E-bikes anyone? (bicycles)

I ended up getting another ebike, and converted my Rad Rover to more cruiser-style for my wife to ride. I got a Specialized Turbo Vado 3.0, and this bike is a dream to ride! I do not miss having a throttle, it rolls so easily and the assist is seamless. Put a Suntour NCX suspension seatpost on it w/ my Bontrager saddle; swapped to Schwalbe Hurricane tires (which are quite nice, very supple); new Ergon GA-3L grips; Race Face Chester pedals. I ride mostly onroad during the week (about 75% pavement, 25% dirt trails), and ride trails on the weekends - not MTB, but more like gravel, multi-use trails. It was hard to put out the coin, but after riding it I could not be happier!

 

Who makes the mid drive motor? Nice looking bike.

 

I hit 500 miles on the X-class this morning.

 

I believe the motor is made by Brose, specifically for Specialized.

 

@little_joe Brose? Did you mean bosch?

 

Nope, Brose. They have been making these motors for some time now, and are also HQ'ed in Germany. They just don't market like Bosch, they are more of a white label provider where the end manufacturer can put their name on the product. Look 'em up: https://www.brose.com/us-en/products/e-bike-drives/

 

Brose is used by Specialized in their Turbo Levo mountain bikes that are the best of the best currently.

 

Hmm, interesting. I never heard of them before. Very cool.

 

Finally got myself one - Trek Allant+ 7S



After looking at what's out there for the last few years I decided that I wanted an integrated motor instead of a kit. So last Tuesday I marched down to the local Trek store and asked for a test ride. They said I could take it out for an hour or so - which I did. I got back and handed them a credit card

I've always spoiled myself with good bikes and felt it was especially important to keep up those standards with an electric. I'm a mountain biker at heart, and whatever I'm on, I tend to ride like a mountain bike. I had a road bike at one point - smashed it up on the first ride. But I also didn't want an electric mountain bike as I prefer to keep that part of my riding analog.

I've ridden into work about every other day since I brought it home. I'd do it more often, but still have to figure out the grocery store angle and am still using the truck for that. But I have taken it to dinner twice. Last Saturday I rode it into Denver - 54 miles round trip and it was a truly transformational experience being able to casually put on that kind of mileage simply for a meal and some fresh air.

I have a bit over 250 miles on it now and love it a little more every time I ride.

First impressions

 

Yeah, Brose is legit.

 

What do you think about that suspension seatpost? I have Gen 1 and 2 Thudbusters & while they help they're a little bouncy.

 

I'm happy with the NCX seatpost. In fact, I have 2 of them, one on each bike (other being a Rad Rover).

While they are not necessarily super-high-end like an eeSilk, with these posts you can tune the preload, swap in different springs, and - as I found - flip the top seatmount around.

The NCX, imho, offsets the seatclamp too far rearward - like 1.5" aft of the actual post. Yes you can adjust the seat forward, but I found I just could not get it set right. So I took one apart, flipped the top around, and now my hips are perfectly aligned over the crank centerline. And riding my Vado is just pure joy, it is so comfortable.

The NCX will bounce on occasion - e.g. if you have full weight on the seat and hit something hard - but it's expected and settles instantly. Really smooths out the chatter of the small stuff.

 

O and that Allant you got is awesome! Wife and I went to a Trek store y'day and had a good long look, they are great bikes. It'll be on our very short list when we look to get another bike - need to sell the Rad as it is just too much for my wife to handle.

 

The Allant is pretty amazing. So far the Bosch system has been crazy good. Battery isn't huge - 500 Wh, but I rode for 5.5 hours yesterday mostly in the lowest assist level and still had 2 bars left when I got home. I think you can put a 625 Wh battery in it if you take out the spacer. Motor has way more power than I use most of the time. I do lean on it heavily getting to work, but just running around in eco mode with nowhere to be, it will run all day - or longer than my butt can sit on a bike seat .

MT 501 brakes are very good. Good components all around actually. I swapped out the bars - they're too narrow, but that's a personal thing. The narrow bars seem to make for a harsher ride too and just overall feel kinda sketchy. Take one for a ride next time you're in. They're a hoot!

 

Congrats, very cool bike!

 

I’m a mountain biker and always resisted the e-bikes, thinking I’d end up getting lazy and not ride as hard. I recently picked up a YT Decoy when they went on sale and have really enjoyed it. I still ride my regular bike most of the time and use this as a luxury when I want to explore more or just have a little time and want to do a quick cruise.
https://us.yt-industries.com/products/bikes/decoy/core-3/425/decoy-mx-core-3/

 

I'm looking to buy my first e-bike. What do you all think of this one?

https://xtrailpro.bandit.bike/indiegogo

 

Pass

No dealer support. Silly design.

Go ride some stuff at a reputable bike dealer. They'll be there to support it when it breaks.

 

4 years ago, I converted my old steel framed, hard tail, GT Richter 8 with a Bafang mid drive.

Best $1200 I've ever spent on two wheels.

I've gone places I wanted to go for over 30 years, but didn't on a straight bike. TOO MUCH Climbing!

Oh, at age 71, getting out there matters.

If I need to get somewhere, I take the VFR800fi ;-)

 

These look pretty sweet

http://drillelectricbikes.com/drill-one-en/

When first I saw them, they were promo at less than $3K. Not any more.