Buying advice please!

Bburgdave

New member
Joined
Sep 11, 2024
Messages
5
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United States
I'm trying to decide on an eBike and would appreciate some advice - I've been a bike rider for years, but this will be my first eBike. I just got my wife a Lectric XP 3, which is nice, and this would be an option for myself too, but I'm considering other options! As to my use case, I'm over 60 (but very fit) and I ride several times a week for pleasure and exercise. We just moved to a farm (in SW VA), so we have a long gravel driveway and lots of hills. Most, but not all, of the surrounding roads are paved. I don't ride off road on any rugged trails that would be super challenging.

I've been doing a lot of research and I think what I need is a "hybrid" bike that can handle my farm fields, paved roads and paths, and gravel. And hills! The two I have my eye on are the Radster Trail and the Aventon level 2. I'm trying to keep the price to $2K or less. I'm 5'10, by the way.

Thoughts? Are there others I should be considering?

Dave
 
Welcome to the forums! :cool:

Virginia here too! :)

Good tires for sure ya wanna get...
1000watts in my opinion or even 1500wkit and a bike you are comfy on would work.

The level2 is torque sensor so ride one before ya buy one to be sure if ya want torque sensor or cadence sensor.


at least 2.8 in wide tires in my opinion..

Keep us posted as to what yur doing! :)

Welcome! :cool:

HP
 
If you are mechanically inclined, install a mid drive kit on just about any bike. It can be a challenge but is very rewarding. I installed a BBSHD kit on my old mtn bike. Adding a high end display and an aftermarket chainring, this cost me about $1200, not counting price of the bike and some extra tools I got just this project.
 
Welcome to the forums! :cool:

Virginia here too! :)

Good tires for sure ya wanna get...
1000watts in my opinion or even 1500wkit and a bike you are comfy on would work.

The level2 is torque sensor so ride one before ya buy one to be sure if ya want torque sensor or cadence sensor.


at least 2.8 in wide tires in my opinion..

Keep us posted as to what yur doing! :)

Welcome! :cool:

HP
I think the level 2 comes with 2.2” tires, can you put wider tires on those same wheels?
 
I think the level 2 comes with 2.2” tires, can you put wider tires on those same wheels?
You can put a bit wider tires on those rims, but i'd be sure to check if they will go between the forks first at a local bike shop.
 
I'm trying to decide on an eBike and would appreciate some advice - I've been a bike rider for years, but this will be my first eBike. I just got my wife a Lectric XP 3, which is nice, and this would be an option for myself too, but I'm considering other options! As to my use case, I'm over 60 (but very fit) and I ride several times a week for pleasure and exercise. We just moved to a farm (in SW VA), so we have a long gravel driveway and lots of hills. Most, but not all, of the surrounding roads are paved. I don't ride off road on any rugged trails that would be super challenging.

I've been doing a lot of research and I think what I need is a "hybrid" bike that can handle my farm fields, paved roads and paths, and gravel. And hills! The two I have my eye on are the Radster Trail and the Aventon level 2. I'm trying to keep the price to $2K or less. I'm 5'10, by the way.

Thoughts? Are there others I should be considering?

Dave
Ride 1up's lmtd v2 is a nice bike, if you want a torque sensor. Ride 1 up's have very nice controllers that you can adjust to suit your own needs. Velotric's Discover 2 has a lot of innovative settings on it. You can watch reviews of the two on YouTube. "Ebike Escape" does a good job with their overviews. My one absolute recommendation would be to get a step thru. If you have to hop off at lights or simply have any sore muscles anywhere on your body, you will be grateful for not having to swing your leg over the frame every time you stop. Let us know what you get.
 
The mid-drive probably exceeds the 2k budget. For the hills, as HP said, a rear hub motor of at least 1000w or 1500w would be better. For all terrain, consider a full suspension ebike, so you don't have to pucker your butt all the time to stay in fighting position when there are bumps. Consider the Wired freedom, famous for torque and speed, and if you're also considering a moped type of bike and want a long range, consider the roll road emma 3, the seat height isn't adjustable but it's great for a 5'10. Youtube channel citizencycle has reviews on all these bikes, check them out
 
I'm trying to decide on an eBike and would appreciate some advice - I've been a bike rider for years, but this will be my first eBike. I just got my wife a Lectric XP 3, which is nice, and this would be an option for myself too, but I'm considering other options! As to my use case, I'm over 60 (but very fit) and I ride several times a week for pleasure and exercise. We just moved to a farm (in SW VA), so we have a long gravel driveway and lots of hills. Most, but not all, of the surrounding roads are paved. I don't ride off road on any rugged trails that would be super challenging.

I've been doing a lot of research and I think what I need is a "hybrid" bike that can handle my farm fields, paved roads and paths, and gravel. And hills! The two I have my eye on are the Radster Trail and the Aventon level 2. I'm trying to keep the price to $2K or less. I'm 5'10, by the way.

Thoughts? Are there others I should be considering?

Dave
Hi Dave,
Like you I am very fit (serious road [analog]cyclist). I am also older; a lot older in fact (75). I built my wife a mid-drive torque sensing e-bike (using the inexpensive Tongsheng TSDZ2b motor) using her almost unused (circa 2012) 26er mtb. I have ridden it many times (primarily staying in level 1) and find I get almost the same level of workout than I would get on the same ride on my road bike. Of course the road bike (Cannondale SuperSix EVO) weighs 15lb and my wife's e-bike with 52v battery weighs 50+ lbs. Here's a ride I did on the e-bike Saturday: https://www.strava.com/activities/12410598318 ... I charged the battery to 100% before the ride, stayed in the lowest assist level and had about 30% battery left at the end of the ride. Plus I turn the assist off on longer downhills. And I am quite light.

I would only recommend building your own ebike from a kit if you are mechanically adept and realize you will not have any place for service. The mid-drive kits can be a bit problematic but the torque sensing makes for a very realistic ride. If you decide on a commercial e-bike, I would recommend avoiding hub-drive motors and try to purchase a mid-drive one with torque sensing. For a less serious rider, those things are not nearly as important. I have no experience with commercial e-bikes so cannot recommend one.

Good luck with your decision!
 
I'm trying to decide on an eBike and would appreciate some advice - I've been a bike rider for years, but this will be my first eBike. I just got my wife a Lectric XP 3, which is nice, and this would be an option for myself too, but I'm considering other options! As to my use case, I'm over 60 (but very fit) and I ride several times a week for pleasure and exercise. We just moved to a farm (in SW VA), so we have a long gravel driveway and lots of hills. Most, but not all, of the surrounding roads are paved. I don't ride off road on any rugged trails that would be super challenging.

I've been doing a lot of research and I think what I need is a "hybrid" bike that can handle my farm fields, paved roads and paths, and gravel. And hills! The two I have my eye on are the Radster Trail and the Aventon level 2. I'm trying to keep the price to $2K or less. I'm 5'10, by the way.

Thoughts? Are there others I should be considering?

Dave
You'ill do fine, Don't spend too much on a 1st ebike There are some very good bikes to be had 'around' thousand.
Do diligence, research & find a reputable seller. You're gonna make mistakes, but your cycling history's a big plus.
especially mechanical background. They all need maintenance. It's good if parts are common, easily replaced,
& not terribly costly.
 
You need to seriously look at the Velotric Discover 2 or the Velotric Nomad 1 Plus (or even the Velotric Summit 1). Either one would be perfect for the way you ride.
 
You need to seriously look at the Velotric Discover 2 or the Velotric Nomad 1 Plus (or event the Velotric Summit 1). Either one would be perfect for the way you ride.
The Nomad 1 doesn't have a torque sensor. If you like having a conventional feel to how you ride you may be uncomfortable with just a cadence sensor. The Discover 2 has both, which if you ask me, is a neat trick.
 
I'm trying to decide on an eBike and would appreciate some advice - I've been a bike rider for years, but this will be my first eBike. I just got my wife a Lectric XP 3, which is nice, and this would be an option for myself too, but I'm considering other options! As to my use case, I'm over 60 (but very fit) and I ride several times a week for pleasure and exercise. We just moved to a farm (in SW VA), so we have a long gravel driveway and lots of hills. Most, but not all, of the surrounding roads are paved. I don't ride off road on any rugged trails that would be super challenging.

I've been doing a lot of research and I think what I need is a "hybrid" bike that can handle my farm fields, paved roads and paths, and gravel. And hills! The two I have my eye on are the Radster Trail and the Aventon level 2. I'm trying to keep the price to $2K or less. I'm 5'10, by the way.

Thoughts? Are there others I should be considering?

Dave

I have an Evelo Omega that I bought when prices were much lower that I love, but if I had to buy now in your preferred price range, I would be very seriously considering the Lectric ONE Long-Range eBike​

https://lectricebikes.com/products/lectric-one-long-range-ebike?utm_source=Impact&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=rygr_affiliate&irclickid=yBeSHz3LAxyKTRzVtcX6G2djUkC1:GRJ0V-KQM0&irgwc=1&utm_content=Online Tracking Link&utm_term=Ebike Escape

Right now it’s $2299, on sale down from $3019
TOP SPEED
28 mph

RANGE
up to 60 miles

PAYLOAD CAPACITY
330 lbs

MOTOR POWER
1310W peak
750W rear hub-motor (1310W Peak) with 85Nm of torque

PINION GEARBOX!
Semi-Automatic Shifting!
With the Pinion C1.6i six-speed sealed weatherproof gearbox, shifting is done at the touch of a button – quickly, ergonomically, and intuitively. The system shifts while riding, while stationary, and while under load.

Hydraulic brakes

TOOL-FREE ASSEMBLY
Yes

BELT DRIVE!!!

20x2.5'' city tires featuring a reflective strip are equipped with 3mm Hippo Skin with an Aramid Floc Breaker. Shark Skin Protection on the sidewall offers pinch flat protection and all-weather reliability. Slime is installed to prevent flat tires at no additional cost.
Mid Step through

The Lectric ONE is certified to UL 2849. Additionally, the ONE's lithium-ion battery is certified to UL 2271.

By the way, I’m 75, and also pretty fit, probably more like most guys are who are in their 50’s or 60’s, thankfully!
 
As an owner of Lectric One, I wish Lectric had offer the same deal with two batteries for that pricing.
For a compact, belt-drive, Pinion gearbox equipped ebike, there is simply no other offering in the market at its price point.
I have about 300 miles ridden on mine, I don't use the auto-shift feature, but I can see how it would benefit for riders who are not familiar with shifting. The system offers convenience for new riders alike.
The compact package makes it easy to transport & take up less space when not ridden.
For now, the LEctric One has been one of the very well designed ebike that I've owned.
rXmyP2B.jpg


If you're shopping on a budget, consider used ebikes.
I bought a used Ride1Up 700 series, made 3-4 years ago, for $650.
It has 500+ miles from the previous owner, needed some minor tune up.
But still a solid ebike to get started.
R0mUj1y.jpg
 
I'm trying to decide on an eBike and would appreciate some advice - I've been a bike rider for years, but this will be my first eBike. I just got my wife a Lectric XP 3, which is nice, and this would be an option for myself too, but I'm considering other options! As to my use case, I'm over 60 (but very fit) and I ride several times a week for pleasure and exercise. We just moved to a farm (in SW VA), so we have a long gravel driveway and lots of hills. Most, but not all, of the surrounding roads are paved. I don't ride off road on any rugged trails that would be super challenging.

I've been doing a lot of research and I think what I need is a "hybrid" bike that can handle my farm fields, paved roads and paths, and gravel. And hills! The two I have my eye on are the Radster Trail and the Aventon level 2. I'm trying to keep the price to $2K or less. I'm 5'10, by the way.

Thoughts? Are there others I should be considering?

Dave
If You want to stay under 2K, check out a Wallke. You get a whole lot of power and decent range and a good bang for the buck. I to am a older rider. I purchased a Aniioki, but if i was really watching the bottom line, i'd go with Wallke. The H9, or H7 are good machines IMO.
 
There are pros & cons to every ebike. Personally, I like to spend more time riding vs researching.
If you can find a used name brand ebike that cost less, ride it and find out what works, allow yourself to gain more experience.
Then you would be able to determine what the best ebike might suit you, instead of strangers from the web telling you what you need.
 
There are pros & cons to every ebike. Personally, I like to spend more time riding vs researching.
If you can find a used name brand ebike that cost less, ride it and find out what works, allow yourself to gain more experience.
Then you would be able to determine what the best ebike might suit you, instead of strangers from the web telling you what you need.
New or used, the thing i'm leery of is 'model specific parts' that can take forever to arrive. bin there.
 
I'm trying to decide on an eBike and would appreciate some advice - I've been a bike rider for years, but this will be my first eBike. I just got my wife a Lectric XP 3, which is nice, and this would be an option for myself too, but I'm considering other options! As to my use case, I'm over 60 (but very fit) and I ride several times a week for pleasure and exercise. We just moved to a farm (in SW VA), so we have a long gravel driveway and lots of hills. Most, but not all, of the surrounding roads are paved. I don't ride off road on any rugged trails that would be super challenging.

I've been doing a lot of research and I think what I need is a "hybrid" bike that can handle my farm fields, paved roads and paths, and gravel. And hills! The two I have my eye on are the Radster Trail and the Aventon level 2. I'm trying to keep the price to $2K or less. I'm 5'10, by the way.

Thoughts? Are there others I should be considering?

Dave
I have a Level.2 (see my review thread in the Commuter eBikes subforum here) and I started with the heybike equivalent to your wife's XP 3.0.

The Level.2 will do what you want and is a bit better quality than Lectric. (I have a Lectric XP Lite as well) It won't be as good on your gravel driveway as the XP, but will be better on the roads. Much more efficient; goes further on a charge at a given speed, because it's not dragging those knobby lugs against the air all the time. Higher pressure tires means less rolling resistance too.

When you ride together with your wife, you'll have to let her set the pace, because the XP has a cadence sensor which will keep her at a set speed, whereas the Level.2 has a torque sensor. This will allow you to match her speed. If she has to match your speed, she'll likely have to do it with the throttle.

If you want to save a few bucks, Lectric also makes a bike that competes with the Level.2, but will not quite have the quality of the Aventon. (maybe that's fine for you)

Farm fields are going to be rough on ANY eBike, except maybe an expensive dual suspension mountain bike. If you'll be spending any real amount of time trying to ride in farm fields, a fat tire eBike (ex. Aventon Aventure) might be the better choice. Its 20 psi fat tires will smooth things out as much as is reasonable. You'll be pretty inefficient, battery-wise, compared to something like a Level.2, but it will handle the rougher terrain better.

Here's a good video review/comparison between Aventon's Level.2 and Lectric's XPeak, which is their competing model I was talking about earlier. He explains why the Aventon is more expensive. (those things may not matter to you, but they are tangible):

 
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