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SCADAMAN29325's avatar
SCADAMAN29325
Explorer II
Mar 08, 2023

ebike for a heavy rider?

I'm 285 and want an ebike to cruise the campgrounds, trails and maybe a nearby town.

Anybody out there think what they have can help me out or maybe know of a fellow camper has what may work for me.

I've seen PLENTY advertised and reviewed, but I'm looking for real world suggestions.

Some of the things I've seen that appear to work well are mid-drive units that take advantage of the derailleur, fat tires seem nice, step through, 48v, NOT a built in or special designed battery that will not be in production in a few years...

What else should I be looking for and some suggestions please.

Thanks, Phil.
  • I ride my Ebike all over the CG. I may ride it into town or to the ch area .
    I ride my Ebike distances I could never ride a regular bike.
    An Ebike flattens the hills and picks up the slack that a regular bike doesn't do.
    It not about $$$ or longevity its about going from point A to B with ease. An Ebike takes you up the inclines in ways that a allow older riders to keep riding.
    Some may call it cheating. But cheating is driving the car to town,
    Ebikes allow one to enjoy the biking experience, while maintaining a comfortable pace and getting some exercise.

    An Ebike makes biking enjoyable vs. challenging.
    I get some enjoy the challenge and a more intense work out, However there are many that are beyond their days of being challenge by a bike and prefer an enjoyable ride.


    I totally agree with this statement. Maybe some are thinking there is no exercise in the electric bikes but there is. Ours are pedal assist so they 'help' with the pedaling. We have taken them pretty much everywhere and have enjoyed so much more than we could have on a regular bike. We have ridden all the 50 miles of carriage roads in Acadia, Along the waterfront in NJ, the 35 miles or so in Chicago waterfront etc..which would have not been possible without them.

    It really gets us out to see more than we normally would have.
  • nickthehunter wrote:
    Samsonsworld wrote:
    .. I will say a good 'regular' bike is a better investment. Cheaper and will last longer.
    X2

    Apples and oranges.
    I ride my Ebike all over the CG. I may ride it into town or to the ch area .
    I ride my Ebike distances I could never ride a regular bike.
    An Ebike flattens the hills and picks up the slack that a regular bike doesn't do.
    It not about $$$ or longevity its about going from point A to B with ease. An Ebike takes you up the inclines in ways that a allow older riders to keep riding.
    Some may call it cheating. But cheating is driving the car to town,
    Ebikes allow one to enjoy the biking experience, while maintaining a comfortable pace and getting some exercise.

    An Ebike makes biking enjoyable vs. challenging.
    I get some enjoy the challenge and a more intense work out, However there are many that are beyond their days of being challenge by a bike and prefer an enjoyable ride.
    I have a Pedego Boomerang rated to carry 350# with upgraded wheels
  • Samsonsworld wrote:
    I have a Velowave 750w. Pretty decent ebike for the money. I was 240lbs when I got it. Carries me easily. I will say a good 'regular' bike is a better investment. Cheaper and will last longer.
    …. Or an exercise bike?
  • Samsonsworld wrote:
    .. I will say a good 'regular' bike is a better investment. Cheaper and will last longer.
    X2
  • We have Rad Power Bikes (City 5 Plus). They are great bikes but far too heavy to take with us. My Townie Electra 7 speed (non electric) is a far better choice to take with us. Lighter, comfortable ride with foot forward technology. The smaller, lighter electric bikes that I have seen would not be the answer for your size IMO. Even the bike linked above is 68lbs. That's a lot of bike to transport. Too much for me anyways.
  • I have a Velowave 750w. Pretty decent ebike for the money. I was 240lbs when I got it. Carries me easily. I will say a good 'regular' bike is a better investment. Cheaper and will last longer.
  • Hi,
    My wife and I have the Aventon Level - original version and now they have the V2 version out. I am 6'4 and 280lbs and the bike is capable of 300lbs. It is a rear drive comes with a rear rack, fenders, etc... although we did buy aftermarket seats and the battery is removable. We take these with us all the time when we go camping and have about 1500 miles on them without any problems. They come in multiple frame sizes (S,M,L) as well as either step through or step over.

    Keep in mind whatever you buy they will be heavier than your normal bike and would need a bike rack to support the additional weight. For that I bought the KAC K2 rack, they are not rated for RV usage though. When we take them camping we just store them inside.

    If you have any other questions just let me know. Hope it helps

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