"Hybrid" eBikes - can anyone recommend?

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eddiewould

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

#257400 1-Oct-2019 09:20

Hey,

Looking to buy a first eBike as a commuter. The 45km/h "max speed" of the Hybrid M18 (speedmaster) looks appealing. Can anyone personally recommend this bike? PS $5000 is already pushing the budget for me, ideally I want to spend less. It gets a really strong review in the Consumer magazine, not sure how much weight to put on that.

I'm pretty certain I want a mid-drive, hydrualic disc brakes are a non-negotiable. I don't care so much about range but rather hill climbing performance/top speed is more important to me.

Cheers,

Eddie

Delphinus

611 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2327520 1-Oct-2019 10:37

I think the 300W motor might struggle to climb steep hills. I would strongly suggest taking it for a test ride first. How steep are the hills you're thinking of?

I also think you'd have to pedal hard to get 45km/h out of 300W.

eddiewould

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2327558 1-Oct-2019 11:40

Hey,

I'm in Wellington so looking to go up some fairly steep hills (Brooklyn, Karori, Mt Cook etc). I don't expect it to fly up the hills at 45km/h but looking for the bike with the best hill climbing ability. This one came out really well in the consumer review, perhaps only behind the Specialized Vado.

If there's a bike with more "grunt" but less range, I guess that would be the bike for me!

Delphinus

611 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2327622 1-Oct-2019 12:12

Take it for a ride first and then that will answer your question.

There are higher power bikes that are designed for off road use but for road riding you're legally limited to 300W.

baplaski

28 posts

Geek

#2327634 1-Oct-2019 12:54

I've been commuting on an ebike for the past year. I've been cycling to work probably a couple of days a week for about 10 years.

I highly recommend this review site - https://electricbikesnz.com/, I was underwhelmed by the Consumer ebike reviews. I'm a bit dubious about this bike, a carbon fibre frame seems like additional cost for minimal benefit (the bike still weights 22kg), and clipless pedals? nah. $5K can get you a LOT of ebike.

Go visit Wellington Electric Bikes (in Petone and in the CBD near TSB Arena), and Switched On Bikes (Queens Wharf) and see what they've got. Before you buy, don't just go for a test ride, ask to take the bike overnight and ride it in both directions on your actual commute to see it it works for you, some of them just don't feel right.

Don't discount the step-through bikes, they're not a "girls bike" anymore. For a commuter, built-in lights, a built-in lock and decent mudguards are great, and hub gears are good if you want very low maintenance. I wanted a mountain-esque ebike, but we were buying the bike for my wife and ended up with a commuter step-through, and I don't regret it because I ride to work on it rain or shine (and I live at the top of a big hill).

To me, one of the things that changed about ebike commuting was that I started just wearing my work clothes on the bike because I don't get as sweaty. That means instead of a 35 minute ride home plus changing before I ride and showering afterwards, It's a 20 minute ride home and I just walk in the door without needing a shower. It's a big time saving. It's not something I'd even thought about before I started ebiking. I have rainpaints, serious raincoat and waterproof boots when it's pissing down and arrive home bone dry.

eddiewould

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2327682 1-Oct-2019 13:17

Thanks guys, that's pretty helpful.

I will obviously be test-driving whatever I buy before purchasing, but asking to take it overnight for the actual commute is a good tip - thanks for that!

I was a bit skeptical about the benefits of carbon-fibre for an eBike (given the already heavy weight).

The Specialized Turbo Vado 3.0 Step-Through is another one I'm considering:

https://www.chainreaction.co.nz/products/specialized-2020-turbo-vado-3-0-step-through

Pretty sweet looking ride.

baplaski

28 posts

Geek

#2327694 1-Oct-2019 13:39

Now THAT's a nice bike. Do iRide have it?

https://electricbikesnz.com/2017/06/03/specialized-turbo-vado-3-0-the-tech-savvy-younger-sister/

eddiewould

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2327720 1-Oct-2019 13:50

Cycle Science (out in the Hutt) have it listed (but possibly not in stock):

https://www.cyclescience.co.nz/product/2053155

Might take it for a spin out there.

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kotuku4

483 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#2327835 1-Oct-2019 15:43

Hi I have the Turbo Vado 1.0, limited to around 30km/h, and has smaller battery capacity. Was on special but with guards, rack, lights, bag well over $4000.

The motor can be re programmed to 45 Km/h. But I prefer the lower speed for a short commute, and more power use would shorten the range.

Previous bike was an old Volto Falcon (now Evinci) brushless rear hub drive. Was taken out at a roundabout early February, and wrote the bike off.

I was damaged too, still getting physio. I don't recommend getting hit by a car.

The volto had more grunt. The vado is much lighter, efficient and more refined, but twice the cost.

It feels like alot to spend on a bike, but I use it and save on vehicle running and maintenance.

zenourn

271 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#2329461 4-Oct-2019 09:56

eddiewould:

The Specialized Turbo Vado 3.0 Step-Through is another one I'm considering:

https://www.chainreaction.co.nz/products/specialized-2020-turbo-vado-3-0-step-through

Pretty sweet looking ride.

I have this bike with the 45 km/hr limit (use it for a 30 km commute each way). Added a suspension seatpost and rides like a dream. Love the rack for panniers instead of a backpack.

Mid-drive brose motor has lots of torque and goes up hills with ease. Outputs more than the 250 W nominal when required (up hill, strong head winds).

Need to upgrade the front chainring to a 48T if going for 45 km/hr as otherwise cadence is too high and also wear out lower ring on cassette too much.