I live in New York....I would be willing to buy online. Any suggestions on what websites to use? Also, I would appreciate input on what pedal assist bike to get (i.e. Batch step thru plus, etc.)
Today nothing is junk . Have you considered a pinon geared belt driven E bike? My friend has one of the regular bikes with the same setup non Electric . It's way smoother then my Trek Dual Sport at right about the same cost. Priority I believe is the manufacturer . And it's American made https://www.prioritybicycles.com/products/current Not to mention you can actually get it as well as get service when needed . This is a company I have watched for the last 3 years . Very Impressed . Plus you can get intouch with them quite easily . And they are a manufacturer not just a distributor
Pleasure riding. Will be riding 10-20 miles with hills. Max $4000, but more comfortable around $2000-$3000.
Pleasure riding. Will be riding 10-20 miles with hills. Max $4000, but more comfortable around $2000-$3000
Do you have any other suggestions? I am willing to get my ebike online.
I gave you a good suggestion . These are quality bikes . If you want to learn about pinion shifting which is far smoother and way less mountainous . Look at youtube Videos : Here is a wHole page on the bike https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=priority+current+e+bike Plus while it's an online purchase The service if you need it is Top notch . REEB MTB is also another bike maker using this pinion system . They don't make E-bike . The Priority E-bike is Class 3 Another company I am looking at is Harley Davidson :
At those amounts, why not just deal with your Local Bike Shop?
The Gates Belt Drive is a nice feature of that bike. It will need less maintenance and last longer than a chain. The OP was looking at a Class 1 20mph bike and that is a Class 3 28mph bike. I am not that familiar with New York's ebike laws, but this says that Class 3 ebikes are only allowed in New York City and not the rest of the state? I know that NYC has a history of draconian ebike law enforcement to the point of confiscating bikes, but I believe it has loosened up a bit.
I am definitely looking for a class 1 Ebike
That limits you some then :
Well, the OP is trying to narrow down their choices. Limiting the choices is a good thing in this case. The OP's price range covers most mid-tier ebikes, including those sold at local bike shops. The big name brands such as Specialized, Trek, Giant, etc will have Class 1 offerings under $4K and offer local dealer support. The OP hasn't said that local dealer support is important to them. Many online brands cater to either the either sub $2k market (Rad, Lectric, etc) or the fast and powerful market (Juiced, Luna, and even Watt Wagons). As @soyabean pointed out, there are sub-forums on this site for many of the different brands on the market.
I am not opposed to the sub $2000 market, and would be willing to get a class 3 Ebike...if it is legal in New York.
Look for the brand sub-forums on this site with the most activity then. Those are usually, but not always, the sub-$2K bikes. Rad, Lectric, Aventon, etc.
Class 3 ebikes appear to only be legal in New York City and not the rest of New York. Most rural areas probably do not do much enforcement of ebike laws, but New York City has confiscated ebikes in the past. It is a difficult law to enforce as many ebikes that are not compliant claim that they are. These are mostly online brands. Class 2 ebikes have a throttle. Class 1 and Class 3 ebikes do not and some trails only allow Class 1 ebikes. Rangers on these trails know to look for a throttle, but have no way to tell the maximum speed of a bike if it is being ridden conservatively.
I don't see how they can regulate a Bike that has no throttle. I have to elderly friends in their late 80's . Both with Class 3 Como bikes. They can't exert enough of their own torque to get up to 20MPH . They bought class 3's because that was what they found available in their frame sizes / I can understand throttle regulation . Peddle power?? Seems ridiculous Then Again NewYorkers deserve stupid regulations . They put nuts in charge 2 terms in a row . LOL So they deserve what they get
