E bike recommendations?

[newbury]

the fat tire bikes with 3-4 inch wide tires

How is that 3" measured?
/edit - is it the flat ground contact area?

 

[Mat4644]

The problem is ebike dealers, bikes and components are appearing and disappearing fast. Difficult to recommend an expensive one when the technology and market is in extreme flux.

Just like computers a few years back buying lower cost and replacing in a few years might be a better option. I have rode several good under $1500 ebikes that easily compete with ones costing double and triple the cost.

 

[ericm979]

How is that 3" measured?
/edit - is it the flat ground contact area?

It's the measurement from tread edge to tread edge when the tire is mounted and inflated. Since bikes have to lean to turn the tires have a crown to them, so they generally have a much narrower contact patch than the full width.

 

[newbury]

I put a "kit" on my steel framed hardtail 20 year old mountain bike.

It took a few hours to instal, and I did buy the bottom bracket tools to do the job right.

I absolutely enjoy the bike now, where it was getting to the point that I hardly would ride (kids gone etc)

If you are inclined, Not cheap, but half of what a built e-bike costs.

Here is one vendor, there are others

FAQ's

EMPowered Cycles Frequently Asked Questions

www.empoweredcycles.com

eta

We live a mile from the nearest paved road, and have many back roads to enjoy. They ALL HAVE HILLS! The battery pack helps flatten those hills. I still return home with a good workout.

That kit seems interesting.
I'd like to something like that but adapting several of my DeWalt batteries to it.

 

[bdhsfz6]

I adapted my DeWalt tool batteries for use on my e-bike.

See this post on another forum:

Using A Power Tool Battery As A Range Extender

I'm presently using this DeWalt 60V 12AH battery with this adapter as an emergency range extender. At 60V, the battery capacity is 4AH which gives me around 12 extra miles using PAS 2...

electricbikereview.com

 

[dodge man]

We bought a couple of e bikes yesterday. Trek Verve +3 is what we bought, that and a bunch of accessories, helmets, a hitch bike carrier etc. I joked with the bike shop owner I’d leave my pick up truck behind in trade.

We had time for about a 7 mile ride before dark. Riding an e bike is hard to describe, Treks don’t have a throttle. They have 4 different levels of assist. One thing the Treks have over the bikes we rented was smooth power delivery, a lot less surges.

We bought them at Bickel’s in Burlington Iowa and the owner spent more time with us than cars I’ve bought. They are in demand right now so I’m glad we got what we wanted.

 

[bigtiller]

Wow, they still make bikes with fenders!
Looks like fun.

 

[dodge man]

When I first was into bikes, it just wasn’t cool to have fenders, chain guards or kick stands. Well this bikes got them all.

 

[bdhsfz6]

There are many e-bike models out there without fenders but they help keep water out of the electrics when riding on wet ground. I took them off my e-bike and waterproofed the connectors & controller.

 

[dodge man]

Trek says there electric system is pretty good to go in the wet.