Would you buy an #ebike without test-riding it first? i've got limited shopping time atm but I want to get an e-bike, i see that i can get a rad power bike built at a local bike shop...
I guess fit would be an issue to look out for, though.
@cam it depends on your body size and shape, ie are you quite tall or quite short, and have you test ridden a bike with a similar geometry, weight, technologies, etc. And it depends on how adjustable the bike is, what your preferred riding style is, etc.
I bought a RadWagon without a test ride a couple of years ago. I took a risk that I’d fit, based on their claims (and reviewers assertions) that it was super adjustable to a wide range of riders. Turns out that was correct, but I disliked the lack of a torque sensor, and the mechanical disc brakes. So I sold it after a year.
Personally I wouldn’t buy from an online brand without some kind of local support again. Especially easier returns.
@avi that’s a good tip on the feel of the bike, though admittedly compared to the roadie I’m not exactly expecting much 😂
I’ll do the test ride. I guess the issue is then that I want financing and I don’t know if I can get it there at the LBS but I’ll cross that bridge later
@cam my LBS has an arrangement with Klarna whereby they can arrange financing on the spot.
As for the bike, I’m sure you know this but if you want something that feels like a real bike, I suggest you go for light weight and a torque sensor. eg Specialized Vado SL. I tested the SL and it was superb. I ended up buying the heavier non-SL for the bigger battery and I wish I’d bought the SL. My bike is a little too heavy for my taste, and it turns out I never use the full battery capacity. It’s still great though! But the experience has made me more pro test rides before purchase. I ordered the non-SL without testing it because I figured it’d be nearly identical to the SL, but I was wrong.
Fwiw lots of ebike makers have been expanding their brick and mortar presence, eg Rad, Aventon, etc.
@avi yea the main thing I’d want is something I’m not sure I can have: a bike I can put on the bus rack. Add I understand it e-bikes are too heavy for that
@cam I dunno, I think it depends on the price range. There are some light e-bikes but they tend to be higher end bikes.
For example:
* the Vado SL weighs ~15 kg and is apparently on sale right now for $3k, see screenshot. (There’s also an EQ version with fenders and a rack for $250 more but that’d be heavier)
* The Specialized S-Works Turbo Creo SL is 12.28kg in size L and is apparently on sale for $4,500 (see screenshot)
It also depends on exactly how much weight the bus rack can handle. If there’s a specific agency that you usually use, they might make that information available. It might be worth checking.
@avi oh wow those are pretty high-priced and don't really hit the commuter-ness i'm going to be using it for. good call i should see what's available on some of the transit options i'm looking at.
@cam here’s another option: the Ride1Up Roadster: ://ride1up.com/product/roadster-v it’s 33 pounds, single speed, belt drive, fast, has mount points for racks + fenders, and costs $1,095 — seems like a good value.
If you’ll need to take it up a lot of hills and/or on light trails, there’s a gravel version for $1,245. (Personally I’d get that one just for the upgraded brakes, as I’m pretty heavy and I like to ride fast.)
@avi looks pretty sweet. I’m in Florida so no danger of hilly terrain 
@cam oh right sorry 😬
FL does seem like it could be good for a single speed, as long as you don’t need to go super fast.
🤔 actually this one might have a throttle, in which case you might have the option to get somewhere quickly when necessary.