Hello from Southeast Georgia USA

[Edweather]

I have been interested in an bike for awhile and am getting close to pulling the trigger. I'm 69 years old 6' 2" tall and 210 lbs. In good shape. Used to run and bike a lot when younger, and I currently walk 20 miles per week and use my Total Gym 3 times per week. The choices seem overwhelming so if anyone can point me in a good direction to help shorten the rabbit hole, it would be greatly appreciated. The bike would be mostly for street use, and I am budget conscious. A reliable beginner bike seems appropriate but I'm open for any suggestions. Thanks, Ed

 

[HumanPerson]

Welcome to the forums!

 

[HumanPerson]

I have been interested in an bike for awhile and am getting close to pulling the trigger. I'm 69 years old 6' 2" tall and 210 lbs. In good shape. Used to run and bike a lot when younger, and I currently walk 20 miles per week and use my Total Gym 3 times per week. The choices seem overwhelming so if anyone can point me in a good direction to help shorten the rabbit hole, it would be greatly appreciated. The bike would be mostly for street use, and I am budget conscious. A reliable beginner bike seems appropriate but I'm open for any suggestions. Thanks, Ed

So you have a bike you are comfortable on already?

How is the terrain where ya live?

1000w BBSHD build or a 1500w hub drive build.

 

[Smaug]

Welcome, from SE Wisconsin! (where are you located?)

What's your budget? I wouldn't bother with anything less than $800. $1k gets you something with gears. $1500-2k gets you something pretty nice.

How hilly is your local terrain?

By the way, what do you call an injured runner? A cyclist.
What do you call a broke cyclist? A runner.

I think an Aventon Pace 500.3 is a good upright city option; might want to add rack & fenders. Quality is good. You can find a local shop to help you with it if needed. It rolls smoothly on larger diameter tires, so even unpowered it is pedal-able.

 

[Edweather]

So you have a bike you are comfortable on already?

How is the terrain where ya live?

1000w BBSHD build or a 1500w hub drive build.

Haven't had a bike in years. Had a typical 10 speed back in the day and 20 miles in an afternoon was nothing. Definitely need to get my biking muscles back in shape. Terrain here in SE GA is flat. Have been looking at a Lectric 3.0 for about $1000.

 

[Edweather]

Welcome, from SE Wisconsin! (where are you located?)

What's your budget? I wouldn't bother with anything less than $800. $1k gets you something with gears. $1500-2k gets you something pretty nice.

How hilly is your local terrain?

By the way, what do you call an injured runner? A cyclist.
What do you call a broke cyclist? A runner.

I think an Aventon Pace 500.3 is a good upright city option; might want to add rack & fenders. Quality is good. You can find a local shop to help you with it if needed. It rolls smoothly on larger diameter tires, so even unpowered it is pedal-able.

My budget is a bit small. Maybe a grand or so. I'm in extreme SE GA and the terrain is flat and flatter. I have been looking at a Lectric XP 3.0 for $1000. I will check out the Aventon Pace 500.3, thanks.

 

[Edweather]

Does it matter step thru or not?

 

[Smaug]

My budget is a bit small. Maybe a grand or so. I'm in extreme SE GA and the terrain is flat and flatter. I have been looking at a Lectric XP 3.0 for $1000. I will check out the Aventon Pace 500.3, thanks.

XP 3.0 Pros:

• Folds for easy storage, if that is a concern. (however it's too heavy to lift regularly)
• 20x3" knobby tires would be better on unpaved trails and roads; might be better next time a hurricane hits down there. Inner tubes also come filled with Slime, so flats are less likely
• Comes with useful accessories
• Has a great catalog of other accessories
• Rear rack can carry more weight
• Frame-mounted front rack option; this bike is a workhorse!
• More secure in city environments, since the key is also needed to turn the bike on. (Aventon only needs the key to remove the battery)

Pace 500.3 Pros:

• Larger diameter wheels/tires roll more efficiently on pavement. Much easier to pedal unpowered; will translate to more range if needed or a smaller, lighter battery with the same range.
• Nicer componentry overall (brakes, electronics, shifter, derailleur)
• Frame-integrated rear lighting includes brake light & turn signals.
• More chance of finding a local shop that will service it if needed; Aventon has a larger network of contracted shops.
• Longer warranty (I think)
• Torque sensor has a more natural feel and is more efficient than the XP's cadence sensor
• Easier to remove battery; don't need to fold the frame closed. It drops right out with a simple key & latch.

Does it matter step thru or not?

Step-through is easier to mount dismount if you're big or have health issues. On the Lectric, the bottom bracket (crank) is lower than the step over model.

 

[Annieolnie]

My budget is a bit small. Maybe a grand or so. I'm in extreme SE GA and the terrain is flat and flatter. I have been looking at a Lectric XP 3.0 for $1000. I will check out the Aventon Pace 500.3, thanks.

You might want to also check out Upway. They buy up companies and shops overstocks and also sell used. Inventory changes quickly, anything that lists with less than 3 miles on it is obviously new. They are a reputable seller. Do you want it to be a folder? I still like the Ride1up Portola if that's what you are looking for.

 

[JerryB]

Welcome.....take a hard look at Lectric bikes.....they have several models in your price range. I have a a XP 2.0 with over 1000 miles and love it.....good luck.

 

[Chuy]

Welcome aboard.
Watch TailHappyTV youtube videos. He does bike reviews and conducts his own relevant ride tests. He points out good values and issues some bikes may have. Start with his 10-month video, “I Reviewed 100 affordable Ebikes, These are the BEST.” That is for bikes he reviewed in 2023. In a couple months he’ll have the 2024 reviewed bikes.

 

[Annieolnie]

"Ebike Escape" is another good YouTube channel. He goes over the different available programming selections on the display, which is something that people don't realize matters until they own the bike.

 

[Edweather]

I am really appreciating everyone's suggestions. I watched the Tailrider video. I am interested in doing as much pedaling as possible. Which tires pedal best, and is there a big difference between tire sizes and thicknesses? Right now I'm leaning toward Lectric 2.0 or 3.0. Seems like a good beginner bike with good customer support. A bit concerned about my 6' 2" height which seems to be at about the max for a Lectric bike. Thanks

 

[Smaug]

I am really appreciating everyone's suggestions. I watched the Tailrider video. I am interested in doing as much pedaling as possible. Which tires pedal best, and is there a big difference between tire sizes and thicknesses? Right now I'm leaning toward Lectric 2.0 or 3.0. Seems like a good beginner bike with good customer support. A bit concerned about my 6' 2" height which seems to be at about the max for a Lectric bike. Thanks

If you're going to be doing as much pedaling as possible, you should eliminate the XP 2.0 (obsolete model) and 3.0, as they have a cadence sensor and inefficient tires.

For the same price, better quality and better pedaling, check out the Aventon Soltera.2. It has larger diameter, smoother tires for easy rolling and a torque sensor for natural pedaling feel. It's also lighter, so the lower power is offset by that at speeds under 20 mph.

 

[Edweather]

If you're going to be doing as much pedaling as possible, you should eliminate the XP 2.0 (obsolete model) and 3.0, as they have a cadence sensor and inefficient tires.

For the same price, better quality and better pedaling, check out the Aventon Soltera.2. It has larger diameter, smoother tires for easy rolling and a torque sensor for natural pedaling feel. It's also lighter, so the lower power is offset by that at speeds under 20 mph.

Thanks, looks pretty good.

 

[Annieolnie]

I'm going to post a map of the bike shops in your area that carry Aventon. You can always take one for a spin and then buy online when it's on sale, that is part of their plan. You need to figure out what fits you and what feels comfortable when you hit the throttle. It also just helps to set eyes on some. I ran into a fellow who had bought a Sinch and I was shocked at how big it was. I thought it was a nice little foldy, but the thing is a beast. You don't want to get fooled in either direction.

 

[jskicet]

I'm sure there is always something better out there, but I bought my wife the HeyBike Horizon. We live in the mountains in western NC. I really like riding her bike. It pulls the hills nicely and the battery surprisingly to me last almost as long as the 25 ah battery in my bike. She is a little lighter than me. The ride is great being full suspension and it's a step through that folds. Brakes work great. It's nice built bike with many extras for the price. It is a 48v 14.5.ah battery but it comes with a 4a charger which fully charges in about 3 hours. Mine takes 9-10 hours. Not the biggest (battery) or the best but should work fine in the flats. It does great on the steep hills here. Also it has 24 inch/4 inch fat tires which I think are the perfect size, at least for me. One other thing. I like the app you can use with the bike to easily make adjustments to your pedal assist speeds instead of messing with the controller on the handlebar as well as trip summaries and other stuff. It's a lot bigger than it looks online. So if you're a tall guy you should be really comfortable on it. Here's the link if you want to check it out. I bought the blue one for her. Just another option. https://www.heybike.com/products/horizon?variant=45181458972891

 

[Edweather]

Thanks for the thoughtful reply. Very nice looking bike. Will definitely keep it in mind. Amazing how much is out there these days.

 

[jobtraklite]

Welcome, from SE Wisconsin! (where are you located?)

What's your budget? I wouldn't bother with anything less than $800.$1k gets you something with gears. $1500-2k gets you something pretty nice.

How hilly is your local terrain?

By the way, what do you call an injured runner? A cyclist.
What do you call a broke cyclist? A runner.

I think an Aventon Pace 500.3 is a good upright city option; might want to add rack & fenders. Quality is good. You can find a local shop to help you with it if needed. It rolls smoothly on larger diameter tires, so even unpowered it is pedal-able.

I'll counter here. I agree with the Aventon Pace, but not "I wouldn't bother with anything less than $800". I was hooked by the weirdness and humor of a youtube ad/review for the cheapest mountain bike on Amazon (https://bermpeak.substack.com/p/i-tested-amazons-cheapest-e-mountain). I opted for the commuter/cruiser version , the Funhang EB-c1.

I was extremely impressed by the quality and features, and still am after about 400 miles. The only negative (at least for some people) is that the front shock is not adjustable.

And I paid $428 at Amazon, including shipping.