suggest a 'normal' looking women's e-bike.

[merlinmurph]

Ok, I'm joining in. I have no advice to offer, but I'm looking for an ebike for my wife, too. That Turbo Vado 4.0 is kinda what I'm looking for: not a tank, good build, not dorky.

If I could buy the bike she rode on our Backroads trip last Sept, I'd buy it. Ti frame, Bosch mid-drive, just a decent hybrid with no huge tires and other things that make it a tank.

Good luck, OP, and thx for the input, gang.

[d_douglas]

Thanks all. Here is one I found that I think looks cool enough - a Marin Fairfax E.

Has anyone seen these? What I find odd is that they have a Bafang motor on them - I thought that stuff was all aftermarket add-ons to analog bikes?

Anyways, it looks simple and kinda normal - I like it.

[Ralph]

Looks nice. A kick stand is very useful on an E bike.

[d_douglas]

Originally Posted by d_douglas

Thanks all. Here is one I found that I think looks cool enough - a Marin Fairfax E.

Has anyone seen these? What I find odd is that they have a Bafang motor on them - I thought that stuff was all aftermarket add-ons to analog bikes?

Anyways, it looks simple and kinda normal - I like it.

Has anyone used one of these or sells them? I saw them today in person and they look nice. I would put her battered old Brooks saddle and a more swept back bar and we would be rollin! Are they good bikes?

It has a Bafang hub drive motor and I understand these are quite good? He let me take out a men’s XL to try the motor and it didn’t seem very natural, but that is thr first ebike I have ridden in my size, so it was an adjustment. The thrill is there for sure - pedal and the bike takes off on you . No I am not buying one for myself, but it was fun to see the effect it has on the rider and I think my wife would like it.

[shadco]

These are pretty darn nice BMC 257 AMP

Not inexpensive but a blast to ride.



.

[kestrel58]

Trek Verve+3 Lowstep
My wife loves it over the last 3 years.
Impressed with range (60 to 80 mi) & hydraulic disc brakes.

[zlin]

Originally Posted by d_douglas

Has anyone used one of these or sells them? I saw them today in person and they look nice. I would put her battered old Brooks saddle and a more swept back bar and we would be rollin! Are they good bikes?

It has a Bafang hub drive motor and I understand these are quite good? He let me take out a men’s XL to try the motor and it didn’t seem very natural, but that is thr first ebike I have ridden in my size, so it was an adjustment. The thrill is there for sure - pedal and the bike takes off on you . No I am not buying one for myself, but it was fun to see the effect it has on the rider and I think my wife would like it.

Looks nice and I think you’ll also want to demo a mid drive of any big brand to compare the ride difference and “pick up” when you get on the pedals. But I don’t really think you can go wrong for the use here - they are a lot of fun.

[d_douglas]

Update: I bought the Marin and it’s in storage until Mothers Day/Birthday (the next day). I got our daughter to demo it for size and i opened up a can of worms - she had the biggest smile on her face and said “holy crap dad, that was fun!!”. I’ve told kids that I will never buy them an ebike as they are healthy young humans that can power themselves, so let’s see if that lasts

[wallymann]

velotric T1

less than half the price of the big name e-bikes.

[bikinchris]

Orbea has several models that are extremely well made. I've seen a few of these bikes sell and the riders were EXTREMLY satisfied. Here's one example:

https://www.orbea.com/us-en/ebikes/urban/optima/

[d_douglas]

… double post

[d_douglas]

Mothers Day inaugural ride:

We took momma out for coffee and treats this AM for Mothers Day - it was a riot taking her out on the new Marin. We pulled bikes and helmets out and just walked her into backyard and said ‘grab your bike’ .


She’s quite cautious, so with our kids giving her pointers on how not to die on an ebike, she most gingerly took off and decided to not use the assist for a bit!

We got a few blocks away and we turned it on, and she started pedalling, and immediately had a huge smile on her face. We rode for about 15km and that would’ve worn her out before, but she was charging home at the end - it was exactly as I had hoped.

She needs an upright and swept back bar and her old Brooks saddle tilt adjusted and we should be good to go.

For me, I am pleased with the performance of the bike, plus I have to say I think it looks nice. We must’ve seen 50 e-bikes on our ride and hers was the nicest because it looked like a ‘bike’. Call me vain…

[Novasfyre]

Originally Posted by pinkshogun

https://bikefriday.com/electric-assi...em-overview-2/

My buddy had one and it was fast, light, had lightweight batteries, 20" narrowish tires, foldable

In what world is this anywhere near normal... because that world must be full of Pontiac Azteks and Nissan Qubes.

[zlin]

My wife moved from her flat bar converted cx bike to the other end with her mom bike, a Momemtum Vida E+ low step linked here and she loves it, no going back to 'analog' for her. Zips around the area with our dog, rides with our kids around the block and even has a basket on the front to stop and get the mail or whatever. It's heavy but if you're riding from home, no big deal. Also not the end of the world to load up and take to a park/trail when I'm already loading up kid bikes, snacks, helmets, etc. End of the day, if it gets her out more and she's happy, that's a big win. Fitness isn't a big issue since it's pedal assist. Folks think ebikes are for old people or lazy people but there is a huge market of fun for parents getting out with their families, commuting to work, towing kids to ice cream or soccer practice with a little bit of assist to help with the hills, towing a burley, any bit helps to make it more fun and enjoyable for all. And if she's not riding it distance to work, you hardly need to charge it. Go for it!

[tellyho]

Hahaha, Bike Friday as normal looking ebike.