Total EBike Noob : DOST versus Stunner or ?

[eightyeightkeys]

Hey All ! We're new to the forum.

Decisions, decision. My wife and I are trying to purchase our first EBikes. We'd prefer a touring bike that looks more or less traditional. Something that doesn't scream EBike !

The decision difficulty level is very high in part because we only were able to test ride one EBike. The Trek Verve +3. The local retailer doesn't carry any other brands. It was excellent but at $3999 (250W Bosch/10.4 Ah battery @ 54.43lbs), it doesn't seem to compare well with the DOST $3699 (500W unlockable to 750W/14Ah base battery @ 65.2lbs !) or the Biktrix Stunner $3099 (750W/14.5Ah base battery @ 60lbs).

Other EBikes that made our list was the Rize, and the Envo and just as I was about to post this thread I read about the Giant EBikes.

Needs :
Range : we're not going to ride more than 50km in one go....doubt it.
Hills : Yup ! We live in a very hilly area, but, winter in California....so, yes, this EBike needs to be able to climb.
Comfort : Yes ! an Ebike with very good customizable set up for seat height, handle bar height a good saddle !
Thumb Drive : not a must but is good to have....the Trek Verve +3 does not have this feature.

Any suggestions or things to be aware of that we might be missing ?

 

[Dewey]

You might like to look at Pedego, most of their ebikes have a twist throttle and 500w motors, most of the models use pedal cadence sensors but if you're interested in a pedal torque sensor some of the hub motor models like the City Commuter Black Edition and Platinum Interceptor models, plus their mid-drive models, have Advanced pedal assist with both cadence and torque sensors. Pedego have 8 dealers in Southern Ontario for shop service support.

Pedego are known for their cruisers with several comfort options including smaller 24" wheels for shorter riders, kinekt seatpost suspension, wide comfortable saddles, loaner ebikes while yours is in for service, etc. You could ask on the Pedego owners facebook group or on the Pedego brand forum here on EBR how folks modify their Pedego's for touring.

 

[eightyeightkeys]

Checking them out now Dewey. Thanks !

 

[scout592]

Take a look at Evelo. They have several models with hub motors and a mid motor in their Auora lmtd model.

 

[indianajo]

Note on hub motors. Geared ones are more fun and faster out of red light or up hills, but total rise matters. Geared hubs overheat if you gain ~1000' in 15 minutes. I ride 77 roller hills up to 15% with one here in Indiana, where I use the momentum from the first to speed me up the next. 200' total rise in 30 miles is not a problem. I use up 800 wh on that ride.
DD hub motors cool better, but chew up a lot of watthours on hills. The 1000 W DD I bought is 15% grade capable with 330 lb gross weight, but many state laws prevent that much power on store bought bikes.
Mid drive motors can crawl up hills in lower sprocket ratios, but chew up chains 2 to 10 times faster than hub motors. Most mid drive motors cannot be ridden without power without dragging the motor with your feet. Exceptions, yamaha, shimano esteps, brose. I ride unpowered a lot for heart health, use the power for the days when headwinds would double my commute time.

 

[eightyeightkeys]

The Giant EBikes have the Yamaha mid drive motors....will have another look at them although the saddle and ride position doesn't look very comfortable or very customizable. I currently own a Giant standard touring bike and the straight handle bars are the worst for comfort. There is no "alternate" hand position on them. I had to buy a handle bar riser stem to bring up the position a few inches.

 

[Art Deco]

Besides the Trek 3, there is a much less expensive Trek 2, and most Trek dealers have Electra (owned by Trek)and also less expensive. I think I would visit a different bike shop. Check Giant's Liv line, and the Specialized Como3 as well ... they are both priced well below the Trek 3 ...

 

[indianajo]

The Giant EBikes have the Yamaha mid drive motors....will have another look at them although the saddle and ride position doesn't look very comfortable or very customizable.

There are a lot of brands with different seating positions, not all of which might have local dealers. Check the base website for reviews. See the bikes by type forum, drop handlebar bikes are listed as light bikes and I think a lot of people buy orbea. If you don't want a cargo model like the yubabike I bought, I rather respect the magnum line which has geared hub motors and dealer warrenty support in many cities. M2s is similar bike but direct to consumer, you are the service department.
I'm not part of the constant chain maintenance club, except I oil it biweekly with type F ATF & a pump oiler. I don't clean it, except to untangle tie cords that I tangle up in it. It needed changing at 5000 miles after 2 1/2 years. some 11 speed commuters are changing chain every 500 miles - too much work for me.

 

[eightyeightkeys]

Thanks Art Deco. There's a saying in the RV world..."buy your 3rd RV first"....so, I'm hoping that this is what we're going to do with our EBike. Spend a little more money, if it's worth it.

750W or 500W vs 250W, 48V vs 36V, 17Ah vs 10.4 Ah, mid drive vs hub drive are all things that, when you've bought one, you don't want to say "I wish I would've...."

 

[Art Deco]

Thanks Art Deco. There's a saying in the RV world..."buy your 3rd RV first"....so, I'm hoping that this is what we're going to do with our EBike. Spend a little more money, if it's worth it.

750W or 500W vs 250W, 48V vs 36V, 17Ah vs 10.4 Ah, mid drive vs hub drive are all things that, when you've bought one, you don't want to say "I wish I would've...."

I also RV in a Sprinter high top van. I started out looking at standard issue internet ebikes ... 20 inch wheeled rear hub folders in fact. Wheelie machines. But I bought a pair of Comos. They are just better bikes and have LBS support available. If I'm going to haul bikes around I want the rides to be worth the hassle. Welcome and happy hunting to you.