Selecting an eBike for Commuting (from REI)

Question posed on reddit:

Hello! I’m looking into rei e-bikes and trying to see what would be best for me and wanted some advice on the matter.

• It would be city commuting probably 10-15 miles each way.

• It is not totally hilly but there are areas with some slopes.

• I am looking to get at least 40 miles range if not more.

• I am quite short if that matters (5 foot)

• If there is attachments for a bag that would be a plus.

• looking for class 1 or 2.

I’m also open to ebikes outside of rei but I am a member and like that they have a decent return policy.

My wife is 4'11.  She is on a eCTY 2.2

Hi!

I have personally researched this extensively for my wife. But her use is recreational, not for commuting. The following is just researching bikes you can get at REI.

• It would be city commuting probably 10-15 miles each way.

Any ebike can handle this if its flat. If it is super hilly or you need a lot of assist, this can be a struggle for extreme situations.

• It is not totally hilly but there are areas with some slopes.

Most are fine with this as long as you assist.

• I am looking to get at least 40 miles range if not more.

Most bikes will advertise more than this. Real world you're getting maybe 75% of the advertised range. Have to read the fine print for their testing conditions.

• I am quite short if that matters (5 foot)

My wife is short, so I understand. This does severly limit what you can get from REI.

• If there is attachments for a bag that would be a plus.

Brompton has specific luggage spot in front. Others, it would be a rack of some sort.

• looking for class 1 or 2.

Most bikes sold at REI are class 1 or 3. I will get into the only Class II that you can get from REI later...

Someone explained this already, but basically class 2 you have a throttle (if you want to use it) to assist you up to 20 MPH. These (at REI) will not have full torque sensors on them so riding them will feel a bit less like you have bionic legs as opposed to a motor that is pushing you.

eCTY bikes in small or XS. We have direct experience with the eCTY 2.2 (previous gen though). I made a video about it with my wife riding it (she is 4'11) here. The new one is now a class 3 bike, with Bosch motor = a definite price bump and upgrade to ours though. These will not have a throttle.

In the end, my wife wanted a class 2. She doesn't want to have to pedal... so I sold the eCTY 2.2 to a very happy woman who had her's stolen outside of Home Depot in LA...

As of right now, there are only 3 models of Class 2 ebikes available at REI. And only one that will fit you: the Cannondale Adventure Neo All Road (Black is on sale). This meets all your requirements and would be the only one that fits my short wife's needs. The one thing about this bike though, it will not take you up steep hills without putting some sweat into it - not even close. That 250W hub motor simply doesn't have enough torque. Everything else, you're good. You will need to add a rack if you want to put on a pannier to hold your stuff it doesn't come with one - and it looks like it has mounts on it.

I know nothing much about the Bennos, so I can't comment much on it. I'm sure they're good too, but I have no experience with them and they have less support in my local area so I have not considered them.

That leaves me with my personal recommendation for you, if you are fine with Class I/III. Get an eCargo Bike. The ones from Tern or the Cannondale one are good. I'd probably pick one of the Terns if you are just carrying yourself and some cargo (and not doing a car replacement situation where you will buy doing everything with it). They all come with a rack, so you are good to go to add a bag or basket.

My pick is the Tern Quickhaul P9. It has the speed if you need to feel safer in traffic. It has enough torque to assist in most hills. The bosch motor system is tried and true. It is in stock in red, which is more visible than black.

If you live in a high theft area, then the only other choice is an electric Brompton. You just fold it up and bring it in with you. I ride a Brompton and think they're awesome for city and travel. But for such a longer commute as yours, if you don't need it to fold so small, the Tern will be much more comfortable overall.

So what I would do is order it for pickup at your local REI. When its ready, ask to test ride it first. Don't do the checkout/final sign out until you are satisifed with the bike, how it rides, etc. I've made a video about this as well, but that's the gist of it.

Good luck and let us all know what you choose in the end.

-Mike (love riding bikes)

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