Thoughts on non-MTB e-bike

[Quinterly]

Still acoustic for my urban/city/commuting ride, but my employer is coming out with an e-bike rebate program and I already have some wellness benefits that I can use towards an e-bike. In total, about $625 available. I currently ride a Trek fitness bike (2018 FX Sport 4). My commute to work isn't that long (about 13km) but has two wicked climbs (depending on route 16% to 20% grade) and my office has so-so shower facilities at best. So, I don't really commute that much by bike these days. I also figure I can sell the Trek for ~$500.

Before yesterday, first choice bike would be the Santa Cruz Skitch Apex flat bar (I have a peripheral vision issue that makes drop bars feel unsafe) but unlikely to get boss approval for the cost. That led me to a Turbo Vado SL4 or a Trek Dual Sport +2 (although not sure about rear hub motors but this might be the application for them).

After yesterday, all US manufacturers/brands are not under consideration. Am looking for something in the SL category that closely resembles my Trek. Mondraker Dusty R seems close, but price challenge remains an obstacle. Orbea Vive H30 is another.

Thoughts on what my options are? In the urban/commuter/maybe a bit a gravel segment, should I be concerned about a hub motor?

 

[BikeBert]

I've just picked up an Orbea Diem for commuting. I wanted a belt-drive e-bike with an internal gear hub.

It looks awesome and feels pretty comfortable. After derestricting, it easily reaches speeds of over 40 km/h.


Here's a short video I made today.:

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music that you love, upload original content and share it all with friends, family and the world on YouTube.

youtube.com

 

[Quinterly]

@BikeBert like the clip. I think that's more of a full power e-bike than I was looking for. Really trying to keep the dynamics of my current acoustic but with some assist which is why I was looking at the Vibe. Why belt drive specifically?

 

[BikeBert]

@BikeBert Why belt drive specifically?

I wanted to try something new and I’m also tired of lubing (currently using immersive waxing) the dozen chains on my other bikes.

A belt drive with an internal gear hub offers several advantages for commuter e-bikes:

1. Low Maintenance – Belt drives don’t require lubrication and last much longer than chains. Internal gear hubs are sealed, protecting gears from dirt and weather.

2. Clean and Quiet – Belts don’t need grease, so there’s no risk of getting dirty. They also run much quieter than chains.

3. Durability – Belts can last tens of thousands of kilometers, and internal gear hubs reduce wear by keeping gears protected.

4. Smooth Shifting – Internal gear hubs allow shifting while stationary, making stop-and-go riding in traffic easier.

5. Weather Resistance – The enclosed system is more resistant to rain, mud, and snow, making it ideal for year-round commuting.

My next EMTB will be also belt drive with internal gearbox, I think it's the future.

 

[Quinterly]

Interesting ... think that would limit my choices a bit more though.

 

[Varaxis]

I borrowed a belt drive bike and it was squeaky as F. I observed that silicone polish spray was used to "lubricate it"--a fresh respray of it quieted it down very temporarily. I expected this, based on my common sense gained from using silicone polish before (e.g. Pedro's Bike Lust, Maxima SC1, etc.).

I MUST INSIST, AVOID silicone polish like the plague. As a cleaner, lubricant, and protector, I'd say it's worse than WD40! The reason being that it binds the material and prevents anything else from sticking to it, but not in the way you'd expect. It's like an invisible contaminant just performs awfully. Good luck trying to replace it with a superior product, like ceramic coat. It lingers/clings to parts, but not in the areas needed--it seemingly sloughs around if you try to dissolve or wipe/scrub/abrade away.

Somewhat related: I've heard stories of how paint shops consider it to be a nightmare, and how contamination is hard to contain (e.g. a vending machine tech using silicone oil polish spray in a break room caused an auto paint shop to have numerous defective batches of paint work like clockwork). People using it on furniture (e.g. Pledge furniture polish) makes pros hired to refinish them decline the job.

Not a dig against belts, but silicone oil polish. I despise/abhor silicone oil--I'd expect that even if I replace the drivetrain contaminated with silicone oil, it'd still be present somewhere else on the bike, and it'd be on my hands, and there would be a high chance of a new replacement belt drivetrain would be contaminated, even if I were careful with disposable gloves and what not. I didn't want others to suffer similar fate with this stuff, in case it was recommended for belts.

On-topic: speaking of Orbea, the Kemen looks hot enough to even interest me, but...

I'm committed to sticking to one bike, just sticking fenders on my emtb and investing in a $200+ lock or two to secure it. The emtb would allow me the opportunity to not share the lanes with motorists, able to ride in the dirt, rocks, grass, etc. and be more comfortable with bumps like stairs. I also get massive happy-hormone spikes from retiring parts that live a long/full life, with super high mileage (e.g. brake pads, tires, drivetrains, etc.), and it makes it more fulfilling to do maintenance knowing that the emtb served a more virtuous purpose (e.g. car trip replacement) than just recreation.

 

[mike_kelly]

It seems a lot of the options mentioned are out of your budget. I recently converted a gravel bike with a rear hub motor. Although I use a mid-drive emtb the rear hub drive works fine for the upright handlebar gravel bike. You can get kits with all the parts you need that would fit in your budget.

SUTTO 250W 36V Rear Hub Freewheel Electric Bike Hub Kits with DZ40 Display

In this case, Varstrom helps you select everything needed for the eBike conversion, you only need to choose a favorite battery from or out of Varstrom, then you can start your electric bicycle modification plan

varstrom.com

 

[Quinterly]

Thanks @mike_kelly ... I can eventually wear down price resistance from my wife (I was able to get her on board with buying the Fuel EXe after all). It's more about finding the bike I want from a non-US brand within the price range I'm actually comfortable with. I will use it less than the E-MTB but I also typically keep road/fitness bikes longer.

The bike that seems closest to what I want looks like the Mondraker Dusty X (the R above was a typo) withe Vibe H30 being a more budget option. Wondering if I am missing any others that I should be thinking about.

Don't think the DIY thing is quite where I want go, partly because I don't like the aesthetics of the frame mounted external battery and my current bike is not so great that I am so in love with it that I'm driven that way.

 

[mike_kelly]

Sorry just going by the numbers you provided. I don't like the frame mounted battery either so I put mine in a trunk bag. The motor is no bigger in diameter than the cassette and disc so you don't even notice it. But DIY is definitely not for everyone. I have also got quite a bit of experience with the finance committee. Good Luck

 

[cykelk]

I have a Diem commuter since last May. The design is killer, it's really a great commuter bike, but does feel like an eBike. The Skitch was on my list as well but couldn't justify the cost.

Maybe something like the electric Hybrid or Gravel Flatbar from Ribble? The Orbea Vibe looks cool too though, hadn't seen that one yet.

 

[Quinterly]

I did look at Ribble and the Gravel ALe looks like it would be an option but they don't ship it to Canada.

 

[Binhill1]

Cairn Adventure i have is a great gravel bike. I use on road mainly . Only a 250 battery but don't always use it unless climbing about 14kgs I think.

 

[Mabman]

Keep the Trek and take it by Grin there in Van for a kit. Definitely worth it!

 

[Quinterly]

Cairn Adventure i have is a great gravel bike. I use on road mainly . Only a 250 battery but don't always use it unless climbing about 14kgs I think.

View attachment 154111

Looks like a nice bike. Cairn doesn't sell to Canada and they're out of stock as well ... unfortunately.

 

[Quinterly]

Keep the Trek and take it by Grin there in Van for a kit. Definitely worth it!

Kind of hate the aesthetics of a battery pack on the downtube or seatpost tube but it also wouldn't qualify for the free money from my employer and I get walking away from free money

 

[BMP]

Still acoustic for my urban/city/commuting ride, but my employer is coming out with an e-bike rebate program and I already have some wellness benefits that I can use towards an e-bike. In total, about $625 available. I currently ride a Trek fitness bike (2018 FX Sport 4). My commute to work isn't that long (about 13km) but has two wicked climbs (depending on route 16% to 20% grade) and my office has so-so shower facilities at best. So, I don't really commute that much by bike these days. I also figure I can sell the Trek for ~$500.

Before yesterday, first choice bike would be the Santa Cruz Skitch Apex flat bar (I have a peripheral vision issue that makes drop bars feel unsafe) but unlikely to get boss approval for the cost. That led me to a Turbo Vado SL4 or a Trek Dual Sport +2 (although not sure about rear hub motors but this might be the application for them).

After yesterday, all US manufacturers/brands are not under consideration. Am looking for something in the SL category that closely resembles my Trek. Mondraker Dusty R seems close, but price challenge remains an obstacle. Orbea Vive H30 is another.

Thoughts on what my options are? In the urban/commuter/maybe a bit a gravel segment, should I be concerned about a hub motor?

Your FX should fetch more than $500. The new FX bikes have a through skewer set up and are a cheaper bike than your old Sport. Your's has a 12mm front axle, right? My wife has a 2019 Sport 4 and wants to convert hers to a 1X drivetrain.

Brad