1st ebike for elder couple. Need solid advice
04-02-24, 07:39 PM
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1st ebike for elder couple. Need solid advice
We are an older couple I ride 4 times a week on my 1973 world voyager. my wife used to ride much with mr but joints took that out. we ould like an 1st ebike for paved trails or park lanes. Have 7 gkids that ride a bit on paved trails and in the park. Please help I like the bikes that pretty much look like my old 10 speed and I am not opposed to the step through eithr. Thanks Greg
I will give careful consideration To your experience. Wouldn't mind under $2000
I will give careful consideration To your experience. Wouldn't mind under $2000
04-03-24, 11:14 AM
#2
Cancer survivor (twice)
Trek has a sale on thru April on their e-bikes. Take a look on line or if you have a trek store close by you can test ride.
04-03-24, 12:53 PM
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Serfas is an ebike brand sold in bike shops. They have a variety of models and several are less than $2k. Some models are also 'step through' making it far easier to climb aboard. Their Dash 350 is a very nice model with a 350 watt motor that tops at 20mph and is not expensive.
They are also easier to gets parts for compared to internet only brands. They are also of far higher quality than internet only brands.
They are sold in the shop where I work and we've never had a problem or complaint with any we've sold.
They are also easier to gets parts for compared to internet only brands. They are also of far higher quality than internet only brands.
They are sold in the shop where I work and we've never had a problem or complaint with any we've sold.
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04-03-24, 06:21 PM
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My wife and I celebrate 49 years of marriage this summer. Since COvid, the two of us ride a lot more, and we get about 2400 miles together annually. Neither one of us is a hard core cyclist, but have been ebiking for 8 summers.
You'll find there are two kinds of assist systems. First is called cadence assist. It uses pedal motion, not pedal pressure, to activate the motor to a preset speed/power level. You can pedal lightly and let the motor do all the work. Or you can pedal harder and add to the motor power. You'll have three to seven preset power levels.. Second is called torque assist. For a given pedal pressure, the motor "amplifies" it and supplies proprtional power. Pedal hard and you get more power. Pedal light, and you might not get much power at all. Cadence is better for riders with bad knees or weaker riders, Torque is more fun for biking enthusiasts who love the feel of pressing the pedals, .
I relate the above info because I got my wife onto a torque sensor last year after eight years with a cadence. Last month she proclaimed she was going back to her old bike.She said her old bike was easier to ride. I don't mind. She was slower with the T/S bike and I was getting tired of waiting for her. .My point is choose the bike that fits your wife,
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You'll find there are two kinds of assist systems. First is called cadence assist. It uses pedal motion, not pedal pressure, to activate the motor to a preset speed/power level. You can pedal lightly and let the motor do all the work. Or you can pedal harder and add to the motor power. You'll have three to seven preset power levels.. Second is called torque assist. For a given pedal pressure, the motor "amplifies" it and supplies proprtional power. Pedal hard and you get more power. Pedal light, and you might not get much power at all. Cadence is better for riders with bad knees or weaker riders, Torque is more fun for biking enthusiasts who love the feel of pressing the pedals, .
I relate the above info because I got my wife onto a torque sensor last year after eight years with a cadence. Last month she proclaimed she was going back to her old bike.She said her old bike was easier to ride. I don't mind. She was slower with the T/S bike and I was getting tired of waiting for her. .My point is choose the bike that fits your wife,
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Last edited by Doc_Wui; 04-03-24 at 06:25 PM.
04-04-24, 07:04 AM
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I relate the above info because I got my wife onto a torque sensor last year after eight years with a cadence. Last month she proclaimed she was going back to her old bike.She said her old bike was easier to ride. I don't mind. She was slower with the T/S bike and I was getting tired of waiting for her. .My point is choose the bike that fits your wife.
04-04-24, 09:25 AM
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"You can often tune the torque response, so that it requires less pedal effort to get full power."
Yes, you can, I had tweaked up level 1 and 2, However, she said it was in the highest assist level and the wind was too strong..
Yes, you can, I had tweaked up level 1 and 2, However, she said it was in the highest assist level and the wind was too strong..
04-04-24, 12:42 PM
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A pair of Ride1Up Portolas would fit the bill. I have an ongoing review thread in another forum, here: https://ebikesforum.com/threads/ride...a-thread.5915/
It folds, has lights, rack and a low step-through for when you get older and can't swing the leg as high.
Lectric also makes some good and affordable models:
XP Lite - is (relatively) lightweight at 46 lbs. and is a single speed. I have one of these, it's great. Review thread here: https://ebikesforum.com/threads/lect...w-thread.2712/
XP 3.0 is not as light, at 64 lbs., but is a 7-speed and has a higher top speed as well. There is a step-over and a step through available with this model. I was considering this, but went with the Portola instead, as I liked its lighter weight and lower low gear, in case I run out of juice and have to pedal home.
The eBikes that look like your old 10-speed are going to be more expensive and less practical. I think they start around $4k, as JLDickman says above.
It folds, has lights, rack and a low step-through for when you get older and can't swing the leg as high.
Lectric also makes some good and affordable models:
XP Lite - is (relatively) lightweight at 46 lbs. and is a single speed. I have one of these, it's great. Review thread here: https://ebikesforum.com/threads/lect...w-thread.2712/
XP 3.0 is not as light, at 64 lbs., but is a 7-speed and has a higher top speed as well. There is a step-over and a step through available with this model. I was considering this, but went with the Portola instead, as I liked its lighter weight and lower low gear, in case I run out of juice and have to pedal home.
The eBikes that look like your old 10-speed are going to be more expensive and less practical. I think they start around $4k, as JLDickman says above.
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04-06-24, 07:42 AM
#10
TeeOhPea 2tha DeeOhGee
We're older and just did the same research for the same reasons (Her keeping up with me on speed/distance on both road and light trail.)
Close to that price range we looked at Trek Dual Sport +2 at $2,400.
Ended up at the complete other end of the spectrum under "buy once, cry once." Yesterday she got a Santa Cruz Skitch (Apex Flatbar model) for $6k.
Close to that price range we looked at Trek Dual Sport +2 at $2,400.
Ended up at the complete other end of the spectrum under "buy once, cry once." Yesterday she got a Santa Cruz Skitch (Apex Flatbar model) for $6k.
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