e-bike update

Obviously I'm bored, still waiting for Santa to get here. He's probably stuck in that winter wonderland gripping the NE right now. Must be hard when the White Xmas includes power outages. Hope all of you are safe and warm. No sympathy for all of you sunning in S. Florida...

A while back there was some interest in e-bikes here. I found this great article from Wired:

https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-electric-bikes/?bxid=5cec24fcfc942d3ada069679&cndid=52165942&esrc=desktopInterstitial&mbid=mbid%3DCRMWIR012019%0A%0A&source=EDT_WIR_NEWSLETTER_0_GADGET_LAB_ZZ&utm_brand=wired&utm_campaign=aud-dev&utm_mailing=WIR_GadgetLab%202020-12-17&utm_medium=email&utm_source=nl&utm_term=WIR_GadgetLab

Thanks for that!  I'm really interested in e-bikes and looking to get one eventually.

What a timely post. We'll pick up our ebikes tomorrow. We opted for the Pedego Comfort Cruiser models. Yes two of them, one for the wife & one for me. We felt that they are the best bang for the buck and the biggest selling point is that they have a local store in our town.
Now we wait for the carrier to come in, then the cover and we're off!

Many, many electric bikes on the market now.

For those, like me, that are interested, but have little to no background in this area let me again recommend https://electricbikereview.com/.

This site is the most comprehensive I found for in-depth objective reviews of e-bikes.  It also helps you come up to speed on the features, options and technology with a few reads.  If you identify a bike you think you might be interested in, it will almost certainly have a review which will give you a complete run-down on the positives and any negatives.

My choice was ultimately for a folding bike, so I could just pitch it into the back of my Jeep.  Not practical for two (or more) bikes of course, but works great for me.  On the bike or back on the road in a minute or so.

This past season, we have spent some good time in Amish country looking for a new bedroom set.  Many Amish women and children have upgraded from the horse and buggy, to e-bikes, and at a glance they all seem to be the same type.  If I were to consider an e-bike, I would do my research in Amish country.  There is the occasional bike/e-bike shop in their hilly communities.  Nobody knows better than the people who depend on e-bikes daily.

The ebike was a game changer for me. I am able to cover a lot of ground in a day.  In D. C. I saw everything in a day (all museums were closed).  I settled for a Aventon Pace 500 which fit my requirements at a good price.  Hated to go the ‘China made’ route but it’s difficult not to.  Upgraded with fenders and rear rack which came in handy. Wish I gone with a step though model. 

https://www.aventon.com/products/aventon-pace-500-complete-bike?utm_content=6457160134_101872005960_435449577321&gclid=CjwKCAiA57D_BRAZEiwAZcfCxdFbFppzeAYGs4lXq--GiKxTrM5T8QYSXvbKzG1sk2_9kAhGWWxaOBoCkLwQAvD_BwE

"Game changer" for me as well.  When I decided to buy the RV, I knew that I needed a way to "cover ground" in many areas without extensive walking (the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak).  I thought about various solutions--motorbike, regular bicycles, even maybe a Segway?  Not being a regular bike rider, I vaguely knew that e-bikes existed but they didn't surface initially.  When they finally did, and I took a look, I knew I'd found the most logical solution to my quandary.
As I always do, when faced with a new arena and no expertise, I spent a lot of time online learning about e-bikes and the best options for me.  Experience is by far the best teacher, but the internet is not too far behind!

I did opt for a step through model, and one with 20-inch wheels, because any "macho pride" I may have left these days has been well tempered with experience and pragmatism.  As mentioned earlier in this thread, I decided a folding model would fit my needs best--as a single traveler most of the time, I can just pitch it in the back of the Jeep and have it in and out almost instantly without dealing with the bike rack questions.  There are several good models--I went with the Blix Vika+ based on solid quality at an entry price ($1700).  Partially due to careful research (and maybe partially due to beginner's luck), the bike turned out to be perfect for my needs.  After a year and half of experience, I really can't think of a thing I'd want to change.

Mike

I have my eye on a Sur-Ron or rebranded Segway X260 with the optional pedal kit. Pedals are non-functional but make it legal to ride anywhere or even register as a moped. Utah beckons    C’mon Mitch!

https://lunacycle.com/sur-ron-x-bike-black-edition

https://store.segway.com/segway-dirt-ebike-x160-x260

"Game changer" for me as well.  When I decided to buy the RV, I knew that I needed a way to "cover ground" in many areas without extensive walking (the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak).  I thought about various solutions--motorbike, regular bicycles, even maybe a Segway?  Not being a regular bike rider, I vaguely knew that e-bikes existed but they didn't surface initially.  When they finally did, and I took a look, I knew I'd found the most logical solution to my quandary.
As I always do, when faced with a new arena and no expertise, I spent a lot of time online learning about e-bikes and the best options for me.  Experience is by far the best teacher, but the internet is not too far behind!

I did opt for a step through model, and one with 20-inch wheels, because any "macho pride" I may have left these days has been well tempered with experience and pragmatism.  As mentioned earlier in this thread, I decided a folding model would fit my needs best--as a single traveler most of the time, I can just pitch it in the back of the Jeep and have it in and out almost instantly without dealing with the bike rack questions.  There are several good models--I went with the Blix Vika+ based on solid quality at an entry price ($1700).  Partially due to careful research (and maybe partially due to beginner's luck), the bike turned out to be perfect for my needs.  After a year and half of experience, I really can't think of a thing I'd want to change.

Mike

Mike
Thanks for sharing.  I am considering an e-bike for the wife.  I like the folding ones too. I will add the Blix to the list.  DId you consider the Lectric folding e-bike?  If you did just wondering what your thoughts were on it.  It seems to be a good value for the price.

https://lectricebikes.com/products/lectric-xp-step-thru-white-ships-within-2-weeks

Thanks

Ron S

Hi Ron!

That Lectric XP Step-Thru wasn't yet on the market when I conducted my search.  Their previous XP model had a mid-step frame, and I wanted something as simple to mount/dismount as possible so it didn't make my "finals" list.

The $900 is an excellent price-point for any e-bike, and the reviews indicate that it returns good value for that price.  Looks like the Blix Vika+ is now at $1500, a couple hundred less than I paid, and many of the key components carry about the same basic specs between the two bikes:  500-watt motor, mechanical disc brakes, 7-speed derailleur, 5-level assist, 12-magnet cadence sensor, etc. The Blix does have a larger battery (14 AH versus 10.4 for the Lectric), but both advertise about 40-45 mile range.  That's pretty variable anyway, based on conditions, but it's been fairly accurate for my bike.

Based on the reviews, there are some operational and "usability" details that I like better on the Blix, but I haven't even seen the Lectric Step-Thru in the flesh and certainly haven't ridden one--so you can't really make a fair comparison.   Lectric appears to be building a solid reputation, and at that price-point they're going to be very hard to beat for value!

Mike

Thanks Mike for the info.  Also the Blix Vika+ is 10 lbs heavier than the Lectric.  The Lectric has thicker tires too.   

I wonder on your Blix Vika+ when you pedal without assist/dead battery is it hard to pedal?  Or is it as easy as a normal bike?

Happy New Year!

Ron S

Ron,

You might want to re-check the weights. 

Detailed specs for both bikes are listed on the electricbikereview.com site.  They list the Lectric XP Step-Thru at 63 pounds total (battery 6.6 pounds), and the Vika+ at 54.8 pounds total (battery 7 pounds).  That closely corresponds with the weight listed on the manufacturers web pages (63 pounds on Lectric site; 56 pounds on Blix site).  As you say, the Lectric uses 4-inch tires while the Blix uses 2-inch tires.  With that much difference, there are probably some disadvantages and advantages (in different conditions) of both the standard and the fat tire, but I'm not a sufficiently experienced bike rider to identify or comment on them.  I can say that in both on and off-road riding, I haven't experienced any tire issues that were apparent to me.

It's been a long while since I rode a regular bike, but with no power assist, the Vika+ can be still very easy to pedal.  You still have the 7-speed derailleur of course, and you can readily shift to a lower gear as needed; in the lowest gear, speed is fairly slow but effort is almost nothing.

Happy New Year for sure!       Mike

  Thanks for this excellent discussion on E-Bikes. I currently have an interest in e-"trikes". We bought a rather weighty non-motorized tricycle for my wife 4 years ago. She had major back surgery a year before and simply could not ride a two-wheeler any more. One month after we got the trike she unexpectedly had the first of 2 knee surgeries. Due to our hilly neighborhood and the decline in her leg ability we now have a 60 pound paperweight in the garage. I have investigated making it aftermarket electric (somewhat expensive and will it work?).

  So I will be further researching e-trikes including selling the current manual trike and starting over.

Hank

The most important thing as we age is to stay active...whatever it takes or costs.

We have had Rad Rovers for 3 years now and have had a great time traveling with them.  In may cases, the tow-vehicle stays home when we take the bikes.