What to buy

[Grandmanana]

Looking for recommendations on what to buy for my first ebike. I am a casual rider but live off of a 2 mile steep incline. Going up it would be on my way home from the day so on the last half of battery and to be honest, I’m very out of shape and sure by the end of a ride will just want throttle to get me up the dang really steep hill. I’m sure most of my riding will be paved with the occasional park trail thrown in. I’d like a step through, relatively light with higher handlebars for a comfortable ride. If I could throw my grandson on the back, that would be great but not necessary. Ideally a few bells and whistles would be fun but not necessary. Just want to make it up that dang hill with ease. Of course, would like to keep the budget lower if possible but willing to go up to @ $2000-2500. Need to be able to get repairs in Seattle, spokane, couer d’Alene area when needed.

 

[Art Deco]

Welcome. I also face a very steep climb to my home, and so do many others on here. Have you ridden any ebikes? Your budget is enough for a LBS to help you, and most will rent you a bike and apply the rental to the purchase...If they have stock.

 

[zzRider]

Looking for recommendations on what to buy for my first ebike. I am a casual rider but live off of a 2 mile steep incline. Going up it would be on my way home from the day so on the last half of battery and to be honest, I’m very out of shape and sure by the end of a ride will just want throttle to get me up the dang really steep hill. I’m sure most of my riding will be paved with the occasional park trail thrown in. I’d like a step through, relatively light with higher handlebars for a comfortable ride. If I could throw my grandson on the back, that would be great but not necessary. Ideally a few bells and whistles would be fun but not necessary. Just want to make it up that dang hill with ease. Of course, would like to keep the budget lower if possible but willing to go up to @ $2000-2500. Need to be able to get repairs in Seattle, spokane, couer d’Alene area when needed.

How much do you weigh? That is a key factor on how much wattage/power you will need.

And forget about putting your grandson on, unless he's under 20lbs.

 

[Grandmanana]

How much do you weigh? That is a key factor on how much wattage/power you will need.

And forget about putting your grandson on, unless he's under 20lbs.

Currently sitting at 200

 

[Grandmanana]

Welcome. I also face a very steep climb to my home, and so do many others on here. Have you ridden any ebikes? Your budget is enough for a LBS to help you, and most will rent you a bike and apply the rental to the purchase...If they have stock.

I have only ridden a couple when vacationing

 

[zzRider]

Currently sitting at 200

Ok, that's a start...my weight is 210 and I have a 350watt motor but I ride on mostly level bike paths with some gradual inclines. Nothing like a 2 mile steep hill that you describe. Sounds like you need at least 750 watts and a 48v or 52v battery, but a competent bike shop should be able to direct you to the appropriate setup for your needs.

 

[Scarlet/Fire]

Looking for recommendations on what to buy for my first ebike. I am a casual rider but live off of a 2 mile steep incline. Going up it would be on my way home from the day so on the last half of battery and to be honest, I’m very out of shape and sure by the end of a ride will just want throttle to get me up the dang really steep hill. I’m sure most of my riding will be paved with the occasional park trail thrown in. I’d like a step through, relatively light with higher handlebars for a comfortable ride. If I could throw my grandson on the back, that would be great but not necessary. Ideally a few bells and whistles would be fun but not necessary. Just want to make it up that dang hill with ease. Of course, would like to keep the budget lower if possible but willing to go up to @ $2000-2500. Need to be able to get repairs in Seattle, spokane, couer d’Alene area when needed.

Hello! I’m sure you’ll find a great bike,the ability to get up a steep hill with no input might be a challenge- 48 volt 750 hubs are great (I have one) but you may require a mid drive and put out a small amount of effort if it’s steep climb! I’m thinking the little person might need to hitchhike and meet you at the top! Ha ! I have no agenda other than to help,In my studies it seems like 3k might be necessary (Priority Current seem nice) Also FYI there might be a tax break for ebikes + $1400 is gonna show up in millions of American bank accounts possibly in days..... Happy Hunting! Peace

 

[Art Deco]

2020 : Our Rides in Words, Photos & Videos

The last ride of 2020 went well (for 2020) that means I didn't get run over by a truck or drop the bike in the river, I guess. Temps right above freezing at high noon 33F and little wind, but damp. Wanted to try out the Christmas gift balacava in the first picture, so I wore it with thinsulate...

electricbikereview.com

There is a lot of discussion about how steep is steep.

 

[indianajo]

Your size matters. The length of your legs matters. Some bikes claim one size fits all. I disagree, being short.
Standard 18" frame fits about 70" to 78" people IMHO.
Big cities as you live in, put your zip code in the home page. That box will show you where dealers that pay court are in your area.
Big 4 with dealer support, trek, giant, cannondale, pedego. Bargain with dealer support magnum.
A little pedaling will get one up a hill in PAS1 or 2, you may not absolutely need a throttle unless old with bad joints like me. If I twist my knee I can't pedal at all for a few days.
I carry 330 lb gross (groceries, cargo bike) up a 15% grade with my hub motor. Most of those now have 36 v motors. 15% is 7/8" rise on a 6" level. Level cost me $3 at K-mart, the ruler was $.50 at a discount store. I have 500 w. Mid drives are required for slow trips up a mountain, 1000' rise in an hour. You do have those in your area but you may not ride to the top. Short hills can be handled by geared hub drive which is cheaper & preserves chain life. I cross ~80 hills in my 30 mlle commute to summer camp.
Most elegant way to carry a small child is a cargo bike. Yubabike, Blix packa, Kona ute, xtracycle, pedego stretch, have plans to clip certain brands child car seat on the rack. Or for 4-7 year olds, a padded shelf on the back with grab bars. Yuba has spoke guard to keep small fingers from getting pinched. You don't have the budget to buy a bin in front bike where you can keep your eye on the child. Review of cargo bikes is under bikes by type heading, cargo. Buy a 2 leg stand to hold the bike up while you load the child.
Beware, some cities have laws against carrying children on a bike.
Happy shopping.

 

[EpicTwiglet]

Hopefully I can be of some help. Buy the strongest bike you can afford! Regardless of specs! The strongest and most affordable bike I know is the 2000w peak Ariel Ride X-Class for $1899. This will get 200lbs up Mount Everest.

X-Class 52V Ebike

Equipped with a powerful 1000W motor, 52V 20Ah battery, top-of-the-line components, and sleek design, this e-bike is perfect for commuting, leisure riding, and more.

arielrider.com

 

[alphacarina]

"I’d like a step through, relatively light with higher handlebars for a comfortable ride." - By contrast, the X-Class at 81 pounds looks like more of a truck . . . . but it would haul two people up a hill for sure, until the battery died and then you'd need two people to push it the rest of the way

 

[Nomad]

As far as hills a mid drive without throttle might be the way to go believe it or not. A throttle and hub drive might not work so great depending on how steep the hill among other things. Do your research test the bike out climbing the hill several times to make sure it's going to be able to handle the task. I not going tell you a particular brand to buy but stay away from off brands.

 

[EpicTwiglet]

"I’d like a step through, relatively light with higher handlebars for a comfortable ride." - By contrast, the X-Class at 81 pounds looks like more of a truck . . . . but it would haul two people up a hill for sure, until the battery died and then you'd need two people to push it the rest of the way

Yeah for sure. Light and power is a tough combo.

 

[darksky]

As far as hills a mid drive without throttle might be the way to go believe it or not. A throttle and hub drive might not work so great depending on how steep the hill among other things. Do your research test the bike out climbing the hill several times to make sure it's going to be able to handle the task. I not going tell you a particular brand to buy but stay away from off brands.

I'm a new owner of a Pedego Boomerang with 48v 15Ah battery, hub drive, with pedal assist and throttle. This past weekend I went on a 20 mile group ride with other Pedgo riders along paved bike trails with a few sections along roadway. One section was up a hill, 30 degree incline for 1/2 mile. Setting the pedal assist to level 4 (out of 5) and with easy pedaling made the hill no problem, and for about 100 feet or so I used throttle only just to see how it would do. So in my case a throttle and hub drive worked great for me.