e-bike with 20” Tires
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e-bike with 20” Tires
I test drove a few bikes today at a local bike store and I felt most comfortable on a bike with 20” tires. It was a Biria Folding Fat bike. I didn’t like the 4.5” fat tires but the guy in the bike shop said I could swap them out for 2.5” tires. The only other issue for me is that it’s not a low step which is a must for me since I have low back problems.
Can anyone recommend a low step 20” e-bike. I’ve been searching and I can only find bikes that can only be purchased online. I really wanted to test drive before buying. Thanks for your help.
Can anyone recommend a low step 20” e-bike. I’ve been searching and I can only find bikes that can only be purchased online. I really wanted to test drive before buying. Thanks for your help.
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Watch out if you put smaller (narrower) tires on the "fat" bike. Ground clearance may be compromised considerably. Look at the Scoozy veego on Amazon (not to buy) to see how a low step-over can be designed. You'll just need to locate local dealer(s) with similar models, travel or buy online.
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It's relatively easy to put a kit on a 20" bike. Maybe find one you like and do that. I use a Dahon Mu Uno with a motor and it's light and I love it. Bike Friday has 20" e-bike options. check with Bfold. Also, being in NY, you could go test ride the 1Motor on the inventor's Brompton (that's a 16") to see if you like the system and then it super easy to put on any bike (and take off to ride without). You can read my review of it here in this forum. I can give you their contact info if you want to test ride it. You can install it on any model 20" bike you want, the Dahons are good choices for a moderate priced bike.
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Watch out if you put smaller (narrower) tires on the "fat" bike. Ground clearance may be compromised considerably. Look at the Scoozy veego on Amazon (not to buy) to see how a low step-over can be designed. You'll just need to locate local dealer(s) with similar models, travel or buy online.
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I don’t know a lot about e-bikes but a thought I always have is when I see people looking at bikes whose name I don’t recognize is. Who is going to service these in a few years. Many of the start up e-bike stores won’t last beyond the initial time it takes the market to saturate. I would be looking at names like Trek, Specialized, Giant. These will be around after the market cools and most likely can provide service. Just a thought and maybe I’m wrong.
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It's relatively easy to put a kit on a 20" bike. Maybe find one you like and do that. I use a Dahon Mu Uno with a motor and it's light and I love it. Bike Friday has 20" e-bike options. check with Bfold. Also, being in NY, you could go test ride the 1Motor on the inventor's Brompton (that's a 16") to see if you like the system and then it super easy to put on any bike (and take off to ride without). You can read my review of it here in this forum. I can give you their contact info if you want to test ride it. You can install it on any model 20" bike you want, the Dahons are good choices for a moderate priced bike.
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With your 3k budget, you should consider Bike Friday. They will custom build to fit you perfectly. If you contact them, they can put you in touch with a local owner for a test ride (if there is no dealer near you). Their ebikes work great and you can fly with them as the batteries meet TSA/FAA requirements. As 20" bikes go, nothing rides better than a Bike Friday.
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With your 3k budget, you should consider Bike Friday. They will custom build to fit you perfectly. If you contact them, they can put you in touch with a local owner for a test ride (if there is no dealer near you). Their ebikes work great and you can fly with them as the batteries meet TSA/FAA requirements. As 20" bikes go, nothing rides better than a Bike Friday.
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Thank you. I just looked at the Bike Friday website. It looks pretty cool. I'm going to try to build something. Would you mind if I sent you the link of my build to review? I looked at the list of dealers and they are pretty far from me. Can I order the kit and bring it my local bike shop to assemble?
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You can have them build a full bike up, and they ship so all you have to do is add the front wheel (included) and put on the seat post and pump the tires. Or, you can buy a frame and build up locally. Their sales guy (Steve) is fantastic - he can take your needs and wants and make a bike out of them. I ordered one through him and his patience and thoughtful questions were really helpful. But I'd be happy to look at your build (like window shopping, lol). If you have questions, there is a very active BF community on FB and it's ok to join if you're just considering one (https://www.facebook.com/groups/bike...d=177147215204) and you can ask about other folks' builds.
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Thank you sooo much. That sounds great. Which base model do you have? I'm not sure what to select for gear shifter and brake type. I guess that's I good question for Steve. Thanks for recommending the FB community. I just put in a request to join. I really appreciate all of your suggestions. This is my 1st e-bike.
Last edited by linberl; 08-03-19 at 06:19 PM.
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Schwinnasaur
#16
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20” chubby tired ebike
We have 2 “Magnum Premium 48” ebikes. One is low-step. Foldable. Powerful. 20” x 2” rubber. Bought from an LBS after test ride. EBR had a very favorable review on these as well. Worth considering.
Last edited by FolderBeholder; 08-05-19 at 06:57 AM.
#17
On yer bike
Check out the Tern Vektron. They make a few different models at different prices, and they sell via brick and mortar stores.
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Yes I did. Came mostly fully assembled. Had to tweak it a little to keep the derailleur from rubbing. Had a problem with the charger and they sent me a new one ASAP. It’s been great. Very comfortable to ride. Easy to transport. I get about 40 miles on an battery but I always pedal.
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Yes I did. Came mostly fully assembled. Had to tweak it a little to keep the derailleur from rubbing. Had a problem with the charger and they sent me a new one ASAP. It’s been great. Very comfortable to ride. Easy to transport. I get about 40 miles on an battery but I always pedal.
#24
LET'S ROLL
Bfold stocks and sells the Tern Vektron.
You can also order any Bike Friday from them.
I recently picked up a Tern Vektron from them;
very happy commuting with it.
https://bfold.com/
Tern Vektron Q9 by 1nterceptor, on Flickr
You can also order any Bike Friday from them.
I recently picked up a Tern Vektron from them;
very happy commuting with it.
https://bfold.com/
Tern Vektron Q9 by 1nterceptor, on Flickr
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Take a look at the Blix Vika+ (review on electricbikereport; note, the "reviewer" charges for the evaluation reducing it to an infomercial IMO, but some useful information). Appears to be a direct-to-consumer company.