Hey friends! I'm looking for lightweight, light-duty #ebikes for a pair of semi-nomadic septuagenarians with dodgy knees.
Mainly for recreation. Affordability (theft potential is high), ease of use (old people), and batteries that won't go boom (obviously) are the main needs.
Any suggestions out there?
Thank you!!!
@DrTCombs could get a couple swytch wheels on some acoustic bikes.
@jcriecke @DrTCombs caveat the power to weight ratio difference between a 120lb and 200lb rider, if knees are an issue and slopes are steeper. A crank drive that can downshift with your gears can save knee pressure at any speed while the hub might require walking if you can't keep the speed up within its efficient range (though it could push the bike in walk mode with the rider weight removed.)
@DrTCombs @jcriecke I haven't tried the tsdz2, but that or the photon are probably the lightest crank drives available. Not sure who makes a bike with one or if you could diy on a used bike. Hub drives will generally be simpler and can be geared down, or in 20in wheel you lose some top speed but gain leverage. Day6 has some nice options with bbs02 drive. Brompton with swytch is slightly spendy but you take it in and keep it close. A 3sp hub belt drive bike with retrofit tsdz2 maybe.
@DrTCombs @enobacon @jcriecke have you looked at Priority ebikes? Bike insurance also offers peace of mind for theft.