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 @bikepedantic smaller wheels do make a lower mount much easier. When our kids were little, we had this so called "mom" bike, where the 26" wheels allowed for an extended handlebar so there was enough space between the front child seat and the saddle. For shorter people, 28" is sometimes not ideal.
@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
@bikepedantic @DrTCombs If I were less poor rn, I’d take you up on that.
@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.