Quick assembly/ ride-round-the-block review of the Bird ebike that I bought for $1k at Job Lot, and comes with a $500 gift certificate. So $500 net!! Still available! 1/x https://www.oceanstatejoblot.com/birdbike-v-frame-ebike-glacier-white/product/289210
Pros: Gates centertrack drivetrain! Smooth pedal-assist! Nice fenders and lights! Straightforward assembly. Classy looking. All things big and little scream $1500 bike, not $500. (2/x)
Cons: Front hub arrived free of grease. Front brake is mildly rubbing. Weird clicking in crank/BB/pedal region, I suspect belt alignment. No gears, but with the motor and that single gear being a good around-town 68ish gear-inches, it’s a meh con. No frame-mounts for a front rack (I LOVE frame mounted front racks).
Unique: the min-max seat heights are really low. For a 6-footer like me, I’m uncomfortable riding as is, will swap on a (common) 27.2 longer post. I’ll just have to ride (checks notes) literally any other bike sold in the US.
For a 5-footer, the US bike market has neglected you. This bike gives you a useful range of seat heights, a step-thru frame, and reasonable 26” wheels (not 700c wagon wheels). Consider it! (end)
@bikepedantic
Am I about to impulse buy an ebike???
@DrTCombs do they have Ocean State Job Lot down by you? Cuz I think it’s ship to-store only
@bikepedantic
Oh. Yeah.
The farthest south is PA.
I guess I'm not about to impulse buy an ebike.
That 5-footer comment made my brain fuzzy though. A bike built for people with economy class legs is almost worth a long drive.
@DrTCombs @bikepedantic Same - I actually gasped when I read that part.
@bikepedantic
Oh. I...I might have to give that some thought. It's very tempting!
@Lizbon
