E-bike for wife?
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Saranac Lake, NY
Posts: 32
Bikes: 1974 Gitane TdF, 1989 Specialized Hardrock "Ice Bike", 1990 Gary Fisher Tassajara, 2012 Trek 1.5 Alpha, 2010 Surley LHT, 2011 Surley Pugsley "Fat Tire", 1988 Gary Fisher Gemini Tandem MTB
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 14 Times
in
8 Posts
E-bike for wife?
Recently got my first E-bike, an Ariel Rideal, and I love it. I'd like to get an E-bike for my wife. I'm 6'1" and the Rideal is fine for me, but at 5'5" it just seems too large for her. Any recommendations on a smaller/lighter E-bike the she could handle comfortably? Are there any 3-wheel E-bikes?
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: socal
Posts: 4,261
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 880 Post(s)
Liked 817 Times
in
617 Posts
ebikekit has a plethora of electric trikes. The only light ebikes I'm aware of are the super-expensive OEM's and companies like Gocycle that make smaller (usually folding) models with front hub drive.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Chicago Suburbs
Posts: 1,406
Bikes: GT Transeo & a half dozen ebike conversions.
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 340 Post(s)
Liked 275 Times
in
192 Posts
Maybe take a look at 20": folders, like the Qualiports 20" folders.. I bought a 20" folder as a lark, meaning to convert it to electric. My wife commandeered it. I did a second one, and now we own three of them. Easy to ride. Fast enough. I also have larger bikes, but since my wife loves her folder, I ride one with her.
The fat tire folders have the same rim diameter, but are wider for those 4" tires. I also have one of those too, but it's a tank in comparison. I like to ride with light pedal assist, but my fat tire bike needs to be in level 2 for my comfort, because the wheels are so heavy.. Guess I'm getting flabby. I don't care to ride it much, and use it for errands. The RV'ers love then though.
https://www.qualisports.us/collectio...c-bike-volador
The fat tire folders have the same rim diameter, but are wider for those 4" tires. I also have one of those too, but it's a tank in comparison. I like to ride with light pedal assist, but my fat tire bike needs to be in level 2 for my comfort, because the wheels are so heavy.. Guess I'm getting flabby. I don't care to ride it much, and use it for errands. The RV'ers love then though.
https://www.qualisports.us/collectio...c-bike-volador
Last edited by Doc_Wui; 12-06-21 at 10:14 AM.
#4
Junior Member
My S/O is 4 ft 10 and rides two RAD ebikes. Both a Mini Step Thru and the longer legged City - 3 ST without any problems what so ever.
Last edited by Sempervee; 12-06-21 at 10:46 AM.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 3,462
Bikes: Trident Spike 2 recumbent trike w/ e-assist
Mentioned: 25 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1321 Post(s)
Liked 374 Times
in
288 Posts
Also check out the Tern GSD. Might be able to replace your car on some local trips to shop, too.
#6
Ride more, eat less
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Philla PA, Hoboken NJ, Brooklyn NY
Posts: 2,070
Bikes: Too many but never enough.
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 713 Post(s)
Liked 735 Times
in
452 Posts
Some criteria needed to receive better suggestions.
Specify the cycling goals for your wife, what kind of riding does she plan on doing with this new ebike?
Do you have a specific budget?
3-wheel electric trikes are out there, but shipping cost & availability can be problematic.
I've been looking for an electric trike for my MIL (75 y-o), who had suffered a mild stroke a few years ago.
Some low to the ground and allow her to get on & off the trike easily.
Recumbent trikes can be difficult to get on & off for some people but they are likely to be more comfortable for longer saddle time.
Shorter stature may require shorter crankarms, most ebikes come with 170 mm, My wife's (4' 10") bikes have 165 or 152 mm that allow her knees not to come so close to her chest on the upstrokes.
Specify the cycling goals for your wife, what kind of riding does she plan on doing with this new ebike?
Do you have a specific budget?
3-wheel electric trikes are out there, but shipping cost & availability can be problematic.
I've been looking for an electric trike for my MIL (75 y-o), who had suffered a mild stroke a few years ago.
Some low to the ground and allow her to get on & off the trike easily.
Recumbent trikes can be difficult to get on & off for some people but they are likely to be more comfortable for longer saddle time.
Shorter stature may require shorter crankarms, most ebikes come with 170 mm, My wife's (4' 10") bikes have 165 or 152 mm that allow her knees not to come so close to her chest on the upstrokes.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Cypress TX
Posts: 1,179
Bikes: Salsa Fargo Ti, Cannondale CAAD9, Carbonello Fixed Gear, Specialized Epic Disc
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 39 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 16 Times
in
10 Posts
My wife loves her XS Liv Thrive e-bike. She is only 5'0" and it fits her fine. At 5'5" she could probably fit the S or M.
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Southern Maine
Posts: 8,941
Mentioned: 130 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12190 Post(s)
Liked 1,495 Times
in
1,107 Posts
My wife is 5 foot, and loves her Trek Verve 2.
As is the case with any bike, best thing to do is go try them out.
As is the case with any bike, best thing to do is go try them out.