TMH
Well-Known Member
I thought that this thread might be fun, and would probably be helpful to those who might be looking at getting their first e-bike.
We all do plenty of research before buying, which is so well supported by the reviews on this site and the posts in these forums. Some are lucky enough to have local shops where at least some riding tests can be had. I don't really have shops close by which can provide test rides so all of my purchases have been based on internet research, as well as a long history in bicycling and motorcycling.
My wife and I got our first e-bikes back in late 2010 (Pedego Comfort Cruisers). We were hooked on the e-bike concept immediately, and used them mostly when RV camping. But we hadn't used them much for the last couple of years so I sold them off in January of this year. And then I started looking at what was currently available in the e-bike market, and was pleasantly surprised at how things had improved since we first bought our bikes. I intended to get a couple of 'do-it-all' bikes to replace the Pedego cruisers. Then my plan went all awry as I was enjoying them so much that I wanted to get specialized bikes for specific purposes. I've spent a ton of money on our little 'fleet' recently, but we now have different bikes for different purposes, similar style bikes to ride together, and extra bikes to ride with friends and visiting family. Plus they have gotten us back out riding again, and there isn't really a price you can put on the improvements to our health.
With all of that said, there are at least 2 stand-out bikes which, although I knew that they should be good, have really far exceeded my expectations now that I have some miles on them. So without further ado:
1) Raleigh Tamland iE. I knew when purchasing this bike that it had been discontinued by Raleigh (I can't figure out why though), and it was a real chore to find one in the large size (I'm 6'4" tall). But I finally found one and scored it for an excellent close-out price. I knew based on the spec that it should be good, and that I wanted something with the efficiency of a road bike for longer rides. It was to be my first experience with a Brose drive system.
And boy do I love this bike! I made a couple of revisions to it which I knew I wanted to do up front (RedShift suspension stem and Thudbuster ST suspension seatpost), and it is an absolute joy to ride. I've never taken it above the middle 'Tour' power level, and with the winds we've been having lately it still rides into headwinds just beautifully. I really like everything about it - the quiet drive system, pedal assist provided up to 28 mph, how smooth it rides and how well the whole package works together. Probably my very favorite e-bike to date.
2) Grace MX II Trail. I also knew when purchasing this bike that Grace had pulled out of the U.S. market, and that there would be virtually no support for it (well, I hoped that there would still be support through Bosch if ultimately necessary). Once again, it should be an excellent performer based on its spec, and it was possible that it could work very well on light trails/fire roads as well as on the street.
And it has exceeded my expectations. It works incredibly well on the street, is extremely efficient and for some reason the motor provides assist in excess of 25 mph (was supposed to be only up to 20 mph) out of the box. The bike feels much lighter than its actual weight - maybe that's just due to fantastic balance. I haven't trail ridden it much yet, but with a bit less air in the tires it seems like trail use will be just fine. I'm stoked that I got this bike as it was available to me at a killer price and is just really well done.
So what bikes have you purchased that have really 'wowed' you after all of your research, or even your first test rides?
We all do plenty of research before buying, which is so well supported by the reviews on this site and the posts in these forums. Some are lucky enough to have local shops where at least some riding tests can be had. I don't really have shops close by which can provide test rides so all of my purchases have been based on internet research, as well as a long history in bicycling and motorcycling.
My wife and I got our first e-bikes back in late 2010 (Pedego Comfort Cruisers). We were hooked on the e-bike concept immediately, and used them mostly when RV camping. But we hadn't used them much for the last couple of years so I sold them off in January of this year. And then I started looking at what was currently available in the e-bike market, and was pleasantly surprised at how things had improved since we first bought our bikes. I intended to get a couple of 'do-it-all' bikes to replace the Pedego cruisers. Then my plan went all awry as I was enjoying them so much that I wanted to get specialized bikes for specific purposes. I've spent a ton of money on our little 'fleet' recently, but we now have different bikes for different purposes, similar style bikes to ride together, and extra bikes to ride with friends and visiting family. Plus they have gotten us back out riding again, and there isn't really a price you can put on the improvements to our health.
With all of that said, there are at least 2 stand-out bikes which, although I knew that they should be good, have really far exceeded my expectations now that I have some miles on them. So without further ado:
1) Raleigh Tamland iE. I knew when purchasing this bike that it had been discontinued by Raleigh (I can't figure out why though), and it was a real chore to find one in the large size (I'm 6'4" tall). But I finally found one and scored it for an excellent close-out price. I knew based on the spec that it should be good, and that I wanted something with the efficiency of a road bike for longer rides. It was to be my first experience with a Brose drive system.
And boy do I love this bike! I made a couple of revisions to it which I knew I wanted to do up front (RedShift suspension stem and Thudbuster ST suspension seatpost), and it is an absolute joy to ride. I've never taken it above the middle 'Tour' power level, and with the winds we've been having lately it still rides into headwinds just beautifully. I really like everything about it - the quiet drive system, pedal assist provided up to 28 mph, how smooth it rides and how well the whole package works together. Probably my very favorite e-bike to date.
2) Grace MX II Trail. I also knew when purchasing this bike that Grace had pulled out of the U.S. market, and that there would be virtually no support for it (well, I hoped that there would still be support through Bosch if ultimately necessary). Once again, it should be an excellent performer based on its spec, and it was possible that it could work very well on light trails/fire roads as well as on the street.
And it has exceeded my expectations. It works incredibly well on the street, is extremely efficient and for some reason the motor provides assist in excess of 25 mph (was supposed to be only up to 20 mph) out of the box. The bike feels much lighter than its actual weight - maybe that's just due to fantastic balance. I haven't trail ridden it much yet, but with a bit less air in the tires it seems like trail use will be just fine. I'm stoked that I got this bike as it was available to me at a killer price and is just really well done.
So what bikes have you purchased that have really 'wowed' you after all of your research, or even your first test rides?
And it is even better/makes me even happier when the money spent includes a 30-60% discount off MSRP! I'm such a sucker for half off.
