Electric Bike

[jayerose]

Looking for a decent electric bike...we have only one car and it will be used when we need another form of transportation.

Thank you.

[firefighter4u]

The research I have done has led me to Lectric bikes. We will be buying 2:

Lectric eBikes - Electric Bikes Built so Everyone Can Ride (https://lectricebikes.com)

[Toymeister]

I've built two ebikes and owned ten. I think I have some insight to offer.

What is your price range? Are you comfortable with a internet only supported ebike or do you want a bike shop one.

Do you have a special purpose in mind or a certain style of bike that you are after? For example I have one that is dedicated to carrying grandkids.

Do you want a natural feel to your ebike assistance or do you just want raw power?

lectric bikes have been mentioned, it's an Internet only bike that excels at value. I wouldn't choose it as I am after features that aren't offered at that price point.

I'll leave you with this, the technologies available fall into the below 2,800.00 range and above. There are few sub 1,000.00 options- Lectric is one of them.

Don't get hung up on power (watts) of ebikes it is easy for manufacturers to lie, so much so that it is meaningless. If you are curious why I'll be happy to elaborate.

Finally expect a wealth of ebikes hatred drivel from posters on this forum/thread.

[mschwartzeee]

Looking for a decent electric bike...we have only one car and it will be used when we need another form of transportation.

Thank you.

We have two ebikes - one from an online manufacturer and one from Elevate Ebikes. We prefer the Elevate ebike and the dealer support they offer. Both bikes were under $2,000. Home - Elevate eBikes (https://elevateebikes.com/)

[Battlebasset]

Finally expect a wealth of ebikes hatred drivel from posters on this forum/thread.

Very good post, but I wanted to address your last point.

I like the concept of ebikes, and it will probably be my next bike at some point. So I don't hate them.

What I don't like, and I suspect TV may address at some point, is their top speed, which can be well over 20 MPH, which is more than should be sustainable on a MMP. Seems to me that if golf carts aren't supposed to go faster, ebikes should have the same limitation.

Otherwise, they should be required to use the surface roads.

[Foxtrot]

You couldn't pay me enough to ride any type of bike here in the Villages, too many distracted drivers.

[vinricci]

I have a Trek Townie Electra 8 speed with only 50 miles. Contact info: macintoshguru@gmail.com.

[jayerose]

Just a simple bike to go the market, no carrying grandkids, under $1000....nothing at all fancy.

[Toymeister]

Just a simple bike to go the market, no carrying grandkids, under $1000....nothing at all fancy.

Since your budget is under 1k, I recommend Lectric bikes, they have two models which are under a thousand.

Buying a bike at this price point is like buying an inexpensive subcompact. Everything is just a bit cheaper, mechanical (vice hydraulic) brakes, cheaper tires, seat, smaller battery and so on.

Ebikes either use hub motors or mid drive motors. Hub motors are in the hub (wheel), after the transmission. They operate at about 30% efficiency. They are affordable and represent nearly all of the sub $2,800 bikes.

Mid drive motors are in the crank, before the transmission and operate at 70-90 efficiency.

Whatever you decide you will love your first ebike. The experience of a motor helping you along is like dialing your age back.

[Toymeister]

What I don't like, and I suspect TV may address at some point, is their top speed, which can be well over 20 MPH, which is more than should be sustainable on a MMP. Seems to me that if golf carts aren't supposed to go faster, ebikes should have the same limitation.


We have laws which determine what is a motor vehicle and what is not. The Federal law for golf cart vice low speed vehicle drew the line at 20mph.

A bicycle and ebikes fall under the Consumer Product Safety Commission. They drew the line at 28mph. That has to do with hills and the physical limits of ebikes. In practice 28mph is nearly impossible for most to maintain for any sustainable distance.

California developed state laws on classes of ebikes, some capping at 20mph. The Villages is not located in California.

In a perfect world there would be no conflict as all the carts would follow the law and never exceed 20mph.

When this is solved talk to me about changing Federal law on ebikes.

[Battlebasset]

We have laws which determine what is a motor vehicle and what is not. The Federal law for golf cart vice low speed vehicle drew the line at 20mph.

A bicycle and ebikes fall under the Consumer Product Safety Commission. They drew the line at 28mph. That has to do with hills and the physical limits of ebikes. In practice 28mph is nearly impossible for most to maintain for any sustainable distance.

California developed state laws on classes of ebikes, some capping at 20mph. The Villages is not located in California.

In a perfect world there would be no conflict as all the carts would follow the law and never exceed 20mph.

When this is solved talk to me about changing Federal law on ebikes.

Think you are misunderstanding my thought. I don't have a problem with e-bike speeds over 20 MPH, and I actually think golf carts should be allowed to go 25 mph. 20 is too slow for the longer path stretches and as you note, many have golf carts that exceed 20 MPH. But not all.

But it raises a safety issue when you limit one vehicle's speed, but allow a higher limit for another vehicle that shares the same road. For example, when you are on a highway and see "minimum speed 45 mph" your first thought is "why would you go 45 mph when everyone else is doing 70 mph?" And then you see the guy that is, and he creates a hazard with everyone trying to pass him.

The problem is not the ebike going 25 mph. The problem is the golf carts that are being told they can't. FYI, as soon as my EV cart is out of warranty, I plan to bump the limit to 25 mph. Not so I can be a speed demon. But so I can keep up with the traffic flow, and not be a hazard with people trying to pass me at 23 mph.

[dhdallas]

The research I have done has led me to Lectric bikes. We will be buying 2:

Lectric eBikes - Electric Bikes Built so Everyone Can Ride (https://lectricebikes.com)

Do NOT get a Lectric bike. I have ridden them and the steering is too quick and squirrely due to the small diameter tires. I have 4 electric bikes and the absolute best bike for your money is a Ride1Up. Mine was $1700 & it is worth every penny. It far outshines the industry leaders such as Rad Power Bikes, Sondors, Aventon and more. Do NOT get an overpriced, under powered bike made by Specialized or Trek. You will need a minimum of a 500 watt motor and preferably a 750 watt or more. My Ride1Up has a 750 watt and my other Bafang direct drive is a 1000 watt mid drive. I also have a Sondors MadMods 750 watt ebike which is more of a big electric moped.

[PoolBrews]

I looked at the Lectric when I was recently shopping. I did a lot of research, both on performance and value ,and on after purchase support. Lectric was one of the companies on my list. I did not buy a Lectric because it was very uncomfortable to ride for any period of time. I went with an Aventon beach cruiser (the Pace 500.2) as it has a nice upright design for riding, and checks all the boxes.

If you can find the Pace 500.2, it is currently being sold for $1,399. The new 500.3 just got released. The only change is that the 500.3 now has a torque sensor instead of a cadence sensor. Nearly all under $1K bikes will have a cadence sensor - meaning when you spin the pedals (no matter how easily), the motor kicks in. A torque sensor applies motor assist in direct relation to how hard you are pedaling.

The new 500.3 is $1,699. I'm not sure if the torque sensor is worth the extra $300, but you could test both.

The final reason I went with Aventon, is that I was able to get it from a local bike shop (Brick City Bicycles in Ocala), and they support it for the full 2 year warranty, and will do minor adjustments for free.

[Toymeister]

Do NOT get an overpriced, under powered bike made by Specialized or Trek. You will need a minimum of a 500 watt motor and preferably a 750 watt or more. My Ride1Up has a 750 watt and my other Bafang direct drive is a 1000 watt mid drive. I also have a Sondors MadMods 750 watt ebike which is more of a big electric moped.
Don't be fooled by wattage. The wattage is directly related to efficiency. So a mid drive 500 watt running at 80% efficiency gives you an effective 400 watts, while a hub drive 1,000 watts operates at 30% efficiency is 300 effective watts.

This is why you shouldn't take advice from random people on the internet.

FTR I don't care for Trek or Specialized bikes either, but I do appreciate facts.

[Joe C.]

Check out Zota E bikes ..... based in Sarasota. Veterans get a discount. Good videos on the bike made by the seller and also videos made by independent 3rd party. Good looking bikes and good features. And they're less expensive than most of the e bikes at the village cycle shop.

[firefighter4u]

Do NOT get a Lectric bike. I have ridden them and the steering is too quick and squirrely due to the small diameter tires. I have 4 electric bikes and the absolute best bike for your money is a Ride1Up. Mine was $1700 & it is worth every penny. It far outshines the industry leaders such as Rad Power Bikes, Sondors, Aventon and more. Do NOT get an overpriced, under powered bike made by Specialized or Trek. You will need a minimum of a 500 watt motor and preferably a 750 watt or more. My Ride1Up has a 750 watt and my other Bafang direct drive is a 1000 watt mid drive. I also have a Sondors MadMods 750 watt ebike which is more of a big electric moped.

I guess I should have given a more complete answer. We will be traveling with our 5th wheel and will need something for short range exploration while taking up little space. The fact that one model folds in half and costs under $900 works for me!

[DAVES]

I've built two ebikes and owned ten. I think I have some insight to offer.

What is your price range? Are you comfortable with a internet only supported ebike or do you want a bike shop one.

Do you have a special purpose in mind or a certain style of bike that you are after? For example I have one that is dedicated to carrying grandkids.

Do you want a natural feel to your ebike assistance or do you just want raw power?

lectric bikes have been mentioned, it's an Internet only bike that excels at value. I wouldn't choose it as I am after features that aren't offered at that price point.

I'll leave you with this, the technologies available fall into the below 2,800.00 range and above. There are few sub 1,000.00 options- Lectric is one of them.

Don't get hung up on power (watts) of ebikes it is easy for manufacturers to lie, so much so that it is meaningless. If you are curious why I'll be happy to elaborate.

Finally expect a wealth of ebikes hatred drivel from posters on this forum/thread.

Hate is a word far too often used. Perhaps like the word awesome, it is has been so overused that it has lost all meaning.

It says you've had 12 e-bikes, does make one wonder. My OPINION, I ride a bike you peddle. Goal is to get exercise. A bike of any sort on the multimodal paths or roads is risky. Florida has won the title of having among the worst drivers in the nation. Teasing a little. It seems some of the drivers want to be sure Florida maintains the title.

[DAVES]

Very good post, but I wanted to address your last point.

I like the concept of ebikes, and it will probably be my next bike at some point. So I don't hate them.

What I don't like, and I suspect TV may address at some point, is their top speed, which can be well over 20 MPH, which is more than should be sustainable on a MMP. Seems to me that if golf carts aren't supposed to go faster, ebikes should have the same limitation.

Otherwise, they should be required to use the surface roads.

An endless debate. I seem to recall police could issue a ticket for unsafe driving. In plainspeak driving STUPID. Today you need to violate some ordinance.

My view like everything else there are few people, the same people who "think," to hell with anybody but ME. You will find them walking, on bikes,in golf carts and in cars.

[DAVES]

I guess I should have given a more complete answer. We will be traveling with our 5th wheel and will need something for short range exploration while taking up little space. The fact that one model folds in half and costs under $900 works for me!

There are also folding peddle bikes. A bike that folds, power or not, beware of small wheels they do not work well on rough or unpaved roads. Folding bikes, attaching panners, bags to carry stuff is difficult. Exploration? Will you take tool kit? A flat is common. Lunch, water, soda etc? I've gone to the grocery by bike and come back with ???? 20-30 pounds of groceries. Folding bikes many are not rated for my weight plus 30 pounds.

[JGibson]

Try not to get a cheap one from China they’re catching on fire in apartment buildings throughout the country.

[Erider]

Hate is a word far too often used. Perhaps like the word awesome, it is has been so overused that it has lost all meaning.

It says you've had 12 e-bikes, does make one wonder. My OPINION, I ride a bike you peddle. Goal is to get exercise. A bike of any sort on the multimodal paths or roads is risky. Florida has won the title of having among the worst drivers in the nation. Teasing a little. It seems some of the drivers want to be sure Florida maintains the title.

Why would you question or wonder why an expert like Toymeister has owned 12 ebikes. How many cars have you owned? Should we be wondering why?

Statements like "I ride a bike you peddle" just exhibits ignorance of ebikes. Every ebike I have used allows pedaling, you can choose zero, moderate or high assist as you like. When you have a torque sensing mid drive motor like a Tongsheng, you have to work for the assist.

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