Hi folks!
I have been reading the forum for a couple of weeks to decide what bike to buy. This has been a great source of information and entertainment, some very cool people on there. However, I am still undecided so would love some input and thoughts to help make up my mind.
I have sort of narrowed it down to three options but am open to a limited set of others.
Background: I get a discount through three stores through work through the end of the month, + also get a little subsidy from work, so would prefer to go with something from those stores.
The three stores cover the big 3 (Trek, Giant, Vado) so have a good selection.
My needs:
Price range: prefer to stay under 3K (USD) but can go to 4K if there is a compelling argument.
Usage: mostly commuting to work: 10 miles each way. About half of it is paved, though bumpy, and half is dirt. Mostly flat. Actually there is also about a mile of gravel in the middle.
Style: I would prefer a more upright riding position. I have ridden a borrowed trek fx3 over the last few months (and prefer more upright than that for sure), but before that had not ridden a bike in two decades.
Power: I don't need high speed or a huge power assist: have done the ride on a regular bike and was able to, just don't want to do it 10 times a week unassisted. Would like a little boost, but not planning on too much as exercise is a big goal.
Power (again): I prefer a class 1 as the entire commute is via trail, though if I get a class 3 I suspect there would not be a problem as long as I stay < 20mph (which I plan to).
Choices and reasoning:
Trek Verve+ 2: $2500 before discounts etc.
- On paper this is the obvious choice. Upright yet "serious" enough for 10 mile commute twice a day, great price, everything I need.
- I test rode it and liked it, but did not love it for two reasons: the shifters felt cheap compared to the (non electric) fx3 I am riding now, + heard some rattling while doing the test ride. Could be the chain guard, could be the fenders. That gave it a cheap feel.
- I would still have bought it, but made the mistake of trying out the vado 5.0 - a LOT more expensive so obviously feels much better and the trek felt cheap after that.
Giant Quick-E+ (3150 before discounts). I have not actually tried this yet as the dealer is a bit further away, but on paper seems to hit the sweet spot for quality and parts. Better quality parts (on paper) than the trek.
Specialized Vado 3.0 (3450 before discounts). I have not tried the 3.0, just the 5.0. Loved the 5.0 and think they are pretty similar, but of course would try it first. Slightly more than the Giant and seems to have similar quality parts.
honorable mentions:
- Also thought about the Giant Explore or La Free, but on paper QuickE seems like a nicer quality bike.
- The Como seems a bit too casual a style, seems more for exploring a city than commuting, and also does not include fender/lights/rack, and most importantly I just liked riding the vado a bit more if getting a Specialized.
I am (slightly) leaning towards the trek for three reasons:
- class 1, so I never have to worry inside parks or on trails
- reliability + distance from LBS. Trek has a good support reputation. Specialized too, but I keep reading about problems with the Vado. The Giant dealer is 30 miles vs 10 (not a deal killer if I choose the Giant, but if all else is equal...). Also, it seems easier to get parts (e.g. battery, spare charger) for Trek than Giant.
- price! E-bikes seem to be improving year by year + my tastes may change once I have one, so it may be prudent to get the cheaper option and replace it in two years.
Thoughts? Rebuttals to any of my points? Angry rants at my cluelessness?
Thanks!
I have been reading the forum for a couple of weeks to decide what bike to buy. This has been a great source of information and entertainment, some very cool people on there. However, I am still undecided so would love some input and thoughts to help make up my mind.
I have sort of narrowed it down to three options but am open to a limited set of others.
Background: I get a discount through three stores through work through the end of the month, + also get a little subsidy from work, so would prefer to go with something from those stores.
The three stores cover the big 3 (Trek, Giant, Vado) so have a good selection.
My needs:
Price range: prefer to stay under 3K (USD) but can go to 4K if there is a compelling argument.
Usage: mostly commuting to work: 10 miles each way. About half of it is paved, though bumpy, and half is dirt. Mostly flat. Actually there is also about a mile of gravel in the middle.
Style: I would prefer a more upright riding position. I have ridden a borrowed trek fx3 over the last few months (and prefer more upright than that for sure), but before that had not ridden a bike in two decades.
Power: I don't need high speed or a huge power assist: have done the ride on a regular bike and was able to, just don't want to do it 10 times a week unassisted. Would like a little boost, but not planning on too much as exercise is a big goal.
Power (again): I prefer a class 1 as the entire commute is via trail, though if I get a class 3 I suspect there would not be a problem as long as I stay < 20mph (which I plan to).
Choices and reasoning:
Trek Verve+ 2: $2500 before discounts etc.
- On paper this is the obvious choice. Upright yet "serious" enough for 10 mile commute twice a day, great price, everything I need.
- I test rode it and liked it, but did not love it for two reasons: the shifters felt cheap compared to the (non electric) fx3 I am riding now, + heard some rattling while doing the test ride. Could be the chain guard, could be the fenders. That gave it a cheap feel.
- I would still have bought it, but made the mistake of trying out the vado 5.0 - a LOT more expensive so obviously feels much better and the trek felt cheap after that.
Giant Quick-E+ (3150 before discounts). I have not actually tried this yet as the dealer is a bit further away, but on paper seems to hit the sweet spot for quality and parts. Better quality parts (on paper) than the trek.
Specialized Vado 3.0 (3450 before discounts). I have not tried the 3.0, just the 5.0. Loved the 5.0 and think they are pretty similar, but of course would try it first. Slightly more than the Giant and seems to have similar quality parts.
honorable mentions:
- Also thought about the Giant Explore or La Free, but on paper QuickE seems like a nicer quality bike.
- The Como seems a bit too casual a style, seems more for exploring a city than commuting, and also does not include fender/lights/rack, and most importantly I just liked riding the vado a bit more if getting a Specialized.
I am (slightly) leaning towards the trek for three reasons:
- class 1, so I never have to worry inside parks or on trails
- reliability + distance from LBS. Trek has a good support reputation. Specialized too, but I keep reading about problems with the Vado. The Giant dealer is 30 miles vs 10 (not a deal killer if I choose the Giant, but if all else is equal...). Also, it seems easier to get parts (e.g. battery, spare charger) for Trek than Giant.
- price! E-bikes seem to be improving year by year + my tastes may change once I have one, so it may be prudent to get the cheaper option and replace it in two years.
Thoughts? Rebuttals to any of my points? Angry rants at my cluelessness?
Thanks!
