Help Me with Electric Scooter or Electric Bike or Hoverboard Deals

Hi All,

I need a life and some hobby to pick up as pandemic is making me miserable. I’ve been looking at Electric scooter, bike or hoverboards and need your help deciding which would be a good option.
In short:
I live in a unit and hard to find space. If there’s a good foldable option that’s perfect. My main purpose is to take it to parks, beaches and have fun with it when the lockdown ends in Sydney.
I weigh around 74kg and got a budget around $500. I’ll not use this to commute to work but if I could carry this around my sedan to parks and beaches that would be great.

Comments

  • +4

    Electric scooters & hoverboards are not legal in public in Sydney.

    You're not going to get a decent electric bike for $500.

  • Oh no ! Electric scooters are not legal in Sydney even in parks ? Why is that ? I’ve seen several people in our nearby parks using them. Glad I didn’t hit the trigger.
    I was looking at this one under $500 in eBay plus
    https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/184825305536

    So should I go for foldable electric bike ? I’m happy to increase my budget a bit. Could you guys please give me some options ?

  • Guy I did some research I’m now keen on buying Xiomi Z20 foldable bike. It’s close to $1000. Is there any special or coupons around ?

    https://www.mi-store.com.au/himo-electric-bike-z20-white

  • Hello everyone thank you so much for letting me know scooters and hoverboards are banned in NSW.
    What do you guys think of the Xiomi Himo Z20 bike ? Or do I get the cheaper eBay Vike or something ?
    Do you think the Electric bikes are throttled so that you can’t use them without peddling in NSW ?

  • The foldability of the Himo Z20 is an underrated feature and really makes transporting these badboys a cinch when you get stranded just a little too far from where you'd like to be.
    50-80km is a good range to have on a light e-vehicle.
    If you could ride an escooter legally I'd recommend a Ninebot Max for someone in your weight and budget range.
    I say go for it on the Himo, you'll probably really enjoy it. The motor cuts out after not pedalling for a little while though, so do be advised you'll need to be active no matter what (though you don't have to do much for the motor to kick in, don't worry)

    • Thank you so much for the info and helping me out. Ya I wish escooter was legal here and hope they don’t make it legal after I buy the bike.

      Does the Himo Z20 come throttled meaning you have to pedel the electric non pedel function is turned off for Australia ?
      I’ve seen comments in jbhifi website but YouTube videos don’t tell me this exactly.
      Also can I fold this on a mid size sedan without folding the backseats ?

  • Guys please help me I’m about to purchase the Himo Z20 but found out there’s throttle enabled for Australia that means I cannot use full electric mode. I’m confused now if I have to peddle how is this electric bike?

    • I think you need to pedal it for the first couple seconds to build up momentum, not all the time.

  • Ya I can’t find it anywhere on the Australian version of e-bikes. It seems I have to Pedal all the time compared to the actual function of the Bike which can travel without pedalling.

    Isn’t there a hack for this to disable this throttle?

    How does the Uber riders get away with this rule in NSW ? And what bike do they use ? I see them not pedal most of the times

  • My understanding of the rules, I could be wrong though (DYOR). Pedal assist ebikes can have up to 250w motor but you must pedal to make the motor run.
    "Pedelec" bikes can have max 200w motor and will go without you pedaling.
    Legally, both must stop offering electric assistance at 25km/hr.
    Some 250w I think have take-off assist where you can get going by motor only and no pedaling. Could explain all the delivery riders you see.

    As a rider of a legal ebike, my observation is that a lot of ebikes that overtake me are clearly not legal, have been chipped/modded etc.

    Anyway, why wouldn't you want to pedal?

    • Thank you that’s a great explanation.
      I’m not physically too fit and I feel like if I can’t make it back from the park or I’m exhausted the motor assist will help me ride home. I won’t be using this much but good to have.
      So if I understand correctly with Himo Z20 bike I need to pedal but the motor will help me until 25km/h speed so not much effort required by me, right ?
      Lastly i can only find white colour is that going to be okay for gents ? I actually like white but just double checking.

      • I don't think anyone is going to judge you for riding this bike in white!

        I can't offer much about folding bikes, but I think at 21kg you wouldn't want to be carrying it too far! To/from your car will be fine and I'm pretty sure you'd fit it in the boot of a midsize car.

        Only negative for me would be the mechanical disc brakes instead of hydraulic, but I'm not up with folding bike specs so that could be normal at this price point.

        • Thank you again mate. In terms of white colour is it usually for females as all the product brochures for Himo z20 the male is riding on the grey bike and females on white. What do you think ?

          I won’t be going further than 20km one way. 21kg seems heavy but I need an option to fold it in my car.

          Do you reckon I should pull the trigger for $1000++ ?

          • @justanick: If it was me, I'd go to a bike shop and sit on a few different models, talk to the staff, and maybe do some test rides if they let you. Understand that may not be possible during lockdown though.
            But I honestly wouldn't worry about the white colour if you do pull the trigger. It doesn't come across as a ladies only colour to me.

            • +1

              @Peter Enis: Mate I just pulled the trigger. Bought the last Grey colour in eBay after discount it was $1078 estimate to arrive by 2nd of August. I can’t wait to bike after ages and then plan to take it to various parks and beaches. I don’t think I’ll have the guts to ride on the road yet.

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