Looking for class 3 ebike stand over type geometry, any thoughts on a good one

[mikeduf]

Hello, I posted before, I have been looking for a good class 3 step over not step through type of frame geometry. It can be carbon or it can be aluminum. I'm not looking for any type of scooter Style Iron Maiden! Looking for a commuter Style classic 3 speed type of look. familiar with Trek and specialized but wondered if there are any other manufacturers that create one that doesn't look completely idiotic. I know it's discretional but a lot of them have some pretty hokey frame designs that are coming from who knows where and no support. Thanks in advance

 

[853okg]

I ride A LOT of e-bikes and maybe I can help a little, but ultimately you’ll have to do a lot of research. You might get ideas here but we’re certainly not going to figure it out for you.
The problem from my standpoint is that what you want surely doesn’t exist so you have to find the best compromise or closest thing. How married are you to the Class 3? If you can be satisfied with 20 mph you’ll have a lot more choices.
Many think they want a class 3 but they don’t realize what riding a bicycle that fast in traffic is like, and they don’t realize how quickly a battery drains at that speed.
Recently I rode an Electra that impressed me because it was very close to what you are describing: just a good normal bike. No suspension fork, a Nexus 7 hub and beautifully smooth Bosch motor. No wacky beach cruiser geometry either, but it was Class 2
I’m impressed with the value of Canyon e-bikes and they have a nice Class 3 with a straight bar but with a suspension fork. I’ve enjoyed their dropped bar class 3 but that’s certainly not in the mold of what you’re describing. Co Op cycles is undoubtedly going to have a terrific buy on a Bosch class 3 that they’re going to close out but again, suspension fork.
I abhor direct to consumer brands as a rule but one that impressed me is Ride One Up and they might have something for you.
I get what you want and I too think that’s a great style. The problem is that isn’t the style being foisted on consumers. Nobody has memorized everything available so I recommend you get a Buyers Guide and do some research.

 

[mikeduf]

Thanks for that information I'm going to take a look at the canyon and I have seen the one up.. those are attractive as well. The Electra like you mentioned was a eye catcher, but its only class one. So the journey continues but I do know that class 3 is my primary focus as I want to be able to go beyond my standard road bike muscle capacity and that's around 17 to 20 mph as a standard ride. I can't see pushing a heavy ebike just to go19 to 20 mph and then struggle to keep it at 20 when I could already be well past that on a standard road bike with no assistance and no weight to speak of.

It will probably be a Specialized or Canyon or something with a lighter weight class 3 capability. Most likely be a wallet Buster as well. That seems to be my life story.. I gravitate toward high-end quality items.

I can see quality and value at a lower cost if it's available but for the most part it seems quality and price go hand in hand especially with the top big bike manufacturers that have been doing this over 30 and 40 years

you get a quality bike and I mean components like drivetrain, Grupo, braking system all that kind of stuff adds to the quality and rideability and longevity of a good ebike or a road bike. But I'm sure you know all that and I'm just rambling. that's what makes this so hard because there are so many offshore bikes popping up with no support or returnability. Thanks again

 

[Gus_Mahn]

My wife and I just bought three Yamaha ebikes. Two were the basic commuter Crosscore RT($1200/ea), and she also got a Wabash ($1425) gravel bike. They were supposed include a free extra battery but we may have missed the promotion. It turns out after purchase, Yamaha is leaving the US e-bike market. With a 5 year warranty, I still feel these were a tremendous value. I think most e-bikes will only have a less than 5 year lifespan anyhow. So many companies have come and gone. At maximum automatic assist these bikes have about a 45 mile range. At lower assist, the range is over 100 miles. They weigh about 50 lbs and pedal like a bicycle even without power. I also have an Engwe X26 and that thing is like a 100 lb electric motorcycle. It helps the range to pedal, but it’s a nightmare to pedal without power. I use it when my wife wants to go fast on her Wabash.

 

[mikeduf]

My wife and I just bought three Yamaha ebikes. Two were the basic commuter Crosscore RT($1200/ea), and she also got a Wabash ($1425) gravel bike. They were supposed include a free extra battery but we may have missed the promotion. It turns out after purchase, Yamaha is leaving the US e-bike market. With a 5 year warranty, I still feel these were a tremendous value. I think most e-bikes will only have a less than 5 year lifespan anyhow. So many companies have come and gone. At maximum automatic assist these bikes have about a 45 mile range. At lower assist, the range is over 100 miles. They weigh about 50 lbs and pedal like a bicycle even without power. I also have an Engwe X26 and that thing is like a 100 lb electric motorcycle. It helps the range to pedal, but it’s a nightmare to pedal without power. I use it when my wife wants to go fast on her Wabash.

I agree with the Yamaha it's a great deal. But I'm looking for a more 3-speed classic type riding position. I have a carbon road bike that I can push well over 19 mph. Class 3 is the route I will take. And yes that Yamaha I believe is a class 3.

I'm looking into retrofitting the stem/ bars to a more casual ride. Still looking to see if that can be done because there aren't any retailers around where I live that even carry that bike it seems to be all mail order.

Thank you

 

[tcp71]

Maybe this will help:

https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/topics/biking/best-class-3-electric-bike

A lot of class 3 bikes have weird looking styles, I think.

 

[Gus_Mahn]

I agree with the Yamaha it's a great deal. But I'm looking for a more 3-speed classic type riding position. I have a carbon road bike that I can push well over 19 mph. Class 3 is the route I will take. And yes that Yamaha I believe is a class 3.

I'm looking into retrofitting the stem/ bars to a more casual ride. Still looking to see if that can be done because there aren't any retailers around where I live that even carry that bike it seems to be all mail order.

Thank you

There are those on Reddit retrofitting Crosscores with more comfortable bars, but on anything higher than 50mm (2”) rise requires a longer rear brake hose. I think I’m going to go that route or adjustable stem to get the bars a little higher. Add a rack and a more comfortable saddle and it’ll mimic a classic 3/5-speed. It may not matter anyhow, as the sale seems to have wound down to dealer stock only.

I did see a review of a $500 ish Walmart e-hub drive e-bike called the Concord Commutr. It actually got a really good review. I would think almost all mid-drives would be better quality and the hub drives would be mixed quality of 2-3 manufacturers no matter what the name on the bike reads.