Saluki1968

Been riding for years, now only on rail trails, and I've been thinking about getting an electric bike. I turn 76 soon and can't peddle like I could 10 years ago. I tried an e-bike a friend has and really liked it - still get the exercise but not to the point where I'm wiped out. I'm looking for a fat-tire e-bike, that will handle the soft trails we have & have a range of 30+ miles or so. I want a peddle-assist so I still have to work, but not as hard. One that caught my eye was the Himiway Cruiser. Recommendations?

2old

IMO, if you like to pedal, stay off the behemoths like the Himiway, and look at what the "bigs" (Specialized, Trek, Giant etc) have to offer unless you don't want to spend $3000+. If that cost is too dear. look into DIY.

Saluki1968

Yeah - $3000 + is not going to happen. Trails I'll be on are re-done RR trails, so pretty easy terrain. I just need some assist to do the longer miles, thus the look into E-bikes.

cat0020

Do you ride to trail head or need to transport the ebike to the trail head?
Hub motor fat tire ebikes can be found under $1200, but it will weigh 60-70 lb.

In my experience, fat tires can benefit when you're riding in beach sand, mud or snow.
If most of your riding in on hardpack, rail trails, fat tire may be overkill, narrower tires can also save a few pound of rotating weight.

Something like a Qualisports Dolphin works quite nice for rail road trails on the cheap, I bought mine at below $900
30 mile range maybe pushing it with the seatpost battery, but with PAS it should be no problem:


The $999 Lectric XP2 is serving well for me, but a bit on the heavy side, more difficult to transport with a car that the Dolphin, 30 mile range is also pushing the limit with throttle operation


Nowadays, it is all up to the supply chain availability.
Whatever retailer have in stock is likely what you can get without 6-12 wk wait. .

OldRailfan

After getting a taste while setting up and testing my equal half's e-bike I started looking and decided for the RBSM "Mud Adder" (https://www.rbsmsports.com/product/r...-adder-e-bike/). Perfect for my purposes i.e. riding anything from mild single track to pavement in varying terrain. First ride mid September,, present Odometer reading just over 1000 km.







Added the mirrors, the computer, the head and tail lights etc.
In my opinion big bang for the bucks.

Saluki1968

I haul my bike to the trail head - though it's a short distance, only a mile or so, but I just don't feel comfortable riding with traffic, after a friend was killed and another injured. Lighter weight would help with getting the bike int my small SUV - something the size of a MTB would be ideal. Something like the RBSM Mud Adder looks pretty good - if it's available. But with a weight/height limit of 220 lbs/6;1" ! I'm a big guy, 6'2 and haven't seen 220 in decades. Ah well....

2old

Agree about riding on the road, although I need to go a short distance to a few areas. That 52 pound "Mud" will be fun to get in the back of your SUV.

Saluki1968

Hmmmm..... yes, that's certainly something to consider. What's the lightest e-bike with a MTB configuration?

2old

AFAIK, anything lighter than 50 or so pounds is expensive $4K+, I'd guess (but maybe someone here knows of some). I built a < 35 pound for < $1000 with a BBS02, 52V 6 ah battery (range of 15 or so miles) and rigid MTB donor. If Chas 58 answers, he built an even lighter one with a small hub motor, but he's much younger and stronger than I am.

Saluki1968

Looking up E-bike conversion kits I came across Hilltopper E-bikes. Their Discover LE Electric Gravel bike looked good - weight listed at 44lbs, front hub, 36 V 350 W motor, 1 x 7 Shimano Nexus internally geared hub with a Gates Belt Drive, twist throttle and Pedal Assist System with 4 levels of assist. 650 wheels with gravel tires & range of 30-50+ miles of battery range. Price: $1899 including shipping in US. Sounds pretty good, and even looks like a regular bike. Any opinions on the Hilltopper?

2old

Their kits received good reviews from a couple of members several years ago, but no information on complete bikes. You might check electricbikereport for some general information, but beware that AFAIK, they charge for reviews, so to me they're more like infomercials.

FREEBIRD1

Looks nice, I picked up a RAD Mission, fits in my Minivan around 47lbs, has good range (about 35 miles) and I think it will hold up to 275 lbs? I think they have them for $999 or so. I put a lot of miles on it this summer without any issues. I liked the idea of using the throttle anytime with or without assist on. Only mod I did to it was add a little better saddle.

gpburdell

There are e-bike capable hitch-mounted bicycle racks with a ramp accessory available so you can roll the the ebike up onto the rack - you can even use the bike's walk-assist function if it has one. Check out 1UP-USA, Kuat, Yakima, etc.

Now you're still lifting a 50lb rack into your hitch receiver, but that's more of a straight lift with your legs - and you might just leave it in place if you're using it frequently enough.

Leisesturm

I agree that FAT bikes are overkill for the o.p. purposes. I also think that folding, unless necessary, adds cost/complexity like laptops do vs desktops. All e-bikes worth the name spec bigger rubber, better brakes and sturdier construction than the same bike model without assist. Even a commuter oriented bike could handle rail trails and, IMO, the styling and overall presentation would slot in nicer for an over 70 customer. Juiced Bikes, Aventon and Batch also have interesting value oriented bikes. Mid-drives are probably out if the budget doesn't go over $2K+. Tires around 1.9" to 2.4" is plenty, and the bike won't weigh 70lbs.

cat0020

I have limited storage space and lots of bicycles & motorcycles.
I prefer the smaller wheels on ebike because they take up less storage space when they are not ridden.
Smaller diameter wheels are also stronger and allow more torque to be generated from the hub motor.
Smaller size ebikes in general are just easier to transport on cars... likely less weight to pick up:
https://electrek.co/2021/11/09/prope...s-on-a-budget/

cat0020

If you insist on a full sized ebike, this looks like a good deal:
https://electrek.co/2021/11/15/ride1...urban-e-bikes/

Saluki1968

Decided on the Ariel Rideal - fairly light wt - @ 50lbs, 750 motor, gravel tires, and good range. Order placed, hope to have it by the end of the week

kahn

Enjoy it when it arrives. Hopefully, you can ride it before the snows take over.

Saluki1968

I will - snowed a bit last few days :-)

chas58

Looks nice. One of my favorite things about e-bikes is that I can put studded tires on it with no problem. On an analogue bike, they really slow me down - but the e-bike just doesn't care.

cat0020

Probably extend battery life if you take it off the bike and store indoors when bike is not in use.
Storing battery in the shed with the bike over winter months would likely shorten its lifespan.

Saluki1968

Yes. I winter, the battery will be stored indoors.

Saluki1968

Looks like I may have one of the last Ariel Rideal bikes left. Just checked there web page today and the Redeal model is listed as "SOLD OUT". I have a tracking number for mine and and is now on it's way from the west coast. Expected delivery date is Monday, nov 22 :-)

2old

Can't wait to see how you like it and great you were able to get one.

Riveting

I have the Hilltopper 36v 350watt e-bike front hub wheel conversion kit on my commuter, so I can't comment on the whole bike, but I have about 1,500 miles on their e-hub so far with zero issues, and I really appreciate having the throttle only option for crossing crosswalks quickly. Heck, for that price and the fact it's on sale right now for the next 2 days, while writing this I actually went and bought the whole bike for my wife.