Sub $3000 Leisure/Commuter Bike For Hilly Area [Final Choice: Priority Current]

[Art Deco]

Agreed. Unfortunately, finding a Turbo Como 3.0 at a LBS nowadays is easier said than done.

Como 3 That's what I ride. I think it's the only class 1 (20mph) Specialized still sells in the USA, so a waiting list forms. Sorry. There are other good bikes, though.

 

[Quick514Biker]

Como 3 That's what I ride. I think it's the only class 1 (20mph) Specialized still sells in the USA, so a waiting list forms. Sorry. There are other good bikes, though.

The other Specialized option is Vado 3, with the higher 28mph top speed, but it's uses the Specialized Brose 1.2E motor(less torque than Specialized Brose 1.2 motor from previous Como year edition). But Vado bikes are less upright than Como(changes can be made on your own, but it's extra cost). The OP should check to make sure if Como 3 is class 1 or class 3 bike.

 

[Art Deco]

The other Specialized option is Vado 3, with the higher 28mph top speed, but it's uses the Specialized Brose 1.2E motor(less torque than Specialized Brose 1.2 motor from previous Como year edition). But Vado bikes are less upright than Como(changes can be made on your own, but it's extra cost). The OP should check to make sure if Como 3 is class 1 or class 3 bike.

Same 1.2 E motor in my 2019 Como and AFAIK the 2020 Como; 2018 Como and Vado had the stronger motor (1.2 ) but less range on the small battery. Doesn't really matter if not in stock since the OP needs to be able to test ride. My LBS only had the 4 series Como and Vado left last time I looked. Nice bikes but too spendy for me to consider.

 

[Quick514Biker]

Same 1.2 E motor in my 2019 Como and AFAIK the 2020 Como; 2018 Como and Vado had the stronger motor (1.2 ) but less range on the small battery. Doesn't really matter if not in stock since the OP needs to be able to test ride. My LBS only had the 4 series Como and Vado left last time I looked. Nice bikes but too spendy for me to consider.

Yeah sorry about that, I meant 2019 Specialized Turbo Vado 3.0 had the Specialized Brose 1.2 motor. The OP could test any Vado or Como bikes with Specialized Brose motors to see if it's strong enough for the hills it needs to conquer.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

New e-bikes will eventually be produced...

 

[Quick514Biker]

The Ride1Up LMT'D model you have not totally eliminated? You might want to also wait a short time, as Ride1Up is expected to announce soon(as soon as early this month) a brand new mid-motor Ride1Up model that will be fairly light(under 50 pounds with battery) & Class 3 top speed will similar range as LMT'D. The expected price of $2100-2200. That's what the Ride1Up owner Kevin Dugger is saying is coming very soon.

Hmmm - it's tough. I wouldn't say I didn't like it. It just wasn't quite what I expected. The same exact package but with more power would have been perfect - I just can't afford it lol. I still much prefer the more natural feel of torque sensor versus cadence. Since they're not nearly as powerful as I expected, I just don't understand where's the value for the money paid. Maybe if it had a Bafang Ultra...

That 10% grade hills you are climbing it's for how long? When I was testing out a e-bike awhile back on a commuter bike with Bosch Performance Line CX motor(2nd generation), riding up a hill probably closer to 15% grade for about maybe a little less than half a KM it's was fairly smooth up for me(not too hard). It's never going to be almost effortless like a car or motorcycle(& you need to do some pedaling in a lower gear).

 

[AHicks]

A few points. First, part of the Rize Rx and RX Pro bike's weight is due to the battery they come with. It's 19.2 ah. That makes it one of the biggest available, and that capacity translates directly into more weight. Quite a bit more weight.

Second, name brand brake, shifter and derailleurs, do have different quality levels available, but they are ALL serviceable. Makes no difference what bike they've been installed on. Noteworthy is the fact the Rize RX and Pro come with the best 9 speed derailleur offered by Shimano. In this same vein, A Bafang Ultra motor will be no different from one bike to another. Rize does offer it with a shift detector (shuts the power off for a split second during a shift in case you forget to). Not all do.

If you think shifting might provide a challenge, to minimize that challenge you might consider that the hub drives are far less picky when it comes to that. That's the reason some consider them "easier to ride". They're as happy taking off while you're in first or 7nth gear - assuming you have a throttle equipped bike.

And last, I don't remember if mobile bike services has been brought up. These are mobile rigs that will assemble a new bike for you, then service it any time you need work done. Not free, but pretty reasonable from what I've heard. You can actually arrange for your new bike to be shipped to them, they assemble it and check it out, then deliver it to your front door. Check out velofix.com to see if they have anyone local to you. They're actually certified warranty repair for a few companies. -Al

 

[Art Deco]

A few points. First, part of the Rize Rx and RX Pro bike's weight is due to the battery they come with. It's 19.2 ah. That makes it one of the biggest available, and that capacity translates directly into more weight. Quite a bit more weight.

Second, name brand brake, shifter and derailleurs, do have different quality levels available, but they are ALL serviceable. Makes no difference what bike they've been installed on. Noteworthy is the fact the Rize RX and Pro come with the best 9 speed derailleur offered by Shimano. In this same vein, A Bafang Ultra motor will be no different from one bike to another. Rize does offer it with a shift detector (shuts the power off for a split second during a shift in case you forget to). Not all do.

If you think shifting might provide a challenge, to minimize that challenge you might consider that the hub drives are far less picky when it comes to that. That's the reason some consider them "easier to ride". They're as happy taking off while you're in first or 7nth gear - assuming you have a throttle equipped bike.

And last, I don't remember if mobile bike services has been brought up. These are mobile rigs that will assemble a new bike for you, then service it any time you need work done. Not free, but pretty reasonable from what I've heard. You can actually arrange for your new bike to be shipped to them, they assemble it and check it out, then deliver it to your front door. Check out velofix.com to see if they have anyone local to you. They're actually certified warranty repair for a few companies. -Al

Good call on the mobile bike services. I forgot about them.

 

[AHicks]

That's what's so cool about forums like this.... my favorite thing.

 

[Achterbahn]

New e-bikes will eventually be produced...

The Ride1Up LMT'D model you have not totally eliminated? You might want to also wait a short time, as Ride1Up is expected to announce soon(as soon as early this month) a brand new mid-motor Ride1Up model that will be fairly light(under 50 pounds with battery) & Class 3 top speed will similar range as LMT'D. The expected price of $2100-2200. That's what the Ride1Up owner Kevin Dugger is saying is coming very soon.

That 10% grade hills you are climbing it's for how long? When I was testing out a e-bike awhile back on a commuter bike with Bosch Performance Line CX motor(2nd generation), riding up a hill probably closer to 15% grade for about maybe a little less than half a KM it's was fairly smooth up for me(not too hard). It's never going to be almost effortless like a car or motorcycle(& you need to do some pedaling in a lower gear).

One of the things I've learned from last year and my discussions, is that perfect is the enemy of the good. Last year I had the same mentality, always waiting for a shiny new model that would solve everything. In the end, there was always a problem with it. The R1U mid drive will be announced soon but will only be available in July/August of 2021. I have decided to draw a line in the sand and I want a bike by mid January. I spent the last year walking around the city thinking of how good it would be if I actually had the bike - now is time to actually get one.

The LMT'D is the cheap version of my requirements. It's cheap (currently $1650), comfortable, ok power and range, torque sensor, and only 51lbs - good value for what it is. Now, an online bike in the $2200s starts to become a riskier investment. R1U doesn't seem to have terrible customer service, but I'd still worry. At that price I'd probably prefer to go with either a $2700 Momentum, for the LBS support, or the $2700 Priority Current, for the 2 year warranty and overall great customer service reputation.

Lastly regarding hills, keep in mind this was my first ever experience with a mid drive bike, so everything was brand new to me. I may not have done the most optimized use of the bike. It was about only half a mile. Also, this was my first bike ride in multiple months.

A few points. First, part of the Rize Rx and RX Pro bike's weight is due to the battery they come with. It's 19.2 ah. That makes it one of the biggest available, and that capacity translates directly into more weight. Quite a bit more weight.

Second, name brand brake, shifter and derailleurs, do have different quality levels available, but they are ALL serviceable. Makes no difference what bike they've been installed on. Noteworthy is the fact the Rize RX and Pro come with the best 9 speed derailleur offered by Shimano. In this same vein, A Bafang Ultra motor will be no different from one bike to another. Rize does offer it with a shift detector (shuts the power off for a split second during a shift in case you forget to). Not all do.

If you think shifting might provide a challenge, to minimize that challenge you might consider that the hub drives are far less picky when it comes to that. That's the reason some consider them "easier to ride". They're as happy taking off while you're in first or 7nth gear - assuming you have a throttle equipped bike.

And last, I don't remember if mobile bike services has been brought up. These are mobile rigs that will assemble a new bike for you, then service it any time you need work done. Not free, but pretty reasonable from what I've heard. You can actually arrange for your new bike to be shipped to them, they assemble it and check it out, then deliver it to your front door. Check out velofix.com to see if they have anyone local to you. They're actually certified warranty repair for a few companies. -Al

Exactly, I'd compare the Rize with the Juiced. It's definitely built for raw power. More power means more consumption, which means bigger battery, which means significant weight. The Juiced has an even bigger battery, at 52v 19.2ah. It obviously is much better than the Juiced, as the price shows. Mid drive, better components, etc.

I personally did not think the shifting was problematic. It was just the first time I experienced having to stop pedaling to shift. It wasn't inherently negative. You also gain the ability to s*it at a complete stop. I often need to stop at stoplights in the middle of a hill, so shifting down from there would be very helpful.

Mobile bike services is a great topic - and this again is when we return to the world of online bikes. I am very confident I can securely assemble any online ebike. However, many companies, probably to avoid liability, say that in order for the warranty to be valid, the bike has to either be assembled or checked by a professional. This is where living in the Bay Area gets painfully expensive. Assembling an ebike with velofix in SF costs $250 per bike. This is quite a bit - 10-15% of the value of the bike. The tune package, which basically would mean an inspection of the assembled bike, would cost $150. Still a lot in my opinion.

 

[Quick514Biker]

A pleasant surprise for me in Canada!!! Only discovered it this morning. Giant has the Giant Momentum Transend E+ bike with Class 3 28mph Yamaha motor available in Canada(it's available at bike shops in Canada that carry Giant bikes). Until now, I just assumed Giant wouldn't bring this e-bike to Canada, because it's Class 3(bravo to Giant for doing this).

A not be discounted thing I like. An benefit for me is its stealth look(less attraction to thieves). Also doesn't really look like e-bike at first glance.

 

[Art Deco]

One of the things I've learned from last year and my discussions, is that perfect is the enemy of the good. Last year I had the same mentality, always waiting for a shiny new model that would solve everything. In the end, there was always a problem with it. The R1U mid drive will be announced soon but will only be available in July/August of 2021. I have decided to draw a line in the sand and I want a bike by mid January. I spent the last year walking around the city thinking of how good it would be if I actually had the bike - now is time to actually get one.

The LMT'D is the cheap version of my requirements. It's cheap (currently $1650), comfortable, ok power and range, torque sensor, and only 51lbs - good value for what it is. Now, an online bike in the $2200s starts to become a riskier investment. R1U doesn't seem to have terrible customer service, but I'd still worry. At that price I'd probably prefer to go with either a $2700 Momentum, for the LBS support, or the $2700 Priority Current, for the 2 year warranty and overall great customer service reputation.

Lastly regarding hills, keep in mind this was my first ever experience with a mid drive bike, so everything was brand new to me. I may not have done the most optimized use of the bike. It was about only half a mile. Also, this was my first bike ride in multiple months.

Exactly, I'd compare the Rize with the Juiced. It's definitely built for raw power. More power means more consumption, which means bigger battery, which means significant weight. The Juiced has an even bigger battery, at 52v 19.2ah. It obviously is much better than the Juiced, as the price shows. Mid drive, better components, etc.

I personally did not think the shifting was problematic. It was just the first time I experienced having to stop pedaling to shift. It wasn't inherently negative. You also gain the ability to s*it at a complete stop. I often need to stop at stoplights in the middle of a hill, so shifting down from there would be very helpful.

Mobile bike services is a great topic - and this again is when we return to the world of online bikes. I am very confident I can securely assemble any online ebike. However, many companies, probably to avoid liability, say that in order for the warranty to be valid, the bike has to either be assembled or checked by a professional. This is where living in the Bay Area gets painfully expensive. Assembling an ebike with velofix in SF costs $250 per bike. This is quite a bit - 10-15% of the value of the bike. The tune package, which basically would mean an inspection of the assembled bike, would cost $150. Still a lot in my opinion.

$ 250 to assemble. Plus paying freight both ways if there is an issue. Plus looong shipping times. That would put me off the whole idea. Strange times.

 

[AHicks]

As far as the freight, pretty sure you could arrange for the bike seller to drop ship the bike to the local Velofix dealer (assuming everyone agree in advance). For the 250 assembly/prep fee, I would think they'd deliver it when completed. Even if they wouldn't, you could pick it up at their facility.

Point being, I don't think freight would be much of a factor. Maybe I'm just kidding myself though... -Al

 

[Achterbahn]

As far as the freight, pretty sure you could arrange for the bike seller to drop ship the bike to the local Velofix dealer (assuming everyone agree in advance). For the 250 assembly/prep fee, I would think they'd deliver it when completed. Even if they wouldn't, you could pick it up at their facility.

Point being, I don't think freight would be much of a factor. Maybe I'm just kidding myself though... -Al

Velofix comes to you. I think Art Deco might be referring to the fact that if you want to return an online ebike you need to pay for shipping both ways.

 

[Art Deco]

As far as the freight, pretty sure you could arrange for the bike seller to drop ship the bike to the local Velofix dealer (assuming everyone agree in advance). For the 250 assembly/prep fee, I would think they'd deliver it when completed. Even if they wouldn't, you could pick it up at their facility.

Point being, I don't think freight would be much of a factor. Maybe I'm just kidding myself though... -Al

Freight is becoming a huge deal here. UPS isn't even accepting packages from many retailers (except Amazon) for Christmas delivery anymore, and most of my local FedX delivery drivers are driving rental trucks. Every truck rental within 50 miles of me is out of stock on box trucks. Pandemic plus Christmas demand means high prices.

 

[Art Deco]

Freight is becoming a huge deal here. UPS isn't even accepting packages from many retailers (except Amazon) for Christmas delivery anymore, and most of my local FedX delivery drivers are driving rental trucks. Every truck rental within 50 miles of me is out of stock on box trucks. Pandemic plus Christmas demand means high prices.

In case I didn't make that clear before, I am way out in the boonies ...

 

[AHicks]

It's not just ground and air freight either. Look into the stories regarding getting container ships unloaded. They can't seem to even get the bike I have on order off the darn boat.

 

[Achterbahn]

Another question for you all. I recently saw a suspension seatpost (used, but not abused) being sold locally for cheap. Are those fine to buy used? I tend to buy a lot of used stuff on discount, but I'm new to the bike world.

 

[AHicks]

Cheap by nature, I love finding a great/awesome deal on "used". When looking up anything on Amazon, I've learned to watch for a "used" item like the one I'm looking at. I've found these are generally unused returns. For instance, I bought my first Thudbuster LT for 80 some dollars - "used". Worst case, it won't be in it's original packing. Most times, that's a "so what!".

 

[Art Deco]

Another question for you all. I recently saw a suspension seatpost (used, but not abused) being sold locally for cheap. Are those fine to buy used? I tend to buy a lot of used stuff on discount, but I'm new to the bike world.

Other than batteries and motors, I imagine it's fine, I haven't done it, but my brother used to buy all used gear decades ago. Do a search for the pros closet for some used gear examples.