Step-Through E-Bikes $1,500 - $2,500

[squareznboxez]

Hi Gang,

Shopping for a step-through e-bike for my 68yo dad (155cm), all started with the latest Aldi offering, and am now shopping for something nice. Unfamiliar with e-bikes, so some clarity on a few features would be awesome.

Main requirements;
- Step-through frame
- Appropriate size/fit (hed be a XS or <48cm)
- Available through LBS for servicing and warranty (i'm based in western sydney) my preference is to stay off online-only options at this stage.

Nice to haves;
- Mid drive? Is this worth spending the extra over rear-drive?
- integrated battery - seems to be standard over $1,000
- disc brakes - worth the hassle over standard rim brakes?

99 Bikes and Blackman are my go-tos, these are the options i have after calling around.

XDS e-metro - $1,400 3sp front-drive which i'm told is not as natural as a rear or mid-drive. It does have rim brakes however.
https://www.99bikes.com.au/xds-e-metro- ... -bike-blue


Pedal Lightning - $1,400 - 7sp rear-drive, but has rim brakes - seems to be a good value option.
https://www.99bikes.com.au/pedal-lightning-st-blue


Pedal Falcon - $2,500 - 9sp mid-drive, disc brakes, more adjusability
https://www.99bikes.com.au/pedal-falcon-st-teal


The fairly helpful lad at 99 over the phone suggested the falcon was the best value for the money outright (without a strict budget) as they have modelled it after the pricier brand name Merida espresso 300

Just after opinions on the bikes and any other factors worth considering, the falcon looks like a decent bike and i think worth the extra if it means dad gets out on it more because it's a great ride.

Cheers!

[zebee]

Not sure how West you are. Sydney Electric Bikes has a shop in Parramatta. They know their stuff and are worth talking to.
https://sydney-electric-bikes.myshopify ... ugh-ebikes

[jdh500]

I picked up the Pedal Lighting model for my wife when they had a sale for around $850 which was a bit of a bargain and so far seems reliable.

Also checkout Reid cycles, they have similar models in rear hub and mid drive within your budget too.

https://www.reidcycles.com.au/collectio ... tric-bikes

[squareznboxez]

Thanks guys will check out SEB, they seem to carry similar brands too, which should make servicing a bit easier. I'm located in Blacktown so Parramatta is close.

Also good to hear the lightning has been down to $850 in the past that seems like a great deal.

The Falcon model seems to be the best long-term buy with the 9sp mid-drive, hydro brakes and integrated battery, wasn't too many options at SEB that fit those features under $3,000?

[Gordonhooker]

It comes down to what you father wants to do with it. The XDS EMetro is a single speed rear hub with 5 assistance levels - if your father is just cruising around taking it easy it seems like a good buy for the prices. If he want to do a bit of pedaling himself and using the pedal assist when he hits a hill one of the geared options might the go. I have an ebike that was converted from an standard MTB and it has a 9 speed rear cassette and most of the time I never change the gears I just use setting one or two pedal assist for any hill that gets in the way.

[squareznboxez]

Cheers Gordon, yes will be a bit of a curve getting to know which features are truly beneficial over time. The e-metro was a great choice, i gather being front-drive may be a bit more difficuly to navigate with steering and power at the front wheel, hence the similarly priced Pedal lightning became an option.

Overall we have the coin to stretch to the falcon and it will come down to what he tries on the day and which frame he enjoys too.

[zebee]

SEB have some beginners guides that talk about motor types and battery sizes and such.

[Gordonhooker]

Cheers Gordon, yes will be a bit of a curve getting to know which features are truly beneficial over time. The e-metro was a great choice, i gather being front-drive may be a bit more difficuly to navigate with steering and power at the front wheel, hence the similarly priced Pedal lightning became an option.

Overall we have the coin to stretch to the falcon and it will come down to what he tries on the day and which frame he enjoys too.

-
Just remember with the mid drive it always requires pedaling where some of the rear or front drives do have a throttle for starting out especially on an incline. Mine has a thumb throttle that has helped me of a bad gear choice and on an incline.

[squareznboxez]

For anyone else interested, Reid also have a seemingly good option at a good saving over the 99bikes Pedal Falcon, going with a fixed fork over the Suntor suspension fork, similar specs 85nm mid-drive 9sp. 38C over the 45C which i think will suit bikepath riding as he won't be on any trails.

https://www.reidcycles.com.au/collectio ... hite-ebike

[squareznboxez]

Thanks all we decided on the Reid Blacktop 2.0 in the end. Slighly narrower tyers, fixed fork and lighter weight (19.5kg) were the deciding factors over the Pedal Falcon from 99bikes.

I think for $1,900 its a fairly well-specced bike with the Ananda M80 mid-drive motor with 80nm torque, LG 36v, 10.4a 375wh battery mounted in the down tube, hydro disc brakes and 9sp.

Reid's warranty is half decent, with lifetime on the frame, 2 years on the mechanical parts, and 1yr on the motor and battery. I enquired about the replacement cost of the battery, which was around $600.

We also picked up the servicing pack for $60 which means 8 basic (bronze level) services over the next 4 years are covered.

[Mozziediver]

Thanks for providing feedback on your final selection.
How's it going 3-4 months in?

[squareznboxez]

Hey Mozzie,

Dad has probably enjoyed 5-10 rides on it since September, so hardly enough use to provide any great feedback, he enjoys the power and for the distance he rides (<10km) it really is a bit over-specced for him. I'm glad we went with the Reid, my only wish would be to get tubeless rims which would make it a bit more bullet proof.

I did come to post this bike from Mercedes n+ which seems fairly compelling for anyone in the market for a mid-drive e-bike

https://nplusbikes.com.au/pages/2022-fo ... 1562240151

Thanks for providing feedback on your final selection.
How's it going 3-4 months in?

[Mozziediver]

That Merc link is interesting. Thanks for adding it.
I'd have got myself a Reid ebike, but they had no stock in my size (during lockdown) so I went with a marked down demo Focus. Another family member has a Reid (different model) and has been very happy with it.