Commuter E-Bike Recommendation

Celebie on 16/06/2023 - 11:40

Ahoy Lads,

I'm in the market for a commuter bicycle. I purchased a folding 16" ebike recently but it suffers from poor battery life (36V 6.4Ah 250W) and it definitely struggles on steeper roads. I understand that folding bikes are more of a novelty thing kind of like an adult BMX (and it is indeed a blast to ride), but since my commute is somewhat long (about 45 minutes each way), I'd prefer something I can more comfortably ride without needing to think too hard about taking turns.

After doing my own research, I'm really after something with a big ass battery, sufficient torque and a mid-drive motor. My budget is around 3 to 3.5K. I was looking at the Cleverly Commuter bikes for reference and it seems to tick a lot of boxes but I'm curious if there's a better deal on the market. I'm not savvy enough to know if something like the Cleverley is good value.

Thanks for reading friends, all the best.

Sports & Outdoors Electric Bicycle

Comments

  • zoombie on 16/06/2023 - 12:59

    The bike above is ok for your purpose but you will have trouble re-selling it. No one heard of the brand.

    For $3.5k you can get a Bosch motor from a German brand Cube.
    https://www.99bikes.com.au/electric/commuter?battery_size_wa…

    • Celebie on 16/06/2023 - 16:40

      Hey Mate, appreciate the reply. Could you give me some pointers for what parts or specs I'm exactly looking for?

      • zoombie on 16/06/2023 - 17:55
        +1

        There are a few things you want:
        1) Reliability
        2) Warranty
        3) Support

        1 - The Bafang motor I believe is fairly reliable, lots of UberEat guys use them. I can tell you from experience that the Bosch motor is also very reliable
        2 - These unknown brand that are popping up, I don't know how good they are when it comes to warranty. 99Bikes is a big brand with numerous stores through out the country, any problems, you can take it to their shop
        3 - Support - same thing as warranty.

        In terms of the bikes components, you won't get high end components at this price point. You have the frame, brake, tyres, gears, motor and battery. Obviously as ebike you want the best motor and battery. Bafang is Chinese made, Bosch is German but like I've said, the Bafang is reliable but Bosch is Germans and the Germans stuff will have higher value in people's mind over Chinese made.

        Other components like brakes, gears etc… for a commuter, it won't matter too much.

        I honestly think you should get the Cube bike from 99bikes as it's a better deal. Had your budget been $2k then a Bafang motor would have been fine, but for the same price point of $3.5k I would pick the Bosch/99Bikes over this unknown brand.

        I just look at Cleverly bike again, one advantage it does have over the Cube bike is the internal drive. That's pretty cool for this price point.

        • osherrah on 16/06/2023 - 18:31

          I bought the Cube Nuride Hybrid Performance 400 Electric Hybrid Bike Graphite/Black (2022) for $2995 from 99bikes a couple months ago and I love it.

          It's built really well and rides like a dream. I'm around 95kg and it's powerful enough for me, only charging the battery maybe once a week (this will include my ~10min return commute to work on turbo mode x2-3, plus a 40km exercise ride on the lowest power setting).

          On a side note, a factor about the Cube brand that separates it from the rest is that it hides all the wiring in the frame so it doesn't look like you're riding around on this beefy elec bike, but the battery is still removable for you to charge separately.

          • Celebie on 16/06/2023 - 18:45

            @osherrah: Thank you for your reply mate, super helpful.

            Is the speed capped on that bike? Is there a way to set the speed cap?

            • osherrah on 19/06/2023 - 19:38

              @Celebie: Glad I could help, and yeah the power assist stops at 25km/h as per legal requirements.

        • Celebie on 16/06/2023 - 19:08

          Thanks for the reply.

          Interesting to see you make a point about the internal drive. From what I'm reading online, the enviolo is a less efficient system to a well maintained chain and derailleur system. Supposedly the trade-off is that it's much quieter and easier to maintain though.

    • PreferredMode on 18/12/2023 - 11:39

      I own a Cleverley. They are an Australian brand and building outstanding commuter bikes and have excellent customer service.

      Apples to apples. The Bafang has 80Nm of torque vs the 65Nm on the Cube’s Bosch and the Cleverley offers the 630w (17.5ah - long range) battery for the $3500 price. Add to that, the discussed low-maintaince Enviolo hub which you’ll find on $8k+ bikes.

      Just my two cents.

  • sharkyoz on 16/06/2023 - 15:16

    Have a look at Pedl.com.au
    Bought my Cullen vers4 from them, 2000watt motor, hydraulic brakes, 48v 17.5Ah battery for less than $1500 in May last year.

    I'm 130kg and this gets up to 60kph on the flats, bike still going strong.
    They do a number of bikes, and if I was to purchase another, I'd buy a mid-drive, as powerful as you can get it.

    • bargaino on 16/06/2023 - 16:35

      I think the OP wants an actual e-bike, not some ghetto unregistered motorbike.

      • Celebie on 16/06/2023 - 16:40

        Yeah would definitely like something street legal.

      • sharkyoz on 16/06/2023 - 17:16
        -1

        this is an ebike.
        and doesnt need registering, its a bloody ebike
        as long as its driven by pedal assist, makes no nevermind about the size of motor or speed it can go
        the illegal bit is using the throttle control, …not pedal assist

        • jv on 16/06/2023 - 17:20
          +4

          makes no nevermind about the size of motor or speed it can go

          Not true.

          "with an electric motor that has a maximum continued rated power of 250 watts. "

          https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/safety-and-road-rules/cyclis…

          • bargaino on 16/06/2023 - 17:46

            @jv:

            What is not a power assisted bicycle?
            A motorised bicycle is not classed as a bicycle if:

            the motor is not an auxiliary source of power (a person must still be able to propel the bicycle via pedals without the motor operating).
            the motor's power output exceeds 200 watts (whether or not the motor is operating) unless it is an EPAC [ 250W with 25km/h limit].
            These are considered to be motorcycles. The rider will be required to hold a motorcycle licence and have the vehicle registered before it can be used on the road network. Motorcycles cannot be ridden on footpaths or bicycle paths. Motorcycle riders must wear an approved motorcycle helmet.

            I think electric motorcycles are a great idea. By they should meet the same safety standards and regulation as petrol powered motorbikes. Making them cheaper to register would be good.

            • freefall101 on 16/06/2023 - 18:39

              @bargaino: There's a few of them around, the biggest problem is the price and weight of batteries. While a car having a very low centre of gravity bank of batteries is a good thing, on a bike they need to be stacked and are more difficult to ride.

              Having seen people break bones in motorbike crashes at 60km/h with full gear on, screw riding a motorised pushbike

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