Need Advice Buying an Ebike

DontNeedThis on 28/06/2023 - 10:23

Hey all,

Looking to grab an e-bike in the EOFY sales, but I'm a total novice. I've randomly found the following bikes, but I'm not sure which one to go with. Key things for me are durability, good assist power (my legs are weak), and a removable battery for separate charging. Cheaper is better, but I don't want to sacrifice too much quality.

Also, please note that I'm only using the bike to commute in CBD.

https://www.reidcycles.com.au/products/reid-pulse-gents-ebik…
https://www.electrickicks.com.au/products/aventon-pace-v2-35…
https://rideignite.com.au/products/commuter-step-thru?variant=42246126731402¤cy=AUD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&utm_campaign=gs-2021-12-23&utm_source=google&utm_medium=smart_campaign&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIo8aVwcjk_wIVmkkrCh2pJgKMEAQYECABEgLK6PD_BwE
https://www.reidcycles.com.au/products/blacktop-matte-black-…
https://www.mytopia.com.au/valk-metro-tr-5-electric-hybrid-b…

Anyone got advice, experience, or recommendations they can share?

Thanks in advance!

Find Me A Bargain Electric Bicycle

Comments

  • DontNeedThis on 28/06/2023 - 10:24

    Sorry for the ridiculously long links. I'm posting on my phone and can't bother with shortening the urls.

  • jv on 28/06/2023 - 10:26
    +1

    Need Advice Buying an Ebike

    Calling @Clear

  • Hybroid on 28/06/2023 - 10:29

    I personally have NCMs after seeing so many food delivery people use them and trying it out. Many local bicycle shops will let you do so.

    https://www.leoncycle.com.au/e-mountain-bike/

    Both the Moscow and Aspen models are very good. You can get a modded kit to enable the throttle control trigger at all times instead of just pedal assist (note: this makes it illegal on the public roads, but I only ever use it off-road and it's so incredibly useful for steep gravel inclines).

    Prices have gone up recently but still worth considering.

    • brad1-8tsi on 28/06/2023 - 11:04

      Agree, very popular where I live.

    • DontNeedThis on 28/06/2023 - 11:07

      Thanks mate. Are the NCMs commuter bikes?

      • Hybroid on 28/06/2023 - 12:14
        +1

        Those are mountain bikes but no reason cannot be used for commute. They do have a wider ranger of other types if you're looking for more lightweight or compact etc but haven't tried those.

        This one's heavily reduced to $999: https://www.leoncycle.com.au/ncm-c5-e-trekking-bike-ebike-ci…

        • DontNeedThis on 30/06/2023 - 14:53

          Thanks mate. How does this compare to Moscow?

          I just test drove a Moscow and I really like it

          • Hybroid on 30/06/2023 - 16:21

            @DontNeedThis: I haven't used any other models so wouldn't be able to compare.

            Moscow is the sensible go-to default option. Certainly a nice ebike. Aspen if you want a fat bike for off-road gravel and sand riding specifically.

            Looks like it's on offer at the moment for $2,199 with free extra battery: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/784849

      • Speckled Jim on 29/06/2023 - 09:30

        Just comparing spec and based on appearance, the NCM for $999 looks to be a cut above the five listed at top. Road tyres, hybrid style bike and a fixie so no gears to worry about.
        At least in vfm terms, it would be my pick.

  • mywifeisgrumpy on 28/06/2023 - 10:46
    +2

    Hi, I bought my first e-bike a few months back and did a lot of research. Like you, it's pretty much for day-to-day commuting. I ended up buying this:
    https://www.99bikes.com.au/cube22-kathmandu-hybrid-pro-625-f…
    It was a little more than I budgeted for but - it's superb. My main thing was that I wanted as much power as possible and this thing has 85nm, which is excellent for climbing hills and accelerating. It's got a large battery that lasts ages and it rides beautifully.
    I'm no bike expert, but just thought I'd let you know that I'm extremely happy with this model. I'm basically leaving my car home most days so I can kind of justify the extra cost in terms of reducing wear and tear on my car, less petrol etc. Kind of :)
    One thing that I consistently heard, and that has turned out to be true, is that people who buy an e-bike end up spending a lot more time on them. It's certainly true for me.
    If you're in Adelaide feel free to come and have a test ride.
    Cheers

    • DontNeedThis on 28/06/2023 - 11:10

      Thanks for all the details mate and thanks for your test drive offer (I'm in Melbourne). Unfortunately, this bike seems to be oos, and 99bikes seems to be the only store that sells them in AU. They said they won't be restocking them either.

  • brad1-8tsi on 28/06/2023 - 11:06
    +2

    Personally, I'd go for mid-drive rather than hub drive.

    I love my Giant Talon e+1 but you want something more road orientated

    • DontNeedThis on 28/06/2023 - 11:11

      Any suggestions for a road bike under $2K? Did you like any of the ones that I linked to?

    • D-pt on 28/06/2023 - 11:23

      How long have you had the talon for? I picked up a 2023 one a few weeks ago and am loving it so far.

      • brad1-8tsi on 29/06/2023 - 08:34

        February.
        My partner wanted one. I was going to convert my Salsa to E but decided it would ruin a nice bike so I got one too.

        Love it. I use it for everything. commuting, dirt roads, fire trails. Too busy to do anything harder yet

  • D-pt on 28/06/2023 - 11:15

    I would recommend getting a mid drive over a hub driven motor, if you have any inclines on your route, i use a Giant Talon E +1, which is great, but overkill too. The Cubes use a Bosch motor which the general consensus is the best you can get.

    Youre probably safe with an ncm bike, but i would make sure you choose a bike that a bike shop will work on and service, they dont do that with any generic chinese brands usually.

    • D-pt on 28/06/2023 - 11:22

      I just had a look at your links, my pick would be the last one, the valk. Its good that it has front and rear lights hardwired in, as you need them legally for a commuter anyways.

      Ananda is a brand thats known, not top of its class but not some no name either, id still call a few bike shops and see if they would work on it though too, its good to have it serviced and set up before you start commuting on it (unless you know how to do all that stuff anyways)

    • DontNeedThis on 28/06/2023 - 11:22

      Thanks for commenting. The giant is a bit out of my budget. Will I have any luck finding anything worthwhile for under $2K?

  • franco cozzo on 28/06/2023 - 12:08
    -2

    and your legs will remain weak…remember, no pain no gain!

    • DontNeedThis on 28/06/2023 - 12:14

      You have a point, but I'm not buying this bike for excersise.

    • Fudnut on 29/06/2023 - 08:25
      +3

      That's not true, unless you ride everywhere at max assistance. With an e-bike, you can set the level of 'pain' you want to endure… plus you have to deal with the extra weight, so a good workout for the arms lifting it up onto your bike rack :)

  • Bid Sniper on 28/06/2023 - 14:02

    LOL bought a OZbargain Mercedes Ebike, actually turned out really good.
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/752762

    I walked into Reid cycles not long ago, they will let you test out their Ebikes, so probally best way to get an idea what you want.

  • RichardRides on 29/06/2023 - 08:05

    Best thing you can do is go and test-ride the bikes. My wife and I test-rode the Aventon and the NCM in Melbourne - found them to be very different bikes. We didn’t ride the Valk but pretty sure there was a shop in Melbourne selling them and that model does look quite good.

    FWIW, we ended up spending more $ and buying https://lekkerbikes.com.au/products/jordaan-gt-ebike?variant… which we both love riding.

  • 29SSK on 29/06/2023 - 08:40

    Suggest you look at TEBCO, there showroom is in Sandringham in Tulip St.
    They are the importers and retail via bike shops.
    I have done over 2000km without any problem and friends have done much more.

  • Rob-4x4 on 29/06/2023 - 09:35
    +1

    Consider if you need a mid-drive or hub drive bike.

    Mid drive where the motor is with the crank means you have access to all the normal gears of a bike.

    So middrive are generally better for hilly terrain.

    Hub drive is better suited to flatish terrain as you have much more limited gearing options.

    But hub drive bikes are much cheaper than middrive .. so price is the only advantage of hub drive

    You can convert existing bike frames with kits for both hub drive and midrive available. BAFANG make some nice conversion kits and if you have a little bike mechanical skills you can DIY the install

    My idea ebike, if money was no object, would be a mid drive with a Rohloff geared hub and belt drive.. then put this setup in the frame set appropriate for the riding you do …

    Also remember in Australia the maximum lawful power for a ebike you can ride on the road or public places is only 250 Watt … I have seen upto 1000 watt hub drive bikes advertised which are only lawful to ride on private property in Australia.

    • shap08 on 29/06/2023 - 09:44
      +1

      Second a bafang mid drive. You cant fault them over 4,000kms on my bike.

      Get a hard tail and a suspension seat post for commuting

      I daily this https://cycleaddiction.com.au/product/frey-ht1000/

    • lost in transit on 29/06/2023 - 12:50

      Do you have to keep peddling with the mid drive where as you don’t with a hub drive ?????

      • shap08 on 29/06/2023 - 13:13

        you can have a throttle. Most hubs are pedal assist so you need to be pedalling for the motor to operate.

        • lost in transit on 29/06/2023 - 14:32

          A mate bought two bikes with rear hub and there’s no peddling if you don’t want to.
          I’ve ridden it once and prefer to have that option to be honest..

  • BartholemewH on 29/06/2023 - 12:01

    Saw the below on OzB classifieds - Melbourne

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/784273

    • shap08 on 29/06/2023 - 12:22

      father-in-law has one of these. Very smooth ride.

  • servodude on 29/06/2023 - 14:48

    I went for one of these when the price first dropped
    https://www.lawrenciacycles.com.au/momentum-transend-e-e-bik…

    It's a very nice ride (and great for commuting - though I've kitted it out with guards and a rack)

    • DontNeedThis on 29/06/2023 - 15:00

      Thanks. Is that a real discount? $2K off?

  • DontNeedThis on 02/07/2023 - 23:44
    +1

    Thank you all for your helpful comments. I decided to go with an NCM.

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