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Help me pick an Electric Bike/Scooter

Local H JayLocal H Jay Registered User regular
edited April 2019 in Help / Advice Forum
Hey guys, I just got my tax return and I'm looking to get something for short commutes to and from work. It's like a 10 min drive but a 60 min walk, and around 25 via pedal bike. There is a decent hill in there, one way, so the idea for the electric option came to mind. I originally was looking at scooters but a friend recommended this model bike:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B071KG2Y2V/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_3?smid=A3544JZ1IP747S&psc=1&th=1

Basically nothing fancy, doesn't need to go fast but does need to go about a 3 mile distance, once daily. I can probably charge it at work too, so really 1.5 miles at most on one charge.

Any price range is 400-500 but can go higher if needed. Any thoughts, recommended options or people with experience welcomed.

Local H Jay on

Posts

  • spool32spool32 Contrary Library Registered User, Transition Team regular
    I scooter regularly and I know the Segway powered ones that Bird and Spin use will do 4 miles incl hills and only use about half the charge.

  • QuidQuid Definitely not a banana Registered User regular
    I have that specific one. I look goofy as hell on it but it works. That said, with me weighing about 220 lbs it can't handle even small inclines, and there's no way to pedal or easily push while sitting on it.

  • MugsleyMugsley DelawareRegistered User regular
    edited April 2019
    Just MarioKart your way to work!

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07MDWF6XV/

    In all seriousness, though, I'm here in Portland with my wife for a conference. They have e-bike shares all over so I'll see what models they use.

    Mugsley on
  • Phoenix-DPhoenix-D Registered User regular
    Mugsley wrote: »
    Just MarioKart your way to work!

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07MDWF6XV/

    In all seriousness, though, I'm here in Portland with my wife for a conference. They have e-bike shares all over so I'll see what models they use.

    Unfortunately the bike shares tend to be custom models they don't sell. (It reduces the theft potential)

  • Local H JayLocal H Jay Registered User regular
    Ah yeah, part of why I like the Bicycle design is it's less likely to be grabbed by someone who thinks it's a rental scooter (or worse, destroyed by a disgruntled townsfolk who hates said scooter companies)
    Quid wrote: »
    I have that specific one. I look goofy as hell on it but it works. That said, with me weighing about 220 lbs it can't handle even small inclines, and there's no way to pedal or easily push while sitting on it.

    Hmm, so I weigh around 150 so I wonder how it'll handle me? Seems like it may work, I have an alternative path to work to avoid the hill that takes a bit longer. Thanks for the feedback.

    I think I'm gonna order the one above and hope it works out

  • schussschuss Registered User regular
    3 miles? Honestly just pedal it. After a month or two it will be easy.

  • Local H JayLocal H Jay Registered User regular
    schuss wrote: »
    3 miles? Honestly just pedal it. After a month or two it will be easy.

    To be honest, I have been. And it's not awful, but I'm kind of sick of it. I move around a lot at my job, so it sucks to show up already sweaty, and then when I'm tired and on the way home I gotta bike 3 miles... Idk

  • QuidQuid Definitely not a banana Registered User regular
    If you’re 150 you should be absolutely fine. It only barely cant handle me (and I’m working on losing the weight to hopefully help with that).

    Like I said my only real complaint is it’s so small you’ll probably look a bit goofy. I’d also recommend getting a regular bike bell as it’s completely silent and in my experience people don’t notice its horn.

  • Donovan PuppyfuckerDonovan Puppyfucker A dagger in the dark is worth a thousand swords in the morningRegistered User regular
    schuss wrote: »
    3 miles? Honestly just pedal it. After a month or two it will be easy.

    To be honest, I have been. And it's not awful, but I'm kind of sick of it. I move around a lot at my job, so it sucks to show up already sweaty, and then when I'm tired and on the way home I gotta bike 3 miles... Idk

    Did you end up getting the one you linked? If so, how is it?

  • MugsleyMugsley DelawareRegistered User regular
    I learned recently that you can get 125cc motorcycles for under $1000. Could this be an option for you? I don't believe that bikes with engines that small require a motorcycle license.

  • Local H JayLocal H Jay Registered User regular
    schuss wrote: »
    3 miles? Honestly just pedal it. After a month or two it will be easy.

    To be honest, I have been. And it's not awful, but I'm kind of sick of it. I move around a lot at my job, so it sucks to show up already sweaty, and then when I'm tired and on the way home I gotta bike 3 miles... Idk

    Did you end up getting the one you linked? If so, how is it?

    I have settled on it, but unfortunately Chicago weather hasn't been playing nice lately. Once it decides it's gonna stay warm, I'm ordering the one I linked. I watched some reviews and people seem to recommend it.

  • dispatch.odispatch.o Registered User regular
    edited May 2019
    I saw someone cruising home from work today on an electric unicycle. It was the most incredible thing I've ever seen. It had to be going like 20 mph and I immediately wished I was of appropriate size, weight and confidence to use one.

    Get a unicycle.


    Edit:

    Found it!

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=20&v=80jjnmerUdo

    Max speed? 25mph, 60 mile range.

    dispatch.o on
  • MugsleyMugsley DelawareRegistered User regular
    People may not like the movie, and that's fine, but I want the mono-ball 'motorcycle' from The Lorax.

    Or just put handlebars and a seat on that unicycle and I'd be all about it.

  • Local H JayLocal H Jay Registered User regular
    schuss wrote: »
    3 miles? Honestly just pedal it. After a month or two it will be easy.

    To be honest, I have been. And it's not awful, but I'm kind of sick of it. I move around a lot at my job, so it sucks to show up already sweaty, and then when I'm tired and on the way home I gotta bike 3 miles... Idk

    Did you end up getting the one you linked? If so, how is it?

    Okay so this bike finally arrived and it's pretty great! It's a bit on the small side but as a 5'9 individual it's not that goofy looking with me on it. It really hauls, at first it can only do 20kmph (around 13mph) but once I rode it ten miles it unlocked the full speed, 30km or 18mph(!!)

    Battery takes a long time to charge but seems to last a long time, too. I easily made it to my work (6 miles away) and back but the battery was pretty low by the time I returned. I would say if I was heavier than 150 it would definitely drain quicker.

    I might do a review for this one on my YouTube, if I do I'll post it here

  • QuidQuid Definitely not a banana Registered User regular
    God I wish I wasn't so big

  • SimpsoniaSimpsonia Registered User regular
    schuss wrote: »
    3 miles? Honestly just pedal it. After a month or two it will be easy.

    To be honest, I have been. And it's not awful, but I'm kind of sick of it. I move around a lot at my job, so it sucks to show up already sweaty, and then when I'm tired and on the way home I gotta bike 3 miles... Idk

    Did you end up getting the one you linked? If so, how is it?

    Okay so this bike finally arrived and it's pretty great! It's a bit on the small side but as a 5'9 individual it's not that goofy looking with me on it. It really hauls, at first it can only do 20kmph (around 13mph) but once I rode it ten miles it unlocked the full speed, 30km or 18mph(!!)

    Battery takes a long time to charge but seems to last a long time, too. I easily made it to my work (6 miles away) and back but the battery was pretty low by the time I returned. I would say if I was heavier than 150 it would definitely drain quicker.

    I might do a review for this one on my YouTube, if I do I'll post it here

    What's your route, a smooth ride like the Lakefront trail? I feel like with tires that small you'd pretty much fall into and get stuck in some of the potholes on the arterial streets like Belmont, Milwaukee etc.

  • Local H JayLocal H Jay Registered User regular
    Actually not far off! I go along Warrenville road into Finley (I'm in Lisle IL). There's lots of sidewalk along the way so I just stick to that (which I'm not sure is legal but I've seen people bike on them before). Didn't hit anything too bumpy, and the one or two times I did I just hopped off briefly.

  • Phoenix-DPhoenix-D Registered User regular
    Quid wrote: »
    God I wish I wasn't so big

    Define big? The Radpower bikes are more expensive but handle up to 275lb.

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