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E-Bikes

I'm thinking of getting 2 folding fat tire electric bikes, for both me and my wife, we will use when we travel on road trips, so no need to over pay, what specs should I be looking for, like battery. etc. any suggestions or recommendations where to start looking, I found one on Amazon, see link below. We're planning on going to Kiawah South Carolina in Oct, and info would be greatly appreciated

Amazon Folding Electric Bike
 
I think for the money it is quite a bit of bike. I would long for more battery but I ride and ride and most people don't demand that out of their power source. I like the hub motor and disc brakes. At a quick look at your link I didn't see the weight of the bike. It lacks a torque sensor assist which helps you get started from a stop. It has a throttle assist which sounds like it is designed within the controller vs having a throttle. If the bike weighs a ton it will be a bit hard to get it going from a stop. That's what the lower gears are for that I never use :) The fold ability would be nice. It looks like a lot of bike for the bucks. See if you can find some videos of the bike in use. It will tell a lot.
 
I should elaborate a bit about an e-bike purchase. It doesn't really matter what bike you buy or the features it has. If it fits into your budget and you are comfortable on it, you will enjoy your bike. There is something special about riding like you have 12 year old legs and energy. The wind in your face and the slower mode of transportation is relaxing and entertaining. Everyone is in such a hurry... they miss the beauty of life. And to share that with your wife has to be priceless.

I got in a little ride this afternoon. It is cloudy with rain in the forecast but at a slight chance. Sure enough it rained on me for just a minute when I was in the town South on my first loop. I went around again and kept feeling the hot and then cold air blowing and dark sky decided I'd ride a while in town just in case it rained some more, and it did. I was within a couple of blocks when the mist turned into a downpour. I rode home and put the bike up. I only logged 29 miles but... I might get to ride some more after dinner. :)

I did work in another ride after dinner. I rode another 25 miles and would have rode more but I was getting low on battery. I tried riding in town but kids were in the streets setting off firecrackers and smoke bombs. I didn't want to disrupt their fun.
 
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olbriar said:
I think for the money it is quite a bit of bike. I would long for more battery but I ride and ride and most people don't demand that out of their power source. I like the hub motor and disc brakes. At a quick look at your link I didn't see the weight of the bike. It lacks a torque sensor assist which helps you get started from a stop. It has a throttle assist which sounds like it is designed within the controller vs having a throttle. If the bike weighs a ton it will be a bit hard to get it going from a stop. That's what the lower gears are for that I never use :) The fold ability would be nice. It looks like a lot of bike for the bucks. See if you can find some videos of the bike in use. It will tell a lot.
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If you check the link, it should take you to the Amazon page, ans scroll down and there are tons of video done by past buyers, that will show you a lot, many show the unpacking and setup, and other show the use and info and reviews on the bike, once you watch one video, once done the next one in line starts playing.
 
olbriar said:
I should elaborate a bit about an e-bike purchase. It doesn't really matter what bike you buy or the features it has. If it fits into your budget and you are comfortable on it, you will enjoy your bike. There is something special about riding like you have 12 year old legs and energy. The wind in your face and the slower mode of transportation is relaxing and entertaining. Everyone is in such a hurry... they miss the beauty of life. And to share that with your wife has to be priceless.
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Yes agreed, my only concern is the wife has never been great on a bike and her reflexes are not good. So convincing her will be the challenge. In the past when we travel and rented bikes, shes had a few falls and is a nervous Nelly, LOL
 
I watched the videos and went to youtube and watched some more videos. It's difficult for me to evaluate the bike. I have not shopped that sort of bike and that price range. I think the bike is legit and would quite likely be a winner at it's price. I don't think you and your wife will be tearing up the bike paths at high speeds or traveling 50 miles between charges. If that were the case, I think you would be disappointed. The suspension is not stellar and the battery and motor specs are not designed for that. For the majority of cyclists I see while riding, the bike would be perfect.
Things you might want to consider: Even though the bike folds up into a small footprint, it still weighs over 70 pounds. The bike is not a step through but a step over. Make certain that you and your wife can mount the bike and comfortably stop at an intersection as well as dismount. The seat and the handlebars are height adjustable but the distance between them needs to be in your comfort zone.
I'm certain you have considered the above but I thought it worth mentioning. I suspect that the bike was designed to be comfortable and safe for the average size person. Watching the videos it is impossible to know how the bikes might fit you and your wife.
My bottom line after watching the videos it's a lot of bike for the money. I'm not schooled to know how it stacks up against it's competitors as for features/value. If I knew I would be a casual rider and not demand long fast outings, I would seriously consider being a consumer.
 
It was nice this morning and slow to get hot today. It was super nice riding this morning. I was surprised that I saw only one person riding this morning. I met my buddy Tim that rides the e-trike twice as he rides my loop but in reverse. I saw a couple of dog walkers and some joggers. I saw one young lady running like crazy pushing a stroller with a fair size kid, maybe two, enjoying the ride. My wife didn't have that sort of energy when I met her. :) I rode again this afternoon and as I rode the temperature increased. What was a mid to upper seventies day turned into an upper eighties with a 60% humidity sort of day. Surprisingly, I saw a number of cyclists this afternoon. I didn't see any other e-bikers but did see a two different couples out enjoying the day as well as a few other riders. I logged 85 miles today. I hope to have as good of a ride tomorrow.
 
I went riding mid morning. It was extremely humid but the temperature was in the upper seventies and it seemed pretty nice. There was very little or no wind which is always a plus for bike riders. The bike sidewalk was pretty busy this morning. besides the joggers and dog walkers and baby strollers, I saw quite a few cyclists. I met a group of riders heading North that were an organized group of riders. This was the first time I've seen them this year but saw a similar group, perhaps them, a couple of times last year. I've never rode as a group but I can appreciate the camaraderie a riding group would produce. I visited a friend at my last class reunion that is part of a group that rebuilds and rides vintage bikes. There are many different ways to enjoy bike riding. I also met a woman on a trike and likely her husband following her on a bike. I've seen them a time or two and they waved in mutual recognition. It's fun to share the path.
I tried riding again this afternoon. It was in the low 90s and the humidity was in the low 60s. Between the two, it was pretty miserable riding conditions. I was the only fool out trying to get a few more miles in. I called it after a couple times around the horn with hopes I would ride some more tonight. We just had a weather front move across my area that dropped the temp over 20° and dropped .16" of rain. I may not get to ride again tonight. So far I've logged 64 miles and hope to add to that but not holding my breath.
No more riding tonight. No wind and low 70s would make for a great ride if there wasn't a constant light rain falling. I just got in from locking up the shed.
 
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It came a downpour as I was backing my mow trailer back into my drive. Perfect timing except for raining out my bike riding. I sat inside and the rain subsided giving me some hope to ride. When the radar looked favorable I took off. I got to the South end of town and it started raining on me. I rode back into town and out of the rain. I rode around town a bit and then tried to head South again only to be greeted by more rain. I came home and put my bike up. I'm eating dinner early in hopes that It clears off later. I logged 10 miles so far.

It cleared off and I was able to ride after dinner. I saw three guys in the town South on bikes looking like they were getting ready to ride the sidewalk. We waved at each other as I passed their intersection. I was hoping I'd see them on my next loop but didn't. I saw one other cyclists tonight. I wasn't able to do the 4th loop after using up 10 miles of charge earlier so I rode around town after my third loop. I logged an additional 38 miles.
 
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I saw a number of cyclists this morning while I was mowing. I should have went riding early as well. It rained early AM and I had to wait for the grass to dry some before mowing. All the while it was getting hotter to the point of being steamy. I was taught to work and then play. It's difficult for me to reverse the two. I rode four loops logging 44 miles. It was 97° when I put my bike up and with the index it felt like 106°. I had hopes of it cooling off and getting in another ride after dinner but it rained again instead.
 
It was extremely humid this morning. I didn't show any measurable rain at my station but there was water beaded up on the autos and on the deck. I later found water in the cup holder on my mower. With it being so wet, I was late starting my mowing and late to get to ride. I drained one battery before returning home for dinner and then rode until dark. I logged 75 miles and saw zero people on my loops. It was brutal out... a good day to be inside.
 
I had a short ride before dinner. I only rode 13 miles. My back was hurting and it was very hot and miserable. After dinner I went for a legitimate ride and logged another 39 miles. It had cooled off a little but I was the only person riding. That cool shower on my return felt like a slice of heaven. :)
 
I was busy all day and then my son came over early evening. I went riding as soon as he left but it was late. I managed 18 miles just riding around town and called it a day. It felt good to ride some especially considering there is a good chance of rain tomorrow.
 
I was riding before ten this morning. I saw quite a few dog walkers and joggers this morning but only four other cyclist. Two of the riders were obviously husband and wife and I've seen them a time or two before. I drained my first battery and relaxed for a bit before heading out again. The rain that was forecasted cut my second ride short. I was the only one riding but with the forecast and the look of the sky, I can't blame anyone for staying home. It was cooler today so it was difficult to put the bike up. I logged 84 miles of fun today.
 
I rode and rode and rode today. I could have squeaked a few more miles out of each of the three batteries I drained but I doubt I left ten miles between the three unused. I logged 127 miles today. It was a perfect day to ride and I doubt there will be another day that I don't have obligations that equal it until this fall. I took full advantage of the weather. Surprisingly, I saw very few cyclists today. Considering the time I was on the sidewalk South, I saw less that ten riders total. Too bad for them :) I had a great time!
 
I saw all kinds of cyclists out while I was mowing but saw zero when it was my turn to ride. It was hot and humid by that time so it is understandable that everyone had their biking done and was enjoying the AC. I rode before and after dinner logging 81 miles.
 
It was a miserable sultry day here. There was a South wind so it seemed odd for it to be so dang humid. In any event, I opted out of riding after mowing but got off my duff after dinner and rode 42 miles. I told the wife before I left that I bet I wouldn't see any riders out. I was wrong. My first loop South I saw a middle age guy riding with the wind on a standard road bike. I hope he was getting close to home because he looked spent. :) On my return I saw a big kid on an e-bike as I was cutting through town. He was on a side street and was waving at me when I saw him. He had a smaller but nice looking bike with fat tires. My last time through town I saw a couple riding standard bikes and each had a child riding with them. The kiddos were little guys and looked to be enjoying the ride.
 
Today was about the same as yesterday. I mow a lot of lawns on Wednesdays so I was a bit late getting on the bike. I rode 45 miles and put the bike up and hit the showers. I saw a young couple, I'm guessing high school age, riding today. That's an age group that I never see riding together. I see a few cyclists that age but never a pair.
 
It rained early Thursday and into the morning dropping an inch and a half. It finally dried up enough that I rode my bike a couple of loops. It was then dry enough to mow so I mowed a couple of lawns leaving the rest for today. I rode another two loops last night after a late dinner.
I logged 48 miles and rolled the odometer into the 16K range!
 
I rode 30 miles after mowing today. I had planned to ride after dinner but a rain storm rolled through the area and washed out my plans. I wished I had ridden a bit more before dinner but I had no idea there was a storm brewing. Besides, it was extremely humid with the temperature in the mid 90s. My station said it felt like 104° when I left to ride. Needless to say, I saw no other riders.
 
I rode early today and was happy to see quite a few cyclists out. It was already pretty hot and there was a stiff South wind but the riders were out in force. Their numbers dwindled as I kept riding. My last loop on my first battery and I had the loop to myself. I came home and relaxed a bit and then went riding again. It was pretty miserable riding conditions this afternoon and I saw nobody as I rode another 40 miles. Tomorrow is the bike's anniversary. July 20th 2023 was the first day I rode this bike. The first year I rode 5,483 miles for a 15 mile per day average. This last year I rode 10,763 miles for a 29.49 a day average. I can't see me topping that. There is only so much time I can spend riding. I was hoping to double my first year average... I came close.
 
Today was much like yesterday. It was hot and windy with high humidity this morning. I did see quite a few cyclists and pedestrians this morning. I saw a young couple riding e-scooters side by side and just visiting like they were standing on the front porch. One speeded up or one slowed down but by the time I met them they were in single file. The wind was blow such that I only was able to get 38 miles out of my first battery. I was smoking out a brisket point so I stayed home and put my cook together and watched some baseball. I went riding briefly tonight after dinner. My station said if felt like it was 114° out and the South wind was just tearing it up. I logged a 34mph gust this evening. I just rode two loops and called it. I logged 59 miles today. On my final trip back home, I stopped and hopped off of the bike to stretch my legs and back. I had no more stopped when a pickup pulled up asking if I needed help. I told him I was just stretching but sure thanked him for being so kind. The world isn't as evil as it seems.
 
I am home from mowing and riding and I'm drinking a beer. I plan on showering, for I smell like a wet dog, and then go to the grocery store. I doubt seriously if I ride again tonight but we shall see. The weather is just not cooperating with my desire to ride. I don't mind hot. I don't mind humid. I don't mind windy. But throw all three at me at once and at my age I tend to pucker up a bit. :) I rode 42 miles in what my weather station says "feels like 109.8°" What strikes me odd about riding in this sort of weather is the instant I stop riding I break into an incredible sweat. I didn't see anyone out walking or riding this afternoon. Odd... lol.
 
I rode for a bit after dinner tonight. I only rode 32 miles. That's three loops and once around my neighborhood. That's enough fun for a day in the sun for this ol man. My bike route is boring after the countless times I've ridden it. It is more of a desire to keep in shape than to enjoy the bike ride when it is this miserable out. When the humidity dries some I'll be riding more miles again. And I'm sure I'll ride more miles on the weekends when I haven't mowed four to six lawns. For now, three loops is a sweet spot.
I saw only one middle aged woman rapidly stepping it off tonight. No riders and no dog walkers in sight. I saw a couple of cyclists this morning while I was mowing but they had the good sense to call it a day once it got into the nineties.
I haven't seen Leonardo, the snapping turtle in a couple of weeks. They have cut the hay in the field between the little creek and the sidewalk and his habitat is now so many round bales. I imagine that he has survived many summers of hay cutting but not seeing him has me concerned.
 
I got in a good ride this afternoon. There was a ball game on tonight I wanted to watch or I might have rode a bit more. It cooled off tonight and I missed some decent riding weather. I logged 39 hot miles this afternoon however and had nobody in my way. :)
 
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