eBike for My Old Man

LIpz on 10/02/2024 - 10:25
Last edited 10/02/2024 - 14:08 by 1 other user

Hi everyone,
I'm looking for an eBike for my father who is 67 years old, to help him commute about 20 kms per day every second day, and for a bit of exercise. He is physically fine with no issues in terms of health.

Could someone kindly suggest which of these bikes are suitable for the purpose and better value? Or if you could recommend any other bikes within the same range?

https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/a/road-e-bikes/merida/vic/sp…

https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/a/city-e-bikes/momentum/vic/…

https://lekkerbikes.com.au/products/jordaan-urban-ebike

https://www.99bikes.com.au/velectrix-brunswick-electric-comm…

Thanks so much!

Electrical & Electronics Electric Bicycle

Comments

  • sumyungguy on 10/02/2024 - 10:40
    +3

    Merida eSpresso with a mid-drive is the best of the three. Momentum Lafree has a rack-mounted battery which makes the centre of gravity unpleasantly high. Lekker Jordaan has a front-mounted hub motor which excludes the benefits of a rear hub; torque-sensing power assistance and kindness to your drivetrain.

    • Ipz on 10/02/2024 - 11:40

      Thank you, good points made.

    • Ipz on 10/02/2024 - 11:42

      Would you recommend any other bike, other than the bikes I have shortlisted?

      • sumyungguy on 10/02/2024 - 11:57
        +1

        I prefer the rigidity of a normal frame. I used to commute 45km round trip over five weekdays. Assuming his route is not especially hilly I'd suggest this at $1,979 You need after-sales support, guards, rear rack, disc brakes, more than one gear, mid-drive or rear hub. The VelectriX has a belt drive which is highly desirable.

        $2,998 buys a Merida eSpeeder 400 EQ 10-speed with hydraulic disc brakes and MAHLE ebikemotion X35+ hub. Sub 16kg compared with the VelectriX at 22kg.

        • Ipz on 10/02/2024 - 12:25

          Thanks @sumyungguy
          Velectrix looks good in this one. I'm looking for a bike in small size. Merida is only available in Large.
          Do you think Velectrix is reasonable brand in terms of after sales support and warranty claims etc. What is the warranty like, is it two years? I couldn't find this information online.

        • Speckled Jim on 11/02/2024 - 11:26

          That Brunswick looks like a low-maintenance bargain. Really like that one!

          • shaybisc on 11/02/2024 - 12:16

            @Speckled Jim: Not much overall gear range on the Nexus 3 speed - 186%. It's 307% on the 8 speed. Will that be a problem on a 60 Nm mid drive? I have no idea.

            • Speckled Jim on 11/02/2024 - 12:42

              @shaybisc: No personal experience, but the mid-drive apparently amplifies torque multiplication vs hub motor. Said to get more from the gearing.
              I'd seek reviews on the gearing range, but looks like a good deal.

        • shaybisc on 11/02/2024 - 12:07

          I wonder what belt drive. They don't say - annoying. I'm going to assume it's the cheapest Gates belt drive, whatever that is. Does anybody make them besides Gates?

    • TooSerious2 on 10/02/2024 - 12:34

      Second this. Great price on the Merida (worth a deal post, maybe). I bought this Polygon for $2200 (now $2500) for my kids, but the Merida was $3000+ then, from memory. The low step on the Polygon is convenient.

      Mid drive is essential, I think. It's like the difference between someone pushing you (rear drive) and little pixies helping you move the pedals (mid). Front suspension (only the Merida) is a great feature too - his wrists will notice it.

    • jetblack on 11/02/2024 - 08:05

      Yeah killer bike. I would have bought this myself a couple months back but I have some pretty gnarly hills on my commute so I wanted a stronger motor… So I went up to the newer model.

      Strong recommend here

    • iminabrons on 11/02/2024 - 12:23

      I don't understand how a 2-3kg battery could unpleasantly raise the centre of gravity on a bike when the person riding this bike weighs, for example. 78kg. Granted, it may make it a bit top-heavy while trying to manually maneuver it about after getting off but e-bikes are a bit heavy anyway.

  • dtc on 10/02/2024 - 11:09
    +3

    As a man I know but…consider a step through frame. He may be fine now but a step through will enable him to use it for a lot longer as he ages.

    • bargaino on 10/02/2024 - 11:39

      That Merida is actually easy enough to mount without a high leg lift.
      Top bar is low, and no battery behind seat, so you can tilt it toward you to make it easy to swing the leg over.
      Mid-drive with low CoG is nice.

    • Ipz on 10/02/2024 - 11:48

      @dtc Thank you, agree. This is why I shortlisted a couple of step through bikes.
      @bargaino Thank you.

      Can you guys recommend any bikes other than the ones I have shortlisted within the same range?

  • non-core promise on 10/02/2024 - 12:51
    +2

    One thing that everyone has failed to mention so far is the riding position.

    Notice how on the first bicycle you've listed that the handlebars only rise up very slightly?

    That means the position you will have to sit in will probably be a sport-hybrid position where you're part way between a racing position and an upright relaxed position.

    The latter 2 have more of a rise in the bars, so you won't be stooped over as much.

    This matters to some people, especially as they age.

    Having the best technical specifications is still important, but it's all for nought if the riding position is uncomfortable and it makes your father less willing to ride it in the first place.

    Aerodynamics also will be less of an issue with an electric bicycle, since you can just turn up the assistance 1-2 levels and accept you will lose more energy from air resistance, but be more comfortable.

    Don't think you can just lower the seat on a bicycle with low handlebars, since that will change the distance of your legs to the pedals. The amount of rise in the handlebars is the main factor in the riding posture.

    Also, about Lekker, they have 3 physical stores in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. If the part of Melbourne you're in is close to them, then you should take him in and try before you buy.

    It will vary across cultures, but I find our parents and grandparents may have grown up in a time when the common bicycle had no gears, rim brakes, other old technology, etc. If they don't feel like they need or know how to use the newer bicycle technology, then obviously you shouldn't splurge on an expensive bicycle.

    • Ipz on 10/02/2024 - 13:28

      Good point, that's something I can ask my dad what would he prefer.

  • 29SSK on 11/02/2024 - 07:57

    As a bike rider and older than your dad, can I suggest TEBCO electric bikes.
    They have a step through frame that I have found very useful plus you can have atwist throttle that is very handy when starting off from a full stop.
    Australian company, HQ in Sandringham Victoria, with dealers in all the states.

    • Ipz on 11/02/2024 - 21:32

      Thank you, will check them out.

  • Burg on 11/02/2024 - 08:36
    +1

    Also consider an NCM. I have a Moscow Plus which I used to ride about 40km per day to work in hilly Sydney, until I was made redundant late last year. I am 53 and have been doing this for several years now.

    The NCM brand have very good quality components for the price. German design. I recommend a mountain bike style if you are somewhere like Sydney as you may have to go off road just as much as you will be on the road or bike path, simply because the cycling infrastructure changes so much between council areas across the city. I used to have a more ‘commuter’ style bike but I find the mountain bike design much more advantageous for going through parks, up and down gutters etc. A throttle can be added fairly cheaply and easily if required.

    I agree with the previous post which mentioned a step through frame for an older gent too and when I bought my Moscow Plus, I had the bike shop change the handlebar stem slightly to accommodate a more upright riding position, which I prefer.

    Hope this helps and good luck. Riding an e-bike is so much fun and I find a great way to get movement into one’s life, especially for older people.

    • Ipz on 11/02/2024 - 22:00

      Thanks @Burg. Very helpful.
      I'll check NCM bikes also.

  • shaybisc on 11/02/2024 - 10:28

    That first one, the Merida sEspresso, they say it has 42" tyres. Twice! In the description and the specs. Are 42" tyres a thing? Jeez I'm out of the loop on bikes. I haven't seen tyres that big on a bike since my boyhood penny farthing.

    • SteveB00 on 11/02/2024 - 11:31

      No, 42" tyres aren't a thing. They're 42mm.

  • anthony t on 11/02/2024 - 10:46

    Also older than your dad, I have an Estate City Electric bike - model no. ESTC27M I bought at Aldi about 20 months ago. It cost me $1,000. Search the model number for specs. The reviews are reasonable, with most issues in 1st month or so.
    I don't know how much better the $3000 models are - they may be worth the difference.
    I've been riding bikes for your dad's age - not competitively or in a club, just for transport and fun. I'm reasonably fit.
    This bike does all I want, and, IMHO, ticks all the major selection criteria.
    A bit of Oz-Binside info - I think if one has a quite comprehensive house+contents insurance policy, it might cover the bike while it's not at home, though unlikely to cover 3rd party matters. I found if I joined the 'Bicycle Network', that, for the annual membership fee, it included lots of insurance. Look it up for details. It was a lot cheaper than a separate policy, and being in their club had other, though fairly minor for me, benefits.

  • iminabrons on 11/02/2024 - 13:23
    +2

    I'm 77 years old and have owned a SmartMotion e-bike for the past 6 years.
    Recently my neighbor who is 2 years younger bought an e-bike and I learned that not all e-bikes have the things I take for granted and I feel are necessary over the obvious must-haves of a good bike e-bike or not;

    Step through frame.
    Telescopic Suspension seat post
    Front and Rear Disc brakes.
    Dutch-style upright position
    Easy to read and understand interface
    Hand twist throttle from standing start up to 6 kph
    Samsung/Panasonic battery at least 36v-15.6ah

    Check out the kickstand when buying. The one on the SmartMotion is terrible as it won't extend far enough and the bike will topple over if I have a load on the back. (I put a small square of 35mm timber on the ground so the bike is more vertical)
    As for the motor, look up the pros and cons when choosing between the rear or mid-drive motor motor. The mid-drive seems to be the best choice but there are drawbacks that a rear-mounted motor doesn't have. (I've forgotten now but something to do with gears.)

    • Ipz on 11/02/2024 - 21:03

      Thank you for the suggestions. Looks like step through is a must.
      My dad and I were thinking of ordering a normal frame but it seems everyone here is suggesting a step through one.

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