What's your dream ebike?

[Dmitri]

Just curious, I'm guessing most people here own ebikes they're happy with, so my question is, what's your ideal?

 

[LewSchiller]

I don't know about others but with all that battery capacity you'd think they could put a cigarette lighter on the darn things.

 

[Mr. Coffee]

I'm generally pretty happy with my Riese & Muller Charger GX Rohloff (my bike differs from the reviewed bike in that I chose a Bosch Performance CX drive rather than a HS drive). However, no bicycle is perfect and if I'm dropping that many ducats on a bike my standards are pretty high.

There are a couple of things I'd like to see done differently:

• All other things being equal, if someone came out with a bike of similar build quality and features that weighed 5kg (or more) less I'd buy it yesterday. A lot of people on here say "weight doesn't matter on an e-bike". None of those people have had to lift their bikes over a closed gate. Or haul it across a river.
• A bigger front brake rotor.
• Rethink the racking options. My feeling is that the Charger is a high-quality high-end bike that is sold and delivered with a cheesy front and rear rack. Ideally I'd like to have eyelets front and rear that would handle Tubus racks. I'd give a huge bonus for a bike that could be easily switched between a low-rider front rack, a demi-porteur front rack, and giant three-bolt bottle cages (I don't think that bike exists in any form).
• While we're talking about the front fork, I'd consider losing the suspension fork and replacing it with a nice springy steel fork. I'd also like to see very generous clearance on that fork so you could mount slightly wider tires (I'm thinking of going from 2.35 to 2.5 inches) on the front for additional stability and suppleness.
• There might be some merits to tightening up the geometry a bit by shortening the chain stay length and reducing the enormous trail. You could make modest reductions to both of those and still have an extremely stable bike that would be a bit less ponderous.

I also have a minor and kind of more conceptual gripe that R&M sells a high-end built-to-order bike but doesn't have a lot of the customization options that other high-end built-to-order bikes come with. I think a drop-bar Charger or a Jones bar Charger would be an interesting bike. I also think it would be very cool to have custom paint and decal options.

If this bike (Co-Motion Siskiyou) were available as a mid-drive dual-battery Rohloff hub bike I would buy it right now. If I wanted a sportier bike for monster day trips I'd like to see an electric version of a Breadwinner G-Road.

 

[Nova Haibike]

As for changes to my current bike...a 2016 Haibike Trekking RC, I wish the XLC "Carrymore" rack had a second set of bars for mounting panniers like later models have. As it is, I cannot mount panniers if I have the Carrymore quick-release box on top. I also wish it had an air-suspension fork, or perhaps even a rigid carbon fork. I'm happy with the wheels and tires, but in the back of my mind I wish it came with 27.5" instead of 700C wheels, and that it had the ability to accept wider tires. Mind you, for the riding I do not need wider tires, but the option to fit them would be nice. The bike came with the smaller 400Wh battery; I wish it had the 500Wh instead. Lastly, the Yamaha system cannot supply enough juice for higher-powered lights like the Supernova M99 PRO.

In total dream-mode, I'd want a bike with drop bars. It would have a Pinion-style gearbox with an integrated motor, a huge capacity but physically small battery, driving a belt. The whole package would weigh no more than 25lb/11kg. Yeah, I am dreaming.

 

[harryS]

I want good looks, no "openly ebike" appearance, a stealth battery, and light weight for my ebike. If I wanted to spend the big bucks, the good styling of the Faraday Cortland and Porteur models come to mind, except I think they're class I .

I'd want a throttle, and then I'd want to get rid of the speed limiter. Than it would be like my current DIY ebikes.

For my wife and I, our local rides are never more than 90 minutes, so a small battery suffices. For out of town trips, I throw on saddlebags on my bike and carry spare batteries for the both of us.

 

[Deleted member 18083]

• Reliability above all else – especially motor and gears.
• Credibility – the ebike must live up to the maker's claims.
• Easy mount / dismount - strep-through frame, presumably.
• Both feet on road at intersections - dropper post, please.
• Road / trail-oriented full suspension.
• Striking design – no need to pretend it's a traditional bike.
• Electronic gear-shifting.
• Integrated rear rack + quality handlebar bag.
• Long-range battery.
• Advanced ebike computer system to display and record ride info.
• Front & rear lights.
• Mudguards – a more appropriate word than 'fenders' where I ride!
• Puncture-resistant tyres.
• Safe to leave unattended – won't fall over (double-leg centre kickstand?); integrated locking system (in addition to cable or chain) to rival that on motorcycles.
• A joy to behold and a delight to ride.

... David

 

[tompat]

I'm generally pretty happy with my Riese & Muller Charger GX Rohloff

I also have this bike and I agree with most of @Mr. Coffee s points.
It's an awesome bike.

Still, for the question of a dream bike, I'd like something different.

Yes please to:

• Build quality that lasts for 150.000 km
  Most frames today would probably do this with maintenance, but most motors won't. I want my premium bike to be my premium daily company for the next 10 years, not the next 2 years.
• Serviceability
  If the above quality cannot be built for reasonable money and weight, please make the electric system user serviceable. As much as I like my Bosch system, it is not supposed to be repaired by the owner. Everything is expensive dealer work and no parts are available for the user.
• User-updatable firmware
  I know Shimano allows it. Bosch doesn't.
  
  
• Mid-motor, mid-gear, belt drive
  Something in the like of a high-feature and high-performance Bosch Performance motor combined with mid-mounted Pinion or Rohloff gears would be awesome. I know Continental had something in the works with a mid-motor and Nuvinci/Enviolo hub in the motor. This reduces unsprung weight on the rear wheel and makes it easier to keep a dedicated winter wheel for the rear.
• Full-suspension aesthetically appearing
  I like the classic bike look and all full-suspension bikes with rear racks just look plain ugly or super-weird. If there was a magical way to achieve full-suspension with the classical look, I'd buy it.
• Single brake lever
  Cars don't have two brake pedals, one for the front and one for the rear. Why would bike riders want two? Please, electronically controlled brake force distribution with ABS on both wheels. And just a single brake lever to actuate it.
• Clip-on fender extension
  For winter and rainy weather use a clip-on extension system for front and rear fender would be nice.
• Lock cylinder standard
  If there was a lock cylinder standard you could get multiple locks from different vendors suiting your needs and still could use the same key both for locking the bike and it's batteries
• GPS anti-theft tracking and loud alarm
  Yes, now
• "igniton lock" of some sort
  Either PIN code, Bluetooth device affinity unlocking or some RFID/NFC key. Anything that prevents the bike from being used if stolen.

 

[LewSchiller]

• Reliability above all else - especially motor and gears.
• Easy mount / dismount - strep-through frame, presumably.
• Both feet on road at intersections - dropper post, please.
• Road / trail-oriented full suspension.
• Striking design - no need to pretend it's a traditional bike.
• Electronic gear-shifting.
• Integrated rear rack + quality handlebar bag.
• Long-range battery.
• Advanced ebike computer system to display and record ride info.
• Front & rear lights.
• Mudguards - a more appropriate word than 'fenders' where I ride!
• Puncture-resistant tyres.
• Safe to leave unattended - won't fall over (double-leg centre kickstand?); integrated locking system to rival that on motorcycles.
• A joy to behold and a delight to ride.

... David

Totally agree about a center stand which would facilitate rear tire service.
Locking fork would be nice but wouldn't take the place of stout U Locks anyway since the biker can be picked up and stolen unlike a motorcycle.

 

[CodyDog]

• Light
• Stealth battery
• Non e-bike looking
• Class III
• Mid drive
• cross between a road/commuter - more road looking.
• 30-40 mph capability
• Nice components
• 28" wheels
• Sold by LBS
• Under $3K

 

[Mr. Coffee]

I find it interesting that quite a few folks talk about a bike that is attractive and aesthetically pleasing but nobody seems to consider custom paint jobs. I think that it is reasonable on a high-end built-to-order bicycle, electric or not, that you should have custom paint and decal options (e.g. your name, Instagram, or your website) available for a modest premium (e.g. $200-$300), which on a bicycle that might cost well north of $5k is simply noise.

 

[bob armani]

The Alpenchallenge AMP Cross LTD Electric Bike which is light weight and a nicely balanced and ticks all the boxes. The only thing I would change is put a speed motor on it or simply install a delimiter.

 

[DDBB]

I'm happy with my Haibike trekking 6.0 but wish it had smaller wheels for more tire options (wider). I wish the Yamaha pw had more torque. It will climb anything as is but not w/o shifting to the lowest gear and going slow for very steep hills. even though it's a mid drive, shift detect would be nice if it's possible. I have mashed the gears a few times when I realize too late that I need to be in a lower gear. Air fork instead of spring fork. Adjustable stem for rise and tilt. Larger battery capacity.

 

[Balemonkey]

Tough question for a newbie, I own both a Volt bike Yukon and Elegant (one is my wife's) since Aug. of this year. Give the Yukon a step through frame and a gear-less motor of maybe a 1,000 watts. larger battery for better range beyond that I am good.

 

[AHicks]

As a rule, I'm pretty happy with my Rad City that's had an entire 1500 watt DD conversion kit (normally used on a bicycle) grafted on to it.

In a perfect world though, my idea of an "ideal" e-bike is still evolving. The latest change occuring when I was introduced to a crank forward design. Nothing extreme, just a bit further forward to allow my feet to reach the ground easier when seated (at a stop sign for instance), while still being set up for proper leg extension while pedaling.

 

[ebikemom]

I love my bike's peppy hub drive, PAS and throttle. And I LOVE the color. <insert heart emoji here>

I want my premium bike to be my premium daily company for the next 10 years, not the next 2 years.

As for longevity, I met a guy who has been riding the same ebike since 2011. I posted about it here:
https://electricbikereview.com/foru...ild-sharing-remarkable-ebiking-stories.25081/

I agree that I'd like to ride my ebike for 10 years! That's my plan! One year and counting!

Yeah, light weight would be super. I think that'll happen with time.

Dream ebike? ... hmmmm...

Like my bike, but ... with a helicopter attachment, or amphibious features!!!

 

[larry-new]

Happy with Rad City, and happy that I can easily turn it into a road bike. It's a nice solid platform that easily adjusts to a laid out position...sort of the opposite from that most owners do.

The best part is that it only cost $2k, with an extra battery!

 

[tompat]

As for longevity, I met a guy who has been riding the same ebike since 2011. I posted about it here:
https://electricbikereview.com/foru...ild-sharing-remarkable-ebiking-stories.25081/

7 years is a long time but the 20.000 miles are not that far. I use my bike for daily long commuting and on a yearly basis I easily can pedal for 7.000-10.000 miles. That's why I also wrote 150.000 km (about 100.000 miles) minimum life expectancy with maintenance.

 

[Deleted member 18083]

Dream ebike? Ebikes are not like like cars... say something like a Lamborghini or Bugatti.

Timpo ...
I once owned a dream car: my dreams, my car and, because I actually owned it, my budget.

I wonder whether it's still around; if so, it'll be celebrating its half-century in 2020.
... David

 

[Dionigi]

Both e-bikes purchased were my dream bike.

 

[Alaskan]

I purchased my dream ebike, a Riese & Muller Homage Rohlof HS (28mph) with Fox Float suspension upgrade back in July. It now has almost 2.700 miles on it and every ride I have taken has put a grin on my face and spring in my step. I still get a tingle every time I roll it out of the basement and climb on board. For me this bike has the perfect balance between speed, hill climbing and the amount of my effort required. I can choose seamlessly between getting a workout and running around town without getting sweaty. On every ride I can opt for maximum battery range or ripping along at 25 mph.

When I go the speed route and lean into the pedals, really working it, the bike is so quick, so smooth...so near the dream. I feel so fortunate to live in this new ebike era and be able to afford this dream bike. Shout out to San Diego Fly Rides for their help making this a reality for me.

The 2019 version ticks a couple more boxes with Gates belt drive, e-14 electronic shifting, "hidden" power tube battery, second battery option and brake light. However R&M tooketh away, eliminating the Fox suspension upgrade option. Not having experienced the standard Suntour which is the only one available on the 2019, I am not sure how much of a downgrade that is.