Torn between 3 lovelies!

Connieshaw

Connieshaw

New Member
Many of you have exceptional advice on how to whittle down on this decision making process. I need your help! I am completely smitten with the Townie Go 7D, the Blix Sol and (maybe) the Benno Ejoy. There is a considerable weight difference between the Townie and the Blix (is that bad?), the battery is also in a more stable place in the Blix and I see that the Ejoy is much more $$ than the others. I would love some suggestions on how to make a decision! Mostly will use it for errands, grocery runs, work - will probably allow my kids to use it (12 &14). I live in Seattle. It's hilly and rainy. Also, how do you secure Ebikes? Same as my road bike, a trusty old lock?
 
As long as you're in Seattle, I'd sure check out Rad Power Bikes. Test ride as many bikes as you can regardless. As for the Townie, the 8Ds have a better battery position than the 7D.

I have a Rad Rover, which might be too big for you, but it has a 750w motor. The Townies have 250w motors. I don't really know what that means to you and your situation, maybe not much at all, but it would be something I'd want to talk to people at the bike shops about.

Remember, you can add racks, and just about any kind of accessories to any bike, so if you're thinking the Townie rack would be nice for groceries, that's almost zero consideration. In fact, you may be able to get a rack much more suitable to your needs if you shop after-market.

Trek (Townie) makes good bikes.

TT
 
Timpo said:
Not that I have anything against Rad Rover, but that was a bit random suggestion :oops:

The Rad Rover is a bike with big fat tire...

Ones that OP has posted are all step-thru city commuter bike.
Click to expand...
I suggested looking at Rad bikes; I have a Rover, which is said was probably too big for her (since she was balking 50 lb bikes). Rad as other bikes. She's in Seattle, so why not look at Rad? But you're right, I wasn't very clear.

TT
 
Hi Connie, someone else recently asked about the Townie Go! 7D model as they were not happy with the way the battery pack high up on the rear rack was flexing the frame while she was riding. That won’t affect the Townie Go! 8D & 8i models which have the battery low and center on the downtube. The Blix Sol seems to have the lowest stand over height of the three so it would be easiest to hop on and off, it’s also the lightest which might also help, but it has wide sweeping cruiser handlebars so try to take a test ride to see if you all are comfortable with those, if not you could ask the shop to swap out the handlebars for standard swept back upright handlebars for a city bike. Owners on this forum report they like Benno ebikes, they use quality components, the company founder was one of Electra’s designers, and I like the heavy duty rack on the eJoy model rated to carry 85lb. The eJoy is using the previous gen 3 Bosch motors, nothing wrong with them but Benno have another step through model coming the Remi Demi with a gen 4 Bosch motor, although that model has smaller wheels and the rear rack is rated to carry a bit less 65lb.
 
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If you are in Seattle why not consider RadCity or Ariel Rider C-Class. Both of them are in Seattle. If you can afford, better go with Ariel C-Class as it has hydraulic brakes and mid-drive motor and has suspension seat post.
big blue bike4.jpg
 
Tars Tarkas said:
As long as you're in Seattle, I'd sure check out Rad Power Bikes. Test ride as many bikes as you can regardless. As for the Townie, the 8Ds have a better battery position than the 7D.

I have a Rad Rover, which might be too big for you, but it has a 750w motor. The Townies have 250w motors. I don't really know what that means to you and your situation, maybe not much at all, but it would be something I'd want to talk to people at the bike shops about.

Remember, you can add racks, and just about any kind of accessories to any bike, so if you're thinking the Townie rack would be nice for groceries, that's almost zero consideration. In fact, you may be able to get a rack much more suitable to your needs if you shop after-market.

Trek (Townie) makes good bikes.

TT
[/QUOTE
Tars Tarkas said:
As long as you're in Seattle, I'd sure check out Rad Power Bikes. Test ride as many bikes as you can regardless. As for the Townie, the 8Ds have a better battery position than the 7D.

I have a Rad Rover, which might be too big for you, but it has a 750w motor. The Townies have 250w motors. I don't really know what that means to you and your situation, maybe not much at all, but it would be something I'd want to talk to people at the bike shops about.

Remember, you can add racks, and just about any kind of accessories to any bike, so if you're thinking the Townie rack would be nice for groceries, that's almost zero consideration. In fact, you may be able to get a rack much more suitable to your needs if you shop after-market.

Trek (Townie) makes good bikes.

TT
[/QUOTE
Thank you all very much for your suggestions! I'm familiar with RADbikes. They are very popular here, as you can imagine. I'm not a huge fan of their design, aesthetically speaking. I will check out the Ariel Rider. I appreciate the comments. Thanks again!
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
The Benno is unlike the Electra and Blix because it has a mid-drive motor. The other two are hub drive. This explain to some degree the difference in cost.
The Benno and Electra are torque sensing, while the Blix is cadence sensing. Simplistically (and in my opinion), a torque sensor feels more natural.
The Blix has a throttle, while the other two do not.
Given the hills of Seattle, of the three I personally would go with the Benno. It costs more, but it is a higher quality and more capable bike.
 
Connieshaw said:
Many of you have exceptional advice on how to whittle down on this decision making process. I need your help! I am completely smitten with the Townie Go 7D, the Blix Sol and (maybe) the Benno Ejoy. There is a considerable weight difference between the Townie and the Blix (is that bad?), the battery is also in a more stable place in the Blix and I see that the Ejoy is much more $$ than the others. I would love some suggestions on how to make a decision! Mostly will use it for errands, grocery runs, work - will probably allow my kids to use it (12 &14). I live in Seattle. It's hilly and rainy. Also, how do you secure Ebikes? Same as my road bike, a trusty old lock?
Click to expand...

Connie, welcome to EBR.

Based on your short list... take a look at the 2020 Motobecane Elite eUrban for $1,799.

Since you live in Seattle, you will appreciate the hill climbing torque of a mid-drive motor.

Save Up to 60% Off HydroformALU Shimano STEPS Mid-Drive eBikes with Advanced Integrated Battery Motobecane Elite eUrban, FAST AERO section Weinman Rim Wheels, FULL Shimano STEPS E5000 ELECTRIC Motor System 1X9 Speed, AIR Lockout Suspension Forks with

Save Up to 60% Off HydroformALU Shimano STEPS Mid-Drive eBikes with Advanced Integrated Battery Motobecane Elite eUrban, FAST AERO section Weinman Rim Wheels, FULL Shimano STEPS E5000 ELECTRIC Motor System 1X9 Speed, AIR Lockout Suspension Forks with Hydraulic Disc Brakes
www.bikesdirect.com

1593370419321.png
1593370444341.png
 
jaizon said:
And Biktrix also has this (the the 4" tires, but the 3" option). https://www.biktrix.com/pages/stunner-x-details#ds But cadence based sensing. How much does that matter to you. More than enough power for Seattle hills. Pretty nice.
Click to expand...
The StunnerX is a practical suggestion. But just from a purely aesthetic point of view it's design is clumsy with the 24x3" tires.... it's kind of hard to look at next to the Benno even if it has as much functionality.
1593371220554.png


I will say that Benno makes a pretty bike - but it is in a different price class from where you started. Only you can decide if that jump in price/quality is worth it for you.

1593371738820.png
 
Thank you all for your thorough and thoughtful responses. To TT's point, I am familiar with RAD Power Bikes, but haven't considered them, as they don't appeal to me aesthetically. Based on your comments and info, clearly there are lots of other Ebike companies unknown to me. Will get to work making an informed decision thanks to your input! Much appreciated :)
 
If you consider that Seattle is hilly and rainy you might want a bike with better brakes ( hydraulic) , a mid - drive motor ( Bosch ,Yamaha, Shimano) and some fenders( after market SKS are not bad but ones that come with the bike often fit fuller and more securely ) which that Townie model lacks. Therefore I would choose the Benno Ejoy. I like the 10D with the Performance motor and the larger 500 powerpack option. https://www.bennobikes.com/e-bikes/ejoy/
 
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