Bought an Aventon Aventure through a local dealer and absolutely love it. It's 73 lbs and is the step thru model that I ride everyday. I am 80 years old and so far have had no problem riding it. Thru the Aventon App I was able to upgrade the software which changed it from a Class 2 to a Class 3 bike. Rode Harley's for years and definitely loved the speed boost the upgrade gave me.
i still ride harleys but not until license back. BEST HARLEY REPLACEMENT IS THE ARIEL RIDER KEPLER. mine is "BLAZE" its my second bike and wish found this one first, reminds me of my shovel. its a aboulute BLAST SPEED TORQUE no bike compares. but CS sucks. but if you no how to figure out quirks. make it yours.
@@jamesbuchanan3888 I’ve put over 600 miles on mine since Spring. I’ve had about 3-4 pedal strikes. I’m 63 so I don’t ride super aggressive but don’t ride like a grandpa either. I think there’s a video out there about this that I watched. Somebody had a list of parts for new different pedal cranks that are shorter that worked well. It hasn’t happened enough to me for it to be a showstopper issue. But now I do try to have my “inside” pedal up high when turning.
CC, thank the bike gods for you. I’ve learned so much about how to fix, maintain, upgrade and improve my E-bike watching you over the last year or so. You know your bikes and you certainly know your audience. Regards from the UK from a 45+ guy, out on the green trails and away from Netflix and mobile phones.
You are 100% right on target. I'm 72 and bought an Ariel Rider X-Class step-through, so that I could get out ride the trails and enjoy the outdoors. I though that part of my life was past me. I don't have the strength or flexibility to pedal a regal bike. Really enjoying your channel, and getting out and riding often.
I purchased a Specialized Turbo Creo "e-assist" bike in March in time for my 65th birthday. While I still ride regularly, I have always struggled going up hills. This bike was a game changer! You must pedal to get any assist at all. I find when riding in a group, I use the lowest level of assist (about 30%), or turn it off altogether. The assist kicks out at 32 kph (20 mph), so while you can go any speed your legs can take you, above 32 kph, it is all "you". There is absolutely no motor drag with the assist turned off, so if you drain the battery on a ride, it is not a problem to simply ride hoe under your own steam. That being said, I have found I get over 100 km range in low assist, about 70 km in medium, and about 50 km in the high (turbo) assist. Even after the 50 km in turbo assist, the battery is at about 20%, where it lowers output to about 30%. I have never completely drained my battery. The bike version I got was the aluminum frame. It weighs in at about 33 pounds, but you pay for that. The bike before tax came to about $6700 CAN. The bike is very well designed, and built. While 95% of my riding is on road, it can accommodate tires as wide as 700X42, so gravel is no issue. It even includes a spring incorporated into the headset for a bit of suspension. A gravel version with flat bars and a dropper seat can also be purchased at the same cost.
Dammm it's expensive!!! I'm sure you have a awesome time and don't regret it a second. But... what do you think about getting a 1500$ 500W chinese version with a large battery size instead? Have a nice day Rodger Alex from Montréal
@@MC23-l9i I was given an Lectric step thru 2.0. It is different kind of riding experience, electric vs. mountain bike. Definitely easier to go further, and conquer hills on my rides!
I am 72 years old and my obsessive hobby since I bought my first car at 12 years old, fixed it up and sold it has been to buy and restore anything with an engine. My 15 year old grandson came to my home shop the other day with his Zooz Urban E-bike. He put a new back tire on,, adjusted the chain and bled the brakes. I’m hooked! He changed the seat cover and fiddled with the controller to get more speed. I own a construction company that helps with my obsession. I am getting ready to retire and have a large building. I am very intrigued about the part of your video where you said there are few if any quality repair shops for e-bikes. A few years ago I talked to the owner of the Yike bike about a dealership but that bike is not for the masses and one brand will not sustain a business. Your video is very well done and informative, riding the bike and talking at the same time works well to keep a viewer interested. I had an executive producer who did 26 segments about construction for Verizon using my company. I don’t have the ego for that type of tho h and it held up my workers and jobs so I did not renew. I know about attention spans and you did well, great video super informative
Most off the pitfalls mentioned are the result of the direct to consumer eBike business model. I don't think I will buy another eBike that I can't test ride at a local bike shop. I'll even drive several hours for a test ride if need be.
This is the risk you take buying directly from the manufacturer/distributor. Unless you pay a bike shop willing to set it up for you and even then, you could have shipping damages.
The shop where I bought my ebike said that if you buy a bike on the internet and bring it to them to assemble for you they will charge you $300 to assemble it. My ebike came with one free annual tune up for life.
By far, yours is the most informational, educational, and encouraging video site for ebike riders and those considering the purchase of a bike. Thanks for all the time and care you put into doing these. So very helpful!
I am picking up my ebike in a few days. I have done a lot of research! Pedal assist only vs throttle, mid drive vs hub, etc. I decided on pedal assist only I didn’t want a class 2 bike I want to be able to ride in n greenways & when I live class 2’s are not allowed. I’m also fortunate to live in a city with the option to ride a couple in shops and that has a decent used market on fb market place. I rode several and there was a definitely favorite. I decided on a Trek Verve 3 low step it checked all the boxes for what I wanted and was fun to ride. I can’t wait to get out and start riding!
I can also confirm that accessibility and range are my two biggest gripes with ebikes. The EMX Xtreme (dual 750 watt motors) is the closest I've found to being just what I've been looking for. Even then I had to cut about 2" off the seat post to enable me to plant my feet firmly on the ground when stopped. The hefty weight would be my third gripe. It would be pretty hard to peddle them like a regular bike if you ran out of juice a fair distance from home. I also wish more ebike manufacturers would add regenerative braking to charge up your battery a bit each time you apply the brakes. Finally, YES, the local bike shops don't want to touch them. You're definitely on your own if you need a repair. BTW, great video's Citizen. Keep 'em coming.
Thank you!! This was a real eye opener! I’m watching videos for a month or two and even though I know I need a light bike, no one has made weight an issue like you have! Why? Because most YT guys are trying to sell the bike they are demonstrating. Thank you for your honesty!!
You definitely know the key market for the growth of ebikes! It's us older folks! We want to still get out, walk, run, ride, what-ever but we do not have the strength or conditioning that we would love to have but our perceptions of what we can do, do not reflect, what we can do! So, eBikes are a route we can take advantage of! Great analysis and presentation! Thanks!
Excellent video - cutting right to the chase about folk's outstanding concerns. The two last ones especially that were discussed, seemed the most interesting, i.e the weight, and the paucity of customer service and repair. Issues like build quality, range, power, etc. are pretty straight forward obvious, and would determine one's choice of brand. But weight and repair! Some folks - even if they could - might not want to bother repairing more than for annual checkups, etc. But if you are not a body builder or weight lifter (or just not young and strong) many of us could have big problems with the weight issue. "Fat four inch tires" pet peeve: a lot of weight could be saved with narrower rims and tire sizes. 3 inch tires should be plenty adequate. Whatever. So, "caveat emptor" you'all, and thanks for the good and helpful video.
This is a really helpful video. I got into this last year, and now have 2 escooters and an ebike, and my wife has an ebike. After a year of experience I can say your video is spot on. The ones that really hit home were power and portability. My first scooter had a 500 watt moter which turned out to be not nearly enough to get me up the local hills (I weigh around 230). As a result it wasn't serving my purpose so I ordered my 2nd one, a dual motor 2000 watt beast that chews up hills and spits them out. My ebike which I just got is 750 watts and 1000 watt peak. It needs help on our largest hills, but I just engage my 2nd motor (my legs) and it gets up no problem. Portability is another issue. The scooter no problem. It folds up and while it's heavy (around 75 lbs), it's not awkward so it's pretty easy to get into the back of the SUV. My wife's ebike is another story. It folds, and it's lighter than the scooter, but it's a big awkward mess trying to muscle the thing into the SUV. And my new one is even heavier and doesn't fold, so I have no delusions about getting it into the back. Honestly, if you get one of these and want to transport it, plan on getting a bike rack. I'm looking into those now as I'm fed up with dealing with my wifes, and I want to be able to use mine other than just around home.
Hi CC !! Just to let you know I really have enjoyed your EBIKE videos, and you were part of the reason I chose Cyrusher when I finally bought mine. I don't think you want the LONG story, so I will give you the condensed version. My biggest problem was a new term I learned called "AXLE SPINOUT". If you don't know what it is (but I'll bet you do) It is when the torque of the rear motor is so great (from a standstill - slight incline - no pedaling - throttle only programming - 200 lb male) that the axle of the rear wheel spins itself out of the fork and becomes dislodged. When this happens the bike is no longer functional, the slot in the fork becomes "chewed" and repeated attempts to drive it in this state are useless only causing more damage. Let's fast forward - to returning the bike (Cyrusher finally agreed) - getting the next model up (XF800) (for a very slight price increase). I stuck with them, because I did love the bike in every other way. I know you have all of their models. The problem re-occured with the new model, and I posted this problem many times on UA-cam. One very helpful You Tube friend said - Oh, that's Axle Spinout - get this device on Amazon and it will prevent it from happening again. Whoever he was - God Bless Him!! It looks like no photos are allowed here, so will give everyone the name of this great anchor. Grin Technologies Universal Rear Ebike Torque Arm - Thick 1/4" Stainless Steel (Made in Canada). EXCELLENT REVIEWS !!! I bought it, I mounted it, and this problem went away 100% !!!!! There are cheaper offerings, but I strongly suggest this one. I have no affiliation with this company whatsoever. 1200 miles later - I am smiling (and confident) on every ride !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Most of the major complaints can be reduced by going with a NON-FAT TIRE ebike. If you want the comfort still, just make sure to get tires that are 2 in or thinner, with front suspension, and a suspension seat post. With non-fat tire ebikes, the frames can be thinner, motors smaller, less dead weight to have to move around, longer battery range on a smaller & lighter weight battery. Most ebike importers make bigger profits on the fat tires, but a few are starting to sell product lines that is more efficient (much more popular in Europe & Asia).
100% agree. If you avoid a 4inch tire wide e-bike, all the problems go away. These massive ebikes are more like an electric motorbike (limited speed, ok). Get a Ride1up Roadster or Prodigy or even better a Velotric Thunder 1 : just 36lbs !!! 70miles range!! Lightweight, looks like a bike. They are electrically-assisted bicycles, not monstrous 70 or 90lb huge bikes. More range, easy to lift, smaller, lighter, healthier for the user. They have torque-sensors and you can adjust the amount of electric assistance. I predict the new Velotric Thunder 1 and Velotric ST will become best-selling e-bikes this year. They're superbly well reviewed. Aventon do great bikes too : the Soltera for example As the saying goes......Sometimes.......less is more.
Bingo! Bingo! Bingo! If you can't ride that e-bike as a regular non-powered bicycle for at least short distances, you are setting yourself up for a world of problems the day your battery runs out a mile from home. While you're at it, forget the front suspension and suspension seat posts. 2.125" wide tires on the average e-bike provides a cushy enough ride, and it's still a bicycle.
@@DV-hr5wd The presenter of this video mentioned Electric Bike Company as having a good build quality. They sell a folding e bike with 24 inch tires that are only 3 inches wide. They aren't skinny tires, but they are manageable. Further, that model weighs 56 lb. The battery itself weighs 8 lb, so if you take out the battery during the folding process, the bike is 48 lb. Still heavy, but manageable. That model comes standard with front suspension. I have that bike. The only down side of it is that they made it without a proper stand so that you can balance it after it is folded. I bought mine 13 months ago and have told them about this problem. If you call them, ask them whether they will build you on with a proper stand. They build their own bikes, and for a fee, they will ship it to you completely assembled. Other than that one glaring problem, I have enjoyed riding it each and every time I take it out.
You are so right about us old people buying these ebikes. I'm 68 an bought a Juiced Scorpion X. Love it. Granted there aren't really hills in Tampa but this thing goes plenty fast for me with no effort. And it weighs 100lbs. My friend has a 26 inch and it's a monster. 20 inch is just fine for me, even at 6 ft tall. Only complaint would be the brakes, which work fine but squeak very loud.. I was impressed at how in touch you are with your audience and how we ride. Thanks.
Thank you for all your efforts helping folks with the ebikes. I have never owned an ebike so this video is just super outstanding and very helpful for me. Thanks again, Jeff.
Great video!!! Your extra suggestion of service was probably the most important. Our local bike shop is gracious enough to do normal bike maintenance but as far as controller, battery, wiring, or motor is concerned you are on your own. That is why buying from your local bike shop is so important. Again, excellent video!
I have an Aventon Aventure I bought from my local dealer last month. The one advantage that I had when buying locally was that I was able to try out my bike and make sure it fit perfectly as I initially had questions on how I would fit on it. I found that in the end that it did fit me perfectly and I've been enjoying it since. As for battery range, I'm only able to get about 25 to 30 miles out of it per charge. That is less than what Aventon advertises on their website. Of course, there are factors involve that make the range vary. One factor is my weight. I'm 300 lbs and the weight of the rider I believe is a big factor in battery range. Another factor is that I ride at pedal assist level 4. That helps me maintain a speed of around 20 mph. The higher pedal assist levels use more power, so I can understand why I'm not getting 40 miles out of my battery. I'm actually trying to train my legs to get used to riding again as I haven't been on a bike in 7 years. I'm hoping I may step down to PA2 or PA3 when my legs get stronger. Aside from all that, I'm happy that this bike can take me wherever I want to go around the city I live in and still have plenty of power left to see me home.
I just bought one as well. I heard the list the range for each PAS on their website. It’s around 25 miles for PAS4, 19 miles for PAS 5 and 27 miles for Throttle only. I’d say you’re getting good range. Depending on the temperature and terrain as well.
I understand your situation, I’m 235 lbs and I use P A level 3-5 a lot too . I bought another battery to help with the range . Love it now I don’t worry any more . Keep building up the leg strength and you will be happy camper too .
I'd like to tell you that I really enjoyed this video and thank you for helping us all out here to decide maybe what bike to go for I'm 65 years old and you're showing in this video the complaint but the solutions and I appreciate that so much
I've been in the market for an e-bike for awhile now and your channel has been amazing in helping me make an informed decision. Keep up the great work!
Hey Citizen, in my observation you really know who watches your channel & what they want from e-bikes. As a result you are 100% on-message with great practical advice. Thanks for that! My personal complaint relates to the more I research, the more I realise many local shops are just selling (identical or nearly identical - but differently branded) products I could order on-line for more economical prices. The sell the same stuff, falsely market it as if they designed it themselves, and put a huge premium on it because I can see it in person before I buy it. Even products from some well-known brands seem to be also marketed on-line under lesser-known branding. It is frustrating as a consumer who tries to be informed before I make a purchase.
In general, online sellers on ebay will answer questions,,,truthfully??? I dont trust amazon sellers much so far,, but would quiz em hard if I wanted to make a purchase. Ive found, that if U insist on getting a free returns type item, seller pays for return shipping,, you will get the straight scoop on the item eventually. If U dont ask, U wont know.
I have a second battery I put on my rack then change out mid ride. I bought 2 different e-bikes from same company and my spouse rides very little so I just pack her’s with me. That was the method to my madness also. For e-bike work I notice if you have part already stores will more likely install without a long labor warranty and no warranty on the parts of course. It also helps to explain this also, that way it;s just a cash grab for them. I do this with my cars also, I call around till I find a shop who will install an aftermarket part. Then I order my part before the appointment. It also helps to watch a Citizen Cycle video on how to fix an item before you ask the shop that way you can make sure they know. Mostly just watch Citizen Cycle and you will learn what you need, thanks a ton for your videos!🙏
That's the one thing that is deterred me from buying one of these. I don't own a car but I live in a small City so it would be perfect. Except the nearest bike shop is 35 miles away
Support from the manufacturer or local service is high on my list for requirements. Or it's basically buying two cheaper second hand bikes the same, one for parts and swapping parts in yourself
I am an almost 78 year old male and have been looking at these for about a year now I think I'm going to go ahead and take the plunge, even though I am almost 78 I'm in pretty good shape and I'm going ahead with this, your video was very helpful keep up the good work, I have subscribed and I'll let you know how an old man gets along on one of these. I like the Lectric 2.0, any commentsThanks again. 🚴♀🚴♀🚴♀🚴♀🚴♀🚴♀🚴♀🚴♀
Very good post, TY. For build quality I would MOST CERTAINLY INCLUDE AVENTON! I am 65 years old going on 2 back operations so, an electric bike is the only possibility for me getting back into the saddle as I did in my younger years when I used to ride a road bike. There isn't ANYTHING that I do not like about this Aventon Aventure. The build quality is OUTSTANDING!
I appreciate this video. I have been watching numerous videos and taking notes. I am 5'2 woman and that is one thing I was afraid of was the height.I have only ridden a RAD step through that I rented but want to buy one. I'm going to look at some of the bikes you mentioned. I love your videos and they are always full of great information.
I bought Aventon sinch from a local bIke shop, was not my 1st pick, but the weight of the bike to lift on and off bike rack was just right. Best Buy ever, no regrets I’m 6 months in and I really enjoy every single ride, and especially beach rides. It’s my travel buddy. Aventon is a quality built ebike. Side note, 1 up bike rack with expansion kit for fat tires makes travel complete.
Buy from a bike dealer/shop.....not the internet. You can see what you are getting, you can test ride before buying and the personnel staff can answer any question you may have about ebikes or accessories. I just purchased a step through, 36 volt / 250 watt motor / top speed of 20 mph / range 20 to 50 miles / disc brakes / electric horn / and has both pedal assist and throttle that is equipped with a boost control for extra power. Headlamp and tail light are automatic. Also came with fenders and luggage rack and a free annual tune up for life, $1799 but was on sale for $1599, so far I love this bike as I am 79...the wind and hills no longer a challenge for me, my Cannondale and Fuji have just been retired. Been riding bikes for about 40 years now.
As our English friends might say, "Spot on" with this video! Related to the bonus complaint is shipping damage. We've bought 3 ebikes direct to consumer and all three had some shipping damage issue that needed to be addressed, either by us fixing it in one case after being instructed what to do over the phone, or taking the bikes into a shop in the other two cases. The company did send us the parts and did pay the relatively modest repair bill, but what a giant chore with our brand-new bikes. And as you say, initially, and long term, the big surprise, and the challenge is, as you note, weight! My wife and I settled on a somewhat lighter weight model that is only 54 pounds with the battery. Still heavy, but significantly easier to mount and handle than the 62-pound "light weight" models we first ordered - and still have sitting around and collecting dust. I'm coming from many years of two-wheeled acoustic and more recently a tadpole recumbent trike. All of those cycles, even the trike, are half the weight of the ebikes. One pet peeve I developed in this experience is an objection to marketing ebikes to senior citizens as some easy solution to aging. I found them more challenging than any other type of cycle experience and although once you get going you can move faster with less effort, putting that over everything else is like the blind men looking at the elephant.
Me to ! I bought all the Park tools and do all myself ! 1500 watt mid drive dually Bafang BBSHD Throttle over drive ! 67 clicks ! 25 ahn battery 52 volt and works with 48 volt too ! Twin hook up ! Tubeless tires ! Dropper post ! Custom 55 lbs ! XC 27.5 Loud large frame !
Great overview on what I'll call "stuff to consider and be aware of" when buying an ebike. My wife and I are in our 60's and while we still enjoy our traditional road bikes we have found ourselves getting too tired on some rides. We also have an RV and always take our bikes with us. Last year we decided to get ebikes. The only local dealer was a Pedego store. The bikes seemed nice and all but were also $$$. After some online research and cruising the forums we settled on Juiced RipCurrent S models. 26x4 fat tires. 20Ah batteries. About 80lbs each. I'm pretty handy with bike repair and electrical stuff so the bikes were fun (and challenging!) in that area. I also ended up purchasing a hitch mount dual dirt bike carrier. Other bike racks just seemed marginal even when they stated they were rated at xxx pounds. When we tow the RV the bike rack goes on a front hitch on our Ram 1500. I take the batteries and seats off, loosen and turn down the handlebars, and winterize the bikes with some clear wrap. Bike without battery and seat is still about 65lbs. So far so good... We have had some great fun running fire roads in New Hampshire, rail trails just about everywhere and even some sandy beach trails down in Florida state parks. Cool that you modded up your own ride!
12:32 I'm a 20 year old who's about to buy an ebike to commute to and from work. I don't have a car, don't know how to drive, and I don't want a car. I'm just tired of having to take 40-1 hour bus trips to get to and from work. Work is already tiring enough, there's no way I'm riding a non electric bike both ways every day too. For me my ebike is going to be my car replacement. It'll be cheaper to maintain and I won't need to pay $120 parking/month fees to keep it. On top of that, I pay about $120/month in bus fairs right now. If I can skip using the bus entirely I think it'll pay for its self. Here in Minnesota the local government will be providing financial assistance up to $1500 for buying an ebike starting July 2024. I'm waiting for that date to buy an ebike. I've heard of some other younger people who are getting ebikes for similar reasons. For me this isn't about going green or getting out, it's about the cheapest means of transportation. I love your videos, they're very informative. Just wanted to let you know work commuters exist
How is the commute working out for you? I’m buying one tomorrow for my 16 mile mostly flat trip, I’m 53 and want to do it but still a bit worried for my safety along our roads.
Instead of fixing my car about 14 years ago, I bought a new non-electric bicycle to commute 10 miles round trip. I learned how to pack shopping panniers not only for a change of dry clothes, but also for groceries. For longer trips I would load the bicycle on a bus rack or in a commuter train. With all the money I saved when I retired at 65, I bought a fancy new Biktrix Juggernaut Hub Duo Step Through with dual batteries. Still no car. The E-Bike is too heavy for me to lift on to a commuter train, but that is ok as I can ride the E-Bike as far as I would have on the train. I do all my fun trips and chores with my E-Bike. I am keeping my bicycle, just in case and besides, we had many adventures together.
@@maisydaisy9216 Is your 16 miles round trip or one way? In any case, with an e-bike the road will seem like flat all the way even with a headwind. Safety is not to be taken lightly. You may want to do a trial run with loads of time and make note of any trouble areas. A longer safer route may be needed. I will go the long way to avoid some scary roads in Central Florida. I watch out for the distracted driver. Just because you legally have the right-of-way, doesn't mean some drivers will obey the law. Try not to flip them off, they may have a gun. I have been riding around different parts of Central Florida for over 14 years. I love the multi-use paved paths.
Great video. I think you covered all the main issues. Now that I have 3 eBikes I'd add the following: 1. Flat tires on the rear wheel are a royal P.I.T.A. Getting a rear wheel off of an ebike, especially one with a rear hub motor, is formidable. So much so that I'd rather call AAA (which, in the MidAtlantic area WILL pick you and your bike up and take you to a bike shop of your choice to deal with the flat). 2. The cost/expense of the batteries, and the hinky lifespan of the batteries, even from premium manufacturers (i.e. Yamaha. My Urban Rush battery is throwing errors and those batteries cost $900. That's just insane.) 3. Somewhat related to weight, I personally feel that, for the most part, 4" knobby tires, which add considerable weight to the bike, are way too big and heavy for the average rider. 2.5-3" tires are more than enough for the intended purposes for which most folks are buying these. (i.e. most folks are NOT buying these to go on technical off road trails, etc.) They're quieter, they have lower rolling resistance, and they weigh less. 4. It's hard to find mid-drive ebikes with torque sensors and throttles from major manufacturers.
Point one ... hello L'ectric XP with the frame being too small to fit the rear wheel; since corrected with subsequent model years (I have the original version).
Great video! The last point regarding repair is so important. I’m considering a Gazelle c380 because it is more trouble-free w Gates belt drive and cvt trans. And, of course, Gazelles build quality. Thank you!
Thank You for this Awesome Video. I learned a lot from this. I am 73, bought an Electric Bike last year, still learning, but your video answered a lot of questions that I had. I live in NH, I wish I had the paths here that you rode on. I actually had a mishap on my bike last year while camping. I missed judged while coasting at 5 mph, a turn, ended up in a ditch that had rocks in it. 5 broken ribs, broken arm, 2 surgeries , but, I am going to get on the horse when the weather breaks, with my e-bike, and kick some ass. And your video helped me, Thanks.
Love the content, keep it up! I am one of those weirdos that got an ebike for commuting and have even gone to the effort of calculating my CO2 impact for extra nerd points. Like so many of the complaints that you saw, finding a bike that didn't weigh a ton was hard. What I ended up doing was buying an entry level name brand (read decent quality starting bike) 29er hardtail mountain bike and adding a mid-drive motor to it. With the motor and battery it's a little over 50lb compared to even the lightweight bike you list as over 60 lb. Since it's an aftermarket kit, I can buy all kinds of aftermarket "generic" batteries for replacement and not have to worry about sourcing proprietary batteries. I talked with the local bike shop about what I was going to do to the bike before I bought it and they said they would work on the regular bike stuff but wouldn't touch any of the ebike stuff if I converted it over. Having the middrive is great because that means the only thing that isn't regular bike stuff is the motor/battery itself. All my wheels can be quick disconnected and worked on normally in the event of a flat, and they are standard size wheels, not fat tires. The downside to the middrive though of course is that I will have more maintenance on the chain/sprockets because I'm putting inhuman amounts of force through them.
FWIW, Other advantage of rear hub vs mid drive, is that it will still work if your chain breaks. Slightly safer overall, especially with less strain on gears and chain. The youtuber is wrong about why people buy. Commute and chores is a reality for some of us, and there’s multiple reasons to get an ebike.
@@luzhang2982 Yes hubs are easier on the drive train. I would rather swap a cheap spare chain, in under 10 minutes, which I carry than fix spokes which I don't carry and take more time to replace. For some reason hub lovers always neglect the added torque the spokes take from a hub motor bouncing around the midlle and turning the wheel directly, no chain or drive train softening the blow of the torque. I'm not good at truing wheels and my local bike shops wouldn't touch the job on a wheel with a hub motor.
I wouldn't worry too much about that if you maintain your bike. I put a BBSHD on a decade old Cannondale and got another 1k miles out of the original chain. It might not have snapped when it did if I hadn't been so stupidly abusive, climbing a ramp on throttle and downshifting. That was about 1.5k miles ago (the chain shows no stretch according to a gauge). Just shift into low gears before climbing and you should have few issues. I also suggest a gear shift sensor and using the throttle gently (if at all).
@@5DNRG I've had a few individual bike shop guys give me a thumbs up with my conversion, but most others are not too happy to hear that I've converted my bike and won't touch it for maintenance.
I am glad you mention these bikes are not really bikes. The best term I guess is a moped. To solve some of the complaints you might have suggested the obvious solution-go to an honest-to-god bicycle shop. There are much lighter bikes. And…they have access to service technicians. I wouldn’t buy a Lectric or similar as there is no shop in my town that will service it for liability reasons. The lightest bike is probably a Specialized version (the Vado I think) that comes in at 30 pounds. Taking a “bicycle” on a walk/bike path is just crazy. For the others. Fun for you.
I bought mine at a local shop. They let me test drive any model I wanted so got the right bike. They even added a stem extender to one to help me choose.
Hi, I'm 52, I never thought I'd be riding again after I fractured my spine summer 2021. I have osteoporosis with severe graves disease and I just bought a New E Bike last week from a local electric bike shop here in my city. I absolutely love my e bike and the 1st thing I did was customize my bike with a mirror, rear basket, a Fedog™ horn/alarm, INWA™blue tooth, bottle holder and a flat key steel bike U-Lock. Thank You for this video :)
I’d like to comment on weight. If that’s a concern, buy one that has an easily removable battery. Batteries are pretty heavy by itself and removing makes it 20-25 lbs lighter. Also more convenient for for lighting the bike itself. I bought mine because it’s foldable and fits in my little four seat airplane for when I travel and I just remove the battery before folding and storing in the plane.
You hit the nail on the head in the "Power" segment. When we vacation in the St. Pete/Clearwater area, our whole family rents ebikes (Electric Spinz - great people!) and hit the Pinellas Trail. It's so much fun!! I'm 62. Peace.
I'm a shorter person a bought one of the heybike explores. I found I was able to make it work by switching out the seat post to get the seat a couple inches lower. If you're short and still feel like you can do it, get one without the suspension seat. After doing that I could get my toes reliably on the ground and it was fine. The thing is a tank though. A car might hurt me, but this bike will destroy their car lol.
Great video. I find every UA-cam video and every e-bike website is inadequate or will never answer the obvious question. How much power and torque is necessary to climb 2km of steep 30degrees uphill, without pedal assist, carrying a 40kg backpack, starting at 50% charge. On grassy to loose rubble terrain? An easy ride around the flat neighbourhood just won’t answer the standard needed for the uphill task. At the moment they just satisfy the speed thrills for regular streets, and they don’t seem suited to tackle offroad.
Thanks bud. I already got that these things are heavy, like a bag of concrete only awkward. My main takeaway today is that 20" is not a kids bike. In my bike riding days, 20" ers were the banana bikes. You could pop a wheelie and ride it forever. Well done, well thought out video, succinct and to the point. Thank you!
My personal opinion....if you can't wrench a bike or change electronics on a bike, don't buy direct. Even though most parts are plug and play, you still need to be able to take bikes components apart to get to them, and you wear out parts faster. I have learnt so much having a ebikes (Kristall). I look after my family and friends ebikes imported from China. I have changed chains, brake pads, peddle sensor, upgraded brake calipers, replaced controller, LCD screen, replaced spokes (we know hub moors are prone for doing that). I bought a spot welder and soldering station, as I am building a battery pack. The key thing is make sure before buying a bike the parts manufacturers are known, to enable you to buy parts (e.g controller and LCD brand). Thanks for the video.
The bike is so heavy that using your front and or back racks, make the bike is so top heavy it is easy to lose balance upon stopping. I have a beautiful Aventon step through, red and cream
Nice honest video on this eBike subject. You hit on a lot of important down sides to buying and owning fat tire eBikes and all all true and important, plus u added a few others. Im 76 and have been interested in these for since they came out. Now they finally have reasonably priced, high powered, full suspension ebikes with large capacity batteries and great brakes. When u r old, or if u have back problems, u don't like bumps of any kind, unless they r well dampened. But here's the biggest problems I see with these bikes in suburban areas like where I live. Any bike lanes on very crowded roads are not only a very dangerous joke, but are maybe 2' wide over very unlevel ground. U literally have people driving inches away from u at 40 mph faster. If u think that's too dangerous and ride on the 6' wide nice sidewalk next to the road, u get a $50 ticket. I see in most videos that people make for these ebikes that they transition from using traffic rules to innocent(made up on the spot) bicycle rules like ignoring stop signs and not stopping etc but turning onto grass patches etc. To a cop, if they suspect that your bike is MOTOIZED, u r a money maker if they catch u. To them, u r driving a high powered MOTORIZED vehicle on the SIDEWALK for Christ's sake. U r a criminal. U r endangering people's lives and deserve to be punished. So the point is, where I live, if u drive a bike on a road, u must obey all traffic rules including going too slow (if there is not a designated bike path) and causing a traffic hazard. U can not drive any bicycle, eBike or pure peddle on any city or county sidewalk in Georgia, and by all means, on areas not designated for any vehicles like patches of grass owned and maintained by the city or county. If there is no one on the sidewalk and the traffic is bumper to bumper next to that same side walk, the cops will stop all the traffic to give a person riding an eBike a ticket. So these ebikes are for cities where there r some type of reasonable laws concerning bicycles (which may not exist outside of California) or for cities and towns where cops have better things to do than pull over criminal ebike riders. Oh, there's some people that can get away with it now and then, but not forever. So how many decades will it take to fix this problem? it's killing a lot of eBike sales in this country. Not only over zealous cops, but do-gooder civilians that want to make citizens arrests on anyone they can. And if u r enjoying yourself riding your eBike, they think u need to be arrested for breaking some law. This is why I won't buy an eBike, and I don't dare ride my 15 speed bikes any more.
My bike was a custom build, orginally with a front hub motor, then switched to Luna Cycle BBS02. The motor was an improvement, but for an extra $200, I should have purchased a BBSHD (more power, more speed). I like your setup with dual motors!
We live in the same state. I understand what you said about bike shops. But here in Greensboro there's one bike shop that I've used since I was in college, recycles. They've made changes they don't really sell a whole lot of bikes anymore they do a lot of repair work but the last time I went in with my commuter, light trail bike they were putting together any bike for a kid. Was a kid I mean somebody in college:-) the person there seems understand the market has changed. He's not locked into a brand anymore. I haven't talked to him since that time but I'm considering either electric bike, electric bike conversion, or less likely getting a fully-equipped and having him put it together. I think half of this I could do myself do myself or learn. But I'm at a point right now where I don't have a car. From watching videos the last 2 weeks I know what I don't need. I don't need a rear wheel driven EV. They're great for casual Riders. I ride aggressively. If I had a car I'd be looking for an old-school hard-ass trail bike. And even though your bike is extremely cold my funds are limited I can't afford to have a bike that driven both in the front and the rear. So from what I've seen a center driven electric bike would be the best choice for me. And if I don't convert my current bike that I can take it on a trailer beat the hell out of it. So if you have the time I'm looking for some input. I can't tell you over last 2 months how many times 40 MI on my bike Old school pedaling and it's not even a great bike! It's a Schwinn made in China. It's a decent bike but if I took it all the trail I would destroy it. And since it's my Transportation I'm not going to do that and if it was electric there's no way in hell I would do that. One you should consider support for people that electric bikes if they're a local bike manufacturer won't support them then maybe they can't pay you either a monthly or yearly fee kind of like Insurance. They're so responsible for the parts but you do the labor and they get your expertise. The other thing is you have any feedback on recycles in Greensboro I was impressed with the job they were doing on this Young Person's bike. But it was the first time I'd really seen an electric bicycle up close. And it was obvious the person didn't have a clue because when I ask them is it really hard to Pedal what you're not in electric mode and he just repeated some stuff he read online the one thing I know is that guy was going to put that bike together correctly! How much you charge I don't know it's none of my business. I can't afford a standing bike rack is not the right word put that piece of equipment you guys hook the bike up to to work on it. Also battery! I understand what you're saying about V and amperage and how to get around us regulations. But what about the possibility of a battery blowing during charge? I lost my home but before that happened I always had an expensive for my computers and other electronics. Would you recommend the same and would you recommend being careful on battery brand not just battery statistics. Like I said I don't want to have to throttle. I do want to have a throttle. I've seen some of those rear driven bikes that don't have throttles or have semi throttles. Not for me if I'm going to do this it's an alternative to having a moped. And then later on I can get a light truck but still I would use the bike as much as you evenly possible. I used to ride a motorcycle used to ride a motorcycle in New York-New Jersey area but at the end of the last decade I decided you know what it's time to get rid of that because people are looking at things in their hand rather than the road and that doesn't change that much with the bike except you're going slower. And now the people on the bikes are looking at their Electronics as well as the people in their cars:-) WTF? I've thrown a lot out yet at you and if you want to respond to any of it I would be grateful. I know I can probably go to certain parts of Greensboro and ride their particular electric bike. I know I have to put a deposit down and I had no concern with that because I can handle a bike. And I also need a bike that I can my groceries on. I have to go pretty far to get groceries and I hate using public transportation. I'm not stopped it just sucks in this town. If Greensboro was a more modernized Town it wouldn't be a problem Derek I hope to hear from you. Like I said One battery is enough for me and I don't want it in the rear what it in the rear of the bike. I don't want to have a fire where I live and have the battery blow up. As it happens with the best EV cars. That often but it happens. Although my ex went through to Toyota Priuses and never had a problem. So I realize this is rare realize this is rare but I want to avoid it and I would appreciate any input but anything I've mentioned. It's kind of hard to put together a document after watching a UA-cam video and dictating into the little box on my cell phone so cut me a little slack and if you have the time get back to me with whatever pertinent information you think of. Obviously you're not in this for the money. Looking at your collection on other videos I don't think money to this year for you but it is for a lot of us. So if you were to do something like pay me ex number of dollars a year and I'll be your bikes doctor. You would make a hell of a lot of money if you did a good job a good job and have no doubt you would. Well like a famous man said that's all I have to say about that:-) thank you for your time if you got through this
As far as battery life is concerned, it is what you make of it. I have aventon aventure and I did 40 miles on it and was still at 70% battery. I still like to use my bicycle as my primary source of cardio so I usually only use the electric to get momentum. I start pedaling harder than what the motor is trying to give and eventually the battery motor contribution is far less than my own physical torque. Thus saving battery throughout the day. If you want more range, pedal harder.
Great video and cool bikes. I did some research and numerous bikes online. I tried to visit the few bike shops in the area and they were far too costly. I finally found one that has a 2 year warranty and does maintenance indefinitely albeit with a cost depending on your fix. I got to test a few out before I pulled the trigger on one. I'm in my mid 30s and had the biggest smile on my face when I first rode it.
I would like to add my own experience with my current ebike to the fray. I ride a E-cells Monarch which I do loved dearly and as my primary 'about town' transportation here in Washington. I will address my own comments to the five topics listed. I will judge all along the 1 to 10 scale too. 1) Build Quality As with 89-90% of the ebikes in the US market, it came from China. My bike's quality is excellent and the company which sells it ensured all the components were of high quality and the fittings were excellent. Of cos it was send to me via NV in a large full size bed carton as this is a full size ebike! I would give this a scale of 9. 2) Battery Range Well, seeing that this is a dual battery, dual motor bike, I could easily ride pretty much throttle only for 50+ miles, switching from using only one motor to another or using both motors to climb hills; and there are many hills up and down around Seattle! Much of the time, I would cruise along on my local roads closer to their speed limits on the bus/bicycle lane; on level ground, I have been clocked at 38 mph! One benefit of this dual battery arrangement strict from the factory was the fact that I could charge them individually or I could simply plug my charger onto the frame plug and charges BOTH battery at the same time; as I rarely use up my batteries, it would usually take 3-4 hours with the provided fast charger to full recharge. In this case, I would give this a mark of 10. 3)Accessibility This is a tough one, yes, my Monarch is a 26x4.5 very fat tire bike and yes, I have to LEARN to get on it by tilting the bike partially to get on it... pretty much I'd consider it to be similar to getting on a horse; with the very sturdy included rear carrier and an after market carrier top bag, my leg would catch onto the bag often if it was fill. Yes, climbing on and off is a hassle and I simply have to get into the habit and a routine of mounting and dismounting from it. It is a BIG and yes, very heavy bike!!! With both batteries and motors, along with the bags and lights and separate batteries for them, my bike is near 100 lbs. I could trust it with even the usual ebike carrier on my car so I ordered a dirt bike motorcycle rack with ramp to haul this camouflage, yes factory camouflage monster about. Again, because of the massive size, I have to give this an 8 then. I strongly suggested most potential buyers should check out step thru models with small diameter tires unless they are will to learn and put up with climbing on a big 26" fat tire bike! 4) Lack of Power This is a no brainer for me, a total score of 10 because of the two massive batteries this bike came with; one battery was part of the frame while the second one was underneath as part of the rear rack... which I guess, added the extra height to the rear carrier rack. Oh well. And as this video stated, you will pretty much have to do most if not ALL your own maintenance and repair on most brands of ebikes. I would be lucky if I purchased an RAD brand as it was based in Seattle but alas, my E-cells wasn't it. BUT the customer service has been extremely, extremely helpful and the owner even talked with me on the phone to address some maintenance issues before. The staff in E-cells were exceptional too, especially the office manager Rachel; she has been extremely responsive to all my questions and inquires. I also take my ebike to the local bike shop Harvy in Lynwood, WA and they have done excellent services on my bike except the electrical components. Most regular bike shops would not even attempt to deal with a motorcycle size and weight bike and when you do find one, establish good rapport with it and stick with it like your favorite barber or doctor. On a side note, I worn out three sets of Kendra tires on my first ebike before it was stolen. The set of V-Rubber Bulldozer 26x4.5 that came with my Monarch lasted me nearly 3,000 miles!!! Wow. I have just ordered a new set from E-cells because they were extremely hard to find (and yes, kind pricey compare to the average Kendra) but hey, if they would last another 3,000 miles, I'd considered money well spend! Overall, I give my ebike a 9 in terms of reaching my expectation and needs. I am now just waiting for new developments on battery technology and maybe E-cells would make a newer models base on them then.
Accessibility complaint is right on. I splurged thinking an electric bike would allow me to ride. Saw a UA-camr who looked about my size on one. I figured she was about my height so I ordered the one she had. Got the bike but nope. It wasn’t anywhere near my size. Her build apparently was different than mine and my legs are short. I wanted to send it back and it had no miles on it yet but they didn’t accept returns. A lot of money and I couldn’t ride it. My tail bone was screaming every time I attempted it. We tried various things. Nothing worked. I ended up taking it to a bike guy that did his best to make it fit me a little better. It’s a bit better but I cannot say I will jump on it and go for rides. Not being able to physically try it was a big thumbs down.
It really is a big bike, I was shocked when I got my cruiser. And could totally relate to the mobility issue with stepping thru. Had to switch to big dog step thru.
You are right on the mark on these complaints. I am 5' 11" with 31" pants inseam and my 26" X 4" ebike (Mokwheel Upland Plus) is just too damn tall! It's like you say...these 26" fat tire bikes are HUGE! Here's what I have done that has helped: 1) I wear boots with 3/4" heels, plus 1-1/4" lift shoe inserts (from Amazon) adding a total of 2" to my leg length, 2) I wear an athletic supporter to keep the "boys" high and away from that "evil" top bar, 3) I lowered the seat a bit lower than it should be for proper pedaling - not good for the knees, but helps keep control when stopped (understand, I didn't move the seat low enough for my feet to touch the ground at stops, just to shorten the distance from being seated to standing flat footed on the ground), 4) I treat left hand turns like a pedestrian would - that is, I stay in the right land and cross the cross street, then I stop and turn my bike to cross the street I was just riding down also in the right lane (I found the biggest problem with control of the bike is when I'm in that left turn lane and feeling pressured by the traffic in front and behind me). The size of the bike is really not that much of a problem when you're riding - it's when you're stopped. Number ONE: unless you are 6' 4" or so...GET A STEP-THROUGH BIKE, NOT A STEP-OVER (like my Mokwheel Upland Plus). Number TWO: IMHO, the ebike companies should IMMEDIATELY STOP making these 26" fat time bikes...at the very least, they should go down to a 24" wheel - I think that would make a huge difference! I'm definitely having buyer's remorse on my Mokwheel Upland Plus - trust me, this is a solid, powerful, well-built bike...but it is just TOO DAMN BIG, and the top bar of the step-over frame is just too high for comfortable control when I am stopped. I bought the step-over because it was $100 cheaper than the step-through version (Mokwheel Mesa Plus ST), but that would have been $100 WELL SPENT! Oh, one other thing: when I purchased the step-over model, I thought (like probably a lot of others) that I could just lean the bike over a bit to make it easy enough to throw a leg over. Well, I thought wrong - you have to lean it WAY OVER and it is STILL not easy to throw that leg over! And FYI, I'm 72, 5' 11", 220 pounds and in somewhat better shape than average for someone my age.
I got mine (Radrunner) to commute 36 miles round trip back in 2019. The motorcycle style kick stand was very useful on the metro to avoid having to stand and hold my bike. Now my commute is 1.5 miles. It's a workhorse several years later. I use it to take my child to school and as a grocery getter. I even have taken the wife to and from the car repair shop since we only have one car. It is great biking pass the pump. 8000+ miles on it. Hardest thing for me is finding and changing the 20x4 fat tires. So difficult to mount.
Number 1 concern for mostly adults and seniors is the weight of the e-bike. Especially, foldable and step-through e-bikes just should be build lighter weight. It’s achievable no doubt, but so far by 2024 there are practically no any brand/model foldable and step-thru e-bikes 50lbs and below lbs? The battery range is not really any concern for the most especially seniors who are not using their e-bike for daily commute. Do not forget that except in the metro area, nobody is looking at e-bike for extra range which only increases the weight and price.
Brian, great video. Here is another suggestion for people trying to decide on what bike to buy. Pick a bike that uses very generic components. Especially when is comes to the batteries. Although the newer in the frame designs are really cool looking. Trying to find a generic replacement for them might be impossible as time goes by. Brakes, shifters, gearing are pretty much available everywhere, or exchangeable with something else. Motors and controllers are another issue although some brands like my Himiway have motors that are swappable with Bafang motors as it turns out. This is one of the main reasons I bought a Himiway Cruiser. 😄
Love the Himiway Cruiser. At 66yrs old with a bit of a bad knee I take this beast just about anywhere. If I see what looks like a trail leading deep into the woods I take it. Rocks, branches, ruts, this bike gets me out everytime! 640miles now with nothing to complain about. The Cloud Nine seat a bought squeaks though.
WOW! I should have watched this first....trying to catch up on all of your videos. BUT I still would have bought my 2023 Fabulous AWD Road Warrior. Weight and size was surprising. AND I added a rear cargo basket; front basket; Krytonite Lock; and, more....it is heavy. AND I still LOVE it....probably more than I did my Corvette. I weigh 250lbs and even with all of my additions I have hit 43.4 MPH....AND I rode from BWI Airport to Annapolis and back AND had 1/3 battery life left. (38 miles) I got 50.2 miles and still had 58 volts....PAS 1 and pedaling on mostly level paved bike trail. YOUR Videos are Outstanding and HELPFUL! Thank you!!
Excellent video for the important basic things to look for, when buying an E Bike. I like that yours has 2 mirrors, one for each side. Also would like electric turn signals.
I have a suggestion for people who want more power: buy an extra battery, when the first one goes dead/week, swap the batteries out. My suggestion for weight would be to get a 20 inch wheel bike that folds, making it easier to load/unload. Always remove the battery before lifting your bike, that makes a big difference. If the battery cannot be easily removed, don’t buy the bike. I own two E bikes, I did have a rad rover, but sold it when I moved. I had to get a bike rack for my car for the red rover, the other two bikes I still own are folding bikes. I carry one in my RV, the other one fits in the trunk of my Toyota Avalon. People who have never owned an E bike should rent/borrow an E bike that they are considering. Personally, I like to carry the bike in my vehicle, travel to where I want to go. When I want to explore a city neighborhood or rural area, I use my E bike. I get tremendous satisfaction and joy from my E bikes.
A great and informative video. My wife and I went with the Lectric XP 2.0 step through after watching a bunch of videos. I'm in my mid 60's and she's in her late 50's so they seemed like the best choice for us.
watching closely, i am 64 , rode harleys on the dragon tail and many mountain roads, i have a heart issue now and want to ride to work , it is close enough to enjoy an Ebike, i think this is for me too, thanks for your video's
I'm about 5'7 and I own a himiway cruiser and absolutely love it!! I must admit afte i purchased a suspension seat post it's a little bit more challenging to get on and off. With my stock seat it was better but I've had it for about a year and 2months I've grown comfortable riding my cruiser. Just gotta get the bike suitable for you thoroughly research. These bikes are huge!! It's like a motorcycle and a standard bike had a baby lol
I learned from someone else that if your tire pressure is low that your bike will shut off. It could definitely be a battery issue, but check your tire pressure too
Thanks for the info and all you older riders help me make up my mind im63 years young and was thinking this was for kids and younger adult now i can't wait to get one!
Excellent video. I think people need to know that there are roughly two kinds of electric bikes: fat tire and "normal" tire like 20'' x 2.125. I go for "normal" tire bikes in 12, 14, 16 and 20'' wheel sizes, foldable, with a 250 watt motor, throttle, up to 15 mph and weighing between 30 - 45 lbs. Step through models. This is what you want if you are not a super, strong person. You'll be able to ride a long way, put your bike in your car trunk and carry your bike into your house or apartment. ;-) These little bikes handle hills quite well. I currently have a Fiido D3 Pro.
I bought a Jetson Bolt Pro and it weighs about 40 pounds. My daughter lifted it into the second row floor of our van. Instead of adding a bottle holder, I bought a backpack with a water bag inside that has a hose that reaches my mouth. Two quarts size.
I wanted to buy my first E-Bike from a local shop, but in my area no one was selling anything that didn't look like a design from nine years ago. I took a chance with Biktrix and so far so good. I'm slowly getting used to the 27.5 x 3-inch wide tires. My pedal bike is 27 x 700C. If I had a fatter wallet, I could have gotten a lighter E-Bike. Maybe next time. Cool video.
You brought up a good point people will buy these e-bikes at a box store or off Amazon those companies makes the easy-money of sales then those same people will take it to a bike shop that they did not purchase the bike there and expect the bike shop to fix it . And those people needs to understand that it does make the bike shop dealers aggravated that you bought the bike off of Amazon or at a Big box store and you expect them to fix it and cater to . People let's support our local businesses and get the equipment that we need . I'm a business owner I sell new mowers and handheld equipment . I've been in business for 30 years . I service my buying customers that deals with me. And if there is people that brings me equipment that they bought somewhere I may or may not work on that equipment again deal with your local businesses not the big box stores .
I bought a Velotric T1 ST and I'm super happy with it. I think the build quality was good. I did have to adjust the deraileur because the gears were clicking, but once I did it, no problem. I'm totally happy with the range, probably because I don't bike that far. I use it to do errands. I made a trailer and I use that to get groceries. I often go to my sister's house, which is about 5 miles one way and so far, when I do it with 4 battery lights, it's still on 4 when I get home. Accessibility is probably the only subject presented here that I might complain about. They only sold the bike as small and medium. I am average height and weight (5'10", 180 lbs) and I think the bike is a little bit small for me. The bike has plenty of power, but again, I guess it's because I ride for exercise, so I don't want a lot of assist. In fact, I often ride with NO assist. And finally the weight is the same as my previous non ebike at 36 lbs. It really just looks like a regular bike and because it has gears, it rides like a regular bike. I love it. Wish it came in different colors though.
Love my smart ebikes. Chinese DYU D1 purchased two in 2017 and limited edition red in 2020. Still have all of the ebikes. Only had one flat . Got ride of my car and these small ebikes are so small I bring them everywhere. Inside dentist, hospital waiting areas, banks, etc etc. People ask where I bought them. The DYU ebikes I have have no pedals because can pedal due to nerve damage to right ankle foot. The pegs are low so they’re ebike is safer because you can place your feet flat on pavement or sidewalk when stopping. The handlebar folds and has an area to pick up and carry it. They are very popular in Singapore. Fun! Cool! Goes 15 mph and 15 miles on one charge. Best purchase and is much better getting around than a disability scooter, Walker or using crutches./cane.
Got a 350watt E-bike to help rehabilitate my knee. It works great on small slopes and flat surface’s. It doesn’t help going up hills at all. The bike had lose bolts and parts. Tightened up the bolts and used locktite on some bolts that would come lose. Had to adjust the breaks and derailer. Bike works great now except on hills. Yes it was cheap but it gets me out with my kids riding again. Walking the bike up the hills are easy because the bike can pull itself up the hill with ease. But if I had to do it again I would get a more powerful E-bike.
I purchased my e bike through a dealer and love the customer service. Free tune up for the life of my bike , 60 mile battery . It’s flawless . 🌺🌺🌺❤❤❤❤❤
I have a HEYBIKE, and 100% happy with the quality of build. Having owned 2 HEYBIKES, first has 500w motor. Very quickly learned the step-thru was my way to mount the bike. Like I said HEYBIKE totally satisfied me so I went with the Ranger S with the step thru and 750w motor. She and I now have HEYBIKES to ride.
I am 76 a have been riding electric bikes since 2010. My favorite are the Juiced fat tire bikes. I have the traditional and also the step through models and they both have 19.2 amp batteries. I've gone as far as 57 miles and still had about 25% of the batteries power. The Juiced bikes are built like tanks and I can attest to that. I T-boned a car in a blind driveway at 10 mph and the bike was not damaged. However, I can't say that for myself. I ended up with a broken hip. That was 2 months ago and I'm riding the same bike again and enjoying the Great Outdoors. I also ride motorcycles but I enjoy riding the e-bikes even more.
Excellent video. I would tell anyone who's shopping for an ebike to watch this. Nice reccs on the brands. I saw people talk about Biktrix in comments and bought a Stunner LT5 on sale. It has a 20 amp hour battery. That's all I use for my DIY builds. You get more than 40 miles of range when you put a 20ah battery on a 2" tire bike. I thought about putting a second battery & motor kit on my Stunner to get it past 30mph (only hits 26 on a fresh battery full pedaling in 7th gear, and it has an 8th gear I don't use) and seeing your dual motor setup is really eye opening. Great job on your setup. You've hit the sweet spot for what that frame, tires, and brakes can handle, giving yourself usable speed. I run errands using the bags on my Stuner. I call it the BUV - Bike Utility Vehicle. Perfect as a golf cart on the disc golf course. I can swing my leg over the side and hop off when I pull up to my disc!
Hi, The lack of service by bike shops is shameful. Can you imagine the auto industry without service…..no independent mechanics to repair your vehicle. I own a Hyper bike, nobody will touch it……and they’re rude about it…….They won’t get my business. Regarding the battery issue….due to my failed vision, I can’t get a license, I am restricted to a class 1 bike……..can a battery system, such as in the Hyper bike, be modified to increase distance…not speed necerssarily, the Hyper is advertised as having a 20 mile range…..Enjoyed your video and info. Take care. Les
73 yo here and you are spot on, I have an Ecoteck Beach that of course I put on every bell and whistle I could find. So it is HEAVY. Ran it out of electrons (deliberately to test limits and behavior) ended up on leg power for a mile into the wind. It was an effort even in "granny gear". It was bigger then I expected and at the limit for my size 5' 10". But having been a life long bike rider I don't consider that a major issue. Other then that, it is my country bike and use it on dirt roads and have a blast. Had it for 4 years no and now carry an extra battery. That cures range anxiety. My city bike is a cheap coaster brake, 3 speed cruiser, that I put a motor front wheel on with a controller and added front wheel hand brake. I use it throttle only (to keep the wiring simple). Powered with an Ego lawn mower battery. Works great and very light. I do peddle it and feather the throttle which works well.
just discovered your channel and i subscribed! EXCELLENT video and PERFECT timing as I am brand new and have not yet bought my firs eBike. Also, i have osteoarthritis in my left hip so your suggestion to go SEE an eBike ... first ... before you buy ... is a great great IDEA!
What I like about your review is you start out at a decent slow speed like getting know the feel instead of blasting off seeing how fast it will go. If speed is your thing buy a Sporty or a Dirt bike and go fast. Ebikes started off as a commuter bike not a blast off, go the fastest you can bike. These bikes are for leisure riding not for seeing if you can destroy it or youeself. One thing I'd like to know is where you are riding with no traffic, no bumpy torn-up roads, not even a 1 mile hill. Try doing a review out here in the East where you have hills, traffic, hilly woods, plowed fields. You can quickly wear down a battery.
I agree with everything. Except for one thing. I want fat tires because Mitsubishi said it "Wider is Better". I feel even on a commute, it's safer because it gives more grip.
With a fat tire it is more likely you will have flats, they are more stable, but higher weight and more expensive. If you actually DO run out of battery away from home, remember you will have to push it.
After I looked at some of the bikes in my local area (Greater Columbus, Georgia) the second largest city and the average prices for bikes $2,000 - $2,500 and up I decided to start looking at EBay. I’m more interested in raw power and range than speed. Most people don’t realize that once they stop pedaling the motor instantly cuts out. So stop pedaling and using the throttle on any downgrade and just see just how much speed you gain on a downgrade and plan your routes accordingly. Coming south towards my home I’ve got a rather long distance downgrade of almost 2-1/2 to 3 miles. I’m driving in the breakdown lane facing the traffic. I can do most of the distance just on gravity alone. No throttle, no pedal assist. I do try to gain as much speed as possible before the top of the hill. From there on down I’m basically just riding the brakes and looking out for road debris so I tend to watch my speed. That’s one basic way to extend your range and battery life, just take full advantage of what nature provides. Ride your e-bike around like it’s a old single speed bicycle from the mid 70s and you need all the help that you can get. I decided that I would get a 1,200W hill climber with a huge battery. It didn’t really matter significantly since it would be from zero to full power In only 4 to 6 hours. They claimed it would take a 45 degree angle slope in its stride. The bike I chose is at www.ebay.com/itm/145212011108?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=knigmibotgq&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=r4ighmxoqeq&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY A really great demonstration of the bike is at ua-cam.com/video/VKE6Bcj96M8/v-deo.html If you watch it yep it can take two regular sized adults and still get around rather briskly. Plus it only cost in the range of $1,000. One third of the cost the local bike shops were asking, and was three times as much bike.
Lots of really good points but for me the number one complaint is price. These bikes are approaching the cost of a good used car these days. Weight wise, my 1940 beach cruiser weighs in at just over 71 lbs with steel wheels, oversize tires, steel fenders, bars, frame, rack, etc. I've contemplated adding a motor to that bike, sort of like an electric whizzer of sorts. I figure that with the weight of the motor and a pair of batteries the bike would be fairly light at roughly 140lbs or so. As far as range on a factory e-Bike, I've only ridden a handful so far, and the farthest I've gotten on a full charge has been 8 miles on a 750w bike with two batteries. At 6ft3in tall, size is never an issue, most I've been on felt small, too small to spend any real time on. My daily bicycle is a 24" frame diamond frame beach cruiser built in the 80's. It fits me well. For me, the ideal eBike would be something on the larger size, with or without suspension, which can handle at least 30 miles on a charge and carry my 400lbs where I need to go, and not fall into the 'moped' category which would require $900/yr liability insurance in NJ. It also needs to be affordable, as in under $500. Otherwise I see no benefit to riding it vs. just driving my truck or car. I couldn't give a hoot about going green, for me its about going cheap. If I'm going to be without a roof, without air conditioning, and dealing with traffic which seems to hate bicycles and eBikes, I'm sure as hell not going to pay extra for it.
I got my own e-bike I have had since last June. It is a Rad Runner 2 from Rad Power Bikes. Going over your points on common complaints here is the list: Build Quality -Bike feels very solid -Cables routed very well -Very solid kickstand included -Brakes work well too -They did cheap out on the controller as it only has LED lights on it to indicate battery life in 5 lights, what PAS level it is on, and if the lights are on or off. No speedometer, no mileage recording. This was not a deal braker for me though. Battery Range -On one charge I did manage in the summer to bike out of my city and to the next town and back (almost 40km range mostly throttle and little help from me) and still had 2/5 bars on battery when I got home. Winter when it was -25c my range did feel shorter, almost cut in half. Still enough to get me to where I need to go. Only 14 amp hours 48v battery. Accessibility -Step through frame really easy to get on and off -Comfortable posture when riding, almost a moped feel -My Radrunner 2 bike is smaller than my old non-ebike, Norco Bigfoot 2 2019 bike. Lack of Power -limited by Canada's class 2 spec for 500w motor and 32kph max speed for motor assist -With some help of me I can easily get up the steepest hills in my city. -Would be nice to have more power but that comes at a cost of battery life Weight -Not gonna lie, my bike is like 70-80 pounds. It is a tank of a bike - I still will carry my bike up a set of steps (not a full story of stairs) with groceries still on the bike, so a good 140-150 pounds total. -Due to lower total clearance on bottom I cannot roll it up the steps like I could with the Norco or else the kick stand hits the steps. Overall I am fairly happy with my e-bike, it really helps me get around my city a lot better than my old bike.
You are amazing. And You were a huge help. So thank you very much 🙏I’m a 72 year old man. 6.1. I had no idea. Electric bikes were so heavy. So I will buy an electric bike with a big motor fat tires and long range. Possibly spending $3000 or more. And take my ride from my garage and back.
I appreciate you have stated things I wanted lightly. I got my first Ebike that was abought 3 years old 33miles. I should of bought a brand new one what I wanted, maybe later. I been looking at batteries for some time, and I want a 50 amp battery that I will add in. My plan is to go 100 miles up and down hills without any issue. I guess my motorcycles are only way to go, Nott... I do plane on checking everything going on with an Ebike. Everyone likes to state their on Ebike, buy noting to shovel what I want. Anyhow, I had a stroke and I have a very good standard bicycle that I used ride, it is a still great standard bike, not cheap, abought the same cost as an Ebike now. My standard ability is to ride 100 miles without any serious issues, hum. I know bike break, been through that a lot going 150 miles, bikes can have problems. I will check out as much as possible. Thank you!
After watching this ...its made my mind up...convert my lightweight bike with a chainring motor ...easy enough these days with all the youtube conversion vids...bafang 750 motor looks great with throttle
Bought an Aventon Aventure through a local dealer and absolutely love it. It's 73 lbs and is the step thru model that I ride everyday. I am 80 years old and so far have had no problem riding it. Thru the Aventon App I was able to upgrade the software which changed it from a Class 2 to a Class 3 bike. Rode Harley's for years and definitely loved the speed boost the upgrade gave me.
i still ride harleys but not until license back. BEST HARLEY REPLACEMENT IS THE ARIEL RIDER KEPLER. mine is "BLAZE" its my second bike and wish found this one first, reminds me of my shovel. its a aboulute BLAST SPEED TORQUE no bike compares. but CS sucks. but if you no how to figure out quirks. make it yours.
Test ride the e'cell fat bike,it has dual batteries and dual motors,I have one and I love it 🇺🇸🦅🚲HAMMER TIME 🚲
How has your experience been with pedal strike. I find that I cannot pedal while turning.
@@jamesbuchanan3888 I’ve put over 600 miles on mine since Spring. I’ve had about 3-4 pedal strikes. I’m 63 so I don’t ride super aggressive but don’t ride like a grandpa either.
I think there’s a video out there about this that I watched. Somebody had a list of parts for new different pedal cranks that are shorter that worked well.
It hasn’t happened enough to me for it to be a showstopper issue. But now I do try to have my “inside” pedal up high when turning.
Thank you.
CC, thank the bike gods for you. I’ve learned so much about how to fix, maintain, upgrade and improve my E-bike watching you over the last year or so. You know your bikes and you certainly know your audience. Regards from the UK from a 45+ guy, out on the green trails and away from Netflix and mobile phones.
Awesome comment, Glad you found the content helpful!
You are 100% right on target. I'm 72 and bought an Ariel Rider X-Class step-through, so that I could get out ride the trails and enjoy the outdoors. I though that part of my life was past me. I don't have the strength or flexibility to pedal a regal bike. Really enjoying your channel, and getting out and riding often.
The X class is a great bike, Glad to hear it's getting you back to the outdoors!
@@CitizenCycle925 GUN TO HEAD : 3500$ (ish) SCOOTER (what one) OR EBIKE AND GRIZZLY OR CTY2
SEMPER FI
GUNNY
@@CitizenCycle925 quanto é o valor essa bicicleta azul
@@CitizenCycle925 do u think your wife can get on the class step thru with ease? I’m 5’2….
If you can't ride a regular bike, then you shouldn't be riding an e-bike in my opinion because they are fast and heavy.
I purchased a Specialized Turbo Creo "e-assist" bike in March in time for my 65th birthday. While I still ride regularly, I have always struggled going up hills. This bike was a game changer! You must pedal to get any assist at all. I find when riding in a group, I use the lowest level of assist (about 30%), or turn it off altogether. The assist kicks out at 32 kph (20 mph), so while you can go any speed your legs can take you, above 32 kph, it is all "you". There is absolutely no motor drag with the assist turned off, so if you drain the battery on a ride, it is not a problem to simply ride hoe under your own steam. That being said, I have found I get over 100 km range in low assist, about 70 km in medium, and about 50 km in the high (turbo) assist. Even after the 50 km in turbo assist, the battery is at about 20%, where it lowers output to about 30%. I have never completely drained my battery. The bike version I got was the aluminum frame. It weighs in at about 33 pounds, but you pay for that. The bike before tax came to about $6700 CAN. The bike is very well designed, and built. While 95% of my riding is on road, it can accommodate tires as wide as 700X42, so gravel is no issue. It even includes a spring incorporated into the headset for a bit of suspension. A gravel version with flat bars and a dropper seat can also be purchased at the same cost.
Dammm it's expensive!!!
I'm sure you have a awesome time and don't regret it a second.
But... what do you think about getting a 1500$ 500W chinese version with a large battery size instead?
Have a nice day Rodger
Alex from Montréal
Great information! 71 years old and thinking about e-bikes.
Do it! 65 and back into biking because of e bike
Wow! Okay thank you!😅
71 here too, did you buy one and what size??
@@MC23-l9i I was given an Lectric step thru 2.0. It is different kind of riding experience, electric vs. mountain bike. Definitely easier to go further, and conquer hills on my rides!
I am 72 years old and my obsessive hobby since I bought my first car at 12 years old, fixed it up and sold it has been to buy and restore anything with an engine. My 15 year old grandson came to my home shop the other day with his Zooz Urban E-bike. He put a new back tire on,, adjusted the chain and bled the brakes. I’m hooked! He changed the seat cover and fiddled with the controller to get more speed. I own a construction company that helps with my obsession. I am getting ready to retire and have a large building. I am very intrigued about the part of your video where you said there are few if any quality repair shops for e-bikes. A few years ago I talked to the owner of the Yike bike about a dealership but that bike is not for the masses and one brand will not sustain a business. Your video is very well done and informative, riding the bike and talking at the same time works well to keep a viewer interested. I had an executive producer who did 26 segments about construction for Verizon using my company. I don’t have the ego for that type of tho h and it held up my workers and jobs so I did not renew. I know about attention spans and you did well, great video super informative
Most off the pitfalls mentioned are the result of the direct to consumer eBike business model. I don't think I will buy another eBike that I can't test ride at a local bike shop. I'll even drive several hours for a test ride if need be.
This is the risk you take buying directly from the manufacturer/distributor. Unless you pay a bike shop willing to set it up for you and even then, you could have shipping damages.
@tj ward Relieved to hear, thanks! My insured Kepler will arrive Monday.
The shop where I bought my ebike said that if you buy a bike on the internet and bring it to them to assemble for you they will charge you $300 to assemble it. My ebike came with one free annual tune up for life.
By far, yours is the most informational, educational, and encouraging video site for ebike riders and those considering the purchase of a bike. Thanks for all the time and care you put into doing these. So very helpful!
Wow, thank you for your comment!!
The main problem is the lack of research before buying.
I am picking up my ebike in a few days. I have done a lot of research! Pedal assist only vs throttle, mid drive vs hub, etc. I decided on pedal assist only I didn’t want a class 2 bike I want to be able to ride in n greenways & when I live class 2’s are not allowed. I’m also fortunate to live in a city with the option to ride a couple in shops and that has a decent used market on fb market place. I rode several and there was a definitely favorite. I decided on a Trek Verve 3 low step it checked all the boxes for what I wanted and was fun to ride. I can’t wait to get out and start riding!
I can also confirm that accessibility and range are my two biggest gripes with ebikes. The EMX Xtreme (dual 750 watt motors) is the closest I've found to being just what I've been looking for. Even then I had to cut about 2" off the seat post to enable me to plant my feet firmly on the ground when stopped. The hefty weight would be my third gripe. It would be pretty hard to peddle them like a regular bike if you ran out of juice a fair distance from home. I also wish more ebike manufacturers would add regenerative braking to charge up your battery a bit each time you apply the brakes. Finally, YES, the local bike shops don't want to touch them. You're definitely on your own if you need a repair. BTW, great video's Citizen. Keep 'em coming.
Thank you!! This was a real eye opener! I’m watching videos for a month or two and even though I know I need a light bike, no one has made weight an issue like you have! Why? Because most YT guys are trying to sell the bike they are demonstrating. Thank you for your honesty!!
You definitely know the key market for the growth of ebikes! It's us older folks! We want to still get out, walk, run, ride, what-ever but we do not have the strength or conditioning that we would love to have but our perceptions of what we can do, do not reflect, what we can do! So, eBikes are a route we can take advantage of! Great analysis and presentation! Thanks!
Excellent video - cutting right to the chase about folk's outstanding concerns. The two last ones especially that were discussed, seemed the most interesting, i.e the weight, and the paucity of customer service and repair. Issues like build quality, range, power, etc. are pretty straight forward obvious, and would determine one's choice of brand. But weight and repair! Some folks - even if they could - might not want to bother repairing more than for annual checkups, etc. But if you are not a body builder or weight lifter (or just not young and strong) many of us could have big problems with the weight issue. "Fat four inch tires" pet peeve: a lot of weight could be saved with narrower rims and tire sizes. 3 inch tires should be plenty adequate. Whatever. So, "caveat emptor" you'all, and thanks for the good and helpful video.
This is a really helpful video. I got into this last year, and now have 2 escooters and an ebike, and my wife has an ebike. After a year of experience I can say your video is spot on. The ones that really hit home were power and portability. My first scooter had a 500 watt moter which turned out to be not nearly enough to get me up the local hills (I weigh around 230). As a result it wasn't serving my purpose so I ordered my 2nd one, a dual motor 2000 watt beast that chews up hills and spits them out. My ebike which I just got is 750 watts and 1000 watt peak. It needs help on our largest hills, but I just engage my 2nd motor (my legs) and it gets up no problem.
Portability is another issue. The scooter no problem. It folds up and while it's heavy (around 75 lbs), it's not awkward so it's pretty easy to get into the back of the SUV. My wife's ebike is another story. It folds, and it's lighter than the scooter, but it's a big awkward mess trying to muscle the thing into the SUV. And my new one is even heavier and doesn't fold, so I have no delusions about getting it into the back. Honestly, if you get one of these and want to transport it, plan on getting a bike rack. I'm looking into those now as I'm fed up with dealing with my wifes, and I want to be able to use mine other than just around home.
Hi CC !! Just to let you know I really have enjoyed your EBIKE videos, and you were part of the reason I chose Cyrusher when I finally bought mine. I don't think you want the LONG story, so I will give you the condensed version. My biggest problem was a new term I learned called "AXLE SPINOUT". If you don't know what it is (but I'll bet you do) It is when the torque of the rear motor is so great (from a standstill - slight incline - no pedaling - throttle only programming - 200 lb male) that the axle of the rear wheel spins itself out of the fork and becomes dislodged. When this happens the bike is no longer functional, the slot in the fork becomes "chewed" and repeated attempts to drive it in this state are useless only causing more damage. Let's fast forward - to returning the bike (Cyrusher finally agreed) - getting the next model up (XF800) (for a very slight price increase). I stuck with them, because I did love the bike in every other way. I know you have all of their models. The problem re-occured with the new model, and I posted this problem many times on UA-cam. One very helpful You Tube friend said - Oh, that's Axle Spinout - get this device on Amazon and it will prevent it from happening again. Whoever he was - God Bless Him!! It looks like no photos are allowed here, so will give everyone the name of this great anchor. Grin Technologies Universal Rear Ebike Torque Arm - Thick 1/4" Stainless Steel (Made in Canada). EXCELLENT REVIEWS !!! I bought it, I mounted it, and this problem went away 100% !!!!! There are cheaper offerings, but I strongly suggest this one. I have no affiliation with this company whatsoever. 1200 miles later - I am smiling (and confident) on every ride !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Most of the major complaints can be reduced by going with a NON-FAT TIRE ebike. If you want the comfort still, just make sure to get tires that are 2 in or thinner, with front suspension, and a suspension seat post. With non-fat tire ebikes, the frames can be thinner, motors smaller, less dead weight to have to move around, longer battery range on a smaller & lighter weight battery. Most ebike importers make bigger profits on the fat tires, but a few are starting to sell product lines that is more efficient (much more popular in Europe & Asia).
100% agree. If you avoid a 4inch tire wide e-bike, all the problems go away. These massive ebikes are more like an electric motorbike (limited speed, ok). Get a Ride1up Roadster or Prodigy or even better a Velotric Thunder 1 : just 36lbs !!! 70miles range!! Lightweight, looks like a bike. They are electrically-assisted bicycles, not monstrous 70 or 90lb huge bikes. More range, easy to lift, smaller, lighter, healthier for the user. They have torque-sensors and you can adjust the amount of electric assistance.
I predict the new Velotric Thunder 1 and Velotric ST will become best-selling e-bikes this year. They're superbly well reviewed.
Aventon do great bikes too : the Soltera for example As the saying goes......Sometimes.......less is more.
Any foldable bike with non fat tyres ?
Bingo! Bingo! Bingo! If you can't ride that e-bike as a regular non-powered bicycle for at least short distances, you are setting yourself up for a world of problems the day your battery runs out a mile from home. While you're at it, forget the front suspension and suspension seat posts. 2.125" wide tires on the average e-bike provides a cushy enough ride, and it's still a bicycle.
@@DV-hr5wd The presenter of this video mentioned Electric Bike Company as having a good build quality. They sell a folding e bike with 24 inch tires that are only 3 inches wide. They aren't skinny tires, but they are manageable. Further, that model weighs 56 lb. The battery itself weighs 8 lb, so if you take out the battery during the folding process, the bike is 48 lb. Still heavy, but manageable. That model comes standard with front suspension. I have that bike. The only down side of it is that they made it without a proper stand so that you can balance it after it is folded. I bought mine 13 months ago and have told them about this problem. If you call them, ask them whether they will build you on with a proper stand. They build their own bikes, and for a fee, they will ship it to you completely assembled. Other than that one glaring problem, I have enjoyed riding it each and every time I take it out.
Fat tires are great for snow, sand, and rough trails, but yes they are heavy and inefficient for other purposes
You are so right about us old people buying these ebikes. I'm 68 an bought a Juiced Scorpion X. Love it. Granted there aren't really hills in Tampa but this thing goes plenty fast for me with no effort. And it weighs 100lbs. My friend has a 26 inch and it's a monster. 20 inch is just fine for me, even at 6 ft tall. Only complaint would be the brakes, which work fine but squeak very loud.. I was impressed at how in touch you are with your audience and how we ride. Thanks.
re-center your brakes stops the squeaks
Thank you for all your efforts helping folks with the ebikes. I have never owned an ebike so this video is just super outstanding and very helpful for me. Thanks again, Jeff.
Great video!!! Your extra suggestion of service was probably the most important. Our local bike shop is gracious enough to do normal bike maintenance but as far as controller, battery, wiring, or motor is concerned you are on your own. That is why buying from your local bike shop is so important. Again, excellent video!
Yes, I bought mine from a company that builds their bikes, and fortunately for me, they are local.
I have an Aventon Aventure I bought from my local dealer last month. The one advantage that I had when buying locally was that I was able to try out my bike and make sure it fit perfectly as I initially had questions on how I would fit on it. I found that in the end that it did fit me perfectly and I've been enjoying it since. As for battery range, I'm only able to get about 25 to 30 miles out of it per charge. That is less than what Aventon advertises on their website. Of course, there are factors involve that make the range vary. One factor is my weight. I'm 300 lbs and the weight of the rider I believe is a big factor in battery range. Another factor is that I ride at pedal assist level 4. That helps me maintain a speed of around 20 mph. The higher pedal assist levels use more power, so I can understand why I'm not getting 40 miles out of my battery. I'm actually trying to train my legs to get used to riding again as I haven't been on a bike in 7 years. I'm hoping I may step down to PA2 or PA3 when my legs get stronger. Aside from all that, I'm happy that this bike can take me wherever I want to go around the city I live in and still have plenty of power left to see me home.
I just bought one as well. I heard the list the range for each PAS on their website. It’s around 25 miles for PAS4, 19 miles for PAS 5 and 27 miles for Throttle only. I’d say you’re getting good range. Depending on the temperature and terrain as well.
I understand your situation, I’m 235 lbs and I use P A level 3-5 a lot too . I bought another battery to help with the range . Love it now I don’t worry any more . Keep building up the leg strength and you will be happy camper too .
I'd like to tell you that I really enjoyed this video and thank you for helping us all out here to decide maybe what bike to go for I'm 65 years old and you're showing in this video the complaint but the solutions and I appreciate that so much
I've been in the market for an e-bike for awhile now and your channel has been amazing in helping me make an informed decision. Keep up the great work!
Hey Citizen, in my observation you really know who watches your channel & what they want from e-bikes. As a result you are 100% on-message with great practical advice. Thanks for that! My personal complaint relates to the more I research, the more I realise many local shops are just selling (identical or nearly identical - but differently branded) products I could order on-line for more economical prices. The sell the same stuff, falsely market it as if they designed it themselves, and put a huge premium on it because I can see it in person before I buy it. Even products from some well-known brands seem to be also marketed on-line under lesser-known branding. It is frustrating as a consumer who tries to be informed before I make a purchase.
In general, online sellers on ebay will answer questions,,,truthfully??? I dont trust amazon sellers much so far,, but would quiz em hard if I wanted to make a purchase. Ive found, that if U insist on getting a free returns type item, seller pays for return shipping,, you will get the straight scoop on the item eventually. If U dont ask, U wont know.
I have a second battery I put on my rack then change out mid ride. I bought 2 different e-bikes from same company and my spouse rides very little so I just pack her’s with me. That was the method to my madness also. For e-bike work I notice if you have part already stores will more likely install without a long labor warranty and no warranty on the parts of course. It also helps to explain this also, that way it;s just a cash grab for them. I do this with my cars also, I call around till I find a shop who will install an aftermarket part. Then I order my part before the appointment. It also helps to watch a Citizen Cycle video on how to fix an item before you ask the shop that way you can make sure they know. Mostly just watch Citizen Cycle and you will learn what you need, thanks a ton for your videos!🙏
My local bike shop will work on mechanical issues but nothing to do with electric components.
They will lose out bc ebikes are gaining in increasing popularity.
That's the one thing that is deterred me from buying one of these. I don't own a car but I live in a small City so it would be perfect. Except the nearest bike shop is 35 miles away
Support from the manufacturer or local service is high on my list for requirements. Or it's basically buying two cheaper second hand bikes the same, one for parts and swapping parts in yourself
I am an almost 78 year old male and have been looking at these for about a year now I think I'm going to go ahead and take the plunge, even though I am almost 78 I'm in pretty good shape and I'm going ahead with this, your video was very helpful keep up the good work, I have subscribed and I'll let you know how an old man gets along on one of these. I like the Lectric 2.0, any commentsThanks again. 🚴♀🚴♀🚴♀🚴♀🚴♀🚴♀🚴♀🚴♀
Very good post, TY. For build quality I would MOST CERTAINLY INCLUDE AVENTON! I am 65 years old going on 2 back operations so, an electric bike is the only possibility for me getting back into the saddle as I did in my younger years when I used to ride a road bike. There isn't ANYTHING that I do not like about this Aventon Aventure. The build quality is OUTSTANDING!
I appreciate this video. I have been watching numerous videos and taking notes. I am 5'2 woman and that is one thing I was afraid of was the height.I have only ridden a RAD step through that I rented but want to buy one. I'm going to look at some of the bikes you mentioned. I love your videos and they are always full of great information.
I bought Aventon sinch from a local bIke shop, was not my 1st pick, but the weight of the bike to lift on and off bike rack was just right. Best Buy ever, no regrets I’m 6 months in and I really enjoy every single ride, and especially beach rides. It’s my travel buddy. Aventon is a quality built ebike. Side note, 1 up bike rack with expansion kit for fat tires makes travel complete.
Buy from a bike dealer/shop.....not the internet. You can see what you are getting, you can test ride before buying and the personnel staff can answer any question you may have about ebikes or accessories. I just purchased a step through, 36 volt / 250 watt motor / top speed of 20 mph / range 20 to 50 miles / disc brakes / electric horn / and has both pedal assist and throttle that is equipped with a boost control for extra power. Headlamp and tail light are automatic. Also came with fenders and luggage rack and a free annual tune up for life, $1799 but was on sale for $1599, so far I love this bike as I am 79...the wind and hills no longer a challenge for me, my Cannondale and Fuji have just been retired. Been riding bikes for about 40 years now.
As our English friends might say, "Spot on" with this video! Related to the bonus complaint is shipping damage. We've bought 3 ebikes direct to consumer and all three had some shipping damage issue that needed to be addressed, either by us fixing it in one case after being instructed what to do over the phone, or taking the bikes into a shop in the other two cases. The company did send us the parts and did pay the relatively modest repair bill, but what a giant chore with our brand-new bikes. And as you say, initially, and long term, the big surprise, and the challenge is, as you note, weight! My wife and I settled on a somewhat lighter weight model that is only 54 pounds with the battery. Still heavy, but significantly easier to mount and handle than the 62-pound "light weight" models we first ordered - and still have sitting around and collecting dust. I'm coming from many years of two-wheeled acoustic and more recently a tadpole recumbent trike. All of those cycles, even the trike, are half the weight of the ebikes. One pet peeve I developed in this experience is an objection to marketing ebikes to senior citizens as some easy solution to aging. I found them more challenging than any other type of cycle experience and although once you get going you can move faster with less effort, putting that over everything else is like the blind men looking at the elephant.
Me to ! I bought all the Park tools and do all myself ! 1500 watt mid drive dually Bafang BBSHD Throttle over drive ! 67 clicks ! 25 ahn battery 52 volt and works with 48 volt too ! Twin hook up ! Tubeless tires ! Dropper post ! Custom 55 lbs ! XC 27.5 Loud large frame !
Great build! That’s what I’d call a sleeper!! Looks like a cruiser you wouldn’t expect that to zip by at over 35 mph. Nice going there!!! Awesome
Great overview on what I'll call "stuff to consider and be aware of" when buying an ebike. My wife and I are in our 60's and while we still enjoy our traditional road bikes we have found ourselves getting too tired on some rides. We also have an RV and always take our bikes with us. Last year we decided to get ebikes. The only local dealer was a Pedego store. The bikes seemed nice and all but were also $$$. After some online research and cruising the forums we settled on Juiced RipCurrent S models. 26x4 fat tires. 20Ah batteries. About 80lbs each. I'm pretty handy with bike repair and electrical stuff so the bikes were fun (and challenging!) in that area.
I also ended up purchasing a hitch mount dual dirt bike carrier. Other bike racks just seemed marginal even when they stated they were rated at xxx pounds. When we tow the RV the bike rack goes on a front hitch on our Ram 1500. I take the batteries and seats off, loosen and turn down the handlebars, and winterize the bikes with some clear wrap. Bike without battery and seat is still about 65lbs. So far so good...
We have had some great fun running fire roads in New Hampshire, rail trails just about everywhere and even some sandy beach trails down in Florida state parks.
Cool that you modded up your own ride!
12:32 I'm a 20 year old who's about to buy an ebike to commute to and from work. I don't have a car, don't know how to drive, and I don't want a car. I'm just tired of having to take 40-1 hour bus trips to get to and from work. Work is already tiring enough, there's no way I'm riding a non electric bike both ways every day too. For me my ebike is going to be my car replacement. It'll be cheaper to maintain and I won't need to pay $120 parking/month fees to keep it. On top of that, I pay about $120/month in bus fairs right now. If I can skip using the bus entirely I think it'll pay for its self.
Here in Minnesota the local government will be providing financial assistance up to $1500 for buying an ebike starting July 2024. I'm waiting for that date to buy an ebike.
I've heard of some other younger people who are getting ebikes for similar reasons. For me this isn't about going green or getting out, it's about the cheapest means of transportation.
I love your videos, they're very informative. Just wanted to let you know work commuters exist
How is the commute working out for you? I’m buying one tomorrow for my 16 mile mostly flat trip, I’m 53 and want to do it but still a bit worried for my safety along our roads.
Instead of fixing my car about 14 years ago, I bought a new non-electric bicycle to commute 10 miles round trip. I learned how to pack shopping panniers not only for a change of dry clothes, but also for groceries. For longer trips I would load the bicycle on a bus rack or in a commuter train. With all the money I saved when I retired at 65, I bought a fancy new Biktrix Juggernaut Hub Duo Step Through with dual batteries. Still no car. The E-Bike is too heavy for me to lift on to a commuter train, but that is ok as I can ride the E-Bike as far as I would have on the train. I do all my fun trips and chores with my E-Bike. I am keeping my bicycle, just in case and besides, we had many adventures together.
@@maisydaisy9216 Is your 16 miles round trip or one way? In any case, with an e-bike the road will seem like flat all the way even with a headwind. Safety is not to be taken lightly. You may want to do a trial run with loads of time and make note of any trouble areas. A longer safer route may be needed. I will go the long way to avoid some scary roads in Central Florida. I watch out for the distracted driver. Just because you legally have the right-of-way, doesn't mean some drivers will obey the law. Try not to flip them off, they may have a gun. I have been riding around different parts of Central Florida for over 14 years. I love the multi-use paved paths.
Great video. I think you covered all the main issues. Now that I have 3 eBikes I'd add the following:
1. Flat tires on the rear wheel are a royal P.I.T.A. Getting a rear wheel off of an ebike, especially one with a rear hub motor, is formidable. So much so that I'd rather call AAA (which, in the MidAtlantic area WILL pick you and your bike up and take you to a bike shop of your choice to deal with the flat).
2. The cost/expense of the batteries, and the hinky lifespan of the batteries, even from premium manufacturers (i.e. Yamaha. My Urban Rush battery is throwing errors and those batteries cost $900. That's just insane.)
3. Somewhat related to weight, I personally feel that, for the most part, 4" knobby tires, which add considerable weight to the bike, are way too big and heavy for the average rider. 2.5-3" tires are more than enough for the intended purposes for which most folks are buying these. (i.e. most folks are NOT buying these to go on technical off road trails, etc.) They're quieter, they have lower rolling resistance, and they weigh less.
4. It's hard to find mid-drive ebikes with torque sensors and throttles from major manufacturers.
Point one ... hello L'ectric XP with the frame being too small to fit the rear wheel; since corrected with subsequent model years (I have the original version).
Great video! The last point regarding repair is so important. I’m considering a Gazelle c380 because it is more trouble-free w Gates belt drive and cvt trans. And, of course, Gazelles build quality. Thank you!
Thank You for this Awesome Video. I learned a lot from this. I am 73, bought an Electric Bike last year, still learning, but your video answered a lot of questions that I had. I live in NH, I wish I had the paths here that you rode on. I actually had a mishap on my bike last year while camping. I missed judged while coasting at 5 mph, a turn, ended up in a ditch that had rocks in it. 5 broken ribs, broken arm, 2 surgeries , but, I am going to get on the horse when the weather breaks, with my e-bike, and kick some ass. And your video helped me, Thanks.
Love the content, keep it up!
I am one of those weirdos that got an ebike for commuting and have even gone to the effort of calculating my CO2 impact for extra nerd points.
Like so many of the complaints that you saw, finding a bike that didn't weigh a ton was hard. What I ended up doing was buying an entry level name brand (read decent quality starting bike) 29er hardtail mountain bike and adding a mid-drive motor to it. With the motor and battery it's a little over 50lb compared to even the lightweight bike you list as over 60 lb. Since it's an aftermarket kit, I can buy all kinds of aftermarket "generic" batteries for replacement and not have to worry about sourcing proprietary batteries.
I talked with the local bike shop about what I was going to do to the bike before I bought it and they said they would work on the regular bike stuff but wouldn't touch any of the ebike stuff if I converted it over. Having the middrive is great because that means the only thing that isn't regular bike stuff is the motor/battery itself. All my wheels can be quick disconnected and worked on normally in the event of a flat, and they are standard size wheels, not fat tires. The downside to the middrive though of course is that I will have more maintenance on the chain/sprockets because I'm putting inhuman amounts of force through them.
FWIW, Other advantage of rear hub vs mid drive, is that it will still work if your chain breaks. Slightly safer overall, especially with less strain on gears and chain.
The youtuber is wrong about why people buy. Commute and chores is a reality for some of us, and there’s multiple reasons to get an ebike.
@@luzhang2982 Yes hubs are easier on the drive train. I would rather swap a cheap spare chain, in under 10 minutes, which I carry than fix spokes which I don't carry and take more time to replace. For some reason hub lovers always neglect the added torque the spokes take from a hub motor bouncing around the midlle and turning the wheel directly, no chain or drive train softening the blow of the torque.
I'm not good at truing wheels and my local bike shops wouldn't touch the job on a wheel with a hub motor.
I wouldn't worry too much about that if you maintain your bike. I put a BBSHD on a decade old Cannondale and got another 1k miles out of the original chain. It might not have snapped when it did if I hadn't been so stupidly abusive, climbing a ramp on throttle and downshifting. That was about 1.5k miles ago (the chain shows no stretch according to a gauge). Just shift into low gears before climbing and you should have few issues. I also suggest a gear shift sensor and using the throttle gently (if at all).
Bike shops will be missing out more and more if they wont service ebikes bc they are important for future transportation and general fun.
@@5DNRG I've had a few individual bike shop guys give me a thumbs up with my conversion, but most others are not too happy to hear that I've converted my bike and won't touch it for maintenance.
I am glad you mention these bikes are not really bikes. The best term I guess is a moped. To solve some of the complaints you might have suggested the obvious solution-go to an honest-to-god bicycle shop. There are much lighter bikes. And…they have access to service technicians. I wouldn’t buy a Lectric or similar as there is no shop in my town that will service it for liability reasons. The lightest bike is probably a Specialized version (the Vado I think) that comes in at 30 pounds. Taking a “bicycle” on a walk/bike path is just crazy. For the others. Fun for you.
I bought mine at a local shop. They let me test drive any model I wanted so got the right bike. They even added a stem extender to one to help me choose.
Hi, I'm 52, I never thought I'd be riding again after I fractured my spine summer 2021. I have osteoporosis with severe graves disease and I just bought a New E Bike last week from a local electric bike shop here in my city. I absolutely love my e bike and the 1st thing I did was customize my bike with a mirror, rear basket, a Fedog™ horn/alarm, INWA™blue tooth, bottle holder and a flat key steel bike U-Lock. Thank You for this video :)
I’d like to comment on weight. If that’s a concern, buy one that has an easily removable battery. Batteries are pretty heavy by itself and removing makes it 20-25 lbs lighter. Also more convenient for for lighting the bike itself. I bought mine because it’s foldable and fits in my little four seat airplane for when I travel and I just remove the battery before folding and storing in the plane.
Yes, mine is foldable and weighs 56 lb. The battery weighs 8 lb, so when I slip it out, the bike is now 48 lb. Makes folding and unfolding easier.
You hit the nail on the head in the "Power" segment. When we vacation in the St. Pete/Clearwater area, our whole family rents ebikes (Electric Spinz - great people!) and hit the Pinellas Trail. It's so much fun!! I'm 62. Peace.
Pedego makes excellent ebikes, and their shops service them completely. Great combo!
Thanks for caring and helping so much appreciated
I'm a shorter person a bought one of the heybike explores. I found I was able to make it work by switching out the seat post to get the seat a couple inches lower. If you're short and still feel like you can do it, get one without the suspension seat. After doing that I could get my toes reliably on the ground and it was fine. The thing is a tank though. A car might hurt me, but this bike will destroy their car lol.
Great video. I find every UA-cam video and every e-bike website is inadequate or will never answer the obvious question.
How much power and torque is necessary to climb 2km of steep 30degrees uphill, without pedal assist, carrying a 40kg backpack, starting at 50% charge. On grassy to loose rubble terrain?
An easy ride around the flat neighbourhood just won’t answer the standard needed for the uphill task. At the moment they just satisfy the speed thrills for regular streets, and they don’t seem suited to tackle offroad.
Thanks bud. I already got that these things are heavy, like a bag of concrete only awkward. My main takeaway today is that 20" is not a kids bike. In my bike riding days, 20" ers were the banana bikes. You could pop a wheelie and ride it forever. Well done, well thought out video, succinct and to the point. Thank you!
My personal opinion....if you can't wrench a bike or change electronics on a bike, don't buy direct. Even though most parts are plug and play, you still need to be able to take bikes components apart to get to them, and you wear out parts faster. I have learnt so much having a ebikes (Kristall). I look after my family and friends ebikes imported from China. I have changed chains, brake pads, peddle sensor, upgraded brake calipers, replaced controller, LCD screen, replaced spokes (we know hub moors are prone for doing that). I bought a spot welder and soldering station, as I am building a battery pack. The key thing is make sure before buying a bike the parts manufacturers are known, to enable you to buy parts (e.g controller and LCD brand). Thanks for the video.
The bike is so heavy that using your front and or back racks, make the bike is so top heavy it is easy to lose balance upon stopping. I have a beautiful Aventon step through, red and cream
Hi, I started using pannier bags when ever possible.It moves the balance downward.
Thank you, I was thinking about doing that😃
Nice honest video on this eBike subject. You hit on a lot of important down sides to buying and owning fat tire eBikes and all all true and important, plus u added a few others. Im 76 and have been interested in these for since they came out. Now they finally have reasonably priced, high powered, full suspension ebikes with large capacity batteries and great brakes. When u r old, or if u have back problems, u don't like bumps of any kind, unless they r well dampened. But here's the biggest problems I see with these bikes in suburban areas like where I live. Any bike lanes on very crowded roads are not only a very dangerous joke, but are maybe 2' wide over very unlevel ground. U literally have people driving inches away from u at 40 mph faster. If u think that's too dangerous and ride on the 6' wide nice sidewalk next to the road, u get a $50 ticket.
I see in most videos that people make for these ebikes that they transition from using traffic rules to innocent(made up on the spot) bicycle rules like ignoring stop signs and not stopping etc but turning onto grass patches etc. To a cop, if they suspect that your bike is MOTOIZED, u r a money maker if they catch u. To them, u r driving a high powered MOTORIZED vehicle on the SIDEWALK for Christ's sake. U r a criminal. U r endangering people's lives and deserve to be punished.
So the point is, where I live, if u drive a bike on a road, u must obey all traffic rules including going too slow (if there is not a designated bike path) and causing a traffic hazard. U can not drive any bicycle, eBike or pure peddle on any city or county sidewalk in Georgia, and by all means, on areas not designated for any vehicles like patches of grass owned and maintained by the city or county. If there is no one on the sidewalk and the traffic is bumper to bumper next to that same side walk, the cops will stop all the traffic to give a person riding an eBike a ticket. So these ebikes are for cities where there r some type of reasonable laws concerning bicycles (which may not exist outside of California) or for cities and towns where cops have better things to do than pull over criminal ebike riders. Oh, there's some people that can get away with it now and then, but not forever. So how many decades will it take to fix this problem? it's killing a lot of eBike sales in this country. Not only over zealous cops, but do-gooder civilians that want to make citizens arrests on anyone they can. And if u r enjoying yourself riding your eBike, they think u need to be arrested for breaking some law.
This is why I won't buy an eBike, and I don't dare ride my 15 speed bikes any more.
I'm truly sorry you had this experience and wish you had bike trails you could enjoy.
My bike was a custom build, orginally with a front hub motor, then switched to Luna Cycle BBS02. The motor was an improvement, but for an extra $200, I should have purchased a BBSHD (more power, more speed). I like your setup with dual motors!
We live in the same state. I understand what you said about bike shops. But here in Greensboro there's one bike shop that I've used since I was in college, recycles. They've made changes they don't really sell a whole lot of bikes anymore they do a lot of repair work but the last time I went in with my commuter, light trail bike they were putting together any bike for a kid. Was a kid I mean somebody in college:-) the person there seems understand the market has changed. He's not locked into a brand anymore. I haven't talked to him since that time but I'm considering either electric bike, electric bike conversion, or less likely getting a fully-equipped and having him put it together. I think half of this I could do myself do myself or learn. But I'm at a point right now where I don't have a car. From watching videos the last 2 weeks I know what I don't need. I don't need a rear wheel driven EV. They're great for casual Riders. I ride aggressively. If I had a car I'd be looking for an old-school hard-ass trail bike. And even though your bike is extremely cold my funds are limited I can't afford to have a bike that driven both in the front and the rear. So from what I've seen a center driven electric bike would be the best choice for me. And if I don't convert my current bike that I can take it on a trailer beat the hell out of it. So if you have the time I'm looking for some input. I can't tell you over last 2 months how many times 40 MI on my bike Old school pedaling and it's not even a great bike! It's a Schwinn made in China. It's a decent bike but if I took it all the trail I would destroy it. And since it's my Transportation I'm not going to do that and if it was electric there's no way in hell I would do that. One you should consider support for people that electric bikes if they're a local bike manufacturer won't support them then maybe they can't pay you either a monthly or yearly fee kind of like Insurance. They're so responsible for the parts but you do the labor and they get your expertise. The other thing is you have any feedback on recycles in Greensboro I was impressed with the job they were doing on this Young Person's bike. But it was the first time I'd really seen an electric bicycle up close. And it was obvious the person didn't have a clue because when I ask them is it really hard to Pedal what you're not in electric mode and he just repeated some stuff he read online the one thing I know is that guy was going to put that bike together correctly! How much you charge I don't know it's none of my business. I can't afford a standing bike rack is not the right word put that piece of equipment you guys hook the bike up to to work on it. Also battery! I understand what you're saying about V and amperage and how to get around us regulations. But what about the possibility of a battery blowing during charge? I lost my home but before that happened I always had an expensive for my computers and other electronics. Would you recommend the same and would you recommend being careful on battery brand not just battery statistics. Like I said I don't want to have to throttle. I do want to have a throttle. I've seen some of those rear driven bikes that don't have throttles or have semi throttles. Not for me if I'm going to do this it's an alternative to having a moped. And then later on I can get a light truck but still I would use the bike as much as you evenly possible. I used to ride a motorcycle used to ride a motorcycle in New York-New Jersey area but at the end of the last decade I decided you know what it's time to get rid of that because people are looking at things in their hand rather than the road and that doesn't change that much with the bike except you're going slower. And now the people on the bikes are looking at their Electronics as well as the people in their cars:-) WTF? I've thrown a lot out yet at you and if you want to respond to any of it I would be grateful. I know I can probably go to certain parts of Greensboro and ride their particular electric bike. I know I have to put a deposit down and I had no concern with that because I can handle a bike. And I also need a bike that I can my groceries on. I have to go pretty far to get groceries and I hate using public transportation. I'm not stopped it just sucks in this town. If Greensboro was a more modernized Town it wouldn't be a problem Derek I hope to hear from you. Like I said One battery is enough for me and I don't want it in the rear what it in the rear of the bike. I don't want to have a fire where I live and have the battery blow up. As it happens with the best EV cars. That often but it happens. Although my ex went through to Toyota Priuses and never had a problem. So I realize this is rare realize this is rare but I want to avoid it and I would appreciate any input but anything I've mentioned. It's kind of hard to put together a document after watching a UA-cam video and dictating into the little box on my cell phone so cut me a little slack and if you have the time get back to me with whatever pertinent information you think of. Obviously you're not in this for the money. Looking at your collection on other videos I don't think money to this year for you but it is for a lot of us. So if you were to do something like pay me ex number of dollars a year and I'll be your bikes doctor. You would make a hell of a lot of money if you did a good job a good job and have no doubt you would. Well like a famous man said that's all I have to say about that:-) thank you for your time if you got through this
As far as battery life is concerned, it is what you make of it. I have aventon aventure and I did 40 miles on it and was still at 70% battery. I still like to use my bicycle as my primary source of cardio so I usually only use the electric to get momentum. I start pedaling harder than what the motor is trying to give and eventually the battery motor contribution is far less than my own physical torque. Thus saving battery throughout the day. If you want more range, pedal harder.
Great video and cool bikes. I did some research and numerous bikes online. I tried to visit the few bike shops in the area and they were far too costly. I finally found one that has a 2 year warranty and does maintenance indefinitely albeit with a cost depending on your fix. I got to test a few out before I pulled the trigger on one. I'm in my mid 30s and had the biggest smile on my face when I first rode it.
I would like to add my own experience with my current ebike to the fray. I ride a E-cells Monarch which I do loved dearly and as my primary 'about town' transportation here in Washington. I will address my own comments to the five topics listed. I will judge all along the 1 to 10 scale too.
1) Build Quality
As with 89-90% of the ebikes in the US market, it came from China. My bike's quality is excellent and the company which sells it ensured all the components were of high quality and the fittings were excellent. Of cos it was send to me via NV in a large full size bed carton as this is a full size ebike! I would give this a scale of 9.
2) Battery Range
Well, seeing that this is a dual battery, dual motor bike, I could easily ride pretty much throttle only for 50+ miles, switching from using only one motor to another or using both motors to climb hills; and there are many hills up and down around Seattle! Much of the time, I would cruise along on my local roads closer to their speed limits on the bus/bicycle lane; on level ground, I have been clocked at 38 mph! One benefit of this dual battery arrangement strict from the factory was the fact that I could charge them individually or I could simply plug my charger onto the frame plug and charges BOTH battery at the same time; as I rarely use up my batteries, it would usually take 3-4 hours with the provided fast charger to full recharge. In this case, I would give this a mark of 10.
3)Accessibility
This is a tough one, yes, my Monarch is a 26x4.5 very fat tire bike and yes, I have to LEARN to get on it by tilting the bike partially to get on it... pretty much I'd consider it to be similar to getting on a horse; with the very sturdy included rear carrier and an after market carrier top bag, my leg would catch onto the bag often if it was fill. Yes, climbing on and off is a hassle and I simply have to get into the habit and a routine of mounting and dismounting from it. It is a BIG and yes, very heavy bike!!! With both batteries and motors, along with the bags and lights and separate batteries for them, my bike is near 100 lbs. I could trust it with even the usual ebike carrier on my car so I ordered a dirt bike motorcycle rack with ramp to haul this camouflage, yes factory camouflage monster about. Again, because of the massive size, I have to give this an 8 then. I strongly suggested most potential buyers should check out step thru models with small diameter tires unless they are will to learn and put up with climbing on a big 26" fat tire bike!
4) Lack of Power
This is a no brainer for me, a total score of 10 because of the two massive batteries this bike came with; one battery was part of the frame while the second one was underneath as part of the rear rack... which I guess, added the extra height to the rear carrier rack. Oh well.
And as this video stated, you will pretty much have to do most if not ALL your own maintenance and repair on most brands of ebikes. I would be lucky if I purchased an RAD brand as it was based in Seattle but alas, my E-cells wasn't it. BUT the customer service has been extremely, extremely helpful and the owner even talked with me on the phone to address some maintenance issues before. The staff in E-cells were exceptional too, especially the office manager Rachel; she has been extremely responsive to all my questions and inquires. I also take my ebike to the local bike shop Harvy in Lynwood, WA and they have done excellent services on my bike except the electrical components. Most regular bike shops would not even attempt to deal with a motorcycle size and weight bike and when you do find one, establish good rapport with it and stick with it like your favorite barber or doctor.
On a side note, I worn out three sets of Kendra tires on my first ebike before it was stolen. The set of V-Rubber Bulldozer 26x4.5 that came with my Monarch lasted me nearly 3,000 miles!!! Wow. I have just ordered a new set from E-cells because they were extremely hard to find (and yes, kind pricey compare to the average Kendra) but hey, if they would last another 3,000 miles, I'd considered money well spend!
Overall, I give my ebike a 9 in terms of reaching my expectation and needs. I am now just waiting for new developments on battery technology and maybe E-cells would make a newer models base on them then.
Accessibility complaint is right on. I splurged thinking an electric bike would allow me to ride. Saw a UA-camr who looked about my size on one. I figured she was about my height so I ordered the one she had. Got the bike but nope. It wasn’t anywhere near my size. Her build apparently was different than mine and my legs are short. I wanted to send it back and it had no miles on it yet but they didn’t accept returns. A lot of money and I couldn’t ride it. My tail bone was screaming every time I attempted it. We tried various things. Nothing worked. I ended up taking it to a bike guy that did his best to make it fit me a little better. It’s a bit better but I cannot say I will jump on it and go for rides. Not being able to physically try it was a big thumbs down.
It really is a big bike, I was shocked when I got my cruiser. And could totally relate to the mobility issue with stepping thru. Had to switch to big dog step thru.
Big Dog from Addmotor?
You are right on the mark on these complaints. I am 5' 11" with 31" pants inseam and my 26" X 4" ebike (Mokwheel Upland Plus) is just too damn tall! It's like you say...these 26" fat tire bikes are HUGE!
Here's what I have done that has helped: 1) I wear boots with 3/4" heels, plus 1-1/4" lift shoe inserts (from Amazon) adding a total of 2" to my leg length, 2) I wear an athletic supporter to keep the "boys" high and away from that "evil" top bar, 3) I lowered the seat a bit lower than it should be for proper pedaling - not good for the knees, but helps keep control when stopped (understand, I didn't move the seat low enough for my feet to touch the ground at stops, just to shorten the distance from being seated to standing flat footed on the ground), 4) I treat left hand turns like a pedestrian would - that is, I stay in the right land and cross the cross street, then I stop and turn my bike to cross the street I was just riding down also in the right lane (I found the biggest problem with control of the bike is when I'm in that left turn lane and feeling pressured by the traffic in front and behind me).
The size of the bike is really not that much of a problem when you're riding - it's when you're stopped. Number ONE: unless you are 6' 4" or so...GET A STEP-THROUGH BIKE, NOT A STEP-OVER (like my Mokwheel Upland Plus). Number TWO: IMHO, the ebike companies should IMMEDIATELY STOP making these 26" fat time bikes...at the very least, they should go down to a 24" wheel - I think that would make a huge difference! I'm definitely having buyer's remorse on my Mokwheel Upland Plus - trust me, this is a solid, powerful, well-built bike...but it is just TOO DAMN BIG, and the top bar of the step-over frame is just too high for comfortable control when I am stopped. I bought the step-over because it was $100 cheaper than the step-through version (Mokwheel Mesa Plus ST), but that would have been $100 WELL SPENT!
Oh, one other thing: when I purchased the step-over model, I thought (like probably a lot of others) that I could just lean the bike over a bit to make it easy enough to throw a leg over. Well, I thought wrong - you have to lean it WAY OVER and it is STILL not easy to throw that leg over! And FYI, I'm 72, 5' 11", 220 pounds and in somewhat better shape than average for someone my age.
I got mine (Radrunner) to commute 36 miles round trip back in 2019. The motorcycle style kick stand was very useful on the metro to avoid having to stand and hold my bike. Now my commute is 1.5 miles. It's a workhorse several years later. I use it to take my child to school and as a grocery getter. I even have taken the wife to and from the car repair shop since we only have one car. It is great biking pass the pump. 8000+ miles on it. Hardest thing for me is finding and changing the 20x4 fat tires. So difficult to mount.
Swap to 16x3.5 motorcycle tires. Haven't had a flat in 4k miles. And almost no tread wear. I commute 26 miles round trip every day
Number 1 concern for mostly adults and seniors is the weight of the e-bike. Especially, foldable and step-through e-bikes just should be build lighter weight. It’s achievable no doubt, but so far by 2024 there are practically no any brand/model foldable and step-thru e-bikes 50lbs and below lbs? The battery range is not really any concern for the most especially seniors who are not using their e-bike for daily commute. Do not forget that except in the metro area, nobody is looking at e-bike for extra range which only increases the weight and price.
Brian, great video. Here is another suggestion for people trying to decide on what bike to buy.
Pick a bike that uses very generic components. Especially when is comes to the batteries. Although the newer in the frame designs are really cool looking. Trying to find a generic replacement for them might be impossible as time goes by. Brakes, shifters, gearing are pretty much available everywhere, or exchangeable with something else. Motors and controllers are another issue although some brands like my Himiway have motors that are swappable with Bafang motors as it turns out. This is one of the main reasons I bought a Himiway Cruiser. 😄
Love the Himiway Cruiser. At 66yrs old with a bit of a bad knee I take this beast just about anywhere. If I see what looks like a trail leading deep into the woods I take it. Rocks, branches, ruts, this bike gets me out everytime! 640miles now with nothing to complain about. The Cloud Nine seat a bought squeaks though.
WOW! I should have watched this first....trying to catch up on all of your videos. BUT I still would have bought my 2023 Fabulous AWD Road Warrior. Weight and size was surprising. AND I added a rear cargo basket; front basket; Krytonite Lock; and, more....it is heavy. AND I still LOVE it....probably more than I did my Corvette. I weigh 250lbs and even with all of my additions I have hit 43.4 MPH....AND I rode from BWI Airport to Annapolis and back AND had 1/3 battery life left. (38 miles) I got 50.2 miles and still had 58 volts....PAS 1 and pedaling on mostly level paved bike trail. YOUR Videos are Outstanding and HELPFUL! Thank you!!
Number #1 Price 😂
Excellent video for the important basic things to look for, when buying an E Bike. I
like that yours has 2 mirrors, one for each side. Also would like electric turn signals.
I have a suggestion for people who want more power: buy an extra battery, when the first one goes dead/week, swap the batteries out. My suggestion for weight would be to get a 20 inch wheel bike that folds, making it easier to load/unload. Always remove the battery before lifting your bike, that makes a big difference. If the battery cannot be easily removed, don’t buy the bike. I own two E bikes, I did have a rad rover, but sold it when I moved. I had to get a bike rack for my car for the red rover, the other two bikes I still own are folding bikes. I carry one in my RV, the other one fits in the trunk of my Toyota Avalon. People who have never owned an E bike should rent/borrow an E bike that they are considering. Personally, I like to carry the bike in my vehicle, travel to where I want to go. When I want to explore a city neighborhood or rural area, I use my E bike. I get tremendous satisfaction and joy from my E bikes.
What folding e-bikes do you recommend
Good advice, when one gets low, swap and charge. I don’t really do more than 20 miles a ride anyway.
Hey Thanks did you just blow through a stop sign lov it.
A great and informative video. My wife and I went with the Lectric XP 2.0 step through after watching a bunch of videos. I'm in my mid 60's and she's in her late 50's so they seemed like the best choice for us.
watching closely, i am 64 , rode harleys on the dragon tail and many mountain roads, i have a heart issue now and want to ride to work , it is close enough to enjoy an Ebike, i think this is for me too, thanks for your video's
I'm about 5'7 and I own a himiway cruiser and absolutely love it!! I must admit afte i purchased a suspension seat post it's a little bit more challenging to get on and off. With my stock seat it was better but I've had it for about a year and 2months I've grown comfortable riding my cruiser. Just gotta get the bike suitable for you thoroughly research. These bikes are huge!! It's like a motorcycle and a standard bike had a baby lol
I learned from someone else that if your tire pressure is low that your bike will shut off. It could definitely be a battery issue, but check your tire pressure too
Thanks for the info and all you older riders help me make up my mind im63 years young and was thinking this was for kids and younger adult now i can't wait to get one!
Excellent video. I think people need to know that there are roughly two kinds of electric bikes: fat tire and "normal" tire like 20'' x 2.125. I go for "normal" tire bikes in 12, 14, 16 and 20'' wheel sizes, foldable, with a 250 watt motor, throttle, up to 15 mph and weighing between 30 - 45 lbs. Step through models. This is what you want if you are not a super, strong person. You'll be able to ride a long way, put your bike in your car trunk and carry your bike into your house or apartment. ;-) These little bikes handle hills quite well. I currently have a Fiido D3 Pro.
I bought a Jetson Bolt Pro and it weighs about 40 pounds. My daughter lifted it into the second row floor of our van. Instead of adding a bottle holder, I bought a backpack with a water bag inside that has a hose that reaches my mouth. Two quarts size.
You're right! When these ebikes run good, it's lots of fun! Enjoyed your straightforward style. Thank you very kindly.
I wanted to buy my first E-Bike from a local shop, but in my area no one was selling anything that didn't look like a design from nine years ago. I took a chance with Biktrix and so far so good. I'm slowly getting used to the 27.5 x 3-inch wide tires. My pedal bike is 27 x 700C. If I had a fatter wallet, I could have gotten a lighter E-Bike. Maybe next time. Cool video.
You brought up a good point people will buy these e-bikes at a box store or off Amazon those companies makes the easy-money of sales then those same people will take it to a bike shop that they did not purchase the bike there and expect the bike shop to fix it . And those people needs to understand that it does make the bike shop dealers aggravated that you bought the bike off of Amazon or at a Big box store and you expect them to fix it and cater to . People let's support our local businesses and get the equipment that we need . I'm a business owner I sell new mowers and handheld equipment . I've been in business for 30 years . I service my buying customers that deals with me. And if there is people that brings me equipment that they bought somewhere I may or may not work on that equipment again deal with your local businesses not the big box stores .
Very good point at the end about local bike shops refusing to work on your ebike.
I bought a Velotric T1 ST and I'm super happy with it. I think the build quality was good. I did have to adjust the deraileur because the gears were clicking, but once I did it, no problem. I'm totally happy with the range, probably because I don't bike that far. I use it to do errands. I made a trailer and I use that to get groceries. I often go to my sister's house, which is about 5 miles one way and so far, when I do it with 4 battery lights, it's still on 4 when I get home. Accessibility is probably the only subject presented here that I might complain about. They only sold the bike as small and medium. I am average height and weight (5'10", 180 lbs) and I think the bike is a little bit small for me. The bike has plenty of power, but again, I guess it's because I ride for exercise, so I don't want a lot of assist. In fact, I often ride with NO assist. And finally the weight is the same as my previous non ebike at 36 lbs. It really just looks like a regular bike and because it has gears, it rides like a regular bike. I love it. Wish it came in different colors though.
We bought 2 lectric ebikes off marketplace and love them so far!
Love my smart ebikes. Chinese DYU D1 purchased two in 2017 and limited edition red in 2020. Still have all of the ebikes. Only had one flat . Got ride of my car and these small ebikes are so small I bring them everywhere. Inside dentist, hospital waiting areas, banks, etc etc. People ask where I bought them. The DYU ebikes I have have no pedals because can pedal due to nerve damage to right ankle foot. The pegs are low so they’re ebike is safer because you can place your feet flat on pavement or sidewalk when stopping. The handlebar folds and has an area to pick up and carry it. They are very popular in Singapore. Fun! Cool! Goes 15 mph and 15 miles on one charge. Best purchase and is much better getting around than a disability scooter, Walker or using crutches./cane.
Yup, Aventon Adventure 2 step through is excellent. Local bike shop let me test drive a couple before buying it. Great components great power.
Got a 350watt E-bike to help rehabilitate my knee. It works great on small slopes and flat surface’s. It doesn’t help going up hills at all.
The bike had lose bolts and parts. Tightened up the bolts and used locktite on some bolts that would come lose. Had to adjust the breaks and derailer. Bike works great now except on hills. Yes it was cheap but it gets me out with my kids riding again. Walking the bike up the hills are easy because the bike can pull itself up the hill with ease. But if I had to do it again I would get a more powerful E-bike.
I purchased my e bike through a dealer and love the customer service. Free tune up for the life of my bike , 60 mile battery . It’s flawless . 🌺🌺🌺❤❤❤❤❤
I'm waiting on my Ariel Rider Kepler...
Literally cannot wait at all...
I'm lovin' my Addmotor E360 Trike. Great build quality!
I have a HEYBIKE, and 100% happy with the quality of build. Having owned 2 HEYBIKES, first has 500w motor. Very quickly learned the step-thru was my way to mount the bike. Like I said HEYBIKE totally satisfied me so I went with the Ranger S with the step thru and 750w motor. She and I now have HEYBIKES to ride.
I am 76 a have been riding electric bikes since 2010. My favorite are the Juiced fat tire bikes. I have the traditional and also the step through models and they both have 19.2 amp batteries. I've gone as far as 57 miles and still had about 25% of the batteries power. The Juiced bikes are built like tanks and I can attest to that. I T-boned a car in a blind driveway at 10 mph and the bike was not damaged. However, I can't say that for myself. I ended up with a broken hip. That was 2 months ago and I'm riding the same bike again and enjoying the Great Outdoors. I also ride motorcycles but I enjoy riding the e-bikes even more.
Excellent video. I would tell anyone who's shopping for an ebike to watch this. Nice reccs on the brands. I saw people talk about Biktrix in comments and bought a Stunner LT5 on sale. It has a 20 amp hour battery. That's all I use for my DIY builds. You get more than 40 miles of range when you put a 20ah battery on a 2" tire bike. I thought about putting a second battery & motor kit on my Stunner to get it past 30mph (only hits 26 on a fresh battery full pedaling in 7th gear, and it has an 8th gear I don't use) and seeing your dual motor setup is really eye opening. Great job on your setup. You've hit the sweet spot for what that frame, tires, and brakes can handle, giving yourself usable speed. I run errands using the bags on my Stuner. I call it the BUV - Bike Utility Vehicle. Perfect as a golf cart on the disc golf course. I can swing my leg over the side and hop off when I pull up to my disc!
Hi,
The lack of service by bike shops is shameful. Can you imagine the auto industry without service…..no independent mechanics to repair your vehicle. I own a Hyper bike, nobody will touch it……and they’re rude about it…….They won’t get my business. Regarding the battery issue….due to my failed vision, I can’t get a license, I am restricted to a class 1 bike……..can a battery system, such as in the Hyper bike, be modified to increase distance…not speed necerssarily, the Hyper is advertised as having a 20 mile range…..Enjoyed your video and info. Take care. Les
73 yo here and you are spot on, I have an Ecoteck Beach that of course I put on every bell and whistle I could find. So it is HEAVY. Ran it out of electrons (deliberately to test limits and behavior) ended up on leg power for a mile into the wind. It was an effort even in "granny gear". It was bigger then I expected and at the limit for my size 5' 10". But having been a life long bike rider I don't consider that a major issue. Other then that, it is my country bike and use it on dirt roads and have a blast. Had it for 4 years no and now carry an extra battery. That cures range anxiety. My city bike is a cheap coaster brake, 3 speed cruiser, that I put a motor front wheel on with a controller and added front wheel hand brake. I use it throttle only (to keep the wiring simple). Powered with an Ego lawn mower battery. Works great and very light. I do peddle it and feather the throttle which works well.
just discovered your channel and i subscribed! EXCELLENT video and PERFECT timing as I am brand new and have not yet bought my firs eBike. Also, i have osteoarthritis in my left hip so your suggestion to go SEE an eBike ... first ... before you buy ... is a great great IDEA!
What I like about your review is you start out at a decent slow speed like getting know the feel instead of blasting off seeing how fast it will go. If speed is your thing buy a Sporty or a Dirt bike and go fast. Ebikes started off as a commuter bike not a blast off, go the fastest you can bike. These bikes are for leisure riding not for seeing if you can destroy it or youeself.
One thing I'd like to know is where you are riding with no traffic, no bumpy torn-up roads, not even a 1 mile hill. Try doing a review out here in the East where you have hills, traffic, hilly woods, plowed fields. You can quickly wear down a battery.
I agree with everything. Except for one thing. I want fat tires because Mitsubishi said it "Wider is Better". I feel even on a commute, it's safer because it gives more grip.
With a fat tire it is more likely you will have flats, they are more stable, but higher weight and more expensive. If you actually DO run out of battery away from home, remember you will have to push it.
After I looked at some of the bikes in my local area (Greater Columbus, Georgia) the second largest city and the average prices for bikes $2,000 - $2,500 and up I decided to start looking at EBay. I’m more interested in raw power and range than speed. Most people don’t realize that once they stop pedaling the motor instantly cuts out. So stop pedaling and using the throttle on any downgrade and just see just how much speed you gain on a downgrade and plan your routes accordingly. Coming south towards my home I’ve got a rather long distance downgrade of almost 2-1/2 to 3 miles. I’m driving in the breakdown lane facing the traffic. I can do most of the distance just on gravity alone. No throttle, no pedal assist. I do try to gain as much speed as possible before the top of the hill. From there on down I’m basically just riding the brakes and looking out for road debris so I tend to watch my speed. That’s one basic way to extend your range and battery life, just take full advantage of what nature provides. Ride your e-bike around like it’s a old single speed bicycle from the mid 70s and you need all the help that you can get. I decided that I would get a 1,200W hill climber with a huge battery. It didn’t really matter significantly since it would be from zero to full power In only 4 to 6 hours. They claimed it would take a 45 degree angle slope in its stride.
The bike I chose is at www.ebay.com/itm/145212011108?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=knigmibotgq&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=r4ighmxoqeq&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
A really great demonstration of the bike is at ua-cam.com/video/VKE6Bcj96M8/v-deo.html
If you watch it yep it can take two regular sized adults and still get around rather briskly.
Plus it only cost in the range of $1,000. One third of the cost the local bike shops were asking, and was three times as much bike.
Lots of really good points but for me the number one complaint is price.
These bikes are approaching the cost of a good used car these days.
Weight wise, my 1940 beach cruiser weighs in at just over 71 lbs with steel wheels, oversize tires, steel fenders, bars, frame, rack, etc. I've contemplated adding a motor to that bike, sort of like an electric whizzer of sorts. I figure that with the weight of the motor and a pair of batteries the bike would be fairly light at roughly 140lbs or so.
As far as range on a factory e-Bike, I've only ridden a handful so far, and the farthest I've gotten on a full charge has been 8 miles on a 750w bike with two batteries.
At 6ft3in tall, size is never an issue, most I've been on felt small, too small to spend any real time on. My daily bicycle is a 24" frame diamond frame beach cruiser built in the 80's. It fits me well.
For me, the ideal eBike would be something on the larger size, with or without suspension, which can handle at least 30 miles on a charge and carry my 400lbs where I need to go, and not fall into the 'moped' category which would require $900/yr liability insurance in NJ.
It also needs to be affordable, as in under $500. Otherwise I see no benefit to riding it vs. just driving my truck or car.
I couldn't give a hoot about going green, for me its about going cheap. If I'm going to be without a roof, without air conditioning, and dealing with traffic which seems to hate bicycles and eBikes, I'm sure as hell not going to pay extra for it.
I got my own e-bike I have had since last June. It is a Rad Runner 2 from Rad Power Bikes. Going over your points on common complaints here is the list:
Build Quality
-Bike feels very solid
-Cables routed very well
-Very solid kickstand included
-Brakes work well too
-They did cheap out on the controller as it only has LED lights on it to indicate battery life in 5 lights, what PAS level it is on, and if the lights are on or off. No speedometer, no mileage recording. This was not a deal braker for me though.
Battery Range
-On one charge I did manage in the summer to bike out of my city and to the next town and back (almost 40km range mostly throttle and little help from me) and still had 2/5 bars on battery when I got home. Winter when it was -25c my range did feel shorter, almost cut in half. Still enough to get me to where I need to go. Only 14 amp hours 48v battery.
Accessibility
-Step through frame really easy to get on and off
-Comfortable posture when riding, almost a moped feel
-My Radrunner 2 bike is smaller than my old non-ebike, Norco Bigfoot 2 2019 bike.
Lack of Power
-limited by Canada's class 2 spec for 500w motor and 32kph max speed for motor assist
-With some help of me I can easily get up the steepest hills in my city.
-Would be nice to have more power but that comes at a cost of battery life
Weight
-Not gonna lie, my bike is like 70-80 pounds. It is a tank of a bike
- I still will carry my bike up a set of steps (not a full story of stairs) with groceries still on the bike, so a good 140-150 pounds total.
-Due to lower total clearance on bottom I cannot roll it up the steps like I could with the Norco or else the kick stand hits the steps.
Overall I am fairly happy with my e-bike, it really helps me get around my city a lot better than my old bike.
You are amazing. And You were a huge help. So thank you very much 🙏I’m a 72 year old man. 6.1. I had no idea. Electric bikes were so heavy. So I will buy an electric bike with a big motor fat tires and long range. Possibly spending $3000 or more. And take my ride from my garage and back.
I appreciate you have stated things I wanted lightly. I got my first Ebike that was abought 3 years old 33miles. I should of bought a brand new one what I wanted, maybe later. I been looking at batteries for some time, and I want a 50 amp battery that I will add in. My plan is to go 100 miles up and down hills without any issue. I guess my motorcycles are only way to go, Nott... I do plane on checking everything going on with an Ebike. Everyone likes to state their on Ebike, buy noting to shovel what I want. Anyhow, I had a stroke and I have a very good standard bicycle that I used ride, it is a still great standard bike, not cheap, abought the same cost as an Ebike now. My standard ability is to ride 100 miles without any serious issues, hum. I know bike break, been through that a lot going 150 miles, bikes can have problems. I will check out as much as possible. Thank you!
After watching this ...its made my mind up...convert my lightweight bike with a chainring motor ...easy enough these days with all the youtube conversion vids...bafang 750 motor looks great with throttle