Hey #biketooter, I'm thinking of snagging an REI Coop Gen 1.2e #ebikes during their 40% off sale this weekend as my first #ebike. Just need it for some suburban errands/transport in a generally flat (and low crime) neighborhood.
All my major destinations are ~1 mile away (a few places are more like 3mi) so range isn't much of an issue. Cost is though, and this seems like a darn good value.
Any recommendations on accessories, esp locks, helmets, or other gear?
@rscottjones I have one, and at 5ft-10in, the seatpost angle is too steep, I'm planning to replace it with a layback one (prob shimming down from 35mm needed.) If you have the seat up for leg extension, you're headed over the bars in a panic stop or it's sketchy on a steep downhill. 5'-2" riders are ok with it. I might change handlebars too, but hydraulic brake lines are a potential limit to that.
@enobacon Good to know. I'm 5'7" and it seems like users at my height are ok. I won't get a test ride before purchase, but am relying on REI's generous return policy if I hate it.
Besides the seat/handlebars, do you like it overall? Any other mods/tips? I'm pretty disappointed with the basket options that REI has available.
@rscottjones it's a good setup for the price, especially somewhere with gentle hills or riders less than 200lb, maybe 150 with a kid. Hub motors are not a mid drive but this one has a nice power control rather than stepped speed limits, pedal assist only though, no throttle and no switches in the brake levers. I haven't tried to carry much yet but maybe try wald baskets. Ordered some fat bike fenders 🤞. More notes in other threads:
@rscottjones the motor is pretty capable and certainly able to do more than this controller will send to it, so I doubt you need to worry about it overheating. On the steepest hill I've ridden it on (~10-12% 150ft climb up S Corbett in Portland), it was just fine with a bit of zig-zagging and decent effort, but you could use walk mode to push the bike up this or something steeper. Generally if you start hills with some speed & keep the speed above 5-8mph you'll get farther with the hub motor.
@rscottjones looks like a good bet for the $$$. get some big panniers and keep the beefiest lock you can afford in them. not like the weight is going to be an issue. with a heavy bike that's a bit harder to lug close to racks a heavy-duty chain is often a better bet than a U-lock
@wav3ydave@rscottjones better yet, carry two or three locks! more locking options, and you can lend them to friends if they forget theirs out on a ride!
@wav3ydave I have two older u-locks, but not sure how they compare to newer stuff.
Maybe I'll snag a heavy chain. I got a recommendation for a Hiplock D1000, but a $300 lock feels like overkill for a bike under $1000 that I'll likely only leave for a few hours.
@rscottjones@wav3ydave Not specific to locks, but: you'll find that the ease of use makes you care a lot less about weight. So get big, good bags/racks (whatever will mount on that design, I'm sure REI has recommendations)—you'll find them full of random bits pretty quickly! The rest will come with time ;)
@schizanon Thanks, I wouldn't have thought of that!
I live in Phoenix (should have added that to the OP) so rain won't be an issue very often. And frankly, the ebike I'm getting doesn't have fenders, so I'll probably just drive or walk on the rare occasions it's rainy.
But maybe some gloves are generally a good idea for riding anytime.
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