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)

A few more details:

*There is a larger, top-tubed model offered that’s intended for folks over 5’8”.

*Both it and the step-thru are offered in silver, which I prefer to the white, should have ordered in silver.

*This deal is order-online but ship-to-store only. And Ocean State Job Lot is (AFAIK) a northeast-US-only thing. Other online retailers seem to be selling these Bird Bikes too tho.

https://www.oceanstatejoblot.com/birdbike-a-frame-ebike-gravity-gray/product/287786

PPS: approximately 25” saddle-to-pedal, and 29” saddle-to-ground, with seat post all the way down.

So again, lots of flexibility for shorter riders to get comfortable, though reach to handlebars might be an issue if your saddle has to be that low.