Just bought a Nomad 2. I'm in love.

Posted by Impossible_Royal_302@reddit | ebikes | View on Reddit | 5 comments

I'm 55, not in the best shape--I need a knee replacement and need to lose weight to get that done, but I can barely walk without massive pain. I can bike okay, but riding my old road bike is so difficult at this point--especially when I need to go uphill--that I default to my car every time I need to go somewhere.

Well, I decided to do something about it. I spent a couple of months doing market research and watching videos about various ebikes, and the Nomad seemed my best bet. I'm certain there are other ebikes that could have done me just as well, but I chose the Nomad because I have aspirations of trail riding within the next year or so, if not sooner.

I rode long enough yesterday that, even with pedal assist on, I managed to meet my daily workout goal. I plan to switch to the bike for commuting the rest of the school year (only about a week) and until the weather turns bad next fall when we come back. It's about a ten-mile ride to my school from home, so a 20 mile ride each day, and I'll also be using it for tooling around the neighborhood when I don't actually need my car--to the gym, to a friend's house, etc.

I'll mostly be using eco mode and keeping the assist to what I need and not what's necessarily comfortable in the moment. But I'll admit there will be times I turn the assist to max and just have fun, too.

Anyway, hi. Tips and tricks to make sure I don't wimp out always appreciated.

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chrispark70@reddit

"Well, I decided to do something about it. I spent a couple of months doing market research and watching videos about various ebikes"

What you were watching were commercials. These youtube reviewers are very handsomely compensated for their shilling. The "discount code" they offer is actually a way of the bike company knowing where the business came from and the youtuber gets a cut on that sale.

I'm glad you ended up with something you like, but you cannot trust a review on youtube unless the youtuber buys everything he reviews (like ProjectFarm). The only reviews of anythig I ever pay attention to are videos where the youtuber says "I bought this with my own money and am not being compensated" which is few and far between.

"Influencers" are like celebrities and journalists, only orders of magnitude worse. They would sell their first born for likes and views. They are the lowest form of the carnival barkers we are bombarded with on a daily basis.

Electrical_Ad2652@reddit

You equate journalists with celebrities and influencers?

You should really start with maybe PAS 3 with a goal of doing the whole commute in PAS 1 if weight loss/healthy outcome is your goal. Using the throttle is not compatible with that goal.

I don't know where you live, but winter in most of America is doable on a bike. In fact, I would say winter commuting, at least for me is better/easier. It is much easier to put on layers than to stay cool in summer. You can only take off so much. I often have to commute mid day which really sucks in late spring to early fall. As long as there is no snow on the ground, winter cycling is great. No sweating and no overheating.

Tips? Get lights. Nice bright front light that can strobe and a rear light that strobes. Flashing lights gets peoples' attention way more than steady lights.

Get a rear view mirror. I feel absolutely naked without one. Once you use it for a week, you'll never go back.

Make sure your seat is at the right height. You should only be able to touch the ground with your tippy toes while in the saddle. If you can put your foot on the ground sitting in the saddle, your seat is too low and it will make your knees worse. If it is too high, it will cause hip pain. You should figure out what the right height is for you and then mark it, especially if you have a QR seat post.

RichardBallsandall@reddit

I love my Nomad 2 as well. I use it to commute all over the city and my ride to work is 10 miles. I had a ton of fun with it this past winter!

I ended up purchasing a second battery just because my average range is 26 miles and I was cutting it close too often, depending on temps, wind, etc.

I recommend the Hafny bar end mirror.

I also recommend tire goo for when you pick up a nail or thorn in your tires.

Joshua_Longsack@reddit

46 here. I'm ok shape and just got an e bike to replace my stolen touring bike (analogue). I rode a lot and my only advice is getting a comfy seat. My arse was killing me using the stock lectric seat. Ordered a cloud 9 on Amazon the next day. Much better now.