Voltbike Bravo vs. Surface604 Colt

[BritishColumbian]

Hi folks, wondering if anyone would mind hazarding an opinion about the two e-bikes mentioned in the post title. At present I use bus and carsharing for 95% of my mobility needs where walking is impractical. I own a non-powered bike, but I've found with our quite hilly geography and approaching seniorhood (age 63 now), I don't use it for day-to-day mobility. I see an e-bike as displacing 50-75% of my bus or carsharing usages for getting around our small-ish town (pop 95,000), less in winter. I can get (eventually, I hope) a Voltbike Bravo + helmet for CDN$2,000 or a Surface604 Colt for CDN$2,900. I like the Colt a bit better, but not sure I can justify an additional $900 for it. But I know little about the more technical aspects of the differences, e.g., quality of components. Any input appreciated. I will be buying Canadian, in any case.

Some examples of where I could use help: With no e-bike experience, I don't know how much difference the Colt's torque sensor pedal assist vs. the Bravo's cadence speed sensor would make, for me. Similarly, as I understand it the Colt has 9 speeds, 5 assist modes while the Bravo has 7 speeds, 9 assist modes. Again, not sure how much these differences will affect my enjoyment of the bike. I will test ride, which I know will help.

 

[Comfortably Numb]

Hi folks, wondering if anyone would mind hazarding an opinion about the two e-bikes mentioned in the post title. At present I use bus and carsharing for 95% of my mobility needs where walking is impractical. I own a non-powered bike, but I've found with our quite hilly geography and approaching seniorhood (age 63 now), I don't use it for day-to-day mobility. I see an e-bike as displacing 50-75% of my bus or carsharing usages for getting around our small-ish town (pop 95,000), less in winter. I can get (eventually, I hope) a Voltbike Bravo + helmet for CDN$2,000 or a Surface604 Colt for CDN$2,900. I like the Colt a bit better, but not sure I can justify an additional $900 for it. But I know little about the more technical aspects of the differences, e.g., quality of components. Any input appreciated. I will be buying Canadian, in any case.

Some examples of where I could use help: With no e-bike experience, I don't know how much difference the Colt's torque sensor pedal assist vs. the Bravo's cadence speed sensor would make, for me. Similarly, as I understand it the Colt has 9 speeds, 5 assist modes while the Bravo has 7 speeds, 9 assist modes. Again, not sure how much these differences will affect my enjoyment of the bike. I will test ride, which I know will help.

I have friends with Colts and they bought them over Voltbikes. They love them. Me, not so much.
I'd buy a Voltbike Yukon if I was going that way, even tho' I dislike Fat tires on bikes. Bigger battery and a different motor I recall. The main diff otherwise is the narrower rims and tires.
For the price I think they are great. CN