Need advice for a commuting ebike
 

Currently, I own three Pedal Forward bikes that I commute to work on. It takes me 1 hour to ride 13 mile to work. I have been riding to work one way for the last two to three weeks every other day. I am considering purchasing an ebike and I'd like to hear your opinions. The two bikes that I'm looking at are the Blix Aveny, Rad Power City Cruiser Step over, and the Rad Power City Cruiser step thru. The Rad Power bikes are cheaper. For me its about weight vs power. The Rad Power are feature rich. I'd like to cut my commute time by 15-25 minutes one way. What are you thoughts on these two bikes? Which bike would last longer? I'm 5'9" and weigh about 255 lbs. I'm trying to lose weight through cycling and diet. Thank You.

https://blixbike.com/products/aveny-...=7473663279159

https://www.radpowerbikes.com/produc...-commuter-bike

https://www.radpowerbikes.com/produc...city-step-thru

A 500W geared motor might be a better fit for Denver hills, but if you're happy getting the workout, the Rad direct drive motor should work.

https://electricbikereview.com/forum...parison.27734/

I had a 350w geared motor; slight warning: be prepared to pedal if there are relatively steep ascents on your route. Haven't tried a 500w direct drive motor, but the DIY 1000w scrambles up hills nicely.

If you are going to climb uphills I advice you to go for a mid drive motor electric bike. I owned a hub motor and they are fun on flat surfaces but not so much when it comes to climb.
Also an internal hub gear will save you lot of pain in terms of maintenance.

If you have budget go for gazelle.
If not go for ariel rider c-class. It is around $1700 and has mid motor, hydraulic and internal gear. Frame looks like Rad power tough.

For Rad power I heard their customer service is amazing and bikes are ok. I tried a rad rover 2 years ago so don't know much about rad city. For blix hmmmm. I rather pass them. Their e-bikes aren't that powerful.

I have a few hills, not much though. I have thought about a pedelic bike too. I like the back up throttle as insurance. I commute about 25 miles a day every other day. We will see. I'm looking for comfort and fit.

FME, a throttle is helpful for instances where you need a burst of power like to make a light before it turns red (discovered this the few times I've ridden my mid-drive MTB on the road). Also, throttle-only works fine for road with a 1000w DD system IMO.

I've put close to 13K miles on a Stromer ST-1; it's worked so well I got rid of my car a couple of years back. My current commute is 13m each way, and involves a fair stretch of MUP (the Mary Carter Greenway trail) so I limit my speed more than a little. Pick the bike that you are most comfortable on, in the long run that is (IMNSHO) the strongest factor governing how much you'll end up riding ;>

KHB, I've ridden a few Stromers for extended periods and they're great if a little expensive. I think for its features, the $5,000 model (AIR, ST1X) is worth it. It would cruise easily at 30 mph with a little encouragement.

Yeah stromer is an awesome bike but can't say little bit expensive. It is really pricey

I second the advice on getting a mid drive for the hills, the Yamaha Cross Core and Giant Explore E+3 are both lighter than the bikes you listed, I'd add fenders, a rack, lights (the Cross Core has a headlight and is prewired for a rack rear light), and an Arkel Haul-it for your backpack.

Funny that you mention the Cross Core, that is the first ebike that I test rode because I ride a Yamaha XMAX 300 scooter. I liked the drive, but not the bent over position.

Yesterday, I purchased a 2017 Raleigh Retroglide IE for $1200. I rode it home and love it. I will use it to go to work on days that I need to get home faster than on a conventional bicycle. Of course, if I need convience I would ride the scooter.

Great price on the Raleigh; interesting to see how you like it long term since it has the TransX motor AFAIK.

You could convert your bike to middrive with the Bafang bbs02 kit.

You are right about the TranzX motor on the Retroglide 2old. They are a good motor. I was going to recommend the IZip Dash for a commuter bike, but he already found a screaming deal.

-SP

As a first ebike, I think it's a good start. The other bike that I thought really hard about at the above $2000 price point was the Townie Go 8i. The townie could still be in my future, but at least I get to try commuting on an ebike this year. My commute to work is about 60 mins, while it takes me about 100 minutes to get home. If I can cut my commute to <120 minute a day I will be happy. We will see, the adventure continues.

What I will say is that bicycling has improved my health over the last few months. My blood sugars are doing a lot better and I have more energy. I love bicycling and haven't owned a car in 14 years. I can ride the bus/rail to work, but I wanted to be more active in my health. I think I've found a utilitarian vehicle that helps me to reach multiple goals of weight loss, improved diabetes management, being more connected with nature and others around me. Thank You for your input.

Good for you, Alloo, and best improved health to you. What you'll probably appreciate the most is arriving less sweaty -at work, in the morning, especially. I'd volunteer, from decades of experience -I'm now into my eighth, that while cycling, thankfully, is great for our health, regardless, which you've already learned; how much we eat -by far, and what we eat -distant second, are far more important than any amount of riding we do for weight loss and weight control. Enjoy the Raleigh and ride defensively always.

First off, as others have said, it isn't terribly hard to convert your own bike to a mid-drive.

If you would rather purchase an ebike, this one seems to be in your budget range.

I am committed to a cruiser style bike if available, otherwise I like step through cruisers. Blix recently update their Sol and Aveny to 48V hub driven bikes. I'd like to compare hub vs mid drive for my application. Maybe in the future I can. I already own 4 bikes. 1 electric. I use the regular bikes on my days off. But having an all electric fleet might be the long term solution. Ebikes are a great way to get into an electric vehicle. I want to become a four season bicycle commuter. We will see.

Try before you buy - if possible - don't want to be disappointed in hill-climbing ability.

Here's a possibility for a name-brand bike with a name-brand motor - for $2399 if you can find one. Trek Verve with a Bosch motor.

Mid-drive motor with substantial torque, integrated lights, fenders, kickstand, decent battery capacity, and a company that will back it up through your LBS during the warranty.

A (lightweight) friend of mine rode one on a 50 mile ride with me last year - 3000' of climbing - she had about half a battery remaining at the end. This was because this bike has a normal chain ring (no reduction gear) and can be peddled/shifted like a normal bike - albeit a 45 lb. one. She was able to save battery power by pedaling more on flats/downhills with minimum motor input.

It should be able to get you to work and back no problem.

https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/b...verve/p/17470/





https://trek.scene7.com/is/image/Tre...=1920&hei=1440

And you can always see what Court has to say about the various electric bike offerings out there:

https://electricbikereview.com/

Well, I did look at the Trek Verve+. I recently tried level 3 to come home it cut 5 minutes off of my 50 minute commute time each way. I like the Trek Verve+ but was concerned about the 250W Bosch Motor. I was not sure, about it for the slight hill that I have to climb. I like the Yamaha Mid Drives on the Cross Core bike better. The Retroglide might be old, but it still provides a great value for my application. I want to try the Blix Aveny or Sol next to compare on my commute which is 11.6 miles each way. Ebikes are awesome.