Seeking purchase guidance ie where to compromise
Posted by cyamnia@reddit | ebikes | View on Reddit | 12 comments
Hello! I'm going to provide as much context as I am able in the hopes that more experienced and intelligent people on this subreddit can help me make a good decision.
Backstory:
I've loved riding bikes since I was a little kid. Nothing has ever felt more freeing or exhilarating. But I've also had some physical health, mental health weight, financial, and logistic issues over the last few years. My time, I hope and pray, has come!
My first ebike was the Lectric XP in.. 2019? This bike taught me that I do not want a folding frame, that I don't prefer heavy bikes, and that I don't want a throttle at all. Still, I had a lot of fun with this bike and it really helped me immensely with my commute at the time. In late 2020 I moved to a house with way too many stairs, so I sold the XP.
In 2021 I got my second ebike, the Ride1Up Roadster V2. I loved house sleek and light it was but the geometry was painful for me even after swapping out for swept back bars. The plethora of steep hills on my then much longer commute were sometimes brutal, and the cadence sensor was very jerky. The range also wasn't great. Still, this was my favorite ebike I've ever owned or ridden. It just wasn't right for me or my circumstance. I sold it to a weird man on FB Marketplace who customized it and I wonder all the time what he did but his profile is gone. Anyway!
In 2022 I got out of a relationship and moved back to my city. Without stairs, I used Curated to help me find a bike because I still felt like a fish out of water. That led me to purchase the Priority Current. It was too much bike for me, but it gave me a taste for a mid-drive motor and a torque sensor something fierce. Between it being overwhelming for me and realizing I was in bad financially, I sold it.
It's been 4 years and I'm finally ready for my "forever" bike. My life has changed a lot. I've paid down tons of debt (not done yet but finally feel like I've made a dent). I've had several health issues, but I've lost 67lbs (with 51lbs more to go). My commute is shorter but has some moderate hills. I currently weigh 236lbs and have some neck, back, and knee issues.
...nothing compels me and releases dopamine in my brain like the thought of finding, buying, and riding my "forever" ebike now that I'm finally able.
Need:
- Mid drive motor
- US class 3
- IGH (open to CVT, pinion gearbox, whatever it's called where they have the transmission in the motor now) [I absolutely love a single speed but I don't think it gets the most out of a mid drive motor]
- Torque sensor
- Under 45lb (under 35lb better but not realistic lol)
- Somewhat relaxed geometry (upright geometry better)
Nice to have but not required:
- Belt drive
- Removable battery
- Over 20 mile range
- Any suspension (seatpost even)
Bikes I've been considering:
- Luna Fixed Stealth: limited customer service, warranty extra, high step, but ticks most of my boxes at a door price
- Vvolt Centauri II: what a bike on paper, but she hefty, and not available rn
- Ride1Up Prodigy V2 (belt): she also hefty and I'm worried about the geometry but I did love my Roadster and their customer service
- Cannondale Mavaro Neo 2: Hefty and more expensive, but I've written the Neo 2, and it was dope
- EVELO Galaxy Lux/ Omega: continuing the upward trend of heftiness and expensiveness
- Tezeus C8: seems like an untested newb and bare minimum torque.. otherwise đ
Budget:
...I'm really looking for how much bang can I get for my buck under $2500, and then just how much more can I get if I go up to $3500?
Questions:
1) Does a bike exist with all of these features and if so, what does it cost, and do you recommend it?
2) Have you ridden or owned any bikes on my shortlist and if so, which, and tell me everything?
3) Should I compromise on one or two of these things to make my purchase realistically attainable and affordable, and if so, which compromises?
4) Am I missing any contenders on my shortlist and if so, which?
Swiffy22@reddit
The Priority Current Plus is one I've been scoping out, and it seems to check most of your boxes. It's roughly 47lbs with the battery removed, if you're willing to go a couple pounds over your max. If you have or know someone with a Costco account, it can be gotten for $2599, and apparently even cheaper during occasional sales.
cyamnia@reddit (OP)
Just realized it's a hub motor! idk how I missed that
Swiffy22@reddit
The official website lists it as a mid drive. Understandable if the weight is too much of an issue though. You're after your dream bike after all! My current bike, Velotric Breeze 1, eventually won me over because it's on the lighter side. But even at 50 pounds, it's still so back-heavy, especially with my panniers and locks loaded on. but with those off and the battery removed, it's at least manageable to lift it onto my maintenance stand. If I decide to trade up to this bike, I'm trying to tell myself "it's only 5 more pounds" but still đ
cyamnia@reddit (OP)
It's just too much bike for me. Also 56.5lb all in for the enviolo :( I think I have to stop diluting myself that I'm flexible where I'm not flexible.
Lordly_Lobster@reddit
An internally geared hub is going to limit your choices. Maintenance on a chain/cassette isn't that big a deal.
cyamnia@reddit (OP)
I'm interested in longevity, don't prefer maintenance in the hot hot hot hot summer, and don't mind spending more. I do like saving weight though. Limiting my choices is slso not the worst thing when suffering from decision fatigue. That said, I welcome specific suggestions of ebikes I'm missing out on that would well serve my needs if I can live with a derallieur.!!
Razrgrrl@reddit
I was honestly almost sold on a Benno bike. Theyâre just heavier than what I wanted. :/
Razrgrrl@reddit
Is there a bike shop near you that carries e-bikes? Getting the chance to test ride and having someone you know will work on it are huge factors. I get that the budget is what it is. But for what youâve already spent on several shitty direct to consumer, far too heavy, not particularly well made bikes, you could have gotten one fairly decent one instead. I know itâs easy to say that. I ended up doing a financing option to get something that i wonât just have to replace in a couple years. Itâs an option.
cyamnia@reddit (OP)
I've been to two local ebike shops in the last year and not had good experiences, but there are a few more I can try.
I also was/am not aware that those are shitty and not particularly well made bikes.
I appreciate you acknowledging that it's easy to say that I could have avoided the such, but it's not accurate. Even if 7 years ago I had walked into a bike shop, that would not have imbued me with the knowledge and experience I have today, and my needs and budget were very different at that time.
I am very open to financing! What bike did you get?
Razrgrrl@reddit
Dang that sucks that you had a bad experience. ;/ I hate it when places that are supposed to make it easier make it harder.
And yes, it totally makes sense the first one is like âummm I dunno?â Thatâs what my first one was like as well. I didnât know what I wanted/needed till I had something that almost worked. I got something way too heavy, step through, way too big and clunky and shipped right to seller as my first one. I kept it running for a while, mostly thanks to help from a LBS. But I spent so much on upgrading because all the basic bits were just that, basic. Eventually I realized that Iâd spent so much that I could have just started with a better bike. Hindsight, ofc.
I upgraded recently to a Tern HSD, and that was higher than I initially planned to go. The 10 year warranty convinced me. I tried out several less expensive bikes but ultimately chose the smallest/most compact bike with the highest torque and best hauling/cargo capacity. But my use case is extremely particular. Super hilly area, needing a daily commuter that doubles as a weekend camping adventure bike. :)
Iâm 5ft1, and really I wanted something easier to wrestle in and out of trains/elevators/ferrries. My old bike was so hard to move around, too big for the bike lockers.
This is the new bike, itâs so easy to move it around. (I added the frame wrap/sticker thing, it only came in one boring color).
evaan-verlaine@reddit
Maybe check out Upway? A lot of those features may be hard to find under $2500 new but if you look at used/older bikes you may have more luck.
cyamnia@reddit (OP)
Thanks! I've been on a few times. I appreciate their vetting process but I'm very nervous about a well-loved battery. But it's definitely a great option! And as I said, I'm willing to spend $3,500 for the right bike.