First Electric Bike Choice - HELP !!!
Discussion
Mrs BC and I have been riding Speicalized Globe Hybrids for some years now. We’re now looking to extend our range and time by going electric. We’ve been looking at:-
Specialized Turbo Vado SL 4.0 - This is really light for an EV and I liked it for lots of reasons though it needs the range extender which brings the price to around £3000. A downside is that it can only be charged with the battery in the bike.
Cube Kathmandu Hybrid ABS 750 - This is a very well equipped bike which needs nothing added. It has a great range but it’s very heavy which could be an issue getting 2 of them onto our bike rack. The other advantage is that the battery comes out of the frame so can be charged away from the bike.
Any other thoughts recommendations?
Specialized Turbo Vado SL 4.0 - This is really light for an EV and I liked it for lots of reasons though it needs the range extender which brings the price to around £3000. A downside is that it can only be charged with the battery in the bike.
Cube Kathmandu Hybrid ABS 750 - This is a very well equipped bike which needs nothing added. It has a great range but it’s very heavy which could be an issue getting 2 of them onto our bike rack. The other advantage is that the battery comes out of the frame so can be charged away from the bike.
Any other thoughts recommendations?
Barchettaman said:
Your decision will also depend on the type of riding you and your wife intend to do.
Let us know. Canal paths? Light trails? MTB trails? On Road stuff? ‘Gravel’?
I have an e-hardtail (Bosch drive), an e-commuter (also Bosch but a newer generation) and a Swytch converted e-folder (pulls to 20mph, utterly hilarious). My wife has an e-hybrid bike for commuting and light trails.
If the only reason for getting that Specialized is weight, well two normal e bikes WITH THE BATTERIES REMOVED are fine on a standard Thule tow hitch carrier.
That Cube has all the fruit, add panniers and you’ll be sorted for touring.
Even a standard e-commuter with a basic suspension fork is remarkably capable off road. I took my wife with me on a local trail that involved a bumpy and technical dried up stream bed, she absolutely bloody loved it and the bike coped fine.
Thanks for that. We mainly like to ride country lanes around East Anglia, very little off road for us.Let us know. Canal paths? Light trails? MTB trails? On Road stuff? ‘Gravel’?
I have an e-hardtail (Bosch drive), an e-commuter (also Bosch but a newer generation) and a Swytch converted e-folder (pulls to 20mph, utterly hilarious). My wife has an e-hybrid bike for commuting and light trails.
If the only reason for getting that Specialized is weight, well two normal e bikes WITH THE BATTERIES REMOVED are fine on a standard Thule tow hitch carrier.
That Cube has all the fruit, add panniers and you’ll be sorted for touring.
Even a standard e-commuter with a basic suspension fork is remarkably capable off road. I took my wife with me on a local trail that involved a bumpy and technical dried up stream bed, she absolutely bloody loved it and the bike coped fine.
We liked the Cube Kathmandu and will take a look at the Haibike Trekking which seems very similar. The big advantage for us is the removable battery but I keep coming back to the Vado looking and riding like a bike. The Cube seems like a quasi moped.
Moominho said:
bad company said:
I think we’ve decided on a pair or Cube Kathmandu Pro 750’s. They’re a bit heavy but not too bad with the batteries out. They also fit nicely on our BMW bike rack.
I really like the Flow sat nav built into the display, looks much easier to use than my old Garmin Edge.
I test rode a Cube Kathmandu and a Giant Explore E+, both were very enjoyable. I am leaning towards the Giant as it’s slightly cheaper and a slightly larger battery but there was no discernible difference. I really like the Flow sat nav built into the display, looks much easier to use than my old Garmin Edge.
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff