stop at curbs when possible.
Most of these bikes are heavy cruisers. My Rans bikes are crank forward but sporty. One of them is modified with an extracycle rear end. I might convert it at some point to an electric hauler. I think I need to ride a while and assess my health and ride preferences. The Veego might be all that I need but I keep looking at the Specialized.
Most of these bikes are heavy cruisers. My Rans bikes are crank forward but sporty. One of them is modified with an extracycle rear end. I might convert it at some point to an electric hauler. I think I need to ride a while and assess my health and ride preferences. The Veego might be all that I need but I keep looking at the Specialized.
tomjasz
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- Region
- USA
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- Minnesnowta
Interesting, I'm curious as I have several KHS Smoothies. Actually all three sizes. One is the step through.
I fitted 2 of them with 350W 36V mid drives. No issues with braking at the speed they are capable of. Under 20MPH. I did note that KHS lowered the price two seasons back, which meant they cheaped out on several components,
Which motor and power level did you try?
Due to the frame construction they can only use rim brakes. You might feel fine riding them. They require adjustment in the way you ride. You can probably stop safely with them. However based on my riding experience on many types of bikes, I felt that with the added weight of the electric motor and battery that the stopping power of the rim brakes was borderline dangerous. I sold the bike to a friend who thinks 2 miles is a long ride and 10 mph is high speed. For him it is great. For me who thinks 5 miles is a short ride and wants to ride up mountains, the Smoothie brakes were borderline terrifying. Personally I want disc brakes at a minimum on an electric bike.
I once rode 9 miles down a mountain on a mountain bike tandem with rim brakes. The ride literally made holes in the rim.
I once rode 9 miles down a mountain on a mountain bike tandem with rim brakes. The ride literally made holes in the rim.
tomjasz
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Minnesnowta
I completely understand and agree. But since mine are ridden most of the time in a park with multiple uses walking trails, we seldom if ever exceed pedaling speeds. I upgraded the rim brakes with better models and added KoolStop eBike pads. Testing on the local MSF track has shown me I can effectively manage panic braking situations and have a clear idea of the stopping distance.
That makes sense. I might have tried upgrading the brakes but I also felt the frame was awkward for me though I could have gotten used to it. My friend really wanted the bike. It has worked fine for him but as I said he rides slowly and short distances. He wanted it at a time when I thought I was going to be moving and was trying to down-size.
This is a transition time for me. I am still quite active but health issues are real. To keep active requires adaptations. Even at 50 I was very young compared to 67 post cancer. Little things like getting on and off a bike seat go from being something that needs no thought to something marginally difficult. Shoulders that are tired after 100 miles of riding become shoulders screaming in pain after 10 miles. Some people have the genetics that they don’t deteriorate as fast. Nothing like several months of chemo to age you several years. Limitations don’t mean you have to give up. But if you want to continue you have to adapt.
Recumbents are fun but have serious drawbacks - hard to transport and terrible at climbing. Tadpole trikes require getting down too low. Crank forward bikes are a reasonable compromise.
Congrats on fighting off cancer!
Your ebike is out there, keep looking.
I too had a Rans crank forward bike. Super smooth and nice to touch the ground at stops. However it was almost impossible to get it up a hill. Maybe a well designed electric motor would have helped. Sold after only one season.
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